The generally chilly and sometimes frozen relationship between Russia and the U.S. has gotten rather a lot hotter since President Trump took workplace. And although the American drive to dealer a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could also be faltering, the will to do large enterprise offers with the Kremlin has not. We go to Moscow to have a look at how the connection between the 2 international locations has modified, from the Russian perspective.
CORRECTION: A earlier model of the audio on this story misidentified Pete Hegseth because the secretary of state. He’s the secretary of protection.

Exterior the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in April 2025. Professional-war indicators within the Russian tricolor learn “We’re Collectively” and promise inevitable victory in Ukraine. A key image is the letter Z — the Kremlin’s chosen image in assist of the battle.
Charles Maynes/NPR
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Charles Maynes/NPR
Exterior the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in April 2025. Professional-war indicators within the Russian tricolor learn “We’re Collectively” and promise inevitable victory in Ukraine. A key image is the letter Z — the Kremlin’s chosen image in assist of the battle.
Charles Maynes/NPR