Diplomacy gathers pace over war in Ukraine

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Global News Podcast 28 min 23 speakers 2 chapters transcribed
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What diplomatic moves are being made regarding the war in Ukraine?

Oliver Conway 0:00
You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Monday, the 17th of February. US officials are preparing for talks with Russia over Ukraine, while the Europeans are set to hold a meeting of their own in Paris. The Israeli Prime Minister says he's working to make President Trump's plan for the future of Gaza a reality. And the Democratic Republic of Congo says Rwanda is ignoring calls for a ceasefire after M23 rebels seized the city of Bukavu. Also in the podcast, a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison, a defiant message from his widow.
Alexei Navalny's Widow 0:40
Even now, a year after his death, Putin is trying to erase Alexei's name from our memory, to hide the truth about his murder. But he will not succeed.
Corey Hoffman 0:50
And... What do American farmers think about plans to deport undocumented migrants?
Oliver Conway 1:10
The coming days could be crucial in shaping negotiations over the war in Ukraine. US officials are due in Saudi Arabia for talks with the Russians. Ukraine says it hasn't been invited, nor have the Europeans, who hold an emergency summit of their own in Paris. The speed with which President Trump has upended the old consensus on European security was underlined by the US special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, when asked who would be involved in talks on ending the war.
Interviewer 1:38
Can you assure this audience, that Ukrainians will be at the table and Europeans will be at the table?
Keith Kellogg 1:44
The answer to that last question, just as you framed it, the answer is no. The answer to the earlier part of that question is yes, of course the Ukrainians are going to be at the table.
Oliver Conway 1:53
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, says the meeting in France on Monday is an opportunity to reset Europe's security arrangements. Here's our Europe editor, Katja Adler.
Katya Adler 2:03
Stunned and horrified at being sidelined by the US, the leaders of France, the UK and the defence alliance NATO are amongst those scrambling to this emergency summit in an attempt to force a place at the negotiating table. For Europe, this isn't just about Ukraine. The parameters of the Russia-US talks and how emboldened President Putin may feel after them could end up reshaping Europe's security infrastructure to Moscow's advantage. Western neighbours of Russia, particularly the tiny former Soviet Baltic states, feel hugely exposed. Sir Keir Starmer noted that this was a once-in-a-generation moment for our national security where we needed to engage in the reality of the world today. He and other leaders in Europe face their own domestic economic pressures but the majority now feel forced to discuss concrete plans to shore up European security.
Katya Adler 2:56
With or without the US defence umbrella, this continent has relied on since the Second World War. The possibility of sending troops to Ukraine will also be discussed in Paris. What their mission statement would be, how big a force and under whose command, are major questions that have to be answered. Katya Adler.
Oliver Conway 3:15
The starkest rendering of the new US approach to Europe came in a speech by the American Vice President J.D. Vance to the Munich Security Conference. That event is now over, but the Europeans have been left reeling, as we heard from our chief international correspondent, Lise Doucette.
Lise Doucette 3:34
Luxury German cars pulling away from the entrance of the elegant Bayerischer Hof Hotel here in Munich as this conference comes to a close. It's snowing and there's a chill in the air. And that's not just the freezing temperature. Everyone I've spoken to has described this year's conference as truly historic. The darkest moment in the history of what's known here as the transatlantic relationship. In the minds of European leaders and the Ukrainians attending this conference, it's now in tatters. As President Trump's team pushes forward with an approach to resolving world crises, including ending the war in Ukraine, that leaves the Europeans and the Ukrainians out in the cold. So I've been asking delegates here, what is the mood in Munich?

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