The generally chilly and infrequently frozen relationship between Russia and the U.S. has gotten loads hotter since President Trump took workplace. And despite the fact that the American drive to dealer a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could also be faltering, the need to do large enterprise offers with the Kremlin has not. We go to Moscow to take a look at how the connection between the 2 nations 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 help of the warfare.

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 help of the warfare.

Charles Maynes/NPR