News Analysis: Trump says he's trying to entice Russia to negotiate. It doesn't appear to be working

What happened: Trump relaxed U.S. sanctions on Russia and pressed Zelensky to accept Putin's territorial demands, saying he wants to entice Putin to negotiate with preemptive rewards. Why it matters: Former officials including Richard Haass and Fiona Hill say the administration has sided with Russia, and Putin appears to be stalling while pocketing concessions. Key numbers: War ongoing since 2022; Trump sought Moscow deals for 30 years; diesel prices rose slightly after his decision.

Trump relaxed U.S. sanctions on Russia and pressed Zelensky to accept Putin's territorial demands, saying he wants to entice Putin to negotiate with preemptive rewards.

Former officials including Richard Haass and Fiona Hill say the administration has sided with Russia, and Putin appears to be stalling while pocketing concessions. Key numbers: War ongoing since 2022; Trump sought Moscow deals for 30 years; diesel prices rose slightly after his decision.