Title: The CIA’s Gamble: Edward Lucas Weighs in on U.S.-Russia Dynamics and Ukrainian Independence
In a revealing conversation on Times Radio, Edward Lucas, a respected columnist and Russia expert, shared his insights on the implications of recent diplomatic maneuvers by the CIA. The discussion, sparked by claims from former CIA director John Brennan regarding the current director’s clandestine discussions in Moscow, centered on the intricate web of geopolitics involving Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.
Lucas expressed skepticism about the efficacy of these covert talks with the Kremlin, especially given the shifting dynamics in Eastern Europe. He emphasized that the landscape has changed dramatically; Ukraine is no longer reliant on American support as it once was. This newfound autonomy shifts the calculus, leaving Lucas questioning whether U.S. overtures to Russia could bear fruit in the ongoing strife.
The crux of his argument lies in the resilience and growing strength of Ukraine. He pointed out that the country’s evolving military and political capacity have enabled it to navigate its challenges with increasing independence. This evolution not only empowers Ukraine on the battlefield but also alters how global powers engage with the region, further complicating the U.S. role.
Lucas articulated a cautious view of American attempts to leverage negotiations with Russia, suggesting that they may underestimate Ukraine’s newfound strength and resolve. The notion that Ukraine could be utilized as a bargaining chip in broader negotiations between the U.S. and Russia seems increasingly untenable to him.
This dialogue raises critical questions about the future of U.S.-Russia relations and the implications for global security, particularly in the context of Iran’s burgeoning influence and its relationship with both nations. As Lucas aptly notes, the stakes are high, and the response to these ongoing geopolitical developments must be carefully calibrated.
In the shifting sands of international diplomacy, audio snapshots like this one provide essential insights into the complexities of conflict resolution and national autonomy in the 21st century. As the world watches closely, the decisions made in the halls of power will shape the fate of nations.
Watch the video by Times News
Video “If CIA Chief Is Bargaining With Russia Over Iran, Ukraine Is Too Strong To Be Used | Edward Lucas” was uploaded on 08/26/2026 to Youtube Channel Times News


































This Great OBSESSIONS OF TRUMP OVER IRAN – He will sell his soul and Americans to have Iran – if he might be safe there he can have both all he have stolen with his Main paid puppet – just from another country – something to take in mind how desperate 1xman can get his tight corner 🎯
Don't trust any American or Russian leaders,,murky waters at the moment.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
"Ukraine too strong"😂😂😂
I don't know what the CIA director would need to jet to Putin to discuss about Iran. If Russia actually held or brokered the power balance in the conflict between America and Iran, Russia would not just have been turfed right out of Syria, would it? I mean, sure, Russia can help Iran in some nominal sense, but not enough to move the needle given Russia's other commitments.
Unless I've missed a statement from Reform, Farage is strangely quiet about the UK-Ukraine agreement. He must be waiting for his MAGA handlers to tell him what to say.
Takes an armour plated motorcade to Russia and then comes back the same day. When he could have used a private jet. All show with no substance. Typical US strategy … "Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee, oozing with virginity."
going too the russians..
means they are selling somebody out …
The UK’s influence in 2026 is vapour. Your words carry no weight.
No, Ukraine is too insignificant to be included.
The US is a merchant classes wealth creation paradise. This is its sole aim and only reason for existing.
It's amusing that 'experts' believe Trump is a childish fool… blundering about like a demented idiot.
That to offer Trump any sort of 'wit or intelligence' harms their own personal status.
For everyone agrees Trump is a buffoon, a madman who only won the presidency because of 'stupid people' voting for him.
Yet Trump is all about wealth accumulation… he isn't about fostering goodwill and charitable benevolence on the world.
If his administration confronted Iran… there was wealth to be made. If he upsets European leaders, there's a fiscal gain,
through market fluctuation to be secured. Everything he does is to monetise, by contradicting other peoples firmly held beliefs.
He exploits their bewilderment… that he doesn't share their righteously belligerent held convictions.
Throughout chaos… wealth can be easily acquired. And wealth is the only real value the merchant class believe in.
Like anybody give a fk about UK!
Any commentary that relies on a John Brennen comment is null and void…. DOA
Europe is way down the US priority list. This visit likely focused on Russian aggressiveness towards Japan, and support for Iran.
Trump is a coward, a disgrace to his Country and office, and a traitor to the West! Betrayal is a sin that will never be forgotten!🇬🇧
For all the EU cool-aid drinkers, the US still has your back. Multiple outlets note the trip occurred amid heightened U.S. monitoring of Russian military activity and stalled Ukraine negotiations. Analysts like former CIA official Beth Sanner suggested the visit may have been intended to deliver a direct warning to Putin about U.S. awareness of Russian military preparations
So it sounds like the US may have a leaking tap.
Russia,China giving satellite data to iran.
Oh well as the world spins.
Putin should fully embrace Iran. Striking the real enemy right in the heart. US can't handle two-front wars.
Ratcliffe: "Do not support Iran", Russia "No".
Russia: "Do not support Ukraine", Ratcliffe "No".
Sending a tRump sycophant like Ratboy against a master KGB operative seems like a smart move… like bombing Iran… tRump is an idiot.
Last week massive intelligence gathering missions over Kalingrad followed by this…coincidence?
Posiedon sub left port. Hullo?……
It's Zionists wet dream to get Russia on their side (after ditching Iran) and form new fasist axis "Maga – Zionism – Z Russia"
What a load of nonsense. The war has always been between NATO, and Russia and Ukraine is a proxy. Trump has exposed NATO, on purpose for what they are, the intended globalist army and hopefully they are well on their very much deserved way to having their arses handed to them on plate. And then maybe we can all be rid of these traitorous establishment trash in charge of nearly all of these EU countries once and for all.
An attempt at a Dim-Wit pact (DmitrievWitkoff)
The CIA director asked not to launch strikes against American bases in Europe when Russia begins launching massive strikes against countries supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Epstein related.
So says the confused UK propaganda machine.
War is better than sex they say
Straight to hell with anything oozing out of the oval office.
. 🟦🌻🟨 .
Slava Ukraini!
Man, the world would be so much better off if the US did not exist! Love these experts from third tier countries blaming the US for everything. The Russian flag would be flying over Kiev, if not for the U.S.; Trump is a problem for sure but the Old Chap is painting with too broad a brush.
💯
US have not only lost all the allies, you have also lost the world using the dollar, it is over and CHINA ANOTHER DAMN DICTATOR will be everywhere, and we all will have to count their money against ours.
you have to understand trump doesn't want an end to the war in iran, china gets 80% of their oil from iran, and trump wants to force europe to buy oil and gas from the usa.
it's pretty obvious, so you don't understand making it so complicated
This is hysterical commentary if you've ever studied any European history. We have the medieval monarchy of the UK actually appearing to actually take seriously the idea of the medieval papacy being involved in today's political affairs. The foreign ambassador (didn't even know they still had one) of the insanely autocratic Vatican, which rules about one square mile of territory and is ruled by a man who wears a dress and a pointed hat, is going to sit down with the two most powerful men on earth, the democratically elected leaders of the US and Russia, to advise them of how to conduct their affairs.
Nobody knows. 7th video, so far about 7 theories.
Trump has zero power over zelenskyy, zelenskyy just sees a stupid old man just like Biden! Trust nobody who talks like a prat!
So I'm confused. Who's holding all the cards now?
Trump is… unfathomably useless. What is going ON in the USA?
Neither Russia nor China will dump Iran. The US dumping of Europe is on the cards. NATO will likely collapse, as will the financialised hegemony and dollar dominance. Protectionism will return, and the European economy will be cut off from Russian energy and raw materials; the war in Ukraine will be lost, and Europe's security will be heavily compromised. The EU will struggle to hold onto its members; BRICS will rise from the ashes.
The West's unipolar moment has turned sour because of very bad interventionist policies and its hubristic belief that it could achieve global dominion and the end of the nation-state. It will be left with a mountain of problems to sort out.
Russia has no control over Iran. Iranians are completely distrustful of Russia. They have been enemies for centuries. Ditto Turkey. They are both Muslin countries with distrust of the Russians. The Turks would have more leverage. Trump is grasping at straws if he is trying to get Putin to help. What is he expecting? A Russian invasion of Iran?
BTW, the reason gas prices are low even with the Gulf disruption and Ukraine shutting down Russian exports of oil and petroleum products is that China has been drawing down their massive stockpile of products. That is over. Oil is beginning to rise. U.S. stocks are at record lows. If gasoline prices rocket up, the effect in the election will be catastrophic for the Republicans.
Rat…: “do whatever you like in ukr, just stop with the intel to iran.”
Poo… “piss off.”
Rat… “yeah, I thought so – anyway, just so you know we are still friends, here’s some very serious intel on all your neighbours.”
A trade-off? Yeah, I remember some people saying trump was making a trade off deal with Russia to give the US venezuela and Russia gets Ukraine. Only that wasn't true. Cia director visited Cuba. So that must mean he was siding with the Cubans by your logic. Also Ukraine still to this day gets crucial intelligence information by the same U.S Agency that Radcliffe is director off. If you really think that behind the scenes the U.S isn't involved in Ukraine then your pretty moronic.