Zelensky to make last-ditch plea for war funds in Washington| Ukraine: The Latest | Podcast

Day 655.
Today, we bring you the news from the frontlines, update on Volodymyr’s Zelenksy’s visit to the US ahead of a historic day on the US Capitol and we hear stories and reflections from a journalist who’s spends his time reporting from the front lines in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Contributors:
David Knowles (Head of Audio Development). @DJKnowles22 on Twitter.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on Twitter.
Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on Twitter.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @Francis Dearnley on Twitter.
Guillaume Ptak (French journalist for daily newspapers "Les Echos" & "La Libre Belgique"). @guillaume_ptak on Twitter.
Many of our listeners have raised concerns over the potential sale of Telegraph Media Group to the Abu Dhabi-linked Redbird IMI. We are inviting the submission of comments on the process. Email [e-mail] or [e-mail] to have your say.

[@oleksiifrolov4074]

Hello from Kyiv. Appreciate your work. Glory to Ukraine!

[@karenhensman4317]

I can understand why this podcast is dropping listeners, 11 ads in just under 1hour I've had to endure. Otherwise this is an excellent update on Ukraine

[@fjslfhalfhkdjfh]

And none for me. Any old ad blocker will do.

[@toughr1506]

What ads? Are there any?

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

What if the Royal Navy were to sail them into the black sea under their own flag and THEN donate them to Ukraine? Seems like a loophole to get them through the Bosphorus.

[@ultimaratio7373]

Thanks for the update. Especially appreciated the interview with the french reporter.

[@EhEhEhEINSTEIN]

How much did Afghanistan/Iraq cost us per month? And we were losing American soldiers. Ukraine vs Russia is dirt cheap geopolitical influence per dollar. Give Ukraine a bunch more old stuff if nothing else.

[@SC-re8qr]

Give Ukraine what it needs to liberate its territory.

[@raraavis7782]

Exactly. And after the absolutely shameful way of just absconding from there (not, that I don't understand in principle, but the way it was done...), is the USA really going to forsake another country, that trusted their promises? I mean, it's one thing, to just stay out of a conflict, period. But getting involved and edging one participant on, even, just to leave them out to dry when going becomes tough? Is that, how the USA wants to be seen by the world? By its European allies? By Russia? By China? If the Ukrainians' decide it's over, that's one thing. But for us to just stop supporting them, just because it hurts a bit, would be a disgrace. We can just as well flush our 'western values' down the drain, then.

[@appletonbrian]

So much to NATO saying they'd be with Ukraine for as long as it takes. If this funding stops they're a disgrace

[@tinawilson4120]

Give Ukraine why it needs to win

[@imperatorvespasian3125]

west does not have a Russia to send in.

[@bullerfnis1961]

Norway and Denmark has just giving a huge package compared to their country. I think Norway gave $10 billion (they have billions in their oil fund so they have more money) and Denmark has also giving $1 billion

[@anotherpluss1adventure905]

Then they will go broke

[@bullerfnis1961]

@@anotherpluss1adventure905 who?

[@raraavis7782]

Germany is giving another 8 Billion in 2024 as well. It has just been announced 💪

[@davidl.7317]

Solution to the Polish Truckers Union protest to Ukrainian truckers who drive for less. Pay Ukrainian truckers the same wages as EU truckers, make these truckers join the union and get the same benefits. Problem solved, a win-win. 21:57

[@kacperzimowski4626]

What they want is for their trucks to not wait 8-10 hours in line to cross Ukrainian side of the border. Ukraine needs to give them the same privileges as Ukrainians are given already in Poland.

[@raraavis7782]

​@@kacperzimowski4626 It seems so silly, that this can't be worked out. I would understand, under normal circumstances. But right now, it makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I swear, I can hear Putin all the way from Moskau, about how we're stupidly fighting among ourselves 🫤

[@SaintCurmudgeon]

I appreciate your repouring on the Ukraine war, especially on the diplomatic fronts. However, your reporting makes one consistent error in covering the U.S. That is that there are significant portions of the Democratic party that do not support Ukraine in this war. Even if Republicans' right wing begins to broaden their support, there are equally many on the far left Democratic side who object. Remember, the recent defeat in the Senate was due to a Senator who caucuses with Democrats and represents many on the left of the Democratic party. Both Democrats and Republicans have Ukraine blood on their hands. Unless both the U.S. press and International press begin to hold all sides responsible, in the U.S> aid for Ukraine will inevitably fail, regrades of the outcome of future elections.

[@cheekybastard99]

Last chance to shake the money tree for his getaway.

[@oliverhiestand7098]

Greatly appreciate your enthusiastic sincere reporting with the sense of importance and care. It would be interesting to hear from leaders of the arms industries what they have done to increase their production and what they need from politicians to increase even further.

[@normanlaxton]

Excellent... although I didn't get to the end of Joe's final thoughts.... :)

[@terrygain1343]

Zelenskyy is more interested in obtaining munitions than money.

[@williammorris584]

As tough as it looks in the Senate, Ukraine support is increasingly being delinked from border security in the House, with a growing outright opposition to aid. If there were a 180 degree policy shift to extremely vigorous interception and repatriation at the southern border, that might tantalize the hardliners back to a package linked with Ukraine aid.

[@user-yd2sh1pp6z]

Zelensky should ask for money his corrupted oligarchs who abandoned the country with billions of dollars, where all his buddies all super wealthy corrupted oligarchs???

[@zapzippy2923]

He already offered them $14 billion for more agents and officers, including judges to speed up asylum cases. The fact is that the goal of the ascendant wing of the GOP is the outright failure of the US government. They're not interested in a negotiation, and they won't take "yes" for an answer.

[@considerthis7712]

US speakers power cannot be replicated in Westminster style democracies, thank God!

[@kevinbailey3384]

Bercow abused his position in my view many times

[@shanecollins8427]

I think Tusk is emerging as a strong European voice but I believe we the west have slowly turned our backs on Ukraine. But Ukraine will win . Thanks for your great support and ceaseless efforts to bring truth Greetings from Ireland

[@AnnaK-bf2wq]

Free Gonzallo Lira! Free Julian Assange! Free Pablo Gonzales! Imprison Biden, Zelensky, Victoria Nouland!

[@fearandloathingmedia2051]

❤

[@heatrayzvideo3007]

Slava Ukraine 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@vanveakrin276]

Who doesn't want Free money 💰💰💰..?? . those who are in A long Box with no breathing power..

[@ThatsGuy-ri6ul]

Call your representatives!

[@robertsteele474]

I do, to defund Ukraine, NATO and Israel.

[@todd1770]

😅😅😅😅😅😅No

[@goodcomrade4231]

I did. Told them we aren't paying for Zelensky's 5th yacht.

[@nadenek]

Thanks fellas for another informative and interesting update. I look forward to each new episode. Mr. Ptak was a great guest. I hope the sale does not go through and your show continues.

[@Grandudeable]

Thanks to your team for your broadcast. Your team is the most informative and reliable commentary on this awful war. To rry and stay abreast and get a real feel of situations in Ukraine, so that we can share hope for all Ukrainians is difficult from so far away. I don't know if it is possible to convey to Ukraine, that we care sincerely and deeply. We share what little we have to assist groups closer to Ukraine, that are doing such heroic work. As this Christmas season comes it must bring a bitterness to folk who must be separated in order to fight and to those who miss and worry for them. We stand with them every day. Our wishes for their safety, for peace, come with a strength of love. Arohanui, Kia kaha, ( the spirit of our love to all, be strong). Christmas blessings to Ukraine, to your team. May we all know peace soon.

[@tiffanyholt2276]

No

[@mike4480]

…Thanks again for the updates and for the interesting conversation on the platform…Slava Ukraine…💙💛💙

[@jeanbuchanan1660]

Horrific

[@DominicFlynn]

LMFAO. How are these war ships going to be delivered to the Black Sea? More platitudes for The Ukraine

[@martavdz4972]

They discussed that in the last podcast

[@borderway]

They're in Constanta now.

[@DominicFlynn]

@@borderway where they will stay

[@borderway]

@@DominicFlynn until they're fitted.

[@borderway]

@@DominicFlynn wherever they are assigned, just like the four currently in service.

[@bernardhutchinson4753]

The Telegraph, the biggest liars in Print Media ever!

[@imperatorvespasian3125]

they are an extension of the MOD, and they are never correct on Ukraine either

[@marisabenson1222]

Da Silva's constant refusal to engage with Zelenskyy on numerous occasions is unstatesmanlike, petulant and churlish. Such behaviour proves his lack of neutrality and is both unbecoming in a president and counter to his own country's interests.

[@jimjohnson3609]

Didn't Russia already seize a bunch of commercial jets like billions of dollars worth.

[@marisabenson1222]

Russian planes keep falling out of the sky. It is not safe to fly in Russia. However many Russian military aircraft have been destroyed by various .

[@borderway]

@@marisabenson1222 Russia keeps shooting down it's own planes. It's part of UA's air defense.

[@rickm6076]

This isn’t the US defense budget, it would be on top of that gargantuan spending. It’s a hard sell because defense contractors are already profitable. meanwhile, the primary cause of bankruptcy for Americans is medical debt because we don’t have nice things like universal healthcare at this time. that’s the fault of both parties, and that’s something else that’s coming to a head, probably within the decade.

[@dessmith7658]

Don't forget Julian Assange

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Who?

[@MrFildur]

🙏🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@kacperzimowski4626]

huahuahuahuah

[@terryross2388]

Best comedy on the net. Would not miss an episode. Great scriptwriters.

[@davidl.7317]

I am so very sick of U.S. Congressional obstructionism on getting aid package and other popular legislation to 'the floor' for a vote. Most of U.S. House and Senate leaders would vote for this aid. The Republican Congress never actually passing any legislation, which is their job.

[@kacperzimowski4626]

Then continue being sick of the "normal people" or just hand over your own money to Ukraine...

[@Christian-ib1gd]

while the west is all talk, north korea delivers.

[@cheekybastard99]

Empty your bank account first, they'll be thankful. 😊

[@datospora5770]

To help Ukraine & to defeat Russia is to the advantage of the US. Otherwise, US will not only decline, kicked out of Europe, Mideast, SE Asia, and the Arctic but also lose Alaska by 2050.

[@todd1770]

We are all looking forward to it .thanks to Putin Russia

[@CassaRoman]

What a lot of bull. And who will kick the US out of Arctic? Penguins? 😂 And Alaska will be Russia in 2050 unless we pay Ukraine more money? Comment of the year 🤣👏🥇

[@Riddlestar93]

Lay off the crackpipe

[@stevenkraft8070]

Don't throw around stupid stuff like the U.S. getting kicked out of Alaska. The U.S. outnumbers Russia by about 2.5 to 1, on top of having a vastly more advanced economy. After Putin completes his latest expansion of the Russian military, it will still be outnumbered 1.5 to 1 by the U.S. military. Plus the logistics between the continental U.S. and Alaska are far better than the logistics between Russia and Alaska.

[@dianatortolini7842]

Lose ALASKA?? My guy, get help.

[@ericp1139]

The Beggar King arrives to DC.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Sometimes the most noble thing a leader can do is ask for help. Whereas scorning and demeaning people is rarely (if ever) noble.

[@cheekybastard99]

He was wearing his best sweater for the occasion, he should shake a small cup next time.

[@forsalestuff1036]

Talking about propaganda at 46 minutes or so is just too ironic coming from this bunch.

[@davidbrancaleone3039]

@forsale no soldout TROLL posing indignation when he is just changing the subject. These trolls hate the PRAVDA OUT OF UKRAINE ORCS

[@onyx3856]

NO! We gave enough.

[@midimusicforever]

Give Zelensky what he needs! Ukraine must win!

[@kacperzimowski4626]

Ukraine already received what it needs and for the entirety of 2023 they did zero progress because it was too focused on robbing itself from its own aid... Ukraine should go, look for losers paying to their corrupt generals elsewhere...

[@HeBeDrGB]

There's $4.4B left in Ukraine aid funds after today's drawdown ($200M). So RELAX and let Congress do its work. (The US isn't going to let Putin get away with this and people who are ignorant about American politics need to shut up and allow everyone in Congress to have their say before an obvious affirmative vote takes place.)

[@judgeroybean6930]

If the US hadn't prevaricated at every opportunity to prevent Ukraine receiving Air Support by way of F16's until a few months ago changing it's position this War could have been over. Like it or not, the US are becoming known for abandoning those it has promised to help as it did in Kabul with the locals it employed as interpreter's and translator's but left behind to the Taliban. Now it's Ukraine's turn because Congress are using them as a Political Football in its arguments over the security fence between the US/ Mexican border. If Putin is allowed to prosper and defeat Ukraine we will ALL suffer in the near future and at an enormous human cost.

[@martavdz4972]

Journalists never relax, it's their job to tell dramatic stories about everything. Telling journalists to relax is like telling farmers "don't plant those seeds, they'll grow by themselves".

[@mafiooato7233]

Where does British defence minister get his information about the Russia army? I hope they are not getting it from the Ukrainians.

[@marisabenson1222]

Eejit

[@martavdz4972]

Same way they did 10 and 20 years ago? Agents, hacking, analysis of OSINT sources.

[@mafiooato7233]

@martavdz4972 Back in days, yes, but now we dont have an agent in Russia to tell us the truth,of Russia army

[@joseaugustofigueiredo2796]

BOOOOMMMM! Russian forces destroy Ukrainian drone assembly and repair workshops, says Russian MD

[@todd1770]

Ukraine amy have men over 60 years old but Ukraine is winning 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@todd1770]

@ronalds.5815 maybe they will turn into the ghost of Kiev 👻

[@ultimaratio7373]

Russia recruits convicted murderers and cannibals to their army. If they can survive six months on the front, their sentence is commuted and they are let loose into Russian society. What a brilliant idea, what could possibly go wrong?

[@borderway]

@@ronalds.5815 because they aren't left frozen in a treeline or ground by BMP treads like Russians.

[@DominicFlynn]

The Ukraine is a liability for any nation that associates with it. Zelensky knows the Ukraine cannot join NATO

[@user-ss1gk7zn5f]

Heard zelenksy selling weapons to hamas😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@user-yd2sh1pp6z]

Zelensky should ask his corrupted oligarchs who abandoned the country with billions of dollars, where all his buddies all super wealthy corrupted oligarchs?

[@ravivandersalm4586]

Heard the earth is flat

[@MrCameroland]

Safe lives and surrender 👀🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@dessmith7658]

Cameron fodder for the win

[@user-ss1gk7zn5f]

💯

[@user-yd2sh1pp6z]

Zelensky should ask his corrupted oligarchs who abandoned the country with billions of dollars, where all his buddies all super wealthy corrupted oligarchs?