Radio Atlantic Peace in Ukraine Is Not a Real-Estate Deal
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Aug 21, 2025 
Vivian Salama, a politics and national security writer, and Anne Applebaum, a seasoned reporter on Russia and Ukraine, unpack the complexities of international diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict. They explore President Zelensky's pivotal visit to the White House amid escalating tensions and dissect the evolving dynamics between Trump and Putin. The conversation dives into the urgent need for effective communication and the shifting alliances affecting U.S.-Russia relations, stressing that peace isn't as simple as a real-estate deal.
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Europeans Rushed To Avert Alarm
- European leaders flew to Washington on 24 hours' notice because Anchorage alarmed them and showed U.S. unpredictability.
- Their presence signaled fear that the White House might reset policy in ways that embolden Russia.
Putin Won The Optics, Not Peace
- Putin received grand treatment in Alaska and gave away nothing substantive in return.
- That appearance alone advanced Russian objectives by projecting legitimacy without concessions.
How Language Becomes Leverage
- Putin floated 'ceasefire' and vague peace talks to keep leverage while continuing to fight.
- Using his language lets Russia shape outcomes without committing to stop the war.