YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81HqCm622V0

Day 1,121.

Today, following new Russian bombardments and a huge explosion in Saratov, 600km east of Ukraine after a drone strike, we discuss a new phone call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, then the row breaking out in Europe about which countries should be ‘considered’ European for vital weapons purchases.

Contributors:

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

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

Dr Benjamin Tallis (Director, Democratic Strategy Initiative). @bctallis on X.

Content Referenced:

EU shuts Britain out of €150bn rearmament fund (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/19/european-union-ukraine-russia-defence-britain-150bn-fund/

Benjamin’s Report: ‘Emerging Defence: Offset and Competitive Strategies for Europe’:

https://www.democratic-strategy.net/s-projects-basic

Why Europe cannot rely on French nuclear umbrella alone (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/7fed8f2b-98c7-43c6-88b3-d66be449bfac