Putin ‘to test nuclear missiles’ ahead of Trump Alaska summit

Day 1,269.

Today, as the world awaits what some say could be the most consequential summit for Europe since the end of the Second World War, we hear the latest updates live from Alaska, from journalists, experts, and protestors gathering there. Plus, we assess the fast-moving situation on the battlefield, and provide our regular update on the occupied territories.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

With thanks to Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom for Ukraine. @OstapYarysh on X.

Content Referenced:

Dom’s Video: Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters flood Anchorage (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/hundreds-of-anti-trump-protesters-flood-anchorage/ 

Lavrov goads Ukraine with Soviet jumper on Alaska arrival (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/trump-meet-putin-ukraine-summit-latest-news/ 

Putin prepares nuclear missile tests in veiled threat to West (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/15/putin-prepares-nuclear-missile-tests-ukraine-peace-talks/ 

The enduring allure of the summit (Sergey Radchenko in Engelsberg Ideas):

https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-enduring-allure-of-the-summit/

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