Sign up for my free newsletter here:
https://www.mauldineconomics.com/go/JM563W/YTB
If you feel like the world order is being rearranged, you’re right. It is, and quickly. Settlement discussions about Ukraine began this week in Saudi Arabia—without Ukraine.
Renowned forecaster George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures, helps us break down these important signals.
The US no longer has an interest in prolonging or funding this war. We are seeking to force a settlement. This has put in motion what looks like a game of 3D chess.
For starters, the US is seeking guaranteed access to rare earth minerals from Ukraine, reducing dependence on China. Will the US ease pressure on Russia in exchange for this access? It looks that way.
As George says in our interview, “The neutrality of Ukraine is guaranteed if the Americans get what they want… the minerals.”
George and I take a deep dive into the geopolitical machinations behind the Ukraine settlement talks. You’ll hear why settlement negotiations happened in Saudi Arabia, why NATO has a limited role to play, why China is wooing an ancient enemy, and President Trump’s plan to “redesign the world.”
Follow George Friedman’s work here:
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Follow George Friedman on X (Twitter) here:
https://www.x.com/george_friedman
Sign up for Ed D’Agostino’s free newsletter here:
https://www.mauldineconomics.com/go/JM563W/YTB
Follow Ed D’Agostino on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-d-agostino-415475296/
Follow Ed D’Agostino on Twitter:
https://www.x.com/EdDAgostino
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:59 – Breaking Presidential norms
03:25 – Putin’s failure
07:11 – Russia is terrified of the US
09:55 – Why Saudi Arabia?
15:08 – A move for critical minerals
15:48 – China is weaker than you think
19:47 – Russia cannot win in Ukraine
25:49 – America’s Russia obsession
32:21 – What’s happening with Greenland?