The Monocle Daily

Steve Witkoff arrives in Russia for talks with Putin – is peace in sight?

10 snips
Dec 2, 2025
Dr. Marion Messmer, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, and Somnath Batterbiel, a media lecturer and author, dive deep into the complex landscape of international relations. They analyze the precarious peace talks between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine, discussing Zelensky's challenge of territorial concessions. The conversation also touches on India's missile tests and the geopolitical implications for China. Lastly, they reflect on Denmark's unusual decision to end postal deliveries, sparking a cultural conversation about the value of handwritten letters.
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INSIGHT

Europe's Shifting Military Balance

  • Europe is gaining military advantage as Russia loses equipment and personnel.
  • But European deterrence depends on political confidence, which weakens if the US shifts away.
INSIGHT

Ukraine Absent From Peace Talks

  • A US-Russia peace plan is being discussed without Ukrainian participation.
  • Volodymyr Zelensky calls for a "just peace" that preserves as much Ukrainian territory as possible.
INSIGHT

Russia's Limits Against NATO

  • A NATO-Russia war differs from Russia–Ukraine fighting, notably because NATO contains other nuclear powers.
  • Russia lacks usable kit and may run out of tanks by 2026, limiting conventional options.
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