Amanpour — "Can/Will Ukraine 'Make a Deal' with Russia?"

Podcast: Amanpour (CNN Podcasts)
Host: Christiane Amanpour
Date: September 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of Amanpour explores the current state of the war in Ukraine and the prospects of a negotiated settlement with Russia, featuring an exclusive interview with Rustem Umerov (Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, former Defense Minister). The episode also covers reactions to increased political violence in the US, the role of media under political pressure in America, and debates about fertility access for US service members. Additional insights come from Annalina Baerbock (President of the UN General Assembly, former German Foreign Minister) and media analyst Brian Stelter, among others.

Key Segments & Insights

1. State of Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

[03:38–15:13]

Background & Introduction

• Host Christiane Amanpour sets the stage, noting heightened attacks by Russia, renewed Western unity on Ukraine, and US President Trump's recent statements urging a “deal” between Kyiv and Moscow.

Interview: Rustem Umerov

• Are negotiations ongoing?

  • Umerov states Ukraine has attended multiple peace process meetings in Saudi Arabia, Paris, London, and Turkey. Currently, only humanitarian exchanges (prisoner releases) continue.
  • Quote: "At the moment, we continue the humanitarian part where we release and exchange prisoners of war." — Rustem Umerov [05:19]

• On President Trump’s position:

  • Amanpour questions if Trump is using full US leverage or stepping back.
  • Umerov credits Trump as uniquely able to end the war, but notes Russia shows “no commitment” to negotiations.
  • Quote: "President Trump is the only person who is able and capable to finish this war...there is no commitment from Russian side." — Rustem Umerov [07:17]

• Military and humanitarian situation:

  • Umerov describes a stepped-up Russian assault, including daily drone/missile attacks against civilians.
  • Confirms Ukraine is receiving more weapons, largely funded by Europe but sourced from the US, via new NATO mechanisms.
  • Russia, he says, has not achieved strategic objectives and Ukraine’s frontlines remain stable.
  • Quote: "We need, of course, more air defence, we need interceptor drones financing. But Russia is trying to increase the attacks per thousand attacks per day." — Rustem Umerov [09:01]

• On Russian aims and Ukrainian capability:

  • Despite Russian claims of territorial gain, Ukrainian forces have regained 50% of what Russia seized since 2022.
  • Ukraine is rebuilding its defense base (drones, EW, robotics), but needs partner support to match Russia’s resource advantage.
  • Suggests financial sanctions on Russian oil/gas are critical.
  • Quote: "There are instruments to stop them. There are opportunities available in our partners' hands to sanction them." — Rustem Umerov [12:15]

• Negotiations with Putin and sanctions:

  • Amanpour raises President Zelenskyy's offer for face-to-face talks and the lack of a response from Putin.
  • Umerov supports more aggressive sanctions on Russian oil/gas imports by Turkey, Hungary, Slovakia, emphasizing their responsibility to support peace.
  • Quote: "More they buy this oil and gas, more the war will continue. So if they are pro-peace, they have to stop it." — Rustem Umerov [14:36]

2. The UN, Global Governance, and War

[16:05–26:49]

Interview: Annalina Baerbock (President, UNGA)

• Baerbock describes an “80-year-old UN under pressure,” facing global crises but still essential for food aid, children’s education, and conflict mediation.
• Criticizes political will and P5 Security Council inaction as main obstacles to conflict resolution.
  • Quote: "It's the political will of the international community...for the purpose of peace and security, unfortunately, we are not moving forward." — Annalina Baerbock [19:04]
• Defends her pro-Ukraine stance and UN resolutions demanding Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
• On the US restricting Palestinian officials' visas for the UN: Baerbock insists the UN will arrange alternative remote addresses if needed.
  • Quote: "You are not allowed to invade your neighbor, that you have to respect the territorial borders, but also that human rights are universal." — Annalina Baerbock [22:33]

3. US Media, Free Speech, and Political Pressure

[26:56–37:58]

Case Study: Jimmy Kimmel Show Pulled

• Brian Stelter explains how Disney/ABC pulled the Jimmy Kimmel show after political pressure from the Trump administration and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr due to Kimmel's commentary on Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
• Highlights how media companies’ business entanglements and dependence on government favors stifle dissent and chill free speech.
  • Quote: "What we are seeing happen in the US: station owners try to curry favor with the Trump administration by condemning Kimmel, announcing they're not going to air the show." — Brian Stelter [28:25]
• Stelter connects these tactics to “authoritarian playbook” strategies seen in Turkey and Hungary: government weaponizes regulatory power, punishes dissenting media, rewards compliant outlets.
  • Quote: "Weaponize levers of government for partisan purposes. Pressure privately owned media companies to toe the party line, punish the owners who resist and reward the ones who acquiesce. That's what we've seen from Viktor Orban in Hungary. It's what we're seeing right now from President Trump in the US." — Brian Stelter [36:54]

4. US Politics, Fertility Access, and Political Violence

[38:52–54:09]

Interview: Rep. Sarah Jacobs (D-CA)

• Atmosphere in Congress: Post-Charlie Kirk assassination, parallels drawn to post-January 6th environment—distrust, tension, and concerns about safety.
  • Quote: "There's a lot of concern around safety for members, for our staff, and just a lot of vitriol being thrown around." — Rep. Sarah Jacobs [39:31]
• Combatting Political Violence: Jacobs emphasizes the need for bipartisan denouncement of violence, rejecting framing that blames only one side.
  • Quote: "We are all Americans and we should all be Americans first...we settle our differences through elections, not through violence." — Rep. Sarah Jacobs [42:53]
• Fertility Coverage for Service Members: Jacobs' recent bill expands military health care to cover fertility treatments (IVF, egg freezing), arguing it’s pro-readiness, pro-family, and a model for broader health policy.
  • Quote: "We're asking [service members] to be far away from their loved ones and do really dangerous things in their prime reproductive years." — Rep. Sarah Jacobs [43:44]
  • Personalizes the issue, sharing her own experience with egg freezing.
• Broader issues: Discusses quality of life for service members; connects fertility, abortion rights, and family care to military effectiveness.
• Nuanced stance on Israel/Gaza: Jacobs, as the youngest Jewish member of Congress with family in both Israel and San Diego, seeks a centrist path in a polarized debate.
  • Quote: "I actually think that my position is what the majority of Americans feel...that Israel has a right to defend itself. But also what we're seeing in Gaza right now is horrific." — Rep. Sarah Jacobs [50:54]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ukrainian Resolve:
  "Our capabilities are far bigger than our financial ability to finance them...There are instruments to stop them. There are opportunities available in our partners' hands to sanction them."
  — Rustem Umerov, on sanctions and defense innovation [12:15]

• UN at a Crossroads:
  "We need this irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. We need a ceasefire now. We need humanitarian access and the release of all hostages."
  — Annalina Baerbock, on Gaza and the UN's role [24:40]

• Media Under Threat:
  "It is clear President Trump wants to squash dissent in the U.S., he wants to silence critics, and he's very clearly going after late night comics entertainers as one of those areas."
  — Brian Stelter [30:55]

• Warning on Rights:
  "You either have to use your rights or you're gonna lose your rights."
  — Brian Stelter, paraphrasing Edward R. Murrow [37:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine–Russia Negotiations & War Update: 03:38–15:13
• UN General Assembly, Gaza, Global Governance: 16:05–26:49
• Free Speech, Media, the Kimmel Affair: 26:56–37:58
• Political Violence, Fertility Bill (Sarah Jacobs): 38:52–54:09

Tone & Takeaways

The episode is urgent and serious, reflecting on war, diplomacy, political violence, and democratic backsliding. Amanpour and guests maintain a sober, probing, and at times passionate tone. Listeners come away with a sobering understanding of Ukraine's precarious situation, the fragility of international norms, rising government-media tensions in the US, and efforts to find common ground in a polarized political landscape.