The Pat Kenny Show Talks between us and Ukraine resume today
Dec 4, 2025
Denis Staunton, the China correspondent for the Irish Times and author of the Daily Global Briefing, offers keen insights into the resumption of talks between the US and Ukraine. He discusses Putin’s visit to India and its significance for long-standing ties. The conversation explores India’s arms reliance on Russia and the complexities of energy economics due to US sanctions. Staunton also highlights China's ambiguous neutrality, Macron's peace efforts in China, and the implications of aging leadership on future geopolitical dynamics.
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Russia Reasserts India Ties
- Putin's India visit reasserts a long-standing India-Russia relationship dating back to independence.
- The trip is partly about renewing ties paused since before the Ukraine war and signalling continuity.
India's Multi-Alignment Strategy
- India practices 'multi-alignment', keeping good relations with both Russia and the West.
- Historically Russia supplied most arms, but India has diversified its military procurement over decades.
India's Surge In Russian Oil
- India dramatically increased cheap Russian oil purchases after Western sanctions depressed prices.
- That shifted a tiny Russia share to about 35% of India's oil imports last year before US sanctions altered flows.