president zelensky speaks exclusively to the bbc to say continued western support is vital in the war with russia. we are counting on uk leadership with this new step, because you will push other countries. but kyiv�*s most important backer, joe biden, is tonight facing doubts from none other than barack obama, that he can win a second term. all this as donald trump prepares to address the republican convention. he doesn't believe the us should continue, to support ukraine. also tonight... a damning report says the public was let down by a government woefully unprepared for the covid pandemic. it's confirmed the former strictly dancer graziano but rima kicked his

celebrity partner zara mcdermott during training. and, it's the little known englishman, dan brown, who takes the lead on the first day of the open. stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondence in the uk and around the world. from our team of correspondence in the uk and around the world. in an exclusive interview with the bbc, ukraine's president zelensky says any pressure from the west to end the war with russia quickly will be at the expense of his people. he was speaking after attending a gathering of european leaders at blenheim palace in oxfordshire, where sir keir starmer urged them to stand firm in their support of ukraine. it comes as donald trump prepares to address republicans at their national convention in milwaukee, with the fear in europe that if he wins november's presidential election,

he'll be less committed to the security of the continent, than president biden, in the face of russian aggression. more on the battle for the white house in a moment, but first, chris mason is here. the meeting today in oxfordshire was that of the european political community. it's a new collection of around about a0 european countries and it came together specifically to respond to the war in ukraine. president zelensky was there. this evening, i have been talking to him about the reality of being a wartime leader. dealing with, as he is, his fourth uk prime minister injust two years and then, crucially, the politics of the united states. take a look. when donald trump said last year that he thought this war could end within 2a hours if he was to meet

both you and vladimir putin, what did you make of that?— both you and vladimir putin, what did you make of that? everybody will be ha - if did you make of that? everybody will be happy if one _ did you make of that? everybody will be happy if one person _ did you make of that? everybody will be happy if one person in _ did you make of that? everybody will be happy if one person in the - did you make of that? everybody will be happy if one person in the world l be happy if one person in the world doesn't defend donald trump or not. one person in the world and it wasn't donald trump can stop the war. the question is, what is the price and who will pay? [30 war. the question is, what is the price and who will pay?— war. the question is, what is the price and who will pay? do you think ou would price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? _ price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? i— price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? i think... _ price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? i think... i— price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? i think... i am - price and who will pay? do you think you would pay? i think... i am not. you would pay? i think... i am not meanin: you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that _ you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that his _ you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that his idea _ you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that his idea to _ you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that his idea to push - you would pay? i think... i am not meaning that his idea to push us | you would pay? i think... i am notl meaning that his idea to push us to pay, but if he wants to do it during 2a hours, the simple way is to push us to pay because it's understandable how. it meansjust stop and go. and forget. sanctions out, everything out, putin will take

the land, putin will have victory. we will never go on this. never. and there is no any guy in the world who can push us to do it.— can push us to do it. donald trump this week has _ can push us to do it. donald trump this week has picked _ can push us to do it. donald trump this week has picked the _ can push us to do it. donald trump this week has picked the man - can push us to do it. donald trump this week has picked the man who | this week has picked the man who would like to be his vice president, jd vance who has said in the past that he doesn't really care what happens in ukraine one way or another. what do you make of those remarks? a, , another. what do you make of those remarks? , ., , ., , �* remarks? may be he really doesn't understand — remarks? may be he really doesn't understand what _ remarks? may be he really doesn't understand what goes _ remarks? may be he really doesn't understand what goes on - remarks? may be he really doesn't understand what goes on in - remarks? may be he really doesn't i understand what goes on in ukraine. so for us we have to work with the united states and if a new team will come, we have to work with them. we need their support. it come, we have to work with them. we need their support.— need their support. it will be hard work. need their support. it will be hard work- hard _ need their support. it will be hard work. hard work _ need their support. it will be hard work. hard work to _ need their support. it will be hard work. hard work to persuade - need their support. it will be hard l work. hard work to persuade them. need their support. it will be hard - work. hard work to persuade them. we are work. hard work to persuade them. - are not afraid of hard work. work. hard work to persuade them. we are not afraid of hard work. did - are not afraid of hard work. did our are not afraid of hard work. did your heart _ are not afraid of hard work. did your heart sink last week when president biden, standing right next to you, introduced you as president

putin of all people? translation: no, hejust made a mistake. for me it means nothing.— no, hejust made a mistake. for me it means nothing. president zelensky will meet keir — it means nothing. president zelensky will meet keir starmer _ it means nothing. president zelensky will meet keir starmer and _ it means nothing. president zelensky will meet keir starmer and his - will meet keir starmer and his senior ministers tomorrow. he told me he wants a special relationship with sir keir and permission to fire western weapons deep into russia. we western weapons deep into russia. - need very strong support from the prime minister. we need this decision about long—distance weapons, long—range, to use it. we very much. they are targeting our hospitals, schools, universities. like i said to you, they are targeting civilians. wejust want like i said to you, they are targeting civilians. we just want to answer to exactly the point where from they target us. haifa answer to exactly the point where from they target us.— answer to exactly the point where from they target us. how does this war end? and _ from they target us. how does this war end? and how _ from they target us. how does this war end? and how soon _ from they target us. how does this war end? and how soon could - from they target us. how does this war end? and how soon could it i from they target us. how does this i war end? and how soon could it do? do you have to restore ukraine to the board as you had before 201a in

order for you to be convinced that thatis order for you to be convinced that that is grounds for peace? translation: it depend on partners who will put pressure on russia, so that russia agrees to sit down and think about ending the war. it doesn't mean that all the territories are won back by force. i think the power of diplomacy can help. i force. i think the power of diplomacy can help. i want to try and understand _ diplomacy can help. i want to try and understand on _ diplomacy can help. i want to try and understand on behalf- diplomacy can help. i want to try and understand on behalf of- diplomacy can help. i want to try and understand on behalf of our| and understand on behalf of our audience, how it is to be a wartime leader? how do you keep going? i am not sure that — leader? how do you keep going? i am not sure that i — leader? how do you keep going? i am not sure that i am _ leader? how do you keep going? i —n not sure that i am some special man or something like this really. i had... ithink... we or something like this really. i had... i think... we are good parents and to have values of ordinary, normal people. we parents and to have values of ordinary, normal people. we all have

our limits, ordinary, normal people. we all have our limits. we — ordinary, normal people. we all have our limits, we are _ ordinary, normal people. we all have our limits, we are all— ordinary, normal people. we all have our limits, we are all human, - ordinary, normal people. we all have our limits, we are all human, could l our limits, we are all human, could you reach the point where you couldn't go on as president? yes. you reach the point where you couldn't go on as president? yes, i think es. couldn't go on as president? yes, i think yes. everybody. _ couldn't go on as president? yes, i think yes. everybody. we - couldn't go on as president? yes, i think yes. everybody. we are - couldn't go on as president? yes, i think yes. everybody. we are just i think yes. everybody. we are just people. think yes. everybody. we are 'ust --eole. ., people. you could reach the point where you — people. you could reach the point where you would _ people. you could reach the point where you would have _ people. you could reach the point where you would have to - people. you could reach the point where you would have to hand - people. you could reach the point. where you would have to hand over people. you could reach the point - where you would have to hand over to someone else? yes, of course. in the next year, the next few years? shifter next year, the next few years? after the war. next year, the next few years? after the war- so — next year, the next few years? after the war- so you _ next year, the next few years? after the war. so you keep _ next year, the next few years? after the war. so you keep going - next year, the next few years? after the war. so you keep going until - next year, the next few years? after the war. so you keep going until the j the war. so you keep going until the war is done- — the war. so you keep going until the war is done. we _ the war. so you keep going until the war is done. we had _ the war. so you keep going until the war is done. we had to _ the war. so you keep going until the war is done. we had to finish - the war. so you keep going until the war is done. we had to finish with i war is done. we had to finish with it and we had _ war is done. we had to finish with it and we had to _ war is done. we had to finish with it and we had to finish _ war is done. we had to finish with it and we had to finish with - war is done. we had to finish with it and we had to finish with him. l war is done. we had to finish with it and we had to finish with him. i | it and we had to finish with him. i think it is very important for our people, our country.— people, our country. finish with vladimir putin? _ people, our country. finish with vladimir putin? yes. _ people, our country. finish with vladimir putin? yes. mr- people, our country. finish with i vladimir putin? yes. mr president, thank ou vladimir putin? yes. mr president, thank you for— vladimir putin? yes. mr president, thank you for your _ vladimir putin? yes. mr president, thank you for your time. _ vladimir putin? yes. mr president, thank you for your time. a - thank you for your time. a fascinating interview. one wonders, given america's centrality to nato and european security in general, whether this gathering at blenheim palace was nothing more than just a talking shop? the palace was nothing more than 'ust a talking shop?— palace was nothing more than 'ust a talking snap?— talking shop? the curiosity of this new political _ talking shop? the curiosity of this new political structure, _ talking shop? the curiosity of this new political structure, you - talking shop? the curiosity of this new political structure, you would

be forgiven of not having heard of, is they try to make a virtue of it being informal and something of a talking shop, that isn't a communique afterwards. what was striking today was thatjens stoltenberg was there and i spoke to him and asked him that question. he was trying to make an argument that he was trying to play a role that bridged the atlantic, european members of nato and others and the united states. conscious as he is, he is about to stand down, of the potential for turbulence in he is about to stand down, of the potentialfor turbulence in us politics and where that leaves nato. he did make the point he was secretary general during donald trump's term and yes, there was rhetoric from president trump but he said they stepped up when they needed to. then there is the broader politics for keir starmer. it is only a fortnight ago that we were talking about that exit poll and here he is at his third set piece

moment in two weeks. there was the nato summit, the king �*s speech yesterday and now this, talking about a reset of the relationship with europe, migration and trying to come to a new arrangement, he had dinner with president mcconnell france around small boats. a huge amount for him to wrestle with a head of the meeting of the president talking about, that he has keir starmer with president zelensky in london tomorrow.— well, who will it be leading the united states come november, and potentially deciding the course of the war in ukraine? today there was more bad news forjoe biden, when one of the leading figures in the democratic party, the former president, barack obama, reportedly telling allies that mr biden must seriously consider his viability, to win a second term. the beleaguered president has now tested positive for covid, forcing him to suspend engagements and isolate at his home in delaware. his fortunes are in stark contrast to those of donald trump, who in the next few hours,

will deliver his convention speech before the republican party faithful in milwaukee, less than a week after a gunman tried to kill him. sarah smith has the very latest. looking frail and unsteady, it is almost painful to watch joe biden making his way home to isolation. there couldn't be a worse time for him to catch covid. he has had to pause his campaigning just days after watching donald trump get shot and walk it off. earlier he had told black entertainment television in what circumstances he would step aside. if there is some medical condition that emerged, if doctors came to me and said, you had this problem, that problem. former president barack obama, who appeared withjoe biden at a recent fundraiser, is said to be concerned he can't beat donald trump and is worried about protecting the legacy of a leader who has achieved a great deal in one term. last weekjoe biden called into the morning joe tv show to say he's not standing aside.

today, the presenter had a message directly for his closest advisers. it is really incumbent on people that are around joe biden to step up at this point and help the president, and help the man they love, and do the right thing. vice president kamala harris is very carefully carrying on with business as usual, campaigning in north carolina, but ifjoe biden does step aside, she could take over. not only is she his number two, she has big political backers. we are 110 days out from the election. nearly every time we will say this is the one. well, this here, is the one. at the republican convention in milwaukee, the mood is positively joyful. they seem to be blessed by good news. at a fringe event last night, they heard from donald trump

for the first time since he was shot. it's what they call a close call. that was amazing, horrible thing, amazing, and in many ways it changes your attitude, your viewpoint, your life. his running mate, jd vance, got his moment in the spotlight. he might want to work on how he waves, just to avoid misunderstandings. and he talked about the america he says he wants to restore. a country where a working class boy born far from the halls of power can stand on this stage as the next vice president of the united states of america. applause. tonight is donald trump's turn. he has had a hero's welcome every time he shows his face here. expect the audience to go into raptures when he actually delivers what is being described as a very personal speech. donald trump is notjust accepting

his party's nomination tonight. this will be the first chance for most people to hear from will be the first chance for most people to hearfrom him since he survived that assassination attempt and remember, many of the delegates here truly believe it was divine intervention that saved him. there is more good news for donald trump in a new poll that has just been released that suggests he is five points ahead ofjoe biden nationally and that he is three points up in the key battleground states that will decide this election. interestingly, one in four voters said how he has handled himself since the assassination attempt has made them more likely to vote for him. thank you, sarah. and victoria derbyshire will have more on the speculation surrounding president biden's future, over on newsnight on bbc two shortly. hi, victoria. yes, insight and reaction to that unfolding drama in the us. with us live, former director of the fbi

james comey, sacked by donald trump backin james comey, sacked by donald trump back in 2017. he has endorsed joe biden for this election. is he still supporting him? find out on newsnight on bbc two and bbc i player at half past ten. the first report from the uk covid inquiry says the public was failed by a government that wasn't prepared. the damning verdict on the uk's readiness found there were fundamental flaws in contingency planning before the outbreak, with the wrong choices being made about the nation's health, and too much confidence in the nhs' ability to cope with a huge disaster. the facts surrounding the pandemic speak for themselves. in the uk alone, 235,000 deaths were attributed to covid from the start of the outbreak in 2020, to the end of last year. there were three national lockdowns — during which time schools were closed to the vast majority of pupils. and in all, £373 billion was spent by the uk government on tackling the crisis, including the additional

health treatment costs and the furlough scheme for workers. here's hugh pym. empty streets, schools closed. deadly viruses aren't new and mask wearing has been enforced. previous global outbreaks, like swine flu and sars, showed the world how an infectious disease could be controlled. but when covid struck, doctors like lisa remember how the uk was not ready. we were not prepared at all for anything of this level. we were scrambling to try to piece things together. we've had so many opportunities in the past — with sars, with swine flu — to learn lessons about how to lock down, how to have stockpiles of protective gear, how to wear masks properly. and we've learned nothing. today, the findings from the first phase of the inquiry were published.

it concluded, "the uk was ill prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency," and then went on to state that, "in the years leading up to the pandemic, there was a lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight." i have no hesitation in concluding that the processes, planning and policy of the civil contingency structures across the united kingdom failed the citizens of all four nations. there were serious errors on the part of the state and serious flaws in our civil emergency systems. this cannot be allowed to happen again. the bereaved, including deborah, seen here on the left, gathered at the inquiry. her mother contracted covid in march 2020 and didn't survive. a very comprehensive report, hard—hitting. there's a lot in there, you know, the families, what we've experienced. it's there in black—and—white now, they said the government were ill—prepared. that's incredible...

and those working in social care felt vulnerable as covid first spread. there was no preparation for infection prevention at all within the care home setting. did you? maria was in charge of a care home in early 2020. herfirst resident died of covid in mid february, but in the week it took to confirm it was the virus that killed him, another nine residents contracted it. in those early days, there was no guidance, there was no ppe being sent to us. it was extremely scary. it was extremely isolating to be told to kind ofjust get on with it, really. it felt like an absolute war zone. it was just... ..like us versus the virus. today's report says rather than focusing on how to stop the spread of a disease, including stockpiling ppe and preparing a testing programme,

the uk was too focused on coping with the consequences. as the report concludes, they should've concentrated on tackling the causes. here at the inquiry, baroness hallett has made a series of recommendations, including for a uk wide statutory body, bringing together westminster and the devolved administrations to work on future resilience planning. she said based on the evidence she heard, another pandemic was likely. she said she wanted responses within six months, a view shared by campaigners gathering opposite westminster and determined to hold ministers to account. hugh pym, bbc news. police are dealing with violence and disorder in the hair hills area of leeds. police were called at around five o'clock this afternoon and there has been further pockets of disorder. what we know? this started at five o'clock —

disorder. what we know? this started at five o'clock this _ disorder. what we know? this started at five o'clock this afternoon - disorder. what we know? this started at five o'clock this afternoon when - at five o'clock this afternoon when police were called to a street and it involved some agency workers and children, and they had to be removed to safety when other people turned up to safety when other people turned up and started these pockets of disorder. a lot of social media footage online where you can see a police car being attacked, flipped on its side, that has been removed, and there is other footage showing people throwing objects at police vans, fire in the streets, and the police are present with riot gear. there is still a very heavy police presence in the area and some streets around have been closed and officers are asking people to avoid the area for tonight.— the area for tonight. thanks for “oinint the area for tonight. thanks for joining us- _ in russia, the espionage trial of the journalist, evan gershkovich, has heard witness testimony behind closed doors. his employer, the wall stjournal, says the case in a sham. the 32—year—old has been in detention since march last year, but this week the unusually rapid

pace of the trial has stoked speculation about a possible russia—us prisoner swap. steve rosenburg is live in moscow. are we already getting to the end of this trial? i are we already getting to the end of this trial? ., ., are we already getting to the end of this trial? ,, ., . .,, this trial? i think we are close, es, this trial? i think we are close, yes. suddenly _ this trial? i think we are close, yes, suddenly out _ this trial? i think we are close, yes, suddenly out of _ this trial? i think we are close, yes, suddenly out of nowhere l yes, suddenly out of nowhere everything has speeded up, the court session today was scheduled to take place in mid—august, the second hearing, but it was brought forward, which is unusual, and tomorrow's hearing will start with closing arguments, and already, so that is incredible when you think that if evan gershkovich is convicted, the maximum possible sentence is 20 years in a penal colony, and yet afterjust years in a penal colony, and yet after just two court sessions it feels the trial is near the end, so what does that mean? does it mean that there is some kind of do you already between russia and the us to

bring evan gershkovich home after the trial? the short answer is, we don't know for sure, and the long answer is, we know there has been discussions between russia and america over a possible deal and we know that moscow is open to a possible prisoner exchange and russia does not hide the fact that it views jailed americans as currency, bargaining chips, to release jailed russian abroad. the key point here is that evan gershkovich, the wall streetjournal and the us government officially reject the accusation of espionage, and even gershkovich's supporters see this as a bogus trial and they believe he will be convicted, but what happens after that, we have got to wait and see.— to wait and see. thanks for “oining us. greater manchester police has apologised after an inquiry found women who'd experienced sexual and domestic abuse were being arrested and strip—searched by officers and staff. the report has made a number

of recommendations, which the force has accepted. lauren moss has the story. i was really, really emotional and ifelt really distressed, belittled. chantelle is one of 12 women who told the inquiry about demeaning and humiliating treatment by greater manchester police. she was arrested after an incident where she tried to protect someone from potential abuse. chantelle was taken to a police station in wigan and left without sanitary products for 16 hours. i wasn't treated fairly. i was wrongly arrested, for one. i rang 999. i should have felt safe and i should have felt protected and i just felt let down. the author of today's report, dame vera baird, also said that strip searches had been used to bully some people, even those who had experienced domestic and sexual abuse, who felt it was a power trip. this report speaks to some deeply,

deeply uncomfortable truths. greater manchester police has accepted the recommendations for better treatment, training and female welfare officers, and apologised. i am sorry. take it from me, we have a lot to do, properly, to shore up public confidence and that, for me, is something that i feel very, very passionate about. this 200 page report makes for more difficult reading after a few years now of revelations about racism and sexism among some police forces around the country. and the recommendations don'tjust apply to greater manchester, but are nationwide, too — like calls for new guidance around strip searches to be used only when necessary, and a review looking at attitudes towards women and girls and victims of crime and how they're treated. they are easy to discredit. they are easy to squash. this is a snapshot into what is

going on far too often. it's hoped the inquiry could lead to national systemic change. for chantelle, and the others, words alone won't fix what they were put through. lauren moss, bbc news. thejustice secretary is to push for the sacking of the chair of the criminal cases review commission, following the publication of a report into the case of andrew malkinson. he spent 17 years in prison after being falsely convicted of rape. an independent review says he was completely failed by the key agency that should have exonerated him sooner. the wrong leadership is there. they need to be removed and it needs reforming. there's too much, actually, human rights atrocities going on. innocent citizens in jail for life. what, really? that's a serious matter. a spokesperson for the former strictly professional dancer graziano di prima has confirmed the star did

kick his celebrity partner zara mcdermott during a training session last year. speaking to the bbc, his publicist said graziano knew he made a mistake, apologised at the time, and thought the matter had been resolved. but video of the incident is believed to have been brought to the bbc�*s attention last week, and the dancer was then dropped from this year's line up. katie razzall has the latest. to people at home, it looked like a showbiz fairy tale, but a rehearsal room video recently surfaced and graziano di prima was dropped as a strictly dancer. he apologised for what happened and said his determination to win may have affected his training regime. his spokesperson has now confirmed to the bbc that di prima kicked zara mcdermott. he is obviously trying to find a way of actually getting the best out of it and i'm afraid that might have been pushed too far. but there's surely never a time when kicking somebody can be justified ? no, there is never a time

when kicking or any sense of it is right. and he knows that? he knows that. after the story emerged, documentary maker and influencer zara mcdermott talked of incredibly distressing incidents in the training room with graziano. in a new statement tonight to bbc news, her spokesperson said this was not one incident and to suggest that would be entirely false. it follows accusations about the behaviour of another strictly dancer, giovanni pernice, towards amanda abbington. he denies it and the bbc is investigating. the bbc�*s biggest entertainment show is under pressure, with questions swirling over whether the corporation has overseen an environment where misbehaviour was tolerated and insiders were too scared to report what was happening. others have blamed a culture clash with the exacting world of dance. kristina rihanoff was a strictly pro for eight years but says in recent series, for the dancers and the stars, it has reached another level.

it was so much more pressure, to deliver, to out dance each other. i do understand that you get frustrated, tired, but physical abuse obviously it's a no and calling names is a no. it's not acceptable in our society and shouldn't be acceptable on the show. while not reaching for excuses, graziano di prima's spokesperson says his client has been left in a very vulnerable state after a social media pile—on for what he called a one—off incident, not a pattern of behaviour, in a very competitive contest. i think the bbc are aware of all the professionals and how hard they push it. look, these people go on the cliched "journey," they go from, you know, virtual cart horses into these amazing swans. what does it take to do that? and we're beginning to see it's tough. the bbc says it will always take issues of inappropriate behaviour seriously and act if they're raised. it has announced it will now have

chaperones in the rehearsal rooms and welfare officers for celebrities and pros. for the vast majority of contestants, it adds, the strictly experience is positive. katie razzall, bbc news. england's dan brown has taken a surprise lead, late on the first day of the open. but it was a tough going for many, including rory mcilroy, who recorded his worst round at a majors tournament in five years. olly foster has more from royal troon, in south ayrshire. golf can do this to you — even before rory mcilroy had finished his first round, as he fell into royal troon's many traps, he could sense another major slipping away. he is so far off the lead at 7—over, will he even make it into the weekend? um... all i need to focus on is tomorrow and try to make the cut, that is all i can focus on. wind and rain on the west coast of scotland tested the players�* resolve and spectators' resilience. there were bright spells.

adam scott, a former masters champion, dug himself out of a hole. bob mcintyre won the scottish open last weekend. he is the home favourite. did not get any favours. record crowds are expected here over the four days and 20 years after he last played at royal troon, one of the game's all—time greats has returned. tiger woods has raised the claretjug three times but raising his game to the level required to add to his 15 major titles? that's another matter. out of bounds on the famous railway hole and out of contention. troon has beaten the best of them today but playing in his first major at the age of 29, england's dan brown cracked the code. one of the last off the course, he was 6—under — the round of his life. this programme continues on bbc one.