The President's Daily Brief

Podcast: The President's Daily Brief

Host: Mike Baker (The First TV)

Episode: November 28th, 2025 – "Putin Speaks Out On Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan & Taiwan’s $40B Defense Plan"

Overview

This episode of The President's Daily Brief (PDB) with Mike Baker focuses on three main international developments: Russia’s intransigence toward the latest Ukraine peace plan and a leak involving President Trump’s envoy, Taiwan unveiling its largest-ever $40 billion defense package amidst growing Chinese aggression, and news of a coup in Guinea Bissau. In the "Back of the Brief," Baker details the abrupt end of President Trump’s legal battle over alleged 2020 election interference in Georgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Putin Draws the Line on Ukraine Peace Talks

(Main segment: 01:10–15:35)

• Russia’s hardline position:

  • Moscow, via a senior diplomat, publicly states it will not make “big concessions” in any Ukraine peace deal – their strongest public signal yet of uncompromising intent.
  • Quote (Russian diplomat): “No" [to whether Russia would make significant concessions], adding any deal must reflect “the realities on the ground.” (03:26)
    • Translation: Russia expects to keep control over occupied Ukrainian territories—and possibly more.

• White House & Ukraine diplomacy:

  • The U.S. and Ukraine have been working on a U.S.-backed peace proposal that attempts to resolve some of Ukraine’s concerns regarding previously “Russia-friendly” language.
  • Ukraine insists it will not accept a plan that freezes current Russian gains or locks in today’s front lines; negotiating timelines and sequencing is on the table, but not permanent territorial concessions.
  • “That’s the core tension driving this entire process. Russia is signaling it expects to keep much of what it has taken, while Ukraine says that outcome is unacceptable.” – Mike Baker (09:23)

• Steve Witkoff leak and U.S. role:

  • Leaked and verified transcript reveals President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, coached a top Kremlin aide on how to “frame the peace plan” to appeal to Trump—suggesting a direct Putin-Trump call and to praise Trump’s Middle East diplomatic efforts.
  • Witkoff advised how to “pitch the plan effectively,” raising critics’ claims that the U.S. is not acting as a neutral broker.
  • “The transcript does not show Witkoff agreeing with Russia’s demands, but it does show him advising the Kremlin on how to pitch the plan effectively, something critics say undermines the idea that the US is acting as a neutral broker.” – Mike Baker (06:14)

• Reactions:

  • Moscow: Kremlin calls the leak “unacceptable” and claims it’s a hybrid warfare tactic to sabotage diplomacy.
  • Washington: Trump backs his envoy, saying, “That’s what a dealmaker does.” (07:39)
  • Ukraine: Unwilling to accept a “freeze” but open to sequencing.
  • Overall, the diplomatic process is described as having gained a “veneer of momentum,” but Baker is skeptical: “Nothing really matters here unless they can get Putin to the table to actually compromise and negotiate in good faith.” (10:55)

• Strategic factors:

  • Progress hinges on getting Putin to feel real economic pain and that his power is threatened.
  • Notable recent U.S. strategy changes: The White House sanctioned Russian oil giants (Rosneft, Lukoil) but then shifted to promoting a peace plan seen as favoring Putin’s positions.

• What to watch:

  • How Moscow responds to Witkoff’s arrival.
  • Ukraine’s response to Moscow’s outright refusal to compromise.
  • Whether the U.S. keeps the process alive.

2. Taiwan’s $40B Defense Package

(Segment: 17:33–22:35)

• Unprecedented defense spending:

  • President Lai Ching Te announces an 8-year, $40 billion supplemental defense package, building an “island-wide air defense network” inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, but tuned for threats from China.
  • “Taiwan is finally making the kind of move that Washington has spent years nudging it toward.” – Mike Baker (17:39)

• Escalating Chinese pressure:

  • PLA air and naval operations around Taiwan are now “routine.”
  • China’s “gray zone” tactics are pressuring Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines similarly.
  • “Beijing’s gray zone playbook is hitting U.S. allies like Japan and the Philippines the same way.” (18:40)

• U.S. position and Trump’s comments:

  • The U.S. State Department praises the buildup, calling the 5% GDP spending target “evidence of resolve.” Trump, for his part, urges even more, telling Taiwan to consider “as high as 10% of GDP” to match “the true scale of the threat from Beijing.” (19:58)

• Beyond hardware:

  • Lai warns of China’s psychological and information warfare, with Taiwan investing in monitoring and counter-influence initiatives.

3. Coup in Guinea Bissau

(Segment: 22:36–27:47)

• Military deposes president:

  • During preliminary election results, army officers appeared on state TV claiming the formation of a “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” suspending the electoral process, shutting borders, and imposing curfews.

• Political turmoil and drug trade overlap:

  • The officers claim their action was to prevent a destabilization plot involving politicians and drug traffickers.
  • Guinea Bissau has a history as a major cocaine corridor to Europe—the military’s stated mission is “not a power grab, but a rescue mission.”
  • “The officers…said they seized power and formed a governing junta that they called the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order, enabling them to suspend the electoral process, seal the country's borders and impose a nationwide curfew.” (23:14)

• Ongoing chaos:

  • President Umaro Mbalo, seeking a new term, is confirmed deposed, with his whereabouts uncertain.
  • Country has experienced at least nine coups or attempts since independence in 1974.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Unless Putin feels more pain from sanctions and, and he sees his economy collapsing, he doesn’t care what the US and Ukraine put together unless of course, it, it gives him what he wants.” – Mike Baker, 04:36
• “If all you’re looking to do here is obtain a ceasefire and something resembling peace, well, that’s fairly simple, as long as you’re willing to give Putin what he wants. But if your goal is something other than appeasement, you’ve got to create an environment where Putin feels that his grip on power is threatened.” – Mike Baker, 11:55
• “Taiwan…must demonstrate our determination and take on a greater responsibility towards self defense.” – President Lai, as paraphrased by Baker (19:10)
• “Trump has urged Taiwan to go even further, advising defense spending, quote, as high as 10% of GDP to match what he calls the true scale of the threat from Beijing.” – Baker quoting Trump (19:58)
• “Guinea Bissau’s political history is a case study in turmoil and coup plotting. The country has endured at least nine coups or attempted coups since gaining independence…” – Baker, 26:03

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Russia/Ukraine & Witkoff Leak: 01:10–15:35
  • Russia’s red lines, U.S. diplomatic strategy, leak details, and geopolitical reactions.
• Taiwan’s Defense Package: 17:33–22:35
  • Details of new spending, China’s military activities, U.S. and Trump commentary.
• Guinea Bissau Coup: 22:36–27:47
  • Timeline, military statement, historical context, implications.
• Back of the Brief – Trump’s Georgia Case: 29:15–31:15
  • “Georgia has officially moved to drop the 2020 election interference case against President Trump, bringing one of the most high profile legal battles of the past five years to an abrupt end.”
  • Charges dismissed due to inability to serve “the interests of justice” after DA’s office turmoil and personnel changes.

Back of the Brief – End to Trump’s Georgia Case

(Segment: 29:15–31:15)

• Case dismissed:

  • Judge throws out election interference charges against Trump and co-defendants after state prosecutors cite inability to continue “in the interest of justice.”
  • Case marked by prosecutorial disqualifications, shifting strategies, and never reached trial.

• Political ramifications:

  • Baker: “It marks a major legal and political victory for the president, who consistently argued that the Georgia case was a politically motivated prosecution.” (30:52)

Conclusion

This fast-paced PDB episode delivers a clear-eyed analysis of the stalemated Ukraine peace process and the implications of U.S. internal and diplomatic maneuvering, spotlights Taiwan stepping up its defense posture under rising pressure from Beijing, and explains another episode of instability in coup-prone Guinea Bissau. The episode closes with the news of Trump’s legal victory in Georgia, underlining both domestic and international stakes at play in this tumultuous news cycle.

Host’s tone: Wry, skeptical, experienced—Baker’s ex-CIA field operator viewpoint flavors each story with strategic context and plainspoken analysis.