The Duran Podcast US diplomacy disaster. Ukraine military disaster
27 snips
Oct 28, 2025 
In this discussion, political commentator Alexander Mercouris dives deep into the challenges facing US diplomacy and the military situation in Ukraine. He analyzes the encirclement of key areas like Pokrovsk and the strategic implications for Russian objectives. Mercouris critiques Ukrainian leadership for prioritizing political optics over military reality and recounts Lavrov's insights on Trump's proposals. The conversation also raises questions about the effectiveness of Western advisers and the potential for meaningful negotiations amid escalating Russian advances.
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Pokrovsk Encirclement Signals Donbass Turning Point
- Pokrovsk encirclement is likely real and represents a major military crisis for Ukraine.
- Capturing Pokrovsk would let Russia threaten Pavlograd and outflank Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.
Multiple Encirclements Widen The Crisis
- Multiple encirclements are developing, including Kupiansk and possibly Siversk, widening the crisis.
- The fall of Pokrovsk would bring the Ukrainian Donbass last stand closer and could decide the war.
Diplomatic Offer Collided With Western Pushback
- Lavrov and Mercouris describe a Trump-proposed deal that would pause fighting in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia for concessions on Donbass.
- Putin engaged the idea and met Trump, but Western and Ukrainian opposition derailed it.