(KYIV, UKRAINE) \u2013 An Irish journalist has delivered a stinging critique of the Kremlin, arguing that recent electoral losses for the Russian dictator\u2019s allies in Europe signal a dramatic erosion of Moscow\u2019s influence on the continent.<\/p>\n
Documentary filmmaker Caolan Robertson, speaking to Ukrainian TV host Nataliia Lutsenko, stated that the defeat of Hungarian leader Viktor Orban strips the Russian dictator of a critical lever to block European Union aid to Ukraine. \u201cThey’re pissed off that their friend Orban is out of power because that’s another one of their dictator friends like Putin who just lost his seat,\u201d Mr Robertson said. \u201cPeople like JD Vance have no interest in Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n
The journalist asserted that he expects Vladimir Putin to attempt to reinforce his influence through other EU member states. He launched a broader attack on the Trump administration, accusing it of betraying democratic values and boasting about cutting American financial support for Kyiv. \u201cThe Trump administration from the beginning are responsible for the USA drying up and the American money drying up,\u201d Mr Robertson stated, describing the policy as a \u201cfarce\u201d and advocating for Europe to completely ignore the White House\u2019s statements on the conflict.<\/p>\n
Mr Robertson made a clear distinction between the actions of the US government and its citizens, noting that Ukrainians separate \u201cthe voters of the United States and the regular everyday people that still love Ukraine\u201d from Donald Trump. He argued that Trump is openly aligning with authoritarian regimes. \u201cRight now they’re lashing out that another one of their friends has been overthrown, that Orban’s gone,\u201d he said, noting that the loss in Hungary means “their CPAC grift isn\u2019t going to get funded anymore by Hungary.”<\/p>\n
The discussion highlighted that populist figures in Europe, such as Marine Le Pen, are now distancing themselves from Washington\u2019s endorsement. Mr Robertson observed that the US Vice President\u2019s intervention in the Hungarian elections backfired severely. \u201cThe fact that JD Vance showed up to try and keep Orban in power and his approval rating dropped by 3% the next day tells you everything you need to know about his reputation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Regarding the potential for peace negotiations, the journalist dismissed the notion that the Trump administration was ever a sincere partner, calling the Russian dictator\u2019s use of Trump a case of a \u201cuseful idiot.\u201d He welcomed the White House\u2019s explicit hostility towards Ukraine, saying it puts their position \u201con the record\u201d for history. He concluded that Europeans are now \u201cswitching off\u201d from Washington, viewing turning their backs on Kyiv as one of the \u201cmost staining moments of history for America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to the situation on the battlefield, Ms Lutsenko questioned whether the ICC indicted Putin is being cornered. Mr Robertson concurred that the dictator\u2019s position is tightening, citing a cascade of geopolitical setbacks including the loss of power by allies in Hungary and Syria. He noted the irony of declining approval ratings for the Russian dictator inside Russia, not because of his brutal invasion, but due to internet service disruptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPutin’s new approval ratings have just been released and it shows way back before 2022,\u201d Mr Robertson explained, adding that the biggest drop occurred in 2026 when the internet went down. \u201cThat tells you that Russians are far more upset with losing internet than their country invading and trying to steal their neighbour.\u201d He assessed that if a tipping point against the mass murderer ever comes, it will be driven by the deprivation of social media, not moral outrage over atrocities in Bucha.<\/p>\n
Despite the increasing pressure on the Kremlin, the filmmaker cautioned against premature optimism. He relayed a report from a contact in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, describing an intensification of drone warfare. \u201cShe said she’s in Kramatorsk. There are FPVs hitting the city more than ever. They’re being launched from Shaheds now as mother drones,\u201d he warned, adding that things were getting \u201cvery dark and difficult there yet again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Robertson concluded that Russia remains exceptionally persistent and will continue dragging its civilians into the abyss. He highlighted Ukraine\u2019s parallel war against the Russian economy, specifically referencing recent strikes against the shadow fleet. \u201cUkraine hit seven drones into shadow fleet ships again in the last few days. If you read the Russian newspapers yesterday, they talk about yet more economic decline,\u201d he said. The discussion was featured by the YouTube channel \u201cWar & Politics 24.\u201d<\/p>\n