Judging Freedom Dr. Gilbert Doctorow : Can Putin Tolerate More War?
Nov 26, 2025
Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, an expert on Russian and European affairs, dives into the complexities of the Ukraine conflict. He argues the war may conclude on the battlefield rather than through diplomacy, highlighting splits within Russian leadership, including Lavrov's criticism of back-channel talks. Doctorow discusses the unconventional negotiating roles of figures from the Trump administration and critiques European institutions for their influence in prolonging the conflict. He ties domestic unrest in Belgium to war expenditures and explains Moscow's perspective on 'denazification' as ideological rather than physical.
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Peace Plan Likely Fails; Battlefield Decides
- Russia likely will not accept the revised peace draft and the war will be decided on the battlefield.
- Gilbert Doctorow says a split at the top of the Russian government undermines back-channel negotiations and weakens the process.
Foreign Ministry Sidestepped By Back Channels
- Lavrov and the Foreign Ministry feel sidelined by back-channel negotiators like Kirill Dmitriev.
- Doctorow argues this loss of procedural control creates substantive distrust inside the Kremlin.
Trump's Distrust Shapes Negotiation Team
- Doctorow links the bizarre negotiation process to Donald Trump's distrust of the State Department.
- He suggests Trump prefers unconventional envoys because he distrusts career diplomats and neocon influence.