wherever you'rejoining me from around the world, once again, a big hello and a warm welcome to the show. you know, russia's invasion of ukraine is now into its third year, costing tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars. its huge impact has been felt in economies all around the world. it's had consequences for global trade, energy and food prices and, most of all, in ukraine itself. so, can the assets the west has frozen and which belong to moscow be used to pay for the damage and kyiv�*s ability to fight back? ukraine's reconstruction building — it's now estimated at m86 billion, and there are signs that the west's enthusiasm for providing financial support is waning. translation: putin does not value people's lives. - he doesn't understand

or respect any rules. the only thing that is important for putin is money and power. we need a strong decision that would confiscate russia's frozen assets and we need further full—scale sanctions pressure on russia in order to constrain putin's capabilities to finance this war. and it's an idea that seems to be gaining traction, even though it's not without its risks. there's growing legal support for the idea that there is a way of using israel's resources. i think the moral argument is quite straightforward, which is at the end of the day, russia is going to have to pay reparations for its illegal invasions, so why not spend some of the money now rather than wait till the war is over? and although the west hasn't been directly involved militarily, seizing assets is one more economic weapon to try and cripple russia's financial firepower. to mark two years since president putin's invasion, the us and eu both hit the russian regime with hundreds of new economic sanctions,

which are also linked to the suspicious death of the russian opposition leader alexei navalny. it means that the us has now hit more than 4,000 companies and individuals, while the eu has targeted more than 2,000. and early in the war, more than $300 billion of russian assets held in the west were frozen — about two thirds in europe, but also significant sums in the us and uk. these sanctions seem to have had a limited impact on russia's economy. despite an initial hit, its been growing as president putin has funnelled resources into building a wartime economy. one reason he's been able to do that — its oil and gas. russia's government raked in almost $100 billion last year because its position as a leading supplier means the west doesn't want it removed from the global market altogether. but, that said, the west has made efforts to limit that income, which is now largely made up of sales to china and india.

and despite that resilience, russia's parliament has been urging the government to hit that if assets are frozen. translation: we think - that we must be ready to respond respond immediately if the europeans introduce such measures. _ the response must be efficient and painful. i we have large amounts amassed in the s—type accounts, - including those belonging in part to the investors i from unfriendly countries. these accounts can and must be adequately taxed, - which would be a retaliatory move in case europe _ makes such a decision. so, should america and europe sell the russian assets they've frozen and give the money to ukraine? well, i've been speaking to one man who's been following this debate closely. he was the wall streetjournal�*s russia editor and has covered this area for both of us here at the bbc and for the swiss banking giant credit suisse. alexander, thanks so much for your time. let's start with this because it seems obvious to many that

russia's war is illegal. the un general assembly has called it so, although russia denies its illegal. but we know that the allies hold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of russian accents. worth of russian assets. why wouldn't they just sell them and give the money to ukraine? i definitely support it, but it has several problems. first of all, the europeans — especially the european central bank and the financial authorities of the european union — are afraid of seizing that frozen assets, because they are afraid that other countries from outside of europe and the western parts will be extremely reluctant to invest their savings and funds in european assets. and another issue is europe

is not in a state of war with russia. so, that would raise questions and even some europeans say, damage the trust in the european legal system. on top of that, there is an issue of i would say financial hostages. those of the european companies who are still active in russia. for some of them, it was a choice, but for a vast majority of the foreign companies in russia, it's not a matter of choice. they are unable to sell their assets. if all that is nationalised, several big european companies would face bankruptcy, and then the european governments will be forced to save them and spend a huge amount of money on bailing them out. at the end of the day, that would damage their ability to help ukraine. america's keen on doing this certainly more than many european

countries, but the assets are largely in europe?— countries, but the assets are largely in europe? yes, i think for a --oulist largely in europe? yes, i think for a populist politician, _ largely in europe? yes, i think for a populist politician, it _ largely in europe? yes, i think for a populist politician, it looks - largely in europe? yes, i think for a populist politician, it looks like l a populist politician, it looks like a populist politician, it looks like a really nice opportunity to sell it to his voters. the population might say, "look, we've taken russian money away from russia and gave it to ukraine, but we are not going to give ukraine our own money". and the problem is that $300 billion, although it looks like an enormous sum of money, might not be enough in the long—term. sum of money, might not be enough in the long-term— the long-term. alexander, there is disagreement _ the long-term. alexander, there is disagreement. i'm _ the long-term. alexander, there is disagreement. i'm just _ the long-term. alexander, there is disagreement. i'm just wondering i the long-term. alexander, there is i disagreement. i'mjust wondering how disagreement. i'm just wondering how you are divided on this issue? fin you are divided on this issue? on one you are divided on this issue? q�*i one side, we see the united you are divided on this issue? q�*i one side, we see the united states, the united kingdom, baltics and eastern europe, who insist on that money to be taken away from russia and given to ukraine and spent on

either reconstruction or rearmament. the problem is that the majority of russia's frozen assets is not in those countries. in the countries which hold the majority of russian assets and those first and foremost, belgian, france, germany and other western european countries. they are much more reluctant. fin western european countries. they are much more reluctant.— much more reluctant. on that note, alexander. — much more reluctant. on that note, alexander. i — much more reluctant. on that note, alexander, i really _ much more reluctant. on that note, alexander, i really appreciate - much more reluctant. on that note, alexander, i really appreciate your. alexander, i really appreciate your time. thank you forjoining us. thank you, aaron. 50. time. thank you for “oining us. thank you, aaron._ time. thank you for “oining us. thank you, aaron. so, is there the olitical thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will _ thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will and _ thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will and the _ thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will and the west - thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will and the west to - thank you, aaron. so, is there the political will and the west to pay i political will and the west to pay for ukrainian needs with russian frozen assets. it would save taxpayers from footing the bill, and be a show of support from russia's neighbours who have the most to fear from any further aggression. so, i from any furtheraggression. so, i decided from any further aggression. so, i decided to catch up with the foreign minister of estonia. a real pleasure

having you on the show. it's been two years since the war began. we had all those western economic sanctions placed on russia, but it still seems to be going strong. the imf says its economy is set to grow a healthy 2.6% this year. it is showing remarkable resilience, isn't it? , ., , showing remarkable resilience, isn't it? , ._ ~ ., it? yes, actually, we don't know exact on his _ it? yes, actually, we don't know exact on his figures. _ it? yes, actually, we don't know exact on his figures. what - it? yes, actually, we don't know exact on his figures. what is - it? yes, actually, we don't know exact on his figures. what is the j exact on his figures. what is the situation — exact on his figures. what is the situation with russian economy, but what we _ situation with russian economy, but what we see is that russia is able to produce — what we see is that russia is able to produce military equipment, able to produce military equipment, able to produce _ to produce military equipment, able to produce ammunition. also, people are not— to produce ammunition. also, people are not starving. but if you see the figures _ are not starving. but if you see the figures from the european union side, _ figures from the european union side, we — figures from the european union side, we have adopted already the 13 sanction— side, we have adopted already the 13 sanction packages, approximately 60% of trade _ sanction packages, approximately 60% of trade has been cut down on sanctions _ of trade has been cut down on sanctions. but of course, there are

lots of _ sanctions. but of course, there are lots of things we see as a boarding country. _ lots of things we see as a boarding country, but i'm not so critical about — country, but i'm not so critical about sanctions because if we see what _ about sanctions because if we see what we _ about sanctions because if we see what we have more than to theirs ago. _ what we have more than to theirs ago. there — what we have more than to theirs ago, there were no sanctions. —— two years— ago, there were no sanctions. —— two years ago _ ago, there were no sanctions. —— two years ago. sanctions are hitting both— years ago. sanctions are hitting both sides. but this is a price we need _ both sides. but this is a price we need to— both sides. but this is a price we need to pay— both sides. but this is a price we need to pay right now and we pay, because _ need to pay right now and we pay, because all— need to pay right now and we pay, because all our interests that we harm _ because all our interests that we harm the — because all our interests that we harm the russian war machine. margus. — harm the russian war machine. margus, do you believe at least the eu should take a hit to its economies, including consumers and businesses, just to try and make it harder for russia to fight this war? what we must understand, not to have business _ what we must understand, not to have business with russia, it doesn't work _ business with russia, it doesn't work. european policy, some bigger countries— work. european policy, some bigger countries were thinking if they have economical— countries were thinking if they have economical relations with putin and russia, _ economical relations with putin and russia, then they can somehow control— russia, then they can somehow

control putin. these were exactly these _ control putin. these were exactly these kind — control putin. these were exactly these kind of projects that were an idea _ these kind of projects that were an idea this— these kind of projects that were an idea this is— these kind of projects that were an idea. this is only economical. it was _ idea. this is only economical. it was 100% — idea. this is only economical. it was 100% political, actually. everything economical from russia is political— everything economical from russia is political as— everything economical from russia is political as well. i don't say that we must — political as well. i don't say that we must take the heat, but we need to organise. — we must take the heat, but we need to organise, reorganise our economies. not to be so much dependent on russian economy. it doesn't _ dependent on russian economy. it doesn't work for longer, because it russia _ doesn't work for longer, because it russia will— doesn't work for longer, because it russia will remain a threat. there won't _ russia will remain a threat. there won't be — russia will remain a threat. there won't be a — russia will remain a threat. there won't be a solution meaning the business — won't be a solution meaning the business will continue as before. margus. — business will continue as before. margus, we know russia is one of the world's biggest oil and gas producers. sanctions has limited it, but we know it sells more than more to india and china. it raked in around $100 billion from oil and gas. what a move to cut that more helpful to hurting russia's finances for this war? {lit

helpful to hurting russia's finances forthis war?— for this war? of course, russia is sendin: for this war? of course, russia is spending lots _ for this war? of course, russia is spending lots of _ for this war? of course, russia is spending lots of money - for this war? of course, russia is spending lots of money by - for this war? of course, russia is spending lots of money by gas i for this war? of course, russia is. spending lots of money by gas and oil -- _ spending lots of money by gas and oil —— turning. but we have been thinking — oil —— turning. but we have been thinking and _ oil —— turning. but we have been thinking and proposing the sanctions. it harms a lot of russian war machines and economy. we know the lot— war machines and economy. we know the lot of— war machines and economy. we know the lot of games are not supporting the lot of games are not supporting the idea _ the lot of games are not supporting the idea right now. it has been always— the idea right now. it has been always the proposal what estonia has made, _ always the proposal what estonia has made. but _ always the proposal what estonia has made, but we're a small country. we cannot— made, but we're a small country. we cannot decide all of this. it is always— cannot decide all of this. it is always on— cannot decide all of this. it is always on the table of eu sanctions packages _ always on the table of eu sanctions packages and also we put this proposal— packages and also we put this proposal on the table for the 14th package, — proposal on the table for the 14th package, what is now under consideration.— package, what is now under consideration. , ., ,, ., ., consideration. just on russian oil, there is the _ consideration. just on russian oil, there is the western _ consideration. just on russian oil, there is the western imposed - consideration. just on russian oil, | there is the western imposed price cap of 60 bucks a barrel. what would you like to see it come down to? we have adopted last year the process,

that what _ have adopted last year the process, that what the oil price must be connected to the market price. but there _ connected to the market price. but there is— connected to the market price. but there is a _ connected to the market price. but there is a level of that. of the cases— there is a level of that. of the cases we're not following it. from estonia's— cases we're not following it. from estonia's side, we are not offering anything _ estonia's side, we are not offering anything new, but we are not following _ anything new, but we are not following it because the g7 and those _ following it because the g7 and those bigger countries are not agreeing — those bigger countries are not agreeing with that. if you're lacking _ agreeing with that. if you're lacking the political will, then you're — lacking the political will, then you're not able to do that. so, the decision— you're not able to do that. so, the decision is— you're not able to do that. so, the decision is there, but we are not following — decision is there, but we are not following that, and this is something we are not happy about. margus. _ something we are not happy about. margus, let's talk about those frozen russian assets mostly held in the eu. do you think europe needs to be more aggressive in selling them to give the money to ukraine? i'm kind of wondering why big powers like france and germany seem to be reluctant to doing that. filtrate like france and germany seem to be reluctant to doing that.— reluctant to doing that. we have taken this leading _ reluctant to doing that. we have taken this leading position - reluctant to doing that. we have taken this leading position as i taken this leading position as estonia — taken this leading position as estonia to talk about it and to find

a way— estonia to talk about it and to find a way out — estonia to talk about it and to find a way out that we can use. those of the three _ a way out that we can use. those of the three reasons why we pushed heavily~ _ the three reasons why we pushed heavily. 0ne the three reasons why we pushed heavily. one of course is to give money — heavily. one of course is to give money to — heavily. one of course is to give money to ukraine and support ukraine — money to ukraine and support ukraine. the second is actually to -ive ukraine. the second is actually to give trade — ukraine. the second is actually to give trade to putin and oligarchs in russia _ give trade to putin and oligarchs in russia that — give trade to putin and oligarchs in russia that we can take the assets and russia — russia that we can take the assets and russia must pay. the third is much _ and russia must pay. the third is much more — and russia must pay. the third is much more cynical in the meeting that we _ much more cynical in the meeting that we have elections coming all over the — that we have elections coming all over the world, and taxpayers and voters _ over the world, and taxpayers and voters are — over the world, and taxpayers and voters are asking the rightful question, how long we have to pay. why doesn't— question, how long we have to pay. why doesn't russia pay for the damages — why doesn't russia pay for the damages and also the recovery process? — damages and also the recovery process? that's why i see that we have _ process? that's why i see that we have been— process? that's why i see that we have been pushing this close to nearly— have been pushing this close to nearly a — have been pushing this close to nearly a year. that's why there has been _ nearly a year. that's why there has been more — nearly a year. that's why there has been more political interest in what we are _ been more political interest in what we are doing and how we are doing it. we are doing and how we are doing it the _ we are doing and how we are doing it the first — we are doing and how we are doing it. the first sign was a big move on eu level—

it. the first sign was a big move on eu level 127 — it. the first sign was a big move on eu level 127 countries decided that they would use the money for frozen assets~ _ they would use the money for frozen assets~ but — they would use the money for frozen assets. but now we are pushing heavily, — assets. but now we are pushing heavily, domestically and estonia, parliament to draught law that can be used _ parliament to draught law that can be used the frozen assets. if we show _ be used the frozen assets. if we show the — be used the frozen assets. if we show the way that that is an opportunity, following the laws, that we — opportunity, following the laws, that we can use frozen assets, then there _ that we can use frozen assets, then there won't— that we can use frozen assets, then there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end — there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end on _ there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end on this. _ there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end on this. if _ there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end on this. if sanctions - there won't be any excuse. margus, let me end on this. if sanctions and | let me end on this. if sanctions and other financial weapons don't starve president putin of the resolve and the resources to stop fighting and ukraine, i'm wondering, how concerned are you that he could then turn to your country and other neighbours next? brute turn to your country and other neighbours next?— turn to your country and other neighbours next? we know already ears that neighbours next? we know already years that putin _ neighbours next? we know already years that putin and _ neighbours next? we know already years that putin and russia - neighbours next? we know already years that putin and russia is - neighbours next? we know already years that putin and russia is a - years that putin and russia is a threat — years that putin and russia is a threat we _ years that putin and russia is a threat. we saw it in georgia, we saw

in ukraine _ threat. we saw it in georgia, we saw in ukraine 2014, repeatedly now. also, _ in ukraine 2014, repeatedly now. also, their — in ukraine 2014, repeatedly now. also, their vocabulary has been very heavy _ also, their vocabulary has been very heavy on _ also, their vocabulary has been very heavy on putin's side. maybe he will have 880 _ heavy on putin's side. maybe he will have 880 task —— a nato test. but of course, _ have 880 task —— a nato test. but of course, russia has plans to increase them, _ course, russia has plans to increase them, to _ course, russia has plans to increase them, to reestablish them. that's them, to reestablish them. that's the main — them, to reestablish them. that's the main message from my side. for us, it— the main message from my side. for us, it is— the main message from my side. for us, it is the _ the main message from my side. for us, it is the most efficient way to support— us, it is the most efficient way to support ukrainians now, because they are fighting _ support ukrainians now, because they are fighting instead of us. we have 200 km _ are fighting instead of us. we have 200 km steps. we will win the war, but we _ 200 km steps. we will win the war, but we will— 200 km steps. we will win the war, but we will pay as a country, as a nation, _ but we will pay as a country, as a nation, verv— but we will pay as a country, as a nation, very high price for that. so, nation, very high price for that. so. i_ nation, very high price for that. so. i would _ nation, very high price for that. so, i would like to say everybody were _ so, i would like to say everybody were living — so, i would like to say everybody were living in europe and members of nato, _ were living in europe and members of nato, now— were living in europe and members of nato, now is— were living in europe and members of nato, now is the time to support ukraine — nato, now is the time to support ukraine. now is the time to invest

your whole — ukraine. now is the time to invest your whole independent defence capabilities. so, i hope there is some _ capabilities. so, i hope there is some rationality left to putin not to even — some rationality left to putin not to even think about attacking nato countries — to even think about attacking nato countries. gn to even think about attacking nato countries. ., ,., ~., , countries. on that point, margus, estonia's foreign _ countries. on that point, margus, estonia's foreign minister, - countries. on that point, margus, estonia's foreign minister, a - countries. on that point, margus, estonia's foreign minister, a real| estonia's foreign minister, a real pleasure having you on the show. good luck with everything and we'll checkin good luck with everything and we'll check in to. good luck with everything and we'll check in to— good luck with everything and we'll check in to. . ,, y., , . ., check in to. thank you very much for this opportunitv- _ check in to. thank you very much for this opportunity. after— check in to. thank you very much for this opportunity. after more - check in to. thank you very much for this opportunity. after more than - this opportunity. after more than two ears this opportunity. after more than two years of— this opportunity. after more than two years of fighting, _ this opportunity. after more than two years of fighting, ukraine - this opportunity. after more than | two years of fighting, ukraine and russia have most struggle to make significant progress on the battlefield, despite the thousands of lives that have been lost. moscow seems to have money, but for kyiv, the cost of bullets and shells is a growing problem. just how is it going to be financing the fighting, let alone pay for repairs? i decide to catch up with one of president biletskyi's top economic advisers. alexander, really good to see you again. two years since russia's

invasion. what is the economic picture on the ground in ukraine? brute picture on the ground in ukraine? we are picture on the ground in ukraine? - are in a wartime economy. weapons are in a wartime economy. weapons are usually the best tools during wartime, and that is because expectations are formed on the front line. if expectations are good, that leads to investment, etc. but the rest is also true. another example is their defence. if there is no air defence, the enemy can bombard our facilities, anything we use for infrastructure. that has a direct effect on the economy. number two, we're trying to stabilise the economy. initially, inflation went out. capital was flowing out, but the central bank did a very good job at managing the storm, essentially. and that led to a decline in inflation to the point where we actually reached our preinvasion and

normal peacetime inflation target, which is 5%. i normal peacetime inflation target, which is 596-— which is 5%. i want to ask you, is ukraine turning _ which is 5%. i want to ask you, is ukraine turning factories - which is 5%. i want to ask you, is ukraine turning factories from i which is 5%. i want to ask you, is | ukraine turning factories from one use into another? such as fridges to weapons of. use into another? such as fridges to weapons of-— weapons of. absolutely, that is happening _ weapons of. absolutely, that is happening to — weapons of. absolutely, that is happening to a _ weapons of. absolutely, that is happening to a large _ weapons of. absolutely, that is happening to a large extent. i weapons of. absolutely, that is| happening to a large extent. we weapons of. absolutely, that is i happening to a large extent. we have the ministry now that's directly responsible for strategic development in particular, for driving our military industrial complex and making sure we can produce the production of drones. 0bviously, that's a shortage that we have, as everybody knows. everything that we can try and produce ourselves, we need a lot of complicated production facilities, which takes time to build. but of course, we're trying to diversify away from the reliance on our western partners, given what we see now. �* ., western partners, given what we see now. . . ., , ., , ., now. alexander, two years into the war, i'm wondering _ now. alexander, two years into the war, i'm wondering how— now. alexander, two years into the war, i'm wondering how difficult i now. alexander, two years into the war, i'm wondering how difficult it | war, i'm wondering how difficult it is to raise the money ukraine continues to urgently needed to fight the russians? it’s

continues to urgently needed to fight the russians?— fight the russians? it's very difficult, as _ fight the russians? it's very difficult, as you _ fight the russians? it's very difficult, as you can - fight the russians? it's very difficult, as you can see. i fight the russians? it's very i difficult, as you can see. right now, the main stumbling block has to do with the us and congress is the $60 billion. the lion's share would be for military support. that has a direct of the economy, unfortunately. there's a lot more stumbling blocks in our way now. and it's all about her survival. we're not talking about reconstruction here. i want to make sure everybody understands. this is really about making sure our economy can survive and to manage his period. but i will say also that we've had some success with the eu more recently where the 50 billion euros package was approved. we have to make adjustments. part of that was increasing our military in terms of making sure we have the internal resources to produce ammunition if needed. another part of that is just

financial. that means if we are not going to get certain amounts of funding, those options on the table like a root —— reducing spending... it's not an easy time to do these sorts of things.— it's not an easy time to do these sorts of things. alexander, we've also been talking _ sorts of things. alexander, we've also been talking about - sorts of things. alexander, we've also been talking about that i sorts of things. alexander, we've| also been talking about that some $300 billion of russian assets held in europe. i'm assuming president zelensky would love for those assets to help fight the war. why do you think some european nations are just so reluctant to sell them and hand the cash over to you? i so reluctant to sell them and hand the cash over to you?— the cash over to you? i think the main challenges _ the cash over to you? i think the main challenges are _ the cash over to you? i think the main challenges are political- the cash over to you? i think the j main challenges are political and legal in nature. i know there's $300 billion floating around in russian assets that are frozen, and that could or should be used if we're looking at a fair world or some sense ofjustice, for our reconstruction at the very least.

and to compensate for what russia is done to us. i guess the western world, first of all, the protection of property rights. you would be setting a precedent for other countries, that could affect globally the financial architecture, which people are worried about. just how much help with $300 billion from those assets be to your war effort? these are immense sums, and you have to remember they're about twice as big as our gdp annually. they would make a big difference if we would at least be able to get a handle on some of that.— least be able to get a handle on some of that. alexander, i'm 'ust wondering — some of that. alexander, i'm 'ust wondering what i some of that. alexander, i'm 'ust wondering what president i some of that. alexander, i'm just i wondering what president zelensky and part of his government make of all the elections, especially in the us, and the fact that they could lead to a big change in attitude towards helping ukraine pay for the war. ., , towards helping ukraine pay for the war. . , ., , ., towards helping ukraine pay for the war. . , ., ,., . towards helping ukraine pay for the war. . , ., , ., . ., war. certainly that is a concern for us, and war. certainly that is a concern for us. and who _ war. certainly that is a concern for us, and who knows _ war. certainly that is a concern for us, and who knows what - war. certainly that is a concern for us, and who knows what they i war. certainly that is a concern for us, and who knows what they will| war. certainly that is a concern for. us, and who knows what they will say when they come to power? they might

change their views. hopefully, change theirviews. hopefully, if that change their views. hopefully, if that were to change theirviews. hopefully, if that were to happen. but we need to adapt and devise plans, and that's what we're doing. 0ur government is working on increasing production of military equipment shall be needed, and we're obviously concerned with western powers being less inclined to support us going forward. let’s to support us going forward. let's talk about the _ to support us going forward. let's talk about the agricultural sector. we know worth billions to your economy, certainly before the war. because of the wheat and the sunflower oil, we know they're so important to the rest of the world. what sort of state is the agricultural sector in the moment? we've seen a lot of territories occupied. those have also been used for agricultural production, so that is a loss for now. hopefully will not be able to recoup it. —— hopefully we'll fold

long story store, if you look at numbers, injanuary, we had around 3 million tonnes of food commodities exported. we're back to prewar levels when it comes to sea trade and grain exports. let levels when it comes to sea trade and grain exports.— and grain exports. let me end on this, and grain exports. let me end on this. because _ and grain exports. let me end on this, because one _ and grain exports. let me end on this, because one thing _ and grain exports. let me end on this, because one thing all- this, because one thing all economies need to function his people. correct me if i'm wrong with these numbers, but something like 4.9 million ukrainians are displaced within the country. another 5.9 million have fled to other parts of europe. is that the biggest problem, alexander, when it comes to rebuilding? how do you get them all back? ., �* ., , , , back? you're absolutely right, but fundamentally, _ back? you're absolutely right, but fundamentally, this _ back? you're absolutely right, but fundamentally, this is _ back? you're absolutely right, but fundamentally, this is a _ back? you're absolutely right, but fundamentally, this is a huge i back? you're absolutely right, but. fundamentally, this is a huge shock to the labour market. a lot of our workers are gone, a lot of our production through that. how will we get these people back? its

fundamental... ultimately, we also need to make sure that ukraine is notjust peaceful, but also prosperous and attractive for these people, so we need to make sure that ukraine at that point will be clearly on its path towards european integration. clearly on a form footing, clearly implementing rule of law, making sure it covers all of its illnesses that have been well known before the war as well, and obviously that is also peaceful. that will hopefully convince a lot of our refugees that most opportunities they can get or the most attractive opportunities that they have are actually to come back and participate in the recovery in the construction of the country. fin the construction of the country. on that point, alexander, economic adviser to ukraine's president zelensky, a real pleasure as always coming on the show. best of luck with everything and we'll talk to

you soon. with everything and we'll talk to ou soon. ., ~' with everything and we'll talk to ou soon. . ~ ,., with everything and we'll talk to ou soon. ., ~ ,. y with everything and we'll talk to ou soon. . ~ y., , . you soon. thank you very much, aaron. that's _ you soon. thank you very much, aaron. that's it _ you soon. thank you very much, aaron. that's it for _ you soon. thank you very much, aaron. that's it for this - you soon. thank you very much, aaron. that's it for this week's l aaron. that's it for this week's show. aaron. that's it for this week's show- you _ aaron. that's it for this week's show. you can _ aaron. that's it for this week's show. you can keep _ aaron. that's it for this week's show. you can keep up - aaron. that's it for this week's show. you can keep up with i aaron. that's it for this week'sl show. you can keep up with the latest on the global economy on the bbc news website and the smartphone app. you can also follow me on x. i'll ask you back. thanks for watching, i'll see you soon. bye—bye. hello there. low pressure has been dominating our weather picture this weekend. and on saturday, we had widespread showers around, the vast majority of them coming through as rain. we did see some snow return to parts of cumbria and also some snowfall from somerset through the west midlands and into parts of wales as well. quite localised snowfall, but a covering in places. cold air, then, firmly in place at the moment, with our area of low pressure spiralling around, with further showers gradually moving their way northwards for the time being. again, the vast majority of these are coming through as rain. a little bit of sleet or snow mixed in across some of the higher parts of dumfries and galloway.

and over the next few hours, we'll also see a bit of snow across higher parts of the grampians. otherwise, any showers will come through as rain. it will then get cold with clearing skies across wales, lowest temperatures about —2. lowest temperatures about —2, so some frost and a few icy stretches to watch out for. sunday morning, few mist and fog patches around as well. by and large, though, a decent kind of day coming up on sunday. there will be some high cloud affecting eastern parts of both scotland and england. the best of the sunshine will be further west, with just one or two showers running through across parts of western scotland, northern ireland, wales and the southwest of england. but even here, the showers will be pretty well spaced, so you've got a decent chance of having a dry day. through sunday evening and sunday nighttime, we'll start to see the next weather system approaching, and that will be bringing more rain our way into monday. so the rain making inroads in across parts of southwest england and wales pretty quickly monday morning. after a dry and bright start in northern ireland, it turns wetter

through monday afternoon. we hang on to some brighter weather for scotland and northeast england, that's where the best of the sunny spells will be. temperatures continue to be a little bit below average for this time of the year, with highs between 9—11 celsius. deeper into next week, areas of low pressure in the atlantic will continue to threaten outbreaks of rain in the west. high pressure close to the near continent will keep the north and east largely dry, so we'll see some changes in the weather from place to place. western areas likely to see the heaviest of the rain, particularly towards wales and south west england. the driest, brightest weather is likely to be across more eastern parts of the uk as we go through the week ahead. that's your latest weather. bye for now.

live from washington. this is bbc news the us airdrops thouands of meals to hungry gazans in a joint operation withjordan. aid experts say it's not enough amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. ukraine shakes up its military leadership as kyiv says children are among seven people killed in a russian drone attack in 0desa. former us president donald trump and his republican presidential challenger nikki haley return to the campaign trail

ahead of super tuesday. i'm helena humphrey. the us has carried out an airdrop of aid into gaza, using three military cargo planes. us central command said it dropped more than 38,000 meals along the gaza coastline in a joint operation with jordan's air force. the uk, france and egypt have already airdropped aid into gaza, but this is the first time the us has done so. negotiations over a temporary ceasefire are expected to restart sunday in cairo. meanwhile, israeli war cabinet member benny gantz will visit the white house monday to meet with us vice president kamala harris. they're expected to discuss a humanitarian truce as well as reducing palestinian civilian casualties and increasing deliveries of aid. inernational calls are intensifiying for accountability for recent violence, including