Hi everyone and welcome back to the program. We are joined here by John Meersheimer and Alexander Mercuris to discuss some of the issues now taking place primarily between the United States but obviously also involving Ukraine as the two leaders might meet in Budapest.

So it's good to have the both of you back.

Very nice to be here, Glenn.

It is interesting.

It seemed like we're walking back from the brink.

That is, Trump at least, said he was going to send tomahawks to ukraine which

seemed like a crazy escalation given that this would have to be operated by americans and also

they could carry nuclear warhead and the russians warned they would treat it accordingly uh which

yes is quite an escalation.

Yet, Trump has walked his back instead, meeting now with Putin in the Budapest, or at least

that is the plan, unless it's been cancelled.

And the reaction in Europe, as we walk away from the threat of a nuclear

Holocaust and instead embrace diplomacy is utter panic Poland said they might

intercept Putin's plane if it goes through Poland and the UK they're talking about

sending troops now to Ukraine, Sweden's defense

minister said they have to go. Europe has to go into war mode because we should prepare for war

with Russia. I mean, every few decades it looks like the Europeans prepare for some collective

suicide. I was thinking a good place to start would be what to expect from this meeting if it does take place.

Will this be another Alaska or should we expect something more from Budapest?

Let me just say a word before I ask Alexander to answer that specific question.

When I look at what's happening, it seems to me that the Russian position remains unchanged,

as we all three have said on numerous occasions, the Russian position on negotiations has been the same from the get-go.

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