Kremlin struggles to project global relevance amid peace talks

In the coming weeks before the next round of talks on peace for Ukraine, the feebleness of Russian leverage in other international conflicts is likely to become clear. Moscow has little to contribute to negotiations over international trade and tariffs, the regulation of information technologies, rebuilding Gaza, and Iran’s nuclear program. The exhaustion of relentless Russian attacks in Donbas and the hollowness of Putin’s claims of military dominance may also become clear. Since the start of February, Russia has lost more territory to Ukrainian counterattacks than it has gained at tremendous human cost. For the past year, Putin has managed to deflect the U.S. pressure to end his war against Ukraine, but Russia’s repertoire of procrastinations may be dwindling.