The Trump-Zelensky Fallout: Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer Reacts to the White House Debacle

NOTE: This episode was recorded several hours before the announcement that President Trump was pausing all U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Ambassador Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, to dissect the fallout from President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington and its impact on U.S.-Ukraine relations. They explore the broader geopolitical ramifications of Zelenskyy’s contentious meeting with President Trump, including Europe’s reaction and the shifting balance of U.S. global leadership. Ambassador Pifer provides insights into the current state of the Russia-Ukraine war, the feasibility of a ceasefire, and Ukraine’s urgent push for security guarantees. The discussion also delves into the historical context of U.S. policy on Ukraine, the evolution of military aid, and mistakes made by past administrations. Ambassador Pifer provides his candid criticisms of President Trump's approach towards Ukraine and Russia, ponders why President Trump is conciliatory towards Russia, and provides his perspective on why the U.S. should continue to aid Ukraine as it fends off the Russian invasion.