James Menendez

So that was the first time we heard a slight criticism from Mr. Trump. This is now much further and a proper threat from the Americans because they've Mr. Trump is now saying, look to Vladimir Putin, if there is no deal over the Ukraine ceasefire within a month, then he and he believes that it's Russia's fault that there's no deal.

So that was the first time we heard a slight criticism from Mr. Trump. This is now much further and a proper threat from the Americans because they've Mr. Trump is now saying, look to Vladimir Putin, if there is no deal over the Ukraine ceasefire within a month, then he and he believes that it's Russia's fault that there's no deal.

Then he is threatening to target Russia's economy specifically by imposing sanctions. 50% tariffs on goods entering the United States from countries buying Russian oil, and that's largely China and India. So the question now is how Russia responds.

Then he is threatening to target Russia's economy specifically by imposing sanctions. 50% tariffs on goods entering the United States from countries buying Russian oil, and that's largely China and India. So the question now is how Russia responds.

Well, look, Russia's economy is not strong at the moment. And the cheap energy that is being bought by China and India is doing a huge amount to fuel Russia's economy and its war effort at the moment. You've got to remember that we're talking, you know, 30, 40 percent of the economy is now devoted entirely to fighting this war in Ukraine. So as a war economy, it needs to be able to sell goods.

Well, look, Russia's economy is not strong at the moment. And the cheap energy that is being bought by China and India is doing a huge amount to fuel Russia's economy and its war effort at the moment. You've got to remember that we're talking, you know, 30, 40 percent of the economy is now devoted entirely to fighting this war in Ukraine. So as a war economy, it needs to be able to sell goods.

its fuel and its energy overseas so it can buy foreign currency so that it can then trade in other goods, especially weapons and dual-use items such as drones that are so vital in this war. So it's possible Mr Putin will have to respond to this, but, you know, we shall see.

its fuel and its energy overseas so it can buy foreign currency so that it can then trade in other goods, especially weapons and dual-use items such as drones that are so vital in this war. So it's possible Mr Putin will have to respond to this, but, you know, we shall see.

That is the thing that is worrying a lot of people here in Kiev, because their fear is that if the Americans find this whole thing grinds into the sand... And just a couple of days ago, one of the chief Russian negotiators said publicly... that he thought that these talks could drag well on into next year. If that's the case, then the fear in Ukraine is that the Americans will just lose interest.

That is the thing that is worrying a lot of people here in Kiev, because their fear is that if the Americans find this whole thing grinds into the sand... And just a couple of days ago, one of the chief Russian negotiators said publicly... that he thought that these talks could drag well on into next year. If that's the case, then the fear in Ukraine is that the Americans will just lose interest.

And in that circumstance, then potentially Ukraine will find itself abandoned by the United States, having to rely entirely on support from Europe, which may not be enough to allow it to hold off the Russian war machine.

And in that circumstance, then potentially Ukraine will find itself abandoned by the United States, having to rely entirely on support from Europe, which may not be enough to allow it to hold off the Russian war machine.

But you're not drawing a parallel between the Trump administration and the old apartheid government, are you?

But you're not drawing a parallel between the Trump administration and the old apartheid government, are you?

And just to clarify your remarks about Donald Trump, but particularly that the MAGA movement, when you talk about mobilising a supremacism against the incumbency, I mean, what exactly are you trying to say? The MAGA is designed to what, whip up white nationalism, white victimhood in order to take power?

And just to clarify your remarks about Donald Trump, but particularly that the MAGA movement, when you talk about mobilising a supremacism against the incumbency, I mean, what exactly are you trying to say? The MAGA is designed to what, whip up white nationalism, white victimhood in order to take power?

What about all the people of colour, perhaps as many as one in three that voted for Donald Trump? I mean, he increased his vote share with black people, with Hispanics in 2024. I think that that may be true.

What about all the people of colour, perhaps as many as one in three that voted for Donald Trump? I mean, he increased his vote share with black people, with Hispanics in 2024. I think that that may be true.

Can you understand why, you know, making comments like you did and now explaining them to us? Why? I mean, that is extremely provocative for an ambassador to a country to say. I mean, you can't have been surprised when they declared you persona non grata, can you?

Can you understand why, you know, making comments like you did and now explaining them to us? Why? I mean, that is extremely provocative for an ambassador to a country to say. I mean, you can't have been surprised when they declared you persona non grata, can you?