The Bulwark Podcast Michael Weiss: Trump's Ukraine Cluster**ck
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Nov 25, 2025 Michael Weiss, a seasoned reporter specializing in Russia and international security, joins Tim Miller to dissect the clandestine maneuvers surrounding Ukraine's peace negotiations. They unravel the audacious attempts by Jared Kushner, JD Vance, and others to impose a Russia-drafted plan, revealing the involvement of mysterious fixers and elite back channels. Weiss highlights internal GOP tensions, Marco Rubio's pushback, and the precarious balance of power as Ukraine navigates these machinations. Expect sharp insights on the chaotic state of foreign policy and Trump's role in this unfolding drama.
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Amateur Troika Pushed A Russian Draft
- A small troika of amateurs tried to impose a Russia-authored peace plan on Ukraine without proper interagency process.
- The leaked 28-point draft read like Russian fan fiction and included demands that would undercut NATO and Ukraine's sovereignty.
Dmitriev, Witkoff And Kushner Meeting
- Kirill Dmitriev met with Steve Witkoff and later leaked the plan through Axios to force it into reality.
- Jared Kushner rejoined because he has prior ties to Dmitriev from 2015 and wanted a back-channel role.
The Draft Favored Russian Strategic Aims
- The draft demanded no NATO expansion, caps on Ukraine's military, and EU use of frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine with a US kickback.
- Those provisions favored Russian strategic aims and included problematic admissions like returning kidnapped children.