Bangladesh, April 26 -- The world may be witnessing the early signs of a surprising but crucial geopolitical shift: a normalization of relations between the United States and Russia that deliberately sidelines Ukraine. The recent meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, offers the clearest hint yet that Washington and Moscow may be inching toward a détente-without waiting for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskys approval or involvement.

Although few details about the three-hour meeting have been made public, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described it as “constructive” and “useful.” Even if his language was deliberately...