The Trump administration's Ukraine 'policy' - if it can be dignified with that name - is descending into chaos, with a telephone conversation between Lavrov and Rubio described initially as 'constructive' now spoken of as a 'disaster', and with a summit meeting in Budapest which Trump himself almost certainly proposed alternatively on and off again, so that the Hungarians are now anxiously trying to find out what is actually going on.

Trump himself seems not to know his own policy, agreeing with Putin in Alaska that a ceasefire is unworkable and saying so in writing, telling Zelensky on Friday to withdraw from Donbass or be 'destroyed', and then just hours later appearing to call off a summit with Putin because the Russians won't agree to the very ceasefire he agreed with them in Alaska was unworkable.

I know there are some people who see some strategy here. I am finding it increasingly impossible to do so. To me it looks more like the bewildered responses of a confused old man in a hurry who is visibly out of his depth.

Meanwhile the war goes on and the Russians advance and the 1st November 2025 deadline to impose 157% tariffs on China drifts closer.

The contrast with Trump's sure touch in handling domestic political matters - such as the government shutdown - is painful.

Anyway, this and much else to talk about today.....