Speedy fortnight instills self-assurance in Russia

I’m Steve Rosenberg, the Russia editor, and I write this article recounting my evening at the Kremlin. It started as a typical arrival at an event with President Putin but evolved into an unexpected and intriguing experience. After eight hours of waiting, Putin made a live statement proposing direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, steering clear of a press conference. This statement was a catalyst for subsequent events, including peace talks and a significant telephone conversation between Putin and Donald Trump. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation in Ukraine remains tense, and the peace process seems as complicated as navigating the Kremlin’s labyrinthine corridors late at night.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1w387gr30ro