Post Reports – Trump's Push to End the War in Ukraine

Host: Elahe Izadi
Guest: Michael Birnbaum (White House Correspondent)
Date: August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Post Reports examines President Donald Trump’s recent diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine. With summits involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and participation from European and NATO leaders, the focus is on what Trump’s approach means for the prospects of peace, the risks of siding with Russia’s demands, and the deep concerns harbored by Ukrainians on the front lines. The show features analysis from Post White House Correspondent Michael Birnbaum and frontline reporting from Ukraine bureau chief Shivano Grady.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Current State on Ukraine’s Eastern Front (00:33–02:20)

• Recent Russian gains: Russia has made major advances in eastern Ukraine, increasing pressure on Ukrainian troops scrambling to reclaim lost territory.
• Ukrainian morale: Soldiers, exemplified by “Trudo,” feel immense anxiety as every lost inch grants Russia leverage in international negotiations.

Notable Moment

“Their helmets are covered with scraps of fabric to make them blend in better with trees.”
— Shivano Grady, from the front lines (01:19)

2. Diplomatic Developments: Washington Summits (03:25–06:44)

• Tone shift: The latest Trump-Zelenskyy meeting was “much calmer” than their contentious February encounter, marked by politeness but underlying disagreements.
• Key issues: While European leaders and Zelenskyy publicly support an immediate ceasefire, Trump is skeptical—citing Putin’s unwillingness and looking to act as a go-between.
• Security guarantees: Ukraine and Europe seek U.S. military guarantees in the event of resumed Russian aggression, but the details (and Trump’s commitment) are unclear.
• Next steps: Trump plans to brief Putin and then push for a trilateral meeting.

Notable Quote

“Trump has basically cast himself as a go between, between Putin and Zelenskyy. Then he says that he’s hoping…for a trilateral meeting to work out some sort of final deal.”
— Michael Birnbaum (06:15)

3. Why Is Trump So Invested in Ending the War? (07:00–08:19)

• Trump’s narrative: Trump claims the war would never have started had he been president in 2022, and he continues to fashion himself a global deal-maker and aspiring Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
• Motivations: Besides a focus on legacy, Trump believes strong personal rapport with Putin can deliver peace quickly—though he is increasingly frustrated by the complexity.

Memorable Moment

“He also keeps talking about how much he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize…he called up a Norwegian minister…to lobby for the peace prize.”
— Michael Birnbaum (07:56)

4. Anchorage Summit with Putin: Optics and Outcomes (08:40–14:16)

• Staging and spectacle: The summit took place on a U.S. military base in Alaska—an “incredibly friendly interaction” with ceremonial red carpet, joint jokes, and even a ride together in the presidential limousine.
• Friendly reception: Russian state media seized on the imagery of Putin being feted; this worried Ukrainian and European officials who see Trump’s friendliness as a risk.
• Substance: Putin demanded recognition of Russian control over additional Ukrainian territory and an end to hostilities. Trump reportedly appeared open to these terms.

Key Quote

“It was an incredibly friendly interaction on a day when Putin’s forces are still killing Ukrainians.”
— Michael Birnbaum (12:31)

5. Debate Over Ceasefire and Land Concessions (13:09–18:42)

• Ukrainian/European stance: Insist on ceasefire before negotiations, fearing that talks under fire benefit Russia.
• Trump's reversal: Despite prior agreement on ceasefire-first, Trump abandoned this after Putin’s refusal, favoring a speedy deal, even if it matches Russia’s terms.
• Root causes & security: Putin wants limitations on Ukrainian military and NATO membership—Trump seemed to relay these demands uncritically.
• Ukrainian fears: Ceding eastern regions could allow Russia to regroup and eventually try to conquer the rest of Ukraine.

Powerful Quote

“If they hand that over to Russia, that’s just going to give Putin the opportunity to take a little break, rebuild his military…and then capture all of Ukraine, or at least capture the capital sometime in the future.”
— Michael Birnbaum (18:09)

6. Trump-Zelenskyy Relationship: From Conflict to Caution (21:06–24:54)

• Contention and mending: Their February Oval Office meeting ended with Zelenskyy ejected for being “insufficiently grateful” for U.S. aid. Today’s meeting was more civilized, with surface-level cordiality.
• Underlying worry: Trump seems to conflate “peace” with any rapid settlement, regardless of Ukrainian concerns or sovereignty.

Vivid Exchange (Dramatized Re-enactment)

Trump [to Zelensky]: “Your country is in big trouble…I know you’re not winning…We gave you…$350 billion.” (21:33)
Zelensky: “From the very beginning of the war, we’ve been alone, and we are thankful.” (21:33)

7. Realities for Ukrainians on the Ground (24:54–27:10)

• Firsthand voice: “Trudo,” a Ukrainian soldier, says he wouldn’t accept any deal that means he can’t return home.
• Exhaustion vs. resolve: After three years of war, there is both fatigue and a strong desire to resist forced concessions.

Soldier’s Testimony

“He said, I wouldn’t accept it. I’m fighting for my land.”
— “Trudo” via Shivano Grady (25:59)

8. Outlook and Stakes (26:05–27:38)

• Fluid peace prospects: Birnbaum cautions that while Ukrainians are tired, public opinion is complex; true security for Ukraine after such concessions is anything but assured.
• Conclusion: The shape of any settlement is still uncertain, but many are likely to end up disappointed. The decisions of leaders in far-away capitals have profound, immediate consequences for those on the ground in Ukraine.

Thoughtful Reflection

“They are not going to be able to win by kicking Russia out of their territory…I think that’s clear to everybody at this point. So what we’re going to see…is an effort to try…to figure out a way that the Ukrainians feel relatively secure and safe in the future. But it’s going to be really hard and probably a lot of people are going to end up disappointed.”
— Michael Birnbaum (26:50)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On the new negotiation dynamic:
  “We have politeness…but there are some clear disagreements still…” – Michael Birnbaum (03:49)

• On security guarantees:
  “What the Ukrainians and Europeans want is some guarantee from the United States that if there is a ceasefire and Russia starts this war on Ukraine again, the United States would respond militarily.” – Michael Birnbaum (05:32)

• On Trump’s priorities:
  “He just wants to stop the war in Ukraine… the trouble with wanting a deal but not focusing on the details is that this is a really complex conflict.” – Michael Birnbaum (16:17)

• Frontline perspective:
  “Would you accept any deal to end the war that would mean you couldn’t go home to your village?... He said, I wouldn’t accept it. I’m fighting for my land.” – Shivano Grady & “Trudo” (25:28–25:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukrainian front line scenes: 00:33–02:20
• D.C. meeting overview: 03:25–06:44
• Trump’s motivations: 07:00–08:19
• Anchorage summit details: 08:40–14:16
• Ceasefire and concessions debate: 13:09–18:42
• Trump–Zelenskyy relationship: 21:06–24:54
• Frontline reflections on land-for-peace: 24:54–27:10
• Concluding analysis: 26:05–27:38

This summary preserves the episode’s nuanced reporting, highlights the real-time stakes for Ukrainians, and details the complex diplomacy as Trump attempts to broker a deal—with consequences that could dramatically reshape the region.