president biden, for him, it's business as usual. - it's the big nato summit, - and he wants to focus on that, and he wants to show that he can be |the world leader that he says he is. | but of course, he's going to be scrutinised in a way _ that he has probably never been scrutinised before. . welcome to the program. straightaway, live pictures because a big rocket hasjust straightaway, live pictures because a big rocket has just taken off of the last few seconds. we've been keeping an eye on this because this is a significant moment for european space agency. let's listen in. it is space agency. let's listen in. it is blazinu a space agency. let's listen in. it is blazing a trail— space agency. let's listen in. it 3 blazing a trail across the equatorial skies. the operations

manager is telling us everything is going according to plan. i didn't know my heart could pump so fast. 0h, know my heart could pump so fast. oh, my god. you can hear the rumbling now. it's quite a site for the oh, my gosh. this is happening. it's the most incredible feeling for that we're on the edge of tears here in a commentary box because this is a big day and a big moment. actually, the building is rumbling around us — actually, the building is rumbling around us now. these are live images from the _ around us now. these are live images from the cameras on board when looking _ from the cameras on board when looking at— from the cameras on board when looking at the boosters so that when looking _ looking at the boosters so that when looking down? gne looking at the boosters so that when looking down?— looking down? one of the two boosters. _ looking down? one of the two boosters. we _ looking down? one of the two boosters, we could _ looking down? one of the two boosters, we could see - looking down? one of the two | boosters, we could see flames looking down? one of the two - boosters, we could see flames coming out. boosters are doing well. he is

telling us that everything is going according to plan, every is nominal. let's look at visibility. we might be able — let's look at visibility. we might be able to— let's look at visibility. we might be able to see separation. we have clear skies tonight, _ be able to see separation. we have clear skies tonight, this _ be able to see separation. we have clear skies tonight, this afternoon i clear skies tonight, this afternoon we had rain all day but the clouds parted. the two dots there, the boosters. indie parted. the two dots there, the boosters. ~ , . boosters. we will see them falling off. do we have _ boosters. we will see them falling off. do we have booster _ boosters. we will see them falling l off. do we have booster separation? ithink— off. do we have booster separation? llhink so _ off. do we have booster separation? i think so. wow, that's the first clapping — i think so. wow, that's the first clapping here that we see. our cameras are — clapping here that we see. our cameras are on _ clapping here that we see. oi" cameras are on board. clapping here that we see. our cameras are on board. it's - clapping here that we see. our. cameras are on board. it's coming in with the 22nd _ cameras are on board. it's coming in with the 22nd delay. _ cameras are on board. it's coming in with the 22nd delay. look _ cameras are on board. it's coming in with the 22nd delay. look at - cameras are on board. it's coming in with the 22nd delay. look at this. i with the 22nd delay. look at this. how they— with the 22nd delay. look at this. how they follow. wow. amazing, amazing — how they follow. wow. amazing, amazing. these boosters have transported us 60 km high. and we

can see that — transported us 60 km high. and we can see that dot _ transported us 60 km high. and we can see that dot is _ transported us 60 km high. and we can see that dot is telling _ transported us 60 km high. and we can see that dot is telling us - transported us 60 km high. and we can see that dot is telling us that i can see that dot is telling us that trajectory is normal, everything going according to plan that's the engine on the main stage you can see there for that we've got a camera inside for that what we looking at? this is a camera inside and will be able to— this is a camera inside and will be able to see — this is a camera inside and will be able to see you in the lower stage separates— able to see you in the lower stage separates for that that's coming out. separates for that that's coming out we — separates for that that's coming out. we have lost half our mass already— out. we have lost half our mass already because the boosters have burned _ already because the boosters have burned almost 300 tonnes of fuel in two minutes' time. yes, we're getting — two minutes' time. yes, we're getting close to the next thing which — getting close to the next thing which will be the jettisoning of the fairing _ which will be the jettisoning of the fairing. the fairing being the nose cone _ fairing. the fairing being the nose cone of— fairing. the fairing being the nose cone of the — fairing. the fairing being the nose cone of the launch vehicle, which is where _ cone of the launch vehicle, which is where the — cone of the launch vehicle, which is where the passengers are sitting. we had where the passengers are sitting. - had confirmation there that the fairing has beenjettisoned. yes. fairing has been “ettisoned. yes, there fairing—

fairing has been jettisoned. yes, there fairing that _ fairing has been jettisoned. yes, there fairing that was _ fairing has beenjettisoned. yes, there fairing that was protecting there fairing that was protecting the spacecraft withstands all the pressure — the spacecraft withstands all the pressure and heat. 0nce we're out of the atmosphere we don't need her anymore — the atmosphere we don't need her anymore. so the atmosphere we don't need her an more. . �* . anymore. so what we're looking at now is the main _ anymore. so what we're looking at now is the main stage _ anymore. so what we're looking at now is the main stage two - anymore. so what we're looking at now is the main stage two so, - anymore. so what we're looking at now is the main stage two so, that is the way to start a programme for the play live rocket launch right as we come on air. this the play live rocket launch right as we come on air.— we come on air. this is ariane six making its _ we come on air. this is ariane six making its flight, _ we come on air. this is ariane six making its flight, taking - we come on air. this is ariane six making its flight, taking off - we come on air. this is ariane six making its flight, taking off from | making its flight, taking off from french guyana. a demonstration mission for the effectively going to put a group of satellites in orbit. the reason this is significant is because it will give the plan is giving european access to space from the rest of the world with a crucial moment for everyone who has been working on that. and so far it looks so good. we will continue checking in with the progress of that rocket after its successful launch as the

programme goes on for that we will keep across those pictures and let you know what happens. right. let's start the show in our main story. we had to washington. leaders arriving for nato summit. us presidentjoe biden due to speak later today. big test for him this week. more on that later. the security organisation is marking 75 years — this week the focus showing they're united still — in helping ukraine combat russian aggression. there will be new measures, some already announced. there will be new measures, some already announced. earlier, us secretary of state antony blinken met with ukrainian foreign minister dmytro kuleba. kyiv has appealed for more air defences and sustained security guarantees.

at the un — russia's faced questions at the security council over yesterday's strikes across on ukraine — incuding at a children's hospital in kyiv. at least 38 people died and around a 190 people were wounded in attacks across the country. moscow has denied targeting civilian sites. steve is also seeking that nato membership. a new series of measures has been an ounce. in the coming days, nato will also announce robust new measures of support, including a new nato military command in germany, led by a 3—star general, that will launch a training, equipping and force developing programme for ukrainian troops, a pledge from all allies to collectively provide ukraine with at least a0 billion euros worth of security assistance this next year and a new nato senior representative in kyiv appointed by secretary—general stoltenberg, who you will hear from in a moment.

who will deepen ukraine's institutional relationship with the alliance and service the focal point for nato's engagement with senior ukrainian officials. 3�*5 for nato's engagement with senior ukrainian officials.— ukrainian officials. 75 years of nato. a name _ ukrainian officials. 75 years of nato. a name we _ ukrainian officials. 75 years of nato. a name we talk- ukrainian officials. 75 years of nato. a name we talk about | ukrainian officials. 75 years of l nato. a name we talk about an ukrainian officials. 75 years of - nato. a name we talk about an awful lot. what is nato? representatives of 12 nations of western _ what is nato? representatives of 12 nations of western europe - what is nato? representatives of 12 nations of western europe and - what is nato? representatives of 12 | nations of western europe and north america _ nations of western europe and north america assembled _ nations of western europe and north america assembled for— nations of western europe and north america assembled for the _ nations of western europe and north america assembled for the signing . nations of western europe and north| america assembled for the signing of the north— america assembled for the signing of the north atlantic _ america assembled for the signing of the north atlantic to _ america assembled for the signing of the north atlantic to leave. _ officially established april 19, 1949. the us providing military assistant to all nato members with a not long after that was a korean war although nato did not officially take part in several members did for the help to strengthen coordination to effectively make it a military alliance. ~ ., , .,

alliance. within hours of the governments _ alliance. within hours of the | governments announcement alliance. within hours of the - governments announcement people started turning up at checkpoint charlie, the best—known crossing point to the west. charlie, the best-known crossing point to the west.— point to the west. proponents of nato said it _ point to the west. proponents of nato said it helped _ point to the west. proponents of nato said it helped to _ point to the west. proponents of nato said it helped to keep - point to the west. proponents of nato said it helped to keep the l nato said it helped to keep the peace throughout the cold war. tension seemed to ease when the berlin wall and soviet self collapsed. the russian invasion and expansion of nato with new member states in polluting previously neutral finland and sweden seem to show the organisation still has a role to play in world affairs at a crucial role at bat. let's cross to washington — our correspondent helena humphrey is following developments. just talk us through what is can happen and tell us where you are. i am here at the mellon auditorium in washington, dc. just of new blocks away from the white house with the leaders will be arriving to this auditorium in this hour and then in the coming hours we're expecting the arrival of us presidentjoe biden

for that high—stakes address here in washington when the eyes of the world will be on him. particularly at a time that we had a rather awkward split screen, i think it's fair to say of congressional democrats on capitol hill today at meeting behind closed doors to discuss the future ofjoe biden and his race for the white house with up and then this nato summit going on today. the focus very much will be ukraine, shoring up support for president zelensky arriving in the us capital today. the painful reminder of why that air defence is necessary off the back of that devastating strike on a children's hospital in kyiv. continued calls for air defence we will be waiting to hear more about ukraine's path to nato membership. you may recall that backin nato membership. you may recall that back in these vilnius summit there was discontent about the wasn't that invitation automatically offered for that were expected to hear more about a bridge to membership there will be conversations behind closed

doors about political shifts, for example in europe, what does it mean if we see the far right gaining there with parties that don't necessarily support further age ukraine? and the backdrop to this, the us election, the possibility of president trump once again. somebody who has not spoke glowingly about nato in the past and even said that the countries who don't meet that defence spending threshold of some 2% of gdp that russia could essentially do what it likes to those countries with up plenty of questions about that. tonight the eyes of the world, i think it's fair to say very much on this auditorium and in the coming days at that solo press conference on thursday to see how president biden performs in a summit which i think it's fair to say be make or break for summit which i think it's fair to say be make or breakfor him. fascinating. thank you for that. busy few days are ahead in washington. we will dig into what it all actually means. we will dig into what it

all actually means. let's speak to former us ambassdor to nato, kurt volker. thank you for coming on the program. before we get into too much detail can i get your top line of the headline thoughts about this 75th anniversary moment and what it means in relation to ukraine?— in relation to ukraine? three thins. in relation to ukraine? three things. first. _ in relation to ukraine? three things. first, nato _ in relation to ukraine? three things. first, nato is- in relation to ukraine? three things. first, nato is unified| in relation to ukraine? three - things. first, nato is unified when it comes to protecting itself, its own members with up to, nato has no strategy for winning in ukraine and its market happen at the summit either but we urgently need them. and three, there are now massive questions about the future of us leadership because of president biden is performance at the recent presidential debate and whether he can continue as the leader of the alliance for the remainder of his term and whether he will run for reelection or be replaced by the democratic party for that if he does not win reelection or another democrat is not that we face donald trump. what will that mean for nato and ukraine? a lot of questions on

peoples minds now.— and ukraine? a lot of questions on peoples minds now. let's pick up at that last thought. _ peoples minds now. let's pick up at that last thought. what _ peoples minds now. let's pick up at that last thought. what are - peoples minds now. let's pick up at that last thought. what are your - that last thought. what are your assumptions if donald trump does win, what would that mean for nato? i think we have to do not make assumptions. he had said many things, he said the war would not have happened if he was president. he was the first president to provide lethal arms to ukraine by providing javelin missiles in 2017. he has also said that nato allies need to spend more and that he would not defend countries if they didn't do their share. we really can't predict exactly how he is going to be as president. but i think european allies need to do, not make any assumptions, do their own homework so that they are prepared for the situations that exist in the world as they are for the defence spending, defences industrial production, building a european security infrastructure and being proactive don't wait to see what trump might do and complain be

proactive. i think that's the only way to handle this.— proactive. i think that's the only way to handle this. let's focus on ukraine for _ way to handle this. let's focus on ukraine for a _ way to handle this. let's focus on ukraine for a moment. _ way to handle this. let's focus on ukraine for a moment. your- way to handle this. let's focus on - ukraine for a moment. your thoughts on the gap if any between what ukraine and volodymyr zelensky are asking for and what nato are able to deliver for the this is a fundamental question. ukraine is defendina fundamental question. ukraine is defending the — fundamental question. ukraine is defending the frontiers _ fundamental question. ukraine is defending the frontiers of- fundamental question. ukraine is. defending the frontiers of freedom in europe. vladimir putin is trying to eliminate a whole nation for that is a genocidal war. he is trying to take over a country, change borders by force. if he succeeds in ukraine he has designs on other countries. so ukraine is holding that line for europe and the united states, for nato. they expect to get support and they expect to be invited to join they expect to be invited to join the alliance so that we share in the burden of protecting ourselves nato is not looking at it that way today. you nato is saying, we will help

ukraine, we will provide a lot of support but we're knocking to bring you into nato and we're not going to commit to everything that we can do. we still see restrictions on the type of aid provided to ukraine and on the use of aid to ukraine. even after the horrific attack on the children's hospital in kyiv by russian rockets we're still telling ukraine, don't fire back with long—range missiles into russia. it's really remarkable the difference in perspective between what ukraine is doing and how it is seenin what ukraine is doing and how it is seen in the west. how frustrated are you by that? i am very much so. i look at this is the opportunity to avoid the kind of calamity that befell the world in 1939 to 191t5. we didn't stop hitler when he went into austria, he went into czechoslovakia and itjust kept turning into a bigger and bigger war. we're facing that same thing again. we have an

opportunity to end this war through ukrainian victory or defeat of russian forces in ukraine. if we failed to do that in russia eliminate ukraine it will move on and we will be facing yet again a wider war in europe.— and we will be facing yet again a wider war in europe. thank you for coming on — wider war in europe. thank you for coming on the _ wider war in europe. thank you for coming on the program. _ in joining us now is michal baranowski, german marshall fund east and regional director. thank you for coming on the program. i'll ask the similar headline, what are your top thoughts as a summit gets under way? it’s are your top thoughts as a summit gets under way?— are your top thoughts as a summit gets under way? it's fun to connect with ou gets under way? it's fun to connect with you and _ gets under way? it's fun to connect with you and speak— gets under way? it's fun to connect with you and speak right _ gets under way? it's fun to connect with you and speak right after - with you and speak right after the ambassador, he is a friend that we share a lot of the views. i'm joining you from washington for that as you said, i come from warsaw. the war there is much closerfor that war there is much closer for that we see the strategic importance of the war. but it's also the human

dimension. one of the absolutely key aspects that the summit will have to nail is very concrete military aid when it comes to air and missile defence for ukraine. and providing it fast enough. the alliance cannot just celebrated. which is the overall theme of the summer, 75 years of the alliance. but for the alliance to reach 85, hopefully 150 years we will need to deal with the current problem, which is russia. and it's super aggressive behaviour, not only in ukraine, we see this war but a number of attacks already under the threshold of so—called article five, under the threshold of war throughout alliance already in the baltic states, in poland. also to the west in europe for that the alliance will have to address that.

ukraine, addressing attacks on the alliance already and third, as part pointed out, if we do not stop putin in ukraine we will have putin is angry army on our shores and on our borders. so what the alliance has to do is clearly show forces that it will be able to defend the eastern flank of the alliance. you mention poland. i want _ flank of the alliance. you mention poland. i want to _ flank of the alliance. you mention poland. i want to ask _ flank of the alliance. you mention poland. i want to ask you - poland. i want to ask you specifically about the role there. we seen the security agreement in warsaw signed between ukraine and poland. is this a sign of a growing important strategically of poland? poland is in absolute key country for defence of the eastern flank. of the alliance itself. we're working very closely with ukraine, that's why you saw president zelensky stop

to warsaw on the way to washington. because poland has been one of the countries that provided the most military aid. we're also hosting millions of ukrainian refugees. that is building up the strength of the eastern flank that is facing russia most directly for them as you know also i'm sure, poland is spending 1t% of our gdp on defence, that's clearly more than the united states with them that's because polish politicians and also society understands that if we don't spend on security now we will have to spend much more on security in the future. ., ~' , ., , spend much more on security in the future. . ,, i. , . ., future. thank you very much for cominu on the program. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

this is bbc news. we've been talking

about that big nato summit kicking off in washington. this is a huge test for president you click notjoe biden. at disastrous few weeks for his campaigns. constant questions of his campaigns. constant questions of his help, ability continue to surround him. growing calls from his own party for him to step aside. the president insists he is not going anywhere. and at a press briefing a little earlier the white house press secretary was asked if the president feels that he's been beaten back. the effort to force him to resign. this was her response. look, you know you heard the president yesterday when he called into morning joe, did about 18 minutes of 08a yesterday morning. he spoke very 0&a yesterday morning. he spoke very forcefully, passionately about where he stands, about how he sees things moving forward. we also have said

many times we respect members of congress, we respect their view. but i also want to say there a long list of congressional members who have been very clear in support of this president. been very clear in support of this resident. ., been very clear in support of this resident. . , . , president. that 'ust in the last half hour. — president. that 'ust in the last half hour. we — president. thatjust in the last half hour. we will _ president. thatjust in the last half hour. we will have - president. thatjust in the last half hour. we will have plenty| president. thatjust in the last - half hour. we will have plenty more on president biden in the next hour with our panel. let's check on what has been happening with his opponent. he has been returning to the campaign after a subdued week for him. he's got a campaign rally at his golf club in miami in the coming hours with the big question is who will be his vice president. deadline seems to be approaching for that previously he said he'd make a choice by the republican national conventions, that's next week for the let's take a look at potential front runners for the florida

senator marco rubio, ohio senatorjd vance, doug burnham still in the mix. joining me now from washington is bryan lanza. he is the former campaign communications director for donald trump. thank you for coming on the program. thank you for coming on the program. thank you for having made. run thank you for coming on the program. thank you for having made.— thank you for having made. run us throu~h thank you for having made. run us through your _ thank you for having made. run us through your thoughts _ thank you for having made. run us through your thoughts on - thank you for having made. run us through your thoughts on the vp i through your thoughts on the vp pick. i through your thoughts on the vp ick. ~' ., , �* pick. i think from everything i've heard from _ pick. i think from everything i've heard from the _ pick. i think from everything i've heard from the people _ pick. i think from everything i've heard from the people i - pick. i think from everything i've heard from the people i talked l pick. i think from everything i've| heard from the people i talked to pick. i think from everything i've i heard from the people i talked to in the campaign there is a strong feeling that president trump will most likely pickjd vance cover the us senator from most likely pickjd vance cover the us senatorfrom ohio. my understanding is his appeal to the young people played a significant role for the piece 39 years old. he'll be the second youngest vp in american history. that in itself is a step in the direction of including the youth vote, which is been drifting away from the democratic party. jd hits a good message there, he comes from basically poor working class roots and he worked his way up he's a veteran, he carried the

suburban district in knowhow which with one point was considered a swing state. from a plus campaignjd seems to hit several key landmarks that president trump needs and more importantly, he articulates the message almost as good as president trump but not as good as the president. trump but not as good as the president-— president. interesting. any potential— president. interesting. any potential downside - president. interesting. any potential downside for - president. interesting. any. potential downside for going president. interesting. any- potential downside for going with him? i potential downside for going with him? ~ , ., , potential downside for going with him? ,, , ., , . potential downside for going with him? ,, , . him? i think people are looking at president trump _ him? i think people are looking at president trump making - him? i think people are looking at president trump making some - him? i think people are looking at. president trump making some kind him? i think people are looking at - president trump making some kind of historic signal to the african—american community with us senator tim scott. i think there was excitement related to that but it since dwindled. i thought there was probably excitement within the republican party is having a woman is the vp nominee. to land here, a tilt of the hat to the youth movement, to young people who are most concerned and feel the most hopeless in this current society we live in. it's the right tone. there were other opportunities that we had a chance to hit and some people feel

a chance to hit and some people feel a little bit short change. they will feel a little bit short change. just for the sake _ feel a little bit short change. just for the sake of _ feel a little bit short change. just for the sake of completeness, give me some of the other names that are potentially still in the ring. you have come _ potentially still in the ring. you have come a — potentially still in the ring. you have come a broad _ potentially still in the ring. gm. have come a broad case to the ceos who like that stability that marco rubio brings with him he would be the establishment meant touch for that he's got a tremendous amount of job strain, connecting with the president last two years that catapulted him to the top the other is current governor of north dakota doug bergkamp who being a businessman very much understands the president. they very much speak the president. they very much speak the same language for that they had a problem to the same way. you have to remember president trump is a businessman and the governor of north dakota is also a businessman. they handle difficult problems much

differently than politicians. they look for the hard task to do and they look to solve the problems, which politicians run away from that. that's why you see a lot of conversation that the government has made a tremendous amount of inroads in his trump's inner circle is because they basically speak the same language and analyse problems and same way. same language and analyse problems and same way-— and same way. thank you for talking us throu~h and same way. thank you for talking us through that. _ and same way. thank you for talking us through that. not _ and same way. thank you for talking us through that. not long _ and same way. thank you for talking us through that. not long for - and same way. thank you for talking us through that. not long for us - us through that. not long for us to wait and find out. say it with us so that we will be back in a few minutes. i loose onjones, this is bbc news. —— lewis vaughn minutes. i loose onjones, this is bbc news. —— lewis vaugthones. hello there, good evening. it's feeling muggy and humid today in the south. plenty of rain around yet again, including here in chelmsford, in essex — in fact, many spots across the south have already seen over a month's worth of rainfall — we're only nine days intojuly. and there's yet more unsettled conditions as we head through the rest of the week, so expect further wet weather at times.

won't be raining all the time everywhere. there'll also be some sunshine — it's been in short supply today, some of the best of it across the far north of scotland, shetland, and orkney. but overnight tonight, we'll see that rain push further northwards into northern scotland. it'll be particularly relentless across eastern scotland, driven in on this brisk northeasterly wind. some sharper showers, too, further south, including across northern ireland. but lots of dry weather across the southern half of the uk — always plenty of cloud. it's a muggy and a mild start to the day tomorrow. and then, on wednesday, our area of low pressure continues to push very slowly out into the north sea. we're keeping the feed of northeasterly winds and all of that relentless rain throughout the day. so the rainfall totals really starting to rack up here — particularly over the higher ground, there could be as much as 70—90mm of rainfall locally. some longer spells of rain, too, across northern ireland, with the low pressure. a few showers across wales, northern england, but across southeast england, it could stay largely dry and, given any sunshine in the muggy, warm—feeling air, temperatures will rise to the low—20s in celsius.

so, we stand a much better chance of getting a full day's play on the outside courts on wednesday, and also on thursday, perhaps a bit more in the way of sunshine then, too. but if we just take a look at thursday, then, our area of low pressure still out in the north sea, still a little bit of rain for eastern scotland, but generally drier. we're drawing down this northerly wind, so it will feel cooler, particularly for the northern half of the uk, a few showers, too, further south. but with the sunshine, then, temperatures here should again lift into the low—20s. it will be feeling cooler further north, particularly in exposure to that northerly wind. and we're also keeping a close eye on this little feature towards the south — it could affect southern coastal areas on thursday into friday, perhaps. higher pressure building out towards the west — so west probably best, in terms of temperature and sunshine amounts on friday, but these temperatures are below the seasonal average. cool and still unsettled at times through the weekend. bye— bye.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. before heading to the nato summit in washington, sir keir starmer addressed mps from the despatch box for the first time as prime minister. the need to restore trust should

weigh heavily on every member here, new and returning unlike. we all have a duty to show that politics can be a force for good. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's ollie. the first semifinal at the european championship is under way. spain, the tournament favourites with a 100 perecent record so far, taking on france in munich. france dropped anoine griezmann from the starting eleven, preferring ousmane dembele. adrien rabiot also coming into the sdie with camavinga dropping out. their first theirfirst goalfrom their first goal from open theirfirst goalfrom open play, but spain responded brilliantly. their teenage superstar, a beautiful effort from outside the box come the youngest scorer in the history of

the european championship,