Wendy Sherman: US turns to its veteran negotiator to safeguard peace in Europe

Confronting Russia over Ukraine will not faze the former social worker who played a key role in North Korea and Iran talks

In Wendy Sherman, the Biden administration has sent its most experienced negotiator into the fray, in an attempt to fend off a Russian invasion of Ukraine and a new conflict in Europe.

No one in government has spent more time in high-stakes talks with hostile states than the 72-year-old deputy secretary of state, who has represented the US at two rounds of critical discussions with Russia this week.