Charles Maines

Yeah, sure. You know, to a degree, I think you can credit efforts by the Trump administration to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, even if at times those efforts skewed heavily in Russia's favor. Because this meeting, it comes amid wrangling between Moscow and Kiev to show President Trump they're the more serious party for peace, or at least the other is an obstacle to it.

Yeah, sure. You know, to a degree, I think you can credit efforts by the Trump administration to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, even if at times those efforts skewed heavily in Russia's favor. Because this meeting, it comes amid wrangling between Moscow and Kiev to show President Trump they're the more serious party for peace, or at least the other is an obstacle to it.

You know, it does seem that way. This latest maneuvering began after Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally called for a three-day ceasefire around events marking the Soviet victory in World War II. That was last week. Ukraine never agreed, but only because it said, why just three days? We could have a longer ceasefire.

You know, it does seem that way. This latest maneuvering began after Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally called for a three-day ceasefire around events marking the Soviet victory in World War II. That was last week. Ukraine never agreed, but only because it said, why just three days? We could have a longer ceasefire.

You know, it does seem that way. This latest maneuvering began after Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally called for a three-day ceasefire around events marking the Soviet victory in World War II. That was last week. Ukraine never agreed, but only because it said, why just three days? We could have a longer ceasefire.

That idea got backing from Europe and the U.S., who, to give it some teeth, threatened new sanctions if Putin didn't commit to an immediate 30-day ceasefire. But instead, Putin made a counteroffer. He called for direct talks with Ukraine starting Thursday in Istanbul. Let's listen.

That idea got backing from Europe and the U.S., who, to give it some teeth, threatened new sanctions if Putin didn't commit to an immediate 30-day ceasefire. But instead, Putin made a counteroffer. He called for direct talks with Ukraine starting Thursday in Istanbul. Let's listen.

That idea got backing from Europe and the U.S., who, to give it some teeth, threatened new sanctions if Putin didn't commit to an immediate 30-day ceasefire. But instead, Putin made a counteroffer. He called for direct talks with Ukraine starting Thursday in Istanbul. Let's listen.

So here Putin says military operations are ongoing, a war is happening, and we are offering to return to negotiations, adding what could be bad about that.

So here Putin says military operations are ongoing, a war is happening, and we are offering to return to negotiations, adding what could be bad about that.

So here Putin says military operations are ongoing, a war is happening, and we are offering to return to negotiations, adding what could be bad about that.

Well, it certainly appears strategic. President Trump endorsed the idea and demanded Ukraine participate. And that's forced Europe to hold off on new sanctions against Russia for now. So it's bought Moscow some time.

Well, it certainly appears strategic. President Trump endorsed the idea and demanded Ukraine participate. And that's forced Europe to hold off on new sanctions against Russia for now. So it's bought Moscow some time.

Well, it certainly appears strategic. President Trump endorsed the idea and demanded Ukraine participate. And that's forced Europe to hold off on new sanctions against Russia for now. So it's bought Moscow some time.

Well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he'll be there and he's challenged Putin to show up, even as he's expressed skepticism over Putin's motives. So here Zelensky says he doesn't believe Putin actually wants to end the war or a ceasefire, and that this is essentially all just a stalling tactic.

Well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he'll be there and he's challenged Putin to show up, even as he's expressed skepticism over Putin's motives. So here Zelensky says he doesn't believe Putin actually wants to end the war or a ceasefire, and that this is essentially all just a stalling tactic.

Well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he'll be there and he's challenged Putin to show up, even as he's expressed skepticism over Putin's motives. So here Zelensky says he doesn't believe Putin actually wants to end the war or a ceasefire, and that this is essentially all just a stalling tactic.

Well, you know, the Kremlin routinely presents Zelensky as illegitimate, so there are reasons to doubt Putin would engage directly. But enter President Trump, currently in the Middle East, as we just heard, who suggested he might stop by for the talks. That's prompted speculation Putin might as well, although it would certainly involve a lot of stars aligning, probably too many.

Well, you know, the Kremlin routinely presents Zelensky as illegitimate, so there are reasons to doubt Putin would engage directly. But enter President Trump, currently in the Middle East, as we just heard, who suggested he might stop by for the talks. That's prompted speculation Putin might as well, although it would certainly involve a lot of stars aligning, probably too many.

Well, you know, the Kremlin routinely presents Zelensky as illegitimate, so there are reasons to doubt Putin would engage directly. But enter President Trump, currently in the Middle East, as we just heard, who suggested he might stop by for the talks. That's prompted speculation Putin might as well, although it would certainly involve a lot of stars aligning, probably too many.