Ukraine Conflict Podcast Surpasses 100 Million Downloads

A recent meeting in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned contentious, with Trump criticizing Zelenskyy for his handling of the war against Russia and accusing him of being ungrateful for U.S. support. The meeting, marked by acrimony, ended without a signed agreement as Trump insisted on U.S. security commitments being tied to a natural resources deal. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to the White House aimed to bolster support for Ukraine amid concerns about U.S. commitment, with Starmer attempting to flatter Trump to secure favorable outcomes. Analysts noted the challenge of reconciling progressive and realist foreign policy approaches in the context of Ukraine, where a balance must be struck between supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and addressing U.S. self-interest. The situation remains precarious, with Trump showing reluctance to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, further complicating efforts to counter Russia's aggression. Discussions among European leaders, including Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, continue as they seek to re-engage the U.S. in supporting Ukraine against the ongoing invasion.