Russia opens door to ‘new relationship’ with U.S. as Putin wrestles with Ukraine deadlock

War in UkraineRussia opens door to ‘new relationship’ with U.S. as Putin wrestles with Ukraine deadlockTalks appear no closer to ending the war, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to project a bullish view of the Russian economy.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.Sergey Bobylev / Sputnik via APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 6, 2026, 10:29 AM EDTBy Keir Simmons and Natasha LebedevaST. PETERSBURG, Russia — President Vladimir Putin looked out across a familiar scene on Friday — and a changing world.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The regimented ranks of government officials, business leaders and supporters who lined up to listen to the Russian leader speak at the International Economic Forum appeared much the same as they have for years.But optimism that followed an August summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska has given way to a stalemate in Ukraine, both on the battlefield and in talks to end the conflict. On Thursday, the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation that would provide new aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions against Moscow.Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has boosted inflation and persistent Ukrainian drone attacks have compounded fuel shortages, imposing more pain on a country already saddled with sanctions.Once a showcase for economic optimism, Putin’s summit in his hometown of St. Petersburg was this year dominated by drones — those manufactured in Russia and featured on display stands throughout the cavernous event center, as well as those launched from Ukraine, terrifying residents of this historic city.Dismissing a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting, Putin said there was “no point.” “First, let experts work, work something out, and then we can meet to sign things,” he said, according to a transl...