and the united states and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way the world will hold russia accountable. let's go live now to heidi ho castro, who is in washington for so id bring this up to speed. now, on what the reaction, the latest reaction has been there in washington to washington, to this any, any further reaction we had to sure. a strong word is as you just sad from the president of the united states, to russia's aggression. but just how will the world hold russia accountable as biden has, val will, that's, remains to be seen. the will get more information at noon time here in washington. that is when president biden is expected to make another address to americans in which he will announce the severest sanctions against russia. what will they entail? we still have few details. of course,

we know the 1st tranche of sanctions targeted russian banks, the sovereign debt, and also the company building the nor stream to pipeline. so there's still a lot of room for further pain that the u. s. wishes to inflict on the russian economy and a white house official has said that there is no russian financial institution that is safe from these potential sanctions. there could also be export controls on u. s. technology band on exporting things like computers, micro chips, aviation parts that are seen as critical to those sectors of the russian economy. the pentagon also taking steps in repositioning those u. s. troops as it had previously announced, we know some 40 a service men and women have now landed in the country of lafayette, there among the 800, some infantry personnel who are being reposition to nato's eastern flanks. and that repositioning described by the u. as, as purely defensive,

but also indicative of this next phase. now that russia has invaded ukraine. the shift of these net thank sanctions is not deterrence on russia does in ukraine, that apparently has failed, but now also shifting to deterring russia from further aggression toward nato members. and the u. s. defense and a state secretary's already spoke with nato's secretary general after this invasion began. bow of the u. s. has an ironclad commitment to article 5 of nato, which is of course, should have said any ne joe territory word to come under attack. all right, for the moment. hi, jo. castro live 1st there in washington. we're going to show you some live pictures now from key as i understand or now we're going to go live now to this is the european commission president speaking right now,

and then we've got our european union and it's people stand by ukraine and it's people we are facing an unprecedented act of aggression by the russian leadership against the sovereign independent country russians. target is not only done bus. the target is not only ukraine, the target is the stability in europe and the whole of the international peace order. and we will hold president putin accountable for that. later today, we will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to european leaders for approval. with this package, we will target strategic sectors of the russian economy. by blocking the access to technologies and markets,

the key for russia we will weaken russia's economic base and its capacity to modernize. and in addition, we will freeze russian assets in the european union and stop the axis of russian banks to european financial and financial markets. like with the 1st package of sanctions, we are closely aligned with our partners and allies, the united states, the united kingdom, canada. but also for example, japan and australia. these sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the kremlin interest and their ability to finance war. and we know that millions of russians do not want war. president putin is trying to turn the clock back to the times of the russian empire. but in doing so,

he is putting at risk the future of the russian people. i call on russia to immediately stop the violence and to withdraw its troops from ukraine's territory. we will not let the president put in tear down the security architecture that has given year a peace and stability over many decades. we will not allow president putin to reprice place the rule of law by the rule of force and ruthlessness. he should not underestimate the result and strength of our democracies. and history has proven that societies and alliances build on trust and freedom are resilient and successful. and that's exactly what the autocrat field the european union stands with ukraine and its people. we will continue to support them . ukraine will prevail. thank you.

these are among the dart, cuz our 40 would have soon as the end of world war 2 and major nuclear power as attack and neighbor country. and he's threatening reprisals of any of the state that may come through to rescue this is not only the great this violation of international law. it's a violation of the basic principles of human consistence. it's costing many lives with unknown consequences ahead of us. due to be in union will respond in the strongest possible terms. bradley then, or did obee and gone till bridges. and michelle has called for a meeting, are due to be and cancel this evening. and they will agree and provide book

together guidance to adopt the stronger package, the harsh it baggage of sanctions we have ever implemented as had presented their for the for anger 1st and security policy. would it be a union? i will be in touch with our partners around the world to ensure the international community will be fully grasping their gravity or their moment and to call a strongly and united on russia to seize immediately these behavior intolerable behavior. and russia leadership will face unprecedented age elation. this is not that question of blocks. this is not the question of a diplomatic power games. it's a matter of life and death is about the future of our global community.

and we really stand united with our transatlantic partners and with all it will be a nation's in defending disposition. we stat united in saying that no violence and destruction as means to obtain political gains. we that of being union romaine this stronger group of nations into well, and this should not be underestimated more immediately. there will be the zine in origin assistance to grain in these dia, she duration. we will also be active in supporting equations operations, including of our own stuff in jones, affected by these russian attack. did it be a union, together with the atlantic, a like minded varnish, have made unprecedented efforts to achieve

a diplomatic solution to the security graces caused by russia. but russia has not a super, a gated this effort. and instead, has often only latterly for a grave. and primitive dated escalation, conducting the war rather than put in niche to stop this senseless aggression. and to they were thought are with the people of a grain. we will is then with them for alright, you just been hearing there from the e foreign policy cheap, just a bar off saying this is among the darkest alice for europe since the end of world war 2. and announcing a new package of sanctions against russia condemning russia force actions we heard earlier as well from the european commission president ursula,

one delaying similar sentiments from her as well. let's go back to washington dc. hydro castro is their force. so heidi, one of the things that russian president vladimir putin has been accused of trying to do in the past is to seemingly divide the western partners, your european and american partners in their dealings with russia. but that certainly doesn't appear to have happened this, this time around. we seeing a very united front now as a result of this escalation and you claim very united front now from the united united states and it's european pollen as, as they respond to russia. that's right. and i wouldn't be surprised when president biden, as expected, announces the new us sanctions against russia, which he has promised to be severe that they would follow these newly announced you sanctions pretty closely. we've seen the white house taking that strategy thus far,

especially with germany holding the certification of the north stream to pipeline. and the very next day we saw the white house imposing sanctions on that project as well. and always that word unity, which you just said about has been repeated over and over again from both sides of the atlantic. and immediately after russia began this assault on ukraine, we know that the u. s. defense and state secretaries were on the phone with nato's secretary general, talking about a united response to this, talking about the importance of shoring up this alliance, and how to defend nature with eastern blanks. again there the u. s. officials, reiterated the country the iron, iron clad commit, and as they say to defending all nato territory, and president biden himself has said that the us would come to the defense of every inch of nato territory. of course, the important reminder here is ukraine is not

a nato member, and the u. s. has long ago ruled out any sort of deployment of us troops into ukraine or different direct confrontation with russian troops. so right now sanctions still the weapon of choice. so to speak from the u. s. as we're hearing from you as well, with more details on this more strong round of us sanctions to be expected in the hours to come in date. and it is spent about 2 30 in the morning there in washington, dc. and we appreciate you talking to us in the, in the small hours the day there in washington. so obviously, millions of americans still to wake up to, to much of what happened in ukraine. but up to now, because this, this news broke by late at night in the us, the reaction from president biden, from, from his,

from people on both sides of the all there in washington. as well as been launch leave. there's been some unity there, which is not what you normally get in washington these days. right. there has been pretty strong bipartisan support for biden's condemnation and his sanctions thus far against russia. although the republicans have said that these sanctions should have been levied sooner as more of a deterrent against russia. however, i, i, it's doubtful that anyone, realistically thought they could deter russia from taking the steps. it's taken once food and made up his mind. there is though some fraction within the republican party itself, which is interesting, the vast majority of congressional republicans, again backing biden. and how he's handling this, if not champion, or even

a more severe response, but that fringe right led by none other than the former president donald trump. they have come under some criticism, especially on the eve of this russia, russian invasion of ukraine. president trump had called the deployment of, of troops by putting a smart move. and even after the assault began, he was again on, on us media saying that this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for a quote unquote rigged election that implying that if he were still president, that would have challenged him in this way. so you were, you, we started talking has about the unity among us an allies in their response to russia, but that same type of unity may be lacking within the u. s. politics itself. all right, thanks for the heidi. for the moment heidi show cast life was there in washington d. c. and we will check in with her again at some point. i'm sure, let's hear some of the televised address now that russian president vladimir putin

made as he announced the military action and told ukrainian forces to retreat. please away with me in the way we get. we you to lay down immediately and go home. i will explain all service men of the ukrainian army who comply with this requirement can freely leave the area of military actions and return to the families. but when you, when you, when we try to stop us and food, the create threats to our country, to our people, should know that russia response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences that you have never faced in your history. we are ready, but any outcome you are the claim president volunteer. ms. lensky has posted a video online saying he is now declared martial law from a journal grains when you are active dear ukrainians. this morning president putin announced a special military operation in dumbass. russia carried out strikes and military

infrastructure on a board of god's explosions were heard in many cities of ukraine. we introduced martial law throughout the state. i had a conversation with us president joe biden, the us starting together international support and today we need you each of you to become if possible, stay at home please. we are working, the army is working. the try security and defense sector of ukraine is working on australian prime minister scott morrison is calling on the russian government to immediately withdraw from ukraine. the russian government launched i brutal invasion unprovoked on your crime, and should be condemned for doing so. and a strategy does together with the international conflict community. we are banding together in strong terms to condemn the righteous x in the strongest possible terms . the footage that is a merging of missile strikes air ride sovereigns and reports of

hundreds of casualties, yet unconfirmed. a sadly, not surprising given the events we have been witnessing for some time now and have been warning about. but even as these events continue to take place, we do call on the russian government to withdraw. australian prime minister scott morrison giving his reaction to events there. i just want to update you on some latest information we're getting on the wires. now we hear that an advisor is according to an advisor to the cranium. presidents office saying that there is, in his words, massive russian or killers, the bomb bombardment of infrastructure facilities. right now this, from the ukranian president's office. there is massive russian artillery bombardment of infrastructure there. i will bring you more on those developments as

and when we get them right now, we're going to go to key as joining us from there is alia cruz, an analyst of international relations at the ukrainian institute for the future. thanks so much for being with us. so i want to ask you, 1st of all, just from the, from the standpoint of a witness there, what, what's just tell us a little bit about what your you've been seeing and hearing in the moment. enjoy information coming thick and fast. right now it's very fluid situation there. hello, thank you for having me. well, the situation where we're at located now more or less stable, so everyone is calm. there is no, no no you don't political problems by now the printer or metro. ready trans, they weren't as usual. the only thing that changed actually today is that after you

bring in the law, both the marshal, i'm the only thing to change that to day school. universities and kindergarten will not work and hospitals work, you know, in high alert state. actually all that has changed in life and today it is more or less stable. they weren't. there were several disclosure in the morning. we were told that they were similar rockets attacks on the military objects, military infrastructure, including mirror, but either national airport and several objects like where and how to read and military base our price to you, but not, not far away. so near here. religious towns. beside that

in your brain capital and would be pretty much fine. the only thing that i, i know, i know many people they are trying to, they're trying to get money from, from the machine for a machine, cues there. and the people. ready we went to shop, you know, just to buy a product. so they're also there. but then decided that everything and there were some pictures earlier of the stay train stations in, in kiev in which we saw quite a lot of people converse on there. and it sits in with a lot of the reports that we've been getting a lot of people trying to leave the city right now is, is that the sense that you're getting as well? yes, there are cracking jen on the main road which. ready lead outside to you?

well, i can, you know, the number of people which are trying to leave, you know, i've, again, you know, what we usually have because usually we have gen warning as the lights. you know, i think the majority of carver we have are here in the capital, but of course there are some people who are trying to leave. ready because for example, are people working if they leave actually outside the city? so. ready of course, some of them they are trying to get home, especially now after much low would be there. so no one needs to go to work and actually the government, people to stay home not to go anywhere. so i'd be to, yes, it is partially true, but it's not, it's not like, you know, like any way, like people are trying to, to our massive scale problems relating to this. now actually everything is pretty much common. know when he, when he's denying people access, you know, they can,

they can to keep out of key. so everything is going on. it pretty well is. ready that the only thing i can so what do you see as, as the russian presidents objective here as, as this is clearly expanded now, and to not just the conflict in eastern ukraine? well, actually, the things that happen today. well, at least me and my colleagues, we actually modal the situation. actually everyone was discussed in the escalation . so i think your brain sort or what sort of ready for that? well, at least and, you know, we, we actually thought that might happen because what happened was a military escalation, whichever works for after level brush,

recognize the so called toni people's republican, the eastern, new grain. actually everyone understood this is the logic will be what escalation be on the question, what, what would be escalation? now we know what is the, what, what they will do. so now right now, as i understand, the military, black rushing forces is to lunch. when they did the lunch, a limited number, barry operation confined to each region to expand the territory of the cold. ready republics to the east to their administrative order. so including actually for example, the cdo marion boat, which is of the sea coast and parallel to that. they are striking high targets all where you have to neutralize ukrainian army military

capabilities and also the rock pro location on near borders in border regions. bedrooms a crime occupied crimea and but i think this is. ready they do the just to be track part of the great resources. ready you know, to are the region so they consolidate, made the consolidates stack in the east. so the main military hop ration are now going east brain, the region. and i think because i me to these region or the time appreciate your perspective. a chris analyst that the international relations of the acquainting institute for the future. joining a staff from key f and we hope we stay safe. thanks so much. now, there's some video published by the ukraine border guard service, which is showing you right now. this shows russian vehicles we understand moving

across the board up from the crimea and peninsula on february, the 24th after russia announced military operations in the country. these are the latest pictures that we're getting from the let's go back to kiev right now. andrew simmons is live from the quite in that capital. so andrew, bring us up today and what you've been seeing and hearing it well, so much to go through the highlights are, are just up to 5 am, vis. hotels was virtually shaking with the sound of, of explosions. they weren't in the city center. they were in the distance, the sky was going orange and red or with with and then 15 seconds later you'd hear the explosion. so some distance initially it got closer then, and then we heard all across the country reports of explosions. it later developed

in this way. and we heard that missiles were being used, cruise missiles, the interior ministry, fed aircraft. we weren't sure whether a war plans were used at that stage. then artillery being used, then. furthermore, though they were putting up as $400.00 air defense from, from the northern border, there was a report also from huck heath that there was a, there were a tax taking place there. and the airport, the main international airports are came under attack. therefore, we, the people were initially just panicking and running for cover in some places. and, and the, the, the word went out from the president that russia was invading. and he said, please stay calm. he posted an address on facebook, a head of the attack. he had actually appealed to russia and not to go down this path, this illegal action, this,

this aggression. and what we're finding now is that there is a strange atmosphere of very, very eerie atmosphere in the center of the city. because we're not sure whether or not, or armored columns are heading in this direction. you saw those that those pictures of the army moving in crimea up to some considerable time ago. they're actively in the south a dealing with a that moving forward there. but more disturbingly, you could argue for the capital, and we're hearing. we've heard of an armored column coming from bella, luce tanks and apc's. i'm a personnel carriers missile launchers are very long column going through sen, keep car, which is a border points. and which, where the beller is border li, ukraine border and the russian border all all converge. and we were there yesterday, wednesday we were looking at the defenses. we were being shown round of facility

with the ukrainian border guard. it was in fairly weak. it has to be said, although they were talking tough and saying that they could call in their special forces at a moment's notice. but that point within 12 hours was attacked. it would seem and, and they are now rolling in a southerly direction. that is something like 3 hours drive from the capitol, but they could actually move and, and, and, and, and circle the city. it take up positions in military. that would seem logical a but say there is a lot of a lot of unconfirmed reports from various places of all the shooting of, of shelling at of bombing. and we heard a very short time ago, am warplanes above the south fair lot. flying fairly low. it's, it's low cloud, they were flying low, no explosions,

but they're clearly actively in the sky around the skies of the capital that the russians are claiming that they've taken out the air defenses of ukraine. and i'm not sure whether that's national or whether it's in certain locations. there are also reports of fierce artillery, bombardments. it sounds, but it's not confirmed yet. it sounds, the implication is that's taking place in the dorm bass region. we've also heard about fierce fighting for very towns and villages in the hunt. scary, a town called shesta, where the russian forces were repelled. apparently they need a took the town, but they were pushed back so the ukrainians are fighting back. but the overwhelming force with what's happening right now. indeed, andrew, and just going back to what you were saying earlier about the, the reports that i was on the columns moving in, as you say, con, confirm to this point on which direction i understand. we've lost and you this

point. apologies for that. do we still? we do still. andrea is gone. all right, let's go, let's go to hold on until how made a big upon was go to dosa jabari, who is life for us in moscow. so d'orsay, quite a lot has happens over the last few hours and we heard from the russian president earlier this morning and we understand that should be more reaction from the government there in the coming out. well, we just heard from the russian defense ministry who said that there is no danger for ukraine's civilian population and that they're targeting military installations within ukraine. this, of course, comes as we've heard from the russian president, to send in a military operation to take place in dunbar. as we've been reporting,

the military operation is now on many fronts. and the main goal here for the russian.