Ukraine Faces New Strain as US Backing Falters

Summary

Missy Ryan of The Atlantic discusses her article on Ukraine's lost political momentum, detailing how President Zelensky's brief diplomatic revival with the Trump administration has faded amid battlefield setbacks, domestic political turmoil, and unmet US promises on Patriot missile production. The conversation explores the Ukraine's difficult position heading into winter and the uncertain path for diplomacy.

• Ukraine's diplomatic high point at the Ankara NATO summit was short-lived as Trump appears unlikely to fulfill his Patriot missile manufacturing promise.
• Zelensky faces rising domestic political pressure after dismissing the popular defense minister and dealing with corruption scandals.
• A recent Russian ballistic missile strike killed 17 people in Kyiv with no missiles intercepted, highlighting critical air defense gaps.
• The former Ukrainian ambassador recounted how the disastrous February 2025 Oval Office meeting showed Ukraine's overtures were miscalibrated for the Trump administration.
• Ukraine has requested to use Starlink guidance systems over Russia, but the relationship with Elon Musk and the dismissal of defense minister Fedorov complicate that request.
• Despite Trump's growing frustration with Putin, US diplomacy remains lopsided: envoy Steve Witkoff has visited Moscow eight times but never Kyiv.
• The possibility of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visiting Kyiv is noted, but no visit has occurred, symbolizing the lack of balanced engagement.