Trump’s New Tactics with Putin — Why the U.S. Is Turning from Carrots to Sticks episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 23, 2025 · 13 MIN

Trump’s New Tactics with Putin — Why the U.S. Is Turning from Carrots to Sticks

from The Political Current · host Hunain Khan

In this episode, we unpack the dramatic shift in U.S.–Russia relations as President Donald Trump abandons his diplomatic “carrot” strategy in favor of sanctions and pressure.Just days after announcing a potential summit with Vladimir Putin in Budapest, the Trump administration abruptly canceled the talks. Instead, Trump has imposed sanctions on two of Russia’s biggest oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil — signaling frustration with Moscow’s refusal to compromise on Ukraine.We explore what led to this escalation, the growing tension between Washington and Moscow, and why this move represents a defining moment in Trump’s foreign policy. Has the U.S. truly moved past the “Groundhog Day” cycle of unproductive diplomacy with Russia? Or is this just another chapter in a high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war?Listen till the end for expert insights on how Trump’s new approach could reshape U.S. relations with Russia — and whether this harder stance will bring peace closer or push it further away.Follow for weekly political analysis and deep-dive discussions on U.S. foreign policy and global affairs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-political-current--6768289/support.

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Trump’s New Tactics with Putin — Why the U.S. Is Turning from Carrots to Sticks

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This episode was published on October 23, 2025.

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In this episode, we unpack the dramatic shift in U.S.–Russia relations as President Donald Trump abandons his diplomatic “carrot” strategy in favor of sanctions and pressure.Just days after announcing a potential summit with Vladimir Putin in...

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