James Menendez

It's not looking good for Ukrainian forces. This is a patch of Western Russian territory that which was seized in a surprise attack last summer, which Ukraine had hoped at the time would force Russia to divert soldiers from other parts of the front line and potentially be used as a bargaining chip in any kind of peace negotiation.

It's not looking good for Ukrainian forces. This is a patch of Western Russian territory that which was seized in a surprise attack last summer, which Ukraine had hoped at the time would force Russia to divert soldiers from other parts of the front line and potentially be used as a bargaining chip in any kind of peace negotiation.

but Russian forces, with the help of South Korean troops as well as South Korean ammunition, seemingly have almost encircled Ukrainian forces across the border inside Russia. They've even destroyed bridges along the border, making it next to impossible for them to get out. There is a main strip of road in... Ukraine-Sumi region as well, which is used as a major supply route.

but Russian forces, with the help of South Korean troops as well as South Korean ammunition, seemingly have almost encircled Ukrainian forces across the border inside Russia. They've even destroyed bridges along the border, making it next to impossible for them to get out. There is a main strip of road in... Ukraine-Sumi region as well, which is used as a major supply route.

I was there when the attack was first, the offensive was first launched. We understand now that is coming under heavy fire as the Russians now gain air superiority. And it is likely, I would not be surprised if we did see a withdrawal of some kind if troops are able to get out.

I was there when the attack was first, the offensive was first launched. We understand now that is coming under heavy fire as the Russians now gain air superiority. And it is likely, I would not be surprised if we did see a withdrawal of some kind if troops are able to get out.

But this is a place where Ukraine had concentrated some of its best personnel and military equipment, and it may yet amount to nothing.

But this is a place where Ukraine had concentrated some of its best personnel and military equipment, and it may yet amount to nothing.

Well, we've just had Donald Trump suggest that the pausing of military aid has just about been restored. We're not sure just how true that is at the moment. But America is suggesting that Ukraine has come back to the table after quite a tumultuous fortnight, after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky had quite a public falling out in the Oval Office.

Well, we've just had Donald Trump suggest that the pausing of military aid has just about been restored. We're not sure just how true that is at the moment. But America is suggesting that Ukraine has come back to the table after quite a tumultuous fortnight, after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky had quite a public falling out in the Oval Office.

And as far as Kyiv is concerned, it's Operation Patch-Up. They are trying to mend relations with America because it needs America, along with Europe, to be the military safety net if a ceasefire was to fail. And so he's going to go in there, President Zelensky, propose an initial ceasefire by air and sea. But Russia has said thus far that it would reject that idea.

And as far as Kyiv is concerned, it's Operation Patch-Up. They are trying to mend relations with America because it needs America, along with Europe, to be the military safety net if a ceasefire was to fail. And so he's going to go in there, President Zelensky, propose an initial ceasefire by air and sea. But Russia has said thus far that it would reject that idea.

But I think this is what it could become for Ukraine in terms of trying to work out what the path to peace could be.

But I think this is what it could become for Ukraine in terms of trying to work out what the path to peace could be.

What the Russians have done is they have identified two mid-ranking diplomats at the embassy, and they have basically suspended these people's credentials. They've been given a couple of weeks to leave the country.

What the Russians have done is they have identified two mid-ranking diplomats at the embassy, and they have basically suspended these people's credentials. They've been given a couple of weeks to leave the country.

And as you say, the Russians accused them, A, of providing false information on their visas and application forms when they arrived in Russia, and secondly, showing, quote, signs of intelligence and subversive activity, which can mean a number of things. At the same time, the Russian authorities have summoned what they call a British representative from the embassy to express their concerns.

And as you say, the Russians accused them, A, of providing false information on their visas and application forms when they arrived in Russia, and secondly, showing, quote, signs of intelligence and subversive activity, which can mean a number of things. At the same time, the Russian authorities have summoned what they call a British representative from the embassy to express their concerns.

And as you say, the Foreign Office in response has said very explicitly this is not the first time that Russia has made what they call malicious and baseless accusations against their staff. So that's what's happened. This comes after, in February, the UK expelled a Russian diplomat in November. Russia expelled a British diplomat. So this is part of a cycle of tit for tat.

And as you say, the Foreign Office in response has said very explicitly this is not the first time that Russia has made what they call malicious and baseless accusations against their staff. So that's what's happened. This comes after, in February, the UK expelled a Russian diplomat in November. Russia expelled a British diplomat. So this is part of a cycle of tit for tat.