Peskov Says Final Ukraine Settlement Requires Entirely New European Security Architecture
"A final settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is only possible if there has been an agreement between Russia and the West about a new security architecture in Europe. In other words, new structures which I suspect by now from a Russian perspective won't just supersede NATO and the EU, but which will straightforwardly replace them."
About this episode
In this July 8, 2026 episode, the host analyzes escalating rhetoric from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who declared twice in as many days that Western support for Ukraine has transformed the conflict from a special military operation into a full-scale war against Russia. Peskov stated in an interview with Swiss journal Weltwoche that NATO countries are providing weapons, military advisers, satellite surveillance, and AI targeting assistance to Ukraine, constituting direct involvement. Most significantly, Peskov set an impossibly high bar for peace negotiations by insisting that any final settlement requires establishing an entirely new security architecture in Europe that would replace NATO and the EU, effectively declaring diplomatic resolution dead. The host interprets these statements as Putin's own views and predicts an imminent upgrade of Russia's military operation classification. On the military front, Russia has deployed new jet-powered Geran-4 seeker drones capable of precision strikes against Ukrainian railways and logistics networks deep inside Ukraine, apparently guided via Russia's newly operational Raswet satellite system analogous to Starlink. This revolutionary capability allows Moscow-based controllers to conduct comprehensive interdiction campaigns without risking pilots, potentially choking off Ukrainian supply lines. The host reports Russian forces are advancing west of Bakhmut toward Pavlograd and possibly conducting street fighting in Druzhkivka. Meanwhile, President Trump attended a NATO summit in Ankara where he made disparaging comments about the alliance while praising Turkish President Erdogan, canceling sanctions on Turkey and greenlighting F-35 sales. Trump also hinted at reviving U.S. demands for Greenland. In Iran, up to 40 million people reportedly attended funeral events for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel on February 28, 2026. The massive turnout fundamentally undermines Western assumptions that Iran's government is unpopular and fragile, burying hopes for regime change. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire remains fragile with both sides conducting limited retaliatory strikes. The host announces he will be traveling to Montenegro for a wedding and will produce shorter programs during his absence through Sunday.
Key takeaways
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared twice in interviews that Western military support for Ukraine has transformed the conflict from a special operation into full-scale war against Russia.
- Peskov stated final Ukraine settlement requires completely new European security architecture replacing NATO and EU, setting impossibly high conditions that effectively end negotiation prospects.
- Russia deployed new Geran-4 jet-powered seeker drones conducting precision strikes on Ukrainian railways and logistics, apparently guided by Russia's new Raswet satellite system from Moscow.
- Iranian authorities report up to 40 million people attended funeral events for assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, fundamentally undermining Western regime change expectations.
- President Trump disparaged NATO at Ankara summit while praising Turkey's Erdogan, canceling sanctions and greenlighting F-35 sales, and hinted at reviving Greenland acquisition demands.
- Russian forces advancing west of Bakhmut toward Pavlograd with reports of street fighting in Druzhkivka and increased activity across northern Donetsk front lines.
- Peskov stated Russia and United States can maintain dialogue as fellow great powers but current generation of European leaders incapable of substantive agreements with Russia.