Deadlock in Ukraine - Detailed Summary

Podcast: The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim
Hosts: Richard Engel (NBC) and Yalda Hakim (Sky News)
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Duration: 24:54 minutes

1. Current Situation in Ukraine

Richard Engel opens the discussion from Mykolaiv, Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing offensive by Vladimir Putin despite former President Donald Trump's initiative for a ceasefire. He describes the relentless air raid sirens and recent attacks near Mykolaiv, emphasizing the lack of any indication that Putin is willing to de-escalate the conflict.

Richard Engel [00:26]: "I'm back in Ukraine. I'm in the city of Mykolaiv and there is absolutely no sign and that Vladimir Putin is slowing down his offensive even with this Trump initiative to attain a ceasefire."

2. On-the-Ground Reporting from Mykolaiv

Engel shares his firsthand experience visiting a village struck by a Russian glide bomb—a modified weapon that allows Russian planes to drop bombs from a safer distance, increasing their effectiveness. He recounts witnessing rescue workers collecting debris and a poignant encounter with a local man who criticizes Putin's refusal to seek peace and accuses Trump of mismanaging the situation by "blaming the victims."

Richard Engel [01:39]: "Don't believe Putin, don't believe him. He's not going to go for peace. This is what he wants. He just wants to keep destroying this country."

3. Sentiments Among Government, Soldiers, and Civilians

The conversation delves into the divided moods within Ukraine:

• Government and Military Officials: Express fear of losing essential intelligence and military support, particularly after previous cuts led to territorial losses in regions like Kursk. They exhibit apprehension towards the potential withdrawal of aid and seek to maintain a unified, pro-American stance.

  Richard Engel [03:06]: "Government officials, if you now ask about Trump, they change the subject. They don't wanna talk about it."

• Soldiers: Face internal pressure to support Trump publicly, fearing repercussions for any dissent. They strive to portray solidarity with the U.S. while grappling with growing frustrations.

• Civilians: Display open outrage and frustration towards Trump, feeling unfairly blamed for the conflict and perceiving his actions as favoring Russian aggressors. Many believe Trump is inadvertently exacerbating the situation by seeking concessions from Ukraine while aligning too closely with Putin.

  Richard Engel [04:55]: "They're outraged and they don't know what they did. They think that Trump blames them and finds them to be an annoyance, an expensive nuisance."

4. Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire Negotiations

Yalda Hakim outlines the recent diplomatic maneuvers involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, all mediated by Saudi Arabia. A pivotal moment occurred when Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon Russia's acceptance. The responsibility now rests with Putin to respond.

Yalda Hakim [08:15]: "The ball is firmly in Russia's court. And since then we've of course heard from Vladimir Putin."

Putin's Response: He has remained non-committal, citing ongoing offensives and strategic priorities in the Kursk region. This stance has led to perceptions that Trump is offering lenient terms to Putin, thereby undermining Ukraine's position.

Richard Engel [10:00]: "Putin seems to get the carrots and Zelensky gets the sticks."

Historical Context: The hosts revisit the origins of the conflict, tracing back to the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution in Kyiv, where Ukrainians sought to break free from Russia's influence and align more closely with Europe. Putin's long-standing objective, as articulated in his 2021 essay, is to merge Russia and Ukraine into a single entity, denying Ukraine's distinct national identity.

Richard Engel [11:46]: "Ukrainians wanted to get away from Yanukovych, their sort of pro Russian puppet... It really remains at the core of all of this."

5. Listener Questions and Insights

During a brief break, Engel and Hakim address listener-submitted questions:

1. Will Trump turn on Russia?

   Engel: Indicates that Trump currently shows no signs of drastic action against Russia, despite occasional rhetorical threats.

   Richard Engel [13:44]: "Maybe one day he did threaten some sanctions... But that doesn't seem to be the way things are playing right now."

2. Why aren't videos of devastation in Ukraine prominent in mainstream media?

   Hakim and Engel: Acknowledge potential news fatigue but affirm their commitment to on-the-ground reporting. They express frustration over the lack of widespread public reaction despite their continuous coverage.

   Yalda Hakim [14:43]: "Frankly, I personally believe that, you know, we are certainly on the ground covering."

3. What are the absolute minimum safeguards required for Ukraine's security?

   Hakim: Discusses Ukraine's need for assured military support, including intelligence, weaponry, and potentially NATO troops as a tripwire to prevent future invasions.

   Yalda Hakim [16:01]: "They need a lot. They need a lot. But they think mostly they're gonna have to do this themselves."

6. Predictions and Future Outlook

Richard Engel forecasts increased focus on the Kursk region, anticipating that both sides will present conflicting narratives about their actions there. He suggests that Ukraine may use their territorial gains as leverage in ceasefire negotiations, while Russia might emphasize its incursions into Russian territory to justify its offensive.

Richard Engel [22:13]: "I think we're gonna hear a lot more about Kursk."

Hakim expresses interest in observing the diplomatic developments, particularly whether President Zelenskyy will return to the Oval Office to renegotiate terms after Putin's delayed response.

Yalda Hakim [23:33]: "I would say, think that President Trump has it flipped around, has it backwards."

7. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Engel and Hakim reaffirming their commitment to providing in-depth coverage of the Ukraine conflict. They encourage listeners to follow their podcast on various platforms for continuous updates and analysis.

Yalda Hakim [24:06]: "You're listening to the World, of course, and Richard and I are talking about the situation in Ukraine and the talk around a ceasefire."

Notable Quotes:

• Richard Engel [01:39]: "Don't believe Putin, don't believe him. He's not going to go for peace. This is what he wants. He just wants to keep destroying this country."

• Yalda Hakim [08:15]: "The ball is firmly in Russia's court."

• Richard Engel [11:46]: "It really remains at the core of all of this."

• Yalda Hakim [14:43]: "We are certainly on the ground covering."

• Richard Engel [22:13]: "I think we're gonna hear a lot more about Kursk."

This episode of The World offers a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing deadlock in Ukraine, blending on-the-ground reporting with geopolitical insights and addressing listener concerns. Engel and Hakim provide a nuanced perspective on the complexities of ceasefire negotiations, the sentiments of those affected by the conflict, and the broader historical and strategic factors at play.