Daniel Davis Deep Dive

In this engaging conversation, Alexander Mercouris, co-host of The Duran, dissects the precarious geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine war. He discusses Ukraine's pivot toward Europe for support amid waning U.S. backing and highlights the complexities of the recent Trump-Putin ceasefire discussions. Mercouris reveals concerns over violations from both sides and Zelensky's ambitions for substantial financial aid. The dialogue also uncovers mismatches in European leaders' rhetoric versus actionable support, emphasizing the urgent need for effective negotiations and strategy.

The presentation discusses the complexities and contradictions surrounding attempts to broker a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict following a phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While initial reports suggested progress toward at least a partial ceasefire, differing perspectives from various stakeholders—the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, and European nations—have since cast doubt on any meaningful agreement.Professor John Mearsheimer, a political scientist and international relations expert, argues that discussions of a ceasefire are largely irrelevant because Russia has made it clear that it will not agree to one unless a comprehensive peace deal is in place. He highlights that the core issue is whether Trump and Putin can reach a consensus on Russia’s key demands, which remain largely undisclosed.The discussion critiques the Western portrayal of Putin as inherently untrustworthy, citing historical examples such as the Minsk Accords, which Mearsheimer asserts were undermined by Ukraine, France, and Germany rather than Russia. He argues that Western leaders have been misleading in their framing of past negotiations and that their refusal to engage realistically with Russia is prolonging the war, to the detriment of Ukraine.Mearsheimer contends that Western policymakers continue to support the war despite having no viable strategy for turning the tide against Russia. He suggests that their reluctance to acknowledge reality is driven by reputational concerns—avoiding the admission that Ukraine is losing and that their policies have failed. He warns that prolonging the war will likely lead to more Ukrainian casualties and further territorial losses, possibly beyond the four eastern regions that Russia currently controls.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The presentation discusses recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Belgorod region. The speaker argues that Ukraine’s repeated military decisions prioritize media attention over sound operational strategy, ultimately benefiting Russia. The key points include:Ukrainian Incursion into Belgorod: Ukraine has launched a cross-border operation into Russia’s Belgorod province, similar to past offensives, in an attempt to relieve pressure on other fronts, such as the Kharkiv region.Criticism of Ukrainian Strategy: The speaker claims Ukraine consistently makes poor tactical decisions, focusing on short-term media gains rather than effective military strategy. These actions allegedly weaken Ukraine’s position and inadvertently help Russia.Ceasefire Negotiations: The U.S. and Ukraine recently agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, which was presented to Russia. While a full ceasefire was not accepted, Putin agreed to a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure.Potential Russian Offensive: Zelensky has warned of a Russian troop buildup near the Sumy region, aligning with Putin’s previous public statements about securing a buffer zone along Russia’s border.Historical Context of Ukrainian Mistakes: The speaker cites past battles, such as Mariupol, as examples of Ukraine’s tendency to hold positions too long, leading to unnecessary losses. The argument is that Ukraine fails to conduct strategic withdrawals and instead fights in ways that maximize casualties.Long-Term Outlook: The speaker suggests that Ukraine’s poor decision-making has contributed to its weakening position in the war, making Russian victory more likely.The presentation is highly critical of Ukraine’s approach, suggesting that its military and political leaders have prioritized Western media narratives over effective warfare, leading to strategic failuresSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The presentation discusses uncertainties surrounding a recent phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The duration of the call is debated, and discrepancies exist between the White House and Kremlin's summaries of the conversation.Key points include:Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky, though details remain vague.The Wall Street Journal reports Ukraine and Russia are accusing each other of violating a ceasefire.Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson argues that Russia has no reason to trust the U.S., given its history of broken promises and actions against Russia, such as NATO expansion, military support for Ukraine, and past agreements disregarded by the West.Johnson asserts that the U.S. mistakenly believes it has leverage over Russia, but in reality, Russia is in a strong position, both economically and militarily.Trump and his team may misunderstand the war’s realities, assuming Russia is struggling when it is not.Putin has set clear conditions for negotiations, including Ukraine ceasing military operations, staying out of NATO, holding new elections, and ending Western military aid.Russia's agreement to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is seen as a symbolic concession since most of it is already destroyed.Overall, the discussion highlights skepticism toward U.S. policy, doubts about Trump's ability to influence Russia, and an assertion that Russia will continue its military objectives in Ukraine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summary of the PresentationThe discussion revolves around a recent phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The participants, including Steve Witkoff, a Trump advisor, and other panelists, describe the call as a significant step toward peace, contrasting it with the previous administration’s approach, which they claim focused on prolonging the war rather than ending it.Key points include:The Call’s Significance – The discussion emphasizes how Trump and Putin were aligned in their conversation, focusing on stopping the war and saving lives. The panelists view this as a major shift from past U.S. policies.Media and Political Reaction – The Western media and political figures, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., have criticized the call, portraying Trump as weak or subservient to Putin. Some European voices argue that Russia remains a threat and should not be negotiated with.Public Perception and Propaganda – The conversation highlights how Western populations have been influenced by media narratives depicting Putin as an aggressor and dismissing any attempts at negotiation. A British panelist notes that many people in the U.K. still believe Russia’s collapse is imminent, despite evidence to the contrary.Ukraine’s Situation – The discussion touches on the immense human cost, with claims that over a million Ukrainians have died—far higher than official figures. There is also mention of Ukraine sending more women to the front lines, which the panelists see as further evidence of the war’s desperation.The 30-Day Energy Ceasefire – A key outcome of the call was an agreement for both sides to avoid striking each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. While the panelists acknowledge this is a small step, they argue it signals a willingness from Putin to negotiate further.Western Political Agendas – The panelists argue that the war has been prolonged due to Western interests, citing figures like Boris Johnson, who previously labeled Ukraine a "proxy" in a war against Russia.Skepticism Toward Western Media – The discussion concludes with criticism of major Western news outlets like BBC and CNN, which are accused of misleading the public on the war’s reality.Overall, the panelists present a perspective that views Trump’s diplomatic efforts as a positive move toward peace, while arguing that Western governments and media continue to push a war narrative for political reasons.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump Putin Phone Call - What's been RevealedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

@Elisalgorevna The presentation is a discussion on the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region, focusing on Russia’s military operations and perspectives from a war correspondent embedded with Russian special forces. The host, Daniel Davis, introduces the session as a deep dive into the Russian offensive, with a guest, Elizabeth Vieta Igorfna, who provides insights from the front lines.Key points covered in the discussion:Background of the Offensive: Since August 2024, Russia has been gradually reclaiming territory from Ukrainian forces. A major push occurred on March 8, accelerating Ukraine’s withdrawal.War Correspondent's Perspective: Igorfna, a law student turned war journalist, describes her motivation as patriotic and emphasizes her role in reporting rather than fighting.Current Status of Kursk Operation: Ukrainian forces have lost control of the Kursk enclave and retreated across the border. Russia deployed 60,000 troops to force them out.Future Russian Plans: Contrary to some Western reports suggesting redeployment to other battlefronts, Igorfna suggests Russian forces will continue advancing into Ukraine’s Sumy and possibly Kharkiv regions, establishing a "buffer zone."Putin’s Involvement: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk and instructed military leaders to continue expanding territorial control.Ukrainian Resistance and Air Support: Ukraine still maintains air capabilities, including F-16 jets, but faces limitations due to missile shortages and Russian countermeasures.Turning Point in March: The slow progress from August 2024 shifted dramatically in March 2025 due to strategic Russian maneuvers, particularly a flanking move via a gas pipeline.Overall, the discussion presents a Russian perspective on the war, highlighting their military successes, strategic objectives, and future plans for continued advancement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The presentation discusses a potential phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire or resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war. The conversation includes analysis from Colonel Doug McGregor, who argues that cutting off U.S. aid to Ukraine is essential for ending the conflict, as continued support only prolongs it. He contends that Russia has effectively won the war and questions why the U.S. should negotiate from a position of weakness.McGregor also criticizes the belief that Russia poses a broader threat to Western Europe, dismissing it as baseless propaganda. He argues that the U.S. and Western leaders have repeatedly used false narratives to justify interventionist policies. The discussion also touches on Trump's approach, suggesting that he is thinking about post-war arrangements, including territorial divisions and power infrastructure, though McGregor warns against discussing such matters publicly.The overall theme is skepticism toward ongoing Western support for Ukraine and a push for immediate negotiations, with McGregor asserting that the U.S. has little leverage left in the conflict.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the formation of a 37-nation coalition aimed at securing a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine. The coalition intends to maintain military aid to Ukraine, increase economic pressure on Russia, and establish a robust military force to enforce any future peace agreement.This proposed force is not just a peacekeeping mission but rather a "peace enforcement" unit that could potentially engage Russian forces if they violate an agreement. There are ongoing discussions about where these troops would be stationed and how they would operate. Critics question whether such a force would be prepared to fight Russia and whether the West is setting unrealistic goals, such as expecting Russia to withdraw from occupied territories, pay reparations, and submit to war crime trials.Former NATO Commander General Wesley Clark and British Lord Ricketts have raised concerns about the feasibility of the plan, questioning if the coalition would actually be willing to engage Russia militarily and whether the U.S. would provide backing, especially under a potential Trump administration. The discussion highlights concerns that Western leaders may not be fully considering Russia's perspective or the potential consequences of escalating conflict.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Donald Trump announced aboard Air Force One that he will be speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. The conversation will address key issues such as nuclear power plants, ceasefire conditions, and potential trade-offs. Trump remains optimistic about bringing the war to an end, emphasizing his commitment to stopping the loss of life on both sides.A key negotiator, Steve Witkoff, has been involved in high-level talks, including direct discussions with Putin and agreements with Ukraine in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ukraine has tentatively agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia has expressed skepticism, requiring further negotiations. Witkoff’s recent trip to Moscow aimed to bridge gaps between U.S. and Russian positions.However, the European Union and Ukraine appear misaligned with Trump’s approach. European leaders, such as Germany’s foreign minister, have expressed concerns about any U.S.-Russia agreement that excludes European input. Ukraine remains firm on three demands: territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unrestricted military capabilities, which contrast sharply with Russia's stance.Trump believes the war is unwinnable and prioritizes a ceasefire over specific territorial or political outcomes. Meanwhile, European leaders are advocating for a "coalition of the willing" to deploy troops in Ukraine, a move that Trump and Russia likely oppose. The presenter questions the feasibility of this strategy, arguing that European military capabilities are insufficient to deter Russian aggression.Trump has signaled that a major announcement regarding the war could come soon, though uncertainties remain about whether a deal will be reached, given the significant gaps between Ukraine, Europe, and Russia.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.