Revealed: Trump backed Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign & exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner
6/23/202633 min
Day 1,579.
Today, as reports emerge that Donald Trump urged President Zelensky to act “more boldly” towards Russia, the clock is ticking on Ukraine’s threat to target drone relay stations in Belarus that Kyiv says are helping facilitate attacks on Ukrainian territory. We examine the Kremlin’s extraordinary demand that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko travel to Moscow for advice on protecting his country’s sovereignty – a suggestion that reveals much about the true nature of Russia’s relationship with its closest ally. We also bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes aimed at isolating Crimea, exposing the vulnerability of Russian supply routes as drones hunt convoys and pontoon crossings with increasing impunity. And later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to the European Union’s first Defence Commissioner about Europe’s plans to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia, strengthen continental security, and support Ukraine for the long haul.
Contributor:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Producer: Phil Atkins
Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan
Social Producer: Tom Steed
Studio Director: Chris January
Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley
Created by David Knowles
NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:
Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest
CONTENT REFERENCED:
The European talks to create a Nato plan B (Joe Barnes for The Telegraph)
Chalke Festival (this Friday):
https://www.chalkefestival.com/
Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party (this Saturday):
https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/
EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- ‘Act Boldly’: Trump backs Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign
- Exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDominic Nicholls· Host0:00
[intro music] The Telegraph. [upbeat music] I'm Dom Nicholls, and this is Ukraine: The Latest. Today, after Donald Trump reportedly told President Zelensky to act more boldly toward Russia as the clock ticks down on Ukraine's threat to remove drone relay stations in Belarus, we report on the Kremlin's demand that Alexander Lukashenko report to Moscow for tips on how best to safeguard his country's sovereignty. A threat so thinly veiled even the well-upholstered Mr. Lukashenko will feel the chill. We bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes to isolate Crimea and show the folly of expecting a long line of slow-moving trucks edging over a hastily constructed pontoon crossing could go unnoticed by drones that are seemingly operating with impunity. And later, we interview the EU's first defense commissioner, who outlines the European bloc's thoughts on countering a belligerent Russia.
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:57
Bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory.
Francis Dearnley1:07
Russia does not want peace.
Ursula von der Leyen· Soundbite1:08
First, with our help for Ukraine, we are also defending our freedom and our European values.
Speaker 2· Soundbite1:17
If I'm president, I will have that war settled in one day, 24 hours.
Dominic Nicholls· Host1:21
We are with you, not just today or tomorrow, but for 100 years. We Europeans cannot let Russia