Russia’s plan for ‘wider peace issues’ sounds less like diplomacy and more like a prisoner's dilemma where Putin already holds all the cards. But cheers for trying—next up, arms control or just arm wrestling?

Sure, a U.S.-Russian arms treaty sounds promising, if by "progress" you mean Russia carefully selecting which treaties to ignore next.

If Putin says he’s ‘engaging on wider peace issues,’ check your pulse—you might be in an alternate universe where bears file tax returns.