James O'Brien Daily The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting - can they end the war?
Aug 18, 2025
Noga Tarnopolsky, a freelance journalist from Jerusalem, shares insights on the ongoing protests in Israel for hostages' release. Leigh Turner, a former British Ambassador to Ukraine, discusses the political intricacies influencing peace efforts amid the Ukraine conflict. Idit Ohel, mother of an Israeli hostage taken by Hamas, passionately advocates for a referendum on the war's future. The conversation dives deep into the historical complexities of conflict resolution and the urgent calls for humanitarian action amid escalating tensions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Putin's Historical Motive
- Putin treats the USSR's collapse as a humiliation and seeks to reclaim Russian prestige through aggression in Ukraine.
- This worldview drives repeated attempts to prevent Ukrainian self-determination and to reassert imperial control.
Exchange With A Former KGB Officer
- Lewis Goodall recounted his exchange with ex-KGB officer Alexander Vassiliev about Crimea and Ukrainian identity.
- Vassiliev claimed Crimea wanted annexation, which Goodall robustly disputed as an illegal sham referendum.
Weak Response Encourages Rivals
- Hanna Hopko warns that weak global responses have emboldened a Sino-Russian axis and eroded the security order.
- She argues robust sanctions, asset seizures, and verification are needed before negotiating peace.
