Is Donald Trump a Russian Asset? Luke Harding on Trump, Putin and the Betrayal of Ukraine

Is Donald Trump a Russian asset? It is one of the most provocative questions raised by Guardian foreign correspondent and former Moscow correspondent Luke Harding in his new book, Betrayal: Trump, Putin and the New Age of Conquest. In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I talk to Luke about Donald Trump's extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, America's changing approach to Ukraine and why successive Western leaders have struggled to understand the man in the Kremlin. We discuss whether Trump's attitude towards Putin can be explained by his admiration for powerful authoritarian leaders — or whether there could be something more troubling behind it. We also examine Putin's war in Ukraine, the enormous price being paid by both sides and what Luke describes as a new age of conquest in which powerful states increasingly believe borders can once again be changed by force. Has America betrayed Ukraine? What does Putin really want? Can Ukraine survive without unwavering US support? And if Trump were a Russian asset, what would he actually be doing differently? A fascinating and provocative conversation with one of Britain's most experienced Russia correspondents.