The Trump administration has again sent envoys to Moscow to try to end Russia’s war of conquest against Ukraine. The objective is laudable, but the strategy fails to see Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the tyrant he is and is thus doomed to fail.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow for meetings with Putin on Monday, Sept. 7. President Donald Trump said his envoys were carrying proposals to end a war that will soon enter its fourth year. The administration asked Moscow to pause its strikes on Kyiv.