Oliver Conway

Ukraine says the Russian leader is paving the way to reject the proposal. Also in this podcast, we report on the measles outbreak in Texas amid a warning about rising cases in Europe and Central Asia.

Ukraine says the Russian leader is paving the way to reject the proposal. Also in this podcast, we report on the measles outbreak in Texas amid a warning about rising cases in Europe and Central Asia.

What happens when bits of the internet go missing? Two days after the American ceasefire proposals were accepted by Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has given his response. And it was neither a yes nor a no. The Russian leader said he liked the idea in theory, but he had lots of questions.

What happens when bits of the internet go missing? Two days after the American ceasefire proposals were accepted by Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has given his response. And it was neither a yes nor a no. The Russian leader said he liked the idea in theory, but he had lots of questions.

Vitaly Shevchenko is Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. What did he make of it?

Vitaly Shevchenko is Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. What did he make of it?

Yeah, I mean, so what do the Russians think will happen next? President Putin's supposed to be meeting Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. There's also talk of a phone call. How do they see it playing out from here?

Yeah, I mean, so what do the Russians think will happen next? President Putin's supposed to be meeting Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. There's also talk of a phone call. How do they see it playing out from here?

And that's because his forces appear to have the upper hand at the moment and he wants to take as much territory as he can.

And that's because his forces appear to have the upper hand at the moment and he wants to take as much territory as he can.

Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. Well, if the Russians do intend to play for time, it may not go down too well with the Americans. President Trump wants an immediate ceasefire. But his initial response to Vladimir Putin's words was broadly positive.

Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. Well, if the Russians do intend to play for time, it may not go down too well with the Americans. President Trump wants an immediate ceasefire. But his initial response to Vladimir Putin's words was broadly positive.

Donald Trump speaking in the Oval Office where he was meeting the NATO chief Mark Rutter. Our North America editor Sarah Smith was at the White House and told us more about the US President's hopes for a deal.

Donald Trump speaking in the Oval Office where he was meeting the NATO chief Mark Rutter. Our North America editor Sarah Smith was at the White House and told us more about the US President's hopes for a deal.

Our North America editor, Sarah Smith. Well, President Trump may be optimistic about Vladimir Putin's intentions, but there's a very different view in Ukraine itself. President Zelensky accused the Russian leader of manipulating the situation and called for more sanctions.

Our North America editor, Sarah Smith. Well, President Trump may be optimistic about Vladimir Putin's intentions, but there's a very different view in Ukraine itself. President Zelensky accused the Russian leader of manipulating the situation and called for more sanctions.

President Zelensky's view is shared by many of his frontline soldiers and medics, as Jonathan Beale reports from eastern Ukraine.

President Zelensky's view is shared by many of his frontline soldiers and medics, as Jonathan Beale reports from eastern Ukraine.

Jonathan Beale in eastern Ukraine. Some other news now. And two years ago, troops from southern Africa were sent to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to try to help in the long-running fight against the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23. Now the South African bloc SADC says it will pull out its forces.

Jonathan Beale in eastern Ukraine. Some other news now. And two years ago, troops from southern Africa were sent to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to try to help in the long-running fight against the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23. Now the South African bloc SADC says it will pull out its forces.