Topic: Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine struck major Russian logistics facilities in the Moscow and Tambov regions. A drone strike on a warehouse belonging to the retailer Wildberries resulted in seven deaths and over 20 injuries. Russian authorities are treating the incidents as terrorist attacks, while Ukraine claims the sites were supplying drone components.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina passed away at age 71 following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. While media reports initially speculated on causes ranging from foreign assassination to vaccine side effects, the discussion focuses on Graham's family history of heart disease, noting his father died of heart failure at 68. Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Graham shortly before his death, noting the Senator sounded tired but otherwise fine.

During the NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump utilized a "good cop, bad cop" strategy regarding Iran, allowing negotiators like Jared Kushner to talk while he maintained a harsh public stance. A bizarre diplomatic detail emerged as Turkish President Erdogan reportedly gifted NATO leaders personalized revolvers and ammunition. The hosts criticize the media for cherry-picking Trump's "scum" comments while ignoring his broader context regarding nuclear negotiations and the killing of Iranian protesters.

President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the G7 summit to seek a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin, which Russia reportedly declined. Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's recent battlefield progress and a 90 billion euro loan from the EU. However, military sources suggest Russia may be preparing a significant escalation or "big boom" in Ukraine in the near future.

European leaders are scheduled to meet with President Zelensky in London to discuss the ongoing conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, reports from Iran indicate widespread student protests against the regime, with many women appearing in public without hijabs. In the U.S., Texas oil producers are reopening capped wells to meet rising demand despite increased operational costs.

Despite ongoing sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, Russian LNG exports to the European Union hit a record high in March 2026. The U.S. and UK are navigating a complex landscape where they must seize "shadow fleet" tankers for safety reasons while simultaneously asking Ukraine to avoid attacking Russian energy infrastructure to maintain global supply.

Canadian source Andrew Solus reports that the U.S. is offering "carrots" rather than pressure to end the Russia-Ukraine war, including a large economic package for Russia. Rumors suggest the Biden administration wants the conflict resolved by June to focus on the midterm elections. A framework agreement is reportedly sought by March, though the hosts predict a false flag will occur before any deal is finalized.

NPR correspondents in Russia and China report a shift in how those nations view the United States under the current administration. In Russia, there is a perception that the U.S. "special operation" in Venezuela was more successful than Russia's efforts in Ukraine. In China, state media uses AI-generated content to mock U.S. trade policies, labeling them as hypocritical "China Shock 2.0."

The Kremlin has extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss ending the war. Zelensky has praised ongoing post-war recovery plans developed with the U.S., while President Trump has expressed optimism regarding peace negotiations. Despite the diplomatic overtures, heavy fighting continues in cities like Odessa and Kyiv, and observers warn Zelensky against the safety risks of traveling to Russia by train.

High-level delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for trilateral talks aimed at ending the four-year-long war. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European leaders at Davos for their continued reliance on Russian oil and ghost ships. Zelensky's remarks followed a private meeting with Donald Trump, leading to speculation that the messaging was coordinated with the U.S. president-elect.

Colonel Douglas McGregor argues that the Ukrainian regime is effectively defeated and that the U.S. should normalize relations with Russia. McGregor criticizes the lack of common sense in modern diplomacy compared to the post-Napoleonic era. He suggests that Donald Trump should explicitly state that the U.S. will not support a war with Russia to force a resolution.

President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Donald Trump following a coordinating meeting in Canada with Prime Minister Mark Carney and European officials. The talks focus on a potential peace deal with Russia, with territory in the Donbass and "Article 5-like" security guarantees serving as the primary sticking points. Analysts suggest Russia is likely to reject the current European proposal.

U.S. negotiators met with Russian and Ukrainian envoys at a gated golf course in Miami to discuss potential peace terms. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin held a four-and-a-half-hour televised Q&A in Moscow, where he blamed Western "opponents" for the ongoing conflict and rejected responsibility for future casualties. President Zelensky indicated that any territorial concessions would require a national referendum in Ukraine.

A leaked transcript published by Der Spiegel reveals a private call between President Zelensky and several European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Mark Rutte. The leaders expressed alarm that US envoys Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner held lengthy talks with Vladimir Putin, fearing the US might negotiate a peace deal without Ukrainian security guarantees. The discussion characterizes the EU leaders as desperate to continue the war.

Andriy Yermak, the powerful Chief of Staff to President Zelensky, resigned following a corruption scandal involving the state nuclear power agency. Investigators are looking into the alleged siphoning of $100 million by officials close to the presidency. Yermak, a former film producer, was often viewed as the "director" behind Zelensky's political persona.

The departure of his top advisor has left President Zelensky politically isolated as he enters high-stakes peace negotiations. While Zelensky has endorsed an amended peace plan, Vladimir Putin maintains that Russia will take the Donbass region by force if Ukraine does not cede the territory. Ongoing Russian drone strikes on Kyiv continue to pressure the Ukrainian administration.

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are meeting with Zelensky to discuss conditions for a "just and lasting peace." Some diplomats remain skeptical of the current framework, noting that Putin considers Zelensky an illegitimate leader. The European Union appears hesitant to support any deal that might be perceived as a Russian victory.

Zelensky faces increasing domestic criticism from opposition figures, including former commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who is now the ambassador to London. Reports suggest that government ministers have been taking 15% kickbacks on contracts to repair the energy grid while it is under Russian attack. These scandals have significantly weakened Zelensky's leverage in international negotiations.

The proposed US peace plan for Ukraine reportedly includes reducing the size of the Ukrainian military and abandoning NATO ambitions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejects the assessment that the fall of Donetsk is inevitable, while European officials express concern over being excluded from Washington-Moscow negotiations.

President Zelensky appointed a delegation to begin talks with the U.S. on a 28-point peace plan to halt the war with Russia. Simultaneously, Russia launched 104 drones and a ballistic missile in overnight attacks across Ukraine, with significant activity reported in Odessa. Ukrainian forces claimed to have shot down or jammed 89 of the drones, though several locations were hit, resulting in civilian injuries.