Russia has sought to separate the war in Ukraine from potential business deals and diplomacy with the United States. Its efforts now appear to be working.

After Russia released an American prisoner, President Trump’s special envoy praised President Vladimir V. Putin as “a humanitarian.” Our White House and national security correspondent, David E. Sanger, describes how the release comes amid Mr. Trump’s broader shift toward Russia and away from Ukraine.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, meeting Vladimir Putin in Russia, voiced hope for new trilateral talks involving Ukraine, but Moscow appears to be sticking to its maximalist demands.

Friends,

I am just through the door from several days’ travel and am wiped out, so this will not be a real letter.

As Ukraine and Russia trade attacks, President Trump has exempted Russia from sanctions, widening his rift with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. To discuss the latest developments, Geoff Bennett spoke with Denys Sienik, Ukraine's Deputy Ambassador to the U.S.

Russia’s return to the G20 table has tested how far Washington’s outreach to Moscow will strain ties with European allies.