Balance of Power Putin Meets Trump Team on Ukraine War
Dec 2, 2025
Liana Fix, a Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, dives into Russia's negotiation tactics in the Ukraine conflict, cautioning against trusting superficial gestures. U.S. Representative Carlos Jimenez discusses the complexities of recent strikes on narco boats and the implications for regional security. Former SEC chair Gary Gensler underscores the speculative nature of cryptocurrency markets, advocating for fair regulations. Together, these insights explore the intertwined nature of diplomacy, security, and economic stability.
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Putin's Goal: Control Not Compromise
- Vladimir Putin seeks political control over all Ukraine, not just military gains in the east.
- Liana Fix warns a ceasefire on Russian terms would shift to prolonged political warfare.
U.S. Stance Risks Undermining Ukraine
- U.S. envoys appear willing to accept Russian demands at face value, risking Ukraine's sovereignty.
- Liana Fix says that approach undermines Ukraine's existence as an independent state.
Why Ukrainians Distrust Witkoff
- Ukrainians view Steve Witkoff as unreliable and lacking expertise on Russian intentions.
- Liana Fix says he fails to distinguish bluffs from real Russian positions.