How far away is a Ukraine peace deal?

Feb 21, 2025

International diplomacy shifts as the U.S. initiates talks with Russia, excluding Ukraine and Europe. This new development sparks a European emergency summit to regain influence. Tensions rise with disputes between U.S. and Ukrainian leadership, raising questions about Ukraine's role in peace negotiations. The hosts delve into the implications of Donald Trump's statements, scrutiny of Zelensky's position, and the challenges posed by disinformation campaigns. They emphasize the need for a united European response amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

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ANECDOTE

Zelensky's Peace Plan

Zelensky presented his own "peace plan" in October 2023.
It focused on protecting Ukraine's natural resources in exchange for international support and later cooperation in exploiting them.

INSIGHT

Trump's Annoyance

Trump's attacks on Zelensky are driven by personal annoyance, not solely political strategy.
His use of "disinformation" further fueled the conflict due to its cultural war connotations.

INSIGHT

Online vs. Offline War

The war in Ukraine, despite its real-world impact, has a significant online component.
Trump's use of the word "disinformation", echoing Russian propaganda, has blurred the lines between online rhetoric and offline consequences.

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The past week has seen international diplomacy turned upside down as the US began talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The decision to exclude Ukraine - and Europe - from these talks led to an emergency summit in which European countries sought to establish some influence over the process.

But with the US and Ukrainian presidents embroiled in a dispute that led to Trump calling Zelensky a “dictator”, is their relationship beyond repair? And will Ukraine have any say over the terms of a peace deal?

Newscast, Americast and Ukrainecast gathered in the studio for a special collaboration to unpack the enormous shift in international politics that’s unfolding.

HOSTS:

Adam Fleming, Newscast Presenter Alex Forsyth, Political Correspondent Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia Editor at BBC Monitoring

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Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.

The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm