Ukrainecast
The BBC’s only English language programme entirely dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its fallout. It investigates the biggest issues around the conflict, such as nuclear threats, potential peace deals, and the human cost of war. Hosted by Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire and BBC Monitoring’s Vitaly Shevchenko, the podcast features agenda-setting interviews with special guests including UK foreign secretary David Cameron and former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo. It covers the most important topics and speaks to real people who have lived through years of war.
Episodes
A Moscow car bomb and Putin’s telethon
There’s lots of news from Moscow where a Russian general died on Monday morning after an explosive device planted under his car was detonated.He is the third military official to be killed in such an attack this year alone, with authorities pointing the finger at Ukraine's intelligence services.Also, Vladimir Putin said in his end-of-year press conference that there will be no more wars after Ukra
Q&A: Is this Europe’s last chance to bankroll Ukraine?
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that his army will struggle to fight on effectively if a crunch European summit ends without a solution to an imminent deficit in Kyiv's finances. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has referred to European leaders as "piglets" as he dismissed any peace deal which does not "unconditionally" satisfy Russia's pre-invasion aims. The Russian president is yet to
Will Russia accept US-Ukraine peace proposals?
Volodymyr Zelensky has been in Berlin discussing peace proposals with the US, and he says they will be ready to present to Russia ‘within days’.Today, he addressed European leaders The Netherlands' House of Representatives in The Hague.We also discuss why Italy has joined Belgium in its opposition to the EU’s plan to send €210 billion of Russia's frozen state assets to Ukraine.Victoria and Vitaly
Q&A: Could Ukraine hold wartime elections?
After a week in which Donald Trump called European leaders "weak" and questioned Ukraine's commitment to democracy, we look at whether his views are becoming more aligned with the Kremlin's. And as America pushes for a Christmas truce, the team discuss Europe's chances of getting the US president more on side.To answer your questions, Jamie and Vitaly are joined by BBC Verify's Olga Robinson and R
What does the new US security strategy mean for Ukraine?
The newly published US ‘National Security Strategy’ is being seen by some as further evidence that in the era of Trump western nations are no longer united in the way they view the world. From its scathing narrative of European decline, to an altogether rosier depiction of Russia, the document has turned longstanding US foreign policy on its head. So what can it tell us about Washington’s intentio
Q&A: Zelensky is afraid, Russian billionaires and Europe’s strongest army
Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to stall peace talks this week, after Kremlin discussions with US diplomats ended without significant progress. The Ukrainian president said Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will lose interest in resolving the conflict, if the latest uptick in American-led diplomacy fails to deliver a decisive outcome quickly.Lucy and Vitaly are joined in the studio by
Zelensky has lost his right-hand man, what now?
On Friday, Ukrainians woke up to the news that the home of presidential chief of staff and top peace negotiator, Andriy Yermak, was being searched by anti-corruption authorities. Although they didn’t accuse him of wrongdoing, by the evening he had submitted his resignation. So how damaging could the downfall of such a close ally be for President Zelensky, and what could it mean for peace talks?Vic
Q&A: How credible is the US peace plan?
The question on everyone’s minds this week is whether the war in Ukraine is any closer to coming to an end. We’ve dedicated the entire Q&A today to the US-brokered peace plan and the details that will determine whether Ukraine and Russia can agree on a number of key issues relating to territory, military numbers and the critical question of security guarantees for Ukraine.In today’s episode, J
Could a peace deal be close?
Ukraine has given its support to a peace deal following talks with the United States in Geneva, but some of the most sensitive issues are still to be discussed between the countries' presidents, a Ukrainian official said on Tuesday.It followed claims that Ukraine had agreed to a deal, which look to have been exaggerated, but Zelensky could meet Trump before the end of the week.To talk through how
What's in the leaked US-Russia peace plan?
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine faces "a very difficult choice" amid reports of American pressure to accept a leaked peace deal apparently drawn up by the US and Russia. Europe is also thought to have been blindsided by the proposal, which includes several conditions previously rejected by Kyiv.So - as Donald Trump's reported Thanksgiving deadline approaches - could this document provide any k
Explaining Ukraine to children: A special episode with Newsround
What do kids want to know about the war in Ukraine? On this special edition of Ukrainecast, we’re teaming up with Newsround (the BBC's children's news programme) to find out. To mark World Children’s Day, we took a panel of BBC experts to Hammersmith Academy, a secondary school in London, to respond to questions from a live audience.Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko are joined on this epis
Bake Off’s Nataliia on leaving Ukraine, and family living under occupation
Nataliia Richardson won the hearts of viewers on this year's edition of the Great British Bake Off. Now, the fan-favourite is in the Ukrainecast studio to discuss starring on the show. She also talks about growing up in Ukraine, moving to the UK six months before the full-scale invasion, and keeping in touch with family and friends in the occupied territories.Plus, Victoria and Vitaly run through
Q&A: Corruption Scandal, AI Surrender Videos, and the International Space Station
Ukraine has been rocked by a major corruption scandal surrounding the country's energy sector, amidst ongoing Russian attacks on electricity infrastructure. An alleged $100m scheme, involving money laundering and kick backs, has led to the resignation of senior ministers and engulfed prominent allies of Volodymyr Zelensky. But despite the president's public backing of the probe, questions are bein
Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina on Russian prisons and living in exile
Maria Alyokhina, founding member of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, joins Vitaly in the Ukrainecast studio to talk about her experience in detention and her escape from the country disguised as a delivery driver.What does she make of the current Russian opposition movement, and will Russia always feel like home?She also talks about her book, Political Girl.Also this week, Victoria and Vitaly dis
Q&A: Russia advances on Pokrovsk, Ukraine digs in, and sanctions start to bite
While Russia makes advances on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, Western sanctions on Russian oil have begun to impact how some countries source their energy. And as Ukraine continues to ask its allies for more money and weapons, some are left wondering what’s happening with the frozen Russian assets in held in Belgium.Plus, why doesn’t Ukraine obtain nuclear weapons? And what wou
Serving on the frontline as a teenager
Sophia Yanchevska is a nineteen-year-old combat medic working on the frontline in Ukraine. She has been speaking to Lucy about seeing the war close up, the friends she has lost, and her hopes for the future. Plus, what it was like to feature in a new film ‘She’ directed by Evgen Matvienko which recently premiered in London.Also this week - Victoria, Vitaly, and Lucy discuss the situation in Pokrov
Q&A: Frozen assets, the Baltic Sea, and a fresh ceasefire push
After an EU decision to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine was postponed until December, discussion among European leaders returned to plans for a ceasefire this week. And the latest example of so-called nuclear 'sabre-rattling' by Vladimir Putin, forced Donald Trump to respond with a vague commitment of his own to resume US nuclear testing for the first time in decades.On this edition of Uk
How dangerous is Russia’s nuclear powered missile?
This week, Moscow's top general has claimed that Russia has tested a low-flying experimental nuclear-powered cruise missile. It is said to be powered by a nuclear reactor and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with a potentially unlimited range. Russia calls it Burevestnik, Nato have codenamed it ‘Skyfall’, and others have said it’s a ‘tiny flying Chernobyl’. Western experts have previously
Q&A: Trump's sanctions, Putin's nuclear drills, and Zelensky's poll ratings
In the last week, Volodymyr Zelensky failed to secure long-range Tomahawk missiles from Donald Trump during a reportendly heated meeting. Then, a planned summit in Budapest between the US and Russian presidents was called off by Trump who said it would have been a ‘waste of time’.But, the White House has now increased the pressure on the Kremlin announcing sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil com
What really happened in the Trump-Zelensky meeting?
Despite suggestions of an agreement on the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles, President Zelensky went back to Kyiv empty handed after his meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.So what happened? Victoria and Vitaly speak with Christopher Miller, the Ukraine correspondent for the Financial Times, which has been reporting details of swearing from Donald Trump in the room, and the ‘tossing’ of batt
Q&A: Tomahawk missiles, the drone race, and Ukrainian Halloween
As Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to make his latest pitch to Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, the US is yet to announce a decision on the delivery of long range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Could Washington have given the green light behind the scenes already? Are Ukrainian claims of frontline counteroffensives being exaggerated? And which side is coming out on top when it comes to drone
After Gaza, is Trump turning his attention to Ukraine?
After a peace agreement in the Middle East, is President Trump now turning his attention back to the situation in Ukraine? Victoria and James are joined by BBC filmmaker Jane Corbin to ask what, if anything, has changed when it comes to peace efforts in Europe.And - we hear about some of the more unfamiliar jobs created by the war in Ukraine. Journalist Richard Pendry has been embedded with milita
Q&A: Proxy wars, drone walls, and Russian supply lines
How might Russia respond to the potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine? What can Europe do to win round Hungary's Viktor Orbán? And what would a drone wall to protect Europe actually look like?To answer your questions, Jamie and Vitaly are joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and BBC Verify's Olga Robinson. The team also discuss proxy wars, foreign troops and false flag ope
Is Russia using my childhood home as a military base?
Vitaly’s home village of Verkhnya Krynytsya in the Zaporizhzhia region was occupied by Russia shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Now, in a Ukrainecast exclusive, he tells Victoria why it’s likely his childhood home is being used as a base by the Russian military. Plus, BBC Verify has revealed a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries in recent m
Q&A: Russia's veto power, Nato's Article 5, and Putin's succession plan
Is Ukraine seeing an exodus of young men? Why does Russia have veto power over UN resolutions? And would Moscow defend Minsk if Nato allies invoked Article 5 in response to an attack by Belarus?To answer your questions, Lucy Hockings is joined by senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi, and Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. The team also discuss US aid, China’s role in the conflict, and whethe
The surgeons treating frontline soldiers: “Every day is a mass casualty incident”
As a solution to the conflict remains elusive and casualties mount, what is it like to treat those injured while defending their country?This week we are speaking with two surgeons, Dr Danylo Turkevich and Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy, who have witnessed the consequences of the fighting in Ukraine close up. Plus Victoria is joined by our correspondent Sarah Rainsford to discuss a pro-EU election victory
Q&A: Trump’s UN turnaround, Zelensky’s weapons warning, and Putin assassination plots
There was widespread surprise at the UN General Assembly this week, when Donald Trump appeared to drastically alter his tone on the war in Ukraine. His new insistence that Ukraine could win back all of its territory on the battlefield marks a significant departure from what has become the consensus view among military observers, and President Zelensky welcomed his comments as a "big shift". So, ev
Is Nato ready to shoot down Russian jets?
As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, repeated Russian violations of Nato airspace have prompted warnings from some Nato countries that Russia should expect jets to be shot down if they continue. Secretary general Mark Rutte has insisted allied nations are ready to defend "every inch" of Nato's borders.
Victoria and Vitaly discuss how serious they are, and, they’re joi
Q&A: Trump & King Charles, Russian oil and a lesson on drones
As Donald Trump is afforded a royal welcome by the United Kingdom, many are seeing his unprecedented second state visit as a test of whether soft power diplomacy still works. The trip comes as Washington insists it will only apply additional sanctions against Moscow if Europe stops buying Russian oil. So can Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer get the US president to change his position?This week, Jam
Why is Trump making deals with Belarus?
Russia and Belarus have been staging joint military drills in an apparent message of strength to the West, but the relationship between US President Donald Trump and authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko seems to be warming.Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between the two countries, and some sanctions on Belarus have been eased. President
Q&A: Russian drones in Poland and what it means for Nato
A major incident occurred on Ukraine’s doorstep this week when at least 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, four of which were shot down. Despite Russia’s insistence that it had no intention of striking targets inside Poland, this is nonetheless being considered a significant test both of the durability of Nato’s eastern flank, and the resolve of its member states to defend it.To discuss th
A government building struck in Kyiv and a new threat from Trump
After a Ukrainian government building was damaged in a Russian strike for the first time, Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House that he was ready to implement new sanctions against Moscow. So, what might ‘phase two’ of a US sanctions package look like, and could it impact the Kremlin’s ability to finance its ongoing invasion?To discuss Washington’s options, we’re joined by Stephanie
Q&A: Putin in China, EU aspirations and western escalation
Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer have once again convened the so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Paris to consolidate proposals for post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. But as Europe looks to a hypothetical future, a growing alliance led by China is focused on a new era of global leadership which Xi Jinping says has already arrived. The Chinese president welcomed a host of world lead
As Putin meets Xi, is China invested in Russia's invasion?
As Vladimir Putin rubs shoulders with Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi in Beijing, the West’s failure to force Russia into peace in Ukraine has rarely been portrayed more starkly. Despite sanctions threats, neither China nor India has shown any sign of curtailing trade with Russia, and in response to Donald Trump’s decision to single out Delhi for additional tariffs over its dealings in Russian energy
Q&A: Kyiv strikes, Putin's legitimacy and China's nuclear stance
There have been multiple civilian casualties in Kyiv after sustained Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight. The UK Foreign Office has told Moscow to "stop this senseless killing" and earlier summoned Russia's ambassador in the UK to protest. But will these latest attacks have any bearing on international attempts to broker a peace deal?To examine the fallout, Jamie and Vitaly are j
What does diplomatic deadlock mean for Donbas?
As Russia continues to pour cold water on the prospect of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear to have returned to a familiar holding pattern. Despite the fanfare surrounding key summits in Alaska and Washington, significant divisions remain on key issues from territorial concessions to security guarantees. So, with Trump once a
Q&A: Security Guarantees, Ukrainian Elections and Putin's Trump Whispering
After headline-grabbing meetings in Alaska and Washington, members of the world’s media are on high alert, as Donald Trump talks up the chances of a summit between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. So, has a change in tone from the US on security guarantees moved the needle? Is a temporary ceasefire now less likely? And crucially, would a face-to-face encounter with a leader he’s long sought
Can Trump persuade Putin to meet Zelensky?
White House talks between Donald Trump and European leaders continued into the night yesterday, with plenty on the agenda including the shape of future security guarantees for Ukraine, and the prospect of a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president made a noticeable effort to charm his US counterpart, but with disagreements over the need for a ceasefire and the
What did we learn from the Trump-Putin summit?
The first face to face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin since the war in Ukraine started is over, with Donald Trump saying “we didn’t get there” on a Ukraine deal, or a ceasefire. The meeting lasted three hours, with the US president insisting progress was made, and Putin saying he is “sincerely interested” in ending the war, but without giving details. The two leaders both addre
Q&A: The Trump-Putin Alaska Preview
A potentially historic summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is due to take place in Alaska tomorrow. So, what is really on the agenda? Could Ukraine accept any proposal which sees its territory used as a bargaining chip? And would the US demand robust security guarantees as part of a hypothetical deal?To answer your questions on all that and more, Jamie is joined by Ukraine correspondent
Trump-Putin Summit: What are Ukrainians expecting?
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 chan
Will a Trump-Putin summit lead to a ceasefire?
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 r
Trump goes nuclear, Putin goes quiet
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 W
Q&A: Trump vs Medvedev, a US defection and revisiting the minerals deal
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 - Rus
Can Zelensky recover from nationwide protests?
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 wa
Q&A: Big protests, brief talks and pressure on Zelensky
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 Trum
Secondary tariffs explained: can they hurt Russia?
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 sanct
Q&A: Another deadline, Zelensky's reshuffle, and France snubs Trump?
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
Did Trump ask Zelensky to hit Moscow?
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?
Q&A: Trump turns on Putin, Ukrainian infighting, and Turkey's diplomatic tightrope
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, alo
Surviving Russia’s record drone attacks
On Friday, Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched a record 539 drones and 11 missiles in overnight airstrikes. Kyiv was at the epicentre of the attack, with every district in the capital targeted. We’ve been speaking with two residents of the city, about their experiences - Dasha, who spent the night sheltering at a local metro station, and Oleksiy, who watched his business go up in flames o
Q&A: Suspended US weapons, Macron-Putin call and Russian opposition
After the US paused the delivery of some weapons to Ukraine pledged under the Biden administration, how soon will the impact be felt on the front line? As Russia claims full control of Luhansk, what is life like for Ukrainians living in occupied territories? And is Ukraine united behind the Russian opposition movement?Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and discuss French President Emmanuel Macron’s
The Ukrainian reporter who captivated Trump
Last week, a clip of BBC Ukrainian reporter Myroslava Petsa went viral, after President Trump asked a series of questions about her personal story during a press conference at the Nato summit. Myroslava tells us what was going through her mind at that moment, and what it has been like to cover the conflict while her husband fights for Ukraine.We also hear from Matthew Savill at RUSI about the inte
Q&A: Trump's moral compass, the Nato summit and war crimes
The Nato summit in The Hague did get member states to agree on ramping up their defence spending - and seemed to placate Donald Trump. But has this week changed anything for Ukraine? What happened to the prior US “two-week deadline” to agree a ceasefire - and will those sought-after Patriot missiles ever arrive in Kyiv? Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko answer all that, and discuss the knot
Is Ukraine on Trump's Nato agenda?
As Nato leaders gather in the Hague, all eyes are on one man - President Trump. Member states have largely complied with his demand that they spend more on collective defence. But as Russia’s full-scale invasion continues, will his focus at this summit extend to Ukraine, or is he preoccupied with events in the Middle East?For an insider perspective, we’re joined by the former US Permanent Represen
Q&A: Middle East escalation, Russia’s threat to Nato and fibre optic drones
As oil prices rise, is escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran a positive development for Russia? How successful has Ukraine been in downing Russia’s fibre optic drone capacity? And is the Kremlin really intent on extending its invasion beyond Nato borders?Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and discuss the impact of the latest western sanctions with BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and Matth
What does the Iran-Israel conflict mean for Ukraine?
As the confrontation between Iran and Israel deepens, could Russia could reap the benefits of rising oil prices - or have the chance to act as a mediator? And what consequences could this crisis have for Ukraine? Also, what’s it like to join the Ukrainian armed forces? We catch up with friend of the pod Volodymyr, who recently volunteered for a drone unit and is going through basic training.
To
Q&A: Russian POWs, counting casualties and DIY bomb shelters
How are Russian POWs treated in Ukrainian captivity? Is Kyiv’s claim that Russia has suffered more than 1 million casualties during the war accurate? And during WW2 Britain used flat-pack bomb shelters - could they also now work in Ukraine?These are just some of the questions you’ve been sending in to the Ukrainecast team. Jamie and Vitaly are joined by Olga Robinson from BBC Verify and Olga Ivshi
Prisoner swaps: Anastasia's story
Bringing soldiers back home is one of the few areas where Russia and Ukraine have made progress together in recent months, and another large scale prisoner swap started this week. We talk to Anastasia - the wife of a Ukrainian soldier held captive since 2022, and released in May. But his new found freedom came against a backdrop of continuing Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine. We talk about
Q&A: Laser weapons, Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ and Poland’s new president
What do the Spider Web drone attacks tell us about Ukraine’s tactics inside Russia going forward? Could the West limit Russian oil revenues by confiscating its 'shadow fleet'? And are we any closer to seeing high-precision laser weapons on the battlefield?We answer all that and discuss what the implications could be for Ukraine after Poland elected a new conservative president, with the BBC's chie
How has the ‘Spider Web’ drone attack hurt Russia?
On Sunday, more than 100 Ukrainian drones struck air bases deep inside Russia. According to some estimates, the operation dubbed ‘Spider Web’ may have successfully damaged or destroyed up to a third of Russia’s fleet of strategic bombers. So what impact might this have on its aerial capability?We‘re joined in the studio by Major General Jonathan Shaw, former Assistant Chief of the UK’s Defence Sta
Q&A: Taurus missiles, kidnapped children, and the state of Russia’s military
Is the Russian military weaker than at the start of the war? Will European allies expand their drone industries to aid Ukraine? And what has happened to Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia?We answer all that and discuss whether Germany will arm Ukraine with Taurus missiles, with Olga Ivshina from BBC Russian, and Mikey Kay, a former senior officer in the British military who hosts The Security
Ukrainians react as Trump slams Putin
Over the weekend Ukraine was targeted by almost a thousand Russian drones and dozens of missiles, including the biggest aerial attack since the beginning of the conflict.In response, Donald Trump accused Vladimir Putin of going “absolutely crazy.” The Kremlin put that down to “emotional overload”.With progress on peace talks stalling, and fresh US sanctions still yet to be announced, how do those
Q&A: Peace deadlines, US sanctions and Russia's threat to Finland
Does Trump understand Putin’s motives? Can Western sanctions actually threaten Russia’s economy? Are Russian troops really amassing at Finland’s border - and how worried should we be about that?Those are some of the questions you’ve sent us in over the last week and in this episode, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by James and BBC news presenter Sumi Somaskanda to try and answer them.Today’s episode is
What’s next after the Trump-Putin call?
After a two-hour phone call on Monday, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin came to very different conclusions about what was agreed. The US said ceasefire negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv would start “immediately.” The Kremlin meanwhile, said there were no deadlines to move towards peace. On this episode the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg tells us about the reaction to the call in the Russian
The Ukraine-Russia peace talks begin
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each after the first face-to-face talks in three years. Kyiv also requested direct talks with President Vladimir Putin, and Moscow says it "noted" this request.So is this a diplomatic breakthrough?Vitaly gauges the mood from a sunny Istanbul, explains why an interpreter was required, and talks about what the next steps might be. Today’
No Putin, no Trump, but talks to begin?
President Zelensky has said he's sending his defence minister to peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul - but adds that Russia is "not serious" about "real talks".With discussions between the two countries seemingly likely to happen in some form, is this progress? Are we on the path to peace? Lucy is joined by Vitaly in Istanbul and Lyse Doucet in Abu Dhabi.Today’s episode is presented by Lucy
What do we actually know about the Istanbul peace talks?
The world is holding its breath ahead of mooted peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday. But what are the discussions likely to look like, and crucially who will attend? With Donald Trump on a tour of the Gulf nations, the White House says it plans to send senior representatives to Turkey, while hinting that the US President could yet make a personal appearance. Ukrainian Pr
Will Putin meet Zelensky in Turkey?
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he’s ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "personally" in Istanbul on Thursday for talks over ending the war.But is this meeting likely to materialise? And is this a smart move from Zelensky or a potential win for Putin?Lucy and Vitaly are joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet to chew over the significance of a potentially
Q&A: Victory Day, Xi Jinping and Moscow dog-walking
Who’s attending Friday’s Victory Day parade in Russia? Could President Xi of China present his own ceasefire plan? And what’s going on with the coalition of the willing?The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and BBC Moscow producer Ben Tavener are on hand to answer these questions from listeners and more.Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko.The p
Victory Day: Has Putin hijacked Russian remembrance?
We’re just days away from Victory Day, when Moscow is due to hold a parade on 9 May to mark the victory of the Soviet Union and allies over Nazi Germany. Victoria and Vitaly are joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and Alexander Zhuravlyov to discuss what the day means for Russians, and how its significance has changed since Vladimir Putin came to power.Also, security correspondent Frank Gardner i
Q&A: Minerals deal, security guarantees and Nato membership
After months of tense negotiations Ukraine and the US have signed a much-anticipated natural resources deal - and YOU have lots of questions about it.Why is Ukraine going ahead with it? Can it still join NATO? What could the US offer Russia?Lucy is joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse, BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and diplomatic correspondent James Landale to answer these and more.Today’
100 Days of Trump: Peacemaker or time-waster?
It’s 100 days since Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. His campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine has yet to materialise, but Washington has brought both sides to the negotiation table. So is peace any closer, and should the White House be getting more credit?We’re joined by Sam Kiley, world affairs editor at The Independent, who has just returned
Q&A: Trump's peace plan, Crimea and the latest Kyiv attack
What if the US pulls out of peace talks? Do other Republicans agree with President Trump’s position on the war? And could Ukraine monetise its drone industry?Jamie and Vitaly are joined by diplomatic correspondent James Landale and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson to answer these questions and more on the conflict.And we check in with friend of the podcast, Vitalii Pashchenko, who got caught up in Russi
What happens if the US pulls out of peace talks?
After Vladimir Putin’s limited ‘Easter truce’ ended, we’re joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, to discuss whether the Kremlin is serious about bilateral negotiations with Ukraine. And we talk to Alexander Vindman - the former US National Security Council official, who was a star witness in Donald Trump’s first impeachment inquiry. He has a lot to say about US policy on Ukraine and
Life as a BBC bureau chief in Moscow and Kyiv
In today’s episode we do something slightly different. You’ll be familiar with some of the names and voices of the correspondents who’ve covered the Ukraine war for the last three years - James Waterhouse, Lyse Doucet, Sarah Rainsford and more - who regularly appear on this podcast. But you’ll be less familiar with the people doing the work behind the scenes. Today, we hear from one of them. Kate
Viktoria's Story: Three years on
An old friend of the podcast, Viktoria Kovalenko, joins us in the studio. Viktoria has experienced the horrors of war first hand. Her husband and elder daughter were killed in front of her when they tried to escape the city of Chernihiv in 2022. Three years on she’s forging a new life with her four-year-old in the UK. She tells us how she’s adapting to life here, what she thinks about Donald Trump
Your Questions Answered: Witkoff meets Putin, Chinese soldiers and Russia’s economy
Where are we with the peace talks on the Ukraine conflict? What’s the situation on the battlefield? And how seriously should we take reports of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia?Vitaly, Lyse and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson joined up with presenter Leila Nathoo on BBC 5Live to answer these questions and many more.The producers were Peter Karlsen, Julia Webster and Laurie Kalus. The technical pro
Are Chinese soldiers fighting for Putin’s Russia?
President Zelensky says two Chinese citizens have been captured while fighting for Russia in the Donetsk region. But how did they end up in Ukraine and what does this mean for the future of the conflict?General Sir Nick Carter, former chief of the UK's defence staff, is in the studio to discuss this latest development, as well as whether the world order as we know it has changed for good, and if t
Your Questions Answered: Putin's endgame, Ukrainian elections and North Koreans
Could Putin ever agree to peace? Would an election help Zelensky consolidate power? What’s happened to North Koreans fighting Ukraine?Vitaly is joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson, security correspondent Frank Gardner and Global News Podcast presenter Oliver Conway, to try and answer these questions and more.Today’s episode is presented by Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Ryan Johnston, Be
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