Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Africa final week carrying the message that Moscow would love a political settlement to the warfare in Ukraine, however Kyiv is thwarting the initiative on the behest of the U.S. Russian diplomats echo the message, telling U.S. media and coverage makers that Washington is eschewing diplomatic engagement and blocking pursuit of a peaceable decision.

That is bunk. There are high-level channels for speaking critical messages, and if officers in Moscow wish to talk about a political settlement, they know precisely the best way to use them. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, the nationwide safety adviser, communicate with their Russian counterparts. There is no such thing as a indication that Vladimir Putin is really prepared to pursue a political settlement.