Daniel Davis Deep Dive Putin Stringing Trump Along? /Lt Col Daniel Davis
Aug 25, 2025
Delve into the tangled web of diplomacy between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., where the sincerity of Russia's peace intentions is questioned. Unpack the complexities of nuclear diplomacy amidst the ongoing conflict, highlighting contrasting views on peace and territorial integrity. Explore Ukraine's military strategies, including a significant push for drone production, and the ongoing negotiation stalemate that complicates a lasting resolution. Finally, witness the geopolitical tension as Trump navigates military support and sanctions in a challenging international landscape.
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Diplomacy Is Necessary But Not Sufficient
- Russia has shown flexibility and engaged diplomatically with the U.S. and Ukraine to seek an end to the war.
- Whether killing stops depends on Russia and Ukraine finding middle ground, not U.S. mediation alone.
Russia Uses Trump As Leverage
- Russia courts Trump to secure outcomes it wants from Ukraine rather than to perpetuate war for its own sake.
- Moscow uses leverage and gestures toward Trump to extract favorable diplomatic results.
No Summit Without Conditions
- Putin agreed in principle to meet Zelensky but set conditions and an agenda before any summit.
- Lavrov and Russia insist a summit requires prior agreement on concrete terms, not a symbolic meeting.