In this Deep Dive, I sit down with Larry Johnson to unpack why — despite endless headlines and diplomatic soundbites — the Ukraine–Russia war shows no sign of ending.
At the heart of our conversation is a reality too often ignored in Western coverage: Russia sees NATO expansion — not territory, not personalities — as the core threat. From Moscow’s perspective, U.S. missile deployments in Poland and Romania aren’t just defensive systems; they’re potential nuclear strike platforms aimed at Russia’s heartland.
We dig into:
Security guarantees — why the West talks about protecting Ukraine and Europe but refuses to address Russia’s own security demands.
The China factor — how Lavrov’s proposal to include Beijing in any guarantees was meant to expose Western double standards.
Territory — why Russia will not return annexed regions, and why only minor withdrawals are even conceivable.
Ukraine’s manpower crisis — the growing disadvantage Kyiv faces on the battlefield.
Negotiation optics — why any Zelensky–Putin meeting would be framed as Ukrainian surrender, and why Russia currently holds the upper hand.
Larry’s bottom line is stark: This war will not end on territorial deals alone. Until the West acknowledges Russia’s security concerns and halts NATO’s eastward push, Moscow believes time is on its side — and Ukraine’s leverage will only shrink.
