Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Furious Zelenskyy Fires Back at Trump when he Least Expected
Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive deep into recent political controversies surrounding Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Donald Trump. The primary focus is Zelenskyy’s strong pushback against absurd claims that Trump deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in Ukraine and a proposed ceasefire. The hosts analyze sharp comments from Zelenskyy, explore the media’s misleading focus on Trump, and discuss the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine, while sharply criticizing American right-wing politicians’ response.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zelenskyy's Direct Challenge to Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize (00:58–02:49)

• Zelenskyy dismissed suggestions—echoed in U.S. and Russian media—that he should nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.
• Zelenskyy said Trump would need to take real, tough action against Putin and actually end the war in Ukraine before any such nomination would make sense.

Notable Quote (Zelenskyy, 01:49):

"We will be very happy to nominate President Trump next year [for a] Nobel Prize if he will—because only him for today—if he will pressure and stop Putin... If President Trump will stop these killings... If he will do it, I hope so and God bless that he can do. In this case, we will nominate him and we will be proud to congratulate him."

Analysis (Podcast Host, 02:51):

• The hosts interpret Zelenskyy’s message as a clever way to highlight that praise and prizes must be earned by real results, not rhetoric.

2. Secondary Sanctions and Europe’s Response (03:37–04:16)

• Zelenskyy emphasized the need for the U.S. to finally implement secondary sanctions on Russia, calling them "very painful" and effective.
• He praised Europe for reducing reliance on Russian energy by 80% during the war, but said America’s role remains critical.

Notable Quote (Zelenskyy, 03:37):

"Secondary sanctions, very painful for Russia. Everybody understands it. ... I agree that Europe has to stop to buy. Europe made big progress... but it's not enough. I agree with America."

3. Humanitarian Crisis: Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure (05:03–06:05)

• Zelenskyy’s update from the front lines: while Russia is failing to advance militarily, they are escalating attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, attempting to terrorize civilians ahead of winter.
• Ukraine has successfully intercepted many drones but is still suffering significant infrastructure damage.

Notable Quote (Zelenskyy, 05:03):

"They really cannot demonstrate anything today [on the battlefield]... they are lying to the Americans, Europeans, and basically their own society. ... They will attack our energy sector."

Notable Insight (Podcast Host, 06:05):

• The hosts note the contrast in Zelenskyy's public messages after conversations with Trump versus President Macron—Macron is directly thanked for defending life, but Trump is only acknowledged as "well-informed."

4. The Russian Propaganda Facade (09:30–10:30)

• Ukraine's Prime Minister, Yulius Rabidenko, calls out Russia’s attempt to mask its aggression with claims of Christian virtue, citing direct attacks on churches and children as evidence of their hypocrisy.

Notable Quote (Rabidenko, 09:30):

"...a nation of faith and Christian virtue, is nothing but a smokescreen for a murderous and genocidal dictatorship... The Kremlin's goal is not victory, but extinction, to erase life, spirit, and freedom from the map of Ukraine."

5. The Absurdity of the Trump-Nobel Conversation (10:30–12:33)

• Hosts ridicule U.S. media fixation on Trump as a Nobel Peace Prize candidate, likening it to congratulating a marathon runner after only the first mile.
• Emphasis that the real measure of statesmanship is achieving durable peace and substantive results.

Host Analogy (10:30):

"It's like in a marathon, praising the marathon runner for the first mile... No, you have to have the outcome."

6. Pope Leo the 14th & “The Ancient Art of Lying” (12:33–13:18)

• Pope Leo praised journalists risking their lives in Ukraine and Gaza, and warned against the "ancient art of lying" in wartime propaganda.
• The original Italian clip is played for gravity and authenticity.

Notable Quote (Pope Leo XIV, 12:33):

"...reporter cherisciano personalmente per que la gente posta sapere..." [reporters risking their lives so people can know the truth...]

7. Trump’s Deference to Russia on Ukraine Aid (13:18–15:04)

• Trump, aboard Air Force One, hesitates on providing advanced weapons (Tomahawk missiles) to Ukraine, suggesting he might have to ‘ask Russia first.’
• The hosts characterize this as pathetic and emblematic of Trump’s submissiveness to Putin.

Notable Quote (Donald Trump, 13:36):

"I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks... Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don't think so. I think I might speak to Russia about that..."

• Trump is directly thanked by Putin and MAGA Republicans for pushing Kremlin-friendly narratives.

8. Zelenskyy’s Stand: Ceasefire is Just a First Step (15:04–16:46)

• Zelenskyy underlines that phase-one ceasefires are not ends; real peace requires much more—including actual Russian withdrawal and restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty.
• Hosts recall Trump’s ambiguity on Israel/Palestine, highlighting his tendency to defer responsibility and avoid commitment.

Notable Exchange:

• Host (15:04): "Zelensky's response is, okay, Nobel Peace Prize? There's war going on right here and Russia's attacking and killing innocent Ukrainians every single day. So let's deal with this war."
• Trump (16:41): “I don't have a view [on a two state solution]. I'm going to go with what they agree to.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Zelenskyy flatly sasses the Nobel Prize question:
  [01:49] “If he [Trump] will stop these killings... then we will nominate him.”
• Zelenskyy's reality check on sanctions:
  [03:37] “Secondary sanctions, very painful for Russia. Everybody understands it.”
• Prime Minister Rabidenko's condemnation:
  [09:30] “A smokescreen for a murderous and genocidal dictatorship.”
• Hosts’ marathon analogy:
  [10:30] “A marathon runner doesn’t start to celebrate after mile one... No, you have to have the outcome.”
• Trump signaling deference to Russia:
  [13:36] “I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks.”
• Trump’s lack of position on two-state solution:
  [16:41] “I don't have a view. I'm going to go with what they agree to.”

Tone and Style

The episode is a mix of biting political analysis, heated moral argument, and irreverent banter characteristic of the Meiselas brothers. There’s a relentless focus on holding political leaders accountable—especially Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers—for their actions and rhetoric regarding democracy, Ukraine, and U.S. foreign relations.

Conclusion

This MeidasTouch episode uses Zelenskyy’s own words and actions to sharply contrast Russian aggression, U.S. media narratives, and Trump’s performative politics. By comparing actual leadership with empty gestures, the hosts drive home the urgent need for substantive support for Ukraine and for accountability in politics, reinforcing their unwavering pro-democracy stance.

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