Two recent summits brought contrasting visual signals: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore a proper suit while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wore a sweatshirt emblazoned with C.C.C.P., the Russian initials for the U.S.S.R. Lavrov’s garment was widely interpreted as a rallying cry for old-style Russian imperialism and a trollish provocation at talks meant to address that expansionism. Campaign promises and Trump’s optimism to end the war quickly clash with deeper forces, including Putin’s nostalgia, that resist quick deals. Anne Applebaum provides long-term expertise on leaders' motivations, and Vivian Salama outlines Trump's limitations and possible next moves.
But the more startling sartorial choice came from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Lavrov arrived in Alaska in a sweatshirt (already a bold choice), and this one was adorned in big, black block letters with C.C.C.P., the Russian initials for the U.S.S.R. The message was widely interpreted as a rallying cry for old-style Russian imperialism and a somewhat trollish move by the foreign minister, who had arrived at a meeting ostensibly designed to discuss ending that very thing.
On the campaign trail ahead of his second term, Trump repeatedly said that he would end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. With this latest pair of summits, Trump was equally optimistic: Close the deal! Win the Nobel Prize! But the forces driving this war-Putin's nostalgia for a bygone era among them-are too deep and stubborn to easily yield to Trump's brand of dealmaking.
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