The Foreign Desk

As Australia prepares to return to the polling booths in May, Andrew Mueller discusses prime minister Scott Morrison’s chances of retaining his position as leader and who could oust him.

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Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine has exposed Europe’s longstanding dependence on Russian fossil fuel. Amid mounting pressure to cut ties with the country’s energy providers, many European governments are scrambling for alternatives. But how quickly can this be done and why wasn’t it done before? Andrew Mueller speaks to Daniel Yergin, Javier Blas and Stefanie Bolzen.

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Andrew Mueller explains the likelihood of Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials being put on trial for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

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The war in Ukraine has stoked fears around the world, especially among those living in countries that share a border with Ukraine. How nervous are Ukraine’s neighbours and what are they doing to help Ukraine? Andrew Mueller hears from Poland, Romania, Moldova and Belarus.

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A proposed pact between the Solomon Islands and China was leaked last week. Andrew Mueller explains why the Australian government has concerns.

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The war in Ukraine has put Russia’s partnership with China to the test – but it remains unclear precisely where Beijing stands on the crisis. How solid is the alliance between the two countries and how have events in Ukraine changed things? Andrew Mueller speaks to Nina Khrushcheva, Isabel Hilton and Sergey Radchenko.

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Global outrage over Russian attacks on schools and healthcare facilities in Ukraine has mounted as residents of Mariupol remain trapped in the besieged city. But these strikes are nothing new for Moscow’s military. Andrew Mueller looks back at this terrible wartime tradition.

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Putin’s invasion of Ukraine isn’t going as he planned. This week on ‘The Foreign Desk’ we explore a number of events that most observers weren’t expecting. What happened to Russia’s Air Force? Why hasn’t Ukraine’s government and military collapsed? And why have Russian cyber and disinformation offensives not been catastrophic? Andrew Mueller speaks to ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, Olga Tokariuk, Glen Grant, Justin Bronk, Ciaran Martin and Maria Avdeeva.

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Influential western individuals, companies and governments are busy loudly decrying Russia, packing up their businesses and slamming the door behind them while deftly opening new ones in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Borduria (probably). Andrew Mueller explains that while morality is free, acting on it has a price.

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We get the latest from the ground in Ukraine and an update on the diplomatic talks in Turkey. Plus: the view from Estonia and a look at how the conflict could reshape the world order. Andrew Mueller speaks to Ukrainian MP Alona Shkrum, Chris Cermak, Estonian foreign minister Eva-Maria Liimets and Mark Galeotti.

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