The Playbook Podcast August 15, 2025: The Trump-Putin summit is here
Aug 15, 2025
Eli Stokols, a Politico White House and Foreign Affairs correspondent, joins to discuss the highly anticipated summit between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska. They analyze the geopolitical stakes surrounding Ukraine and what success might look like from both sides. Stokols offers insights from Trump’s former national security advisor, highlighting political maneuvering in the background. The conversation also touches on some unexpected political comments and a bizarre incident involving a federal officer and a sandwich, adding a quirky twist to the day’s events.
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Summit As A Quick Probe
- The Alaska summit was arranged in a week and serves mainly as a probe for whether Putin is serious about talks.
- Trump views success as securing a follow-up summit, possibly with Zelensky, to press for a ceasefire.
Optics Matter For Europe
- Europe's nervousness stems from Trump meeting Putin alone and the optics of a joint post-meeting appearance.
- A superficial united front could undermine progress NATO and Europe achieved with the U.S. on Ukraine.
Putin's Potential To Manipulate
- Putin may flatter and manipulate Trump, repairing a damaged relationship through charm and calculated messaging.
- If Trump credulously accepts maximalist Russian demands, diplomacy could stall or harm Ukraine's position.