Coffee House Shots Is a Ukraine peace deal inching closer?
6 snips
Dec 9, 2025 
Tim Shipman, Political editor at The Spectator, and Mark Galeotti, an expert in Russia and security affairs, discuss the implications of a major proposal to use €100 billion of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. They delve into the complexities of US-Russia shuttle diplomacy and the challenges posed by Putin’s territorial demands. The conversation highlights how economic pressures might influence Putin's pragmatism and examines Europe's evolving strategy as it seeks to sustain Ukraine while coping with shifting alliances.
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Europe Plans To Use Frozen Russian Assets
- European leaders are preparing to seize about €100bn in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defence and reconstruction.
- This move signals Europe stepping up independently amid concerns about US policy and Russian aggression.
Shuttle Diplomacy Tests Red Lines
- Shuttle diplomacy is producing multiple drafts and tests but hasn't closed the core gaps between Moscow and Kyiv.
- The main stumbling block remains Putin's likely irreducible demand for more Donetsk territory, which Zelensky cannot accept.
Putin Shows Limited Pragmatism
- Putin shows some pragmatic flexibility compared with 2022 demands, for example on caps for Ukrainian forces.
- Economic pressure and recruitment costs are mounting, making continued large-scale mobilisation politically costly for Russia.