Dear readers and subscribers,
This interview is from this morning’s broadcast on July 9th, 2026, from Vladimir Solovyev’s hard-hitting radio show “Full Contact.” In this interview, fully transcribed in english here, Dmitriy Simes dissects the mounting confrontation between Russia and the West, highlighting concerns over military action, nuclear risks, and the unpredictable dynamics of American politics.
Through sharp analysis, Simes examines the roles of technology, leadership styles, and historical grievances, providing crucial insights into the challenges and dangers facing global security today.
[NOTE: “Host” is Vladimir Solovyev. “Simes” is Dmitriy Simes].
HOST: Dmitry Konstantinovich Simes is with us on the show today—and I’ll admit, I had an uneasy feeling before we even got started. Dmitry Konstantinovich, yesterday was, of course, an extremely difficult day—a very complicated one. It’s critical that our side is, for now, staying calm, because a phone call has been announced that, as I understand it, still hasn’t taken place. Trump said he’d called... There’s certainly anxiety here. It’s evident that the situation has deviated from the intended course. Fighting has flared up again, and Iran has completely shifted its position.
SIMES: In Ankara, in my view, they essentially just signed an agreement to start a war with Russia. So I feel we are heading toward the endgame of this war. I think there are very solid grounds for concern. If we weren’t concerned, we’d be very irresponsible people, because dealing with a threat requires first genuinely recognizing it. This calls for a sharp, firm position. We dislike it and want to avoid it—so we pretend not to notice. But that would be extremely irresponsible.
I don’t know whether things went to plan in Ankara or not, because having watched Trump for ten years now, I’ve come to realize that expecting him to move in the right direction just isn’t how this person, this leader, operates. There’s also his statement promising Zelensky he’d provide licenses for Patriot missile systems on Ukrainian territory — something the US government hadn’t actually approved. He made that statement on instinct, driven by his famous impulsiveness. Nobody knows how long it will actually take to implement this in practice. But one thing we do know: a word, once spoken, is like a sparrow that’s flown the coop—you can’t catch it back. In American politics, the statement Trump made plays well domestically; it will win approval from important blocs of voters in Congress. So I don’t think it can simply be ignored.
Will this statement actually help Ukraine receive its Patriot missiles? I don’t know. But if Trump means to suggest the deal will go through, it’s unclear why he’d make a promise that could take many months, or even longer, to fulfill. If that is indeed the goal, then his statement about Patriots for Ukraine holds some significance.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, I’m convinced the goal here is obvious: they are preparing for war with Russia. Being prepared for war doesn’t automatically mean war happens—that depends on our actions and on what they see from us. We are ready to show them our real, known capabilities and respond to their escalation, as Trump said. Every time we stop talking about escalation, it isn’t read as acceptance, goodwill, or devotion to international law—it’s read as weakness and as license for our enemies to take further measures against us. And every time, after each of their escalations, when we respond in order to prove to them that they cannot do so, we need to take increasingly decisive action.
And the danger in this situation is that if we fail to stop them, we could reach a point where the only way left to stop them would be to use strategic nuclear weapons. Fortunately, we are not at that point, and in my view we can avoid it. But avoiding it, I believe, is only possible through strong action, not negotiations with Mr. Trump.
HOST: But can these tough actions really stay limited to Ukrainian territory? Do they simply not care what happens in Ukraine?
SIMES: Unfortunately, I’m afraid you’re right. I’m afraid that even the use of
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