Revealed: Trump backed Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign & exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner

Day 1,579.

Today, as reports emerge that Donald Trump urged President Zelensky to act “more boldly” towards Russia, the clock is ticking on Ukraine’s threat to target drone relay stations in Belarus that Kyiv says are helping facilitate attacks on Ukrainian territory. We examine the Kremlin’s extraordinary demand that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko travel to Moscow for advice on protecting his country’s sovereignty – a suggestion that reveals much about the true nature of Russia’s relationship with its closest ally. We also bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes aimed at isolating Crimea, exposing the vulnerability of Russian supply routes as drones hunt convoys and pontoon crossings with increasing impunity. And later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to the European Union’s first Defence Commissioner about Europe’s plans to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia, strengthen continental security, and support Ukraine for the long haul.

Contributor: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Chris January

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The European talks to create a Nato plan B (Joe Barnes for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/ 

Poland tells Britain: Pay up for defence or risk global irrelevance (Adrian Blomfield for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/poland-tells-britain-pay-defence-risk-global-irrelevance/

Chalke Festival (this Friday):

https://www.chalkefestival.com/   

Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party (this Saturday):

https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

•  ‘Act Boldly’: Trump backs Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign
•  Exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner

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