Key Points and Summary – Dr. Robert Farley analyzes President Trump’s abrupt rhetorical shift on the Russia-Ukraine war—from casting Kyiv as weak to framing Russia as economically brittle and Ukraine as capable of recovery. Words matter: a tougher U.S. tone could dent Russian morale and bargaining leverage.
-Yet Farley warns that Washington may still push Europe to shoulder more costs while lacking the institutional muscle to escalate economic pressure.
-Battlefield realities remain stubborn for both sides.
–His bottom line: durable peace requires convincing Moscow it cannot achieve war aims—continuity of military and economic pressure, not mixed signals, is what shortens the conflict.
Ukraine War: What Happens Next?
President Trump surprised everyone yesterday with what looks like a dramatic about-face on the future of the Russia-Ukraine War.
After months of attempting to bring the war to a close by flattering Moscow’s strength and sense of purpose, Trump yesterday declared that the Russian economy was in crisis and that Ukraine stood a good chance of retaking the territory that it has lost thus far. So far, the change is only rhetorical, but rhetoric matters in war.
How could this change the course of the conflict?
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