Day 1,094.

Today, we hear how Washington is said to be considering a deal, which – if Russia broke – would see Ukraine automatically acquire membership to NATO, hear about possible European-specific alternatives to the alliance, and return again to the subject being forgotten in many discussions at the moment: war crimes. Later, to end the week, you’ll hear a special report from Adélie Pojzman-Pontay into Ukrainian art history and culture.

Contributors:

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

Dr Mike Martin MP (Senior Visiting Fellow at The Department of War Studies, King's College London). @ThreshedThought on X.

Verity Bowman (Foreign Reporter). @VerityBowman on X.

With thanks to Tetyana Filevska (Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute - https://ui.org.ua/), and Julia Solovey (co-founder of public organization Ukraine WOW - https://ukrainewow.org/).

Content Referenced: 

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/21/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-china-trump/

Ukraine could get instant Nato membership if Russia breaks peace deal (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/20/ukraine-russia-war-donald-trump-putin-zelensky-peace-kyiv/

Ukrainian female POWs tortured and paraded naked through the snow by Russian troops (Verity Bowman's Investigation in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/women-and-girls/ukrainian-female-pows-tortured-and-paraded-naked-by-russian/

In Private Remarks on Russia, Rubio Tries to Reassure Europeans (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/us/politics/rubio-russia-europe.html

Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-wants-to-declare-victory-over-ukraine-on-feb-24-military-intelligence-claims/

Russia's Weakness Offers Leverage (ISW Special Report):

https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russias-weakness-offers-leverage

Dr Mike Martin's Thread:

https://x.com/ThreshedThought/status/1892822755885592663?t=50uKvTgEYdgNpVOj2rnlGg&s=03

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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Day 1,093.

Today, as Donald Trump calls President Zelensky a ‘dictator’, we look at the conundrum facing Europe: to speak out and risk fraying American support, or to stay quiet, and not articulate their sense of betrayal. And, later, we talk about the strategic options available, and dive deeper into the British plans of putting boots on the ground.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.

Francis Farrell (Reporter at Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

Survey:

We want to hear from you! Please fill out this survey for listeners of Ukraine: the Latest:

https://tinyurl.com/UTLListenerSurvey

Content Referenced:

The Telegraph's Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/20/russia-ukraine-zelensky-trump-deal-putin-war-latest-news/

Prof. Eliot Cohen in 'The Atlantic':

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/rubio-putin-trump-ukraine/681730/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,092.

Today, we look at the fallout from the first talks between the US and Russia, consider the next emergency summit taking place in Paris, and look at one of Ukraine’s less talked about sectors, and its vital importance in this war. Later, our Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan is on the ground with British troops conducting a NATO exercise and hearing their reaction to reports that they could soon be deployed to Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

Tom Mutch (War & Human Rights Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.

Andreas Flodström (Founder of IT Company, Beetroot). AFlodstr on X.

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.

With thanks to Brigadier Andy Watson.

Survey:

We want to hear from you! Please fill out this survey for listeners of Ukraine: the Latest:

https://tinyurl.com/UTLListenerSurvey

Content Referenced:

On the front line with British troops preparing to protect Europe from Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/19/british-troops-prepare-protect-europe-russia-nato/

The coalition force that could join British troops in Ukraine (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/18/how-britain-could-deploy-troops-to-ukraine/

Ukrainian troops ‘destroy rare long-range North Korean cannon’ (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/19/ukrainian-troops-destroy-long-range-north-korean-cannon/

Chinese warships sail within 150 nautical miles of Sydney (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/fda734fc-6023-4ad9-b3ae-33234ee40505

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,091.

Today, as the US welcomes Russia back in from the diplomatic cold with so-called peace talks in Saudi Arabia, we ask who now speaks for Europe and we examine whether hybrid warfare could trigger Article 5. Plus, we discuss Trump’s demand for a $500bn (£400bn) “payback” from Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Ilona Khmeleva (Secretary, Economic Security Council of Ukraine). @Ilona_Khmeleva on X.

Content Referenced:

Revealed: Trump’s confidential plan to put Ukraine in a stranglehold (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/18/ukraine-russia-war-trump-zelensky-putin-latest-news/

Battle Lines Episode Michael Ignatieff:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/trump-edition-can-europe-defend-itself-without-america/id1712903296?i=1000692146137 

Germany rejects Starmer’s Ukraine peace plan: (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/17/germany-rejects-starmer-ukraine-peace-plan/

Baerbock lets slip: Billions for Ukraine after the election (Berliner Zeitung)

https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/wirtschaft-verantwortung/baerbock-verplappert-sich-nach-der-wahl-milliarden-fuer-ukraine-li.2295623

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,090.

Today, just as the Munich Security Conference ends, two new summits begin: in Saudi Arabia – where the US will enter peace talks with the Russians – and in Paris, as European prime ministers and defence secretaries scramble to forge a collective position. Meanwhile, attacks continue in Ukraine and Russia, and we interview again the 2022 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at Munich.

Contributors:

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

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

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

With thanks to Oleksandra Matviichuk (Head of the Center for Civil Liberties - Ukraine). @avalaina on X.

Content Referenced:

Potentially putting Britons in harm’s way is a huge responsibility – but we must be ready to do our bit for Europe (British PM Keir Starmer in The Telegraph)

The Telegraph Live Blog of today's developments:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/17/ukraine-russia-war-starmer-paris-latest-news/

This is how Ukraine’s war ends. But Trump’s plan for what comes next is even more radical (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/02/16/sir-keir-starmer-british-troops-ukraine/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,087.

Today, as the Munich Security Conference tops a critical diplomatic week for Ukraine, we examine the latest political manoeuvres, talk to the UN Senior Mine Action Advisor in Ukraine, and hear the latest on the underground war being waged in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to Paul Heslop (Senior Mine Action Advisor for the United Nations in Ukraine). @UNMAS on X.

Content Referenced:

Munich Security Conference Live Blog (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/14/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news-munich/

How Trump’s Russia-Ukraine peace plan blindsided Europe (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/nato-trump-ukraine-russia-peace-plan-gscjfhpm5

Europe must respond to Trump ‘electroshock’, says Macron (The Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/1ee43b51-9d3a-47d2-adf6-3315c38e1c38

Trump has put the ball back in Putin’s court on Ukraine (Lawrence Freedman in The Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/c81e2b9f-2ff5-4282-9f5a-8fa1a5b794da

Sam Greene's Analysis:

https://x.com/samagreene/status/1890172987024027709

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,086.

Today, we discuss what many are calling a “turning point” in the war and in Western foreign policy, as the Trump administration declares definitively the US will no longer be a primary guarantor of Europe's security, and seeks a deal with Russia over the heads of Kyiv and its allies. We hear the reaction from Brussels and Ukraine, and consider the options for those Western nations that remain committed to Ukrainian independence.

Contributors:

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

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

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

With thanks to Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at the Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,085.

Please note: today's episode was recorded hours before the phone call between President Trump and President Putin. This will be covered in detail in tomorrow's episode.

Today, we report on the ballistic missiles that fell on Kyiv and other cities overnight, consider the American and Ukrainian approaches to forthcoming talks, and hear from a range of experts on the pivotal issues of the moment ahead of the Munich Security Conference.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Ben Barry (Senior Fellow for Land Warfare).

With thanks to our guests Meia Nouwens and Fenella McGerty.

Content Referenced:

Peace talks with Russia at risk after strike on Kyiv injures four (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/12/nine-year-old-girl-injured-russian-missile-attack-kyiv/

Putin’s Ukraine: The End of War and the Price of Russian Occupation (Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/putins-ukraine

The New American Imperialism (Francis Fukayami in Persuasion):

https://www.persuasion.community/

Zelensky: Europe cannot guarantee Ukraine’s security without America (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/11/zelenskyy-europe-cannot-guarantee-ukraines-security-without-america

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

Day 1,084.

Today, The Telegraph reveals that the Trump administration has paused its peace plan for Ukraine in order to give Europe a seat at the negotiating table. Meanwhile, the American president says that Kyiv had agreed to sign a resource deal in exchange for military support. Finally, we we discuss Wagner troops in the Central African Republic and a Ukrainian photography exhibition in London.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

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

Mike Eckel (Senior International Correspondent, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty). @Mike_Eckel on X.

With thanks to our guests Max Gorbatskyi and Viktoria Bavykina.

Content Referenced:

Trump envoy pauses Ukraine peace plan to hold talks with Nato allies (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/10/trump-envoy-pauses-ukraine-peace-plan-talks-nato-allies/

Trump announces $500 billion rare earth 'agreement' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-may-be-russian-someday-trump-suggests-while-announcing-500-billion-rare-earth-agreement/

Prevail Partners Report:

https://www.prevail-partners.com/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,083.

Today, we look to the Baltic Sea, where a Russian Shadow tanker exploded in “man-made incident”, as states disconnect the cables between Russia and Europe's power grid. Plus, Trump claims to have spoken to Vladimir Putin.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

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

With thanks to Tatiana Podchernina (Founder, Kharkiv Aid). tatiana_podchernina on IG.

Content Referenced:

Trump reveals he’s spoken with Putin by phone (New York Post):

https://nypost.com/2025/02/08/us-news/trump-and-putin-in-talks-to-end-the-russia-ukraine-war/

Baltic Nations Switch Off Russian Power Grid (The Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/08/baltic-nations-switch-off-russian-power-grid-a87916

Russia’s fears over ex-Soviet nations laid bare in leaked paper (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/2bb87769-805a-4270-bab2-2382e0b84cec

America's Soft Power Retreat (The New Yorker):

https://www.newyorker.com/news/fault-lines/the-rise-of-chinas-soft-power 

Learn more about Tatiana's organisation:

https://www.instagram.com/kharkiv_aid_office

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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