In this episode, Chris speaks with Dr Taras Kuzio about the deeper forces shaping Russia’s war against Ukraine and the faltering U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Kuzio explores Vladimir Putin’s obsession with history and identity, the existential stakes the war now holds for the Kremlin, and the political, economic and social pressures that make genuine negotiation nearly impossible. They unpack the Trump administration’s pro-Russian tilt, European hesitation, the resilience and innovation of Ukraine’s defence sector, and the deep divisions within the global Russian diaspora. The conversation also looks ahead to what 2026 may bring, the risks of a post-Putin Russia, and why the West urgently needs a coherent strategy if it hopes to shape the outcome of this conflict.

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"Ukrainian Corruption Investigation Reveals Derkach’s Role" | The Jamestown Foundation

"Ukraine Aspires to Become Arsenal to the West" | The Jamestown Foundation

"Russia’s War Transforms Ukraine into a World-Leading Military Producer" | RealClear Defense

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/3635f0

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dJYDvmwGLns

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Music by Andrew R. Bird

Photos by Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images

Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.