President Trump appears ready to cut a deal that could end Russia’s war in Ukraine without ever consulting Ukraine. In this episode, the deputy Opinion editor Patrick Healy talks to the Opinion columnist Tom Friedman about Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign policy.
Thomas Friedman Has Given Up on Politics — but Not on Gravity
The president wants to create a revolution abroad. This Opinion columnist would love to see a plan.Below is a transcript of an episode of “The Opinions.” We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect. You can do so using the player above or on the NYT Audio app, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
Patrick Healy: This is “The First 100 Days,” a weekly series examining President Trump’s use of power and his drive to change America.
I wanted to talk to Tom Friedman this week because we seem to be on the cusp of a major international realignment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio just met his Russian counterpart to talk about ending the war in Ukraine without Ukraine there, and without the rest of Europe.
This came right after Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave speeches in Europe that boiled down to: What are you guys good for?