rut, Being Stuck in a Courtroom Is Just What Trump Needed； stuck in a rut and was losing its direction.showing signs of wear and tear, giving way to mutual frustration and a feeling that the relationship might be stuck in a bit of a rut.

 

STUART STEVENS

Being Stuck in a Courtroom Is Just What Trump Needed

More than two years into their wartime alliance, the bond between the United States and Ukraine is showing signs of wear and tear, giving way to mutual frustration and a feeling that the relationship might be stuck in a bit of a rut.

Mutual Frustrations Arise in U.S.-Ukraine Alliance

Ukrainian officials are disheartened about stalled aid. The Pentagon wants Kyiv to heed its advice on how to fight.

rut¹

/rʌt/

noun

1. 1.

   a long, deep track made by the repeated passage of the wheels of vehicles.

   "a stretch of road made impassable by ruts, holes, or waterlogging"

   Similar:

   wheel track

   furrow

   groove

   track

   trough

   ditch

   trench

   gutter

   gouge

   crack

   hollow

   hole

   pothole

   cavity

   crater
2. 2.

   a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.

   "the administration was stuck in a rut and was losing its direction"