Zelensky says Kyiv needs 'nukes or NATO membership' | Ukraine: The Latest | Podcast

Day 969.

Today, as President Zelensky leaves EU leaders with his call for more urgent action, we speak to a former British Defence Secretary about the impact of having North Korean soldiers fighting in Europe.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.
With thanks to former Secretary of State for Defence Sir Liam Fox. @LiamFox on X.

Content Referenced:
Don’t believe Putin’s lies: Ukraine is not ‘persecuting’ Christians (Dr Ivana Stradner in The Telegraph)

Liam Fox's book, The Coming Storm: Why water will write the 21st century

Ukraine ‘will seek nuclear weapons’ if it cannot join Nato (The Telegraph):

Donald Trump blames Zelensky for Ukraine war (The Telegraph):

South Korean intelligence says North is sending troops to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine (AP)

North Korean Troops Deserting Ukraine Frontline Days After Arrival: Report (Newsweek)

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[kpn]

As always, very informative. Thanks, guys. So much information to mull over after listening to this podcast. I'm American, but I get my world news from Ukraine The Latest. ❤

[PAinVA]

I listen from the US East Coast and I always find this show very insightful.

[SeemoreDunkan]

Zelenskyy said what we were all thinking ❤❤

[jeremygibbs]

Excellent video. At roughly 49:00 your guest talks about nations knowing where they stand inn following the rule of law and arbitrary rules.

I need to stress this point, the US and UK walked away from the rule of law when they invaded Iraq in the early 2000's. Whenever a discussion correlates to this invasion I always bring it up and I always will. Because, both the US and UK have a responsibility to behave better in the future if they want other nations to behave more responsibly as well. Otherwise situations like what we currently see in Ukraine, will be repeated over and over again.

[RdamplificationUk]

It is clear from trumps comments that he has absolutely no clue about Ukraine. In fact I would posit that most listening to this POD have a better understanding of the condition of Ukraine right now than trump does.

[Interglacial_optimist]

International law does not exist unless it is enforced which it never is.

[afp]

Between 1933 and 1938 the UK's Defence budget grew from 2.2% to 6.9% of GDP.
Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister between 1937 - 1940
2024 UK Defence spending is 2.3% of GDP this I believe is a symptom of weak leadership. "Weaker than Chamberlain" (a much maligned PM)

[donaldflett]

Great discussion as always. As a 76 year old American engineer, I was particularly interested in the discussion of the world wide water situation. I, and other members of my profession, have been working on this problem for many decades now and the technology and other resources are available. Water conservation, agricultural efficiency, water reuse, progressive water rate structures, flood and storm runoff control, industrial water efficiency, etc. There is still a lot to be done of course. Switching to a more plant rather than meat based diet is necessary. Beyond this, the problem is political/economic. As with defense spending, we have put our linited resources towards the most important problems. Again, great discussion and keep up the good work.

[lauraa.e.]

Give Zelenski what he needs to take out Putin, once and for all!!

[mikezharov]

"shoot down russian missles from our own soil It's not a escalation"
and what if these batteries shoot down a russian fighter plane?
or if the russians retaliate?
frankly the illiteracy and massive stupidity of britbonger radio hosts is appauling

[gzerx]

The way conservatives in the US and Australia talk about how "we cant support ukraine we need to defend the pacific" is the same exact shell game of "we shouldn't support foreign nations and spend money on our own people, on healthcare and jobs back home" -- just like how Brexit never brought money into the NHS like Farage said it would. this is all garbage because THE MONEY NEVER GETS SPENT AT HOME, its an excuse to equivacate and justify doing nothing. the money will never be spent on Taiwan if ukraine falls, the money is never spent at home unless its buying more 20, 000 dollar cupholders for the air force, and will instead go into corporate donor pockets.

[xtrajently]

Trump knows full well that the war started with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, when Zelenski had zero influence on the situation ( nor did Parashenko before him).
It is very concerning to hear that kind of rhetoric from a potential leader of the “Free World”.

[tawektawek]

Thanks.
And thanks for the interview, I'm no fan of Liam Fox, but he had a lot of interesting things to say.

[DeliciaDW]

Listening from New Zealand. Expat South African. Committed to supporting Ukraine

[mr.snotty]

Remark from DK:
It is the way of life lived in the democratic countrys which is under attack. Ukraine is the most important frontline, but not the only one. For example, there is another front line in the Middle East. 2 sides of same war.
Thx for laying out the obvious for ostrich’s.
🙏
There will be no West if the ones we have elected to power do not live up to their responsibility.
“We are in danger in the West”

[richardmarsden]

Russia urges 'immediate' withdrawal of American troops from South Korea

[Ciaran]

Where is the proof N. Koreans are fighting for Rusdia, prove it.

[ericdane]

1.00.10 "Bullies, whether in the school playground or the Kremlin, only understand strength, not rethoric."

[mdavidsonflux]

I don’t think I’ve heard a better Tory boot licking Russia/putin since Yes Prime Minister.

[evilaquaman]

I think what Liam Fox is saying is it's not a free country, the EU is not free. They are democracies and democracies are great, but they aren't cheap. The alternative is living in a Russian, Iranian, Afghanistan or North Korean regime.