The Trump-Zelensky showdown in the Oval Office shocked the world, but interpretations of its effect on diplomacy are divided.
Some supporters of Trump’s approach to great power politics praised his slap down of the “disrespectful” Ukrainian President.
Many opponents of Trump’s emergent grand strategy raged against the betrayal and bullying of a leader and a nation at war, with whom other allies still stood, for as long as it takes.
But what does the withdrawal of American support for the war mean for the diplomacy to end the war? What impact will it have on the aims of Ukraine and its European allies?
Can Trump deliver peace through great power negotiations with Russia alone?
Can Europe and Ukraine defend themselves without the USA?
Will the bullying by Trump and Vance backfire and split the Atlantic Alliance that has been the steel in the backbone of the West since 1945?
Will this be the moment Europe and other American allies finally stand up and pursue foreign policies not suborned to American Primacy?
Will Trump really end the war? Will it be a short pause before renewed aggression towards China?
On 2 March 2025 I discussed these issues with Professor Michael Rossi. Michael Rossi is a political scientist who has taught at Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA, and Webster University (Tashkent, Uzbekistan). His YouTube channel is one of the best on geopolitics.
With this special interview I will defer my deep dive on health in America (‘Spending more to die more’) until next week. I am making this special interview available to all subscribers.
Reminder: Paid subscribers may join my special live calls on 7 March. It will be a chance to discuss with me and other readers these interviews, the World History Tour of World Powers, and my Slow Read.
Coming up on Saturday, my post will reflect on the issues raised in my interviews with Michael Rossi and Warwick Powell and provide a bonus history book recommendation on how America and the West last lost a peace.
Can the USA really end the war? Does it intend truly to build a peace?
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