Trump blames Zelensky for ‘starting’ war & Ukraine ‘strikes back’ with huge attack on Russia

Day 1,147.

Today, as Ukraine launches a huge drone attack against Russia’s Kursk region, we assess President Trump’s remarks that President Zelensky “started” the war, and consider the dark arts of the Kremlin’s diplomatic corps.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

Content Referenced:

Our sister podcast, Battle Lines, looking at wider global affairs:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/

Washington: ‘Absurd’ for Zelensky to say US is siding with Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/15/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news-kursk/

I Trained With Russian Diplomats. I Can Tell You How They Work (The Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/14/i-trained-with-russian-diplomats-i-can-tell-you-how-they-work-a88722

Sumy Oblast governor confirms award ceremony plans ahead of Russian strike but denies responsibility (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/sumy-oblast-governor-confirms-award-ceremony-plans-during-russian-strike-but-denies-responsibility/

Aides Push Trump to Adopt Tougher Approach With Moscow (The Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/aides-push-trump-to-adopt-tougher-approach-with-moscow-a0d20e65

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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