Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

Trump team admit ‘peace deal unlikely’ as anger builds at Putin Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,134.

Today, as Moscow resumes its bombardments on Ukraine, we discuss reports that it is dawning on Donald Trump’s administration that a swift ceasefire deal is not going to happen without action against the Russian economy. Then we return to that very subject, and ask: how much leverage does the White House have on sanctions, and is it declining?

Contributors:

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

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

Stephanie Baker (Senior writer at Bloomberg and sanctions expert). @StephaniBaker on X.

Content Referenced:

Trump officials eye a longer road to Ukraine peace as frustration mounts (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-officials-eye-longer-road-ukraine-peace-frustration-mounts-2025-04-01/

US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-officials-object-european-push-buy-weapons-locally-2025-04-02/

China debates whether Trump is a revolutionary, or just rude (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/international/2025/04/01/china-debates-whether-trump-is-a-revolutionary-or-just-rude

Our sister podcast Battle Lines, covering wider global affairs:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/

Stephanie Baker’s book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Economic War to Bring Down Russia:

https://stephaniebakerwriter.com/punishing-putin

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Putin calls up 160,000 Russians for military service & what did Biden get wrong on Ukraine? Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,133.

Today, further to news from the battlefront and beyond, we look at Putin's decision to mobilise a record number of men, and what it means for the prospects of a meaningful ceasefire. Then, in a special interview, Francis Dearnley talks to one of the men involved in some of the most important decisions made by the Biden administration relating to the war. What did they get right, and what did they get wrong?

Contributors:

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

Ambassador Michael Carpenter (Former Senior Director for Europe of the The United States National Security Council). @mikercarpenter on X.

Content Referenced:

Putin drafts 160,000 men into Russian army despite peace talks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/31/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-deal-latest/

Ukraine says mineral talks still alive despite Trump anger (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-latest-news/

China depicts Taiwan’s president as cartoon parasite as military exercises begin (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/01/china-taiwan-president-cartoon-parasite-military-exercises/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Trump lashes out at Putin as ceasefire talks stall & America’s secret military partnership with Ukraine Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,132.

Today, as reports surface of Russian attempts to get behind Ukrainian lines in the Donbas by going underground, we assess the impact of Donald Trump’s supposed loss of patience with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asking how much of the rage is concocted, and we hear more about the experience of women who endured torture at the hands of the Russians.

Contributors:

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

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

David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.

Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.

Content Referenced:

Dom’s Panel at Oxford Literary Festival:

https://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-events/2025/april-02/the-russian-threat-why-it-has-grown-and-how-to-fight-back

These Ukrainian women survived Putin’s prisons – now they’re taking revenge (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/ukraine-female-prisoners-of-war-russia-putin-prisons/

The Secret History of the War in Ukraine (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/29/world/europe/us-ukraine-military-war-wiesbaden.html

How British commandos helped bring the CIA into the heart of the Ukraine war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/31/british-commandos-cia-ukraine-war-zelensky-putin-russia/

European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in Nato (Financial Times):

https://tinyurl.com/bd82v98r

The time has come to punish Orbán, Germany’s next government says:

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-next-coalition-vows-punish-hungary-viktor-orban-friedrich-merz/

Secret Pentagon memo on China, homeland has Heritage fingerprints (Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/03/29/secret-pentagon-memo-hegseth-heritage-foundation-china/

The time has come to punish Orbán, Germany’s next government says (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-next-coalition-vows-punish-hungary-viktor-orban-friedrich-merz/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Revealed: Trump’s plan to force Ukraine to restore Putin’s gas empire Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,129.

Today, amid reports of precision strikes on Russia’s Belgorod region – the site of Ukraine’s latest incursion – we discuss news from the Paris defence summit, Trump’s new minerals deal proposal, and hear the latest acts of resistance in the occupied territories. Later, we discuss the lessons from the Napoleonic era for ceasefires and peace treaties.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to Thomas Clausen (Historian). @DrThomasClausen on X.

Content Referenced:

Revealed: Trump’s plan to force Ukraine to restore Putin’s gas empire (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/27/revealed-trump-plan-force-ukraine-restore-putin-gas-empire/

Ukrainian forces destroy strategic bridges in Russian Belgorod Oblast (Euromaiden Press):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/03/28/ukrainian-forces-destroy-strategic-bridges-in-russian-belgorod-oblast/

Trump reverses termination of program tracking mass child abductions in Ukraine (Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/03/27/trump-ukraine-russia-child-abductions/

He Fought for Ukraine. Now Morocco is Punishing Him (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49104

Ukrainian lions - now in Kent!

https://x.com/ZaluzhnyiUA/status/1904867664826167686

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Strike on Russian nuclear airbase ‘vaporises’ 96 cruise missiles & European citizens ‘should stockpile food’ Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,128.

Today, as reports allege Moscow lost 96 cruise missiles as a result of last week’s strike on Russia’s Engels airbase, we assess the latest bombardments of the past 24 hours, and the next defence summit of European leaders taking place in Paris today. Then, later, we discuss the gargantuan task of archiving source material relating to the war.

Contributors:

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

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

James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

With thanks to Maksym Demydenko of the Ukraine War Archive.

Content Referenced:

Learn more about the Ukraine War Archive:

https://ukrainewararchive.org/eng/

They are contactable at info@ukrainewararchive.org

Telegraph Live Blog of the Paris Summit:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/27/russia-ukraine-peace-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

Ukraine ceasefire on brink as EU refuses to lift Russia sanctions (James Crisp in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/26/ukraine-ceasefire-brink-eu-refuses-lift-russia-sanctions/

Brussels urges citizens to stockpile food in case of invasion (James Crisp in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/26/eu-urges-citizens-to-stockpile-food-in-case-of-invasion/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Black Sea ceasefire decoded & can Europe defend Ukraine without America? Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,127.

Today, as the White House’s Signal data breach controversy unfolds, we examine the details of the alleged Black Sea ceasefire deal, which has sparked differing interpretations from Ukraine and Russia. We also explore the possibility of a secret agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Contributors:

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

Content Referenced:

Briefings & Statements (The White House):

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/

Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal (The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/signal-group-chat-attack-plans-hegseth-goldberg/682176/

Putin is beaten in the Black Sea. Of course he wants a ceasefire there (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/25/putin-defeated-black-sea-ceasefire-naval-victory-ukraine/

Europe’s War in Ukraine (Jack Watling in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/europes-war-ukraine

EU ethical rules blocking £100bn defence spending boom (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/24/eu-ethical-rules-blocking-100bn-from-defence-industry/

How Europe can hurt Russia’s economy (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/03/24/how-europe-can-hurt-russias-economy

Lukoil Profits Drop Nearly 30% (The Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/26/lukoil-profits-drop-nearly-30-in-2024-amid-asset-losses-higher-taxes-a88485

Inside Russia’s Gazprom (The Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/5da44f55-d28a-4965-b7a5-bf014d685036?shareType=nongift

Oleg Gordievsky: the loneliest and bravest man I ever met (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/oleg-gordievsky-kgb-double-agent-8cxbpkctk

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

White House texts secret war plans to journalist & frontline soldiers react to Trump’s plans Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,126.

Today, following the latest updates from the battlefront, we look at the extraordinary security breach that saw a journalist invited into a secret chat group for Donald Trump’s war cabinet, and then hear about the mood of Ukrainian soldiers at the front.

Contributors:

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

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

Gareth Corfield (Transport Correspondent). @GazTheJourno on X.

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

Content Referenced:

The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans (The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/

Francis’s Video Interview on Silicon Curtain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uu4_YHgPQ&t=586s

Verity’s Telegraph Pieces:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/v/va-ve/verity-bowman/

Trump cabinet complained about ‘free-loading Europe’ in top secret group chat (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/03/24/trump-cabinet-complained-free-loading-europe-secret-chat/

Zelensky on Trump, Putin, and the Endgame in Ukraine (TIME):

https://time.com/7270880/zelensky-trump-putin-ukraine-endgame-interview/

What the Kremlin Wants in New Talks with the U.S. on Ukraine (The Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/23/playing-for-time-what-the-kremlin-wants-in-new-talks-with-the-us-on-ukraine-a88445

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Ukraine destroys Russian helicopters with HIMARS missile strike & cracks emerge in US-Russia talks Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,125.

Today, amid ongoing US-mediated proximity talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukraine and Russia, we discuss the remarks of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Tucker Carlson, and what they tell us about the mentality of Donald Trump’s administration. Plus we interview the author of a new United Nations report shedding light on alarming 'widespread and systematic' war crimes committed against civilians.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Pablo de Greiff (Colombian academic and human rights activist, and Commissioner of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine to United Nations Security Council).

War Crimes Report by the United Nations:

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/03/ukraine-enforced-disappearances-committed-russian-authorities-amount-crimes

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/24/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-ceasefire-war-latest-news/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Russian ‘false flag’ attack blasts energy site and Odesa hit as Czech President visits Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,122.

Today, we report on accusations from Ukraine that Moscow has staged a false flag attack on energy infrastructure in the Kursk region, and examine Germany’s proposed defence reforms, how much room Friedrich Merz actually has and how long he has to deliver tangible results.

Contributors:

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

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

Learn more about the album in David Knowles's memory:

https://castlealumni.enthuse.com/cf/chapel-choir-recording

Follow our sister podcast Battle Lines, which covers wider global affairs:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/battle-lines/id1712903296

https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Huge blast devastates Russian nuclear airbase & troops ‘not encircled’ in Kursk Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,121.

Today, following new Russian bombardments and a huge explosion in Saratov, 600km east of Ukraine after a drone strike, we discuss a new phone call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, then the row breaking out in Europe about which countries should be ‘considered’ European for vital weapons purchases.

Contributors:

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

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

Dr Benjamin Tallis (Director, Democratic Strategy Initiative). @bctallis on X.

Content Referenced:

EU shuts Britain out of €150bn rearmament fund (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/19/european-union-ukraine-russia-defence-britain-150bn-fund/

Benjamin's Report: 'Emerging Defence: Offset and Competitive Strategies for Europe':

https://www.democratic-strategy.net/s-projects-basic

Why Europe cannot rely on French nuclear umbrella alone (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/7fed8f2b-98c7-43c6-88b3-d66be449bfac

Follow our sister podcast Battle Lines, which covers wider global affairs: