Bloomberg Businessweek

Trump, Putin Convene at Ukraine Summit in Alaska

5 snips
Aug 15, 2025
Elise Giuliano, a political science expert on Russia, Jimmy Lee, CEO providing insights on investing, and Monica Duffy Toft, an international politics professor specializing in the Ukraine conflict, join in a lively discussion. They analyze the recent Trump-Putin summit and the lack of Ukrainian representation, raising questions about international diplomacy. The trio also explores the potential market impacts amid geopolitical tensions, emphasizing optimism surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and the shifting landscape of global politics.
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INSIGHT

Unscripted Summit Breaks Diplomatic Norms

  • The Trump-Putin summit departs from normal diplomacy because lower-level diplomats usually preset outcomes before leaders meet.
  • Elise Giuliano says this summit is unpredictable and reflects Trump's personal, shoot-from-the-hip approach.
INSIGHT

Optics Strengthen Russia's Narrative

  • Hosting the summit without Ukraine feeds Russia's narrative that Ukraine lacks statehood and legitimacy.
  • Monica Duffy Toft warns Putin can use the optics to claim Russia's return as a global power.
INSIGHT

Putin Seeks Territory And Political Control

  • Putin's aims include territorial claims and preventing Ukraine from joining NATO or Europe.
  • Elise Giuliano says conceding those demands would be a massive and unacceptable U.S. concession.
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