Circo Massimo - Lo spettacolo della politica

Episode: La Pax Trumpiana che premia Putin e taglia fuori l’Europa

Host: Massimo Giannini
Date: November 21, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Massimo Giannini analyzes the latest attempt at a "peace plan" for Ukraine proposed by Donald Trump. Giannini exposes the dynamics behind this plan, its implications for Europe and Ukraine, and how it reflects broader historical patterns of power politics. The episode provides a critical perspective on how Trump's realpolitik rewards Putin, sidelines the EU, and essentially demands the capitulation of Ukraine, questioning the morality and effectiveness of such an approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historical Pattern of Peace Treaties

• [00:02] Giannini opens with a sweeping review of history, from Parigi to Yalta, asserting that major peace deals are always determined by "i potenti, gli autocrati, talvolta i dittatori."

• Power and economic convenience, rather than justice or the voice of the weak, drive these agreements.

  "Ogni volta che c'è da mettere in piedi un trattato di pace... Sono sempre i potenti, gli autocrati, talvolta i dittatori."
  — Massimo Giannini [00:05]

2. Trump’s 28-point Ukraine Plan and Europe’s Exclusion

• Trump presents a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, sending it directly to Zelensky and Putin, bypassing the EU.

• Estonia’s Kaya Kallas (as EU High Representative) voices a strong “no,” underlining that Europe cannot accept a peace without being part of the negotiations.

  "Non può esserci pace in Ucraina... senza che a quel tavolo si sieda l'Europa stessa e insieme all'Europa lo Stato aggredito, e cioè l'Ucraina di Volodymyr Zelensky."
  — Massimo Giannini [01:05]

3. America’s Shift: From Support to Capitulation

• Initially, there was hope after the Anchorage summit between Trump and Putin that America would resist conceding too much to Russia.

• Over time, however, the US under Trump distances itself from supporting Ukraine directly, leaving Europe to "do the dirty work" and filter support through arms purchases.

  "Il presidente americano... si è gradualmente allontanato da Zelensky fino al punto da interrompere gli aiuti diretti degli Stati Uniti all'esercito ucraino."
  — Massimo Giannini [02:44]

4. Analysis of the "Peace" Proposal: A Masked Surrender

• The plan, according to Giannini, is not a genuine peace deal but a demand for Ukrainian surrender.

• The agreement cements the status quo, granting full control of Donbass to Russia and diminishing the Ukrainian military to the point of helplessness.

  "Il dimezzamento degli organici... come farebbe l'Ucraina poi a presidiare... i suoi confini con un esercito ridotto all'osso rimane un gigantesco mistero."
  — Massimo Giannini [04:12]

• Giannini underscores how this plan "umilia il più debole e premia il più forte."

5. Russia's Intransigence & European Outrage

• Putin’s explicit goal remains to "coronate l'operazione militare speciale," refusing concessions or true ceasefires, making negotiations futile as bombs still rain on civilians.

• The EU, through Kallas, insists only a "just and lasting peace" is acceptable and condemns ongoing Russian attacks as incompatible with real negotiations.

  "Non sentiamo concessioni da parte della Russia, come ad esempio una tregua incondizionata, dato che le bombe cadono ancora sui civili."
  — Massimo Giannini, paraphrasing Kallas [06:15]

6. The Economic Motive: Business as Usual

• Trump’s negotiator, Steve Witkoff, and Putin’s, Kirill Dmitriev, are both businessmen with direct interests—real estate and oil, respectively. Business interests frame the contours of peace, showing the primacy of financial over moral considerations.

  "L'accordo passa necessariamente tra chi è in grado di staccare assegni. Questa è l'unica cosa che conta."
  — Massimo Giannini [07:23]

7. The European Dilemma: Lacking Influence

• Despite significant support for Ukraine (military aid, coalition of “volenterosi”), the EU remains marginal—lacking clear leadership or a "number to call," echoing Kissinger’s old quip.

• Giannini calls for Europe’s right and need to be at the negotiating table, especially given its continuing contributions to Ukraine's resistance.

  "Nessuno sa ancora, come diceva Kissinger un tempo, quale sia il numero di telefono dell'Unione Europea."
  — Massimo Giannini [08:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Power and Peace:
  "Si ricombattono, ma al tempo stesso, a volte, si annusano, si osservano, si studiano, alla fine si piacciono. E sono loro che determinano i destini del mondo." [00:10]

• On the Nature of Trump’s Diplomacy:
  "Trump propone alle parti in causa... non un accordo di pace e neanche una tregua, ma semplicemente una resa." [03:49]

• On Zelensky’s Predicament:
  "Zelensky aveva compreso che con Trump non si può rompere, ma bisogna accettarne le intemperanze verbali, culturali, intellettuali, temperamentali." [04:02]

• On Europe’s Place:
  "L'Europa può opporsi, deve opporsi e in questo caso, al contrario di quel che è successo sul Medio Oriente, ha anche titolo per farlo." [07:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02-01:20: The recurring history of peace and power
• 01:21-02:30: Trump’s Ukraine plan and Europe’s opposition
• 02:31-03:30: Trump’s shifting stance and America’s disengagement
• 03:31-05:00: Details and critique of the "peace" proposal
• 05:01-06:30: Russia’s ongoing aggression and Europe’s stark response
• 06:31-07:30: The economic interests underpinning diplomacy
• 07:31-08:20: The EU’s impotence and quest for influence

Tone and Language

Giannini remains caustic, incisive, and at times deeply sarcastic, especially when lamenting the repetitiveness of history and the cynical interplay of power and money. The episode is laced with rhetorical flourishes and indignation at Europe’s marginalization and the reduction of peacemaking to transactional business.

Summary

This episode of "Circo Massimo" offers a sharp, critical take on Trump’s Ukraine plan as a facade for surrender, a maneuver that reshuffles power balances to favor Putin, and sidelines both Ukraine and Europe. Giannini calls out the transactional nature of global politics while highlighting Europe’s continued struggle to assert itself, leaving listeners with a sense of frustration about the triumph of might and money over justice and sovereignty.