Ukraine: The Latest

In a bonus episode recorded just minutes after one of the most extraordinary press conferences in modern political history, we react to the public row that broke out in front of the world press between President Trump and President Zelensky, and ask: who leads the free world now?

Please note: this episode was recorded before the extraordinary events at the White House on Friday afternoon.Day 1,101.Today, we return to Kursk, Russia, where fighting has intensified, consider the outcomes of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vital visit to Washington, and hear the latest update on resistance in the occupied territories. Plus, we hear from Colin Freeman, who visits a former nuclear weapon facility in Ukraine.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.Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent). @ColinFreeman on X.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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. 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/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Content Referenced:Dutch NGO Protect Ukraine:https://www.protectukraine.nl/How a nuclear-armed Ukraine could become ‘Europe’s Israel’ (Colin in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/nuclear-armed-ukraine/War robs Ukraine of its next generation (Colin in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/22/ukraine-russia-war-zelensky-poets-culture-youth/The town Russia couldn’t take (Adrian Blomfield in The Telegraph:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/russia-ukraine-casualties-2024-losses-toretsk/Instagram and Facebook page to follow Songs for Ukraine eventshttps://www.instagram.com/songs_for_ukraine/?igsh=MTRwNHIzOHhrb3ZpNg%3D%3D#Link to Southwark Cathedral's even pagehttps://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/https://tinyurl.com/SongsforUkraineSouthwarkSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,100.Today, amid more drone strikes on Ukraine and North Korea deploying new troops, we return to what some are calling one of the most significant weeks of diplomacy since the Second World War, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s attempts to persuade the President to provide a security “backstop” for Ukraine. Later, we hear a training exercise involving British and Ukrainian troops, and hear the latest on kidnapped children.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Venetia Rainey (Co-host of the 'Battle Lines' podcast). @venetiarainey on X.Karolina Hird (Russia Deputy Team Lead and Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War). @KarolinaAHird on X.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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. 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/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Content Referenced:Dispatch of British troops training Ukrainian forces (Venetia Rainey on Battle Lines - our sister podcast):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-britain-learnt-from-the-ukraine-war-germanys/id1712903296?i=1000695563357Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/27/north-korea-sends-more-troops-to-russia-ukraine/Macron has ‘no mandate’ to send European troops to Ukraine, says Meloni (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/27/giorgia-meloni-european-troops-ukraine-emmanuel-macron/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,099.Today, we delve into Russia's expanding drone production and the arrival of a North Korean delegation in Moscow. On the political front, we explore the complex minerals deal and the challenging negotiations surrounding security guarantees. Later, we engage with experts to discuss the deteriorating state of Russia's nuclear arsenal. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Terry Virts (Former NASA Astronaut and USAF F-16 Pilot). @AstroTerry on X.Fabian Hoffman (Expert on Russia’s nuclear capability). @FRHoffmann1 on X.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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. 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/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Content Referenced:Exclusive: The full text of the US-Ukraine mineral deal (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-the-full-text-of-the-final-us-ukraine-mineral-agreement/US minerals deal will be tied to security, Ukraine says (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/26/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-starmer-latest-news/How Much Has the U.S. Spent on Ukraine in the War? (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-war-cost-us-spending-9dfd903eEd Conway's Latest Thread on Sanctions Loopholes:https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1893934022893445364B4 Ukraine Reports on Sanctions Evasion:https://b4ukraine.org/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,098.Today, we talk about a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporizhia Oblast and more hits on Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery. We also discuss Keir Starmer’s announcement to increase defence spending, President Macron’s visit to Washington, and the possibility that France could use its nuclear deterrent force to help protect Europe. Later, we sit down with Dmytro Kuleba - the former Foreign Minister of Ukraine from 2020 to 2024 - for an exclusive interview.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and 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 Dmitro Kuleba (former Foreign Minister of Ukraine from 2020 to 2024). @DmytroKuleba on X.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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. 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/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Content Referenced:France offers nuclear shield to Europe (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/24/france-to-offer-nuclear-shield-for-europe/Exclusive interview with Boris Johnson (The Telegraph): https://shows.acast.com/ukraine-the-latest/episodes/air-defence-defeats-largest-drone-attack-of-the-war-boris-joWithout U.S. Aid, Ukraine Would Lose Some of Its Most Sophisticated Weapons (Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/without-u-s-aid-ukraine-would-lose-some-of-its-most-sophisticated-weapons-e3bf6cb7 There is a way Europe can afford to step up for Ukraine - make Russia pay for it (The i): https://inews.co.uk/opinion/there-is-a-way-europe-can-afford-to-step-up-for-ukraine-make-russia-pay-for-it-3551873Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,097.Today, we mark the third anniversary of the full scale invasion. We hear live from Kyiv - where world leaders are gathering - talk about Ukraine’s announcement to produce missiles - including ballistic missiles - and make sense of what the German election result means for Ukraine. We also hear from what it was like at Number 10 on the day of the invasion from Boris Johnson's former speech writer, and hear an exclusive interview with the former prime minister, also in Kyiv for the anniversary.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Colin Freeman, live in Kyiv. @colinfreeman99 on X.David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. 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.Learn more:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Listen to the translations here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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.htmlRussia 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-leverageDr Mike Martin's Thread:https://x.com/ThreshedThought/status/1892822755885592663?t=50uKvTgEYdgNpVOj2rnlGg&s=03Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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/UTLListenerSurveyContent 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/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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/UTLListenerSurveyContent 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-33234ee40505Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk