On eve of Trump–Putin Summit, Russians share hopes — and doubts — for Peace

A Matryoshka, the traditional Russian wooden dolls, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is displayed for sale at a souvenir shop in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump's "energetic and sincere" efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But on the streets of Moscow while many hope for an end to the war, they disagree on how to get there.

(Image credit: Dmitri Lovetsky)