The Dispatch Podcast Peace in Ukraine | Interview: Tim Mak
Feb 17, 2025
Tim Mak, a seasoned war correspondent and founder of Counteroffensive, dives deep into the Ukraine conflict's complexities. He discusses the challenges of peace negotiations and the frustration among Ukrainian leaders regarding U.S. military aid delays. Mak illuminates the geopolitical stakes surrounding rare earth minerals and their significance in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. With firsthand insights from the war's front lines, he reflects on the harsh realities of conflict reporting and the uncertain path toward a resolution.
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Opening Gambit Blunder
- Trump's proposed peace deal involves upfront concessions to Russia without reciprocal actions.
- This approach puzzles Ukrainian and European officials, resembling appeasement.
Appeasement Concerns
- Giving concessions without getting anything in return won't compel Putin to negotiate.
- It may embolden him, reminding some of the appeasement of Munich 1938.
Putin's Authoritarian Calculus
- Putin's decision-making isn't constrained by public opinion like in democracies.
- Historical precedent shows he rebuilds his forces and repeats invasions, even after losses.