The Powers That Be: Daily Trump’s Putin-Zelensky Jenga
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Aug 26, 2025 Julia Ioffe, a journalist at Puck and expert on Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, joins Leigh Ann Caldwell to discuss Trump's diplomatic efforts—or lack thereof—with key world leaders. They analyze how Trump's inability to secure agreements could embolden Russia and complicate U.S.-European ties. The conversation highlights the peculiar role of Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, who recently received a medal from Putin. They also touch on the shifting geopolitical landscape, especially involving China and India, amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
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Promises Without Deliverables
- Trump claimed security guarantees and a trilateral meeting but achieved neither.
- Julia Ioffe emphasizes he came away with nothing despite grand promises.
World Leaders Placate Trump
- World leaders treated Trump like a temperamental toddler to manage his behavior.
- Ioffe argues that leaders placate him to prevent impulsive actions that could harm alliances.
Europe's Damage-Control Visit
- European leaders mainly aimed to walk Trump back from extreme actions and preserve status quo.
- Ioffe calls the choreography sad but necessary to prevent weapon and intelligence cutoffs to Ukraine.
