Economist Podcasts Peace by piece? Zelensky and Trump meet again
148 snips
Aug 18, 2025 
Chris Lockwood, Europe editor at The Economist, and Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent, dive into the high-stakes meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. They explore Zelensky's balancing act between urgent peace initiatives and U.S. demands, while assessing the skepticism surrounding American support. The duo also examines the evolving landscape of AI-driven entrepreneurship, highlighting the rise of solopreneurs leveraging technology for success. Lastly, they touch on the modern resurgence of traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on a 400-year-old cough syrup gaining traction among Western audiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Alaska Summit Shifted Ukrainian Perception
- The Anchorage summit changed Ukrainian mood from cautious relief to darker concern as people read between the lines.
- Officials felt the US had, perhaps unintentionally, aligned with the Russian view of the war.
Trump Pushing For Quick Final Deal
- After Anchorage, Donald Trump appears to push for a final settlement while the war continues rather than a phased ceasefire-first approach.
- He seems to demand Ukraine cede additional territory including large parts of the Donbass, which is strategically costly.
Demand Credible Security Guarantees
- Zelensky should seek robust, enforceable security guarantees in exchange for any concessions.
- He must avoid territorial trade-offs that lack a credible American backstop.
