logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
26m 27s

How Far Will The UK Go To Protect Ukrain...

BBC News
About this episode

Addressing the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow today, Sir Keir Starmer said "peace only comes with strength” and said the UK must spend more on defence. But how far is he prepared to go to protect Ukraine when he goes to Washington next week?

Laura, Paddy and Joe discuss what tools the UK government has at its disposal to negotiate or flatter Donald Trump ahead of their hugely significant meeting.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmY

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell. It was made by George Dabby with Bella Salteil. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Up next
Yesterday
Why Is It So Hot?
Today, as the UK faces the third heatwave already of the summer - is this the kind of summer we should expect in future?Adam is joined by Jordan Dunbar, one of the hosts of the Climate Question podcast and Sarah Keith-Lucas lead weather presenter for the BBC. They discuss when ho ... Show More
31m 33s
Jul 10
Another Plan To Stop The Boats
Today, the UK and France have unveiled a new “one in, one out” plan to reduce small boat Channel crossings. Announcing the deal at the end of Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, Keir Starmer said migrants arriving on small boats will be returned to France, in exchange for as ... Show More
34 m
Jul 9
What Can The Government Actually Afford?
Can the government afford everything it wants to do?Adam is joined by BBC economics editor Faisal Islam and BBC health editor Hugh Pym to discuss the news that resident doctors, who used to be called junior doctors, have announced strike dates for later this summer. The governmen ... Show More
41m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Britain and Germany have a new defence pact. What will it mean for the Ukraine war?
The U.K. and Germany have signed a defense deal to bolster NATO and European security. But will it do anything to meet their immediate needs and alter the course of the war in Ukraine? Host Anne McElvoy talks to John Healey, the U.K. Defence Secretary — one of the most senior job ... Show More
23m 27s
Jan 2025
Will Britain stand up to Trump over Greenland?
Denmark’s Prime Minister is clearly worried enough about President Trump's threats over Greenland to embark on a tour of European capitals to drum up support. Is the UK able to offer clear and unequivocal support to Denmark - our NATO ally? We ask Secretary of State, Peter Kyle. ... Show More
35m 12s
Mar 2025
How should Trump deal with Putin?
What do we know about President Trump’s long term strategy when it comes to dealing with Russia, and where does that leave America’s relationship with Europe and Ukraine? Justin, Sarah and Anthony get an inside view from Celeste Wallander, one of Biden and Obama’s top security st ... Show More
25m 10s
Sep 2024
Ukraine’s 4-month countdown
Volodymyr Zelensky has just four months. That’s the time left until U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office. After that, who knows what’s going to happen. And that means uncomfortable questions for the EU, too. This week’s edition of EU Confidential tracks the Ukrainian president’ ... Show More
39m 10s
Aug 2024
Starmer vs Musk: the incredible first battle of the Labour Government
As planned violence continues this week the Prime Minister has a new battle on his hands - and it's one of the most influential men on the planet. Elon Musk is trolling Kier Starmer. So, how do governments take on Big Tech? Later, Jon speaks to Scotland's former First Minister Hu ... Show More
41m 52s
Feb 2025
Is Germany about to cut ties with Trump's America?
It didn't take long for Germany's new Chancellor in waiting, Friedrich Merz, to make his presence felt across the Atlantic. Before the final ballots had even been counted in the German elections, Merz took to a television debate to warn that "after Donald Trump's remarks last wee ... Show More
35m 13s
Mar 2025
Will Starmer’s peace plan work after the Trump-Zelenskyy clash? – Politics Weekly Westminster
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey reflect on the momentous events of the last few days, after the jaw-dropping exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As Keir Starmer takes on a pivotal role in lowering the temperature between the US and Ukraine, will his plan for a ‘c ... Show More
25m 59s
Feb 2025
Did Starmer win over Trump at the White House?
How successful was Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday? Trump praised the Prime Minister as a “tough negotiator”, but did Sir Keir get the key concessions needed over the war in Ukraine and trade? Justin, Sarah and Marianna analyse what ... Show More
24m 29s
Feb 2025
What does Trump really want from Putin?
In a remarkable and rapid rapprochement, Donald Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in Riyadh meeting a Russian delegation to kick off talks about a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine. Who's not at the talks? Ukraine - or any other European leader. Is Russia calling ... Show More
37m 32s
Jun 24
Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space: A new era of defence readiness
James Copnall, presenter of BBC Newsday, speaks to Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, about the need for Europe to be able to defend itself.In an interview recorded before the Nato summit on 24/25 June 2025, Mr Kubilius, a former Prime Minister of Lithuania, ... Show More
22m 59s