presidential bypass threatened president to check the severe economic sanctions saying if conflict occurs, it could be the largest invasions world war 2 kinds of nobody talks, a few possibilities. what we live for moscow to be the latest development on al jazeera. ah, our analyst indicate that to remain very much in a threatening position. more us skepticism about russia's troop drawdown from ukraine's borders. president biden says he's determined to push on with diplomacy. ah, other i'm can vanelle. this is elder. they're alive from doha. also coming up more than 20 people are killed in flash floods and landslides, now rio de janeiro. a former soldier who deserted

a fair regiment to me and mas army describes the brutal tactics he's seen. and school children in zimbabwe left on supervised with nothing to do after the government dispensed. striking teachers in a pe dispute. ah, nato defense ministers are gathering and brussels describing a pivotal moment for ukraine and global stability. this tension simmer with russia as they meet russia's defense ministry has released more video of what it says, a troop drawbacks this time from the annexed region of crimea. it follows similar apparent military movements on tuesday, nato allies. a skeptical though, believe in russia may still move to invade ukraine, despite its denials of russia attacks ukraine. it would be a war joyce, or a war without cause or reason. i say these things not to provoke,

but to speak the truth. because the truth matters. accountability matters. if russia does invade the days a weeks ahead, the human cost for ukraine will be immense. and the strategic cross for russia will also be immense. if russia tax ukraine will be met with overwhelming international condemnation, the world will not forget. russia chose needless death and destruction. of a european union is repeating its warnings about the consequences of any attack on ukraine. in case of a russian aggression, europe's reaction will be swift and robust. rushes, strategic interest is to diversify its economy. it's one side of the economy and to close its current gaps. but for this, they need technologies in which we have

a global leadership. high tech components of which russia is almost entirely dependent on us. so our sanctions can bite very hard. ok shortly we'll be live to dorothy jabari who's in moscow and to natasha butler who's in ki, if at 1st it's going to need fokker, who is in brussels need. so a nato defense ministers meeting there will be a lot to talk about. yes, absolutely. and of course, ordinarily this is a kind of mating whether be talking about nato expansion, about deepening ties with existing nato countries, but overshadowing everything of course, the deteriorating security situation at nice in europe and what the defense secretaries of those native countries are here to do is to consolidate that position and to decipher the intelligence that they have when it comes to these latest pieces of shreds of information from russia, that some troops have been indeed withdrawn from around ukraine speaking

a head off this summit, the insulting burg on tuesday said that he was encouraged by that, but in no way should this be seen as a de escalation, given the significant size of russian forces around the country. at the moment, we're talking about heavy weaponry. we're talking about a field hospitals that have been set up blood banks that have been brought to the border with ukraine and as far as nato was concerned, the united states. and of course, the u. k. key voice is in the alliance, is that russia's intentions? ah, in the v is of nate or at least a possible assault on ukraine. russia, i mean, the nato was caught off guard back in 2014, when the crimea was annexed by russia. the last thing the alliance wants to do this time is to, in any way, give russia the benefit of the doubt. or i will be checking back in with you. as that meeting gets underway, need back there for us in brussels, its course of an hour to dawson jibari who's in moscow. daughter,

as we've been saying there are these images come out of a parent troop withdrawal russian troop withdrawal from crimea. what, what do we know? well, and this is a footage that, that was released by the country's defense ministry saying that what we're seeing in those pictures are units and equipment from the southern units of russia's military. after completing a number of exercises, these heavy tanks and the systems artillery systems have been loaded onto trucks and have crossed the crimean bridge over to me. man, russia this, it took place apparently late on tuesday evening. this was something that was announced by the russian defense mystery spokesperson on tuesday saying that sam units from western and southern had a lead to our doors that we just got to stop you. they have a crossing over now to brussels. s us an in to what you installed, but the same challenges for european is security and the we have heard

the signs from moscow about her readiness to continued diplomatic efforts. but so far we have not seen any de escalation on the ground. on the contrary, it appears that russia continues to military buildup, and we have not received any response to our written a document or written proposals that we sent her to rashawn the 26th of january, outlining the top big sand items where the natal assorted her to sit down and her discuss with ocean to try to find her a political balsa forward. and we will continue to o clay with clay message to rochelle. that term we are ready to sit down under and discuss with them. but at the same time, we are prepared for the worst. and the if

a russia, once again invades ukraine and they will pay a high price. and we will continue to expose, rochelle supplants and actions. so to make it harder for them to conduct good conduct, a grocer, actions against the ukraine, but we are really hope that her russia all oh, engage in meaningful dialogue under her choose sir. diplomacy instead of a confrontation under, we are ready to sit down and find a political assertion. it won't go to be missing yet. jonathan b. c, up, russia, again said it's moving. somebody move you essentially say you awfully. and the 2nd press release. you have express rad cautious optimism on the diplomatic. given the situation, the ground doesn't change. why?

i think the message sunder sign, sir, we heard from moscow yesterday or provides that song grounds for cautious optimism because start was a message about the diplomacy and the we have been ready in for a diplomatic efforts, talks with russia or throughout this crisis. and we have as stated that again and again. and we are calling the weight or our proposals to russia in written and we're are waiting for their response. but at the same time, we have not seen any a withdrawal or russian forces or another. of course, sir, that contradicts her message of a relay, a diplomatic efforts. so it remains to be seen, or whether there is sir russian withdrawal. we are, of course, monitoring very closely. i will draw, shall thus in round ukraine. and what we see is that though they have increased the

number of a troops or under more troops are on their way or so as so far, no di escalation. but of course, are we, we hear also the message of the both about diplomacy and, and we are ready to engage in diplomatic efforts with russia. it may just add that there, that this minister all of course em focus on the critical security situation in europe. but we will also have other meetings we will meet with our partners, serv, roma ukraine, and georgia on again, that'll be a bad form to address. so the importance of sovereignty, telephone, integrity of all. ready countries in europe including georgia and ukraine, will meet with locals. partners are earth, sweden, fin that, and the european union. and i also today share a regular meeting order, a nate to a new pro panning group today with

a long not. so my message is that, sir, this is for her. so dallas to decide russia is not deciding who's going to be a member of nato or not. and this is a matter of principle that all our lives have stated clearly again and again. and this is about her respecting the rights of every nation in europe to choose the wrong path, whether they want to belong to an organization as nato or whether they don't want to belong to her natal o finland and sweden close partners of natal. not applying for membership, but though they have also stated very clearly that of course need to cannot sign and legally binding agreement with russia or where we are said that there were no further enlargement on natal is. so this is about this goes beyond the ukraine.

this is about ukraine bottles about other sovereign nations in europe about that the principal derived forever nation to choose some path. and it's, these are principles not on enshrined in the nato founding act, but also enshrined in, for instance, the helsinki or helsinki find lector, which are principles are to also russia house and, and trying to. so this is what are the right for every nation's tucson path. a on no one was so far we have not seen and the russian diaz glacier. ah,

but of course we are closely monitor on following what they're doing and her and, and if they really start to withdraw or forces that something we will welcome. ah, but that that remains to be seen and they have always moved forces back and forth. and so just that we see more mental forces. so battle thanks. lesson sir. confirm a real withdrawal or it has been the beat up and down back and forth. all the way, but the trend, the last 2 weeks or months has been as stead the increase in the russian own capabilities, sir, close to ukraine, sir. borders. ah, so russia retains the capability of her a full fledged invasion of ukraine without her any are wanting time. ah m boy,

i so i think we should be careful speculating on what we see is sir betty strong. russian made her presence at the border of ukraine. but you also see a message from her moscow that they ah will give a diplomacy a chance. and then we are ready to meet them or to talk to find the diplomatic solution, but also prepared for the worse. so we work hard for the best a peaceful, political solution. but we are prepared for the worst that russia once again. indeed, supreme lady of them, ah, while i have talked about the well over $100000.00, but there's been that stead the increase a so a so we are are seeing that it goes up and up and up and it continues to increase

or so. so i think that the most important thing now is to closely monitor what russia thus, ah, and the, we really call on them to do what they say and at these to de escalate to a withdraw forces. and that will be their best contribution to reduce tensions and to avoid any conflict her or in europe are we are or are we are, are monitoring close to what they're doing. and of course, so what, what have seen several times over the last 2 months is that they morgan or with a high number of troops and heavy equipment than to take most of the trips out again, but the, but the equipment or stace. then they can very easily quickly sander a personal back again and, and our oper with all the capabilities in place. so what we need to see is a real withdrawl or forces which is lasting and real. and not there that they move

troops around. but again, we are monitoring, we really hope that they will redraw forces and that will be the best contribution to our political solution. and we, we, we say we believe this is some reason for cautious optimism because to have stated so clearly or at least stated that they're ready for a diplomatic a solution. thank you very much. thank ok. that is nato's secretary general. he ends don't bear speaking about the situation on the ukrainian border with russia. he said there's been no evidence of troop withdrawal of russian troop withdrawal, which russia has said has happened. in fact installed. the bear said that there has been increased troops that more troops appeared to be on the way and to the russia maintains the capability of a full blown invasion with no warning time. as such. i said that it is

a good sign that russia has shown a willingness to continue to engage in dialogue. and that is a reason for cautious optimism and said that nature was ready to sit down west and always remain ready to engage in dialogue. but also prepared for the worst, or i did go back now to dorothy jabari, who is standing by for us in moscow, tulsa, just remind us of moscow start what it has said about its willingness to engage in talks and also about the parent troop drop down which as we heard from the nato secretary general, it says it hasn't seen evidence of oh, well, we've seen pictures that have been released by the defense ministry. first of all of a number of units and armoured vehicles in tanks and heavy military equipments being

loaded on to trains and truck, and heading back to russia. this is, according to the defense ministry. the latest information we have from them is that the southern units from the southern and western part of russia's military, after finishing a number of exercises, are we basing to their initial position their home base. but what we don't know, of course, is numbers and details about exactly what is taking place. that is where things stand in terms of the military movement. i think we have to remember that this country's military information is very much kept guarded. it's not public knowledge. they don't share how many military posts there are and where they are, and how many units are positioned and stationed in each of those military outposts, especially alongside the countries border. so it's very difficult to say one m p. i've spoken to recently said that alongside the countries western border between

russia and ukraine. there are actually i about 80000 russian soldiers that are stationed there permanently. so it's not unusual to see a heavy military presence alongside the border. but of course, this kind of information is very difficult to verify. so that's the 1st point. the 2nd point i think is important to highlight is a secretary general nato. secretary general said that they gave a response to russia's security guarantees. and on january 26, and they have yet to hear from the russians about what they think at the russian president met with the foreign minister and defense. mister on monday. and vladimir putin was told by sir gala rob, that the russians have prepared a 10 page response to the americans and nato, which they will hand that over very soon. so i think the answer is coming in the next few days. and what we heard from vladimir putin very clearly last nights at his press conference with the german chancellor was that he is ready to talk. but he wants to talk about the mean issue, and that is not just about ukraine, but nato was expansion. he says until the west in the united states and nato are

ready to sit down and talk about that core problem that russia has, then they cannot move forward. and i think this is where the main sticking point remains and dis, disconnect continues between the 2 sides. but i think it's important to highlight for now, president vladimir putin said that they don't want war. they are not interested in war and they have no intention of invading ukraine. what the west will take away from that remains to be seen. but i think even u. s. presidential biden said it is now time to really focus on diplomacy. and i think everybody agrees at this stage that that is what needs to happen next. randolph jibari moscow. thank you. let's cross over to natasha butler, who's life for us in kiev. natasha, what we heard from ukrainian authorities in terms of their assessment of these latest developments along the border well, ukrainian,

a government officials have said that it look wait and say they want to see proof of for any russian so called pull out of troops before they will believe it here though, in the country. it is a so called day of unity. this was called by the ukrainian president of a law to me as the lensky a way of rallying people together. in fact, we heard short while ago from ukraine's foreign minister, who said that this was a day, not just for ukrainians, but for ukrainians and all of their allies. now the president is urged people to raise flags to tie yellow and blue ripples. in fact, we just saw a group of police officers handing out some of these ribbons and tying them to their uniforms. it is february 16th, and this is the day that some western intelligence source is said a could be the beginning over russian invasion of ukraine. so this is why the president has chosen this day. it was in a way, a response to that as the day full of symbolism, a day of patriotism

a day also designed to try and alleviate some of the anxiety that has suddenly been building up here over the past few days, silva says his son, yvonne brings him joy in what he says is a world of hysteria. he doesn't want to leave his home and keith, besides it considered doing so to protect his family. if russia were to invade ukraine every day i'm thinking about what to do with my family. you as a go to leave for example, to was the part of your grain or go to village where my parents of my wife leave. they have small house, but at the service, for example, they have for electric generator. they have full solar panels. so at least we will have a tricity, for example, if rich will be working. most people in the city attire, to thinking about what russia might do next. for 8 years. they've lived with conflict to me, east of the country between ukrainian forces and russian back separatists. but the

recent crisis is fueling a renewed sense of anxiety. things seem very normal in the city. people are still going to work or to school. the shops, restaurants are busy, but as the situation continues, some people that we made tell us that they are worried and making contingency plans . if there is an invasion, we'll go to western ukraine, but if there is any to fight, my entire family will continue on with the russians are just showing off, making noise play. acting. russians aren't only influencing ukrainian opinion, but everyone else, but russia will destroy itself. if it invades diplomatic efforts to avert a new war, have seemed at times to go round in circles with little sign of a breakthrough. moscow now says it's pulling some troops from the border. b, ukraine's government is skeptical. and o services go further, i say post, you know, we continuously hear different statement from the russian federation. so we have a rule, we believe not what we hear,

but we believe what we see if we see the blout, we will believe in the de escalation, 40 years ago, this huge arch was built on a hill in the city to celebrate russia and ukraine's friendship since then, some one has painted a large crack in the monument. no one here wants a new conflict, but history has taught them to be prepared. will ukrainian president is on his way to the south eastern whole city of mario pool, which is not far from the front line there where ukrainian forces of b a fighting russian back separatists of for nearly 8 years. now just before leaving a, he put out a message to mark this so called day of unity. he said nobody will love our home as much as we do. nobody can defend our home as we can. so zalinski very much trying to raise pat your take sentiment here on the state that he is gold

that are about their live for us and care. thank you. ah, a funeral is being held for a palestinian man who was shot by israeli forces in the occupied west back 20 year olds. the harbor guilty was killed during a confrontation between protest is and israeli soldiers. and the town of navi solid . earlier mourners gathered at a hospital in ramallah, where his body was held. did abraham joins me now. ah, from the man's family home and cooper. i am in the occupied west bank. need him. we are waiting for the funeral and the buddy of the had the letter goes, he to arrive here. he is going to be taken to his family's home where the families expected to bid him to find and farewell before he's laid to rest. he's

a man who has been injured before one time. it was almost fatal, but he survived. and then he was killed yesterday in confrontations with these regular army in the neighboring town of nearby solid is also just been recently renewed to leased from israeli presents. he's been on and off and his really jails for a total of 2 years said this is the man who like many other young palestinians, has seen the difficulty of living under occupation. and the family has been saying that they've been almost getting used to him being injured, being arrested, but now they lost him. and this is very heartbreaking. the convoy has left drama law and is expected to be here in the next few minutes. and this is the 5th palestinian to be killed just in a week wise radio forced his fire a t 7 past indians have been killed since the beginning of the year by

a these ready forces. and this, if it shows anything, it shows an optic in the number of palestinians who are being killed by a, the israeli army. and it shows how much frustration there is in the palestinian st because the palestinians say that these people are being killed in cold bloods. i need abraham fair. thank you. rebels from ethiopia to grind region are being accused of killing civilians and raping dozens of women num, how every janasia and amnesty international report says the rebel group committed atrocities and the towns of china and cobo, nearly half of the victims of sexual violence there say there were gang raped people and cover say, t p. i left rebels killed unarmed civilians in an apparent revenge, killing spree emergency cruise in brazil say at least 23 people have died in

land flies and flash floods near rio de janeiro. this was the moment a hillside collapsed in the city of metropolis. after a month rainfall fell in just a few hours. many vehicles and houses were swept away. nearly 200 firefighters rescue workers are searching for survivors. a former soldier whose deserted me in mars army has told al jazeera of the brutal tactics. he says, have been committed by a feared regiment since last year's crew. the army is faced allegations of abuse including torture and massacres. all of which it denies. tony chang spoke to the ex soldier who's in hiding near the time me and mar, border. rebel fighters approached a convoy of burning vehicles on christmas eve. it was the scene of a massacre. they say. more than 30 men, women and children executed their bodies burn up to you. they say it was mere mas army, specifically, the much feared 66 light infantry mia mars military leadership have denied,

emboldened, says, but those tactics, a well known to captain minto, whose name we've changed for security reasons. he served in the 66 light infantry until november, when he deserted. now he's in hiding. he says he and his soldiers were taught to believe that any one who stood up to them was the enemy. and with angrily, diana, the army seized the ethnic groups like terrorists. now they tell the soldiers that all the ethnic groups are terrace. that's why they fight against them. they want to control everything. despite decades of oppressive rule, members of mere mass army or tappman doors, they're often called inside the country were held in high regard. their role as guardians of a divided nation often superseded reports of atrocities against ethnic minorities, including the ringer. last year's military coup changed all that the stature and

the reputation of the tat, but i have taken a massive hit ah, the people of myanmar white, right, frankly, heath and our view them as terrorist at one stage it was thought that the trickle of defect is coming from over there in myanmar might turn into a flood that didn't happen, the army closed ranks. and since then it's been very hard to know what's going on in military minds. hi, on a misty hill side along the time you're my border. we got a rare insight into the concerns had been listed soldiers. as we filmed a border outpost, several soldiers in plain clothes approached us friendly. they chatted openly in english and ty, with a worried about the fierce fighting going on between mamma's army and its people is talking like of our dog. and i say she is we worried about that. but in this region, like in this site, we don't have any blog and about another adding the girls here. but are you worried

about the fighting inside myanmar as well? yeah, i leader b o captain me at tow. can be more open about his concerns. since february there's no happiness, he sings, my homeland is destroyed. now he's committed to fighting against the army a fight song. lyric says we will win. toni chang al jazeera on the time you my border. ah, this is al jazeera and these are the top stories. nato defense ministers, a gathering, and brussels describing a pivotal moment for ukraine and global stability. tensions similar with russia. secretary general yonce salt berg says so far he hasn't seen any russian. the escalation on the ground near the ukrainian border, he also rejected once again, moscow's demands to block the lines from expanding brush is not deciding who's

going to be a member of nato or not. and this is.