Is Ukraine sliding into authoritarianism?
FT News Briefing
Forhecz Topher
4.4 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 18 July 2025
⏱️ 12 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is accused of authoritarianism after favoring loyalists in anti-corruption raids, and the Meta board settles a multibillion-dollar lawsuit over failing to prevent data breaches. Plus, FT columnist Ruchir Sharma explains why investors are going all in on Israel.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused of authoritarian slide after anti-corruption raids
Meta board settles Delaware case over multibillion-dollar cost of data breaches
The markets are signalling a clear winner in the Middle East
FT Weekend Fest Promo code: FTPodcasts
Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Katya Kumkova, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Kelly Garry, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Our intern is Michaela Seah. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | For over 40 years, Equinoor has been an energy partner to the UK. |
| 0:04.1 | During that time, we've played our part in the switch from coal to gas, |
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| 0:22.4 | solutions has increased from 4% in 2020 to 27% in 2024. Find out more at equinor.com. |
| 0:32.2 | Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Friday, July 18th, and this is your FT News briefing. |
| 0:38.7 | Critics are going after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. And Meta's investors and |
| 0:44.0 | board of directors have made nice. Plus, Israel has the best performing stock market in the world |
| 0:50.0 | right now. Why aren't investors more worried about the country's military conflicts? |
| 0:55.7 | I'm Mark Filipino, and here's the news you need to start your day. |
| 1:06.9 | Critics are saying that the Ukrainian government is sliding into authoritarianism. |
| 1:11.9 | Police launched raids on prominent public figures and moved to prop up loyalists for government jobs. |
| 1:18.1 | That has activists, diplomats, and the media sounding the alarm. |
| 1:22.7 | It all comes as the nation desperately negotiates with Western states for weapons to use in its war against Russia. |
| 1:29.2 | Moscow, meanwhile, has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine. |
| 1:32.8 | Joining me from Kiev to unpack all this is the FTs Ukraine correspondent, Chris Miller. |
| 1:36.9 | Hey, Chris. |
| 1:37.8 | Hey, Mark. |
| 1:38.4 | So let's start with these police raids. |
... |
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