Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin at the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Forum of Interregional Cooperation, Omsk, Russia, July 25, 2026
EA on Slawa TV: A Trump Administration Shift Towards Ukraine?
UPDATE, AUG 6:
EA’s Cormac Smith spoke with Philip Ingram of Times Radio’s Frontline on Wednesday as Vladimir Putin faces increasing pressure over his invasion of Ukraine.
Before he analyzes that pressure, Cormac discusses the latest Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine early Wednesday. He evaluates the “huge effect on the Ukrainian people” of the Russian terror for almost 4 1/2 years but concludes, “I don’t believe Putin will break their will.”
ORIGINAL ENTRY, JULY 31: I joined Times Radio’s Frontline on Thursday for a 32-minute deep dive into the latest developments around Russia’s 53-month full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including the increasing isolation of Vladimir Putin.
Host Louis Sykes and I begin with the consequences of a Russian cruise missile falling in eastern Poland on Thursday. I explain why, for now, I do not see this leading to an escalation of conflict beyond Ukraine — but how this will bolster Kyiv’s quest for support of its air defenses.
The centerpiece of our discussion is a dramatic sign of international trouble for Putin. Standing alongside the Russian leader at a bilateral forum in Omsk, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he was unclear about the reasons for the ongoing invasion. He suggested a return to negotiations with a freezing of the frontlines — effectively the Kremlin’s long-standing rejection.
I explain how it is likely that Tokayev was not just acting on his own but was carrying a message from China.
We discuss further problems for Putin, including a US shift towards joint military production with Ukraine and the economic problems from Ukraine’s mounting counter-attacks.
