May 26, 2026
In his latest Quick Take, Ian Bremmer says the Russia–Ukraine war is becoming more volatile as battlefield dynamics shift and diplomatic pressure fades.
Ian points to renewed Russian strikes on Kyiv and Vladimir Putin's warnings urging Western diplomats and civilians to evacuate, signaling possible “systematic strikes” on the capital. He says these threats come as Ukraine strengthens its drone warfare capabilities and expands its ability to strike deeper inside Russia.
He also notes a change in US posture, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio has “washed his hands of the Russia-Ukraine war,” reducing direct American pressure on Moscow.
Ian warns the greater risk now lies in Moscow’s response. “It would be hard for him to back down,” he says, arguing that an increasingly isolated Kremlin could escalate further as the war continues.
More For You
Could Chinese AI give Europe an edge? | The Debrief with Heather West
Could China give Europe a shortcut in the AI race?
Europe has struggled to build models that compete with American and Chinese rivals. But Chinese models that companies can download, customize, and run themselves could offer another way forward—with more control over data and security.
Most Popular
- YouTube
With the midterms just weeks away, Democrats are hoping for a blue wave, while Republicans are fighting to hold onto Congress. Amy Walter and Liam Donovan join Ian Bremmer to break down the races, the issues driving voters, and what the results could mean for Trump's presidency.
With the midterms just weeks away, Democrats are eyeing control of Congress as Republicans struggle with the political fallout from the Iran war, rising prices, and Trump's unpopularity. Amy Walter and Liam Donovan join Ian Bremmer to break down what could happen in November and what it means for the future of both parties.
Since returning to power in 2025, the Trump administration has drastically changed the answer to this question, pursuing an ‘America First’ philosophy that is dramatically more transactional: the US will give you money, but you must give the US something valuable in return.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.