Best Alexa Victoria Podcasts (2025)

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Can Zelensky recover from nationwide protests? 34:31

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2h ago34:31

34:31

After the biggest demonstrations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky has largely walked back a controversial overhaul of domestic anti-corruption bodies. But is he still under pressure? Fresh from a reporting trip to Ukraine, we're joined by Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor at Channel 4 News. She discusses the fa…

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Q&A: Big protests, brief talks and pressure on Zelensky 25:07

5d ago25:07

25:07

It has been a bruising week domestically for President Zelensky, as a controversial move to overhaul key anti-corruption bodies saw thousands of Ukrainians take to the streets in the biggest nationwide demonstrations held since Russia’s full-scale invasion. With the EU already raising concerns, could this undermine his recent progress on the diplom…

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Secondary tariffs explained: can they hurt Russia? 25:45

8d ago25:45

25:45

After Ukraine announced another round of peace talks with Russia, commentators continue to question whether President Trump’s latest threat of secondary tariffs carries enough weight to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. So we’re asking how exactly these measures could be rolled out, what the impact would be on international trade, and …

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Q&A: Another deadline, Zelensky's reshuffle, and France snubs Trump? 25:52

13d ago25:52

25:52

Is the Kremlin concerned about Donald Trump’s threat of secondary tariffs in 50 days? Why has President Zelensky overhauled his cabinet? And could other countries follow suit after France reportedly opted out of the NATO purchase of US arms for Ukraine? Lucy and Vitaly attempt to answer all of that and more with the help of Ukraine correspondent Ja…

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Did Trump ask Zelensky to hit Moscow? 34:29

15d ago34:29

34:29

The White House has played down reports that Donald Trump privately encouraged Volodymyr Zelensky to strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow and St Petersburg. That's despite the US president's promise to deliver more weapons to Ukraine via NATO allies, and a new threat of secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. So is…

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Q&A: Trump turns on Putin, Ukrainian infighting, and Turkey's diplomatic tightrope 25:05

20d ago25:05

25:05

Is Donald Trump changing his rhetoric on Ukraine? Has he directed allies in Congress to accelerate a new sanctions package targeting Russia? And could infighting among high-ranking Ukrainian officials prove to be a damaging distraction in their country’s war effort? Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and consider the delicate diplomatic balance Turke…

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Surviving Russia’s record drone attacks 20:43

22d ago20:43

20:43

On Friday, Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched a record 539 drones and 11 missiles in overnight airstrikes. Kyiv was at the epicentre of the attack, with every district in the capital targeted. We’ve been speaking with two residents of the city, about their experiences - Dasha, who spent the night sheltering at a local metro station, and O…

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Q&A: Suspended US weapons, Macron-Putin call and Russian opposition 24:39

27d ago24:39

24:39

After the US paused the delivery of some weapons to Ukraine pledged under the Biden administration, how soon will the impact be felt on the front line? As Russia claims full control of Luhansk, what is life like for Ukrainians living in occupied territories? And is Ukraine united behind the Russian opposition movement? Lucy and Vitaly answer all th…

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The Ukrainian reporter who captivated Trump 26:35

29d ago26:35

26:35

Last week, a clip of BBC Ukrainian reporter Myroslava Petsa went viral, after President Trump asked a series of questions about her personal story during a press conference at the Nato summit. Myroslava tells us what was going through her mind at that moment, and what it has been like to cover the conflict while her husband fights for Ukraine. We a…

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Q&A: Trump's moral compass, the Nato summit and war crimes 25:07

1M ago25:07

25:07

The Nato summit in The Hague did get member states to agree on ramping up their defence spending - and seemed to placate Donald Trump. But has this week changed anything for Ukraine? What happened to the prior US “two-week deadline” to agree a ceasefire - and will those sought-after Patriot missiles ever arrive in Kyiv? Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly…

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Is Ukraine on Trump's Nato agenda? 32:58

1M ago32:58

32:58

As Nato leaders gather in the Hague, all eyes are on one man - President Trump. Member states have largely complied with his demand that they spend more on collective defence. But as Russia’s full-scale invasion continues, will his focus at this summit extend to Ukraine, or is he preoccupied with events in the Middle East? For an insider perspectiv…

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Q&A: Middle East escalation, Russia’s threat to Nato and fibre optic drones 23:18

1M ago23:18

23:18

As oil prices rise, is escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran a positive development for Russia? How successful has Ukraine been in downing Russia’s fibre optic drone capacity? And is the Kremlin really intent on extending its invasion beyond Nato borders? Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and discuss the impact of the latest western …

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What does the Iran-Israel conflict mean for Ukraine? 23:58

1M ago23:58

23:58

As the confrontation between Iran and Israel deepens, could Russia could reap the benefits of rising oil prices - or have the chance to act as a mediator? And what consequences could this crisis have for Ukraine? Also, what’s it like to join the Ukrainian armed forces? We catch up with friend of the pod Volodymyr, who recently volunteered for a dro…

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Q&A: Russian POWs, counting casualties and DIY bomb shelters 24:43

2M ago24:43

24:43

How are Russian POWs treated in Ukrainian captivity? Is Kyiv’s claim that Russia has suffered more than 1 million casualties during the war accurate? And during WW2 Britain used flat-pack bomb shelters - could they also now work in Ukraine? These are just some of the questions you’ve been sending in to the Ukrainecast team. Jamie and Vitaly are joi…

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Prisoner swaps: Anastasia's story 24:49

2M ago24:49

24:49

Bringing soldiers back home is one of the few areas where Russia and Ukraine have made progress together in recent months, and another large scale prisoner swap started this week. We talk to Anastasia - the wife of a Ukrainian soldier held captive since 2022, and released in May. But his new found freedom came against a backdrop of continuing Russi…

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Q&A: Laser weapons, Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ and Poland’s new president 23:00

2M ago23:00

23:00

What do the Spider Web drone attacks tell us about Ukraine’s tactics inside Russia going forward? Could the West limit Russian oil revenues by confiscating its 'shadow fleet'? And are we any closer to seeing high-precision laser weapons on the battlefield? We answer all that and discuss what the implications could be for Ukraine after Poland electe…

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How has the ‘Spider Web’ drone attack hurt Russia? 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

On Sunday, more than 100 Ukrainian drones struck air bases deep inside Russia. According to some estimates, the operation dubbed ‘Spider Web’ may have successfully damaged or destroyed up to a third of Russia’s fleet of strategic bombers. So what impact might this have on its aerial capability? We‘re joined in the studio by Major General Jonathan S…

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Q&A: Taurus missiles, kidnapped children, and the state of Russia’s military 22:28

2M ago22:28

22:28

Is the Russian military weaker than at the start of the war? Will European allies expand their drone industries to aid Ukraine? And what has happened to Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia? We answer all that and discuss whether Germany will arm Ukraine with Taurus missiles, with Olga Ivshina from BBC Russian, and Mikey Kay, a former senior offi…

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Ukrainians react as Trump slams Putin 25:05

2M ago25:05

25:05

Over the weekend Ukraine was targeted by almost a thousand Russian drones and dozens of missiles, including the biggest aerial attack since the beginning of the conflict. In response, Donald Trump accused Vladimir Putin of going “absolutely crazy.” The Kremlin put that down to “emotional overload”. With progress on peace talks stalling, and fresh U…

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Q&A: Peace deadlines, US sanctions and Russia's threat to Finland 21:44

2M ago21:44

21:44

Does Trump understand Putin’s motives? Can Western sanctions actually threaten Russia’s economy? Are Russian troops really amassing at Finland’s border - and how worried should we be about that? Those are some of the questions you’ve sent us in over the last week and in this episode, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by James and BBC news presenter Sumi S…

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What’s next after the Trump-Putin call? 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

After a two-hour phone call on Monday, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin came to very different conclusions about what was agreed. The US said ceasefire negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv would start “immediately.” The Kremlin meanwhile, said there were no deadlines to move towards peace. On this episode the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg tell…

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The Ukraine-Russia peace talks begin 16:59

3M ago16:59

16:59

Ukraine and Russia have agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war each after the first face-to-face talks in three years. Kyiv also requested direct talks with President Vladimir Putin, and Moscow says it "noted" this request. So is this a diplomatic breakthrough? Vitaly gauges the mood from a sunny Istanbul, explains why an interpreter was required, a…

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No Putin, no Trump, but talks to begin? 19:33

3M ago19:33

19:33

President Zelensky has said he's sending his defence minister to peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul - but adds that Russia is "not serious" about "real talks". With discussions between the two countries seemingly likely to happen in some form, is this progress? Are we on the path to peace? Lucy is joined by Vitaly in Istanbul and Lyse Douce…

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What do we actually know about the Istanbul peace talks? 28:40

3M ago28:40

28:40

The world is holding its breath ahead of mooted peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday. But what are the discussions likely to look like, and crucially who will attend? With Donald Trump on a tour of the Gulf nations, the White House says it plans to send senior representatives to Turkey, while hinting that the US President …

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Will Putin meet Zelensky in Turkey? 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he’s ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin "personally" in Istanbul on Thursday for talks over ending the war. But is this meeting likely to materialise? And is this a smart move from Zelensky or a potential win for Putin? Lucy and Vitaly are joined by chief international correspondent Lyse D…

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Q&A: Victory Day, Xi Jinping and Moscow dog-walking 29:07

3M ago29:07

29:07

Who’s attending Friday’s Victory Day parade in Russia? Could President Xi of China present his own ceasefire plan? And what’s going on with the coalition of the willing? The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and BBC Moscow producer Ben Tavener are on hand to answer these questions from listeners and more. Today’s episode is presen…

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Victory Day: Has Putin hijacked Russian remembrance? 25:02

3M ago25:02

25:02

We’re just days away from Victory Day, when Moscow is due to hold a parade on 9 May to mark the victory of the Soviet Union and allies over Nazi Germany. Victoria and Vitaly are joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and Alexander Zhuravlyov to discuss what the day means for Russians, and how its significance has changed since Vladimir Putin came to …

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Q&A: Minerals deal, security guarantees and Nato membership 31:06

3M ago31:06

31:06

After months of tense negotiations Ukraine and the US have signed a much-anticipated natural resources deal - and YOU have lots of questions about it. Why is Ukraine going ahead with it? Can it still join NATO? What could the US offer Russia? Lucy is joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse, BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and diplomatic corresp…

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100 Days of Trump: Peacemaker or time-waster? 33:03

3M ago33:03

33:03

It’s 100 days since Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. His campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine has yet to materialise, but Washington has brought both sides to the negotiation table. So is peace any closer, and should the White House be getting more credit? We’re joined by Sam Kiley, world affair…

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Q&A: Trump's peace plan, Crimea and the latest Kyiv attack 33:16

3M ago33:16

33:16

What if the US pulls out of peace talks? Do other Republicans agree with President Trump’s position on the war? And could Ukraine monetise its drone industry? Jamie and Vitaly are joined by diplomatic correspondent James Landale and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson to answer these questions and more on the conflict. And we check in with friend of the pod…

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What happens if the US pulls out of peace talks? 29:30

3M ago29:30

29:30

After Vladimir Putin’s limited ‘Easter truce’ ended, we’re joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, to discuss whether the Kremlin is serious about bilateral negotiations with Ukraine. And we talk to Alexander Vindman - the former US National Security Council official, who was a star witness in Donald Trump’s first impeachment inquiry. H…

1
Life as a BBC bureau chief in Moscow and Kyiv 28:09

3M ago28:09

28:09

In today’s episode we do something slightly different. You’ll be familiar with some of the names and voices of the correspondents who’ve covered the Ukraine war for the last three years - James Waterhouse, Lyse Doucet, Sarah Rainsford and more - who regularly appear on this podcast. But you’ll be less familiar with the people doing the work behind …

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Viktoria's Story: Three years on 30:38

4M ago30:38

30:38

An old friend of the podcast, Viktoria Kovalenko, joins us in the studio. Viktoria has experienced the horrors of war first hand. Her husband and elder daughter were killed in front of her when they tried to escape the city of Chernihiv in 2022. Three years on she’s forging a new life with her four-year-old in the UK. She tells us how she’s adaptin…

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Your Questions Answered: Witkoff meets Putin, Chinese soldiers and Russia’s economy 26:12

4M ago26:12

26:12

Where are we with the peace talks on the Ukraine conflict? What’s the situation on the battlefield? And how seriously should we take reports of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia? Vitaly, Lyse and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson joined up with presenter Leila Nathoo on BBC 5Live to answer these questions and many more. The producers were Peter Karlse…

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Are Chinese soldiers fighting for Putin’s Russia? 23:44

4M ago23:44

23:44

President Zelensky says two Chinese citizens have been captured while fighting for Russia in the Donetsk region. But how did they end up in Ukraine and what does this mean for the future of the conflict? General Sir Nick Carter, former chief of the UK's defence staff, is in the studio to discuss this latest development, as well as whether the world…

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Your Questions Answered: Putin's endgame, Ukrainian elections and North Koreans 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

Could Putin ever agree to peace? Would an election help Zelensky consolidate power? What’s happened to North Koreans fighting Ukraine? Vitaly is joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson, security correspondent Frank Gardner and Global News Podcast presenter Oliver Conway, to try and answer these questions and more. Today’s episode is presented by Vital…

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Is Trump losing patience with Putin? 29:24

4M ago29:24

29:24

On Sunday, NBC reported that Donald Trump was ‘very angry’ with Vladimir Putin over his approach to a ceasefire in Ukraine. So is he changing his mind on the Russian President? Vic and Vit talk to Kurt Volker, Donald Trump’s former special representative for Ukraine about the current state of negotiations, the threat of sanctions and golf diplomacy…

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Your Questions Answered: Trump's next move, Black Sea ceasefire and the Arctic 27:11

4M ago27:11

27:11

What’s President Trump’s next move in the ceasefire negotiations? What would happen if Russia launched a missile from the Black Sea into Ukraine? And what is President Putin up to in the Arctic? James is joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and diplomatic correspondent James Landale to answer these questions and more. Today’s episode is presented b…

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Russia and Ukraine agree Black Sea Ceasefire 23:47

4M ago23:47

23:47

The White House says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping in the Black Sea and stop military strikes. But could it work? Today we talk to Martin Griffiths, former Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations. He played a key role in the Black Sea gra…

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Your Questions Answered: Zelensky's popularity, the UN and how Trump called Putin 24:37

4M ago24:37

24:37

What are Ukraine’s options for getting proper security guarantees? What actually happens when world leaders speak on the phone? And how are the Putin, Trump and Zelensky discussions and negotiations being viewed by ordinary Ukrainians? Those are just a few of your questions that have landed in our inbox and today Lyse, Vitaly and Olga Robinson from…

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Trump calls Putin 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

After a lengthy phone call with Donald Trump, the Kremlin says Vladimir Putin has agreed to a mutual pause on attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure - but stopped far short of accepting a full ceasefire. We get instant reaction from Fiona Hill, who previously served on the National Security Council as an advisor on Russia under Pres…

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Your Questions Answered: Putin, Witkoff and ceasefire plans 20:32

5M ago20:32

20:32

What’s to stop Russia from escalating the conflict? Who is Steve Witkoff? Can Trump stop Ukraine from joining Nato? These are some of the questions you’ve been sending in - and today, Lyse, Vitaly and Matthew Savill from the Royal United Services Institute think tank, joined presenter Christian Fraser to answer them on the BBC News channel. The pro…

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Putin responds to Trump’s ceasefire plan 13:40

5M ago13:40

13:40

Vladimir Putin has said the fighting must end in Ukraine, but that a ceasefire should lead to "enduring peace and remove underlying causes of this crisis." Responding to the Trump administration’s plans to end the war, the Russian president says the idea of a ceasefire is "good and we absolutely support it but there are issues that we need to discu…

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Ukraine backs ceasefire plan, but will Russia? 16:54

5M ago16:54

16:54

Ukraine says it is ready to accept a US proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire with Russia, in a joint statement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says “the ball is now in Russia’s court", and he will take the offer to Moscow. Sir Laurie Bristow, former UK ambassador to Moscow joins us to give his reaction and thoughts on what Russia might do ne…

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Could Ukraine lose ground in Kursk? 22:14

5M ago22:14

22:14

Is this the week the war changes? On the battlefield, Russian forces are reportedly trying to encircle thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, where they recaptured three settlements on Sunday. Meanwhile, talks are taking place on Tuesday between Ukrainians and US officials in Saudi Arabia, at which Kyiv is expected to push for a truce…

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Your Questions Answered: Trump, Europe and Peace 32:06

5M ago32:06

32:06

The Ukrainecast team join the Global News Podcast to answer listener questions. We discuss Donald Trump’s latest threat, the prospects of peace in Ukraine, and that minerals deal. Today’s episode is presented by Lyse Doucet, James Waterhouse, Vitaly Shevchenko and Jackie Leonard. The producers were Ben Carter and Ryan Johnston. The series producer …

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Girl Bossing & Real Estate Hustling with Jade Shenker, Netflix's Owning Manhattan 39:13

5M ago39:13

39:13

In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse real estate mogul Jade Shenker from Owning Manhattan to talk all things girl bossing! 💼✨ From breaking into the competitive NYC real estate market to building an empire, Jade shares her journey, the mindset shifts that got her to the top, and her best advice for women looking to dominate in any industry. …

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Can Ukraine survive without US military aid? 23:42

5M ago23:42

23:42

President Zelensky says Ukraine is "ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership" to negotiate a peace deal and is ready to sign a minerals deal. His comments come after the US decision to pause military aid. We get reaction from Ukrainian MP Oleksandra Ustinova and ‘Neo’, a soldier currently fighting in Donetsk region. And we speak to M…

1
Is a truce between Ukraine and Russia possible? 21:13

5M ago21:13

21:13

President Macron has proposed a one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine "in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure." These comments follow a meeting over the weekend in which European leaders tried to deal with the fallout from President Zelensky’s disastrous trip to Washington on Friday. Presenters Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenk…

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Trump and Zelensky clash in the Oval Office 29:38

5M ago29:38

29:38

There were unprecedented scenes in the White House this afternoon when President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and President Zelensky clashed in an extraordinary shouting match in front of stunned reporters. Lyse and Vitaly are joined by former UK national security adviser Lord Ricketts to get immediate reaction, and what this all means for the fu…