James Menendez

for a potential peace negotiation. If Russia wants what we've taken back, you'll have to give back what you currently occupy inside Ukraine because there is also an operational reality here in that his forces have been unable to shift Russian troops or even hold them back in many parts of the front line in the east. So I think this is what President Zelensky is shifting himself towards now.

He's gearing up, as you said, for the Munich Security Conference where he is meeting a US vice president who's been extremely critical of American support for Ukraine. The White House has its eyes on Ukraine's natural resources. It wants to invest in them as a kind of return on the billions it's given. And so this is this kind of transactional tone we are starting to see from Ukraine's leader.

He's gearing up, as you said, for the Munich Security Conference where he is meeting a US vice president who's been extremely critical of American support for Ukraine. The White House has its eyes on Ukraine's natural resources. It wants to invest in them as a kind of return on the billions it's given. And so this is this kind of transactional tone we are starting to see from Ukraine's leader.

That may well materialise down the line. At the moment, the Kremlin is just repeating its demands, really, these really quite extreme demands of complete control of the four Ukrainian territories it occupies territory in. That would involve Ukraine surrendering entire cities. have yet to fall. And it wants the complete demilitarization of Ukraine.

That may well materialise down the line. At the moment, the Kremlin is just repeating its demands, really, these really quite extreme demands of complete control of the four Ukrainian territories it occupies territory in. That would involve Ukraine surrendering entire cities. have yet to fall. And it wants the complete demilitarization of Ukraine.

And it's repeated that false claim that Ukraine is run by a Nazi government. So Russia is standing firm. But if you look at the language from Washington... It's looking to appease Moscow already. We're already seeing the conversation shift to Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

And it's repeated that false claim that Ukraine is run by a Nazi government. So Russia is standing firm. But if you look at the language from Washington... It's looking to appease Moscow already. We're already seeing the conversation shift to Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

And President Zelensky is just fighting to keep himself in that conversation because what he's said time and time again is that there can be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, but that's materialising.

And President Zelensky is just fighting to keep himself in that conversation because what he's said time and time again is that there can be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, but that's materialising.

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And not just Americans, but also some Russians. Yep.

And not just Americans, but also some Russians. Yep.

Have you heard from or have you seen any reaction from the families of the five released today?

Have you heard from or have you seen any reaction from the families of the five released today?

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

And what about the airport? Is that in M23 hands too, do you know?

And what about the airport? Is that in M23 hands too, do you know?

And if that is the case, what are the implications for delivery of humanitarian aid in the days to come?