American Prestige Bonus - The Trump-Putin Summit w/ Charles Kupchan (Preview)
Aug 24, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Georgetown professor, shares insights on the recent Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. He critiques Trump's chaotic approach to Ukraine diplomacy and explores the future of security guarantees. The conversation delves into Russia’s intentions regarding occupied territory and reflects on America's declining global dominance in geopolitics, highlighting the implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and U.S. foreign policy.
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Early Summit Gave Putin Leverage
- Charles Kupchan says Trump tried to end the war but acted chaotically without a coherent plan or team coordination.
- Trump’s early summit with Putin gave Putin leverage by offering legitimacy without securing concessions.
Peace Hinges On Ukraine’s Viability
- The core issue is whether Ukraine's remaining 80% can function as a secure sovereign state after any ceasefire line.
- Kupchan doubts Putin is ready to relinquish Ukraine, making a genuine peace deal unlikely now.
Endgame Needs To Convince Putin Of Limits
- Kupchan believes Putin likely won't willingly give up territory due to ideology and history, so pressure matters more than goodwill.
- A realistic endgame is convincing Putin he cannot gain more and is suffering prohibitive costs from continued war.