When Zelensky was elected president, Trump said he'd do a 'great job' then called him 'brave' for staying after the Russians invaded. But he's now termed his Ukrainian counterpart a 'dictator' and a 'moderately successful comedian.' But the story of their falling out didn't start with the war, so what are its origins and what does it mean for Ukraine's future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Marc Bennetts, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case and Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: ‘No minerals deal without security guarantees’, Kyiv says.

Further listening: ‘A lawlessness that’s deeply alarming’: William Hague on Trump’s new presidency.

Clips: CBS, Forbes, ABC, YouTube / CPAC, CSPAN, o-ye! / YouTube. 

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.