a search in political will for peace and the search in investment for peace and back on, on your leadership to make it happen. thank you. oh, okay. that was un secretary general antonio good terrors, giving the opening statement at the munich security conference and mich, growing tensions between russia and ukraine. he said, the geopolitical divides, have continued to grow across the world, and that the threat to global security is higher than what it was during the cold war. he went on to say that he is deeply concerned about a military conflict in europe. and while he still doesn't think that will happen, if it does, it would be catastrophic. he also mentioned the climate crisis and saying that it's out of control, and it will further de stabilize regions. there's plenty to unpack in that speech. so let's cross live now to our diplomatic editor james base who's been covering

that security conference in munich. hello there, james. i mean, this gathering is normally a relatively quiet affair, but that's certainly not the case this year. what did you take out of good chairs speech, given the overwhelming list of issues he mentioned you and soccer gentle last spoke on wednesday, and as he did here, he was invoking the un charter article 2 of the un charter, making it quite clear to russia that if it invades ukraine, it will be a breach of that document which is central to international law. he was reading the relevant part of the charter. and i think this speech as a say last said something similar on wednesday, but this was a graver, more serious speech. the un secretary general, again saying he believes that won't be a war. but i think making it quite clear that the consequences of this, in his words, could be catastrophic. i've heard from diplomats,

the worries about what could happen in terms of the numbers. if you listen to some of the, of the u. s. intelligence estimates the numbers that could die thousands, the numbers of refugees that could flow out of ukraine. i'm told that some of the humanitarian agencies are working on estimates of 3 to 5000000 refugees because remember, ukrainians have these of free travel to the european union. so when they get to the polish border, they should be able to get across. so this is a serious concern, i think for everyone here in munich. but the slightly strange thing is all we have is the claims of the u. s. and its allies that something's going to happen, and we still have russia saying, no, this is a hoax. we have no plans at this star stage to evade ukraine. i went in there that analyzed russia and ukraine and then later in the bulletin. but if we can just focus on could terry's ass opening speech. another element that he mentioned was

the comic crisis being out of control and fed the d, stabilizing regions. what else did you take away from that specific mention of, of the climate crisis? well, the climate crisis clearly is something this not getting mentioned in, in, in, in any of the international news bulletins of iraq because of ukraine. but i can tell you there's one of those big scientific reports coming up at the end of the month. and i'm told by high level sources that they're expecting it to be very bad news again, all the climate laws go many. so there was also told, took positive tocar after that conference last year, but not really enough positive progress in this new scientific report. i'm told or is, is like to be one of the worst gloomiest bits of reading. we've had all the climate for some considerable time. all right, thank you very much, james bayes, breaking that all down for us and of immunity in germany. appreciate your time as always on this news. our ok, let's move to russia now,

which has announced to president vladimir persian will oh, this same new drills on saturday involving strategic nuclear forces and the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles the kremlin denies it will further inflame tensions with the west. let's head to moscow where dosage a barry has been covering developments regarding this. how worrying are these report store so that persian will oversee exercises involving ballistic and cruise missiles? well, according to the russian defense ministry, as well as the kremlin, there is no reason to panic. this is a regular occurrence that this country carries out its military drills as well as a missile testing. usually these ballistic missiles are tested in russia and during the month of october this year they have moved up those drills and the defense ministry has said that there is no reason to blow this out of proportion. but we know that the russian president vladimir putin will be in

a situation center on saturday, where he will oversee these drills taking place that will also include number of submarines in the black sea as well as the north sea. and he will also not be alone . he will be joined by the president of bela bruce alexander lucas shinkel, who is in moscow at this is lucas and co 6th visit over the past 12 months to russia. and he's been meeting with vladimir putin over the past hour or so. and the 2 men spoke just before they went into their a closed door meeting. and it was very clear that the bell russian president was very happy to be here and oblige really to the invitation that was extended to him by vladimir putin. to take part in this drills that are going to be taking place tomorrow. he will be participating as vladimir putin said in the process that he will be overseeing. of course, the 2 countries have been holding joint drills since early february, and that those drills will come to are supposed to come to an end on february 20th

. and at the bell, russian president has said that he is having this meeting with vladimir putin to discuss whether or not some of those military hardware's that have been sent to his country from russia will say, pass sunday, vate and, and what it also, he needs, in terms of further security i reassurances from russia because speller read the bell, russian president has said that they want, he wants to strengthen his country's borders. of course. bye was shares a border with ukraine and poland. and, and that is where some of these drills are taking place between the 2 countries, military capabilities that are being really put to the test bed. some concern from western countries has been that there is a lot of military hardware and personnel from russia that has gone to bella luce. and there is some concern as to how much of it will actually stay for the time. being the 2 men seem very keen to carry out of their current or close relationship to continue. and that this an exercises that will take place on saturdays. just

another example of the close ties between the 2 countries. certainly plenty of moving parts to this story. we appreciate that updates and dosage of our lab for us in moscow that had to south east in ukraine now, where charl stratford is live for us from nova c lapka. charles, what's the significance of the area your in well, this area is close to the contact zone, which of course has seen some of the worst violence over the last 8 years of conflict. and we came to this specific area this morning because we'd heard reports of shelling arm in and around a village called her grew neat now, which is very close to hair. and we tried to get into the village about an hour ago . the military in that area, very nervous, quite aggressive with a saying that they were not allowing journalists in one of whom was very drunk indeed, as well, which is something that we have not seen in this area for

a number of years, perhaps, or an indication of just how tense things have become. meanwhile, the ukrainian side saying that term the shelling were went on over night in various areas along this contact zone. the donates people's republics. the leaders of the self declared republics across on the separatist side of control of the line say that so it was a similar kind of scenario. they're saying that up to 70 shells landed in and around donnette. they said for a time, and there was electricity that had been cut off. we had she spoken to people inside an ad in the last hour or so. they say the situation there is quieter. they did say yes indeed. that said, they'd heard a lot of shelling in the morning. and of course this comes at a time where they are a great fear, certainly amongst the ukrainian, the seemingly and their western backers of what they describe is false flag operations. these are incidence that they would say have been falsified by the

russian back savages, or indeed, the russians to give some sort of pretext to either the separatists russians to launch some sort of a military incursion into, into ukraine. of course, russia continues to deny that that is what it has planned, but tell that the situation is calm here, as i say, the military and the people that we've been speaking to and that they are increasing concerns. another voice in this crisis is the ukrainian defense minister his spike in parliament today he were following good elements. what did he have to say or yet again, another indication of opposing accordingly of opposing reports from my intelligence services, the west and ukrainians backers, most notably the americans saying that they believed that they could be what they describe as an invasion by russia at any minute am and today certainly in

parliament, the ukrainian defense ministry giving a very different assessment. and let's have a listen to what he had to say. lucille, who hickey modest unable to put in scenes or rows of low grain or intelligences. every move they could pose a potential threat to ukraine, every plane helicopter or tank division, we can see that we are in contact with their international partners and receive confirmations of such information. the ukrainian army has estimated all scenarios and is ready for them that we do not underestimate the threats, but we estimate the probability of a large scale escalation to be low when it comes to russian invasion of ukraine. nipple remains. hm. so yes, that the probability of a larger scale invasion, according to the ukranian defense minister is low. now whatever side of the, of the argument or whatever intelligence reports you listen to, that does not belie the fact that sir, this region has suffered 8 years of conflict. 14000 people killed in at least 3000

of which won't stand our civilians. 1.5000000 people forced to flee their home and economy on its knees. and as i say, when you speak to people there, they still struggle to come to terms with the notion of a full scale russian invasion. but they also don't wholly trust the words of vladimir putin. indeed thanking for breaking down for us charles traps at life ras in southeastern ukraine. i get him back to germany now where out diplomatic editor james base has been covering developments out of that security conference in munich . james, the ukraine crisis has taken center stage at the conference, which is normally a relatively quiet affair. yeah, absolutely. latest news, more participants arriving. we're hearing the british prime as far as johnson will be here during the conference. or remember, we're going to hear the, the u. s. secretary state and the blinking shortly speaking to the munich security

conference to discuss it further. i'm joined by heather conley, who is the present, the german marshall fund, an international think tank that focuses particularly on the relations between the us and europe. have a simple question from way you see things. now, do you think putin is going to go in to you? chris well, has given us all indications that he is prepared to do that. he is laying the groundwork for the pretext which has been the chalet along the line of contact in the don boss. he is waiting for the ukrainian government to act as to defend itself . and that a we believe he will use as the pretext for a further invasion. but we're getting all of that from us intelligence. maybe a bit of u. k. intelligence. and that's what the whole world is now, listening to all of these intelligence reports have been briefed to people like you to people like me to journalists to other diplomats from other countries. do you think all of nato is convinced? because remember what the germans and french were back quiz,

the w m d in iraq. do you think they trust us intelligence this time? i think they deal. we had a very strong statement coming out of the nato defense, sir ministerial meeting the other day. i think what you're seen is the most rapid declassification of highly classified intelligence and history. why? because this is deterrence by description, there will be no more surprises, no little green man. we're using satellite imagery and intelligence to basically show mister putin, we know what he's, he's doing it deter as him, we hope, but what we're hearing about if you do believe the intelligence is this isn't just going to be him taking a bit of ukraine. they're talking about him going all in, apparently a pensive movement to take care of this is massive undertaking. why do you think president putin would contemplate something like this? and in your view, is someone who's studied him, isn't this a big risk for him? if it goes wrong of is falling perhaps with his forces to take you cried. but

what's he going to do on day but day to the iranian the ukrainians on going to accept this how she can try and control you cry. this is a massive risk for vladimir putin as a massacre risk for russia. what we see right now is a russian capabilities. they are able to rapidly mobilize and, and terms of crane from 3 areas from the north, from the east and from the south. it is unclear whether he has the sustain men for a massive occupation and mrs. where are ukrainian, insurgency comes in and they are prepared to make sure the cost to the kremlin is extremely high. if we're going to stop pool. ready if he's really thinking of doing it, what missed has to come out of munich from the u. s. at its allies in the coming days where this conversation started at the u. n. the other day i was secretary blinkin . basically, the united states and its allies are throwing everything that they can diplomatically

to stop vladimir putin from invading ukraine. is that enough? we don't now, but what you're seeing today here in munich with the vice president, with a secretary of state with 40 members of congress here, were throwing everything at it to prevent a war as the coldly from the german marshal fun. thank you very much. clearly, unprecedented times at the munich security conference, i can just tell you was a journalist rarely do diplomats won't to come and share intelligence with you, but quite a number all trying to share the intelligence share their warnings about what they say is a very dar scenario right now and thank you for sharing that with us. james james bay's our diplomatic editor in munich. appreciate that. okay, plenty more head on this is our, including a make shift and medical care in hong kong. covered 19 patients of forced outdoors with hospitals near capacity leave or face arrested. that's the warning to trocklin protested in canada as new police powers come into effect. and in sports,

the silver arrow returns we get the 1st glimpse of the new mercedes formula. one car that's coming out with peter a little later ah, 6 african countries have been chosen to establish their own m r. renee vaccine production. the announcement was made at the e u. african union summit in brussels. the head of the world health organization says egypt, canyon nigeria, senegal, south africa, antonia, with the 1st on the continent to receive the technology. we expect the benefits of this initiative will extend far beyond quoted 9 to him. by creating a platform for vaccines against other devices, including malaria, tuberculosis, and even cancer. so this is a strategic investment, not just for koby,

but for all the major health problems that we face and rehab will be not just for south africa, it's for africa. and for the horn world, because the spokes will be distributed all over the world. they've barker is life for us in brussels. hello, there nave. a big announcement on vaccine procurements for africa. what does it mean in a practical sense? or 1st of all anger about vaccine, and of course he threatened to cast a long shadow over the entire summit, given that sort of our vasa, her describe the current situation as a vaccine apartheid given that 71 percent of europeans have had 2 jobs. but only 12 percent of africans have been a double vaccinated. but all rounds of this initiative has been welcomed a by a you and e leaders, the creation of the 6 or vaccine spokes or hobbs in different countries across the

continent. allowing a vaccine know how and manufacturing and technology to be shared. busy in those particular hub, so that sir, vaccines could be distributed at speed across the continent. but in the background there is still simmering tension and anger between the e u and the a, a u when it comes to intellectual property rights. and the creation of these vaccines, many a you leaders say will look your fur. europeans are serious about getting vaccines to people who need them about eradicating the likes of coven, 19 or indeed other potentially serious illnesses. then pharmaceutical companies really need to consider sharing their research to allow african scientists to create a vaccines in africa, from scratch, for africans. that remains something of a pipeline dream and need. another key issue at this summit has been the eas, circled global gateway initiative. what is this environmental investment package,

and what does it mean to africa? yeah, it's, it's rather cumbersome. name is never what it means, essentially, as a huge sum of money, the tune of a $150000000000.00 that will be invested in massive infrastructure projects or across africa is look, been compared to china's belt of road initiative. and is seen very much as a direct competition to that. a counter chinese influence that's been very visible in countries like kenya for many, many years now. but rather than large scale road building, we're talking about big communications, super highways being created with new intellect lines being run between europe along the atlantic coast into several countries in africa, new fiber optic lines being run in sub saharan africa as well. we're talking about green energy initiatives as well, trying to encourage african countries to, to go green, i guess early on to help the development of their respective economies without

having to resort to of carbon fossil fuels as a means of powering growth. and what they, a you, a keen to do is to re frame the relationship between the e, u and the a you going forward, rather than european wealthy nation seeing africa as a place where money is donated. they want to see africa as a place where money is heavily, heavily invested for the advancement of all both sides here in europe and on the continent of africa. ok, thanks to bring us up to date, new back. our life for us in brussels to people are trapped on a ferry which caught fire in grace. the rescue effort is underway to free them while hundreds of other people were brought to safety by the coast guard. $288.00 people in total were on board the vessel, which was on its way to italy. the cause of the fire is not yet 9 millions of people across the u. k. a been warned to stay home as storm eunice lashes the

country. reco gas of 195 kilometers per hour have ripped off parts of the roof of london's or 2 arena. that's the highest wind gust ever recorded in england. worry challenge is covering developments for us out of doctrine crossing near london. hello there war we've just seen a flash of lightning and heard that found out. what's it like where you are and what's the latest on the warnings? it is certainly been incredibly gusty, where i'm at the moment behind me. you can see the dog bridge now. normally that brings road traffic south across the river thames. it's part of the m $25.00, the london hall. but all most away. but since 5 o'clock this morning, it is being shot completely to traffic because of storage units because of the i see one of these guys come again now that's the kind of thing we've been saying all

day so far. read morning are in place around the country. certainly they have been really in place in wales in the south west. that's where the wind, the rain has been worse, but they're also in place across london. the south is now a red warning of a higher level of boring that's basically means that danger life so far, we have not seen any reports of lives, big loss, but that has been damaged. she mentioned that the 2 arena in london has been damaged. there were trees down across parts of the south, west of england were likely to see much more of that as well. this is the 2nd story rolled in from the atlantic in one week there was dudley before unit. and then you may remember back in november, there was another severe storm all wood that left thousands of people in the u. k.

without power for a considerable amount of time. now, the government obviously doesn't want that to be repeated. so it is been convening . i mean, cobra, that's basically the, the group of politicians and senior officials that get together for emergency to try and mitigate those emergency sites. not as we think today as well to try and make sure that we don't get a survey to and the kind that we have seen in previous storms. there is a cause travel destruction around the country. trains i don't running, you've got airports like he throwing gatwick that it can be life. but at the moment it seems thankfully no loss of life. that is good news and you make sure that you stay safe. we can see you behind in the when the full over here, rory, thank you very much for a challenge live for us in the london. okay, for more on that storm. he's with a specialist, jeff harrington there. so here's the latest on storm units. this is

a very powerful storm system being steered by the jet stream, so we see those powerful winds high up in the atmosphere. maxine down to the ground level. it's eventually gonna hop over the ne, i'm into the low countries in southern scandinavia. here's what it means for ireland and britain. specifically the south west of england, we'll look for when gets a 145 kilometers per hour into whales. and across the scottish hills, $20.00 to $30.00 centimeters with blizzard conditions, red warnings also out for coastal areas of the netherlands winds up to a 100 kilometers per hour. and those winds will also be howling in large swath of germany, up to a 120 kilometers per hour. so that's units we also had storm dudley rolled through and look at the damage it did in poland. we saw the winds here of about a 125 kilometers per hour trains toppled roof spilled off of homes more than $500.00 homes destroyed. now by saturday, as units moves further toward the east, it's going to wind up these winds again in the western area of poland where we just

saw the damage from that wind storm. now for turkey, wet weather is moving west to east them. we've got snow over the higher ground by saturday, dips to the south, and it eventually runs into the event that sure weather update soon. that as prime minister has apologized for systematic and widespread, extreme violence during india's war of independence. mark looters says his government takes responsibility for the war. crimes committed in the former colony . the tor engagingly explains news from indonesia, with these nomadic, picked us about tomatoes, taking action against republicans for decades. the dutch government said the army had done nothing wrong as it attempted to regain control of their former colony during indonesia is 4 year long war of independence that started in 1945. but his study by dutch researches has concluded the army did commit war crimes against civilians, and that political and military lead is largely ignored the attacks. the dutch

prime minister said the findings are harsh but unavoidable, and issued an apology for what he called a collective failure. did almost all it online for the systematic and widespread, extreme violence from the dutch side in those years. and the consistent looking away. but previous cabinets to them i make today on behalf of the dutch government, a deep apologies to the people of indonesia, forthcoming reports of violence and massacres, have been around for a long time. but it wasn't until 2017 that the government commissioned an investigation. it's estimated more than a $100000.00 indonesians were killed. did extreme high belt. can the fate of his highness for him? this extreme violence took many forms such as torture executions without trial beatings, right? theft detention, and the and human conditions, valid reprisals such as the shooting of civilians and messed potentially. but some in the netherlands think the country has nothing to apologize for. they say the

report is biased, a grilled book is normal in all law. violence is normal when you're in war, there was a war going on. whatever people want to call it, be it police action or a war of d colonization over. it's all true of all i can see it from both sides because i am 50 per cent javanese was her, and my family fought on both sides of this battle. draco, it was very violet on all sides. the netherlands finally recognized indian easy independence in 1949, but more than 70 years on the country is still coming to terms with its colonial past victoria gate and b al jazeera. oh, okay. it isn't breaking news now and as separate as later in dominance. in the eastern ukraine has announced the evacuation of civilians to russia. dennis push, ellen said on social media that women, children and elderly should be moved 1st. okay, charles stratford is alive for us,

from novice, see, and love come in at south eastern ukraine. so this is just happening as we go to air charles, break it all down for us. tell us, what is the significance of this announcement? please, absolutely. can you grade? she leaned a nailed shan. fortunately, we are not at all. you again, all tally at the moment. hang on, let us have to lose controls. we can hear what he's saying, charlie, sorry, can i start that? all again? we're just having some breaking news now, are they able to sleep? in dungeons in easton, ukraine has announced the evacuation of civilians to russia. now we miss the start of your answer this. i'm going to ask it again. what's the significance of this announcement? can you break it down for us in the context of the ukraine and russia crisis will. this is hugely significant. yes. an announcement from the leader of the self

declared in its people's republic. dennis michelin announcing an evacuation of people on the separatist control side, am to russia to in the area of ra stove in russia. then it was shill in saying that the 1st stage of this evacuation would be for women and children, and the elderly and dirt not to put too fine a point on, as he said that term. this was in the interests of saving lives. of course, this is significant because we've heard rumors of this being a fan she announce over in the last sort of 1212 hours or so. it was initially denied by the separatist leadership. now it seems to be happening and what it would imply would be potentially some sort of or some sort of major escalation, military escalation in this region. now of course michelin is talking about civilians on the separate is controlled side of the line of control. there are

potentially millions of people on this side of the new crane in government control side. that of course, if there was to be some sort of military escalation, some sort of move than these people are very much at risk. and we've heard time and time again that russia has no interest in invading ukraine. but we've also had a lot of fear from ukraine and it's western back as of what, what it describes as of what they describe as false flag operations. lisa would be falsified incidence manufactured to give some sort of pretext to the separatist, and possibly they're rushing back as to launch some sort of military escalation. so this announcement from dentist was actually in saying that this evacuation of civilians in that area and that's a, that's a very large area as well. the contact line is around 420 limits as long as snakes

up from se ukraine heading north. that is going to involve potentially a lot of people, so a very worrying sign of firm what can only imply some sort of military decision that may have been taken. but of course, we cannot confirm that all we can confirm is that the announcement for this evacuation as happened, alright, shall stay with us because russian president vladimir putin is speaking. we're going to try and close to that shortly. but in the meantime, i just want to talk to you a little bit about the context of all of this we've been speaking to you about it. throughout the day you've been saying where you are is relatively quiet. but as we've been reporting, ration back separatists and government forces in dumbass have accused each other of launching new attack. so what does this mean in terms of the escalation of this conflict? well, ukraine is described the shelling in the last couple of days as, as being an escalation and some people describing it as the worst escalation since

the end of hostilities in 2015 when a cease fire was signed and a cease fire that has failed dramatically to keep both sides from sporadically shelling each other. sporadic shelling happens along the contacts line or almost every day and has done for years. but of course it has huge implications for the safety of the people in this area. 14000 people killed already in the 8 years of this conflict, 3000 of which a civilians are you an estimate? sit around 3000000 people in this region in this year. charles, him and i had sent her out there because we are gonna try and go to the russian president. apologies, but we have translation now. so let's go to the russian president vladimir putin who's speaking in moscow alongside the bellow, russian presidential and the building of the union state. we discussed in detail the out the progress and the implementation of agreements that we signed in 2021

and how the 28th sectoral programs are being implemented. and we noted that these 28th programs is nothing but a continuation. all of them, our bilateral cooperation and integration that we agree there. we also noted that our ministry, them agencies working productively in every field of integration. the high level group for coordinating integration is working well. and we'll meet again not has already met in november, close contact, some maintained by the governments. the prime minister's met 8 times last year. they are regularly in contact with almost weekly come

to look a sudden can i personally monitoring the implementation of agreements to do with integration? we could identify a number of integration of fields where we have had real progress, towns, sports, and logistics. the transit of many of the categories of belarus and goods has 2 3rd contra through russia has increased notably and we are working towards integrating our carriers. we also are working to mitigate the illegitimate sanctions taken against countries aimed at making the economic situation more difficult in our countries. we're also working in fields like integrating the payment systems to create the single payment space. you're integrating the customs and employment law with your joy,

not the gases and the energy market. if i give all our joint efforts to implement the union state agenda economically is aimed at securing growth and increase that the living standards of our citizens are other large scale integration projects, also facing grade prospects, the eurasian economic union. and to create a single employment markets with all eurasia uni and countries are receiving great benefits from these integration processes at today's talk. so we also discussed strengthening r o join defense base of russia and bellows. we agreed again to take collective measures to secure, to thanks and security of our countries in the face of the growing military

activity of nato countries on the borders of our union state near the board. and we also focused on the, in this context focused on the exercises that called allied resolve, which will continue until the 20th of february and feathers. i should say that these exercises are totally defensive in nature and to note threats and then the one, the defense ministers of both countries, notified everybody about these plans maneuver as well in advance. and during these exercises, as i informed of mister lucas shall cause many mistress, ashes from the foreign countries were invited and visited and could see for their for themselves as president lucas sent, because request i shed the concent over my recent contact with the foreign leaders

devoted to the topic all provide seeing long term and legally binding security guarantees to russia. and i believe that understandably, this concerns our bella russian allies. we discussed the situation concerning the progress of fresh demands to the west. the main watch when is the non expansion of nato giving up strike weapons deployments to strike weapons near russian borders and returning to the pre 9 to 9 to 7 position. when the nato russia founding act was signed. unfortunately, other members of the members of the alliance are not prepared to accept our initiatives. at the same time, we formulated ideas on the transparency of a formulated ideas of minister transparency,

which we are not against. and we are prepared to follow the negotiating track at last. all issues all considered together and not giving up those but our, our priority. i, mr. lucas. and can i discussed the problem around the ukrainian, the into, in throw ukrainian conflicts. the implementation of the men's agreements is delayed again, despite our our joint efforts and contacts with the normandy forum. and our consultation with partners kia is not implementing in minsk agreements on this category. curly against that having direct dialogue with the leadership of don boss . and are the counsel and is subverting, are the commitments to provide on bus with special status and the amnesty which are key to the agreements. human rights are systematically violated in the

ukraine, at the discrimination of russians. population is the violin. it is as though proceeding at the legislative level, our efforts to deal with it to reduce tension of our current. it depends on the implementation of the minsk agreements or kia. has to do is sit down at the table with the representatives of don bass and agree political and humanitarian means to settle the conflict and the sooner the better. unfortunately, right now we our good observing. the contrary, an escalation of the situation and don barzyk in conclusion, i would like to express my thanks to mister lucas and car for our constructive work together. and i am certain that our talks to day will serve the strengthening of our bilateral relations and to morrow, as we agreed. we will attend the planned events concerning our joint military activity with the city of stretcher. dear friends with the horn,

our meeting today with mister puts in, is taking place in the context of an unprecedented escalation of military tension around the world as the that instead given the most acute nature of the situation. we spoke a lot about this issue and discussed our possible joint actions in response to the aggression of our of western partners. i want to say again new, but they want not even, not just war, but any escalation of any conflict. we don't need that. neither russians, nobela russians need it very much for those informed about these issues. well know that even though our neighbors, including ukraine, are not the key players here. the key player is, you know, who they are. civilian for the 1st time in decades,

we are on the brink of conflicts. unfortunately, that this would amaze the stock in the whole continent remote into the thin coal. we can see the irresponsible and even the lack of intelligence on the part of certain narrow minded ascent of certain politicians july and the unreasonable conduct of the leaders of our neighboring countries. there, there painful decision to walk. on the brink on the edge mister puts in, spoke about the deplorable situation and done, bath people are ready to flee, and as we know, they are already fleeing. that is not normal, only. i have the impression that certain factors of, i'm certain people vested with the huge responsibility for the politicians of the so called free world, a pathologically dangerous to those around them,

including their own people with cisco, just in the last few in, in the next few days. the joint drill allied resolve of russian bella, ruth, will finish to morrow. mister, put in and i will attend a joint exercise in the russian federation, which the media will be informed about and del as regards the exercise of complete, completing a president has already mentioned it in the faith of the growing military day and show on our borders and the pumping of ukraine with weapons, rosella rios and russia, forced to find adequate means of of fighting all for the aggress aggressor on our southern borders. far as miller is, is concerned, and there is no surprise that we are what this over 1000 kilometers of the southern

border. and we're looking for point where we would have to conduct our defense. if you me, the russian federation and i have a, a joint defense system and the joint army joins training centers and the military doctrine of the union states. all these documents and plans have never been hidden. mister pushing was very open about that and everybody knows. so they exercise is our joint decision that is based on the situation at hand. it's very transparent, it's on our land, and we did not hide this from any one. it is happening on the under the watchful eye over the entire army of military attaches and the press. of course we also discussed the integration of the union states. it has been 4 and

a half months since the decree of the on the union state was signed, which was which which enshrined the main agreements to build the union state 420-2223, including the 28th union programs. we are about 30 percent heads along the part of the program. so what has been down what the progress is, has already been commented on. a lot of the president has mentioned this to number at the moment we're paying for attention on the following areas. cost them the tax with joyce gas, small kids, even more on those, those pursuing functions. a software will suffer from them will be the 1st, the self managed by gangs the

attempt to impose an economic war against us know what you're going to cost. of course, we have already learned to dance against the sanctions and the trade turnover is between us is proof of that. but we have to spend a lot of resources on countering the functions and we talked a lot about it and i appreciate mr. presidents orders that you have given to the leadership of the russian federation in my present. i'm very grateful to you for that is it. but the fact that we've been the russians and russians will emerge from this hybrid war successfully. that is clear, corporation in the economy has strengthened and bilateral trade has seen many new product lines mirror. and the way our external trade

diversifying the world is large, yukon, low, called every door, and every transport thrown up and not the area we discussed was the economy. and it displeasing that we worked well last year despite the areas that makes them viruses. we grew our great turnover to almost 40000000000, and that's something we can count. there is no border here and billions of dollars and the both economies grew both in g d, p and, and industrial out food's and in many other areas of real sex or the economy. of course, we talked more about problems than successes, but just they are getting fewer, but they still remain not after we discuss 4 measures for the economist,

strengthening financial stability in increasing business and corporation. of course, i informed the president of ross, how bella roost is preparing for the important political events, the constitutional referendum. and we shall hold that in dignity in the interests of the russian people. and they will not be counted to our relationship without brotherly russia. the wes, using the hands of our enemies, is trying to rock the boats in bella roost. however, nobody is having any delusions about repeating the august of 2020. this is important. this is strengthening our confidence that together we will overcome any situation and any challenge and build our common future. and nobody should expect that we will somehow shiver in front of

in the face of problems. i will repeat, we don't want a war, susan. but if somebody can't wait to have once look, i'll responses, what will be asked them ethical refer visible. i think everybody in the world understands that. and by defending this with the security of our nations, our states was, shall act glosson appropriately or was mr. puts in said than i agree with him, we're trying to, you know, they're trying to cost the wedge between us not only just docile too, but also any other countries that are trying to do to unite because don is proof of that. and we appreciate that. thank you very much. good. okay, that was the bell. russian president, alexander lucas shanker,

as well as the russian president vladimir persian who had both been holding meetings today in moscow. lucas shanker has said he never discussed any attack on ukraine with persian, and it comes as lucas shanker has said, he would take part in overseeing military drills on saturday, along with the russian president to break this all down for us. let's bring in dawson jabari in at moscow. hello. they dasa prudent had said that these military drills are not a threat to any other country. what else did you take out of that? well, he made it very clear during this press conference following and nearly to our meeting with his bell russian counterpart, alexander lucas shinkel put in said that these are collective measures, these military drills that have been ongoing since february, early february between the 2 countries. he said that they are to strengthen the country securities in their capabilities,

their defensive case of capabilities. and he said, the drills that have been named allied resolve or are totally defensive in nature. and all the relevant parties in the area were informed well in advance. so there is no reason for this hysteria that's been created by these war games that have been ongoing and they will come to an end on february 20th. that is sunday. the a russian president also seemingly very happy to stress they strong relationship. he has with bella, bruce and the president. from there he said that they will, they share the same ideas that nato's expansion is very much a threat, not only to russia, but also bell roost. he said, that's also despite the fact that the security guarantees have not really been answered by the wes and us the flooding reprints, said that were still willing to continue the path of diplomacy. he also said that said there is a, a deplorable situation ongoing in dumbass,

in eastern ukraine where he has, in the past said there is accused the ukrainian government of carrying out genocide . that is something that he still mentioning every time he speaks with any world leader, he brings that up as well. i think it's important. we also heard some very strong words from alexander lucas jenko, who sat down with her pal. and you know, we're going to have to interrupt you now because i just holding on flight press conference at the moment with some questions and answers. so of course, back to you as soon as we can, that was also jabari moscow. this is vladimir persian and his counterpart from bell russia answering and some some questions about ballard. there it is 0 chance to break the fellow russian people, people and they will become even more negative. they will not succeeds when they say that there's a dictator share, that we are prosecuting bell russians like that that's a fairy tale. nobody is press accusing anyone where

a simply responding to attempt at a bellows. a qu, in at organizing a cohen by the rules, are you still under the fertility? could you pull juice? just as they said, just that they did it in ukraine. they wanted to replay that in belarus, but they what did not succeed. and that's why i mentioned kazakhstan, whatever is more of a course rosalyn or s t v. i mean, i my question to both of you. you mentioned the sanctions war that was started against you and against us. and we see that the pressure is growing steadily, and the latest argument in that was the, the ban on fertilizers in russia being threatened with prevent the unprecedented sanctions. mister location. can you said there has been a series of instructions from the presidents. what do you see as anti sanction measures and printing?

we mentors mentioned that as part of integration and asked parts of cooperation. what is the cooperation between russian, bella, ruth, in against sanctions and who can help us here? because we must help ourselves. it appeared, and that was our meeting was about most this was in the focus of our attention and mr. lucas in conventions. these are you can know, make issues issues so they can all make corporation and miss the lucas and said, very colorful, li, called low cop every room. the world is ready to log and i join his assessments. we discussed the whole range of issues including the one you mentioned. i'm not going to detail on this, but there are solution as far as where we should be moving as a whole. i want to stress that this functions fresh festival. if it's

on the folder, it says the gross violation of international law and those talking about they only care about international law when, when it suits them, when it doesn't suit them that happy to forget any norms of international public law. we understand this very clearly. we have been living of this paradigm for many years because those in power, as they think they are the masters of life, but they always interprets everything to their benefit and they ignore the interest of others. but the pass overcoming the situation is to rank then our role and potential. and 1st of all, in the can don't mix sector functions will be introduced one way or another. whether they have a pretext today to do with events in ukraine or no pretext that they will find one

some because their aim is different. the aim is to slow down the development of fresh oh, in this case and of fellers, this game will always be served by introducing the some kind of restrictions. and this is nothing but on global unlawful competition is very unfair competition. russia has done a lot in this area and lately, and this is import substitution. we have not been able to do everything we planned, but 90 percent. we have been, we have completed the tasks that was set for ourselves. we have a lots to do yet. and this is about increasing our economic sovereignty. many countries in the world are in it. even the allies of the us are experiencing restrictions, but they keep silent. they put up with it. but as i said many years ago anymore,

nobody likes it. nobody like secondary sanctions, nobody likes, directs pressure of sanctions sooner or later this boy will burst. today, it is important for us to increase our economic sovereignty and to become more effective become more modern in developing a state of the art sectors of the economy. this is digitization artificial intelligence genetics. this is a complex piece of work. we won't solve it today, but we should move in that direction. and the integration processes that we're dealing with are devoted to this, which is the task of increasing our competitive edge. and we will raise living standards as part of that and that's,

that's not the summary of it. but i could tell you at the press conference, the nature essence of our talk. most of it was devoted to sanctions, and they called me as the president said, the essence is that whatever we do, how hard we try to do something. even though we focus mainly on our own interests, they will always find the pretext to escalate this economic war. this is not functions, this is an economic war, on least on our union from and that's, that's the essence as full details of what we did. talk about the details, especially as little as you, you among you mentioned,

potassium fertilizes. mr. puts in the correctly with we said we need a port in violation of international agreement. we have been locked from the route where we used to work. and you can do that if a country has no access to the c, nobody can lock the transport route to see what russia does have access to see. and it isn't blocking any but the lot fear list way and then do crane have access. but they blocked our access and the west and i'm just calling what's happened to the president of russia at my request, i asked no so that we have no direct. christina, red tape, it's not a question of money. we have the money. well, we would like to have to build a terminal near st. petersburg and process millions of town to go there. and

while i was there or does were issued to begin this construction immediately and we will in a year or a year and a half, the ambassador is here. he knows where we'll transport this cargo there. well, the swain. yeah. we formed the whole nathaniel budget. it's so to percentile transit, we're not going if we'll leave lithuania and ukraine, we won't go back. it was more as they said, whatever, as mister president and said, whatever about sanctions, it's the question of opportunity and this is it, this is about import substitution. and we will 90 percent is had been achieved 10 percent. we will cover it. we will emerge from this situation, even on the most sensitive areas of ox, bella russians,

the most modern state of the art technology, we can do anything work. we have shown this who was the 1st to produce a vaccine, russia, did. russia supplied the to belarus and number of years, almost 2 and a half 1000000 bucks in those that have been already produced and belarus and we're creating our own. we're designing our own technology and we will solve other issues as well. thank you very much. can we go please? mid 3. thank ok. that was letting me person and lucas sent lucas lucas jenko rather in speaking in moscow. let's get some analysis now on this and bring in richard wits who's a defense analyst and joins us live from washington. thanks for being on the program. richard, there are lots of moving parts to this story and i want to sort of break it down 1st. i want to start with this most recent prescott.