Richard Haass: Is diplomacy between Russia and the West still possible?

The West may have to wait until Russia has a new leader after Vladimir Putin before it can renew constructive relations with the country, but it must ensure in the meantime that relations with the former Soviet power do not totally disintegrate, writes Richard Haass

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position may come to be challenged from within (or he may succumb to reported health challenges) but the West is not in a position to engineer his removal, much less ensure that someone better replaces him. Photo: Mikhail Metzel via AP

Amid more than two months of intense media focus on the war in Ukraine, one story was largely overlooked. 

In late April, the United States and Russia carried out an exchange of prisoners. Russia released an American (a former marine) whom it detained some three years ago, while the US released a Russian pilot imprisoned over a decade ago on drug smuggling charges.