GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Ukraine and European security in the Trump era: Insights from Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Feb 22, 2025

Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and current U.S. Senator, joins Alina Polyakova, the President of the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss pressing issues in European security. They analyze the repercussions of Trump's call with Putin and how it affects U.S.-Europe relations. The conversation dives into NATO allies' concerns about American support and the challenges in ensuring Ukraine's security amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. They also touch on the need for European nations to bolster their defense capabilities in a potentially isolated landscape.

23:37

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Episode guests

Alina Polyakova

Elissa Slotkin

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Quick takeaways

The uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration has left European leaders questioning their security commitments and alliance dynamics.

President Trump's outreach to Vladimir Putin without consulting European allies signals a potential shift in diplomatic norms affecting Ukraine's future security.

Deep dives

U.S. Foreign Policy and European Reactions

The recent shift in U.S. foreign policy under the new administration raises significant concerns among European leaders. Vice President J.D. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference highlighted the lack of clarity regarding U.S. commitments to NATO and European security. His failure to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict left attendees anxious, as demonstrated by a German defense minister's vocal disapproval during the speech. As uncertainty looms over America's approach, European nations find themselves questioning their own readiness and alliance dynamics moving forward.

Intro

3min

U.S.-Europe Relations and NATO's Future

11min

Debating American Leadership and European Security Amidst Global Tensions

3min

Navigating U.S.-Ukraine Negotiations: Security, Territorial Concessions, and Strategic Calculations

4min

Analyzing Ukraine's Political Landscape and U.S.-Russia Relations

4min

Three years into the invasion of Ukraine, and amid the Trump administration’s rapid shift in US-Russia relations, can European and NATO allies continue to rely on the United States for support? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer is on the ground in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference for a hard look at the future of European security with US Senator Elissa Slotkin. World leaders and diplomats gathered at the annual conference to discuss global security challenges, but the biggest story, by far, in Munich was the news of President Trump’s 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, which upended three years of US-led efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. The Trump administration is emphatic: it wants an end to the war and that Europe is responsible for maintaining peace in any ceasefire deal. But can Europe guarantee Ukraine’s security without US support? Later in the episode, GZERO’s Tony Maciulis speaks with Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss the reaction to the Trump-Putin call and growing fears that NATO allies will be left on the sidelines of peace negotiations in Ukraine.

Host: Ian Bremmer

Guest: Elissa Slotkin

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GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Ukraine and European security in the Trump era: Insights from Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

U.S. Foreign Policy and European Reactions

Ukraine's Leadership and International Support

The Implications of U.S.-Russia Relations

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts