Ukraine: The Latest Putin instates new ‘bloodthirsty’ general & first direct Ukraine-Russia peace talks in 3 years
May 16, 2025
Eliot Cohen, a writer at The Atlantic and former counselor at the US State Department, joins to discuss the chilling introduction of a new 'bloodthirsty' general in Russia. He delves into the first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in over three years, which are fraught with tension and low expectations. The conversation examines the state of European unity on defense and how U.S. politics, particularly Trump’s influence, intertwines with international diplomacy amidst the ongoing conflict.
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Russia's Maximalist Peace Demands
- Russia's peace talks team mirrors 2022 but pursues old maximalist demands on Ukraine.\n- Moscow demands Ukraine's neutrality, limits on forces, and bans on foreign military presence, ignoring recent war setbacks.
Putin Signals Peace Talk Insincerity
- Putin’s absence from peace talks signals Russia's lack of seriousness about peace.\n- The talks mainly serve to demonstrate that Russia obstructs negotiations, undermining hopes for breakthroughs.
Kebab and Reporting in Istanbul
- Joe Barnes enjoyed a Turkish kebab with kofta and chili sauce paired with Turkish tea and rice pudding.\n- This meal accompanied his live dispatch work during the peace talks in Istanbul.