The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Ukraine and America’s Credibility Crisis — with Anne Applebaum

December 4, 2025

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  • The current U.S.-led peace negotiations regarding Ukraine are disturbing because they appear motivated by the business interests of individuals like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, rather than the security of America and its allies. 
  • The corruption evident in these high-stakes foreign policy maneuvers—where diplomacy is co-opted by private capital networks—is seen by Anne Applebaum as a dangerous acceleration toward a kleptocratic system previously observed in autocratic states like Russia. 
  • European nations, particularly those bordering Ukraine, are stepping up military and financial support, realizing that a U.S. withdrawal or a bad peace deal would only increase their own security risks, leading to stronger, direct country-to-country alliances. 
  • Anne Applebaum suggests that the Ukrainian drone industry represents a significant area for innovation and economic rebuilding post-conflict, potentially attracting global talent. 
  • For young professionals seeking opportunity, Anne Applebaum ranks Ukraine (despite current risks) and Poland as exciting locations for innovation and growth, while explicitly ruling out Russia due to kidnapping risks. 
  • Scott Galloway and Anne Applebaum conclude with the hopeful sentiment that Ukraine could become a magnet for human capital, optimism, and economic growth once the war concludes. 

Segments

Host’s Self-Reflection and Book
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(00:01:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Scott Galloway is self-conscious about profanity after a high-profile guest was rattled, and his book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
  • Summary: Galloway reflected on the critique of his profanity following a guest’s negative reaction, noting the guest would not return to the show. His book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list, driven by current attention on the masculinity crisis and his extensive media promotion. He acknowledged valid criticism that his advice focuses too heavily on economic viability and relationships as universal solutions for young men.
Introduction of Anne Applebaum
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(00:07:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and staff writer at The Atlantic, is introduced as an outstanding and thoughtful guest.
  • Summary: Scott Galloway introduced Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and staff writer at The Atlantic, whom he greatly admires. He noted this was her second or third appearance on The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway. The conversation was set to focus on the Ukraine peace talks, business interests overtaking diplomacy, and corruption reshaping American power.
Current State of Ukraine Diplomacy
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(00:08:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Secret negotiations involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev prioritize creating new American-Russian business deals over securing Ukrainian sovereignty.
  • Summary: The negotiations are driven by private individuals whose main goal appears to be establishing new business deals, including potential Arctic mineral and oil/gas infrastructure agreements. An initial 28-point peace plan was deemed unacceptable by both Ukrainians and Europeans. This situation raises serious questions about whether U.S. foreign policy serves national security or the financial interests of those close to the administration.
Corruption and Historical Precedent
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(01:02:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The current level of corruption, where high-stakes foreign policy is conducted by business people for business deals, lacks a clear historical precedent in American history.
  • Summary: The monetization of White House access and the pardon system are seen as part of a continuing pattern of grift within the administration. Anne Applebaum noted that while corruption exists in American politics, the current level in foreign policy remains surprisingly egregious to international observers. Historically, systemic corruption often requires a collapse or disaster before a fundamental reckoning and constitutional change occurs.
Ukraine Peace Plan Details
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(00:24:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The controversial peace plan demands Ukraine cede territory not yet conquered by Russia, including parts of Donetsk, and requires Ukraine to constitutionally promise never to join NATO.
  • Summary: A central, controversial element involves the U.S. promising to recognize Russian control over occupied territories like Crimea and parts of Donbass, forcing Ukraine to give up unconquered, heavily fortified land. The plan also included clauses about organizing Ukrainian elections and a promise from Ukraine never to join NATO. This framework lacks the security guarantees, like NATO membership or troop presence, that Ukrainians need to believe a peace deal will last.
European Response and U.S. Abdication
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(00:31:16)
  • Key Takeaway: European nations, especially those bordering Ukraine, are prepared to fight indefinitely because a Russian victory poses an existential threat, leading to a significant strategic shift away from reliance on the U.S.
  • Summary: Ukrainians remain prepared to fight because the alternative is destruction, and European nations near the conflict zone view a Russian victory as a direct threat to their own security. This situation has spurred a real transformation in European strategic thinking, particularly in Germany, acknowledging the end of the post-1989 era of automatic U.S. alignment. Europe is now forming stronger country-to-country security links and recognizing the failure to dominate defense and tech industries.
Russian War Sentiment and Strategy
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(00:59:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Public opinion in Russia is impossible to measure due to illegality against dissent, but elite purges and Ukrainian targeting of Russian oil infrastructure suggest deep internal strain and a shift in Ukrainian strategy.
  • Summary: It is impossible to poll genuine Russian sentiment as opposing the war is illegal, but the number of elite figures suffering mysterious deaths suggests internal dissatisfaction with the war’s progress. Ukrainians have shifted strategy to repeatedly strike Russian oil refineries and tankers, believing that hitting Russia’s wealth is more effective than relying on sanctions that the U.S. is no longer strictly enforcing. This indicates a Ukrainian theory of victory based on economic damage rather than purely military gains.
Geopolitical Winners and Losers
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(00:55:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The war is accelerating existing trends, positioning Poland as a rising power in Europe through strong regional alliances, while the UK risks falling further behind due to the economic damage from Brexit.
  • Summary: Poland is emerging as an influential player, fostering strong country-to-country security and economic links with Baltic states, Scandinavia, and Germany, bypassing traditional NATO reliance on the U.S. The UK is viewed with concern as the damage from Brexit continues to erode its market opportunities and economic standing relative to catching-up nations like Poland. The conflict is forcing Europe to develop its own defense and technology capabilities, recognizing the failure of relying on U.S. dominance in these sectors.
Guest’s International Residency
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(01:05:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Anne Applebaum currently spends about half her time living in Poland, specifically Warsaw and a country house in northwest Poland.
  • Summary: Anne Applebaum confirmed living in the U.S. and Russia previously, but currently resides in Poland for about half the year, splitting time between Warsaw and a renovated country house in northwest Poland. She has spent significant time in Ukraine but has not lived extensively elsewhere besides London. The discussion pivots to geographic mobility for young professionals.
Geographic Mobility Advice
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(01:05:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ukrainian drone industry is identified as the most exciting sector for innovation and potential economic rebuilding post-conflict, making it an attractive place for skilled young professionals.
  • Summary: Russia is immediately disqualified for living due to kidnapping risks. Ukraine’s drone industry is highlighted as a future engine for economic recovery, where international experts will be needed to learn from their advancements. Poland is noted as offering wide-open spaces for new businesses and opportunities once cultural differences are navigated.
Concluding Thoughts and Guest Credits
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(01:07:04)
  • Key Takeaway: London remains Anne Applebaum’s choice for the greatest city in the world, while the hope is expressed that Ukraine will become a magnet for human capital after the war.
  • Summary: Anne Applebaum expressed a personal preference for London as the world’s greatest city. The segment concludes with the shared aspiration that the end of the war will see Ukraine attract significant economic growth and human capital. The final moments credit the production team for this episode of The Prof G Pod from Prof G Media.