Andrew Peach

Ukrainian officials say a deal's been reached between Kiev and Washington on the joint exploitation of Ukraine's mineral resources. At the time of recording this podcast, the details haven't been made public, but reports suggest the US has dropped some of its more drastic demands. Rare earths, titanium, graphite and lithium would be hugely lucrative for investors and for Mr Trump.

Ukrainian officials say a deal's been reached between Kiev and Washington on the joint exploitation of Ukraine's mineral resources. At the time of recording this podcast, the details haven't been made public, but reports suggest the US has dropped some of its more drastic demands. Rare earths, titanium, graphite and lithium would be hugely lucrative for investors and for Mr Trump.

Speaking from the Oval Office, he said there could be a way of recouping hundreds of billions of dollars of U.S. military aid to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Speaking from the Oval Office, he said there could be a way of recouping hundreds of billions of dollars of U.S. military aid to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Officials in Kyiv say the terms of a deal have been reached and President Zelensky will fly to Washington on Friday, just a week after Mr Trump called him a dictator. For more on this, I've been speaking to our correspondent in Washington, Bernd Busman, but first, Abdul Jalil Abdul Rasulov in Kyiv.

Officials in Kyiv say the terms of a deal have been reached and President Zelensky will fly to Washington on Friday, just a week after Mr Trump called him a dictator. For more on this, I've been speaking to our correspondent in Washington, Bernd Busman, but first, Abdul Jalil Abdul Rasulov in Kyiv.

And with you, Bernd, in Washington, this sounds like standard Donald Trump tactics. Say something that everyone thinks is outrageous and step back from it a little and everyone's happy with the deal they get.

And with you, Bernd, in Washington, this sounds like standard Donald Trump tactics. Say something that everyone thinks is outrageous and step back from it a little and everyone's happy with the deal they get.

That's Bernd Busman in Washington and Abdul Jalil Abdurasulov with me from Kiev. Now, before President Zelensky flies to Washington, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. He's announced an increase to the UK's defence spending to reach 2.5% of GDP within the next two years.

That's Bernd Busman in Washington and Abdul Jalil Abdurasulov with me from Kiev. Now, before President Zelensky flies to Washington, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. He's announced an increase to the UK's defence spending to reach 2.5% of GDP within the next two years.

To pay for it, he's slashing overseas aid for the world's poorest countries. Here he is making the announcement in Downing Street.

To pay for it, he's slashing overseas aid for the world's poorest countries. Here he is making the announcement in Downing Street.

Is this all to curry favour with President Trump? Here's our political correspondent, Rob Watson.

Is this all to curry favour with President Trump? Here's our political correspondent, Rob Watson.

Lord Kim Darroch is a former British ambassador to the US and a former national security adviser. He's in favour of the plan.

Lord Kim Darroch is a former British ambassador to the US and a former national security adviser. He's in favour of the plan.

But the announcement's been condemned by aid agencies. Gideon Rabinovitz is from Bond, a British-based network for organisations which work in international development. He says the aid reduction will backfire on the UK with devastating consequences.

But the announcement's been condemned by aid agencies. Gideon Rabinovitz is from Bond, a British-based network for organisations which work in international development. He says the aid reduction will backfire on the UK with devastating consequences.

Our diplomatic correspondent James Landale considers what the move will mean for humanitarian projects supported by the UK.

Our diplomatic correspondent James Landale considers what the move will mean for humanitarian projects supported by the UK.