US President Donald Trump long believed he could sway Russian leader Vladimir Putin into pursuing peace through personal charm and persuasion. That assumption, rooted in the idea that Moscow could be turned into a U.S. partner against China, ignored the reality of Russia’s growing dependence on Beijing and its unwillingness to compromise.
This misreading has cost Ukraine, both by undermining confidence in U.S. support and by giving Russia space to advance militarily. Washington, however, has been forced to recognize the hard truth: Moscow has no genuine interest in peace.
The latest Russian strikes highlight this reality. For the first time since the war began, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building, which includes the prime minister’s office, was damaged in a wave of drone and missile attacks. The assault followed earlier strikes on EU and British Council offices, underscoring Russia’s strategy of escalation.
With record numbers of drones aimed at overwhelming Kyiv’s defenses, the attacks have taken a heavy civilian toll, including the deaths of children. Even U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg acknowledged on Sunday that Russia’s actions mark a clear escalation.
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