Political messages don’t get much blunter than the Russian missiles that slammed into an American-owned manufacturing firm overnight Wednesday in western Ukraine, hundreds of miles away from the frontline trenches of a war with no end in sight.

Putin talks, but hopes for peace remain dim. Russia’s demands are unchanged, US commitment is cautious, and Europe is left to lead. As air strikes continue, diplomacy is clouded by distrust, secrecy,

After a week of summits around peace for Ukraine, Russia is holding firm to its demands. While the White House suggests that progress is being made on a deal, Russian observers say the Kremlin is content to wait Kyiv out.