Lude Press | Dr. Yan Talks: U.S. Plans “NATO-Like” Security Guarantees for Ukraine! Zelensky Hails “Historic Breakthrough,” Russia Forced into Major Concessions, Xi-CCP Left to Pretend Ignorance and Fear! 8/17/2025

01. The United States Achieves Significant Progress in Mediating the Russia-Ukraine War
Putin displayed a conciliatory attitude toward negotiations. Before meeting Trump on August 15, he laid flowers at the ALSIB (Alaska-Siberia Air Route) Heroes Monument in Magadan. This monument commemorates the cooperation of American and Russian pilots during World War II and symbolizes the continuation of the spirit of collaboration between the two nations.
European leaders, including Zelensky, are expected to visit the White House in succession, indicating that the peace process is moving forward. As the only country with the capacity to mediate effectively, the United States has not abandoned its European allies; instead, it has strengthened partnerships through concrete actions.

02. The Deficiencies of the Budapest Memorandum Need to Be Addressed
The Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, signed on December 5, 1994, provided that Ukraine would relinquish its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The memorandum also stipulated that, in the event of a threat, assistance should be provided through the United Nations Security Council. However, as permanent members, Russia and China can exercise veto power to block any aid, creating a structural loophole.
The recent talks have refocused attention on this gap, making the repair of the Budapest Memorandum’s mechanisms an urgent issue.

03. Europe’s Security Order Is Likely to Be Reshaped
European politics is currently heavily left-leaning, lacking geopolitical capacity, and support for Ukraine largely remains at the level of verbal commitments.
In the future, the U.S. and Europe may bypass the rigid UN system to provide Ukraine with security protection akin to NATO’s Article 5, establishing a new type of security arrangement. Once established, this mechanism would profoundly alter the European security order and weaken Russia’s and China’s veto power at the UN.
Supplement: NATO’s collective defense clause, Article 5, stipulates that an armed attack against any member shall be considered an attack against all members. Other members shall take whatever actions they deem necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

04. Russia Will Adjust Its Strategic Focus
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio analyzed that, to achieve lasting peace, both Russia and Ukraine must make concessions.
Dr. Yan noted that if Russia relinquishes certain vested interests in Ukraine, it will inevitably seek compensation in other areas. As a country that prioritizes pragmatic interests, Russia can at any time make strategic adjustments, potentially redirecting its focus toward China as a new target of strategic calculation, which would alter the trajectory of Sino-Russian relations.

05. China Does Everything to Undermine European Peace
Chinese state propaganda has smeared the U.S.-Russia meeting and sensationalized the presence of B-2 bombers as a symbol of U.S. threat. Through Hu Xijin, China issued warnings: China is a hidden yet powerful presence, and if excluded, it will seek to sabotage.
Not long before, the U.S. “Midnight Hammer” strike on Iran awakened Russia from its Duginist westward ambitions, prompting a more measured Russian strategic stance, while China’s disruptive actions appear increasingly isolated.

06. Chinese Proxies Disrupt Taiwan, and the Defense Budget Is Seriously Insufficient
China’s performance in the Philippine Sea has been disgraceful; a Chinese navy vessel and a coast guard ship collided. Dr. Yan called this a “Ass-fault” (a pun on “Assault”, indicating a “self-inflicted peak” or disastrous self-harm). Taiwanese scholar Zhang Jing whitewashed China’s actions, exaggerating the regenerative capacity of its armed forces.
Taiwan’s blue and white parties have actively spread false information to obstruct increases in the defense budget. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Colby warned that if Taiwan’s defense budget does not rise to 10% of GDP, it would be extremely dangerous. The current level remains far below this minimum requirement.