The Duran Podcast Full circle and no closer to end the war
Dec 29, 2025
Patrick and Alexander dive into the dynamics of Trump, Zelensky, and Putin's negotiations at Mar-a-Lago. They discuss how both leaders rejected an unconditional ceasefire, favoring the Anchorage and Istanbul Plus terms. The conversation shifts to recent Russian advances and the failure of sanctions, highlighted by India's continuation of oil trade with Russia. As Zelensky faces political turmoil and corruption allegations, the duo examines the implications of ongoing war and stagnant negotiations, assessing Trump's strategic choices amid this complex landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
No Unconditional Ceasefire Agreed
- Trump and Putin agreed there will be no unconditional ceasefire and a return to the Anchorage/Istanbul-plus framework.
- Patrick Henningsen and Alexander Mercouris frame the meeting as a restart of prior negotiated terms rather than Zelensky's freeze proposals.
Anchorage Progress Later Undermined
- Alexander Mercouris says earlier Anchorage understandings leaned toward Istanbul Plus but Trump later walked back those terms in August.
- That rollback created mistrust and a period where Anchorage progress collapsed under pressure from Europeans and neocons.
Battlefield Shifts Forced Diplomatic Reset
- Mercouris argues shifting battlefield fortunes and November advances forced Trump back to Istanbul-plus positions.
- Trump reportedly stood firm and resisted Zelensky's unconditional ceasefire and referendum proposals.