Morning Joe Trump to meet with Zelenskyy and European leaders in D.C. to discuss Ukraine peace efforts
Aug 18, 2025
Mark Brzezinski, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland and Sweden, and David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist, unravel the intricate web of an upcoming meeting between President Trump and European leaders with Ukrainian President Zelensky. They discuss the challenge of negotiating peace in Ukraine, the emotional weight of potential territorial concessions, and the impact of U.S. security guarantees. The conversation also highlights Trump's foreign policy dynamics amidst geopolitical tensions, providing a captivating glimpse into the urgent quest for diplomatic solutions.
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Trump's New Peace Tradeoff
- President Trump is pursuing a peace deal that may require Ukraine to cede territory while offering new U.S. security guarantees.
- That shift marks a major change from prior U.S. posture and forces painful decisions for Kyiv.
Zelensky's Painful Choice
- David Ignatius warns Zelensky faces an agonizing choice over land-for-peace terms that will be politically painful.
- The U.S. appears ready to back a European security force, changing the bargaining calculus for Ukraine.
Eastern Europe's High Stakes
- Eastern European states fear rollback of post-1989 gains if a weak settlement rewards aggression.
- Mark Brzezinski says Trump's leverage could end the war or undermine regional democracy depending on outcomes.