Joe Biden has set out his intentions to impose sanctions against Russia should Putin decide to launch an invasion against Ukraine. Are European countries that economically rely on Russia for their energy prepared for the inevitable costs that will come with these sanctions? 'There is no way you could have a set of sanctions on Russia without thinking there will be some cost to the West for imposing them' - James Forsyth Also on the podcast, what's the latest with the Partygate police probe?  All to be discussed as Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth. 

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What will be the cost of sanctions against Russia?

Two issues dominate the news this week. While Putin is recalling some troops back to their barracks, the situation in Ukraine is far from over. Meanwhile at home, we are in a cost of living crisis that could continue for years to come. What will the government do to resolve this crisis? All to be discussed with Katy Balls and James Forsyth on today's Coffee House Shots.

Can the government solve the cost of living crisis?

Over the weekend things between Ukraine and Russia seem to have gone from bad to worse. After a call between Biden and Putin failed to yield any meaningful results, the US warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could being as soon as Wednesday. Cindy Yu sits down with Katy Balls and James Forsyth to discuss whether war is truly just days away.

Why do the Americans think war is imminent?

Cindy Yu rounds up the highlights from Sunday's interview shows, with Brandon Lewis, Yvette Cooper, Derek Chollet and Zoë Billingham.

Cindy Yu's Sunday Roundup - 13/02/22

During the Cold War, the US saw Russia as global threat number one. But with China looming large on the world stage its focus is shifting. This leaves Europe to take the lead in dealing with Putin's desires on Ukraine.  Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Sophia Gaston the director of the British Foreign Policy Group about the growing tensions on the continent.  

Does Europe need to get used to dealing with Russia?

Cressida Dick announced yesterday evening that she is stepping down as head of the Metropolitan Police. In a statement, Dick said she had been left with 'no choice' but to resign, after it was made clear to her that London mayor Sadiq Khan did not have confidence in her leadership.  Who will replace her? And what does her resignation mean for the investigation into parties in No. 10? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth.

Who will replace Cressida Dick?

The Foreign Secretary's trip to Moscow today ended with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, walking out of their joint press conference. Did the trip achieve anything – and was it a mistake from the start? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth on this episode. For James, '[Lavrov's] rudeness is a sign that Liz Truss held the line in their meeting'.

Should Liz Truss have gone to Russia?

The Prime Minister tried to start today's PMQs with an announcement to fire up the right of his base, an early end to all Covid restrictions. But the partygate scandal is the gift that keeps on giving when during the Commons session a new photo leaked of Boris Johnson at a Christmas quiz with a bottle of Prosecco and a colleague draped in tinsel.  Isabel Hardman is joined by James Forsyth and Katy Balls to break down today's events in Westminster. 

Will there ever be a break in the partygate scandal?

A mini reshuffle has happened, but this time nobody has been fired. Is this an advertisement of Boris Johnson being strategic? Or is it more an advertisement of the little room he has to manoeuvre? Also on the podcast, James and Isabel discuss the NHS backlog. Today the Health Secretary was forced to admit to MPs that the NHS waiting list in England, which already stands at a record 6 million, will keep on growing for another two years. What are the holes in his new plan? All to be discussed as Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth.

What to make of the mini reshuffle?

On Saturday night, No. 10 announced two new appointments: Steve Barclay would become chief of staff, and Guto Harri would become director of communications. Will Downing Street's reshuffle improve the mood of Tory MPs? And what else does Boris Johnson have to do? Katy Balls talks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth about the new faces inside No. 10. 

Will Boris's new appointments win over backbenchers?

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political shows. Featured today are Kwasi Kwarteng, Iain Duncan Smith, David Lammy, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, and Gavin Barwell. 

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 06/02/22

Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about what happens if and when Graham Brady receives 54 letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson's leadership. 

What happens in a vote of no confidence?

Five members of Boris Johnson's team have now resigned from No. 10. This led Downing Street to bring forward changes to Johnson's top team – announcing the resignations of chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, director of communications Jack Doyle and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary (who sent the now notorious BYOB email). How will the PM fill the vacuum they leave in No. 10? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.

Who will fill the vacuum in No. 10?

Munira Mirza, Downing Street's head of policy, has resigned over Boris Johnson’s Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson about how the defection of one of Johnson's oldest allies will affect an already turbulent No. 10. 'This does look terminal.' – Fraser Nelson

What does the latest No. 10 resignation mean?

While Westminster politicians and journalists alike continue to predict exactly how many letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson have been officially filed. Michael Gove's levelling up white paper has finally arrived. A bizarre document that references many ancient cites and how they 'levelled up', but does it propose any tangible solutions on how to achieve its goal in present-day Britain? Isabel Hardman is joined by James Forsyth and Katy Balls to dissect the document. 

Was the levelling up white paper worth the wait?

Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Fraser Nelson, James Forsyth, Isabel Hardman, Katy Balls, Alex Massie and many others.

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