3a:T52e,On Friday, Ukrainians woke up to the news that the home of presidential chief of staff and top peace negotiator, Andriy Yermak, was being searched by anti-corruption authorities. Although they didn’t accuse him of wrongdoing, by the evening he had submitted his resignation. So how damaging could the downfall of such a close ally be for President Zelensky, and what could it mean for peace talks?Victoria and Vitaly are joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse to discuss the reaction in Kyiv and beyond. We also hear the thoughts of journalist and author Simon Shuster, who interviewed Mr Yermak for the Atlantic the day before his shock departure.And, as an American delegation meet counterparts in Moscow, we look at reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been coaching the Kremlin on how to deal with Donald Trump.Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producer was Laurie Kalus. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord3b:T48e,

The question on everyone’s minds this week is whether the war in Ukraine is any closer to coming to an end. We’ve dedicated the entire Q&A today to the US-brokered peace plan and the details that will determine whether Ukraine and Russia can agree on a number of key issues relating to territory, military numbers and the critical question of security guarantees for Ukraine.

In today’s episode, James is joined by Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, Chief International correspondent Lyse Doucet and Southern and Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford to unpack how Ukraine, Russia and Europe may respond to a frantic week of diplomacy.

Today’s episode is presented by James Waterhouse.

The producers were George Dabby and Laura Cain. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

3c:T471,

Ukraine has given its support to a peace deal following talks with the United States in Geneva, but some of the most sensitive issues are still to be discussed between the countries' presidents, a Ukrainian official said on Tuesday.

It followed claims that Ukraine had agreed to a deal, which look to have been exaggerated, but Zelensky could meet Trump before the end of the week.

To talk through how close we really are to peace, and what it could look like, Victoria and James Waterhouse are joined by diplomatic correspondent James Landale, and former Russia advisor to Trump Fiona Hill.

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and James Waterhouse. The producers were Julia Webster and Laurie Kalus. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

3d:T421,

Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine faces "a very difficult choice" amid reports of American pressure to accept a leaked peace deal apparently drawn up by the US and Russia. Europe is also thought to have been blindsided by the proposal, which includes several conditions previously rejected by Kyiv.

So - as Donald Trump's reported Thanksgiving deadline approaches - could this document provide any kind of framework for nego

2022: The year war engulfed Ukraine