Ukrainecast

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are due to meet in the US state of Alaska on Friday, in what is arguably the most significant diplomatic development since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of the summit, the American president confirmed reports that his administration is preparing a peace proposal involving territory swaps, despite Ukraine's insistence that it will not accept any changes to its recognised borders. So, without the buy-in of Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies, can any concrete developments emerge from bilateral discussions between Washington and Moscow?

This week, Victoria and Vitaly consider why Alaska has been selected to host the talks, and what might actually be on the table. Plus, we're joined by two Ukrainians from the north-eastern Kharkiv region - Logan who is a soldier, and Nataliya who is a war crimes investigator. After new polling showed a significant majority of Ukrainians now back the pursuit of a peace deal, they give us their perspective on Trump and Putin's plans.

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

The US deadline for Russia to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine has expired, but the prospect of new secondary tariffs has been overshadowed by a mooted meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, in what would be their first face-to-face encounter since 2019. President Trump also appeared to confirm reports on Friday that the US is poised to bilaterally agree a ceasefire deal allowing Russia to retain occupied territory. So are we closer than ever to a frozen conflict without a political resolution? And have Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine been kept in the dark?

Lucy and Vitaly are joined by the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington, Sumi Somaskanda, and our New York business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, to discuss where we stand and what could come next.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Donald Trump has been accused of nuclear posturing, after claiming that he’d ordered two US submarines to move closer to Russia. The announcement followed an escalating social media spat with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, as Washington’s deadline for Vladimir Putin to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine approaches. The Kremlin has broadly played down Trump’s rhetoric, so with US envoy Steve Witkoff due to visit Moscow on Wednesday, how delicate is the diplomatic relationship between the two countries?

This week, we’re joined by nuclear physicist and arms control expert, Patricia Lewis, for her assessment of the situation. And, Jamie and Vitaly discuss the Russia TikTokers targeted by authorities for publishing a video in front of a burning fuel depot in Sochi.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

On Thursday, Ukraine’s parliament waved through a bill reversing controversial changes to domestic anti-corruption bodies. The near-unanimous vote wiped out any remaining uncertainty over the future of the institutions, after Zelensky had largely caved to pressure following widespread demonstrations last week. Meanwhile - despite a shorter-term deadline set by President Trump for a ceasefire - Russia has continued its aerial campaign on Ukrainian targets, with strikes on more than two dozen targets in Kyiv on Thursday killing at least eight, and injuring more than 130 others.

This week, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent, James Waterhouse, to discuss army infiltration, the American family who defected to Russia, and what happened to that highly publicised minerals deal. Plus, our very own Olga Robinson tells us about BBC Verify’s latest deep-dive into Russian disinformation.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

After the biggest demonstrations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky has largely walked back a controversial overhaul of domestic anti-corruption bodies. But is he still under pressure?

Fresh from a reporting trip to Ukraine, we're joined by Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor at Channel 4 News. She discusses the fallout from the protests, the changing nature of warfare, and Donald Trump's latest intervention.

Plus - Lucy and Vitaly speak with the BBC's Cyber correspondent, Joe Tidy, about an apparent Ukrainian hack on Russia's Aeroflot airline, and the Kremlin's new surveillance-driven alternative to WhatsApp.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

It has been a bruising week domestically for President Zelensky, as a controversial move to overhaul key anti-corruption bodies saw thousands of Ukrainians take to the streets in the biggest nationwide demonstrations held since Russia’s full-scale invasion. With the EU already raising concerns, could this undermine his recent progress on the diplomatic stage, particularly when it comes to the Trump administration?

To discuss the fallout, Lucy is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, who also react to reports of a potential meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in China. Plus - after representatives from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for the shortest round of peace talks yet - we get Vitaly’s take from Turkey.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

After Ukraine announced another round of peace talks with Russia, commentators continue to question whether President Trump’s latest threat of secondary tariffs carries enough weight to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. So we’re asking how exactly these measures could be rolled out, what the impact would be on international trade, and why the US isn’t opting to introduce further sanctions alongside the EU.

To answer all of that, Victoria and Vitaly are joined by Stephanie Baker, a senior writer in Bloomberg’s investigations team, and the author of ‘Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia’. Plus, we discuss how Russia is overhauling the education system for those 1.6 million Ukrainian children living under occupation.

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Is the Kremlin concerned about Donald Trump’s threat of secondary tariffs in 50 days? Why has President Zelensky overhauled his cabinet? And could other countries follow suit after France reportedly opted out of the NATO purchase of US arms for Ukraine?

Lucy and Vitaly attempt to answer all of that and more with the help of Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

The White House has played down reports that Donald Trump privately encouraged Volodymyr Zelensky to strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow and St Petersburg. That's despite the US president's promise to deliver more weapons to Ukraine via NATO allies, and a new threat of secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. So is his administration's approach to Russia changing?

Also, we hear about the more than 250,000 Ukrainians who came to the UK under schemes granting them special protections in the first three years of war. With their initial permission to stay running out, many must now make difficult choices about whether to try and claim asylum or renew their existing status on a shorter-term basis. We speak to Oleksandra, who has seen her asylum application refused, and her lawyer Halyna Semchak, who is challenging government policy on the issue.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

The UK Home Office Statement in Full:

“We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict. We have offered our extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families.

"The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme enables those with permission to remain in the United Kingdom under one of the existing Ukraine schemes to apply for a further 18 months. This allows a continuation of rights to work, live and study as well as access to healthcare and welfare support in the UK.”

Background:

- Our offer of temporary sanctuary is in line with the Ukrainian government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens, and does not lead to settlement. Other routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK.

Is Donald Trump changing his rhetoric on Ukraine? Has he directed allies in Congress to accelerate a new sanctions package targeting Russia? And could infighting among high-ranking Ukrainian officials prove to be a damaging distraction in their country’s war effort?

Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and consider the delicate diplomatic balance Turkey is attempting to strike during this conflict, alongside the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord