Studio guest Vitaly Portnikov analyzes the current geopolitical context, focusing on the actions of the US, Russia, and their impact on Ukraine. He discusses the escalation spiral, from the imposition of sanctions to Russia’s withdrawal from nuclear agreements and demonstrations of military capabilities.
Portnikov notes that Donald Trump from the beginning aimed for a ceasefire on the Russian-Ukrainian front, but his approach is pragmatic, image-oriented, and seeks deals at any cost. In contrast, Biden tried to balance and avoid provoking an excessive response from Russia.
Portnikov provides examples of Trump’s offers to Putin, highlighting that Putin refuses concessions and continues to escalate. The implementation of real US sanctions could become a pressure point, though Moscow is preparing to minimize their impact.
The conversation draws parallels between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Ukraine, noting Western reluctance to intervene strongly in fear of escalation spreading to Europe. Portnikov models potential US pressure on Ukraine under a Trump presidency, where Kyiv might be pushed to make concessions for the sake of ending the war.
The expert outlines Russia's pivot to the East and argues that Ukraine's main role is to be a fortress of Europe, defending its identity amid shifting geopolitics and the transformation of imperial ambitions in the modern world.
