not to go to certain places. people not to go to certain places. so that was president biden, a brief summary of what he had to say there. let's hear more now from our washington correspondent will grant who was listening to all of that as well. right from the top, the tone was as we expected. he said good afternoon, this is_ we expected. he said good afternoon, this is a _ we expected. he said good afternoon, this is a very— we expected. he said good afternoon, this is a very good afternoon. went onto obviously named the four they have been— onto obviously named the four they have been most focused on and said their brutat— have been most focused on and said their brutal ordeal is over and they are free _ their brutal ordeal is over and they are free he — their brutal ordeal is over and they are free. he said has spoken to them, — are free. he said has spoken to them, that— are free. he said has spoken to them, that this deal reflected diplomacy and friendship. that the other— diplomacy and friendship. that the other nations and come in on his request— other nations and come in on his request and _ other nations and come in on his request and he has thanked them personally and will do so again. obviously— personally and will do so again. obviously spoke about the way in which _ obviously spoke about the way in which the — obviously spoke about the way in which the people had been imprisoned for speaking out against the warm in ukraine, _ for speaking out against the warm in ukraine, said that the united states back to _

ukraine, said that the united states back to them, too, and help get them out. back to them, too, and help get them out and _ back to them, too, and help get them out and as— back to them, too, and help get them out. and as you pointed out, focused particularly on the allies. i thought— particularly on the allies. i thought that was interesting. said the allies— thought that was interesting. said the allies stepped up and stood with us, so _ the allies stepped up and stood with us, so anyone questioning whether or not do _ us, so anyone questioning whether or not do atties — us, so anyone questioning whether or not do allies matter, they do, as you pointed out. i thought that was interesting. under like how alliances make our people safer. i think— alliances make our people safer. i think again — alliances make our people safer. i think again this is a reflection on his sopport — think again this is a reflection on his support for native and the importance that he sees particularly in the _ importance that he sees particularly in the example of ukraine of the fact that — in the example of ukraine of the fact that his backing for the cause in ukraine, — fact that his backing for the cause in ukraine, forthe fact that his backing for the cause in ukraine, for the people of ukraine, _ in ukraine, for the people of ukraine, for fighting putin in ukraine, for the people of ukraine, forfighting putin in ukraine— ukraine, forfighting putin in ukraine actually helped protect americans. and that led to that key point _ americans. and that led to that key point i _ americans. and that led to that key point i think he said that nothing matters — point i think he said that nothing matters more to me than protecting americahs_ matters more to me than protecting americans at home and abroad. and then of— americans at home and abroad. and then of course we had this sort of ioviat. _ then of course we had this sort of jovial, jocular moment where he sang happy— jovial, jocular moment where he sang happy birthday to alsu kurmasheva's daughter, _ happy birthday to alsu kurmasheva's daughter, the daughter of one of

those _ daughter, the daughter of one of those released who was a russian— american _ those released who was a russian— americanjournalist. her daughter american journalist. her daughter turns— american journalist. her daughter turns 30 _ americanjournalist. her daughter turns 30 today, and i'm so they brought— turns 30 today, and i'm so they brought irr— turns 30 today, and i'm so they brought in a bit of light—heartedness at the end there. but i light—heartedness at the end there. but i think— light—heartedness at the end there. but i think the key message is that, that this _ but i think the key message is that, that this was a huge achievement, involves— that this was a huge achievement, involves allies around the world and that it _ involves allies around the world and that it is _ involves allies around the world and that it is a _ involves allies around the world and that it is a key part of what president biden wanted to do, do that to _ president biden wanted to do, do that to free people as part of what he sees _ that to free people as part of what he sees as— that to free people as part of what he sees as protecting americans abroad and at home.— he sees as protecting americans abroad and at home. interesting that he also took — abroad and at home. interesting that he also took deputy _ abroad and at home. interesting that he also took deputy to _ abroad and at home. interesting that he also took deputy to say _ abroad and at home. interesting that he also took deputy to say this is - he also took deputy to say this is who america is, we set up not only for americans but for other people from other countries as well, in reference to those russian political prisoners. reference to those russian political risoners. ., reference to those russian political risoners. . ., , , ., prisoners. yeah, absolutely, and i think that again _ prisoners. yeah, absolutely, and i think that again this _ prisoners. yeah, absolutely, and i think that again this kind - prisoners. yeah, absolutely, and i think that again this kind of- think that again this kind of historic— think that again this kind of historic tone that he wanted to give. _ historic tone that he wanted to give, like — historic tone that he wanted to give, like i say, it got a little bit of— give, like i say, it got a little bit of fun— give, like i say, it got a little bit of fun at the end there but ultimately this was about kind of some _ ultimately this was about kind of some of— ultimately this was about kind of some of the key ideas that he clearly— some of the key ideas that he clearly strongly believes in. that

hatiohs — clearly strongly believes in. that nations are better when they stand together, — nations are better when they stand together, that they must stand up against a — together, that they must stand up against a man like vladimir putin, and that— against a man like vladimir putin, and that they have to work to make sure that _ and that they have to work to make sure that people who were unlawfully 'ailed sure that people who were unlawfully jailed around the world need to be freed~ _ jailed around the world need to be freed~ 0t— jailed around the world need to be freed. of course, then that feeds into the _ freed. of course, then that feeds into the question that was asked by one journalist about abductor status, — one journalist about abductor status, the hostage diplomacy. it is a concern — status, the hostage diplomacy. it is a concern it— status, the hostage diplomacy. it is a concern. it is in a sense one of the costs. — a concern. it is in a sense one of the costs. if— a concern. it is in a sense one of the costs, if you like, of the thing that they— the costs, if you like, of the thing that they are obviously celebrating today. _ that they are obviously celebrating today, which is the release of so marry— today, which is the release of so many prisoners. will it beget more of these _ many prisoners. will it beget more of these situations because states will seek— of these situations because states will seek what the united states has done here _ will seek what the united states has done here and think if we take people — done here and think if we take people we will have more room for leverage. he simply said that we would _ leverage. he simply said that we would encourage people not to go to those _ would encourage people not to go to those places, but of course that's not necessarily applicable when you're _ not necessarily applicable when you're talking about journalists being _ you're talking about journalists being placed in cities like moscow and there — being placed in cities like moscow and there is nothing hugely out of the ordinary for that for international news organisation. but

ithink— international news organisation. but i think when he was also asked about whether— i think when he was also asked about whether or— i think when he was also asked about whether or not this was the start of something deeper, whether or not it would _ something deeper, whether or not it would bring a greater improvement in bilateral— would bring a greater improvement in bilateral relations with moscow, he said from _ bilateral relations with moscow, he said from your lips to gods ears so he is _ said from your lips to gods ears so he is certainly not a fitting it to do so _ he is certainly not a fitting it to do so but — he is certainly not a fitting it to do so but obviously that would be an important _ do so but obviously that would be an important improvement if it could be done as— important improvement if it could be done as a _ important improvement if it could be done as a result of the goodwill created — done as a result of the goodwill created by today. gk, done as a result of the goodwill created by today.— done as a result of the goodwill created by today. 0k, will, thank ou ve created by today. 0k, will, thank you very much. — created by today. 0k, will, thank you very much, will _ created by today. 0k, will, thank you very much, will grant - created by today. 0k, will, thank you very much, will grant in - you very much, will grant in washington for us. a little bit more reaction from russia to tell you about. we have heard from the former russian president medvedev, he said we would like traders to russia to rot and die in prison but it was more useful to get our people home. you will note that some of those russians who have been released from prison were political prisoners, convicted of treason for expressing amongst other things opposition to russia's warm in ukraine. the former

russian president medvedev saying we would like traders to russia to rot and die in prison but it was more useful to get our people home. he also said, and here is the quote, let the traders take new names and hide in witness protection programmes. that from the former russian president medvedev. a little earlier, i spoke to... sir tony brenton is a former british ambassador to russia. he talked me through some of the intricacies of the swap. if you judge these things - by their complexity and so on, this is one of the most complex that i've ever seen. _ it was actually anticipated to some extent, because back— in february this year, - when putin gave a television interview to tucker carlson, - the usjournalist, and carlson asked about the possible - return of gershkovich, putin replied he wasn't - going to return him for free, which is a very clear hint that i putin was willing to do a swap. the other important thing -

from the russian point of view is that putin wanted back very badly a man called vadim krasikov, - who i gather is now in turkey, - who was a kgb or fsb killer arrested by the germans and condemned to life imprisonment for murder. _ now, to arrange a swap _ of an american held by the russians for a russian held by the germans. is much more complicated thanjust between the americans _ and the russians, because you need to include somethingl for germany in there. and indeed, there are two german citizens in the list of— people whom the russians are giving up as part of this swap. _ and we're waiting to get the full details of the apparently 26 people who are involved in this exchange. we only have some of the names confirmed so far. what do you think the russian public will make of all of this? and do you think the kremlin will be talking about this a lot, saying that it's brought these russian citizens home? yes, it will.

i mean, it will not give the full... i mean, the fact- is that the russians, according to the list i've got, have surrendered 16 people. in exchange for eight people coming, you know, going, . coming from the west. so it will be difficult to present as a russian triumph. - although if you look at the list, | the russian list, they're a very| a small handful of big names, if i can put it that way. - evan gershkovich, of course. kara—murza, who's actually a brit. and so we benefit - from this deal as well. and paul whelan, the former marine whom the russians were holding, i but the rest are mostly sort . of human rights campaigners, members of alexei navalny's opposition organisation, - whom the russians, i think, probably think of as, - you know, mere pawns, | not very central players. whereas what they're getting in exchange l is what looks like a fair- number of intelligence operators who were caught by the west. so they will be able -

to say to themselves that they've had a success, - and that is how they will tell... ..that's how they will explain it to the russian people. - it's worth adding that given i the disparity in the numbers, the americans, biden administration, are going to be able to boast two- of the huge successes. they've got gershkovich back, - and gershkovich has been a cause celebre in the united states. and an interesting question to ask, and that is helpful— to the biden administration in the run up, of course, i to the presidential elections. and it's interesting to ask yourself why have the russians _ chosen to be so helpful to biden when by holding this thing off. by a further six months, - they could have been helpful to trump by setting it up for the time i of his first arrival — - if trump indeed is elected, of course, of his first arrival as president? | what do you think? what do you think the answer to that question is? well, i mean, trump wasn't - as helpful as president to russia as they had hoped he would be the last time around. -

i think that's part of it. and part of it may be purely operational. . everything fall- into fell into place. it's not very easy to keep all these parts moving i harmoniously together. and i assume that once they've got all the parts to fall _ into place, they wanted to get on with it _ 0k. i wonder, just picking up on a point i was discussing with frank gardner here in the studio a moment ago, frank was talking about the pivotal role that turkey is playing in all of this. and he was saying, you know, it's not beyond the the bounds of possibility that turkey might emerge as a place where negotiations might take place around the war in ukraine. what are your thoughts on that? well, exactly. as frank said, the turks have - obviously done a very professional, effective job in pulling all of thisj together, and they've delivered. they were, as frank also said, - the people who pulled together peace negotiations at the very beginning of the war, which very _ nearly succeeded. i've met some of the negotiators on the ukrainian side, _ and they were very frustrated that those negotiations - finally fell down. and, yes, this does give . the turks extra credibility. if there's any move _

towards a negotiation on either side between the russians and the ukrainians. . but should we look at this exchange in isolation? is that your instinct at this point? yeah, i don't think... well, except that it's a sign that the two . sides can make deals - which they then deliver on. as frank also said, relations - between the united states and russia at the moment are as bad as they have ever been. l they're fighting - a proxy war in ukraine. to find bits of business . that they can do together is then an encouragement to find other bits of business _ that they can do together. and i think it's reasonable i to hope that this exchange, perhaps not by itself, i with other things going on in the fringes... zelensky has actually talked | about the possibility of some diplomacy happening. these sorts of things - begin to encourage people to think about getting talks i going between the ukrainians and the russians. that was the former british ambassador to russia who i spoke to

ambassador to russia who i spoke to a little earlier. we are hearing from turkish security sources that the process of exchanging 2a prisoners, now 2a former prisoners, and two children at the airport in ankara has been completed. we still have that light shot to show you from the airport in ankara. it's just a shot of some planes sitting on the tarmac, but my goodness, what a certificate and place it has been in all of this drama unfolding. the biggest exchange of prisoners since the end of the cold warm. it has been the hub for all of this, with planes coming from various countries, seven different countries involved in this prisoner exchange, and the people getting off their respective planes, we understand, going through some health checks and other procedures before eventually getting on planes to return either home or in some cases to a new life in exile. now we don't know if some

of the former prisoners are still in ankara. they could well be, but we do believe a plane carrying russian prisoners who are returning to russia, who are on the moscow side of this prisoner swap, that includes a convicted murderer, a former fsb intelligence officer, vadim krasikov, he was convicted in germany in 2019 of a murder of a kremlin critic, one of the key people that vladimir pete —— putin wanted to return to moscow as part of this prisoner swap was that we believe he was on that plane amongst others returning to moscow, but possibly still some of the people who have been released at the airport in ankara. and let'sjust return now to our washington correspondent will grant, and we have seen that statement from president biden. we are hearing that

kamala harris is going to be returning to washington to be part of that welcome party for those arriving in washington in the next day or so. tell us what you made of that statement from president biden. a lot of political points being made in that statement in the white house. ~ ~ in that statement in the white house. ~ ,, ., , house. well, i think it was particularly _ house. well, i think it was particularly interesting - house. well, i think it was| particularly interesting was house. well, i think it was - particularly interesting was he seemed — particularly interesting was he seemed revitalised after all of this stuff aboutjust how seemed revitalised after all of this stuff about just how old he seemed revitalised after all of this stuff aboutjust how old he is seemed revitalised after all of this stuff about just how old he is and how he _ stuff about just how old he is and how he was dropping out of the race. he looked _ how he was dropping out of the race. he looked irr— how he was dropping out of the race. he looked in much better form. he looked _ he looked in much better form. he looked much, much changed because obviously— looked much, much changed because obviously if _ looked much, much changed because obviously if he said right at the start— obviously if he said right at the start of— obviously if he said right at the start of that statement it was a very— start of that statement it was a very good — start of that statement it was a very good day from his perspective. a little _ very good day from his perspective. a little more information, in fact, is coming — a little more information, in fact, is coming out from the wall street journal— is coming out from the wall street journal who obviously had the inside track on _ journal who obviously had the inside track on a _ journal who obviously had the inside track on a lot of what is going on. they— track on a lot of what is going on. they said — track on a lot of what is going on. they said thatjust track on a lot of what is going on. they said that just before he announced his stepping down from the race, he _ announced his stepping down from the race, he irr— announced his stepping down from the race, he in fact pressed the prime

mirrister— race, he in fact pressed the prime minister of— race, he in fact pressed the prime minister of slovenia for a two of those _ minister of slovenia for a two of those involved in the prisoner swap. so he _ those involved in the prisoner swap. so he was _ those involved in the prisoner swap. so he was talking about it apparently right of the moment that he even _ apparently right of the moment that he even dropped out of the race, when _ he even dropped out of the race, when obviously even weightier things were on— when obviously even weightier things were on his _ when obviously even weightier things were on his mind in terms of his own political— were on his mind in terms of his own political career. that is an important point in terms of his supporters showing just how important this moment is to him. and in terms _ important this moment is to him. and in terms of— important this moment is to him. and in terms of kamala harris, it is coming — in terms of kamala harris, it is coming out _ in terms of kamala harris, it is coming out that she also played an important — coming out that she also played an important role in a number of meetings, _ important role in a number of meetings, to particularly important meetings — meetings, to particularly important meetings. one with chancellor scholz of germany— meetings. one with chancellor scholz of germany during the munich security— of germany during the munich security conference. she really pushes — security conference. she really pushes idea of how important this idea that — pushes idea of how important this idea that of how important vadim krasikov— idea that of how important vadim krasikov was, the convicted colonel, and that— krasikov was, the convicted colonel, and that of— krasikov was, the convicted colonel, and that of course was included as far as _ and that of course was included as far as we — and that of course was included as far as we understand. it also the prime _ far as we understand. it also the prime minister of slovenia again as i mentioned that president biden was pushing _ i mentioned that president biden was pushing again the involvement of two russian prisoners there. sol

pushing again the involvement of two russian prisoners there. so i think that her— russian prisoners there. so i think that her campaign will make quite a bit about— that her campaign will make quite a bit about her role in this, that it is a shared _ bit about her role in this, that it is a shared and reflected glory by the biden— is a shared and reflected glory by the biden administration and by harris _ the biden administration and by harris and the biden government so she can _ harris and the biden government so she can really take this and run with— she can really take this and run with it — she can really take this and run with it in — she can really take this and run with it in her push for the white house — with it in her push for the white house. ~ ., ~ with it in her push for the white house. ~ ., ,, i. ~ , .,, house. well, thank you. as he was sa in: a house. well, thank you. as he was saying a short _ house. well, thank you. as he was saying a short while _ house. well, thank you. as he was saying a short while ago, _ house. well, thank you. as he wasj saying a short while ago, president biden hailed what he called the historic prisoner swap agreement. let's take a listen again to what he had to say. let's take a listen again to what he had to say-— let's take a listen again to what he had to sa . ~ . , had to say. three american citizens, one american _ had to say. three american citizens, one american green _ had to say. three american citizens, one american green card _ had to say. three american citizens, one american green card holder. - one american green card holder. all four have been imprisoned unjustly in it russia. all for nearly six years, vladimirsince in it russia. all for nearly six years, vladimir since 2022, in it russia. all for nearly six years, vladimirsince 2022, evan since march of 2023 and alsu since october 2023. since march of 2023 and alsu since october2023. russian since march of 2023 and alsu since october 2023. russian authorities arrested them and convicted them in show trials and sniff them to long prison terms for actually no

legitimate reason whatsoever, none. paul, a former marine, was in russia for a wedding. paul, a former marine, was in russia fora wedding. evan, a paul, a former marine, was in russia for a wedding. evan, a journalist in russia, was in russia assigned by the wall streetjournal. alsu, also a journalist, the wall streetjournal. alsu, also ajournalist, it the wall streetjournal. alsu, also a journalist, it was in russia to see family. all three falsely accused of being spies, and vladimir arrest a citizen by birth and holds an american green card, a pulitzer prize—winning journalist and was a pallbearer at my friend john mccain's funeral with me. he spoke out against putin's regime and for that he was convicted to prison. and now their brutal ordeal is over and they are free. moments ago, the families and are able to speak to them on the telephone from the oval office. they are out of russia. earlier today, they were flown to turkey, and soon they will beat wheels up on their way home to see theirfamilies. this is an incredible relief for all the family

members gathered here. it's a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who have been praying for this day for a long time. the deal that made this possible was a fee of diplomacy and friendship, friendship. multiple countries help to get this done. theyjoined a difficult, complex negotiation my request, and i personally thank them all again and i thank them personally and i will think them again. all told, russia's released 16 prisoners— eight russians who were being held in the west who will be sent home as well. the 16 prisoners that russia has released include america for americans, five germans, seven russian citizens who are political prisoners in their own country. one of those russians runs a human rights organisation memorial, which won a nobel prize in 2022. putin threw him in prison for voicing opposition to the warm in ukraine. four others were with alexei

navalny, a russian political leader who died in prison this year. now they can continue their work if they so choose. this deal would not have been made possible without our allies — germany, poland, slovenia, norway and turkey all stood up and stood with us and they made bold and brave decisions, release prisoners being held in their countries who were justifiably being held and provided critical support to get the americans home. so for anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do! questions whether allies matter, the do! , �* , , ., ,, they do! president biden speaking within the last _ they do! president biden speaking within the last hour— they do! president biden speaking within the last hour from - they do! president biden speaking within the last hour from the - they do! president biden speakingl within the last hour from the white house also built about allies and mentioned among them turkey, and from a turkish perspective, let's speak now to journalist victoria cragg in ankara. thank you very much forjoining us today. and i was mentioning a few minutes ago that

new line from turkish security sources say the process of exchanging 2a prisoners and two children there in ankara is completed. do you know in terms of the logistics what's actually happening at the airport now? are many of those former prisoners still there, going through health checks and so on? we there, going through health checks and so on? ~ ., �* ., . and so on? we don't have much information _ and so on? we don't have much information on _ and so on? we don't have much information on who _ and so on? we don't have much information on who was - and so on? we don't have much information on who was still - and so on? we don't have much information on who was still at l and so on? we don't have much i information on who was still at the airport and — information on who was still at the airport and who has taken off and he was been _ airport and who has taken off and he was been returned home and it was on the wait _ was been returned home and it was on the wait. what we do have is information from the security and intelligence agency earlier today at which _ intelligence agency earlier today at which said that as you pointed out that these — which said that as you pointed out that these people have flown in from countries _ that these people have flown in from countries all around the world. they have gotten off the planes in minnesota processed through the turkish _ minnesota processed through the turkish airport here. the wall street— turkish airport here. the wall streetjournal i think turkish airport here. the wall street journal i think was reporting that they— street journal i think was reporting that they went and certainly evan gershokovich the wall street journal reporter— gershokovich the wall street journal reporter who been held in russia had been taken _ reporter who been held in russia had been taken by a bus into one of the airport— been taken by a bus into one of the airport lounges here in ankara before — airport lounges here in ankara before getting on the plane and making — before getting on the plane and making his way back home to the us.

the intelligence agency said that after people got off the planes, they moved to a secure location where _ they moved to a secure location where they received health checks as you said _ where they received health checks as you said and then on planes again to their next— you said and then on planes again to their next destination. the security sources— their next destination. the security sources also say that in this period of escalating tensions that turkey continues— of escalating tensions that turkey continues to contribute to peace and stability— continues to contribute to peace and stability across the world and both the presidency and mit, the intelligence team here, is committed to continuing to keep channels of dialogue — to continuing to keep channels of dialogue open throughout these processes. dialogue open throughout these rocesses. ., , ., ~ , processes. how is it that turkey has come to play _ processes. how is it that turkey has come to play this — processes. how is it that turkey has come to play this pivotal _ processes. how is it that turkey has come to play this pivotal role - processes. how is it that turkey has come to play this pivotal role in - come to play this pivotal role in the biggest prisoner exchange since the biggest prisoner exchange since the end of the cold warm? this the biggest prisoner exchange since the end of the cold warm?- the end of the cold warm? this is sort of the _ the end of the cold warm? this is sort of the ideal _ the end of the cold warm? this is sort of the ideal situation - the end of the cold warm? this is sort of the ideal situation our - sort of the ideal situation our president erdogan because he sees turkey— president erdogan because he sees turkey is— president erdogan because he sees turkey is one of the only computer since _ turkey is one of the only computer since both— turkey is one of the only computer since both gia politically and geographically in the right region all the _ geographically in the right region all the time to work on these deals. and we _ all the time to work on these deals. and we as _ all the time to work on these deals. and we as have all times also we saw

when he _ and we as have all times also we saw when he was — and we as have all times also we saw when he was a terminal and helping negotiate _ when he was a terminal and helping negotiate that grain deal with ukraine — negotiate that grain deal with ukraine and russia in the early stages — ukraine and russia in the early stages of— ukraine and russia in the early stages of russia's invasion of ukraine — stages of russia's invasion of ukraine in— stages of russia's invasion of ukraine in march 2022 in a beach resort— ukraine in march 2022 in a beach resort town — ukraine in march 2022 in a beach resort town in the southern coast, the mediterranean coast of turkey. the hope _ the mediterranean coast of turkey. the hope of the restaurant gradient for ministers to try to negotiate some _ for ministers to try to negotiate some sort— for ministers to try to negotiate some sort of into the warm in ukraine _ some sort of into the warm in ukraine. again and this marks, he said he— ukraine. again and this marks, he said he was— ukraine. again and this marks, he said he was to hosting another sort of harm _ said he was to hosting another sort of harm or— said he was to hosting another sort of harm or kyle abbott are two sides to try— of harm or kyle abbott are two sides to try to— of harm or kyle abbott are two sides to try to negotiate some kind of end of this— to try to negotiate some kind of end of this conflict comes of crowded itself— of this conflict comes of crowded itself on — of this conflict comes of crowded itself on and the president has prided — itself on and the president has prided himself president as to what a mediator can this for the world. still friends with president putin of russia, but also turkey is of course — of russia, but also turkey is of course in — of russia, but also turkey is of course in nato country so it has alliances — course in nato country so it has alliances with all of these western countries — alliances with all of these western countries and it plays to all of those — countries and it plays to all of those strokes all at once. we saw last year— those strokes all at once. we saw last year when turkey approved sweden's —

last year when turkey approved sweden's nato accession a while for the turkish — sweden's nato accession a while for the turkish parliament to finally pass— the turkish parliament to finally pass that — the turkish parliament to finally pass that and to ratify that, but this is— pass that and to ratify that, but this is sort— pass that and to ratify that, but this is sort of the thing that president erdogan specialises in. and lucas — president erdogan specialises in. and lucas and geographically and geo politically— and lucas and geographically and geo politically he sits in the perfect 0k, politically he sits in the perfect ok, thank you very much, victoria craig _ ok, thank you very much, victoria craig hire — ok, thank you very much, victoria craig hire in— ok, thank you very much, victoria craig hire in agra. other stories in the uk now and we can name the suspect to stab the three girls to death in southport and we can name him as axel rudakubana, who is in the crown court this morning. here is a report from daniel sanford.

three days after the horrifying stabbing in southport, the 17—year—old who has been charged with the attack was brought to court in a white custody van. the hearing was at the main court complex in liverpool, the van in which the defendant was travelling was accompanied by two police cars and three riot vans and several other vehicles. the road was briefly closed. a host of other police officers were providing extra security because of tuesday night's riots in southport. the 17—year—old, who at that stage could not be lawfully named, because he was under 18, was wearing a police issued grey tracksuit made of sweatshirt material. because of his young age, the defendant was only referred to by his first name throughout the hearing. apart from a brief glance at the press benches, he kept his face covered at all times. as well as the charges of murder and attempted murder, he's also accused of being in possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

the young girls he's accused of murdering at monday's taylor swift—themed dance class are six—year—old bebe king, seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe and nine—year—old alice dasilva aguiar. he's accused of attempting to murder the class organiser, leanne lucas, and john hayes, who had rushed to help, and eight other young girls who can't be named because of court reporting restrictions. whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation, and we continue to work with our partners from lancashire police and counter—terrorism policing north west. after the youth court hearing, the case moved to the crown court, one floor up in the same building, and there the judge said the defendant could be named, for the first time, as axel rudakubana.

and a recap of our news today. the biggest prisoner exchange between the west and russia since the cold warm took place in ankara in turkey. and involved 2a prisoners and two children involved in that president —— prison swap. we are from president biden at the white house a short while ago. he called it an historic day and he praised the work and the efforts of us allies in this process and he welcomed back the three us citizens and one green card holder released as a result of this swap. paulwhelan, a holder released as a result of this swap. paul whelan, a former evan gershokovich marine,, a white house wall streetjournal reporter, alsu wall street journal reporter, alsu kurmasheva, wall streetjournal reporter, alsu kurmasheva, and vladimir kara—murza who holds an american green car. we will keep you up—to—date with all the further developments on the

story to the day here bbc news to do stay with us. hello there. it's been another hot and humid day. the heat and humidity one of the ingredients necessary for some massive thunderstorms to form. first signs of trouble, these towering cumulus clouds racing up through the earth's atmosphere. as well as the hot and humid air, the other ingredient was this convergence zone. look how most of the showers form along this is zone. some particularly nasty storms, for example, around the oxfordshire area, and those downpours are capable of bringing a month's worth of rain over the space of a couple of hours. so we're quite likely to see one or two areas hit by some flash flooding and disruption. other areas to watch out for — the south downs, maybe some other areas of east anglia and south—east england to watch out for over the next few hours. one or two of those storms, as i say, very nasty indeed. through the remainder of the night, eventually those storms will calm down. we'll be left with dry weather

conditions for most areas, with some clear spells around. still quite warm and humid, particularly across central and eastern england. we've got this slightly fresher air with us in parts of scotland and northern ireland as well. now, heading into friday, an area of low pressure is set to bring some rain in from the north—west, and that band of rain is going to very slowly push its way eastward through friday night and on into saturday. so taking about 36 hours or so to cross the uk. now, friday, many of us will start the day on a dry and sunny note, but it won't be long before we see that band of heavy rain push into northern ireland and western scotland, with strengthening gusts of wind. england and wales, a lot of dry, sunny and very warm weather. however, there could be one or two thunderstorms popping up through the afternoon across parts of east anglia and the far south—east of england as well, so we'll need to keep a close eye on developments there. for saturday, the dregs of that weather front — this area of cloud, a few patches of rain — pushing the east anglia and south—east england before clearing. the rest of the uk, sunny spells, a few showers across the north—west, feeling fresher for many of us

and even the temperatures across eastern england will start to fall back closer to average for the time of year. sunday, not a bad start to the day. most areas will see dry and sunny weather, but it turns cloudier across the north—west with outbreaks of rain for northern ireland and western scotland through the afternoon. temperatures on the whole quite close to average for the time of year. and then into next week, well, low pressure's often going to be close to the north—west of the uk, so it will be quite unsettled across north—western areas. some drier and sunny or weather towards the south—east.

at six: a teenager appears in court charged with murder and attempted murder after the southport stabbings. he can now be named as 17—year—old axel muganwa rudaku ba na from lancashire. after two nights of violence sparked by false rumours online about the boy being held, the prime minister has this warning for social media companies. violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime. it's happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere. also tonight: the bbc�*s director—general reveals he knew in november that hugh edwards had been arrested for the most serious category of indecent images of

children. interest rates are cut for the first time in four years.