S9 Ep33: Espresso Martini | Putin’s Dilemma, Moscow’s Play in Africa, and Listener Questions

Putin hesitates on Ukraine's ceasefire, Trump plays shuttle diplomacy, and the West braces for Russia’s next move. We break down Mark Galeotti’s take on Putin’s indecisiveness and Trump’s latest call with Moscow. Plus, Russia’s ghost ships in Libya—what’s behind Moscow’s growing influence in North Africa? Then, we tackle listener questions: Is the West retaliating against Russian undersea sabotage? Will NATO stand by Denmark over Greenland? And is Trump trying to pull a “Nixon to China” move with Russia? We wrap up with a former MI6 officer stepping out of the shadows for a very British cause. All that and more in this week’s Espresso Martini.

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Articles discussed in today’s episode

"Ukraine talks show that ‘macho’ Putin hates tough decisions" by Mark Galeotti | The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-peace-deal-is-on-trump-time-putin-may-miss-his-moment-n58zc7glm

"Trump says Russia-Ukraine 'on track’ for ceasefire after Zelensky call" by Barak Ravid | Axios: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/19/trump-zelensky-call-russia-ceasefire

"Russia’s ghost ships haunt Libya" by David Kenner | ICIJ: https://www.icij.org/news/2025/03/russias-ghost-ships-haunt-libya/

"Former intelligence agent to host talk for Suffolk Church" by Oil Picton | Ipswich Star: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24999442.former-intelligence-agent-host-talk-suffolk-church/

Thanks for listener questions from Richard, Daniel, and Michael!

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Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espion