What A Day The Trump Putin Breakup Explained
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Jul 16, 2025 
Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, discusses the shifting dynamics of Donald Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. He analyzes Trump's recent announcement to send U.S. weapons to Ukraine and critiques past foreign policy decisions. Rhodes highlights the implications of funding cuts for programs like PEPFAR on vulnerable communities and sheds light on legal controversies in Congress, including discussions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and Senate confirmations for new U.N. representatives.
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Trump's Inevitable Putin Divorce
- Trump's pivot away from cozying up with Putin was inevitable due to Putin's deceitful nature.
- Despite tough talk, Trump facilitates existing support to Ukraine without a new strategy.
Russian Escalation Exploits Ukraine's Weakness
- Russia escalates attacks as Ukrainians are vulnerable under Trump's ambivalence.
- Putin exploits Ukraine's weakness when the US signal is unclear or unsupportive.
Limits of US Sanctions on Russia
- US economic sanctions on Russia have limited impact due to Russian oil and global buyers.
- Trump's friction with allies weakens coordinated sanction efforts, reducing pressure on Russia.