Day 1,275.

Today, as Russia’s foreign minister accuses the Coalition of the Willing of “undermining” efforts to secure peace in Ukraine – comments later described as nothing but “noise” – Vladimir Putin makes clear how serious he is about negotiating peace by launching another mass aerial attack. Far from ending the war, we hear how Donald Trump is apparently going to “step back” from peace talks “for now”. Plus, we look at how Ukraine has demonstrated the next stage of drone development with a strike on Russian forces in the Black Sea, and interview the commander of Finland’s armed forces.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to the Commander of the Finnish Army, Lt Gen Pasi Välimäki

Content Referenced:

US will only give ‘minimal’ security guarantees to Ukraine, Europe warned (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/21/us-elbridge-colby-minimal-security-guarantees-ukraine/

Trump steps back from Russia and Ukraine peace talks for now, sources say (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/21/trump-ukraine-russia-peace-talks

Why Steve Witkoff Is Trump’s Master of Disaster (Foreign Policy):

https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/19/steve-witkoff-trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-diplomacy

Witkoff delivered Russian medal from Putin to family of American who was killed fighting for Russia in 2024 (CNN):

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/20/politics/witkoff-delivered-medal-from-putin-family-american-killed

A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants (William J Burns in The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/10/trump-retribution-public-servants/683914/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,274.

Today, as President Donald Trump says the US may provide air support to back a Ukraine peace deal, we assess reports that as many as 10 European countries are considering putting boots on the ground if Russia agrees to end its war. Then we take a step back and try to make sense of the historic past few days. What, if anything, has changed? Then we hear a dispatch Adelie recorded in Ukraine at the funeral of journalist Victoria Roshchyna.

Contributors:

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

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

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Content Referenced:

US air force could police Ukraine’s skies to ensure peace (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/19/us-air-force-police-ukraine-skies-peace-deal-russia-trump/

Ten European countries ‘ready’ to send forces to Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/20/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-trump-peace/

‘Nearly two million more casualties’: The numbers that show Russia is years from victory (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/19/russia-is-years-from-victory-trump-putin/

Dance Of The Flamingos: Ukraine’s FP-5 Heavy Cruise Missile (Covert Shores):

http://www.hisutton.com/Ukrainian-FP-15-Flamingo-Cruise-Missile.html

Trump Revokes Security Clearances of 37 Former and Current Officials (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/us/politics/trump-security-clearances.html

‘The Steel Porcupine’ – Russia's campaign of extermination by Benjamin I. Goldhagen:

https://www.thesteelporcupine.com/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,273.

Today, as we get more clarity on what the Europeans proposed to Donald Trump in the historic White House summit yesterday, we hear the latest from the battlefront as Russian progress appears to have been stymied, and then do a deep dive into Moscow’s reaction to this week’s diplomatic developments. What exactly are they signalling?

Contributors:

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

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

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

Content Referenced:

Ukraine ‘offers Trump $100bn arms deal’ for security guarantees (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/19/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-trump-peace/

Frank Gardner’s security guarantees reflections (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cz93ve1p952t

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

In this special episode, recorded just after an unprecedented White House summit, we analyse the impact on President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies. Was the meeting a diplomatic win for Ukraine? How credible is Donald Trump’s pledge to commit US forces to defend Ukraine in a future peace deal? And could it benefit Zelensky strategically to meet Vladimir Putin without the American President at the table?

Contributors:

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

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

Connor Stringer (Deputy US Editor). @connor_stringer on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,272.

Today, after the Trump and Putin summit in the United States ends without accord – but with certain principles for peace seemingly agreed between them – we look ahead to the vital meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders in the White House, and consider why the proposal for Ukraine to cede Donbas would leave Ukraine strategically exposed.

We will be releasing a bonus episode immediately after the summit.

Contributors:

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

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

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Content Referenced:

In maps: Why the entire peace deal hangs on this small strip of Ukraine (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/18/maps-why-entire-peace-deal-hangs-on-small-strip-ukraine/

Russia taunts Ukraine by flying US flag on front line:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/russia-taunts-ukraine-american-flag-front-line/

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/ukraine-russia-war-trump-zelensky-meeting-latest-news/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

In a special episode recorded just minutes after the summit in Alaska between Presidents Putin and Trump, we discuss what it was like in the room, and the ramifications of a meeting which leaves more questions than answers. What happens next?

Contributors:

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

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

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

Day 1,269.

Today, as the world awaits what some say could be the most consequential summit for Europe since the end of the Second World War, we hear the latest updates live from Alaska, from journalists, experts, and protestors gathering there. Plus, we assess the fast-moving situation on the battlefield, and provide our regular update on the occupied territories.

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 Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom for Ukraine. @OstapYarysh on X.

Content Referenced:

Dom’s Video: Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters flood Anchorage (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/hundreds-of-anti-trump-protesters-flood-anchorage/

Lavrov goads Ukraine with Soviet jumper on Alaska arrival (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/trump-meet-putin-ukraine-summit-latest-news/

Putin prepares nuclear missile tests in veiled threat to West (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/15/putin-prepares-nuclear-missile-tests-ukraine-peace-talks/

The enduring allure of the summit (Sergey Radchenko in Engelsberg Ideas):

https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-enduring-allure-of-the-summit/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,268.

Today, as reports suggest Russian advances near Pokrovsk have “stalled”, we hear the contrasting European and American positions as we approach the summit in Alaska, including suggestions of a new minerals deal for Russia and a ‘West Bank-style occupation of parts of Ukraine’. Then you’ll hear Dom’s dispatch from Odesa, where he joined an anti-aircraft unit shooting down Russian drones.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Connor Stringer (Acting Deputy US Editor). @connor_stringer on X.

Content Referenced:

[DOM’S VIDEO] I joined a Ukrainian unit shooting down Russian drones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkkdWu7Xt7o

Trump to offer Putin minerals for peace (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/08/13/trump-to-present-minerals-deal-to-putin-in-alaska/

Trump and Putin to hold press conference after Alaska talks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/14/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-zelenky-starmer-meeting/

Zelensky faces his ‘moment of maximum pressure’ (Financial Times):

https://shorturl.at/MZ1Yv

US and Russia ‘propose West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine’ (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/us-russia-deal-west-bank-occupation-ukraine-wfvnt6v6f?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1755093882

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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