Summary of The Ben Shapiro Show Episode: Ep. 2186 - Investigating “Putin’s Brain” + Zelensky Part II
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. Introduction: The Pursuit of Truth in Wartime

Ben Shapiro opens the episode emphasizing the importance of obtaining accurate information from the heart of conflict zones. He addresses questions about why he personally visited Ukraine amidst the ongoing war, asserting that “getting the facts matters. The truth matters” (00:00).

2. Recent Developments in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Shapiro discusses the latest escalation in the war, highlighting a significant Russian missile strike on a Kyiv apartment complex that resulted in at least 12 fatalities. He critiques former President Trump's response on Truth Social, stating, “yelling at Vladimir Putin over Truth Social is not the thing that is going to get it done” (01:20). Shapiro argues that Trump's approach has limited effectiveness, particularly in pressuring Russia, despite some successes in negotiating with Ukraine for a ceasefire.

3. Interview with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The second part of Shapiro's interview with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delves into Russia's accusations against Ukraine and the broader implications of the war.

a. Russian Accusations of Nazism and Social Decay

Zelenskyy vehemently rejects Putin's claims that Ukraine is a Nazi regime or a hub of social leftism. He counters with personal anecdotes, emphasizing the absence of genuine Nazi elements in Ukraine. “[...] I'm a Nazi, and that I represent the key of Nazi regime. [...] that Ukrainians are Nazis, that I'm a Nazi” (04:22).

b. Ukrainian Sovereignty and Cultural Identity

Zelenskyy underscores Ukraine's commitment to its own rights and cultural identity, asserting that Ukrainians will resist any imposition from external forces. He emphasizes the resilience of the Ukrainian people in preserving their language and traditions despite Russian aggression. “Ukrainians are free. And we are not kind of limiting Ukrainians because you can't do that. You shouldn't be doing it because Ukrainians will be against it” (07:44).

c. The Futility of Russian Ceasefire Demands

Discussing ceasefires, Zelenskyy remains pragmatic about Russia's true intentions, suggesting that without substantial security guarantees, any ceasefire could leave Ukraine vulnerable. “If Putin will succeed […] This is a dangerous world and a dangerous world requires strong and determined American leadership” (12:49).

4. Analyzing Russia’s Strategic Ambitions Through Alexander Dugin’s Ideology

Shapiro delves deep into understanding Russia's geopolitical strategy by examining the works of Alexander Dugin, whom he refers to as “Putin’s brain.” Dugin’s theories emphasize Russia's imperialistic and messianic aspirations, aiming to establish a multipolar world order antagonistic to American hegemony.

a. Tellurocracy vs. Thalassocracy

Dugin categorizes global powers into tellurocracies (land-based, collectivist, hierarchical) and thalassocracies (maritime-based, individualistic). He positions Russia as the leader of the tellurocracy, inherently opposed to Western thalassocracies. “[...] tellurocracy, land power. Russia, as we'll see, is about faith, land and the collective. Thalassocracy is about secularism, globalism. The individual is all” (19:00).

b. Multipolar World and Anti-American Coalition

Dugin advocates for the destruction of NATO and the formation of an anti-American coalition. He envisions Europe and Eurasia unified under Russian leadership to counteract American influence. Shapiro connects this ideology to current Russian actions in Ukraine, illustrating how Dugin's theories manifest in realpolitik. “Russia must inevitably be at the center of such unification” (30:00).

c. Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy

Shapiro warns that understanding Dugin’s philosophy is crucial for formulating effective U.S. strategies. He argues that America must adopt a stance of “peace through strength” to counteract Russia’s imperial ambitions. “The victory of Putin is impossible because it's a failure, a failure of United States as the leader of the world” (50:00).

5. U.S. Foreign Policy: The Risks of Multipolarity

Shapiro critiques the concept of a multipolar world, arguing that it leads to continuous conflicts and weakens U.S. global standing. He highlights the complexities of the U.S. trade war with China, emphasizing the peril of economic dependencies, particularly in rare earth minerals critical for national defense. “[...] the United States military is heavily dependent on rare earth elements that are either mined or processed in China” (60:00).

6. Critique of Current Negotiation Strategies

Shapiro expresses skepticism about the efficacy of current negotiation approaches with adversaries like Iran and Russia. He criticizes envoy Steve Witkoff’s negotiation tactics, suggesting they lack the necessary rigor to achieve meaningful outcomes. “[...] Steve Witkoff continues to say that maybe an interim deal is possible. The Iranians said that they wanted an interim deal and Witkoff said we're not going to do that” (65:00).

7. Cultural Commentary: The Decline of Western Seriousness

Transitioning to cultural topics, Shapiro highlights what he perceives as a decline in Western cultural standards. He mocks public figures like Jojo Siwa and Pedro Pascal for their stances on LGBTQ+ issues, arguing that societal focus has shifted from substantial issues to trivial matters. “[...] drool over whether Jojo Siwa identifies as a lesbian or queer” (67:00).

8. Conclusion: The Imperative of Strong American Leadership

Ben Shapiro concludes by reiterating the necessity for the United States to maintain a strong and strategic foreign policy to combat rising global threats. He emphasizes that a weak approach could lead to further geopolitical instability and economic challenges. “A dangerous world requires strong and determined American leadership” (70:00).

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro (00:00): "Getting the facts matters. The truth matters."
• Ben Shapiro (01:20): "Yelling at Vladimir Putin over Truth Social is not the thing that is going to get it done."
• President Zelenskyy (04:22): "They say I'm a Nazi, and that I represent the key of Nazi regime."
• President Zelenskyy (07:44): "Ukrainians are free. And we are not kind of limiting Ukrainians because you can't do that."
• President Zelenskyy (12:49): "If Putin will succeed... this is a dangerous world and a dangerous world requires strong and determined American leadership."
• Alexander Dugin (30:00): "Tellurocracy, land power. Russia, as we'll see, is about faith, land and the collective."
• Ben Shapiro (50:00): "The victory of Putin is impossible because it's a failure of United States as the leader of the world."
• Ben Shapiro (60:00): "The United States military is heavily dependent on rare earth elements that are either mined or processed in China."
• Ben Shapiro (67:00): "Drool over whether Jojo Siwa identifies as a lesbian or queer."

Key Takeaways

• Russian Strategy: Understanding Russia's actions through the lens of Alexander Dugin's ideology reveals a deep-seated ambition to establish a multipolar world order hostile to American influence.

• Ukrainian Resilience: Ukraine, under President Zelenskyy’s leadership, remains steadfast in its defense against Russian aggression, emphasizing sovereignty and cultural identity over external pressures.

• U.S. Foreign Policy Challenges: The episode highlights the complexities of navigating a multipolar world, stressing the need for strategic strength and cohesive alliances to counteract rising global threats.

• Cultural Decline: Shapiro voices concerns over Western cultural shifts, criticizing the focus on identity politics and LGBTQ+ issues as distractions from more pressing societal challenges.

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from Episode 2186 of The Ben Shapiro Show, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode.