Furious Zelenskyy Checkmates Trump to Thwart Ambush!!

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Furious Zelenskyy Checkmates Trump to Thwart Ambush!!

Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the dramatic events in Geneva, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outmaneuvered a perceived diplomatic trap allegedly orchestrated by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The MeidasTouch brothers analyze how Zelenskyy, with the surprise support of the UK and French delegations, thwarted a push to force Ukraine into territorial concessions. Highlighting recent missile attacks, tense negotiations, and notable comments from Zelenskyy, Trump, and Macron, the episode explores democracy, international alliances, and the complexities of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Geneva Negotiations: Setting the Trap

• Background: Trilateral negotiations were scheduled between the US, Russia, and Ukraine in Geneva, with Trump and Putin allegedly plotting to pressure Zelenskyy into giving up the Donbas and eastern regions (03:02).
• Intended Strategy: The goal was to "corner" Zelenskyy and force rapid Ukrainian concessions with added threats from both Trump and Putin.

2. Zelenskyy's Countermove: “Europe is Ukraine”

• Surprise Reinforcements: Zelenskyy mobilized UK and French diplomatic support. These uninvited delegations insisted on participating, declaring, "Ukraine is Europe, and Europe is Ukraine. There can be no deal unless Europe is here." (03:46)
• Result: The internationalization of the negotiations derailed plans for a backroom deal, showcasing unity among European allies and undermining the US-Russian approach.

3. Russian Escalation: Missiles and Historical Revisionism

• Pre-negotiation Strikes: Russia attacked Ukraine with an intense barrage of missiles and drones, in what Ben describes as “some of the worst ballistic missile and shahi drone strikes that we've seen since the war began…400 drones, almost 30 missiles.” (04:52)
• Russia’s Negotiator: Vladimir Medinsky arrived with history books, arguing for the rightful Russian ownership of Ukrainian territory, seen as an attempt to legitimize annexation claims.

4. The United Front & European Resolve

• German & French Stance: European representatives made it clear to US and Russian negotiators that “no agreements about Europe without Europe” would be tolerated, marking “an extremely important show of support.” (05:40)
• International Connections: The hosts point out a broader coalition—Canada and Australia included—solidifying opposition to Russian aggression.

5. Zelenskyy’s Conditions & Trump’s Pressure

• Zelenskyy’s Stance: Open to negotiations but refuses unilateral Ukrainian withdrawals; any peace deal must allow for Ukrainian self-determination and require real security guarantees (06:46).

• Trump’s Threats: Described as publicly bullying Ukraine, Trump repeatedly demands Ukraine “come to the table fast” and accept territorial losses (07:34).

  • Quote – Donald Trump, Air Force One:
    “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That's all I'm telling you.” (12:43)

6. The Principle of Security Guarantees

• Zelenskyy in Munich: Critiques “endless calls for concessions” from Ukraine alone, calls out the lack of equivalent pressure on Russia, and asks why Ukraine is always asked to “give, give, give.” (14:25)

• Concerns About the Peace Process: Zelenskyy warns against repeating the errors of history—namely the Munich Agreement of 1938—by “dividing Ukraine,” likening Putin’s ambitions to Hitler (13:32).

  • Quote – Zelenskyy, Munich Address:
    “It would be an illusion to believe that this war can now be reliably ended by dividing Ukraine, just as it was an illusion to believe that sacrificing Czechoslovakia would save Europe from a great war.” (13:32)

7. On Putin's Motives and European Security

• Zelenskyy:
  “He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality he is a slave to war. And if he lives another 10 years…that is why we say there must be real security guarantees.” (15:28)

• Macron’s Position:
  “As all the allies, we have to be the one to negotiate this new architecture of security for Europe the day after, because our geography will not change. We will live with Russia at the same place and the Europeans at the same place. And I don't want this negotiation to be organized by somebody else.” (16:02)

  “One day Russians will have to reckon with the enormity of the crime committed in their name…Until that time comes, we will not lower the guards.” (16:32)

8. Negotiations Stall; the Coalition Holds

• Stalled Progress: The Geneva talks became deadlocked as the Russian chief negotiator's uncompromising positions made further discussion impossible (16:47).
• Unity Recognized: The hosts stress that this episode marks a significant moment of European unity and resolve in the face of efforts to sideline or divide the coalition.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Ukraine is Europe, and Europe is Ukraine. There can be no deal unless Europe is here.” (Host, Ben Meiselas, 03:46)

• “It would be an illusion to believe that this war can now be reliably ended by dividing Ukraine, just as it was an illusion to believe that sacrificing Czechoslovakia would save Europe from a great war.”
  – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Munich Speech (13:32)

• “He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality he is a slave to war.”
  – President Zelenskyy (15:28)

• “We have to be the one to negotiate this new architecture of security for Europe the day after, because our geography will not change… I don't want this negotiation to be organized by somebody else.”
  – President Emmanuel Macron (16:02)

• “One day Russians will have to reckon with the enormity of the crime committed in their name…Until that time comes, we will not lower the guards.”
  – President Macron (16:32)

• “That’s very important as well to point out. The alliances are clear… you really have: the US and Russia—sickening, but that’s what it is—and Ukraine, Europe, Canada, Australia together.”
  – Ben Meiselas (17:15)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:00] – Analysis of the attempted ambush in Geneva and the intervention by the UK and France
• [04:52] – Reporting on intensified Russian missile and drone strikes preceding negotiations
• [05:40] – UK and French delegations disrupt original US-Russian plans
• [12:43] – Trump’s press remarks about Geneva talks (“Ukraine better come to the table fast”)
• [13:08] – Zelenskyy’s address from Munich on principles for peace
• [13:32] – Zelenskyy’s historical warning: “Dividing Ukraine is an illusion of peace”
• [14:25] – Zelenskyy critiques calls for Ukrainian concessions and absent security guarantees
• [15:28] – “Putin is a slave to war” — powerful moral assessment from Zelenskyy
• [16:02], [16:32] – French President Macron emphasizes European agency and resolve
• [16:47] – Stalemate in Geneva; affirmation of the Europe-Ukraine alliance

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Tone & Language

Throughout the episode, the Meiselas brothers maintain their signature mix of humor, passionate advocacy, and analytical rigor. They are unapologetically pro-democracy, sharply critical of Trump’s foreign policy posture, and optimistic about European and Ukrainian courage.

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Conclusion

This episode captures a pivotal moment in diplomatic history, with President Zelenskyy decisively countering a high-stakes ambush, supported by a strong European coalition. The hosts underline the importance of unity, reject appeasement, and urge vigilance in the struggle to defend democracy.

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For listeners seeking insight into current political and international dynamics—and a sharp, unfiltered perspective—this episode is essential.

Transcript

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Learn more at. Join Mochi.com Mochi members have access to licensed physicians and nutritionists. Results may vary. Ukrainian President Zelensky just took the dagger and put it right into the heart of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's plan to try to set a trap in Geneva. Zelinsky, joined by the UK and France, smoked out what Donald Trump and Putin were trying to do. You see, yesterday and today there are trilateral negotiations that are taking place in Geneva between Russia, the United States and Ukraine. Donald Trump and Putin wanted to use this to pressure Zelensky to give up all of Donbass and most of eastern Ukraine. They were preparing to gang up on Zelinsky, who corner him, corner his negotiators and say give up eastern Ukraine right now or else, and then list numerous threats. Zelinsky saw what was happening. He called up his friends in Europe, he called up the uk, he called up France and their delegation showed up and they were not originally invited to even be there. And UK representatives, French representatives, some European Union representatives showed up and said, what, you're not going to let us in here? If you don't let us in here, then there's no valid negotiation taking place. Ukraine is Europe, Europe is Ukraine, and there can be no deal unless Europe is here. And then we saw what the plan was. Russia had a new negotiator who was at the table, who brought all of fake history books to say, you see, all of eastern Ukraine and Ukraine in general belongs to Russia. There should be no peace deal at all because the only peace that exists is Ukraine fully submitting. Not to mention that before this meeting took place in Geneva, before these negotiations took place, Russia struck Ukraine with some of the worst ballistic missiles and shahi drone strikes that we've seen since the war began. They hit 12 regions, 400 drones, almost 30 missiles, at least three people were killed. That was right before the Geneva negotiations. The trilateral was set to take place then right after the trilateral took place, Russia began the day with 29 missiles of various types trying to strike Ukraine again. Unfortunately, 25 were shot down. It was a barrage of Russian missiles, Russian Shahi drones. This is how it's described by Dennis Schleiderman. The delegations from the UK And France joined the talks between Russia, the US And Ukraine in Geneva without being invited. I think this really messed up the plans to quickly sort everything out behind Europe's back and push for the annexation of Donbass, which is obviously what the US And Russian delegates were planning to do. London and Paris made it clear, no agreements about Europe without Europe. It's an extremely important show of support and a demonstration of their position. Zelinsky also posted the following message himself. In the massive strike with which Russians began the day, he talks about how Ukraine was successful in knocking down a lot of these missiles. It's an important result for our air defense. And once again, we emphasize that air defense is a daily necessity. I thank all of our partners who understand this. By the way, that's referring to the fact that the US doesn't understand this. Russia greets with a strike even the very day new formats begin in Geneva, trilateral and bilateral with the United States. This very clearly shows what Russia wants and what it's truly intent on. Almost 400 drones launched as well. Later today, there will be a report from the delegation following the first round of talks in Geneva. The team absolutely must raise the issue of these strikes, first of all, with the American side, which proposed that both Ukraine and Russia refrain from attacks. Ukraine is ready. We do not need war, and we always act symmetrically, defending our state and our independence. Likewise, we're ready to move quickly toward a just agreement to end the war. The only question is for the Russians, what do they want? And also whether there will be consequences for Russia for the fact that the Shahid missiles and fantasy chatter about history matter more to them than real diplomacy and lasting peace. And the whole time you have Donald Trump, like when he was on Air Force One the other day, threatening Ukraine. He's saying, Ukraine better come to the table fast. Ukraine better do this, Ukraine better do that. Ukraine's at the table. Ukraine's agreeing to a cease fire. Ukraine's agreeing to elections. Ukraine's agreeing to a referendum to also give up portions of Donbas and to give up portions of eastern Ukraine. All Ukraine is saying is we need a ceasefire, a real lasting ceasefire, and then we can have our people be able to vote and to be able to make this determination self. Determination, sovereignty. I can't unilaterally give up the remainder of Donbas, zelensky says. What would my people think of me and what would the people think of being Ukrainian in general?

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[Narrator/Analyst]

This interview to Axios where he said Ukrainian people will reject any peace deal that involves Ukraine unilaterally withdrawing from Eastern Donbas. And this new negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, he just showed up to try to stall and to try to blow this up, and all he does is philosophize about their own historical roots. It's like Trump's meandering, psychotic speeches, where Trump's like, this is how you make America great again. Mendisky's like, this is how you make Russia great again. This is our land, this is our territory. And Zelinsky's like, look, you want to talk about troop withdrawal, I'm down to talk about it. Why don't we freeze the current battle lines where they are? Why would we give up areas that Russia's unable to conquer? Because the moment that we give up those battle lines, they're going to use it to then go further and further into Ukraine. They're going to use this, that which they can't conquer through military means in order to then rearm build up its forces, and then go again on the offensive. That's why we need real security guarantees. Zelensky says it's not fair that Trump kept publicly calling on Ukraine and not Russia to make concessions. And his conversations with Kushner and Witkoff don't involve that kind of pressure that he says Trump is now using in public. He's like, what the hell are you even trying to do? Here's what Trump. Here's what, here's what he's referring to. Here's what Trump said aboard Air Force One. Here, play this clip. You're going to have Ukraine talks tomorrow as well in Geneva with Wick Cough.

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[Narrator/Analyst]

Is there big talks?

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

It's going to be very easy. I mean, it's look so far. Ukraine better come to the table fast. That's all I'm telling you. We are in a position. We want them to come.

[Narrator/Analyst]

And Zelensky made it very clear in Munich, Ukraine's ready for a deal that brings real peace to Ukraine and Europe. Here, play this clip.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

Dear friends, Ukraine is ready for a deal that brings real peace to us, to Ukraine, to Europe. And I'm confident that this war can be ended and ended with dignity. This is the most important for us.

[Narrator/Analyst]

But he says Putin's like Hitler. You can't do a deal with Hitler. Really? You think that you can do a deal with the modern day Hitler? Here, play this clip.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

And it seems Putin hopes to repeat Munich and not Munich 2007, when they only spoke about dividing Europe, but Munich 1938, when previous Putin began dividing Europe in reality, it would be an illusion to believe that this war can now be reliably ended by dividing Ukraine, just as it was an illusion to believe that sacrificing Czechoslovakia would save Europe from a great war.

[Narrator/Analyst]

And then Zelensky talked about in Munich this idea of concessions. You want this concession, that concession. America turns to concessions. But what about security guarantees? And why is it always Ukraine? Give, give, give, and we've given everything. Russia hasn't given one concession. Here, play this clip.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

The Americans often return to the topic of concessions, and too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine, not Russia. Europe is practically not present at the table. It's a big mistake to my mind. And it is we, I think we Ukrainians, we Ukrainians who are trying to bring Europe fully into the process so that Europe's interests and voice.

[Narrator/Analyst]

And I think here is one of the most important lines that Zelenskyy gave in Munich. And then I'll just show you one other thing where he said, you see Putin sees himself as a czar, but in reality he's a slave to war. And all he could you imagine Putin with no war. His very existence is based on war and killing people. And here's what Zelinsky has to say here. Play this clip.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality he is a slave to war. And if he lives another 10 years, we can understand it can be work and returns or expand. That is why we say there must be real security guarantees.

[Narrator/Analyst]

Now, as I mentioned, the French delegation showed up in Geneva, thankfully. And here's what French President Macron previewed, what the French delegation was going to do. Play this clip.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

As all the allies, we have to be the one to negotiate this new architecture of security for Europe the day after, because our geography will not change. We will live with Russia at the same place and the Europeans at the same place. And I don't want this negotiation to be organized by somebody else.

[Narrator/Analyst]

More from French President Emmanuel Macron right here as well. Let's play this clip right here.

[Quote Speaker/Politician]

One day Russians will have to reckon with the enormity of the crime committed in their name, with the futility of the pretexts and the devastating longer term effects on their country. But until what time comes, that time comes, we will not lower the guards.

[Narrator/Analyst]

And as Barack Ravid explains, two sources with knowledge told me that negotiations in the political group in Geneva got stuck today. The sources said the reason was that the positions presented by the new Russian chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, made it impossible to have any discussions. As our editor in chief, Ron Philipowski says. This comes less than 24 hours after Trump once again said Ukraine was the problem. Now Ukraine has Ukraine working with Europe. Europe is Ukraine. Ukraine is Europe putting on a united front and, and making it very clear that Europe is fully united. They won't bend, they won't be, they won't break. They won't be ripped apart by the United States. I think that was a critical move. Also. This is now connected with Canada. This is connected with Australia. This is now connected, this connected there. I think that that's very important as well to point out. And I mean, you really have what appear, you know, the alliances are clear, right? It's us And Russia. Sickening, but that's what it is. And it was Ukraine, Europe, Canada, Australia, you know, basically together right there. So we'll keep you posted every step of the way. But that's, that's where we're at right now. Hit subscribe let's get to 6 million and thanks everybody, for watching new Midas merch.

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