Trump edition: America's embrace of Russia and how to end a war
Feb 21, 2025
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Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London, delves into the turbulent dynamics between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky amidst negotiations with Russia. He analyzes why Trump has shifted his stance towards Russia and contrasts it with American public sentiment. Freedman also raises thought-provoking questions on how wars end, exploring historical precedents and the nuances of ensuring equitable peace agreements without military defeat. His insights illuminate the complexities of contemporary geopolitical tensions.
Trump's contentious remarks toward Zelensky amid peace talks with Russia highlight a political rift in the U.S. regarding foreign military support.
Professor Freedman emphasizes that resolving the Ukraine conflict requires careful negotiation to avoid future hostilities, drawing on historical peace settlement lessons.
Deep dives
Impact of Trump's Spat with Zelensky
The tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky escalate as Trump publicly labels Zelensky a dictator after excluding him from negotiation talks with Russia. This situation raises concerns among European leaders, who are horrified by Trump's rhetoric. The lack of major dissent from within the Republican party indicates a strong alignment with Trump's narrative, despite most Americans supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. The situation reflects not only the fluctuating dynamics of international negotiations but also the intricacies of domestic political reactions in the United States.
American Public Sentiment on Ukraine
Recent polling shows that while the American public largely sympathizes with Ukraine, there is growing reluctance among Republicans to continue funding military support. Although most Americans still blame Russia for the ongoing war, there's a distinct shift where taxpayers question the efficiency of financial aid allocated to Ukraine. This hesitation coincides with broader budget cuts proposed by figures like Elon Musk, further complicating the U.S. commitment to foreign military assistance. The dichotomy between public sympathy for Ukraine and the demand for decreased taxpayer expenditures illustrates a critical pivot in U.S. foreign policy perspective.
Professor Friedman on War Resolutions
Professor Lawrence Friedman discusses the complexities of negotiating peace in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that both sides hold incompatible positions that complicate reaching an agreement. He stresses that past wars have shown various outcomes, including total military capitulation or exhaustion rather than straightforward negotiations. Furthermore, the potential repercussions of any settlement rooted in the current conflict could lead to future animosity, referencing historical precedents like the Treaty of Versailles. This dynamic underscores the necessity of carefully navigating the terms of any peace deal to avoid sowing the seeds for future conflicts.
Broader Implications for Global Security
The dialogue about the potential for renewed large-scale warfare in Europe emerges, with concerns about Russia's ambitions post-Ukraine conflict. Observers highlight that while a military victory may be within reach for the West, the hazards of nuclear escalation hinder direct involvement. There are significant worries that should the situation in Ukraine culminate unfavorably, it could embolden Russia's expansionist tendencies towards neighboring countries. Such a scenario would lead to a reevaluation of international military commitments and strategies necessary to maintain global security.
This week a very public spat erupted between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Vlodomoyr Zelensky after Washington took the unprecedented step of starting peace negotiation talks with Moscow - but without Kyiv.
After Zelensky accused Trump of disinformation, Trump retorted by branding Zelensky a dictator, something that has been roundly condemned by European leaders.
So why has Trump turned against Zelensky, what is behind his embrace of Russia and is his view shared by Americans?
Plus: How do you end a war? Do they always end in negotiations, as the cliche goes? And is there a fair way to do it - particularly if neither side has been militarily defeated?
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, the Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London, looks to history to discuss all these questions and more.