Do Russians think Trump can end the conflict in Ukraine?

There is a unique feature in Novodevichy Park, Moscow, that is frequently included on sightseeing tours of the city.

The relationship between Russia and the United States is what makes it unique.

The nine squat figurines in the set depict a mother mallard waddling beside her eight ducklings.

In 1991, the then-First Lady of the United States, Barbara Bush, gave replicas of a sculpture located in Boston, Massachusetts, to Moscow after her counterpart, Raisa Gorbachev, reportedly appreciated the original.

So, is duck diplomacy still relevant in the context of the most recent attempt at rapprochement? Do Russians think Trump can end the conflict in Ukraine?

Olga, one of the women we meet, is contemptuous. She pauses her stroll around the park’s frozen pond to add, “It is not American negotiations that will bring about the end of the Special Military Operation, but only our Russian interests,”

Vladimir Putin, she thinks, will dictate any thaw in relations: “If we achieve what our leaders have outlined – by the way I support it – then the Special Military Operation will probably end.”

Before a group of visitors follow their guide to the sculptures, their configuration resembling that of the figures they have come to see, another bus pulls up.

Some snap selfies, while others pet the bronze beaks. It’s unclear whether the sculpture’s novelty or meaning is what interests them.

Valeria, who traveled from Perm to Moscow with her little son, is on the periphery of the group. She buried her husband, Aleksey, who lost his life in combat in Ukraine, in December. Her only wish is for the conflict to end.

“I think it will all end soon,” she adds, finding hope in the conversation between Trump and Putin.

“My spouse passed away on his own, therefore I sincerely hope it happens. It found out that he died after signing a contract.

“So we still hope that [the war] will end someday.”

There was another strange sight across town. It has to do with statues again. One of Elvis Presley and one of the Blues Brothers are present.

We are here to trade ducks for double cheeseburgers at the Beverly Hills Diner, a unique slice of Americana in the Russian capital.

Viktoria and Natalya are two of the clients. Despite sharing a table, the two buddies had different opinions on the negotiations.

According to Viktoria, President Zelenskyy need to be invited to the table as well. “Well, it doesn’t depend on only two presidents,” she argues.

“A minimum of three sides should be present. This should be accepted by the other side as well.