Today at 19:04
Today we are joined by retired British Army Lieutenant Colonel Glen Grant. We discuss the potential fallout from the Epstein files scandal for US and Ukraine policy, and how America’s internal crisis could undermine Donald Trump’s position. We also cover negotiations and why Ukraine refuses any territorial concessions, continuing strikes on Russia’s military and economic targets.
Meanwhile, Russia gradually weakens economically and militarily, while Ukrainian society shows resilience. Additionally, European countries, particularly Germany and Poland, are ramping up support for Ukraine and expanding defense cooperation.
Read here the main takeaways from the interview with Glen Grant.
— Epstein files. Let’s talk about that. Let me narrow the question — what is happening right now, and how could it possibly end in a way that benefits Ukraine? Or is that not possible at all?
— That’s a good question. Anyone following the story knows that the U.S. Department of Justice has released large quantities of emails to the public — and then withdrawn several of them because they implicated Trump and wealthy, influential figures worldwide.
That is key to understanding what’s going on. Everything is still in flux. Every day, new papers, videos, and audio recordings are emerging that implicate more people.
This morning, former Prince Andrew was arrested by the Metropolitan Police and taken to a London police station for questioning. That shows how serious this is internationally. Norway has also arrested a former prime minister. There will be many more arrests and actions across Europe.
But in the U.S., Trump is still holding on.
— How is that possible? Are we even in the middle of this?
— We’re not even in the middle of it. Trump can hold on because he effectively controls the federal police, especially the FBI, through Patel.
As for why the material is being made public — Congress passed a law requiring these disclosures. If they don’t publish the documents, they break the law.
The problem is the police, the FBI, are managed by Trump’s people. But that cannot continue forever.
— Where are we now in terms of Ukraine?
— If Trump goes, everything changes. If his deputy, Vance, takes over, he may not be much better. But if both are taken down together, we could see a complete change of power in America.
A new leadership would include many strongly pro-American, pro-Ukraine, anti-Russia politicians — people embarrassed by what the U.S. has done to Ukraine. Most of my American friends are embarrassed by Trump’s position.
— Do you think this turmoil with the Epstein files influences the so-called peace talks?
— Yes — significantly. Trump is pushing hard for peace talks, and he’s trying to move quickly, possibly because he suspects he may not be able to support Putin properly in the future.
Let’s be clear: he is fighting on Putin’s side. More and more American politicians now understand that Trump is aligned with Putin.
— What should Ukraine do? Deep strikes into Russian territory feel justified. Should we do more, less, change tactics, or wait until the “Epstein storm” passes? Is there any momentum?
— There is momentum now because Starlink was turned off and because the Kremlin restricted Telegram. They didn’t like what was happening there, but Telegram was their main air-defense warning system. They harmed their own air defense.
As for tactics: Ukraine must keep doing what it’s doing because it is working. If frontline troops are moving forward, they must be reinforced as much as possible — by volunteers and by the Ministry of Defense. Now is the time for maximum support.
— But earlier you said deep strikes make Russians more stubborn, and nothing changes — both sides only grow angrier. Is this a vicious circle?
— It is a vicious circle. But remember: Russia is like a light switch — off or on. Right now, it’s “on.” Ukraine must find a way to turn it “off.”
Financial pressure is key. The middle class and oligarchs in Russia will tolerate only so much.
The lower class — millions of people — live in terrible conditions already. For them, ideology and the myth of “mother Russia” are all they have. But the middle class in Moscow and St. Petersburg value money and a comfortable life far more than ideology.
— So the best weapon against Russia is… what? Sky-high grocery prices?
Yes — sky-high grocery prices, no fuel, businesses unable to operate. Economic collapse.
— In this war of attrition — who is closer to the breaking point?
— After spending this week in Ukraine, I would say Russia is closer to the edge. I don’t see signs here of a country about to break.
I walked through the market yesterday — the market ladies were laughing and talking in minus 10 degrees. Market ladies are a good indicator. If they’re beaten down, the country is beaten down. If they’re laughing — the country isn’t breaking.
— Russians keep declaring endlessly that “mother Russia can endure forever.”
— Let’s look at what “mother Russia” is losing:
- massive amounts of oil-production capacity
- long-range infrastructure hit even in the Caspian Sea
- the Black Sea Fleet hiding in port
- aircraft destroyed every time they land
Russia is being degraded bit by bit — in a way Ukraine is not.
— Paradoxically, is the war making things better for Ukraine in some ways?
— I think so. Ukraine is becoming more determined.
Many businesses are adapting, turning toward defense production and export. The government must allow maximum export — Ukraine needs the revenue.
— Do you believe social unrest in Russia is possible if prices skyrocket?
— I’m not sure. The Russian middle class is not good at open protest. Unrest will show itself differently — quiet resistance, companies trying to move operations abroad, banks collapsing because money flow dries up.
This is already happening.
— Does Putin understand how bad the economy is?
— If Putin doesn’t know that Telegram is the main source of air-defense alerts, I doubt he understands much at all. People are too afraid to tell him the truth.
He built a system where lying upward is safer than reporting reality. That means he’s receiving fabricated intelligence — that Ukraine is collapsing, that Europe isn’t helping — and he believes it.
He also places enormous weight on Trump’s signals. If Trump says he won’t give missiles or support Ukraine, Putin interprets that as Ukraine losing 80% of its capacity.
But that’s not true. America has not meaningfully supported Ukraine since 2014 anyway.
— Maybe Trump accidentally did something good — Europe seems to be waking up.
— Europe is waking up — slowly. Germany has finally begun training Ukrainians in drone systems. Poland is already doing this and hosting a “lessons learned” conference next week.
Britain understands the strategic side well, but ground-level support still needs work.
— Poland also wants its own nuclear program. Is that the right move?
— That is a very good question. Poland and Germany are both considering this. If they go ahead, other countries may join.
They understand that if Russia is not broken now, it will return in 30 years — just as Germany returned after World War I.
If Russia is defeated and collapses, it will break up into multiple states, similar to Central Asia — generally peaceful and self-focused.
— But Americans fear a scenario where a broken-up Russia leaves many small nuclear states.
— It’s a fear, but most of those regions could not afford nuclear weapons. Much of Russia’s nuclear arsenal is outdated, degraded, and poorly maintained.
Any new state inheriting them would likely want to dismantle them.
But this fear still shapes U.S. policy — and causes problems.
Eventually, the U.S. needs leaders who understand real diplomacy, culture, and history — not just business interests.
— Do we expect such leaders to appear in this administration?
— No. It must be a new administration — someone else, not the current leadership.
— And the new administration would have to “clean the stable,” correct?
— Yes. But society is already working on that. We may be witnessing the end of the old America and the rebirth of a new one. Young people on social media are highly intelligent, analytical, and finally being heard.
Most Americans are good, capable people.
Trump’s movement must fall — they covered up rape, child abuse, and more. After that, a new America will emerge.
— What should Ukraine do meanwhile? How do we navigate this narrow path until Trump is gone?
— Zelenskyy and the government should play for time. Do not accept any of Trump’s so-called “peace deals.” They are not peace deals at all.
Read also: Aid to Ukraine’s energy sector & Kremlin Pressure – Interview with EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen
