The Week: Is Starmer’s Trump Strategy Working?

Today, we hear from Ukrainians as their leader gets ready for another big week of peace talks and diplomacy.Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss government plans to overhaul the civil service. Plus, they assess Reform UK’s “infighting” following the suspension of an MP.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg, Paddy O’Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Laura and Paddy answer your questions about the war in Ukraine, President Trump’s tactics, and the possibilities of a peace deal. We also discuss Keir Starmer’s approach to global politics, and whether his "statesman-like" appearances on the global stage have helped him back home.You can now listen to Newscast on your smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes are released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam, Chris, Caitríona and James discuss if Sir Keir Starmer’s strategy for President Trump is working? Plus, can the Prime Minister reconcile his international agenda with his domestic one?”You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we discuss the emergency EU summit taking place in Brussels. Adam catches up with Europe editor Katya Adler about the discussions taking place about how the EU can bolster their defence spending, as well as supporting Ukraine in the face of uncertainty with the US. And Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse dials in to discuss how Zelensky is approaching the summit, and how Ukrainians are feeling a week on from the heated exchange in the Oval Office. And Chris Mason drops in to discuss the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood taking on the independent Sentencing Council over new guidance which would make the ethnicity or faith of an offender a bigger factor when deciding whether to jail them.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham

Today, we discuss the Chancellor Rachel Reeves looking at making spending cuts worth billions to the government’s welfare budget. The Treasury will put the proposed cuts to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on Wednesday amid expectations the chancellor's financial headroom has disappeared. Adam is joined by economics editor Faisal Islam to unpack what we know about the proposed cuts, and the chancellor’s Spring Statement later this month.And, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken to the Nick Robinson in his first wide-ranging interview since leaving Downing Street. Nick and Adam unpack what Rishi had to say, including why he regrets the ‘Stop the Boats’ slogan, how he felt about a podcast questioning his Englishness and what his political philosophy boils down to. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham

Today, we discuss President Zelensky saying that Ukraine is "ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership" to negotiate a peace deal. This comes after the US announced it would pause military aid to Ukraine, which has caused alarm across Europe. Adam speaks to the BBC’s chief presenter, Caitriona Perry and BBC international editor, Jeremy Bowen. And, the US and European stock markets fell after President Trump's 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico began. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said the tariffs are "a very dumb thing to do". We speak to the BBC’s economics editor, Faisal Islam.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmY - New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at possible plans for a Franco-UK peace deal in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron floated the idea of a partial month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine in a interview on Sunday. But the UK government has played down the idea as just a suggestion, and say that lots of proposals are still on the table. Meanwhile President Trump has criticised President Zelensky online again. Adam and Chris are joined by Marion Solletty, POLITICO’s editor at large in France.Plus, Israel have blocked the flow of aid into Gaza, after phase one of it’s ceasefire deal with Hamas expired on Saturday night without a plan for phase two agreed. Adam speaks to BBC World Affairs correspondent, Paul Adams to find out why a plan has yet to be agreed. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, in this extra episode, Laura and Paddy get back together to talk after Laura met President Zelensky.He told her, and a group of other journalists, that he is still "ready to sign" a US-Ukraine minerals deal after leaving the White House without it being agreed.Laura explains what it was like to be in the room as he also explained he wants “the Ukrainian position to be heard."You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we unpack Sir Keir Starmer’s interview with Laura about Donald Trump’s row with Volodymyr Zelensky, and Europe’s plan to make a Ukraine peace deal happen.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn and Adam Chowdhury. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at how Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders are reacting to the row/pile on/slanging match between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.Starmer called both men on Friday night to show support, and he’s hosting Zelensky at Downing Street ahead of a European leader summit on Sunday.Laura and Paddy discuss the Prime Minister’s plans plus answer questions from listeners about the dispute.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/NbuxWnmYNew episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn and Adam Chowdhury. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.