The Paikin Podcast World on Edge: Will Russia Win the Ukraine War?
Dec 11, 2025
Janice Stein, a leading scholar in international relations and founding director of the Munk School, teams up with Paul Grod, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, to delve into the complexities of the Ukraine war. They discuss the resilience of the Ukrainian population, Putin's growing empowerment, and the stark realities of Russian public support for the war. Their analysis touches on the ineffective peace negotiations and the pivotal role of U.S. mediation strategy, all while highlighting daily life in Ukraine under siege.
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Putin Is Strengthened, Not Weakened
- Putin appears emboldened by alliances, lack of domestic opposition, and ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
- Paul Grod argues Putin has little incentive to negotiate and seeks control over Ukraine.
Villages Pool Signing Bonuses
- Janice Stein recounts stories of Russian villages pooling signing bonuses to send one recruit, illustrating mobilization pressures.
- Multiple villages confirmed similar practices, showing social coping with heavy casualties.
Economic Pressure Has Delayed Effects
- Russia's economy shows signs of strain with first-year no growth and rising interest rates, but effects lag.
- Janice Stein notes the most mobile and educated opponents already left, muting internal dissent.
