Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Nordic-Baltic Eight Summit, Tallinn, Estonia, June 9, 2026

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EA-Times Radio VideoCast: From St. Petersburg to “Peace”, Zelensky Outmaneuvers Putin

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In a 33-minute analysis, I spoke with Ukrainian journalist Daniel Tkiie on Tueday to explain how Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky seized the political initiative over Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

I examine the political maneuver in Zelensky’s letter to Putin calling for face-to-face talks, rejected by the Russian leader two days later as “rude”.

I set this in the context of Ukraine’s escalating long-range strikes inside Russia, and Europe’s support for Kyiv as the Trump Administration moves to the sidelines.

Then I take apart the Kremlin’s response threatening the assassination of Zelensky and other Ukrainian leaders.

We also discuss the possible threat to Ukraine from the hard-right UK Reform Party, and evaluate the latest from the Trump camp’s failing War on Iran.