The Intelligence from The Economist Peace by piece? Zelensky and Trump meet again
7 snips
Aug 18, 2025 
Oliver Carroll, the Ukraine correspondent for The Economist, and Chris Lockwood, the Europe editor, discuss high-stakes diplomacy with Zelensky's upcoming meeting with Trump. The precarious balancing act of Ukraine amid U.S.-Russian tensions takes center stage. They also delve into the rise of solopreneurs leveraging AI to create startups with minimal staff, alongside the resurgence of a 400-year-old Chinese cough syrup gaining popularity in the West, spurred by social media and shifting market dynamics.
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Push For Final Deal Without Ceasefire
- Anchorage suggested Trump may push for a final settlement without a ceasefire and demand further territorial concessions.
- That approach would be extremely hard for Zelensky to accept given front-line realities.
Demand Concrete Security Guarantees
- Insist on enforceable American-backed security guarantees if territorial concessions are considered.
- Avoid trading land for vague promises that depend on unreliable political will.
Bring Trusted Allies To Influence Trump
- Use allied leaders who have rapport with Trump to influence outcomes in follow-up meetings.
- Leverage figures like Keir Starmer and Georgia Meloni to press for safer terms.
