The DSR Network Has Trump Really Changed His Tone on Russia? Really?
Aug 6, 2025
Max Boot, a foreign policy expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses the complexities of Trump's rhetoric towards Russia amidst the Ukraine invasion. He analyzes whether Trump's tough talk translates to action and the implications for U.S.-Russia relations. The conversation highlights shifts in Trump's stance and the motivations behind his foreign policy decisions. Boot also addresses the broader impact on global alliances and the challenges of navigating an unpredictable international landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump's Shift on Russia's Blame
- Trump's initial Russia approach was naive, expecting Putin would yield out of personal favor.
- In June, Trump shifted to blame Putin as the war's culprit and hinted at holding him accountable.
Russia Uses Terror Amid Failures
- Russia uses terror attacks on civilians to compensate for military failures in Ukraine.
- Russia fears Ukrainian strikes deep inside its own territory, which may influence ceasefire talks.
Trump's Ambiguous Russia Policy
- The Trump administration reduces enforcement of sanctions and suggests both Ukraine and Russia share blame.
- Despite rhetoric, real leverage against Russia or stronger support for Ukraine remains limited so far.
