David Frum: Ukraine Won’t Surrender

Thought Leader: David Frum

August 6, 2025

On this episode of The David Frum Show, The Atlantic’s David Frum opens with a warning about the crumbling of U.S. support for Ukraine under President Donald Trump. He lays out how the Trump administration has slowed the flow of weapons to Ukraine, undermined sanctions on Russia, and made empty promises about future action while spending more money upgrading Trump’s private jet than aiding Ukraine’s defense.

Then David is joined by the journalist Tim Mak, reporting from Kyiv, and Adrian Karatnycky, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, for a conversation about Ukraine’s resilience in the face of U.S. abandonment. They discuss why the Ukrainian people remain united, how battlefield conditions have evolved, and why no politician—Ukrainian or American—can force a peace that rewards Russian aggression. They also talk about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s controversial anti-corruption reforms, the surge of youth-led protests, and whether Ukraine’s Western allies truly understand what’s at stake.

David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, offers sharp, historically grounded insights into American conservatism, global politics, and the challenges of democratic governance. With his deep experience and fearless commentary, Frum is a compelling speaker for anyone seeking to understand the future of democracy at home and abroad. To book David Frum, contact WWSG