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Society & Culture

Ukrainian Soldier: Trump Thinks Putin Is His Friend. He’s Not.

podcast August 22, 2025


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Regardless of how the talks in Alaska end between Russian President Vladimir Putin And U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian-American soldier Yaroslav Ponomarov believes it will not end in Ukraine’s favor.

Yaroslav moved to Brooklyn with his parents when he was five and grew up American. But when Russia invaded his homeland he decided to return, join the military and fight the colonizers. He said his commander gave him some sage advice.

”’Let them play their games. We don’t have a choice but to play along,’ he recalls his superior officer advising him. ‘In a way it’s good that Ukraine is playing along because it’s showing the rest of the world that Russia doesn’t want peace.’”

Dubbed as a “listening session,” Trump says any hopes for Ukraine to join NATO are off the table, but he’s open to offering Kyiv security guarantees once peace is brokered. However, virtually no one in Ukraine feels peace will follow Trump’s meeting with Putin.

Go to Terrell J Starr Official on YouTube to see video of this interview!

Executive producer and host: Terrell J. Starr

Editor and producer: Mike Hull

Guest: Yaroslav Ponomarov

Special Thanks: Philip Ittner and On The Edge studio

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Blue Sky at @terrelljstarr.

Support our work on Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/Terrelljstarr…

#ukraine #ukrainewar #ukrainenews #trump

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