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Global News Podcast

Moscow says West "fragmenting" over Ukraine

Mon, 03 Mar 2025

Description

The Kremlin has lashed out at European countries pouring money into Ukraine's war effort. Also: Anora - the story of a stripper - sweeps the Oscars board, and there's stinging criticism of the United States from the UN.

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Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the Kremlin's stance on Western support for Ukraine?

38.035 - 62.265 Narrator

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Russia says Western governments are starting to fragment over the war in Ukraine, describing Friday's public row between Vladimir Zelensky and Donald Trump as unprecedented. Police in the German city of Mannheim say at least one person has died after a car drove into a crowd of people.

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63.265 - 67.566 Narrator

Anora, the story of a stripper in New York, sweeps the Oscars board.

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70.814 - 81.102 Hostage Family Representative

Also in this podcast... Policies intended to protect people from discrimination are now labelled as discriminatory. Progress is being rolled back on gender equality.

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81.823 - 101.169 Narrator

Stinging words from the UN on what they see as happening in the United States. Over the weekend, a raft of international leaders descended on London for talks on Ukraine. President Zelensky was there, as were the heads of government of France, Germany, Italy and Canada.

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101.77 - 125.201 Narrator

Their task, how to lead the charge in ending fighting, despite Donald Trump's very public spat with the Ukrainian president at the White House on Friday. But Moscow has responded with derision, saying Western governments are fragmenting. President Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has said peace can't be achieved while Europe pumps more military aid into Ukraine.

127.821 - 141.464 Russian Spokesperson

There were also statements that it was urgently necessary to ensure an increased level of financing for Ukraine. This is clearly not for a peace plan, but for the continuation of hostilities. That is our understanding.

142.182 - 148.245 Narrator

Mr Peskov also said no coordinated peace plan was on the agenda yet. Here's Danny Eberhard.

148.786 - 172.837 BBC Reporter

Publicly, at least, the Kremlin is containing the glee it no doubt feels over the events of recent weeks. It started with the radical shift in US relations towards Moscow initiated by President Trump and reached a new level with what Russia sees as the public humiliation of Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday. President Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, spoke of a fractured West.

173.397 - 186.521 BBC Reporter

He's not wrong, but European leaders are trying to formulate proposals to try to persuade the Trump administration to agree to joint security guarantees for Ukraine to ensure any prospective peace would be fair and durable.

Chapter 2: How did Anora sweep the Oscars board?

Chapter 3: What is the UN's criticism of the United States?

148.786 - 172.837 BBC Reporter

Publicly, at least, the Kremlin is containing the glee it no doubt feels over the events of recent weeks. It started with the radical shift in US relations towards Moscow initiated by President Trump and reached a new level with what Russia sees as the public humiliation of Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday. President Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, spoke of a fractured West.

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173.397 - 186.521 BBC Reporter

He's not wrong, but European leaders are trying to formulate proposals to try to persuade the Trump administration to agree to joint security guarantees for Ukraine to ensure any prospective peace would be fair and durable.

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187.361 - 195.924 Narrator

Ukrainian officials and media have expressed scepticism about the outcome of the London summit. Vitaly Shevchenko is from BBC Monitoring.

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196.516 - 222.361 Vitaly Shevchenko

People are saying, well, look, we've heard words before. Words are worth nothing. One journalist, that's his commentary on what happened in London yesterday. And there's another military analysis account on X that's been commenting on these agreements. And it says, nothing short of boots on the ground and readiness to shoot and be targeted is will be truly affected.

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222.721 - 251.173 Vitaly Shevchenko

So that's the kind of mood in Ukraine. We need more. We need action. But there's cautious optimism as well. One MP, Oleksiy Honcharenko, he welcomes this European initiative to mediate between Ukraine and the USA. He says this is a good start. But then again, he says, how did we end up in a situation when Europe has to mediate between Ukraine and its biggest ally, the United States?

251.673 - 259.357 Vitaly Shevchenko

He says, this is madness. So in a nutshell, there's hope, but also a fair amount of scepticism.

259.943 - 284.591 Narrator

Vitaly Shevchenko. And we'll be putting your questions about Ukraine, that Trump news conference and the subsequent diplomatic fallout to our BBC correspondence. Let us know what you'd like answered by sending us an email or a voice note to globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. The UN's human rights chief has said he's concerned by what he called a fundamental shift in the United States.

285.272 - 298.279 Narrator

Volker Turk didn't mention Donald Trump during his annual speech on the state of human rights worldwide, but he warned of a climate of disinformation, intimidation and threats against journalists and other public officials.

299.14 - 319.642 Hostage Family Representative

I'm now deeply worried by the fundamental shift in direction that is taking place domestically and internationally. In a paradoxical mirror image, policies intended to protect people from discrimination are now labelled as discriminatory. Progress is being rolled back on gender equality.

Chapter 4: What happened in Mannheim, Germany?

387.235 - 399.31 David Sillitoe

According to a statement to German news agency DPA, the Mannheim University Hospital has activated its disaster response plan. Eight trauma teams have been made available both for adults and children.

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400.486 - 413.673 Narrator

There's been widespread condemnation in the Arab world of the Israeli decision to withhold aid supplies going into Gaza. When the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced in January, Israelis and Palestinians celebrated.

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414.274 - 431.943 Narrator

But now, after the first phase of the deal came to an end at the weekend, there are fears that the fighting, which reduced Gaza to rubble, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and threatened the lives of hostages, could resume. I heard more from our chief international correspondent, Lise Douzette, who's in Cairo.

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432.423 - 442.647 Lise Doucette

They've put both Qatar and Egypt, who are the main Arab mediators in this ceasefire. The United States is the other mediator in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

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443.207 - 469.588 Lise Doucette

Both of them issued very strongly worded statements saying that not only is Israel's halting of humanitarian aid into Gaza a violation of the ceasefire, which came into force on January 19th, it is also a violation of international humanitarian law. They've accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

470.268 - 485.494 Lise Doucette

So they have made it absolutely clear that this is totally out of order. And we heard yesterday from the Egyptian foreign minister, Abdelalbati, who says that they should also keep going with the deal as it was agreed. They should be moving into the second phase.

485.534 - 508.782 Lise Doucette

And the second phase is the phase which Israel has always had difficulty with because it demands that they withdraw all of their forces from the Gaza Strip and move towards an end of the war in exchange for all of the remaining hostages. But Israel now seems to be rewriting the deal. And Prime Minister Netanyahu says he has the complete backing of the United States.

508.842 - 517.504 Lise Doucette

And that is what we have heard from the U.S. National Security Council last night. Israel's next steps, they're in full agreement with it.

518.224 - 520.945 Narrator

Lise, why is Israel blocking aid going into Gaza?

Chapter 5: What are the details of the Israeli decision affecting Gaza?

545.119 - 567.209 Lise Doucette

Prime Minister Netanyahu said last night there were 59 hostages remaining in Gaza and up to 24, is the phrase he used, are believed to be alive. Now, that wasn't called for in the deal. But Prime Minister Netanyahu is saying that Hamas should not expect to get the extension of the ceasefire in exchange for nothing. So it's at an impasse.

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567.69 - 573.195 Lise Doucette

Egypt is struggling to come up with a new proposal and certainly the Americans will be watching closely.

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585.078 - 602.654 Austrian Politician

One could say that all good things are worth waiting for. At least, that is my hope in view of the many days it has taken to form this government. The process has certainly been long. Whether it will turn out well is still undecided, but we are positive and optimistic.

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604.738 - 616.32 Narrator

The new chancellor is Christian Stocker, and he will lead a coalition that excludes the far-right Freedom Party, which came first in September's poll. Our correspondent Bethany Bell reports from Vienna.

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616.98 - 640.061 Bethany Bell

Austria has a new government after the longest wait for a coalition since World War II. It's a three-party coalition of the Conservatives, the Social Democrats and the Liberal Neos. Their first attempt to form a government collapsed in January. The Euro-sceptic Russia-friendly Freedom Party was then given a mandate to form a coalition that failed last month.

640.801 - 656.972 Bethany Bell

Following that, the three centrist parties managed to agree a deal. The Conservative People's Party controls the Interior and Defence Ministries, the Social Democrats have the Finance and Justice Ministries, and the NAIAs have the Foreign Ministry and Education.

657.572 - 679.971 Narrator

Bethany Bell. Last week, Donald Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, saying he didn't think enough was being done to prevent drug trafficking. Imports from China already face taxes of 10% at the US border after a tariff that went into effect in February. Now we appear to have Beijing's response.

680.672 - 693.043 Narrator

State media in China claim a series of countermeasures have been prepared, raising the prospect of an all-out trade war between the world's top two economies. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker reports.

693.664 - 718.423 Laura Bicker

China's state-run Global Times newspaper said the countermeasures will likely target US agricultural and food products. China remains the biggest market for US agriculture products even after Beijing slapped tariffs of up to 25% on soybeans, beef, pork, wheat and corn in 2018 in retaliation for duties on Chinese goods imposed by President Trump.

Chapter 6: What is Austria's new government coalition?

732.389 - 753.102 Narrator

It's been 95 years since the first Oscars were awarded to recognise the best achievers in film. So you'd be forgiven for thinking there's not much new ground left to break. But Sunday night's Academy Awards did make history. The writer and director, Sean Baker, became the first person to pick up four awards in the same year for the same film.

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753.923 - 762.929 Narrator

Anora, about a stripper who marries a Russian playboy, also took the gong for Best Actress. Our Los Angeles correspondent Emma Vardy reports.

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775.139 - 775.479 Sean Lay

I am.

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776.66 - 784.706 Emma Barnett

A Wizard of Oz themed opening from the stars of Wicked got the show underway. The film won two awards for both production design and costume design.

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787.268 - 788.289 Russian Spokesperson

And the Oscar goes to...

790.251 - 800.4 Emma Barnett

Oh, Anora. But taking five of the six awards it was nominated for was Anora, an independent film about a prostitute who marries a rich Russian playboy.

800.961 - 807.706 Mikey Madison

What is that? Is that a butterfly? Yeah, it's a butterfly. You're so classy. I know. I got dollar signs like a real hoe.

808.928 - 809.288 Acceptance Speech Commentator

Anora.

809.668 - 825.232 Emma Barnett

Sean Bakers! Its creator, Sean Baker, made history, winning four Oscars on one movie, taking Best Picture, Director, Editing and Screenplay. In one of his acceptance speeches, he urged the public to see movies on the big screen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Chapter 7: How are US-China trade relations evolving?

865.166 - 881.849 Emma Barnett

22 years after his first Oscar win in The Pianist, Adrian Brody picked up another Best Actor award for his role as a Holocaust survivor remaking his life in America in the three-and-a-half-hour epic The Brutalist. He then gave a more than five-minute-long acceptance speech.

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882.549 - 886.257 Acceptance Speech Commentator

OK, I'll get out of here. I love you. I appreciate you all.

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887.238 - 897.426 Emma Barnett

Emilia Perez had been a frontrunner until controversy over its star actor's social media posts. But Zoe Saldana did win Best Supporting Actress and highlighted her heritage.

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897.687 - 915.295 Zoe Kleinman

I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.

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915.475 - 916.656 Sean Lay

The Pope is dead.

917.136 - 922.378 Emma Barnett

The British screenwriter Peter Strawn accepted the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Conclave.

922.518 - 931.642 Peter Bowes

I'm here with my daughter, Connie. Connie, I love you. This is for you. That's not the same as saying it's yours. It's not like that jumper that you keep taking, OK? This is mine. Thank you so much.

932.102 - 937.486 Emma Barnett

the only prize for the papal thriller which had eight nominations. Emma Vardy reporting.

940.468 - 953.497 Oscar Piastri

Still to come in this podcast... I sell myself on TikTok. I dance naked, live. I told him I was 15 years old. He said it is OK and he loves young girls below 18.

Chapter 8: What were the highlights of the latest Oscars?

1052.974 - 1073.349 Esme Stallard

They've claimed his actions, which include his role in funding cuts for US government scientific research, censorship of climate change issues and attacks on the former US chief medical advisor and society fellow Anthony Fauci, amount to a breach of the organisation's code of conduct. The society has investigated Mr Musk twice before and opted for no action.

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1073.889 - 1095.776 Esme Stallard

But after two fellows resigned and more than 3,300 scientists put their names to a letter expressing deep concern, it's been forced to call what's being described as an unprecedented meeting. Not all fellows are supportive of Mr Musk's expulsion. Some are concerned it could be seen as political interference. The meeting is private and it's unclear if any decision will be made public.

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1099.073 - 1116.757 Narrator

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Prime Minister, Judith Seminwa-Tuluka, has told the BBC the government will only hold direct talks with Rwanda and not rebels. This is despite calls from regional leaders to engage rebels in dialogue to try to resolve the conflict in the east of the country.

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1117.458 - 1140.633 Narrator

In the last few weeks, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured swathes of territory, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. More than 8,500 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the fighting. Last week, the British government suspended its bilateral aid to Rwanda and asked the country to withdraw its troops from the DRC.

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1141.554 - 1150.531 Narrator

The Prime Minister spoke to the BBC's senior Africa correspondent, Anne Soy. who began by asking what impact Western sanctions will have on the conflict.

1152.932 - 1170.598 Judith Saminwa-Tuluka

I think these first sanctions will probably put pressure on the aggressors of the Democratic Republic of Congo. But in the meantime, there are still discussions at the diplomatic level. There is the question of restarting the Luanda peace process and the Nairobi process.

1171.338 - 1183.75 Judith Saminwa-Tuluka

We as the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain committed as the head of the state, the president of the republic, Felix Antoine Shisekei, decide to move forward in the context of this process.

1184.891 - 1187.994 Anne Soy

Is your government going to engage in direct talks with M23?

1189.782 - 1212.966 Judith Saminwa-Tuluka

These are forces that operate at various levels, including ESC, SADC Summit, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Security Council. We continue to engage in dialogue through the Luanda process, which involves direct discussions with the Rwandan government.

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