Newsnight, followed by Weather

President Zelensky said he felt betrayed by the United States after a series of developments, including Donald Trump's diesel deal with Russia, calls for him to step down, and restrictions on Ukraine's use of the US Starlink satellite system. Two nights of Russian missile strikes on Kyiv occurred without the usual defences, and Zelensky said he was sure restrictions had been placed on Starlink use. He met Andy Burnham and King Charles III in London and told Piers Morgan that Trump was not on the right side of history. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly raised the prospect of cutting off US intelligence if Ukraine did not stop attacking Russian oil refineries; Trump announced an energy ceasefire and later denied cutting off intelligence. Elon Musk said Starlink could only be used for civilian or defensive activities and that limits on Starshield were decided by the US military and ultimately Trump. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko said Ukrainians felt betrayed and that slower Starlink and Trump's statements looked like pressure towards surrender. Panel discussion covered US leverage including intelligence sharing and the PURL scheme, and Republican backlash to the diesel deal.

With less than three weeks until the US midterm elections, all House seats, one third of the Senate and some governorships were up for grabs. Both chambers were held by Republicans, and Democratic wins could frustrate Trump's legislative agenda in the final two years of his second term. Pollster Frank Luntz said affordability was the dominant issue, the Senate was too close to call, and the House looked like a significant Democratic victory, with turnout favouring Democrats. He said some voters who backed Trump over Kamala Harris in 2024 were returning to Democrats, though not overwhelmingly, and that Trump could help Republicans by explaining how his big beautiful bill reduced regulation and litigation and kept more money in people's pockets. Panel guests discussed whether a weakened president might turn more to foreign policy, and Alexandra Hall-Hall said Democrats could pursue corruption allegations while George Freeman said Europe must contribute more to defence.

In the later discussion, Nick said European elections could move the continent to the right, with France's next presidential election potentially producing a runoff between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Le Pen winning, which would be the first time since the Second World War that the hard right held power in France or Germany. George Freeman said Europe was adjusting fast to a changed security order and might see splits between northern and southern Europe. Alexandra Hall-Hall pointed to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issuing a strong statement against the diesel oil deal, and said the real Russia threat would focus European leaders of all political persuasions.