Prof. Gilbert Doctorow: Kremlin on Trump’s Call for Ceasefire.
Feb 5, 2025
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Professor Gilbert Doctorow, a geopolitical affairs expert, shares intriguing insights on the Kremlin's stance regarding Ukraine and Gaza. He discusses the emotional impact of these crises on Russian leadership. The conversation covers the Kremlin's influence on Israel-Iran tensions and critiques U.S. political views. Doctorow also analyzes the implications of military aid to Ukraine amid Trump's foreign policy suggestions, and raises concerns about national security linked to proposed CIA buyouts during the Trump administration.
The Kremlin perceives the Gaza situation as a humanitarian crisis and seeks to align actions with Iran's stance on regional conflicts.
The legitimacy of Ukrainian elections under Zelensky is questioned by Russia, emphasizing the need for discussions focused on current power dynamics.
Deep dives
Kremlin's Perspective on Global Conflicts
The Kremlin views the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian crisis, aligning its perspective with criticisms of what is perceived as genocide. President Putin has openly expressed his dismay at the violence occurring there. Moreover, the recent comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran indicates that the Kremlin is likely to take cues from Tehran regarding its future involvement in conflicts involving Israel or the United States. This relationship suggests that any Russian response will be contingent upon Iran's position, rather than the Kremlin acting independently in regional disputes.
U.S.-Israel Dynamics and Iran's Nuclear Threat
The debate surrounding Israel's potential action against Iran's nuclear program has intensified, with various U.S. politicians voicing strong support for military intervention. Specifically, some argue that Israel should act to destabilize Iran's nuclear capabilities, claiming that Iran poses a significant threat. However, this view is criticized as outdated, reflecting a detachment from current realities on the ground in the Middle East. The geopolitical dynamics are shifting, leading to a perception that Israel and Iran may independently seek resolutions without escalating to military confrontation.
The Legitimacy of Ukrainian Governance
The Kremlin maintains that President Zelensky's authority is compromised under Ukrainian and international law, rendering any elections he conducts illegitimate. Suggestions from U.S. officials about ceasefires or new elections in Ukraine may not align with Russian expectations, as they seek to ensure that Ukrainian forces withdraw from contested regions. The urgency for a rapid resolution is evident, as the Russians anticipate that delaying tactics from the West could lead to rearmament of Ukrainian forces. Therefore, any future discussions must be undertaken with an understanding of current power dynamics rather than aspirations for what governance could ideally look like.