The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Anastasiia Lapatina and Eric Ciaramella Talk Russia, Ukraine, and Trump
Nov 26, 2025
Anastasiia Lapatina, a Lawfare Ukraine Fellow and journalist, teams up with Eric Ciaramella, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to dive into the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine peace discussions. They dissect the controversial 28-point plan, addressing the U.S. policy's unpredictability and its implications for Ukraine. Lapatina reveals Ukraine's political tension amid the negotiations, while Ciaramella critiques the vague provisions favoring Russia. The duo emphasizes the urgent need for robust security guarantees and clearer strategies for Ukraine's defense.
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Plan Favored Russia's Concessions
- The 28-point plan favored detailed concessions for Russia while leaving Russia's obligations vague.
- That imbalance alarmed Ukrainians and Europeans and sparked the diplomatic backlash.
Domestic Corruption Crisis Amid Negotiations
- Anastasiia Lapatina describes a major corruption scandal implicating Zelensky's associates and ministers during wartime.
- That domestic crisis overlapped with the peace-plan reporting and intensified political pressure in Kyiv.
Detail, Timing, And U.S. Framing Raised Alarm
- The 28-point plan triggered greater alarm because it was detailed, timed, and presented as a U.S. position demanding a quick Ukrainian answer.
- That combination made it feel like an ultimatum rather than exploratory diplomacy.