Hey everyone— In this edition of the Deep Dive, I unpack the rising tensions ahead of the planned Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska, and why Ukraine feels sidelined as Washington and Moscow discuss possible territorial swaps.
Zelensky is standing firm: no land “gifts” to an occupier. But critics say that stance may ignore the battlefield reality—Russia could take territory by force if diplomacy fails.
Kremlin insiders are floating a scenario where Russia grabs all of Luhansk and Donetsk, while freezing the lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. But that’s politically risky for Putin, who’s constitutionally claimed all four provinces. For Ukraine, pulling back to administrative borders would mean abandoning hardened defenses—leaving the door wide open for a renewed Russian offensive unless a final peace deal is locked in. And Kyiv doesn’t trust that promise.
Meanwhile, the West is split. Some U.S. voices compare Putin to Hitler and warn against appeasement. I challenge that view. Nuclear deterrence changes the game, and Putin’s stated goal is border security—not empire-building. Whether you believe that or not, rejecting any negotiated settlement just because it feels unjust could end up costing Ukraine even more lives and land.
🎧 Tune in now for the full breakdown 🧠 I lay out the risks, the narratives, and what’s really at stake
Thanks for diving in, Daniel
