
The Monocle Daily Steve Witkoff arrives in Russia for talks with Putin – is peace in sight?
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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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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.
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.
The 28‑Point Plan Looks Like A Starting Point
- The initial 28-point plan resembled Russia's wish list and lacked clear concessions.
- Somnath expects negotiated follow-ups rather than the original proposal succeeding.


