Putin breaks down his isolation, with a big assist from Trump

Citizens walk under the net covered streets, protecting against drone attacks, in Kherson, Ukraine, on Oct. 28, 2026. Notching wins from Washington, the Russian leader is talking with foreign leaders and could return to diplomatic center stage with possible summit meetings. (David Guttenfelder/The New York Times) By PAUL SONNE He took a rare call from the Finnish and Norwegian leaders. He hosted Qatar’s emir and Iran’s president at a forum of gas-exporting countries. And he squired African...