Trump to meet Putin in Budapest in ‘huge blow’ to Europe & North Korean troops direct Russian strikes into Ukraine

Day 1,332.

Today, as President Zelensky meets Donald Trump at the White House, we unpack Vladimir Putin’s emergency – if predictable – intervention: an unscheduled call with the US President that may have derailed Kyiv’s hopes of securing Tomahawk missiles. Then, in a special cultural dispatch, we dive into the world of Ukrainian classical music.

Contributors:

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

With thanks to Hobart Earle, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Francis’s Odesa Documentary featuring Hobart Earle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM

‘Animals in war’ winners, suggested by listeners:

https://x.com/FrancisDearnley/status/1978856072648499329

Trump to meet Putin in Hungary (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/16/trump-holds-phone-call-putin-tomahawks/

Trump meeting Putin in Budapest is blow to Europe (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/16/trump-meeting-putin-budapest-blow-europe-hungary-orban/

North Korean troops helping to direct Russian strikes into Ukraine (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-now-using-north-korean-troops-to-attack-inside-of-ukraine-general-staff/?mc_cid=ccbf455194&mc_eid=08d0680a95

How Vladimir Putin’s history rant in Alaska nudged Donald Trump closer to Ukraine (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2

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