Battle Lines Inside Ukraine-Russia talks: Britain's Kissinger, Putin's enforcer and Trump's envoy
Nov 28, 2025
Joining the discussion are David Blair, Chief foreign affairs commentator at The Telegraph, and Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. They delve into Jonathan Powell's significant role in reshaping diplomatic strategies around Ukraine, comparing him to Henry Kissinger. Topics of negotiation dynamics reveal the challenges of engaging with Putin, while Orysia emphasizes Ukraine’s multifaceted crises. The conversation raises pressing questions about the future of peace talks and the endurance of Ukraine under immense pressure.
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Powell's New Political Power
- Jonathan Powell has been installed as a politically powerful National Security Advisor modeled on the US system.
- His role gives him more direct influence over UK foreign policy than previous civil-servant NSAs.
Engagement As A Default Doctrine
- Powellism prioritises engagement with adversaries as the default diplomatic strategy.
- That doctrine risks defining problems to fit the solution rather than testing whether engagement will work.
The Londonderry Tea-Table Meeting
- Powell's belief in engagement stems from secret talks with Martin McGuinness during Northern Ireland peace efforts.
- He treats those meetings as proof that talking can resolve even the worst conflicts.