Russia’s narrative of a ‘direct confrontation’ with US could be a ‘good way to lay ground work’ for talks between Trump and Putin, says Simon Schlegel, senior Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group ‘We live in the times of new Cold War, which is quickly turning into World War III,’ warns North Korea expert Leonid Petrov ISTANBUL As their war hit the grim mark of 1,000 days, Russia and Ukraine have entered a new phase of dangerous and potentially nuclear escalation. Outgoing US