High Drama in Washington
Author: Greg Valliere
August 18, 2025
AFTER THE DISMAL PERFORMANCE BY Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump last Friday night, something remarkable has happened: some substantive ideas have been floated on both sides and will get an airing at the White House today.
AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IS ROBUST SECURITY GUARANTEES, with both sides keeping the land they have won but not seeking any more. A full cease fire is unlikely but it’s on the table, even though neither Russia nor Ukraine expect to get any more land. Russia now has about 1/5 of Ukraine’s land.
AS FOR THE “SEVERE CONSEQUENCES” THAT TRUMP HAS VOWED, SOURCES BELIEVE he’s willing to abandon that threat, just as Putin is willing to abandon provisions that would make Russia pay sanctions with oil.
NEVERTHELESS, RUSSIA is anxious to abandon the meat grinder with a possible cease fire by September — and a significant drop in tariffs. A cease fire is not considered crucial; both sides want to abandon the carnage.
THERE WERE ALL SORTS OF RUMORS THIS PAST WEEKEND, including a unified Korea, which would be electrifying and perhaps might bring Trump his great goal — the Nobel Peace Prize, boosted by security guarantees.
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