Summary
Overview
The News Agents podcast discusses the controversial 28-point Trump peace plan for Ukraine, which heavily favors Russia and has sparked accusations of being effectively written by Moscow. The hosts analyze the diplomatic maneuvering between the US, Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, as well as the surprising bromance between Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohra Mamdani, and ongoing turmoil at the BBC.
The Controversial Trump Ukraine Peace Plan
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims the 28-point Trump peace plan is bringing the Ukraine-Russia war closer to its end, but many view it as ridiculously one-sided in favor of Russia. Suspicions arose when AI analysis suggested the document was originally written in Russian and translated into English, though this theory has been disputed. The plan appears to have been negotiated behind closed doors by Trump's property developer envoy Steve Witkoff and a Ukrainian-born Russian oligarch, with no Ukrainian or European representatives present.
- The 28-point peace plan is seen as heavily favoring Russia, with all sacrifice coming from Ukraine
- AI analysis suggests the document may have been originally written in Russian and translated to English
- Steve Witkoff, a property developer with no diplomatic experience, negotiated the plan with Kirill Dmitriev, a Ukrainian-born Russian oligarch
- Witkoff met with Putin and Lavrov with no translator or note-takers on his side, relying on Kremlin translators
" If this was a Russian foreign ministry document, there wouldn't be flaws in the English. It would be absolutely perfect. They speak better English than us. "
" You would be a turkey voting for Thanksgiving if you accepted this document. "
Europe's Delicate Diplomatic Dance
European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are engaging diplomatically with the Trump plan despite its obvious flaws, trying to maintain Trump's favor while protecting their interests. This strategy reflects Europe's year-long attempt to manage Trump's expectations and keep American support flowing, even as they recognize the fundamental problems with treating Ukraine's future as a matter for great power politics between the US and Russia alone.
- European strategy has been to engage with Trump proposals rather than reject them outright
- UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell is playing a key role in trying to make the document more balanced
- Starmer described the proposal as 'promising' while noting more work needs to be done
- Europe's lack of hard power means they're being written out of major decisions despite having to live with consequences
" We are reaching the end of that game, that diplomatic game, because we're reaching something approaching a crunch point. And this document, this 28-page document, for all of its demerits and faults, appears to be that end point. "
" This is reminiscent of great power politics and this is what Putin has wanted from the very beginning, which is to, as if this were a modern day Versailles conference, sort of sit there as the great powers, the United States and Russia itself very elevating to Russia which in many ways is quite a weak state and carve up Europe. "
📚 5 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future The News Agents episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new The News Agents episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.