As Ukraine and Russia complete an exchange of nearly 500 prisoners amid ongoing hostilities, American news outlets are reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be open to ceasefire talks behind the scenes. But in Moscow, “That’s not how we see it,” says Nina Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at the New School and the great-granddaughter of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. “Putin has been quite clear from the beginning that Russia is going to achieve all its goals,” and, despite international sanctions, the majority sentiment in Russia is that even ceasefire negotiations will result in the country ending the war “on stronger terms,” Krushcheva says.
