Security guarantees, ceasefires & Putin’s Trump whispering. A Q & A with @bbcstever.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
BBC Ukraine Correspondent | used to play rugby
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Security guarantees, ceasefires & Putin’s Trump whispering. A Q & A with @bbcstever.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
After years of being separated by a border and awful war, today I finally met @bbcstever.bsky.social It was worth the wait.
President Zelensky makes it to the meeting stage this time.
The Oval Office: take 2 Will the awaiting European leaders be welcome additions? Or much-needed back up?
Bypassing a ceasefire is a blow to Europe. Continued fighting suits Russia and not Ukraine. But Trump reportedly raised Ukraine security guarantees “inspired by NATO’s article 5” If Russia keeps the land it’s taken, the whole weight of the West could prevent more being lost.
Territory? Security guarantees? “Opportunities”? A #Ukrainecast Q & A on what might be discussed between Trump & Putin. With Jamie Coomarasamy, Olga Robinson, RUSI’s Matthew Savill & me. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Europe’s message ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting? *Don’t negotiate without us…and start with a ceasefire* Broken down on #Newscast on BBC Sounds www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Latest from Brussels: Why Zelensky could still attend the Trump-Putin meeting, but the rest of Europe is shut out: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Latest from Brussels: Why Zelensky could still attend the Trump-Putin meeting, but the rest of Europe is shut out: www.bbc.com/news/article...
As things stand, Trump will meet Putin to discuss, in part, the trading of Ukrainian territory for Ukrainian territory. Zelensky will be involved, just not yet says Washington. Its previously said Europe won’t be part of the talks at all.
A privilege to be invited to Harlequins to discuss resilience with the men’s squad. And for letting me to slip in this Darwin quote: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”
Could Trump's ceasefire deadline be near? "India isn’t only buying Russian Oil, they’re selling it," he claims. "They don’t care how many Ukrainians are killed by the Russian war machine. I will be substantially raising the Tariff they pay the US.” 🇮🇳 calls it "unjustified"
Ukraine’s parliament has decisively passed a law that puts the country’s two independent anti-corruption bodies under direct government oversight. Zelensky says it’s to rid them of Russian influence, but there’ve been demonstrations across different cities, and the EU is not impressed.
Another Trump deadline, Zelensky’s reshuffle and French reluctance to buy US weapons for Ukraine. The latest #Ukrainecast 🔊 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
On the FT's report that Trump asked Zelensky if Ukraine could hit Moscow with missiles, White House Press Karoline Leavitt tells the BBC: “The President was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing. He’s working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war.”
Donald Trump finally swaps appeasement for strength as he tries to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Billions of dollars’ worth of US air defences, missiles and ammunition will be sent to Ukrainian forces via NATO. It keeps Kyiv in the fight, but will Moscow want to end it?
Trump’s latest stance, Ukrainian infighting & Turkey’s tightrope. Your questions answered on Ukrainecast: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Before the 7/7 London attacks I worked at a gym in Aylesbury, where I met on of the suicide bombers, Germaine Lindsay. He was quiet, regularly trained, and once challenged me to an arm wrestle. I declined. I’d no inkling he was capable of killing 26 people & injuring 340.
After telling the BBC he “would look at” supplying Ukraine with Patriot Air Defences, Donald Trump has paused some US weapons packages for Kyiv, which include air defences.
A change of scene for me this summer; working with the BBC Bureau teams across Europe for a few weeks. First stop: the ever-growing number of migrants making the perilous journey across the channel to the UK.
As the world’s gaze shifted to other wars, Russia reportedly launched 5,331 drones at Ukrainian cities, the most in a month. In May, it was 4,003. As American military aid starts to wane, The White House is still refusing to sell more Patriot air defence systems to Kyiv.
Trump’s moral compass, war crimes & the NATO summit. A Ukrainecast Q & A: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
In Kyiv there are countless members of the US military and State Department. You wonder what they make of their President warning, without condemnation, that Vladimir Putin “will have to respond” to Ukraine’s drone attack last weekend.
#Ukrainecast - how has the ‘Spider web’ drone attack hurt Russia? With James Waterhouse & me www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A Ukrainian Trojan horse? Sources in Ukraine’s Security Service say they’ve destroyed more than 40 Russian bombers on four different air bases. According to reports, the drones were launched from a lorry as the unsuspecting driver refuelled. Appears significant.
A level up from “he’s crazy” and “I’m pissed off”. Could “fire” mean sanctions? Or fire? I’m going to bed.
Donald Trump: “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin, I’ve always got along with him but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people” Figures from the Institute for the Study of War suggest those “rocket” strikes have only intensified since he returned to office.
Murdered on the school run: The controversial Ukrainian gunned down in Madrid www.bbc.com/news/article...
The other side of prisoner of war exchanges: the anxious wait. Most have no idea whether their loved ones are included today, or even alive.
A Ukrainecast Q & A on sanctions, Putin’s motives, and whether Trump understands them… www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A commander has been suspended after six members of Ukraine’s national guard were killed by a Russian missile in the Sumy region. Dozens could be seen marching in the open at a firing range.
Thanks! 👍🏻
What has Ukraine learnt from the Trump-Putin call? That Moscow still won't be condemned for its invasion, nor pressured to either negotiate or stop fighting. Zelensky (and the US) wanted a ceasefire before talks. It seems they'll only be more of the latter.
Hours after the peace talks end in Turkey, Russia is accused of striking a minibus full of people in Ukraine’s Sumy region. Nine people were killed. A ceasefire feels no closer.
Events in Turkey left Zelensky isolated. Especially with the US saying both Trump & Putin are needed for progress. Europe’s 30-day ceasefire ultimatum to Moscow has been shelved by their absences. These peace talks devoid of progress rumble on, along with Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine wants a ceasefire ahead of talks. Russia wants talks ahead of a ceasefire. Both want to keep the US engaged for different reasons. A Zelensky-Putin meet is an extraordinary step, but there is a considerable distance to be bridged.
How is Russia’s three day ceasefire going? “A farce” says Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, accusing Moscow of hundreds of violations. “Everything is the same,” observes Maksym Zhorin, a Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel. “The same as yesterday, four days ago, a week, and a month ago”.
All things natural resources deal answered on #Ukrainecast. With Lucy Hockings, James Landale, Olga Robinson & me. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 “Reconstruction Investment Fund” now seems more than just a Trump business venture. It paves the way for future US military aid and labels the war as “Russia’s full-scale invasion”. Quite the turnaround for Zelensky as Washington runs out of patience with Moscow.
What a picture. Described as “a symbolic meeting that has the potential to be historic” by Zelensky. Two months after the shouting of the Oval Office, a seemingly calmer exchange in the Vatican. Is Pope Francis’ funeral the moment Donald Trump brought peace closer to Ukraine?
He "has nothing to do with Russia", but the US President continues to attack the democratically elected leader of a country being invaded, and not the country doing the invading.
Moscow reportedly dropping its demand to control four Ukrainian regions & agreeing to freeze the front line is not a concession, it would keep what it’s taken. Russian troops have never been close to taking all of Kherson & Zaporizhzhia.
After a lull in air strikes and fighting in a minority of areas, Russia’s partial truce appears to be over.
After Putin announces a 48-hour Easter ceasefire, one Ukrainian officer on the front line tells us they’ve been ordered to stop shooting, and to record when the Russians open fire.
Back on Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent to reflect on Ukraine’s vulnerability, as well as a White House unmoved by one of Russia’s worst missile attacks on civilians. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Ukraine-US mineral deal has been left looking more like a business venture after Trump’s threat to walk away. Does Washington care who controls Ukraine in the long term, as long as its commercial interests are protected? www.bbc.com/news/article...
"The President has many other priorities" Marco Rubio says the US will stop trying to broker a peace deal "within days" if there is no progress. Given American military aid is set to dry out, it's a perilous moment for Ukraine, which has only agreed to engage.
A Russian Shahed drone flies overhead in Sumy. This war’s Doodlebug.
The scene in Sumy after the deadliest Russian strike on civilians in two years. At least 34 dead and 177 injured. Camera: Matthew Goddard www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Trump on Truth Social: “Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war - A war that should have never happened” Russia is moving: deeper into Ukrainian territory. truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
Ukraine's military says the intensity of Russian front line assaults has increased by 30% in the past week. In the Sumy region, 47 attacks were reported. Still no evidence suggesting that Moscow has given up on its goal of taking as much of Ukraine as possible.
On Newscast we discuss whether Donald Trump is still interested in Ukraine? with James Cook & John Foreman, former UK Defence attaché for Kyiv and Moscow www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
War has changed Zelensky, but under “Trump 2.0”, now is the time for him to change again. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
War has changed Zelensky, but under “Trump 2.0”, now is the time for him to change again. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
President Zelensky says two Chinese citizens who were fighting for the Russian army have been captured in the Donetsk region. He claims there's intelligence suggesting there are more in other units, and has demanded an answer from Beijing.
At least 14 people, including five children, are dead after a Russian missile hit this block in the southern city of Kryvyi Rih, say officials there.
On the latest episode of Ukrainecast @jameswaterhouse.bsky.social James Landale and I answer some of the listeners’ questions about the war in Ukraine and the ongoing ceasefire talks www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
How are peace talks going? 🇷🇺 Karasin: “it’s naive to expect breakthroughs & this could drag into 2026” 🇺🇸 Trump: “I’m pissed off with Putin & if Zelensky drops the mineral deal he’s in big big trouble” 🇺🇦 Zelensky: “the proposal has undiscussed or previously rejected demands”
On Ukrainecast you’ve sent us a tonne of excellent questions about these attempts of peace. So we’ve tried to answer them! www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
“One of the biggest issues are these so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Lugansk & there are two others” “They’re Russian speaking & overwhelming majority want to be ruled by Russia” Ukrainian geography aside, US envoy Steve Witkoff shares Moscow’s view of its invasion.
After 30+ years, my boss Kate Peters is leaving the BBC. She’s been a constant source of strength for us all with her generosity of knowledge and empathy in the most testing of times. Kate, thank you for everything. I’ll miss us sipping your “diesel” coffee in the mornings.
After 30+ years, my boss @katepeters is leaving the BBC. She’s been a constant source of strength for us all with her generosity of knowledge and empathy in the most testing of times. Kate, thank you for everything. I’ll miss us sipping your “diesel” coffee in the mornings.
Your clickbait caption only amplifies the falsehood
A joint 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 statement from Saudi Arabia: - 🇺🇸 to resume military aid & intelligence sharing - 🇺🇦 accepted 🇺🇸 proposed immediate 30 day ceasefire (subject to “acceptance & concurrent implementation” by 🇷🇺) - both agreed to finalise mineral deal as soon as possible
Neither Ukraine, nor its European friends, can afford a repeat of the Oval Office row in Saudi Arabia. Kyiv is hoping to revive Donald Trump's mineral deal to win the US back over. Something Europe's biggest graphite quarry would welcome: www.bbc.com/news/article...
What does Ukraine's loss of ground in Russia's Kursk region mean for this war? And was it caused by America's pausing of intelligence? Lyse Doucet & I discuss with Karolina Hird of the Institute for the Study of War: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The head of Ukraine's armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, denies that his troops are being encircled in Russia's Kursk region. "They’re carrying out timely manoeuvres to more advantageous defensive positions," he says. For both sides that phrase has always meant “chaotic retreat”
At least 14 people are dead after another large-scale Russian drone attack. Ukraine’s defences have been hampered by America’s blocking of aid & intelligence. “I think {Putin} is hitting them harder,” observed Donald Trump. “Anyone in his position would be doing that”
America’s pausing of its aid & intelligence is a reckless gamble with Ukraine’s future. With no curbing of Russia’s ambitions, how far is Donald Trump going to go?
There’s AI-generated clip of me doing the rounds - for those who believed it - you can watch the original feed from 7:20 here 👍🏻 m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp2d...
Where he gave his “we are all here” speech on the 2nd day of the invasion, Zelensky again appears outside the presidential office. After three years of fighting, he finally bends to Donald Trump’s peace vision. A plan yet to include security guarantees or Russian compromises.
For Ukraine, America's blocking of military aid cuts off an artery keeping it alive. Not clear whether Kyiv will still receive ammo for US weapons already delivered, or whether Washington will continue to share intelligence. A political lever of significant proportions.
There is often a political pattern in Ukraine: the more the country is attacked, the more unity there is. The last 24 hours have been no different: www.bbc.com/news/article...
Today we saw Trump unwilling or unable to grasp this invasion, especially when he had to be reminded of when it started. For Ukraine it's not just about just minerals or money. Could Zelensky have stayed calmer? Probably, but he wears this war, it's part of his political being.
From calling him "a dictator" to someone "very brave", today's meeting with Trump is a coming in from the cold for Zelensky. But he's not warm yet. As the US President eyes a big minerals deal, there is still no sign of the security guarantees Kyiv desperately wants.
Question: “You described Zelensky as a dictator. He describes President Putin as a dictator. Do you see that as a problem?” Trump: “The relationship between President Zelensky and President Putin is not a good one.” “You've noticed, right?”
President Zelensky on this mineral deal: -A”framework” -“too early to talk money” -A line on US security guarantees, but none have been agreed - *If* he meets Trump, he’ll “directly ask if the US will keep supporting or not” Less a breakthrough, more a first step
America’s Ukraine rhetoric perfectly captured by Pat Chappatte
After swerving questions about their relationship, President Zelensky addresses Donald Trump directly via videolink in a G7 leader's session: “We would really like to hear from you," he said. "People are really hoping there will be support from America.”
“I wouldn’t call Donald Trump’s words a compliment,” said Mr Zelensky on the US President labelling him a “dictator who’s doing a terrible job” last week. “I wasn’t offended, but a dictator would be,” he added.
Five Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, were reportedly targeted by 267 drones last night. The air force says around half were intercepted. It was the busiest I’d seen the skies.
A planned press conference with President Zelensky and the US chief envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg has been cancelled. An American call it seems, with Ukrainian sources saying that Mr Kellogg appears increasingly “sidelined” by the Trump administration.
“It’s nice to be here on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine” (Which my boss blamed on Ukraine) Special US envoy Keith Kellogg has arrived in Kyiv. Wonder what President Zelensky will want to discuss?
“Ukraine should have never started it. They could have traded land.” “It’s been a long time since Kyiv had an election. Zelensky has a 4% approval rating.” Not the Kremlin, but Donald Trump.
Two superpowers open talks on the future of a country, as one of them continues to invade it, without that country.
This week 🇺🇸 has: - 'Not invited' 🇺🇦 to the first peace talks whilst insisting it will be involved -Told Europe 🇪🇺 to "step up" whilst excluding it from negotiations -Ruled out sending 🇺🇸/NATO troops whilst suggesting 'military leverage' against 🇷🇺
“I believe in Europe and I know you believe in it too. I urge you to act for your own sake.” In English, an impassioned President Zelensky tells the Munich Security Conference a European army is needed to fill the “dangerous” gap left by the US. A plea met with warm applause.
❤️ doing Newsround Taking audiences with you on a difficult story is the biggest challenge in this job, and they are the benchmark. 🎥 Matthew Goddard Produced by Toby Luckhurst www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/vi...
The frontline Ukrainians fearful of Donald Trump’s vision of peace. Our peace from the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region. 🎥 Matthew Goddard Produced by Toby Luckhurst & Svetlana Libet www.youtube.com/watch?v=idwU...
"It probably won't work out, but Seoul is 30km from North Korea, and they somehow live and prosper." Donald Trump wants peace. Ukrainians near Zaporizhzhia’s front line fear what that could look like. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Peace would of course be welcomed in Ukraine. The prospect of uninterrupted nights, a lifting of fear & soldiers returning home have been yearned for. But the questions of how a ceasefire would hold & how the country could be free with Russia inside it haven’t gone away.
There we have it. US Defence Sec Pete Hegseth calls a complete restoration of Ukraine's borders as an "illusionary goal". He rules out NATO membership & American boots on the ground in the future. Kyiv said it needs the US for future security & increasingly won’t have it.
The head of counterterrorism at Ukraine’s security service has been detained on suspicion of being a Russian mole. SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk says he was “personally involved” in the investigation, as the image suggests 👀
Donald Trump has described Russia’s release of a detained American teacher as “important for ending the war in Ukraine”. The concern for Kyiv? The compliments for Vladimir Putin “pulling it off” & what might be in it for him.
“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, they may not be Russian someday.” Donald Trump’s latest call for Ukraine to trade its natural resources for aid, which it’s already proposed. Good morning.
Donald Trump says he’ll "probably" meet President Zelensky next week. Asked if it would be in Washington, he replied it "could be, well, I'm not going there (to Kyiv)” Zelensky is keen to meet before Washington engages with Moscow.
President Trump wants Ukraine to supply the US with rare earth materials in return for military aid, saying he wants “equalisation” from Washington’s $300bn of support. He claimed Kyiv was willing, and with Zelensky floating the idea with his “victory plan”, it seems it is.
The stunning Bristol Hotel in Odesa has been damaged in a Russian missile strike. Two people are in hospital. It’s the 6th or 7th hotel we use which has been hit. Ashamed to say I’ve lost count.
Ukrainian special forces in Russia’s Kursk region say they haven’t seen any North Korean troops where they’ve been fighting for the past three weeks. While not the full picture, it follows reports that around a third of the deployed 11 thousand have been killed or injured.
President Zelensky has resisted criticising Washington for suspending foreign aid, but it’s left a mark. Critical programmes for agriculture, energy, border control & veteran support were/have been paused. For Kyiv it’s a worrying symptom so early into Trump’s 2nd term.