but i have come to ukraine with a message — you are not alone. american equipment has been arriving — american equipment has been arriving. so american equipment has been arriving. 50 most pre—position in eumpe, — arriving. 50 most pre—position in europe, some has arriving. so most pre—position in europe, some has been already through— europe, some has been already through aircraft and in their lives. but the _ through aircraft and in their lives. but the equipment will be critical because — but the equipment will be critical because candidly, there is a russian offensive _ because candidly, there is a russian offensive going on right now. ukrainians have lost ground here at kharkiv, but it's not kharkiv alone. they have lost ground in the east, in the south and there are fears that russia could open another front in the north, just further north from here. russia must pay for ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. that's the promise from america's

top diplomat — antony blinken — on a surprise visit to kyiv. also tonight. at least two french prison officers are killed in an ambush on a prison van near normandy in france. the prisoner was being taken from court to a prison and escaped after the attack. more protests rock the georgian capital — tblisi — after its parliament passes a controverisal law that opponents say will stifle dissent and curtail the country's attempts tojoin the eu. and trump on trial: his former lawyer michael cohen resumes testimony in new york saying he lied out of "loyalty" and to "protect" the former president. we'll bring you the latest, live from new york. we start with news from the surprise

visit from antony blinken. america's top diplomat antony blinken, says the war with russia is at a �*critical moment'. the us secretary of state made the comment during talks with ukraine's president zelensky in kyiv, also promising america's unwavering support in the fight. mr blinken, was speaking after a new russian offensive in the north, which he says is aided by north korean munitions, iranian drones and chinese components. a new front has opened up to the north east of ukraine, with heavy fighting in and around the border town of vorvansk, just 45 miles from ukraine's second city, of kharkiv. the area has already changed hands in this war, and moscow, wants kharkiv back. here's mr blinken a little earlier. we are meeting at a critical moment. putin is ramping up yet another offensive against ukraine, in kharkiv and across the east, sending wave after wave of russian soldiers, iranian drones, north korean artillery and tanks, missiles and fighter jets built with machines and parts supplied by china.

the coming weeks and months will demand a great deal of ukrainians, who have already sacrificed so much. but i have come to ukraine with a message — you are not alone. the united states has been by your side from day one. we are with you today. and we will stay by your side until ukraine's security, sovereignty, its ability to choose its own path is guaranteed. joining me now ukrainian politician, inna sovsun in kyiv and from washington dc, max bergmann who's a senior fellow at american progress, where he focuses on europe, russia, and us security cooperation. let me start with you, and law. this is the 811th day of this war. mr blinken says the war has been decided —— by its side since day one. is there anything he said today that gives you any hope, any

optimism that an end is in sight? the truth is that we're in a difficult situation both on the front line and other parts of the ukrainian territory. ukrainian energy and infrastructure has been destroyed and literally ten minutes before had to go live for this interview we got news that they might switch off electricity in key as well as other parts of ukraine because of their recent attacks in energy infrastructure. —— key. it is a difficult situation. the visit is both a sign of solidarity that is important on itself at this critical moment. we also hope there were talks behind where more specific issues of help to ukraine were being discussed. how long this help will last, what will happen with the new package of the aid, what will happen after the elections in the united states, will the us help promote

ukraine entered nato? all critical issues that need individual face—to—face discussion for that we very much hope there was some decision made because it would not be an answer right away. the fact that discussions are taking place are important. we really hope that decisions will be made sooner. unfortunately, the news that you were talking about, the situation in the kharkiv region, and it happened because aide was not delivered in time because ukrainian army couldn't have prepared for that. it still doesn't have ammunition. that is why we're losing ground in kharkiv for the up the timing of the aide is as important as the amount of the aide. that was made clear to secretary blinken in kyiv.— blinken in kyiv. max bergmann, that's the issue, _ blinken in kyiv. max bergmann, that's the issue, isn't _ blinken in kyiv. max bergmann, that's the issue, isn't it? - blinken in kyiv. max bergmann, that's the issue, isn't it? the i that's the issue, isn't it? the message that we're with you, the money promise, that the detail about where that aide ends up and can it get to the areas that need it most

urgently still remains outstanding. particularly of course as russia opens his new front once again around kharkiv.— opens his new front once again around kharkiv. that is of critical importance _ around kharkiv. that is of critical importance right _ around kharkiv. that is of critical importance right now, _ around kharkiv. that is of critical importance right now, the - around kharkiv. that is of critical importance right now, the speed around kharkiv. that is of critical. importance right now, the speed at which _ importance right now, the speed at which the _ importance right now, the speed at which the us can get the aide to ukraine — which the us can get the aide to ukraine. i'm fairly optimistic about the aide _ ukraine. i'm fairly optimistic about the aide moving quickly. this has been _ the aide moving quickly. this has been stuck— the aide moving quickly. this has been stuck in front of congress since _ been stuck in front of congress since october one. in the administration, they've had a long time to— administration, they've had a long time to identify the equipment they were preparing to move. and in fact they move _ were preparing to move. and in fact they move some of that equipment ahead _ they move some of that equipment ahead of— they move some of that equipment ahead of time, ahead of passage of the supplemental. military equipment is flowing _ the supplemental. military equipment is flowing into ukraine. there's going _ is flowing into ukraine. there's going to — is flowing into ukraine. there's going to be a challenge of quantity, how much— going to be a challenge of quantity, how much can move and how quickly. some _ how much can move and how quickly. some of— how much can move and how quickly. some of the — how much can move and how quickly. some of the equipment and some of the money— some of the equipment and some of the money for the equipment has been built. the money for the equipment has been built thats— the money for the equipment has been built. that's one big challenges a lot built. that's one big challenges a tot of— built. that's one big challenges a tot of the — built. that's one big challenges a lot of the money was to ramp up

production— lot of the money was to ramp up production of artillery. that would have been— production of artillery. that would have been great if it passed last october — have been great if it passed last october and then you would have had another— october and then you would have had another six _ october and then you would have had another six to nine months of production that would've ramped up and started got delayed. there are some _ and started got delayed. there are some kinks in our system. there is a lot some kinks in our system. there is a tot of— some kinks in our system. there is a tot of money— some kinks in our system. there is a lot of money that has been passed, 60 billion— lot of money that has been passed, 60 billion plus for ukraine. that is a huge _ 60 billion plus for ukraine. that is a huge amount of material that will be provided to ukraine. i think what will happen— be provided to ukraine. i think what will happen is it is going to be provided — will happen is it is going to be provided as fast as possible because there _ provided as fast as possible because there is— provided as fast as possible because there is some uncertainty post january— there is some uncertainty post january 25 over who will be in the white _ january 25 over who will be in the white house and how the us will support— white house and how the us will support ukraine going forward. that is an support ukraine going forward. trust is an important point. there are two things, inna sovsun, a little premature, at one about seizing russian assets to pay for the rebuilding of ukraine. the question is ending that war first before the

rebuilding can begin. also that talk of nato membership once again. the secretary of state saying that we're bringing ukraine closer to and then into nato. that is the security guarantee for ukraine but it still feels a very long way off, doesn't it? it feels a very long way off, doesn't it? ., , . , . feels a very long way off, doesn't it? , . ., it? it does. we very much hope that rorress it? it does. we very much hope that progress be — it? it does. we very much hope that progress be made. _ it? it does. we very much hope that progress be made. we _ it? it does. we very much hope that progress be made. we don't - it? it does. we very much hope that progress be made. we don't want i progress be made. we don't want to leave under this constant threat of russia taking us again after this period of war ended. we need long—term security guarantees and a single system that can provide us with long—term guarantees. nato and membership is an aspiration for ukraine and nato. a part of our constitution, absolute majority of ukrainian support this because we understand that this is the single guarantee that we can get. a single guarantee that we can get. a single guarantee that we can get. a single guarantee that will actually save us in case of new attack, whenever it

comes. people are very much hopeful for that. we see reluctance of any specific dates on that nato admission for ukraine overall. we don't know to what extent this issue has been discussed with the secretary but i'm sure it was and we very much hope progress will be made. i don't want my son who is 11 now to fight in yet another war against russia. that is my very strong personalfeeling against russia. that is my very strong personal feeling and shared by millions of ukrainians here. hares by millions of ukrainians here. ives broken recently, _ by millions of ukrainians here. ives broken recently, once again that commitment from the secretary of state to seize russian assets he says to pay for the rebuilding of ukraine when this war is over. some would question why that hasn't been done already. we know there is sanctions, penalties, assets have been seized but there seems to be a new development and what america wants to see. new development and what america wants to see-— wants to see. yes. i think part of the challenges _ wants to see. yes. i think part of the challenges of _ wants to see. yes. i think part of the challenges of supporting - wants to see. yes. i think part of- the challenges of supporting ukraine is that— the challenges of supporting ukraine is that it's _ the challenges of supporting ukraine is that it's going to be more costly _ is that it's going to be more costly. the united states and europe

have given _ costly. the united states and europe have given away a lot of their old military— have given away a lot of their old military equipment the way to sopbort— military equipment the way to support ukraine now is that we have to buy _ support ukraine now is that we have to buy new — support ukraine now is that we have to buy new for that we have to go to our industries and by that. that requires — our industries and by that. that requires tens of billions of dollars annually, — requires tens of billions of dollars annually, if not more than hundred bittion~ _ annually, if not more than hundred billion. there is more than 300 billion— billion. there is more than 300 billion in— billion. there is more than 300 billion in russian assets sitting there — billion in russian assets sitting there i— billion in russian assets sitting there. i think it makes reasonable sense _ there. i think it makes reasonable sense to _ there. i think it makes reasonable sense to seize that money now and how we _ sense to seize that money now and how we finance support for ukraine, which _ how we finance support for ukraine, which is _ how we finance support for ukraine, which is something we can definitely afford _ which is something we can definitely afford and _ which is something we can definitely afford and should be doing but we have to _ afford and should be doing but we have to start actually finding the money _ have to start actually finding the money and putting real money on contract _ money and putting real money on contract with defence firms to ramp up contract with defence firms to ramp up production. that's one of the big challenges — up production. that's one of the big challenges. identifying frozen russian — challenges. identifying frozen russian assets, the us is really bushing — russian assets, the us is really pushing europe to move on this because — pushing europe to move on this because that's where the most of the money— because that's where the most of the money frozen, is not in the united states— money frozen, is not in the united states but— money frozen, is not in the united states but in europe.— states but in europe. good to talk to ou states but in europe. good to talk to you both- _ states but in europe. good to talk to you both. thank _ states but in europe. good to talk to you both. thank you _ states but in europe. good to talk to you both. thank you for- states but in europe. good to talk to you both. thank you forjoining| to you both. thank you forjoining us for the inna sovsun, joining us

for kyiv. and max bergmann in washington. two french prison officers have been killed, after an ambush on their prison van by a heavily armed gang, in normandy. it happened on a motorway at a toll booth, as a notorious criminal, mohammed amra, was being transferred between rouen and evreux, after earlier appearing in court. now several hundred police are involved in a huge manhunt. surveillance footage records the moment a black car rims into a white police van pulled up at least two mask armed and heavily armed men began firing on the van. the gunman somehow set fire to their own ego next to the tollbooth. more footage filmed by someone on a coach shows one of the gunman move in slowly, almost nonchalantly forward. with

several prison guards now badly injured or dead the gang free one criminalfrom the van. injured or dead the gang free one criminal from the van. together they flee. more footage from another passing vehicle then shows french police treating one of their wounded colleagues at the scene. what kind of criminal could have prompted this extraordinary act of public violence?— extraordinary act of public violence? . ., , violence? the man the gang freed his 30-year-old — violence? the man the gang freed his 30-year-old mohammed _ violence? the man the gang freed his 30-year-old mohammed amra, - violence? the man the gang freed his i 30-year-old mohammed amra, recently 30—year—old mohammed amra, recently convicted of burglary. but 30-year-old mohammed amra, recently convicted of burglary.— convicted of burglary. but also a susect convicted of burglary. but also a suspect in _ convicted of burglary. but also a suspect in a _ convicted of burglary. but also a suspect in a fatal _ convicted of burglary. but also a suspect in a fatal kidnapping - convicted of burglary. but also a suspect in a fatal kidnapping in l convicted of burglary. but also a i suspect in a fatal kidnapping in the increasingly crime affected southern city of marseille. mohammed amra and his accomplices are now the target of a huge french police manhunt. the ambush and the killings took place at this motorwayjunction an hour outside paris late this morning. forensic experts are at the scene. a burned—out car was later found some distance away. the authorities here

are promising swiftjustice for an attack that has badly shaken france. translation: they will be arrested. they will be judged and they will be punished, commiserate to the crimes they have committed. in punished, commiserate to the crimes they have committed.— they have committed. in paris there was a minute _ they have committed. in paris there was a minute of _ they have committed. in paris there was a minute of silence _ they have committed. in paris there was a minute of silence is _ they have committed. in paris there was a minute of silence is afternoon in the french parliament. the prime minister seeking to capture the mood. . ,, �* minister seeking to capture the mood. . ,, . ., , ., mood. translation: our grief is that of an entire country, _ mood. translation: our grief is that of an entire country, an _ mood. translation: our grief is that of an entire country, an entire - of an entire country, an entire country— of an entire country, an entire country shocked by this attack of unprecedented violence. by the brutality— unprecedented violence. by the brutality and cowardice of its perpetrators. brutality and cowardice of its perpetrators-— brutality and cowardice of its --eretrators. . ., ,. ., perpetrators. around the scene of toda 's perpetrators. around the scene of today's ambush _ perpetrators. around the scene of today's ambush is _ perpetrators. around the scene of today's ambush is still _ perpetrators. around the scene of today's ambush is still a _ perpetrators. around the scene of today's ambush is still a strong i today's ambush is still a strong security presence. french police have faced all sorts of challenges in recent years but in open attack of such extreme violence is rare and will be troubling to many here.

around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

there have been violent clashes between riot police and thousands of protestors, outside the parliament building in the georgian capital tblisi. protestors are angry because mps have passed a controversial bill, known as the �*foreign agents law'. opponents fear it will be used to stifle dissent and free speech, and further increase russia's influenc, in the country. there were also scuffles, inside the parliament. georgia emerged from the collapsing soviet union she is executive director she is of the georgia institute. thank you for being with us on the programme tonight. let me ask you about what this bill, if ultimately

approved would mean for your organisation.— approved would mean for your organisation. thank you for your interest. and _ organisation. thank you for your interest. and that _ organisation. thank you for your interest. and that society - organisation. thank you for your i interest. and that society interest and needed at such a time as now. we call it martial law because it really right to the adopted. it's really right to the adopted. it's really a dangerous of civil society organisation. because first it is reveling us as an agent and also is agents and their western supporters are influence they are considered western as colouring conspiracies of global war parties. they are

considering ——. as part of this global war, considering ——. as part of this globalwar, how considering ——. as part of this global war, how the west tries to use ukraine and georgia against russia. you should consider this russia. you should consider this russia war is part of this campaign which actually force after the war in ukraine. also besides we're stressed because for example, they can organise research and notes from normal persons. the government bear says the measure will increase transparency, that's why they're doing it, it will defend solving tray. doing it, it will defend solving tra . . , doing it, it will defend solving tra . ., ., doing it, it will defend solving tra. ., ., ., tray. critics point to the fact that this would _ tray. critics point to the fact that this would remove _ tray. critics point to the fact that

this would remove george's - tray. critics point to the fact that - this would remove george's ambition of being able to join the european union. that's an interesting element. just explain that for us. actually, it's not only georgia pass to you but it really endangers society and democracy in the hole. that's why the past two russia passed to eu. it's really clear to us that this law is like obstacle towards moving toward western civilisation. you should also bear in mind that the majority of georgia voters are promised because 80% of georgia population are pro—western. georgia population are pro—western. georgia trying to portray this law thatis georgia trying to portray this law that is not like anti—western one and nte you want. they are trying to

confuse voters. actually, we need clear and consistent message from the west and from civil society through that, this law is not compatible on our way to europe. good to get your analysis. thank you. the protest taken place in the capital of the leasee. donald trump's former lawyer and fixer — michael cohen — is back on the stand in the former president's hush money trial. so far today, mr cohen has outlined how he was thanked for his work helping his ex—boss, which the prosecution said was a reference to the payment made to stormy daniels. he's also spoken about back channels for communicating with the then president trump — and how he ultimately decided he could not lie for him any longer. let's crossover to florida and speak to michael mcauliffe, a former federal prosecutor and elected state attorney. michael, good to have you with us.

he is really their star witness, isn't he? his of divisive figure, often painted as a villain. what do you make of the testimonies of our? i think he has just started on cross—examination. he spent eight hours on draft examination. it does seem like he is the star green star prosecution witness may be not technically but open emotionally. he needs to connect with the jury to make them care for that as you suggest, every great drama needs a villain. whether it's michael cohen or donald trump remains to be seen. what would you say the defence or try to get out of him? it feels like they might want to push them into a corner, get some rise, reaction from him. just looking now he was saying he was knee—deep in the cult of donald trump. some of this testimony could be pretty explosive. sure. donald trump. some of this testimony could be pretty explosive.— could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there _ could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there are _ could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there are two _ could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there are two things - could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there are two things on -

could be pretty explosive. sure. i think there are two things on the | think there are two things on the cross—examination the defence wants to get out. one, michael cohen is motivated to try and make money, self enrichment and status. secondly, he is biased against donald trump now. he used to be his right hand person, his enforcer, his fix—it man. the wrath that he is trying to wreck on donald trump now is because of bias, because he hates him. he hates mr trump mount not because he wants to vindicate himself. ~ ., ., ., ., himself. we will follow that trial closely for _ himself. we will follow that trial closely for that _ himself. we will follow that trial closely for that we _ himself. we will follow that trial closely for that we will - himself. we will follow that trial closely for that we will let - himself. we will follow that trial closely for that we will let you . himself. we will follow that trial| closely for that we will let you go and listen to the rest of it today. former federal prosecutor and elected state attorneyjoining us from florida. thank you. let's turn our attention to the middle east. the white house has condemned as "an outrage" an attack by israeli protesters on aid trucks destined for gaza. the lorries were blocked at a checkpoint in the occupied west bank, where protesters threw food packages onto the road,

and ripped open bags of grain. the group reportedly behind the protest said, they were demonstrating against the continued detention of israeli hostages in gaza. four protesters are reported to have been arrested at the scene. let's speak to dr adam hamawy, a plastic surgeon and army veteran from newjersey who joins us from the khan younis. he's been in gaza for two weeks on medical mission. good to have you with us on the programme tonight. first of all, what are you seeing where you are in the work you've been able to do in these last two weeks?— these last two weeks? thank you for havin: these last two weeks? thank you for having me- — these last two weeks? thank you for having me- i— these last two weeks? thank you for having me- i am _ these last two weeks? thank you for having me. i am basically— these last two weeks? thank you for having me. i am basically here - these last two weeks? thank you for having me. i am basically here for i having me. i am basically here for two weeks. i've been taking care of patients the best that we can with a limited resources for that we came in basically with suitcases to hopefully supply our mission and be able to provide the care that we

needed. we found out that these two cases that we carried were basically supplying an entire hospital, which is basically not even touching the resources that they need. we have limited bed sheets, dressing, breathing tubes are patients that are reusing. it's completely and utterly disheartening the condition that these people are living in and that these people are living in and that they've been living in for the last six or seven months. you were tellin: last six or seven months. you were telling our — last six or seven months. you were telling our team _ last six or seven months. you were telling our team earlier _ last six or seven months. you were telling our team earlier about - last six or seven months. you were telling our team earlier about the l telling our team earlier about the scale of the challenge of the work that you are having to do right now, just in sheer numbers the people requiring your help and assistance in surgery and what are pretty life—changing operations. the life-changing operations. the bombin . s life-changing operations. the bombings at _ life—changing operations. tie: bombings at night life—changing operations. tte: bombings at night are life—changing operations. tt9: bombings at night are consistent. they go on from sundown and really intensified just before dawn. we usually in the morning get a rush of

people. shortly after daylight as they are pulled out of the rubber demand rubble and make it to the hospital. many have died before they come here. we spend most of the day trying to save what we can. some don't make it out of the emergency room. those that do make it up to the operating room, we have to ration the resources we have. when they make it to icu we don't have they make it to icu we don't have the antibiotics, the nursing staff, the antibiotics, the nursing staff, the drafting supplies to be able to provide them with the proper care we're used to providing. we're having to make tough choices for the who do we continue to care for, who do we say that this is basically a hopeless case? and many are children. most of them are children for them i wouldn't many, most are

children. my average patient is around 12 or 13 years old. my youngest one has been four. they range up until their 70s. my average patient is 13, ii range up until their 70s. my average patient is 13, 11 years old. three in icu that are now this age and this is what i'm dealing with. they get blown away two to three houses down. one girl was found in her neighbours house after their place of residence was struck.— of residence was struck. we're so crateful of residence was struck. we're so grateful for _ of residence was struck. we're so grateful for you — of residence was struck. we're so grateful for you talking _ of residence was struck. we're so grateful for you talking to - of residence was struck. we're so grateful for you talking to us. - grateful for you talking to us. thank you and busts of luck with the work for them it is difficult work. —— best of luck. the plastic surgeon and con eunice. —— pat muniz. will hello there, good evening.

it was cool and cloudy for many of us today with outbreaks of rain quite heavy through the morning from a front gradually pushing northwards and eastwards. north yorkshire, under the front, staying rather damp and murky through the afternoon. some of the bluest of the skies, best of the sunshine, highest temperatures were across northern areas of scotland and not much is set to change as we head through the next few days. it will generally stay unsettled showers at times, also some sunny spells but sunniest across northern scotland, cooler and cloudier for eastern facing coasts with plenty of threat and har moving in from the north sea and a southeasterly wind. here's our area of low pressure just spinning around, sending this front out towards the north and the east. but it's pretty much stationary as we head through tonight. it will still be given some rain at times, but a lot of that rain tended to fade. second pulse may be moving into parts of east anglia, up through the midlands as we head through the small hours of tomorrow morning. so it stays rather damp, but certainly mild temperatures in double figures, a little bit of mist perhaps, where we see the clearest of the skies further

west and then into tomorrow. now, it's a very murky start for these eastern facing coastal lots of low cloud here. there'll be further spells of rain across east anglia stretching up through in the midlands, perhaps into north west england to the north and the south of the front. a lot of dry weather, always the chance of one or two showers, particularly sharp, perhaps across parts of northern ireland, but some sunny spells as well. best of the sunshine for scotland, where we could get to highs of 23 or even 2a celsius later on through the afternoon. on thursday, the focus of the showers will tend to be across central areas of the uk. again, it's largely dry for scotland as scattering of showers across the south, but also some sunny spells, and of course the sunshine will help to lift the temperature highs. high teens, late 20s again in celsius, so just slightly above the seasonal average. as we head through the rest of the week, then our area of low pressure just gradually sinks further southwards. towards the near continent, we see high pressure build into the north. so, here, it's likely to stay mostly

dry as we head through the weekend. so, if we just take a look at scotland, northern ireland — lots of dry weather and it will feel warm in the best of the sunshine, whereas further south, although temperatures remain above the average, there will be some showers. bye— bye.

you are watching the context on bbc news. now — it�*s time for �*europe votes 202lr�*.

welcome to the programme. the european elections are drawing ever closer. from june sixth tojune ninth millions of people will be voting, to elect the next european parliament. 720 politicians, from 27 countries. in what many consider to be a pivotal moment for the future of the european union. for the past month, we have been moving from country to country, taking a closer look at what it is that�*ll shape voters�* decisions. we�*ve already been to the netherlands, to spain, to france and to italy. tonight — we�*re heading to germany — one of the six founding members of the organisation that went on to become the eu. germany is europe�*s largest economy — it�*s the third largest in the world. germany is at the table of many of the big conversations happening across the region.

it�*s the second—largest donor of military assistance to ukraine.