Q&A: Suspended US weapons, Macron-Putin call and Russian opposition
Ukrainecast
BBC
4.7 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 3 July 2025
⏱️ 25 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
After the US paused the delivery of some weapons to Ukraine pledged under the Biden administration, how soon will the impact be felt on the front line? As Russia claims full control of Luhansk, what is life like for Ukrainians living in occupied territories? And is Ukraine united behind the Russian opposition movement?
Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and discuss French President Emmanuel Macron’s call with Vladimir Putin, alongside BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson, and our diplomatic correspondent James Landale.
Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus, Polly Hope and Nik Sindle. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480
You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:04.7 | It's 1,226 days since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. |
| 0:10.3 | And ever since Donald Trump entered the White House for the second time in January, |
| 0:14.1 | there's been uncertainty over his new administration's long-term commitment to Ukraine. |
| 0:19.5 | It's been a rollercoaster six months, including that Oval Office |
| 0:22.8 | Exchange, reconciliation in the Vatican, a contrived round of peace talks. I think it's fair to say |
| 0:28.5 | the US President has blown hot and cold on decisive intervention. And now we've got Washington |
| 0:34.6 | saying it's going to withhold some weapons already pledged to Ukraine by President Biden. |
| 0:40.1 | That reportedly includes the coveted Patriot Air Defense missiles. |
| 0:44.6 | So with Russia making battlefield gains, how much could this decision hamper Ukraine's defense? |
| 0:50.9 | As always, we have a top team to answer all that and more on Ukrainecast. |
| 0:55.1 | Ukrainecast from BBC News. |
| 0:57.6 | Life is not safe in Ukraine, nor are in Ukraine. |
| 1:00.7 | We've had three years of bloody conflict now. We need to get to that lasting peace. |
| 1:04.8 | We hope we can finish this war this year. |
| 1:07.8 | President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Zucker. |
| 1:11.9 | Biden will just enemy. |
| 1:13.4 | Trump is arrival. |
| 1:14.8 | Ukrainians will pay lives for this decision. |
| 1:16.9 | You're gambling with World War III. |
| 1:20.2 | Hello, it's Lucy Hawkins in the Ukraine Car Studio. |
| 1:23.4 | And this is Vitalis Shubchenko, also in the Ukraine Car Studio. |
... |
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