The President’s Inbox

Trump’s Peace Plan for Ukraine, With Liana Fix and Charles A. Kupchan

Feb 25, 2025

Liana Fix, a CFR fellow specializing in European security, and Charles A. Kupchan, a CFR senior fellow and expert on international affairs, delve into Trump's evolving policies on Ukraine. They discuss the impact of U.S. foreign policy on European dynamics, including mixed responses to the Ukraine conflict and the challenges of unity among European nations. The conversation highlights potential economic partnerships centered around rare earth elements for Ukraine’s reconstruction, stressing the significance of a unified strategy against Russian aggression.

37:05

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Episode guests

Charles Kupchan

Liana Fix

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Trump's evolving policy on Ukraine highlights a strategy that prioritizes U.S.-Russia normalization, potentially compromising Ukrainian sovereignty in negotiations.

European nations are responding with a mix of panic and strategic consolidation as they assess their military and economic support for Ukraine amid U.S. policy shifts.

Deep dives

Trump's Approach to Ending the War

The analysis suggests that Donald Trump's method of negotiating to end the war in Ukraine is largely motivated by a desire to normalize U.S.-Russia relations. Recent events, including a controversial U.S. vote against a UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion, reflect priorities that appear to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty in favor of striking deals with Russia. Trump's approach includes positioning Ukraine as a secondary issue in favor of broader negotiations with Russia, raising concerns about potential concessions from the Ukrainian side. Consequently, European nations are in a state of alarm, contemplating how to react amidst fear that these developments jeopardize Ukraine's standing and security.

Intro

2min

Shifting Dynamics: US-Russia Relations and Ukraine

18min

Examining U.S.-Ukraine Economic Partnerships and Support

3min

European Political Dynamics Amidst Ukraine Negotiations

3min

Political Upheaval in Germany

4min

Shifting Spheres: The Future of Global Power

7min

Liana Fix, CFR fellow for Europe, and Charles A. Kupchan, CFR senior fellow and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, sit down with James M. Lindsay on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to discuss Trump's evolving policy toward Ukraine.

Mentioned on the Episode:

Scott Bessent, “Economic Partnership Will Protect the Ukrainian People and the US Taxpayer,” Financial Times

Heidi Crebo-Rediker, “The Art of a Good Deal: Ukraine’s Strategic Economic Opportunity for the United States,” CFR.org

Rush Doshi, “The Trump Administration’s China Challenge,” Foreign Affairs

Liana Fix, “Partners in Peacemaking: How the United States and Europe Can End the War in Ukraine," CFR.org

Michael Froman and Charles A. Kupchan, “Supporting Ukraine Is in Trump’s Interest,” Project Syndicate

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/trumps-peace-plan-ukraine-liana-fix-charles-kupchan