The News Meeting Is Vladimir Putin outsmarting Donald Trump?
Oct 23, 2025
Guests Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to NATO, Ari Shapiro, an NPR journalist, and Jessica Hayden, assistant sports editor at The Observer, dive into the complex dance between Trump and Putin. They explore the implications of recent sanctions on Russian oil and whether Trump's actions are geared toward winning a Nobel Prize. The conversation takes a turn as they examine the controversial demolition of the East Wing of the White House, with discussions around costs and what this might signal about presidential power. Additionally, they tackle troubling revelations about police misconduct in the UK.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump–Putin Rollercoaster Reveals Strategic Imbalance
- The Trump–Putin relationship is a volatile, repeating pattern where moves by one instantly reshape the other's agenda.
- Ivo Daalder suggests Putin has long been playing Trump, extracting concessions without lasting commitments.
Sanctions Depend On Follow‑Through, Not Just Headlines
- New US, UK and EU oil sanctions signal coordinated pressure but enforcement matters more than announcements.
- Daalder warns a government shutdown could cripple actual sanction enforcement and thus their effectiveness.
Personal Ambition Shapes Foreign Policy Moves
- Trump’s shifting policy moves often aim at personal recognition, like a Nobel Peace Prize, rather than durable strategy.
- Ari Shapiro and Jessica Hayden argue this pursuit helps explain erratic sanctions and summit politics.
