Judging Freedom Prof. Gilbert Doctorow: Trump/Putin: Who Has the Upper Hand?
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May 21, 2025 Gilbert Doctorow, an insightful European affairs analyst and author, delves into the complex relationship between Trump and Putin. He discusses the hurdles American leaders face in understanding Russian perspectives during negotiations. The conversation highlights Trump's conflicting decisions on Ukraine and his unique communication tactics. Doctorow also touches on shifting European attitudes towards Israel and offers a teaser about his upcoming book exploring transformations in Russian society amidst ongoing conflicts.
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Trump's Strategy: Confuse and Divide
- Donald Trump intentionally keeps opposing views close to sow confusion among his enemies.
- This tactic prevents his domestic and international adversaries from uniting against him effectively.
Trump Excludes EU and Zelensky
- Russia is satisfied that Trump understands their security needs and is sympathetic.
- Trump helped exclude European leaders, including Zelensky, from separate talks with Putin, giving Russia a diplomatic edge.
Putin Rejects Ceasefire Precondition
- Ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations is off the table according to Putin.
- European leaders are quieter on Ukraine peace talks, realizing changes are underway.