Judging Freedom LtCOL. Tony Shaffer : Ukraine’s End: Battlefield or Conference Room?
Aug 21, 2025
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer discusses the precarious situation in Ukraine. He dives into the complexities of the Trump-Putin dynamic and the need for a nuanced U.S. foreign policy. Shaffer highlights vulnerabilities in Russian politics and advocates for economic strategies to challenge Putin's authority. The dialogue also addresses NATO's evolving role and the shift in U.S. military support—moving from free aid to weapon sales. Listeners gain insights into the possibility of a neutral Ukraine as a potential resolution to ongoing tensions.
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Misreading Russia Risks Policy Failure
- Tony Shaffer warns Trump is being poorly advised about Russia and its motives.
- He says understanding Russian culture and history is essential to craft effective policy.
Russian Grinding Strategy Is Effective
- Shaffer assesses Russia is making steady battlefield gains and Ukraine cannot sustain current operations long.
- He argues Russia only needs to grind Ukraine down until collapse, not a quick decisive campaign.
Exploit Vulnerabilities, Not Mirror Force
- Shaffer cites Reagan's approach of exploiting Soviet vulnerabilities rather than direct confrontation.
- He argues the U.S. lacks an asymmetric strategy to pressure Russia's internal weaknesses.
