Ukrainecast Q&A: Trump & King Charles, Russian oil and a lesson on drones
11 snips
Sep 18, 2025 
James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent, offers insights from Windsor during Trump's high-profile UK visit. He discusses how this event tests the effectiveness of soft power diplomacy. The conversation also digs into the complexities of U.S. sanctions on Russia, the ongoing reliance on Russian oil, and the potential impact on European energy policies. Additionally, they touch on vital issues like drone threats and the implications for Belarus. Landale's perspective sheds light on the fine balance of international relations in these tumultuous times.
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Soft Power Buys A Hearing Not Decisions
- State visits deploy soft power as a transaction to earn influence rather than guaranteed policy change.
- James Landale says flattery gets you a hearing but not necessarily to win the argument.
Sanctions Linked To European Energy Choices
- Trump conditions new US sanctions on Russia on Europe stopping purchases of Russian oil.
- That linkage complicates immediate US unilateral action on sanctions.
EU Sanctions Require Unanimity
- EU cannot sanction member states like Hungary or Slovakia because sanctions require unanimous agreement.
- Expect legal, slow processes and political bargaining rather than swift punitive measures.