Munk Dialogue with Dmitri Trenin
Munk Dialogue with Dmitri Trenin
When nuclear war becomes inevitable
While the war between Russia and Ukraine drags into its third year and out of the front pages of newspapers, some surprising developments in recent months are giving experts new cause for concern. The US, which has already supplied over fifty billion dollars worth of military aid and weapons to Kyiv, has signaled that it is open to sending long-range cruise missiles to enhance the capabilities of Ukraine’s newly acquired F-16 fighter jets. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s army caught Russia off guard this summer with a surprise incursion into the western Russian territory of Kursk. Putin’s response so far has been more muted than expected.
Our guest on this Munk Dialogue is sounding the alarm. Dmitri Trenin, a member of Russia’s Foreign and Defense Policy Council, is warning western leaders not to confuse Putin’s silence with tolerance. On the contrary, he argues: we are on a path of direct collision between two superpowers who are unwilling to back down. Once too many Russian red lines are crossed, the use of nuclear weapons will be inevitable.
You may also like
August 14, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Canada-US trade deadline looms and Iran calls Trump’s bluff
July 24, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump doubles down on the Iran war and tariffs, and an AI model escapes the lab
August 7, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Carney considers concessions to Trump as U.S. Power wanes abroad
July 31, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Canada’s two competing priorities and the new U.S. Fed Chair signals compliance with Trump
July 10, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Iran-U.S. ceasefire unravels and Alberta pulls ahead while Ontario and Quebec fall behind
July 17, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump undermines his own party and the crisis of Canadian conservatism
June 23, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump loses his bargaining power and has Mark Carney’s “elbows up” promise delivered?
June 9, 2026
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: are we in a recession – or a growth trap?
July 3, 2026