Part 4/9:
As the conversation progressed, past interactions with Putin were mentioned as they explored the timeline of Russian aggression, notably citing events dating back to 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea. The disparity between past diplomatic approaches was palpable, with one party advocating for persistent engagement with Putin despite the loss of territories and lives, while the other appeared more skeptical of the effectiveness of such strategies.
Both leaders acknowledged the multifaceted nature of diplomacy, citing moments where discussions had led to ceasefires—only to have those agreements broken. This reality made the current conversation even more charged, as each sought to portray their approach to tackling the Kremlin's ambitions as the most viable.