The Duran Podcast End of the Line for Diplomacy with Ukraine - John Mearsheimer, Alexander Mercouris & Glenn Diesen
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Aug 21, 2025 
John Mearsheimer, a renowned political science professor at the University of Chicago, joins Alexander Mercouris and Glenn Diesen to dissect the ongoing Ukraine conflict. They explore the shifting American perspectives on NATO and security guarantees, exposing the dubious reliability of diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. The discussion also delves into Trump's foreign policy impact, the complexities of military support, and the dire implications of a protracted war for Ukrainian forces. They emphasize the pressing need for genuine dialogue amidst rising tensions in Europe.
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Security Guarantees Are Misaligned
- Security guarantees being discussed publicly differ from the Istanbul model and risk contradicting Russian demands.
- Western talk of guarantees may hide contradictory expectations and could collapse negotiations.
Europe Drives Guarantees To Retain US
- Europeans and Ukrainians drive the security-guarantee narrative to keep the U.S. tied to Europe.
- Proposed guarantees (Article 5, troops, buildup) are red lines for Russia and thus infeasible.
Don't Rely On Weak European Tripwires
- Europe should face the hard truth that small deployments without U.S. backing are not credible tripwires.
- Avoid guarantees that incentivize Ukraine to resume offensive operations under Western protection.