Interview & Analysis: President's Trump & Putin Meet in Alaska w/White House Correspondent Jon Decker
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
The news you need to start your day, and the
bomb beach is at the Treasure Coast.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
This is the Brian mud Show.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Much anticipated day, much anticipated get together between Presidents Trump
and Putin and Anchorage, Alaska today joining the President, covering
everything from Anchorage our White House corresponded John Decker, John,
thank you so much for taking the time with us,
as it's not even five o'clock in the morning where
you are.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, we're five hours behind, five hours, four hours behind
East Coast time. And the President, as you know, on
his way to Anchorage, Alaska where I arrived Wednesday night.
A lot of anticipation of the President. I think with
those two words talking about it is high stakes. It's
talking about life and death, a war in peace. I mean,
that's really what's at stake as it relates to this
(00:53):
potentially first meeting with President Putin, the President alluding to
a possible second meeting if this meeting goes well, and.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It really seems the expectations have been tempered that way.
We are just trying to get to a point to
where there might be progress, not necessarily any expectation of
some grand deal that comes out of this that might
bring peace.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I think that there have been lowered expectations coming from
President Trump as well as those who speak on behalf
of him, and I think that's perfectly fine to lower
expectations about what we can expect of this. The President
on Wednesday having that video conference with European leaders, including
President Zelenski, and everybody including President Trump and President Zelenski
(01:40):
and Mark Ruda, the Secretary General of NATO, all saying
they're on the same page, they're unified, and Ruda putting
out on social media the ball is now in Putin's court.
And I think he's right when he says that the
ball really is in Putin's court. The President Office often says, Brian,
it takes two to tango. And as you know, that
seafire proposal put on the table five months ago by
(02:04):
President Trump. It was accepted immediately by Ukraine. It has
still not been accepted by Russia.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
And speaking to President Zolensky obviously not part of this.
There have been some conversation originally that maybe he would
be President Trump indicated that his first phone call would
be to Zolensky. Whatever comes out of this, what can
be achieved without Zolensky being part of the conversation, do
you think I don't.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Think that's the biggest problem, the fact that Zolensky's not there,
especially if, as the President says, he intends to have
a second summit in which not only will President Trump
and President Putin be there, but the President said Zolensky
will be there as well. You know, I think it's
it is a feeling out type of meeting, as the
President described it earlier this week. Get a sense about
if indeed Putin is ready to come to a ceasefire deal,
(02:55):
if indeed Putin is ready to make territorial concessions, if
indeed he will honor the sovereign borders of Ukraine, all
of that can be accomplished without Zelensky being there.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
As recently as yesterday, President's Lensky had indicated that seemingly
not interested in any land concessions as part of an agreement.
That seems as though it is going to be very
difficult to bring about a peaceful resolution. If that is
not part of the conversation, President Trump indicating, then neither
(03:29):
side he believes will end up getting what they want
to bring in ballot peace. As you've been covering this,
what are your inferences, what are you taking in that
you think could could be relevant as part of that conversation.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
I don't think that's a problem. You know, each side,
you know, digs in their heels before a negotiation takes place,
and you're not going to give something away without a negotiation.
So for Vladimir, for I should say Vladimir Lensky to
say that prior to this meeting not a problem. You know,
it really isn't, you know, in the sense that he
(04:02):
knows down the road there needs to be some sort
of concession on the part of Ukraine in the same
way there needs to be concessions made by Russia. That's
how you get to a peace deal.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Obviously, President Trump has dealt with Putin before. He has
indicated that he should know rather quickly whether or not
Putin is serious.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
So, you know, the.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Team around him and everybody else, I mean, they prepared
for what may be. Could this be, like they really
quick get together after all this build.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Up, It could be, you know, That's what happened in
nineteen eighty six when President Ronald Reagan met with Mikhail
Golberchov in Reykiavik, Iceland. It was a quick meeting. You know,
the President Reagan at the time realized this was not
going to lead to anything, so what's the point in
sticking around and fired up Air Force one and traveled
back to Washington. And the president President Trump has threatened
(04:57):
essentially to do the same thing if he reads the
room and realizes this is just Putin buying time. This
is just Putin playing President Trump in the way that
some have said, including Lindsey Graham, that President Putin has
played President Trump before. So look, I don't think that
(05:17):
anybody should discount the negotiating abilities of President Trump. He's
good at it. He's got good instincts. So I said
that to him the other day. I said, you've got
good instincts in politics, and he's got good instincts in business.
So you know, let's see what happens. Interestingly enough, I
think for everybody just to understand this is a one
on one meeting. Mark or Ruby of the Secretary of
(05:37):
State will not be there at that meeting, nor will
Sergei Lavros, the Foreign minister from Russia. So it's just
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and two interpreters and that's it,
and we'll see what gets done. In a few hours.
This is a long day for me, but in a
few hours when this meeting takes place, I.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Bet and absolutely appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
And one of the other angles that President Trump is
on worked in advance of this increasing tariff rates on
those that are still doing business with Russia as usual.
Has there been any increased conversation around that, Has the
President done what he's going to do on tariff's relative
to those countries, or if there is some progress here,
(06:17):
have you heard if there could be even more coming down?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well, that's the threat. You know that the president has
made the secondary tariffs, and I think that is one
of the reasons why Putin suggested this meeting. He's concerned
about that. He's concerned about his economy getting squeezed even
further if President Trump pulls the trigger and imposes those
secondary tariffs on China, which is the largest purchaser of
(06:41):
Russian oil. So you know that's what President Trump pulls
out there. There already are secondary tariffs that have been
imposed upon India fifty percent on all Indian goods coming
into the US. That's not stopping India, by the way,
from purchasing that Russian oil. They're just going to eat it.
And so we'll see. We'll see what comes out of
this meeting and whether or not the President afterwards, if
(07:03):
he's dissatisfied, goes ahead pulls the trigger on those secondary
tariffs on every one of Russia's trading partners.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Incredible coverage as always again before five o'clock in the morning.
Where he is. I hope Anchorage has treated you well
so far.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, it's just been NonStop, very busy, but that's what
I expected ahead of time. And this is as the
president put at high stakes. It doesn't happen every day.
Last time a US president met with a Russian president
was four years ago when Biden met Vladimir Putin in Geneva.
I was at that particular summit. I'm here and happy
to be on your show today and happy that I
(07:40):
could carve out some time for you. Brian, really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You know we are. We're blessed to have you. John
best wishes.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
I hope all goes well for you and frankly for
our country in the world today.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So look forward to catching up in the nasu distant.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Thanks a lot, Brian, have a good day. Byebye.
The news you need to start your day, and the
bomb beach is at the Treasure Coast.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
This is the Brian mud Show.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Much anticipated day, much anticipated get together between Presidents Trump
and Putin and Anchorage, Alaska today joining the President, covering
everything from Anchorage our White House corresponded John Decker, John,
thank you so much for taking the time with us,
as it's not even five o'clock in the morning where
you are.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Yeah, we're five hours behind, five hours, four hours behind
East Coast time. And the President, as you know, on
his way to Anchorage, Alaska where I arrived Wednesday night.
A lot of anticipation of the President. I think with
those two words talking about it is high stakes. It's
talking about life and death, a war in peace. I mean,
that's really what's at stake as it relates to this
(00:53):
potentially first meeting with President Putin, the President alluding to
a possible second meeting if this meeting goes well, and.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It really seems the expectations have been tempered that way.
We are just trying to get to a point to
where there might be progress, not necessarily any expectation of
some grand deal that comes out of this that might
bring peace.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
I think that there have been lowered expectations coming from
President Trump as well as those who speak on behalf
of him, and I think that's perfectly fine to lower
expectations about what we can expect of this. The President
on Wednesday having that video conference with European leaders, including
President Zelenski, and everybody including President Trump and President Zelenski
(01:40):
and Mark Ruda, the Secretary General of NATO, all saying
they're on the same page, they're unified, and Ruda putting
out on social media the ball is now in Putin's court.
And I think he's right when he says that the
ball really is in Putin's court. The President Office often says, Brian,
it takes two to tango. And as you know, that
seafire proposal put on the table five months ago by
(02:04):
President Trump. It was accepted immediately by Ukraine. It has
still not been accepted by Russia.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
And speaking to President Zolensky obviously not part of this.
There have been some conversation originally that maybe he would
be President Trump indicated that his first phone call would
be to Zolensky. Whatever comes out of this, what can
be achieved without Zolensky being part of the conversation, do
you think I don't.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Think that's the biggest problem, the fact that Zolensky's not there,
especially if, as the President says, he intends to have
a second summit in which not only will President Trump
and President Putin be there, but the President said Zolensky
will be there as well. You know, I think it's
it is a feeling out type of meeting, as the
President described it earlier this week. Get a sense about
if indeed Putin is ready to come to a ceasefire deal,
(02:55):
if indeed Putin is ready to make territorial concessions, if
indeed he will honor the sovereign borders of Ukraine, all
of that can be accomplished without Zelensky being there.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
As recently as yesterday, President's Lensky had indicated that seemingly
not interested in any land concessions as part of an agreement.
That seems as though it is going to be very
difficult to bring about a peaceful resolution. If that is
not part of the conversation, President Trump indicating, then neither
(03:29):
side he believes will end up getting what they want
to bring in ballot peace. As you've been covering this,
what are your inferences, what are you taking in that
you think could could be relevant as part of that conversation.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
I don't think that's a problem. You know, each side,
you know, digs in their heels before a negotiation takes place,
and you're not going to give something away without a negotiation.
So for Vladimir, for I should say Vladimir Lensky to
say that prior to this meeting not a problem. You know,
it really isn't, you know, in the sense that he
(04:02):
knows down the road there needs to be some sort
of concession on the part of Ukraine in the same
way there needs to be concessions made by Russia. That's
how you get to a peace deal.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Obviously, President Trump has dealt with Putin before. He has
indicated that he should know rather quickly whether or not
Putin is serious.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
So, you know, the.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Team around him and everybody else, I mean, they prepared
for what may be. Could this be, like they really
quick get together after all this build.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Up, It could be, you know, That's what happened in
nineteen eighty six when President Ronald Reagan met with Mikhail
Golberchov in Reykiavik, Iceland. It was a quick meeting. You know,
the President Reagan at the time realized this was not
going to lead to anything, so what's the point in
sticking around and fired up Air Force one and traveled
back to Washington. And the president President Trump has threatened
(04:57):
essentially to do the same thing if he reads the
room and realizes this is just Putin buying time. This
is just Putin playing President Trump in the way that
some have said, including Lindsey Graham, that President Putin has
played President Trump before. So look, I don't think that
(05:17):
anybody should discount the negotiating abilities of President Trump. He's
good at it. He's got good instincts. So I said
that to him the other day. I said, you've got
good instincts in politics, and he's got good instincts in business.
So you know, let's see what happens. Interestingly enough, I
think for everybody just to understand this is a one
on one meeting. Mark or Ruby of the Secretary of
(05:37):
State will not be there at that meeting, nor will
Sergei Lavros, the Foreign minister from Russia. So it's just
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and two interpreters and that's it,
and we'll see what gets done. In a few hours.
This is a long day for me, but in a
few hours when this meeting takes place, I.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Bet and absolutely appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
And one of the other angles that President Trump is
on worked in advance of this increasing tariff rates on
those that are still doing business with Russia as usual.
Has there been any increased conversation around that, Has the
President done what he's going to do on tariff's relative
to those countries, or if there is some progress here,
(06:17):
have you heard if there could be even more coming down?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well, that's the threat. You know that the president has
made the secondary tariffs, and I think that is one
of the reasons why Putin suggested this meeting. He's concerned
about that. He's concerned about his economy getting squeezed even
further if President Trump pulls the trigger and imposes those
secondary tariffs on China, which is the largest purchaser of
(06:41):
Russian oil. So you know that's what President Trump pulls
out there. There already are secondary tariffs that have been
imposed upon India fifty percent on all Indian goods coming
into the US. That's not stopping India, by the way,
from purchasing that Russian oil. They're just going to eat it.
And so we'll see. We'll see what comes out of
this meeting and whether or not the President afterwards, if
(07:03):
he's dissatisfied, goes ahead pulls the trigger on those secondary
tariffs on every one of Russia's trading partners.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Incredible coverage as always again before five o'clock in the morning.
Where he is. I hope Anchorage has treated you well
so far.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, it's just been NonStop, very busy, but that's what
I expected ahead of time. And this is as the
president put at high stakes. It doesn't happen every day.
Last time a US president met with a Russian president
was four years ago when Biden met Vladimir Putin in Geneva.
I was at that particular summit. I'm here and happy
to be on your show today and happy that I
(07:40):
could carve out some time for you. Brian, really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You know we are. We're blessed to have you. John
best wishes.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
I hope all goes well for you and frankly for
our country in the world today.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So look forward to catching up in the nasu distant.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Thanks a lot, Brian, have a good day. Byebye.
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