Video Description

Trump argues that he can end the war in Ukraine with one decisive agreement, but this Kyiv Post interview examines whether that confidence exposes him to a deliberate trap crafted in Moscow. In this exclusive discussion, Kyiv Post Special Correspondent Jason Jay Smart speaks with one of the most experienced Western analysts of the Russian system to explore how the Kremlin views power, conflict, and negotiation. Trump approaches the issue as a straightforward transaction that should produce a quick deal, yet the Russian state treats every negotiation as an opportunity to apply pressure, extract concessions, and weaken Western unity. The interview traces the evolution of the current leadership from the Soviet security services through the lawlessness of the 1990s, creating a system that relies on fear, corruption, and violence to maintain control. It revisits the 1999 apartment bombings and examines how state terror shaped a regime that views both Russian citizens and Ukrainian lives as expendable. This perspective explains the willingness to tolerate massive battlefield casualties so long as the ruling circle remains secure. The discussion also highlights the economic front, where Moscow believes it has the most to gain. Talk of negotiations is used to slow the West, evade secondary sanctions, and shield vital firms such as Rosneft and Lukoil. Any softening of economic pressure is interpreted inside the Kremlin as proof that a longer war can be sustained. For readers seeking to understand the danger behind these talks and the stakes for Western security, this interview provides a clear and timely account. #UkraineWar #TrumpRussia #Kremlin #RussiaUkraine #KyivPost