The Rachman Review Trump ‘plays into Putin’s hands’
25 snips
Aug 21, 2025 Alexander Gabuev, Director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and a prominent expert in Russian foreign policy, joins the discussion with Gideon. They analyze the outcomes of recent summits between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, pondering whether Russia has emerged stronger. Key themes include the effectiveness of Western security guarantees and the challenges of miscommunication among leaders. Gabuev also delves into the complexities of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the resilience of Ukraine amidst ongoing aggression.
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Manpower And Drone Pressures
- Recent Russian breaches exposed Ukraine's manpower and defensive strains.
- Russia's scaling of drone production and countermeasures is eroding a Ukrainian advantage.
Putin Wants Trump As Principal
- Putin prefers negotiating with the American president and can empower envoys to formalize outcomes.
- He expects summits to ratify deals already skewed toward Russian terms, not to bargain afresh.
Security Guarantees Could Be A Trap
- Putin skillfully framed security guarantees to appear conciliatory while preserving veto power.
- Consensus-based mechanisms akin to the UN Security Council would let Russia block enforcement.
