What does diplomatic deadlock mean for Donbas?

Ukrainecast

BBC

News Commentary, News

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 August 2025

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As Russia continues to pour cold water on the prospect of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear to have returned to a familiar holding pattern. Despite the fanfare surrounding key summits in Alaska and Washington, significant divisions remain on key issues from territorial concessions to security guarantees. So, with Trump once again restarting the clock on the deadline for Russian cooperation, what sort of progress can we expect in the coming weeks?

Today, we’re joined from Ukraine’s Donbas region by our correspondent Quentin Sommerville, to discuss how the lives of those on the front line are being materially affected by diplomatic deadlock. And, former senior US intelligence officer Andrea Kendall-Taylor gives her view on what it would take for headway to be made in peace negotiations.

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This episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The social producer was Grace Braddock. 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

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi there, Ukrainecast listeners. As I mentioned at the beginning of our last episode, we are doing some really
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0:42.8	and it really is massively appreciated.
0:45.4	Thank you.
0:47.4	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:51.1	Hello, it's 1,280 days since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
0:56.3	Vitaly on Sunday, Ukraine celebrated Independence Day.
0:59.8	On the 24th of August, 1991, Ukraine's Parliament voted to restore Ukraine's independence.
1:07.4	Following the failed hardline coup in Moscow, Ukraine was free again.
1:12.7	And some incredible sights and sounds from Sunday's events,
1:16.7	President Zelensky and First Lady Elena Zelenska took part in a prayer for Ukraine
1:21.4	held at St. Sophia's Cathedral.
1:36.4	Our Ukraine, cathedral. It was a prayer for Ukraine's for Ukraine's for Ukraine's president to be strengthened.
1:42.8	That's what the priest said.
1:44.5	And then the bells of the cathedral rang out.
1:52.4	And in Kiev's Independence Square, President Zelensky stood with Ukrainian troops for a minute's silence to honour fallen fighters.
	...

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