Summary of "Trump's Views On Russia-Ukraine War Are Shifting" | The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode Release Date: July 10, 2025

Hosts:

• Ashley Lopez – Political Correspondent
• Greg Myhrey – National Security Correspondent
• Mara Liasson – Senior National Political Correspondent

1. Introduction

In this episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, hosts Ashley Lopez, Greg Myhrey, and Mara Liasson delve into the evolving dynamics of U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, with a particular focus on former President Donald Trump's shifting stance.

2. Current State of the Russia-Ukraine War and U.S. Involvement

Timestamp: 01:09 – 02:44

Greg Myhrey provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing conflict, highlighting a recent surge in Russian military aggression:

• Greg Myhrey states, "Russia fired about 400 drones and 18 missiles into Ukraine, many of them at the capital, Kyiv." (01:27) He emphasizes that these attacks are primarily targeting civilian areas to "overwhelm Ukraine and sap the morale of civilians" (01:27).

• Mara Liasson asks about the current U.S. policy, noting, "So, Trump has been on again, off again, feeling bad about Zelensky, good about Zelensky, bad about Putin, not so bad about Putin." (02:24)

Greg responds by outlining the precarious nature of U.S. military support, mentioning that existing aid packages are depleting and that the Pentagon has paused some weapons deliveries for a global review. He underscores the uncertainty surrounding future assistance: "Ukraine needs a lot of support. It needs to be ongoing. And it's just not clear where it's coming from right now." (02:44)

3. Trump's Policy and Shifting Views on Russia-Ukraine

Timestamp: 05:35 – 08:03

The discussion shifts to former President Trump's evolving stance on the conflict:

• Mara Liasson remarks, "He [Trump] has been seen as somebody who's favorable to Putin for a variety of reasons. But lately, things seem to have changed a bit." (05:35)

• Greg elaborates on Trump's recent comments, noting a softening tone towards Russia: "Trump is sounding more consistently critical of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He said this week that he... 'Putin is not treating human beings in the right way, and he's even used a bad word or two.'" (03:05)

Despite this shift, Greg points out that Trump has not committed to concrete actions: "From his perspective, the Trump administration just seems very, very soft on Russia." (04:13)

4. Congressional Support for Ukraine

Timestamp: 04:25 – 07:02

The role of Congress in supporting Ukraine is examined, revealing bipartisan efforts yet limited progress:

• Greg Myhrey highlights, "Lindsey Graham, the Republican from South Carolina, he's been pushing a sanctions bill. He says there's more than 80 senators. So obviously this has strong bipartisan support." (04:25)

• However, the potential impact is questioned as the bill excludes major players like China and India: "Even if this passed, Trump says he's thinking about it now. Again, some movement, but no real commitment." (04:25)

• The discussion also touches on the lack of new weapons packages for Ukraine, emphasizing reliance on U.S. systems for air defenses: "There's not really an alternative for Ukraine." (05:35)

5. MAGA Base Perspectives on U.S. Involvement in Ukraine

Timestamp: 06:47 – 08:03

Mara Liasson and Greg Myhrey explore the divided sentiment within the MAGA base regarding continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine:

• Mara Liasson observes, "There is both a big isolationist trend in the MAGA base... and a strain of MAGA that sees Vladimir Putin as simpatico, that he is a supporter of cultural conservative stands." (07:02)

• Greg adds, "You saw this right before the Iran attacks. A lot of parts of the mega base didn't like the idea of President Trump getting involved in the Middle East, but he did it, and they quieted down." (07:02)

The hosts conclude that Trump retains significant influence over his base, who are unlikely to oppose his stance on foreign interventions as long as it doesn't involve U.S. ground troops.

6. Comparison to Trump's Handling of Other Conflicts

Timestamp: 09:38 – 11:21

The hosts draw parallels between Trump's approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict:

• Mara Liasson notes, "He has touted himself as a great deal maker, and he hasn't been able to make a deal to stop the war in Ukraine or in Gaza." (10:00)

• Greg Myhrey emphasizes the complexity of these conflicts: "These are people with deep, longstanding grievances and national goals. One relationship between the leaders or one phone call or one weekend meeting is not going to sort them out." (10:34)

The conversation underscores Trump's tendency to oversimplify intricate geopolitical issues, leading to frustration over unmet promises of swift resolutions.

7. Future Developments to Watch

Timestamp: 11:55 – 13:24

Looking ahead, the hosts identify key factors that will shape the U.S. role in the ongoing conflict:

• Greg Myhrey plans to monitor the escalation in Russian drone and missile attacks, noting a significant increase: "A couple nights ago, Russia fired more than 700 drones into Ukraine overnight." (11:55) He questions the sustainability of such tactics and their implications for Ukraine's resilience.

• Mara Liasson highlights the critical need for continued military aid: "Does the president ask Congress to approve the money for more military aid to Ukraine?" (12:59) With existing aid packages nearing exhaustion, the availability of U.S. support remains uncertain.

• The potential movement of sanction bills in Congress and Trump's willingness to endorse them are also areas of focus: "Also whether the president agrees and gives Lindsey Graham the go ahead to push the bill to increase sanctions on Russia." (12:59)

8. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating the numerous uncertainties surrounding U.S. support for Ukraine, Trump's fluctuating stance, and the broader implications for American politics and international relations.

Notable Quotes:

• "Ukraine needs a lot of support. It needs to be ongoing. And it's just not clear where it's coming from right now." — Greg Myhrey (02:44)

• "Trump is sounding more consistently critical of Russian leader Vladimir Putin... he's greatly escalated the air war since Trump came into office." — Greg Myhrey (03:05)

• "There is both a big isolationist trend in the MAGA base... and a strain of MAGA that sees Vladimir Putin as simpatico." — Mara Liasson (07:02)

• "One relationship between the leaders or one phone call or one weekend meeting is not going to sort them out." — Greg Myhrey (10:34)

This episode provides a nuanced exploration of the complexities surrounding U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the interplay between executive actions, congressional support, and base sentiments within the context of shifting political landscapes.