Team Trump Praises Putin, Pressures Zelenskyy—Americans Side With Ukraine
I examine the reported 270-person prisoner exchange that brought home Ukrainian defenders, including fighters connected to the defense of Mariupol. Their accounts of captivity—and reports concerning American citizen Stephen Hubbard—raise the larger issue of how Russia treats prisoners as long-term bargaining assets. Returning people home is important, but it does not erase the years they spent in Russian custody.
I also assess Ukraine’s reported restoration of Starlink service after bipartisan congressional pressure, and why Kyiv is seeking alternatives including Nokia-linked communications options. Zelensky’s comparison is central: he said Ukraine received 24 air-defense interceptors in 90 days, while the United States and partners fired 2,084 during the opening 84 hours of the Iran conflict. Finally, I discuss reported Ukrainian strikes on an Omsk data center and disruptions at Moscow-area airports—evidence that Kyiv is still reaching into Russia’s rear infrastructure as its external support becomes less certain.
00:00 The Week’s Strategic Picture
01:58 POW Abuse Reports and Stephen Hubbard
03:58 Starlink Service Returns
06:20 Ukraine’s Reform Record and National Identity
08:55 Putin’s “One People” Narrative
10:42 Zelensky, Air Defense, and U.S. Leverage
13:43 Omsk Strikes and Moscow Airspace Disruptions
14:44 The Week Ahead
#UkraineRussiaWar #Starlink #Mariupol #Zelensky #Russia #AirDefense
Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. Principle over partisanship.
Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/
***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: *****
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes
YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Profe....ssor-Gerdes/membersh
🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
*****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: *****
🇺🇦 I have partnered with Greg Terry for all donations to Ukraine.
Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/
🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20
🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/
***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE ***
🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes
🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow.
🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE
🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine.
🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email professorgerdesyt@gmail.com
#UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR
