This week, Trump said Zelensky “is an obstacle to peace” as the US asked for Ukraine’s help against Iranian drones.
While the President claimed Putin is “ready for a deal” as Russia helps Iran with intelligence on US targets.
The latter “doesn’t matter” says the White House.
Italy beat England for the first time. It’s been coming and is thoroughly deserved. Also a much needed injection of optimism for the men’s game.
England clueless. All that talk of win streaks with no silverware, and now this.
Congratulazioni
#SixNations2026
Back on From Our Own Correspondent for the programme’s special on the US-Israel attack on Iran.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
This week, Trump said Zelensky “is an obstacle to peace” as the US asked for Ukraine’s help against Iranian drones.
While the President claimed Putin is “ready for a deal” as Russia helps Iran with intelligence on US targets.
The latter “doesn’t matter” says the White House.
Thanks Matt
“This is war”
No signs of a weakening regime from the keyhole view of the Iranian border.
🎥 Maarten Lernout
Zeynep Erdim
A picture continues to emerge from the Iranians escaping a war with an ever-expanding footprint.
From the Turkey-Iran border:
On the Turkey-Iran crossing, the Iranian flag is replaced with a black one as officials mark the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The emerging Iranians tell us:
“Something big is happening in Iran”
“Iran won’t be beaten”
“If you live close to targets, you’re going to be hit”
The situation on the Turkey-Iran border.
We encounter those who are anti-regime, but also against the way the US and Israel are trying to topple it.
As expected, no break through in the instalment of the peace talks in Geneva.
Some apparent agreements on the application of a ceasefire, but Kyiv can’t shrug off the continued Russian demand for more territory.
“Fuck away to Russia”
An exasperated Zelensky on what he sees as the lack of sanctions on Russia & the continued demands for Ukraine to hand over territory.
But with Moscow not backing down, and the US not forcing it to, what breakthrough can we expect at the peace talks in Geneva this week?
A Ukrainian night in numbers:
Out of 521 in total, 38 Russian missiles &
412 drones were intercepted, say officials.
Energy infrastructure was targeted across eight regions.
Leaving 1100 homes without power.
With temperatures at -21 degrees Celsius.
2016: Covering an arctic NATO exercise to “curb Russian aggression” with the Royal Marines and their US counterparts.
A decade on, not only did it fail to deter Moscow, but the alliance has never looked more fragile.
Emmanuel Macron greets Ukraine’s European allies to discuss the curbing of imperial ambitions.
Only, after their joint statement on Greenland, it seems that now includes both Russia and the US.
On whether the war in Ukraine will end in 2026, there is no shortage of predictions.
But for all the criticisms of the West failing to learn from history, by June, the invasion will have lasted longer than the First World War.
An essay for @bbcr4today
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
On whether the war in Ukraine will end in 2026, there is no shortage of predictions.
But for all the criticisms of the West failing to learn from history, by June, the invasion will have lasted longer than the First World War.
An essay for @bbcr4today
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The now 20 point peace plan Zelensky says will be presented to Russia by the Americans.
Still no public specifics on what “security guarantees” are being discussed & what “article 5 like” assurances actually means.
And, of course, Moscow yet to respond.
The now 20 point peace plan Zelensky says will be presented to Russia by the Ukrainians.
Still no public specifics on what “security guarantees” are being discussed & what “article 5 like” assurances actually means.
And, of course, Moscow yet to respond.
According to Sec of State Marco Rubio, “the US is the only one who can bridge the gap” between Ukraine and Russia.
With no breakthrough in Moscow, will Washington wield that power? And on whom?
Months of shuttle diplomacy has so far failed to alter the course of the invasion.
The fall of Zelensky’s right hand man - a reboot for Kyiv or costly shake-up?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky’s right hand man, resigns after anti corruption investigators raided his home.
“We will reboot the presidential office,” claimed Zelensky.
Will it have the same effect on peace negotiations?
Mr Yermak says there will be “no obstacles” to the investigation.
While the probe will be welcomed by many domestically, it risks leaving Ukraine’s negotiating position in a perilous state. The Russian side are already talking this up.
As Andriy Yermak negotiates Ukraine’s future with Zelensky, anti-corruption investigators search his home in Kyiv.
While not implicated, the President’s chief of staff is widely accused of being linked to several senior figures who allegedly skimmed $100m from public projects.
Even by today’s geopolitical standards, it’s been a confusing week.
Fascinating to host some of the BBC’s best as we explore the core question: whether peace in Ukraine is any closer?
With Lyse Doucet, @sarahrainsfordbbc.bsky.social @bbcstever.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🇺🇸”Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal”
🇺🇦 “the President will complete final steps & make a deal”
🇷🇺 “We have seen no revised agreement and some points require clarification”
The growing political squeeze on Kyiv:
🎥 @mattgodtv
📻BBC’s The Global Story Podcast
Filmmaker @mstyslavchernov won an Oscar for covering Russia’s siege of Mariupol.
The land being discussed in the peace talks are places of his childhood.
“Ukraine is not only land, Ukraine is a community,” he said. “As long as that idea survives, Ukraine will survive.”
"Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history" says the Ukrainian President who stayed to lead his country against Russia's invasion.
It seems he and his European allies are willing to reject Donald Trump's Russia-favoured peace plan, and risk the consequences of losing vital aid.
It seems Ukraine is once again being forced to accept a Russia-US brokered peace deal that amounts to Moscow’s maximalist demands & Kyiv’s capitulation.
Two unknowns: whether Trump saw Zelensky’s corruption scandal as political opportunity, and what will happen if he refuses.
Popped on @adamfleming.bsky.social ‘s 25 hour podcast-a-thon for BBC Children in Need.
He’s covering *all* of the news bases and is looking fresh! Mind you he’s only four hours in.
Streaming live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sounds
