The Powers That Be: Daily Zelensky’s Mar-a-Lago Diplomacy
Dec 31, 2025
Julia Ioffe, a journalist and expert on Russia and Ukraine, joins Peter to analyze Zelensky’s diplomatic maneuvers in light of his recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. They discuss the seemingly stalled peace negotiations, exploring Zelensky’s potential concessions and Russia's reluctance to compromise. Ioffe highlights Europe’s hesitance to provide security guarantees and the ongoing military stalemate. The duo emphasizes that without readiness from both sides, achieving peace remains elusive.
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Putin Still Wants Maximum Victory
- Vladimir Putin remains committed to maximalist territorial demands and thinks he can win on the battlefield.
- Julia Ioffe argues this makes negotiated settlement unlikely while Putin sees military advantage as cheaper than compromise.
Zelensky's Conditional Concessions
- Volodymyr Zelensky offers symbolic concessions like pulling back from parts of Donetsk to keep Donald Trump engaged.
- He ties any deal to a Ukrainian referendum and a ceasefire, making concessions politically reversible and risky for Russia.
Require Referendum And Ceasefire For Deals
- Tie concessions to domestic approval processes to limit unilateral giveaways during talks.
- Require a ceasefire and a referendum before implementing territorial compromises to protect democratic legitimacy.