A ceasefire in the Russian-Ukraine war is now on the table, with US and Ukrainian officials reaching a deal to stop the fighting. With US military aid to Ukraine and intelligence sharing now reinstated, the world is now turning to Putin’s next move. Will the Russian president agree to peace? George Osborne and Ed Balls consider the monumental shifts in the way the years-long conflict is now being viewed. And at what price?

Meanwhile on both sides of the Atlantic, leaders are getting to grips with the trade war being waged by President Trump, with the latest to consider their approach being incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. After discussing Trump's dismissal of the stock markets, Ed and George discuss the merits of Carney's firebrand response to US tariffs, comparing it to Keir Starmer's more moderate approach.

Back at home, Starmer’s government is already under fire as rumours spread over possible welfare reform ahead of the Spring Statement. Will this be the undoing of a party that has stood so squarely against very similar suggestions when in opposition?

Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Or, join Political Currency’s KITCHEN CABINET to enjoy early and ad-free listening, access to live EMQs recordings, and exclusive Political Currency merch.

Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency. Please note Kitchen Cabinet subscriptions are only available through Patreon.

Producers: Miriam Hall, Jarek Zaba and Rosie Stopher

Technical Producer: Danny Pape

Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

Subscribe now on Patreon

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

Netflix Is A Daily Joke

Tom Papa: A Joke About Being Stupid

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts