The President’s Inbox Donald Trump’s Russia Ultimatum, With Liana Fix
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Jul 29, 2025 Liana Fix, a Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives into the complexities of the Ukraine conflict and Trump’s striking ultimatum to Putin. She discusses the resilience of Ukraine’s fighters despite internal challenges and explores the shifting military support from China and North Korea. The conversation also addresses the contrasting perceptions of American and Russian motivations in the crisis and the implications for NATO and U.S.-Europe relations amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
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Ukraine War as Defensive Struggle
- The Ukraine war has turned into a defensive struggle with difficult offensive gains for both sides.
- Daily Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities aim to terrorize and break public morale.
Russia's Troop Sustainability
- Russia can afford continuous troop losses due to larger manpower reserves compared to Ukraine.
- This demographic advantage could impact the war's long-term sustainability without a ceasefire.
China's Crucial Support to Russia
- China's aid is a critical lifeline, involving sanction evasion and provision of materials enabling Russia's military equipment production.
- The US characterizes these as "IKEA kits" assembled in Russia, blurring the lethal dual-use goods distinction.