Topic: Ukraine

A news report details record-high diesel prices driven by a 20% loss in global refining capacity due to drone strikes in Russia, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea. Analysts warn that diesel is an "untethered market" that could see "stupid numbers" regardless of crude oil prices. The shortage is expected to drive up grocery costs, home heating bills, and airfares as the winter season approaches.

Reports indicate a new phase in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Russian drones targeting fuel stations and passenger trains in Kiev and Odessa. The strikes are designed to slow down domestic movement and diplomatic visits, which often rely on the railway system. The hosts note the increasing intensity of the air war against the capital.

Donald Trump is reportedly sending Jared Kushner and Steve Whitkoff as special envoys to Kiev and Moscow to present a proposal for ending the war in Ukraine. This follows a quiet visit by CIA Director Ratcliffe to Moscow to warn against further escalation. The hosts discuss the difficulty of breaking through "generational warfare" and the impact of infrastructure destruction on global energy prices.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to a massive exodus of the population to Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The hosts discuss the potential for the depopulated regions and the eventual demilitarized zone to be managed by autonomous robots for farming and land maintenance.

Adam Curry and Jason Calacanis critique the European mindset regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, noting high casualty rates and the depletion of military resources. They pivot to the strategic importance of Taiwan, discussing reports that semiconductor fabs (TSMC) might be destroyed or evacuated rather than allowed to fall under Chinese control. Calacanis mentions Elon Musk's efforts to build domestic "TerraFabs" to mitigate supply chain risks.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced trip to Moscow to meet with Russian officials. While the CIA declined to comment, the visit occurs amid stalled Ukraine negotiations and new U.S. economic threats against Iran's allies, including Russia.

Ukraine launched one of its largest aerial attacks of the four-year war, sending over 800 drones into Russian territory, including 600 targeted at Moscow. The strikes hit a massive warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, and prompted threats of "consequences" from the Kremlin against the United Kingdom for supplying drone technology. President Trump commented that NATO's absence in the conflict was a "tremendous mistake" and warned that wars are often lost by the side expecting a quick victory.

A clip from the Whatever Podcast features a debate between a Black woman and a Ukrainian woman regarding the definition of racism. The Black participant argues that a minority attacking a white person is "prejudice" rather than "racism" because it lacks the same societal effect. The hosts criticize this viewpoint as "indoctrination" that suggests only white people can be racist.

The media has begun labeling the conflict in the Middle East as "Trump's war with Iran." Trump joked about declaring the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory to ensure control over the waterway. The hosts contrast the media's acceptance of "Putin's price hike" for gas during the Ukraine war with their criticism of potential price increases under Trump's Iran policy.

The leaked 2014 phone call featuring Victoria Nuland is reviewed, highlighting her "Fuck the EU" comment and her direct involvement in selecting Ukrainian government officials like Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The hosts discuss the role of the UN and Ban Ki-moon in "gluing" the deal together while bypassing European interests.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine struck major Russian logistics facilities in the Moscow and Tambov regions. A drone strike on a warehouse belonging to the retailer Wildberries resulted in seven deaths and over 20 injuries. Russian authorities are treating the incidents as terrorist attacks, while Ukraine claims the sites were supplying drone components.

Senator Lindsey Graham recently visited Ukraine and Turkey to advocate for increased military lethality and diplomatic pressure on Vladimir Putin. Graham proposed a formula to end the war by making Ukraine more lethal while urging China to use its influence to provide Putin with an off-ramp. Skepticism is raised regarding the necessity of the trip, suggesting Graham may have been acting as a salesman for South Carolina's military-industrial interests.

Donald Trump promised President Zelensky that Ukraine could manufacture its own Patriot air defense systems, though experts warn the process is technically complex. A similar licensing agreement with Germany took four years to reach the production stage, suggesting Ukraine will not see immediate battlefield benefits from local manufacturing.

President Trump announced at the NATO summit that the U.S. will license Patriot missile production directly to Ukraine, encouraging them to "make it yourself." The production will likely involve a joint venture with a U.S. manufacturer like Raytheon to protect design secrets. Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan expressed hope that the summit would secure the delivery of F-35 jets that Ankara previously paid for.

Andrew Rasoulis joins the discussion to explain Canada's role in the upcoming NATO summit and the proposal for a "Global Defense Bank." This institution, championed by "banker's banker" Mark Carney, would provide inexpensive loans for military procurement. Canada is reportedly backing an $80 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which the hosts argue is a way for central bankers to profit from "banker wars" while taxpayers foot the bill.

A discussion of the decline of print media in the Netherlands focuses on Veronica Magazine, which dropped from over a million subscribers in the 1990s to roughly 90,000 digital subscribers today. Reports from a Dutch publishing executive claim that journalists at major newspapers openly wear Palestinian symbols like kiffiyahs to work. The segment also notes a prevailing media narrative in Europe that Vladimir Putin is losing the war in Ukraine.

Congressman Huffman and the Natural Resources Committee are investigating "Freedom 250 LLC," a shadow company allegedly used by the Trump administration to solicit foreign contributions and enrich cronies. The investigation claims donors were misled into giving to Trump-related entities rather than the official bipartisan commission. The hosts note that major defense contractors like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are involved, linking the funding to Dutch purchases of Patriot missiles for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the G7 summit to seek a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin, which Russia reportedly declined. Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's recent battlefield progress and a 90 billion euro loan from the EU. However, military sources suggest Russia may be preparing a significant escalation or "big boom" in Ukraine in the near future.

Tulsi Gabbard releases a statement alleging the existence of over 120 US-funded biolabs in 30 countries, including facilities in Ukraine. She claims the Biden administration and Dr. Anthony Fauci lied about these labs and the "dangerous gain-of-function research" conducted within them. Gabbard credits President Trump with signing an executive order in May 2025 to end federal funding for such research globally.

The first "No Agenda" meetup in Ukraine was successfully held in the Kiev Oblast, featuring a mix of Dutch and Ukrainian producers. Upcoming meetups are announced for Boise, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Rotterdam, emphasizing the "connection gives you protection" mantra for listeners.