Defense & Aerospace Report DEFAERO Daily Pod [Aug 19, 25] Eugene Rumer on Russia-Ukraine & Byron Callan’s Week Ahead
Aug 18, 2025
Eugene Rumer, director at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former national intelligence officer, dives into the evolving dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the impact of U.S.-Russia diplomacy following the recent summit. Byron Callan, a defense policy expert at Capital Alpha Partners, analyzes the Pentagon’s acquisition budgeting challenges and the implications of new defense policies. Together, they explore trade relations, international military involvement, and the significant tensions affecting geopolitical alliances.
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U.S. Drift Toward European-Led Ukraine Policy
- Eugene Rumer argues President Trump views Russia as a great power with prerogatives over its neighbors.
- He suggests U.S. policy is shifting toward leaving Ukraine to European management rather than direct U.S. involvement.
Russia's Grinding Advantage Over Time
- Rumer warns that Russia's larger manpower and incremental territorial gains give it a long-run advantage.
- He believes the conflict will worsen for Ukraine if current trends continue without stronger support.
Limits Of A Multinational Force In Ukraine
- Rumer doubts a multilateral force on Ukrainian soil would deter Russia absent real security guarantees.
- He sees such a force as likely unacceptable to Moscow and ineffective as a tripwire without Article 5-style commitments.