Zelenskyy plays the long game with Xi Jinping – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is happy to unleash withering criticism against countries including Hungary and Germany for getting too close to the Russians. But he’s playing a diplomatic long game with Moscow’s No. 1 ally: Chinese President Xi Jinping. There are good reasons … Read more

The EU and UK have a Northern Ireland deal — so what’s in it? – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. LONDON — After four months of intense talks (and plenty of squabbling before that), the EU and U.K. have a deal to resolve their long-running post-Brexit trade row over Northern Ireland. But as U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak works to sell the so-called “Windsor … Read more

China talks ‘peace,’ woos Europe and trashes Biden in Munich – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. MUNICH — China is trying to drive a fresh wedge between Europe and the United States as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine trudges past its one-year mark. Such was the motif of China’s newly promoted foreign policy chief Wang Yi when he broke the news … Read more

Putin is staring at defeat in his gas war with Europe – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. There’s more bad news for Vladimir Putin. Europe is on course to get through winter with its vital gas storage facilities more than half full, according to a new European Commission assessment seen by POLITICO. That means despite the Russian leader’s efforts to make … Read more

West struggles to deliver on Zelenskyy’s defense wish list – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BRUSSELS — With Ukraine’s partners racing to send more weapons to Kyiv amid an emerging Russian offensive, fulfilling Ukrainian requests is becoming trickier. Ukraine is still waiting for promised deliveries of modern tanks. Combat jets, though much discussed, are mired in the throes of government … Read more

Heads roll in Ukraine graft purge, but defense chief Reznikov rejects rumors he’s out – POLITICO

KYIV — Heads are rolling in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s expanding purge against corruption in Ukraine, but Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov is denying rumors that he’s destined for the exit — a move that would be viewed as a considerable setback for Kyiv in the middle of its war with Russia. Two weeks ago, Ukraine was … Read more

How the far-right got out of the doghouse – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article European far-right politicians just stormed to victory in Italy, after achieving historic results in France and Sweden. “Everywhere in Europe, people aspire to take their destiny back into their own hands!” said Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally Party.  But if you think there … Read more