Russia Matters

In conversation with Lucian Kim and Yevgenia Albats, Hill argued that Putin's broader objective in the peace talks is to achieve a rapprochement with the U.S. while deferring substantive negotiations on the war itself.

The sympathies of the American people are clearly engaged in the struggle between an invading power [Russia] and a country seeking to preserve its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity [Ukraine].

Historically in many conflicts, peace negotiations lasted years, even as the war raged on. Thus, the balance of power—measured in resources, losses and quality of strategic leadership—are critical to the outcome of negotiations.

The 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment put out by the Trump administration names Russia and the growing cooperation between it, China, Iran and North Korea among threats to U.S. interests globally.

Harvard Kennedy School's Graham T. Allison argues that if Trump can repeat Eisenhower's approach to ending the Korean War... Trump will be able to claim that he has achieved the peace “deal of the century.”

Recent polls held in Russia and Ukraine suggest a 30-day ceasefire would enjoy support by around 50% of respondents or more, exceeding the shares of those who oppose it in both countries by significant margins.

Witkoff, a New York real estate magnate and long-time friend of Donald Trump, was initially appointed to serve as Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, but is now playing a key role in ending the war in Ukraine.

How can the war in Ukraine end? Is a negotiated settlement possible? If so, what would it take to achieve it? This review of 25 peace proposals examines the range of options on the table and assesses their viability as effective blueprints for ending...