Today’s focus: Trump administration considers investing in Intel; U.S. promises security support to Ukraine, no ground troops but possibly air force; Meeting Zelensky alone? Putin agrees! Conflict in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved, can Ukraine maintain peace and territorial integrity?
Guests on this episode: Professor Li Youtan from the National Development Institute of National Chengchi University in Taiwan; Mark, host of “Mark’s Time and Space” program; Senior political and economic analyst Qin Peng. Host: Jinshi.
Qin Peng, President Trump mentioned the U.S. government considering acquiring a 10% stake in Intel. Do you think this idea will eventually come to fruition? What motivations could be driving Trump to do so?
The security guarantee provided by the U.S. and Europe to Ukraine is currently a major focus. Let’s first discuss the content in this area.
President Trump and the White House have made it clear that they will not send U.S. ground troops to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield but are open to using the U.S. Air Force for support, which is a possible option for security.
Mark, considering the U.S. government’s stance, do you think the security guarantee promised to Ukraine will be sufficient to prevent further Russian aggression in the future?
During the meeting at the White House, President Trump proposed another interesting topic, hoping to facilitate a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
As reporter Zhang Liang mentioned, Russian President Putin has agreed to this arrangement for the first time. If a meeting between Zelensky and Putin does take place, it will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of two opposing countries on the battlefield since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
Zelensky has been calling out to Putin for a direct meeting and dialogue, but the Kremlin has consistently rejected this proposal.
Professor Li Youtan, do you think a meeting between Putin and Zelensky is likely to happen? If the two sides meet, will it genuinely help with Russia-Ukraine peace talks?
Qin Peng, compared to Zelensky’s previous visit to the White House, it’s clear that the atmosphere was drastically different this time, in terms of language, attitude, and even attire. If the previous visit was like “being in an icy wilderness,” this time it’s like “a warm spring breeze.” What factors do you think led to such a change? Additionally, besides the discussed “security assurances” and “potential Russia-Ukraine talks” at the U.S.-Ukraine summit, what other outcomes should we pay attention to?
Currently, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the U.S., Russian forces occupy 18.4% of Ukrainian territory, mainly concentrated in eastern Ukraine, including the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, collectively known as the Donbas region. This region has been coveted by Russia for years and has strong cultural ties to Russia. Additionally, parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions are occupied, as well as the Crimea Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Russian forces continue to advance towards strategic fortress cities in hopes of expanding their occupied territories in eastern Ukraine.
Mark, while efforts are being made to facilitate Russia-Ukraine talks, Russian military operations in the field have not subsided. What do you think are Russia’s current operational goals in eastern Ukraine? If the fighting continues, which side stands to benefit more?
Professor Li Youtan, the peace agreement envisioned by President Trump, although its specific contents have not been disclosed, follows the saying in diplomatic history that “what is lost on the battlefield is hard to gain back at the negotiating table.” Given the current realities on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, what do you think the possible outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war could be?
Let’s shift our focus to the economic situation in China.
China’s economy continues to decline, the job market worsens, and the unemployment rate keeps rising, especially among the youth. The latest data shows that in July, the unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group in urban areas, excluding students, reached 17.8%, hitting an 11-month high.
Qin Peng, on August 15, 2023, the Chinese authorities suspended the publication of youth unemployment rates and related data, considered a “political halt” due to the high youth unemployment rate of 21.3% announced the previous month, causing significant turmoil. Though the authorities adjusted statistical methods and resumed data release, youth unemployment remains persistently high, currently at 17.8%, according to official Chinese figures. Is there no sign of alleviation in sight?
Professor Li Youtan, it’s graduation season now, with millions of graduates entering the labor market. Having taught in Taiwan for decades, you might have insights into the potential “graduate-to-unemployment” scenario faced by Chinese university students. Do you have any advice for them?
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