Overview of the Podcast Episode

The podcast episode features a conversation between Mike Kaufman and Stephen Kotkin, an eminent historian of Russian and Soviet history. The discussion centers around the offensive in Ukraine, reflections on the war, and the implications for the future of Russia and international relations. Kotkin reflects on his previous predictions regarding the war and the shortcuts that were envisioned, which ultimately did not materialize. He emphasizes the importance of winning the peace rather than just the war and raises questions about the feasibility and implications of regaining Crimea. They also discuss the current offensive in Ukraine and the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces. The conversation touches on the Western support provided to Ukraine, including munitions and equipment, and the complexities of managing the conversation around support and escalation.