The Ukraine war is destroying Putin’s reputation

GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

GZERO Media

News, News Commentary, Global Economy, Gzero World, Geopolitics, Trump, Foreign Policy, Politics, International Relations, Government, Ian Bremmer

4.7 • 830 Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2022

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Michael McFaul knows a thing or two about Russia and Putin from his days as the former US ambassador in Moscow. As Putin's Victory Day speech illustrated, Russia hasn't moved on much since 1945, McFaul tells Ian Bremmer on the GZERO World podcast. But if the West goes too far, there's a much bigger risk: World War III. McFaul says that Putin signaled in his nothing-burger speech that Russia is ready to gobble up another chunk of Ukraine in the Donbas region, and explains why that gives Ukraine a stronger hand at the negotiating table. McFaul also explains why the US needs to change up its sanctions game and debunks the overwhelming support for the war claimed by the Kremlin. He says he talks to Russians almost every day, and what he's hearing is that there are no winners inside Russia, where the war has hurt Putin politically. Even the oligarchs are unhappy: "There is not a single economic actor in Russia [who] thinks this is good."

Transcript

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0:00.0	The objective of sanctions is to end the war in Ukraine.
0:03.6	Not everybody agrees with that.
0:04.9	Some think the intention should be to destroy Russia, to foment revolution.
0:10.0	I disagree with that.
0:13.4	Hello and welcome to the GZero World Podcast.
0:17.4	This is where you'll find extended versions of my interviews on public television.
0:21.5	I'm Ian Bremmer, and today, as Russia's war with Ukraine approaches its third month,
0:27.0	can Western nations check Russia's aggression without sparking global conflict?
0:31.7	Putin made clear in his May 9th Victory Day speech that he has no plans of backing down,
0:39.3	but with heavy troop casualties mounting on both sides, what would a diplomatic resolution even look like? I speak with former
0:46.4	U.S. ambassador to Russia, Mike McFaul. Let's do this.
1:00.8	The GZero World podcast is brought to you by our founding sponsor, First Republic.
1:10.5	First Republic, a private bank and wealth management company, understands the value of service, safety, and stability in today's uncertain world.
1:13.6	Visit firstrepublic.com to learn more.
1:18.9	G0 World would also like to share a message from our friends at Foreign Policy.
1:21.7	Challenge yourself to Change the World.
1:29.8	On season three of course correction, a podcast from Doha Debates in partnership with the UNHCR Refugee Agency,
1:34.5	host Nellifer Hedayette takes listeners on the journey of a refugee.
1:40.4	From the moment of displacement to mental health risks, to integration and assimilation,
1:47.2	learn about the issues affecting displaced persons around the world and what you can do to solve them.
1:51.8	Follow and listen to course correction wherever you get your podcasts. Mike McFaul, welcome to GZero World.
2:03.6	Glad to be back.
	...

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