7am Trump v Zelensky: Round 2
9 snips
Aug 19, 2025 David Szakonyi, an associate professor at George Washington University, dives into the latest US-Ukrainian diplomatic developments. He discusses Trump’s rare strategy of leveraging security promises for profit and the complexities of ongoing peace negotiations amid conflict. Szakonyi sheds light on the potential implications of a recent Trump-Putin meeting and examines the evolving landscape of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The conversation also touches on skepticism regarding future Zelensky-Putin interactions and the shifting global responsibilities in the region.
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Zelensky Changed His White House Tactics
- Volodymyr Zelensky learned from his February Oval Office visit and changed tactics for the White House meeting.
- He wore a suit, brought allies, thanked Trump repeatedly, and used the group setting to avoid being dominated.
Territory Concessions Would Endanger Ukraine
- Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine including Crimea and large parts of four oblasts.
- Ceding the Russian-targeted Donbass territory would dangerously weaken Ukraine's defenses and likely embolden further Russian advances.
Security Guarantees Remain Vague
- The specifics of any U.S. security guarantee to Ukraine remain unclear and may contradict Trump's public rhetoric.
- The administration appears undecided on troop involvement, creating domestic political tension with campaign promises to avoid more deployments.