The Global Story Is a peace deal with Putin possible?
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Feb 26, 2026 Fiona Hill, former White House Russia adviser and long-time analyst, reflects on meetings with Putin and shaping US policy. She dissects Putin’s motives, NATO tensions and the 2014 Crimea move. She also recalls working inside the Trump White House and debates whether a negotiated peace could be brokered and what a viable end to the war would require.
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Putin Meeting After Beslan Showed His Stagecraft
- Fiona Hill described meeting Vladimir Putin in 2004 at his Novogorjeva residence shortly after the Beslan tragedy, where the atmosphere was tense and personal.
- She recalled enforced waiting, alcohol served, and Putin using the event to deliver hostile, controlled messages.
2007 Munich Speech Marked Russia Reasserting Itself
- In 2007 Putin signalled a return to assertive global posture, blaming the US for overstepping international law and exploiting a resurging Russian economy.
- Hill links rising oil prices, paid-off debts and internal consolidation after Chechnya to his confidence to speak out.
NATO Moves Toward Ukraine Predicted Russian Pushback
- Hill warned in 2014 that pushing Ukraine toward NATO would provoke a Russian reaction, pointing to Russia's 2008 response in Georgia.
- She emphasised policymakers needed to factor likely Russian forceful reactions into decisions about Ukraine.