Bulwark Takes: "JD Vance's Shameless Surrender To Putin" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: May 19, 2025

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host JVL and Bulwark colleague Tim Miller delve into the contentious remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance regarding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The discussion critically examines Vance's stance, its implications for U.S. foreign policy, and the broader geopolitical landscape.

1. Introduction to J.D. Vance's Comments

The episode kicks off with JVL introducing the topic:

• [00:00] JVL: "Hello, everyone. This is JVL here with my bulwark colleague, Tim Miller. We got some stuff coming in hot on Monday. The Vice President of these United States, J.D. Vance, is just doing a masterclass in geostrategy and explaining about how this US President views wars as belonging not to America or to NATO or to our alliances, but to other people, past presidents."

This sets the stage for a critical analysis of Vance's perspective on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

2. Vance's Geostrategic Perspective

Tim Miller introduces the segment by playing a clip of Vance:

• [00:45] J.D. Vance: "I'm not sure that Vladimir Putin has a strategy himself for how to unwind the war. Of course, that's been going on for a few years now. And I think there's also just a little bit of... Look, there is fundamental mistrust between Russia and the West. It's one of the things the President thinks is frankly stupid, that we should be able to move beyond the mistakes that have been made in the past. But that takes two to tango..."

Vance further elaborates:

• [01:25] J.D. Vance: "...We're going to try to end it, but if we can't end it, we're eventually just going to say, you know what? That was worth a try, but we're not doing anymore."

3. Tim Miller's Critique of Vance's Position

Immediately following Vance's statements, Tim Miller expresses strong disapproval:

• [01:26] Tim Miller: "What a piece of shit this guy is... it's truly unbelievable. Like, his condescending manner is just so unappealing to start with."

Tim criticizes the strategic implications of Vance's stance:

• [02:00] Tim Miller: "The whole positioning he has here is just such a gift to Putin. Like, this is JD Vance saying directly to Putin, if you keep stalling, we'll just get out of your way. You can do whatever you want."

He further dissects Vance's attribution of the war to Joe Biden:

• [02:36] Tim Miller: "...the idea... Joe Biden did give weapons to Ukraine so they could defend themselves and didn't just allow them to be conquered... But JD Vance's comments undermine that support."

4. Discussion on Joe Biden's Role in the Conflict

JVL counters Tim's criticism by highlighting Biden's contributions:

• [02:36] JVL: "You know, I mean, in fairness, Tim, Joe Biden did give weapons to Ukraine so they could defend themselves and didn't just allow them to be conquered..."

Tim acknowledges Biden's role but maintains his skepticism towards Vance's interpretation:

• [02:54] Tim Miller: "...Joe Biden does have some accountability for trying to help Ukraine protect itself from invasion."

5. Analyzing Putin's Motivations and Strategies

The hosts delve into Vladimir Putin's intentions and strategies:

• [03:56] Tim Miller: "Bygones be bygones, but it's. But Putin, if he doesn't want to let bygones be bygones, then I don't know what we can do."

He emphasizes that Putin's motivations are not purely financial:

• [04:30] Tim Miller: "He's got hegemonic territorial motivations. Putin actually knows about history and cares about his history is wrong. But like he reads books, you know... he's a very different person than Donald Trump."

6. Current Developments and Tactical Moves

JVL updates listeners on the latest geopolitical moves:

• [05:13] JVL: "Currently massing troops near the border in Finland... Putin is going to have a phone call with Donald Trump."

Tim discusses the potential implications of these developments:

• [07:17] Tim Miller: "They're still trying to get people comfortable with this... I wouldn't be surprised if Trump does the phone call and they try to spin it as we're making progress."

7. Long-Term Strategic Flaws in Vance's Approach

The conversation shifts to the strategic missteps in Vance's approach:

• [05:13] Tim Miller: "That's not Vladimir Putin's motivations... the strategic flaw is this notion that there are these things that happened in the past..."

Tim argues that Vance's comments may inadvertently empower Putin:

• [08:07] Tim Miller: "They just need to incentivize Putin to not come to the table. Why would Putin come to the table now?"

8. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

In wrapping up, JVL and Tim Miller reflect on the potential outcomes of Vance's stance:

• [09:21] JVL: "He's just trying to... when we finally walk can be like, see, we walked because we're showing that we're... abandoning through strength."

Tim sums up his disdain for Vance's approach:

• [09:45] Tim Miller: "That's your little taste of J.D. Vance. I don't think we should make people listen to him for another day or two."

The episode concludes with a grim anticipation of future political landscapes:

• [09:51] JVL: "President in 2032. Horrible. Stay with us on the channel where we cover all the news to make you vomit."

Key Takeaways

• Vance's Position: J.D. Vance portrays the Ukraine-Russia war as a bilateral issue between Putin and Biden, suggesting that the U.S. might withdraw support if negotiations stall.

• Critique of Vance: Both hosts vehemently oppose Vance's stance, arguing that it undermines U.S. support for Ukraine and inadvertently offers geopolitical advantages to Putin.

• Biden's Role: While acknowledging Biden's efforts to aid Ukraine, they contest Vance's portrayal of Biden's actions and intentions.

• Putin's Motivations: Emphasizes that Putin's objectives are deeply rooted in territorial and historical ambitions, not merely financial gains.

• Strategic Implications: Suggests that Vance's approach may weaken the U.S.'s position and embolden Russia, compromising long-term geopolitical stability.

• Future Outlook: Expresses concern over the potential normalization of dictatorial tendencies and the erosion of democratic alliances.

This episode provides a fervent critique of J.D. Vance's foreign policy perspectives, highlighting the potential risks and strategic miscalculations inherent in delegating the complexities of international conflicts to individual political figures. Through incisive analysis and impassioned discourse, Bulwark Takes underscores the importance of nuanced and committed foreign policy in addressing global challenges.