Does the US really care about peace in Ukraine? – The Latest

In this episode, host Lucy Hough speaks with Luke Harding, a Guardian foreign correspondent currently in Kyiv. He describes the severe winter weather affecting Ukraine, with temperatures dropping as low as -22 degrees Celsius, and the destruction caused by Russian aerial attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, leading to severe power shortages. The Ukrainian capital is struggling with limited electricity, causing significant hardship for its residents, particularly the vulnerable populations.

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches, the mood on the ground reveals a mix of resilience and frustration among the people. Although some are taking shelter due to lack of heating in their apartments, others show strength and determination to endure the harsh conditions. Hough and Harding also discuss the recent peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, which they characterize more as a theatrical performance than genuine negotiation, largely to appease Donald Trump. The talks seem ineffective, with Trump applying pressure on Ukraine without demanding concessions from Russia.

Harding critiques the motivations behind these talks, pointing out that the Russian delegation's demands remain unchanged and unrealistic. He expresses concern that the war will persist well beyond the current year, emphasizing that both sides are caught in a repeating cycle of conflict without any meaningful resolution in sight. Despite the challenging situation, Harding notes a slight increase in optimism among Ukrainians, driven by the hope that attritional efforts and losses on the Russian side could shift the dynamics of the war.