mr. nigeria, as women walk on water, witness on al jazeera, we understand the differences and similarities of culture across the world. so no matter how you take it will bring you the news and current affairs that matter to you. oh i at 1500 hours g m t 5 pm in ukraine where things appear at this hour to become and the capital kia ah, here was in the news, our life from headquarters in the how come to our continuing coverage of the russian attack on ukraine i'm getting obligated we'll just moments ago, president vladimir putin spoke calling the ukranian government criminals can see the neo nazis are facing heavy weaponry in the central areas of big cities like ki

ivan, kara was planning to attract return fire from russian unit. they're acting as terrorists using human shields to blame russians for the victims carried, it was happening from the advice of foreign governance, particularly the americans. i appealed to the soldiers of the ukrainian armed forces. do not let the nationalists use your wives and parents as human shields. let's start this news. our off of bernard smith, he's joining us from moscow to tell us more about what president putin had to say. just a few moments ago, bernard well, during, in that her recorded pre recorded speech, he also said it would be easier for us or talking to the ukrainian military. he said it would be easier for us if you agree to take power. he's asking ukrainian, their military overthrow the government of vladimir zalinski in kiev, so that he doesn't have to do it. that seems that is certainly the request from vladimir putin. so on one hand,

you have this belligerent talk from vladimir putin put in describing the government as a terrorist, neo nazis and drug addicts. and encouraging them to encourage new crating army to overthrow the government. and then you have earlier on the kremlin saying vladimir putin saying that he would be happy to send a high level daisha high level delegation to minsk for negotiations with the ukrainians. but the problem is that the condition set down by the russians are essentially that ukraine has to surrender. survey lava said we're not going to talk until you lay down your arms ukraine as give no indication that it is prepared to surrender. surg love. also, earlier on, he'd said that they, they, the russians want the ukrainian people to be independent and have the possibility to freely define their destiny. he says though that he sees no possibility of recognizing the current ukrainian government as legitimate. remember that the

current re crane and govern, the president vladimir zalinski was elected with 73 percent of the vote in 2019, in a democratic election. a problem vladimir putin has, is with zalinski. so a bernard, i mean, how do the russians believe are the russian arthur and that is how do they believe that this is all going and how is progressing for them? certainly from western intelligence source is moscow has air superiority over ukraine militarily than met the military campaign. the russians are not going to tell you anything other than of course it is going well. they say they're advancing on positions in the east of ukraine. they control a strategic airfield outside key f. they insist they're not targeting residential areas. and from our colleagues in ukraine, we know that the russians or the russia military is around the capital key as. so

militarily, this seems to be going according to plan, according to what the kremlin is telling us. although as i say, you wouldn't expect them to tell us if it was going badly. and now vladimir putin is giving the option to the ukrainians to effectively try and ended earlier if they were to overthrow the government instead, rather than he having to do it. meanwhile, or just to mention the threats of sanctions, sanctions are going to be painful. the kremlin admits that the sanctions being imposed are going to be, pray be painful, but they also say that they're able to withstand them and they have a significant cash cushion. some $631000000000.00 to get them through the imposition of sanctions. won't last forever, but it will certainly help the russian economy in the immediate future during. all right, thank you so much, bernard smith, giving i said, the update from moscow. well, despite moscow pressing forward with the invasion ukraine's president,

as you just heard, bernard saying is appealing for talks with president vladimir putin at you is yours . i'm ready to present that. i want to appeal to the president of russia. he, all of ukraine is involved in fighting. let's sit down and talk to stop people from dying with us. and now i want to appeal to the armed forces of ukraine. a stay strong, your everything that we've gotten and everything that protects and offends our country life said that cross to the ground and bring and had under hani. and she's joining us from, from a tourist that's an eastern ukraine and had a year or just about 80 kilometer is from the front line. what are you hearing and seeing where you are? what i think to the surprise of everybody, the frontline is more or less column with ongoing shelling but not continuous, quite sporadic and certainly not a big on float, which is surprising. many people here in the eastern part of the country,

because if you recall for the past few weeks, we've been hearing all the time about the 100000 plus, a troops said they were that were masked. on the other side of the border in east, in ukraine, ready to come in that has in materialized and that is actually also closing a lot of anxiety to people. they know it's going to happen at some point. they just don't know if it's just going to be a push of the separate issue on the other light side of that front line or, or it's gonna be this separate is with the russian army thinking is that the ukranian army, that this position along that very long contact line about 420 kilometers is quite strong. these are the bravest units. the com, but ready units of the army. they thought to be very well equipped. we've, we saw today on the road some surface to air missiles heading in that direction. i

can't tell you where, but they were certainly heading east from here. so it thought that really the separate is, could not do that push alone. they would need some sort of military help from the russians. people here, just wondering when will that happen? they know that the end game would be to take over these 2 regions. that's what the separate this one that's in their constitution. and that's what probably russia would want to have some sort of a buffer zone that is completely under their control. where really everything that my name is ordered by moscow and who the us for the people there. i mean how, how determined are they to stay? do you think or, or is this unraveling situation making them want to pass up and move

well at the moment as we understand it, oh, i'm talking about all over these 2 regions. there isn't a mass exit, is people here may be a little bit more acquainted with the reality of war because it's been going on not so far for, for the past 8 years because actually here, districts of commodore slab yards and other cities around both the nets and the guys have already seen war in that, in the streets, at some, many of the cities have been fought between the separate is and a ukrainian army and change hands between the 2. now what may be is changing, i think, is opinions of the people, even if those who are pro russia, those who want to have good relations between ukraine and russia. those who speak russians all the time, russian all the time and who are ethnically, russia even have relatives across the border. they, some of them are changing their opinion. they say not in this way. they are

monitoring very closely what's happening in kevin live, even had him and they said not, not the way we want it. and actually one man this morning was telling me like this point, i would, i would support more ukraine than russia in what's going on. there is no long lost love here for the separate is this a different story? people have been under the rule and they don't have very good memories of those days. but certainly that at the ation, live russia with all what's unfolding in the rest of the country, could be a bit chipping away. and that could be a gamble that russia hasn't taken into consideration. i think the idea that there is no war at the moment in this part of the country is because the message has always been coming out from the kremlin, is that this is all about protecting the ethnic russians in this part of the country that they were going through a genocide,

even though that never really happen. and at the moment they say, well protecting dust while killing the others is not exactly what we want as a very difficult gamble for moscow. and it would be interesting to see if indeed, you know, or when actually things will unravel here, how these people are going to express themselves. okay, got it. thank you so much. i thought that hamid reporting from eastern ukraine. well, let's take a quick look at some of the days. developments of video has emerged of a tank in northern kiev, swerving into and running over a car. and people passing by later ran to rescue the passenger inside. once the tank had left the scene, there is that video right there. weapons had been distributed to residents ready to take up arms. ukraine has barred men aged 18 to 60 from leaving as an order is general mobilization. rockets have hit residential buildings for a 2nd day. families have been hiding and makes have basement shelters,

subway stations, and parking lots. there's also fierce fighting and several other cities rushes military claims. it sees the airport 10 kilometers outside of kiev. meanwhile, the u. n's refugee agency says the violence has displaced a 100000 ukranian so far with more family streaming to the polish border. natasha of a name has more. oh, a 2nd don to vladimir putin's more on ukraine, a haze russians. i little. they're scared, bob, my family and above my concrete. i don't want to go away from my land or my contrary will stay here. i will fight here for my freedom, for my and abandoned for my nation devastation in the heart of the capital. kiev ukrainian air defenses shot down a russian jet over night. air raid sirens continue to pierce the sky. russian tanks are reported to be on their way to the seat of power,

even if our enemy ah will come here. i will stay. the kremlin has launched a multi pronged attack by air, land, and sea. the military is hitting major cities across the country, including kirk his maro, pull at me, bro. if you look at the numbers, if you look at the equipment and the will, i think it's pretty, pretty obvious that the russian forces will prevail at some point. what he wants to do is to, to impose the terms he wants probably to have a regime that he could. but i think to, to he's a twisted vision of this great russia. ukraine has banned all men between the ages of 18 and 6 from leaving the country. they're being told to stay and fight. many are desperate to leave. after weeks of threats, people here simply didn't believe it could happen the whole country. beautiful people were absolutely absolutely modern and

sinking society and for us. and for me especially this is this, this is innovation. absolutely. unbelievable. now on day 2 of the onslaught, there are fears that the arrival of russian soldiers in the heart of the capital is imminent. natasha good name al jazeera. well, let's discuss all the latest developments with anatole leave and who's a senior research fellow with the quincy institute for responsible statecraft that the non partisan institute dedicated to promoting restraints in u. s. foreign and security policy. and he's also the author off the book, ukraine and russia, a fraternal rivalry. joining us from why montana in the u. k. welcome to al jazeera . if we can 1st start off with the latest development, and that is we heard from president putin just a short while ago in a recorded message. and, and some of what he had to say is this. he was addressing ukrainian servicemen

saying it will be easier for us to agree if you take power in your own hands. how do you read that statement? well, i think it's now pretty clear that russia intends to replace the ukranian government . i suppose it's possible that if the lensky made an offer of peace, treaty and neutrality, moscow might still accept it. but he had to do it very quickly because otherwise, moscow will experience take care and pushing the government of its own. what are you basing all of this on? what is the fact that the russian army has gone straight for t f. and the statement of moscow attacking lensky personally, and denouncing the ukrainian government? that doesn't make it sound very much as if russia is going to replace that government not deal with it. because before the war that was a widespread version, which i have to say i shared which was that the russian army would occupy large

parts of ukraine. but not care of itself and would then attempt to do a deal with the ukrainian government that has not been motion strategy so far. here's something else that you shared. if i can put it to you, i mean, you wrote this in the responsible state craft. you said the illegal russian invasion of ukraine has shopped the west than many ordinary russians. but for those who understand the russian establishment in its view of russia's vital interest, it should not have come at a complete surprise. why do you say that? and are you at least surprised by the speed at all of this? well, the reason why i'm not that surprised is that ever since the 1900 ninety's ever since nature expansion began? russian officials and commentators have been saying that the took to the west to try to turn ukraine into an, an ally against russia would lead to confrontation and very likely to war. this didn't begin with putin. and by the way, you know,

it's an analysis which has been shared by many liberal russians. so they did warn us again and again and again. and again, it's just the western governments refuse to listen. and of course, for a couple of months now, we've seen the concentration of russian forces on ukraine's borders. so, no, i mean, the invasion itself did not surprise me. as i say, what i did surprise me and where i think russia would be making a colossal gamble is by trying to replace the government of the whole of ukraine with a pro russian government. because it will be extremely difficult for russia to sustain us in the long run. this government could not survive without russian troops permanently station to protect it. and would have to rule, i think through massive repression. living would have no legitimacy among ordinary

ukrainians out in the east of the country and in crimea, possibly some other areas as well as we heard from your postpone right. ukraine. yes, exactly. now that the russians hope that they might get a measure of popular support from the local population, but unless they really have gone crazy, i didn't see how they can possibly hope to gain that in some central ukraine. so this is what has surprised me. ok. and just, let's talk about the western reaction for just a moment to mean there's a meeting going on right now. nato council members, as i'm sure you're aware, we'll keep an eye out and see what develops from there. but at this point we've seen sanctions from some western countries as well. i mean, do you think sanctions are going to make any difference to russia and the situation not in the short to medium term? no. the russian establishment clearly when it made the decision to invade ukraine,

knew that it would suffer major sanctions and was prepared for that. in the longer term. of course, sanctions and permanent economic pressure on russia might produce some results. but that would have had to a company, of course, a negotiating process with russia. i really don't think now that russia is going to simply withdraw unconditionally from ukraine under any circumstances whatsoever. so we'll have to see, you know, how this plays out in the short term militarily, and in the longer term, politically. and as far as nato is concerned, when you think they're discussing right now, the countries what's going on through their mind. i mean, are they looking t as and, and wondering how long the government there can survive? when i think 1st and foremost, of course, nature,

governments are trying to avoid any possibility of a crash with russia unique withdrawal. and that diplomats, they withdrawn their trainers and military observers of the council. flights to the point is nature will not fight russia after you know, which, which does i have to say make unit past offer of nato membership to ukraine. look very strange and deeply responsible. but secondly, of course, they are asking themselves how they can bring economic pressure to russia on russia . what they are not doing at the moment is, of course, talking to russia previously the when negotiations that they didn't lead anywhere. now now of course talks have been broken off. one question is, at what stage will nato, the us europeans resume talks with, with russia? because of course, the,

the point is that if nature is not going to go to war with russia, which it isn't. then at some point, nice was going to have to talk to russia again, the question is on, on when and on what terms. ok, and thank you so much for joining us. anatole, leaving from the u. k. we appreciate your time. thank you. so as you've been hearing nato's 30 member states are holding a meeting in brussels to discuss how to respond to russia's attack on ukraine, that alliances eastern members are concerned about their security. including lithuania, which has now declared a state of emergency. and nato is likely to decide whether to deploy its response force to eastern european countries as a result. once we have warned against 4 months has come to pulse. despite all our efforts to find the diplomatic solution. moscow bears sole responsibility for the deliberate, cold blooded and long planned invasion. we condemn russia's

aggressions in the strongest possible terms on call on russia to immediately cease its military action. let's bring in our diplomatic editor james basins, joining us from brussel. so that is the 1st meeting of the nato council since the russian invasion started. james, tell us what we should be looking out for and what we expect to hear. yeah, this is the nato council, the main governing body that makes the decisions for nato meeting at summit level. all of them leaders, 30 leaders from the nato nations, secure video conference, most of them on here in brussels. the nato secretary general is here, the prime minister of hungary, victor or. ready because he was here from last night from the meeting, most of the other european leaders have gone back to the capitals. interesting that, that being joined by the e. u. i think they're trying to show coordination with the you to show. ready i

think not just the military aspects, but the punishment aspects on russia, of those sanctions to set some sanctions in place. another one being discussed right now, also interesting that the others that join the meeting, who are nato members of finland and sweden, they are joining this meeting, which i think would, would be something that the russians would not be pleased about that they are getting closer to nato they also will not be pleased about the vast number. ready of trips that have been flooding into europe, many from the united states, but also trips being move within europe towards the russian border. the one thing the bottom putin said he didn't want was nato and moral nato troops that his board, the result of his action is more have been deployed. we now have a total of $90000.00 us troops stationed in europe just $15000.00 of those. in the recent weeks have been moved here and more military assets, including helicopters and planes announced in the last 24 hours. my understanding

from senior nato officials is that we're expecting more to be announced from this meeting. but i think there are other aspects to this that won't be discussed and will be mentioned publicly by the name it is. i'm sure that discussing the latest intelligence on the ground, how long can the government of the government of ukraine become a key f, stay operational? when will be the full of key? that does happen when will that take place? and then what would nato do at that? point when it becomes a different scenario. ready and insurgency, a resistance. how would nato support things going forward? i think some of this we're going to hear about in just over an hour's time when the nato 2nd general briefs the press. but there's aspects, but i'm sure at this stage they won't want to talk about. and then what is their understanding about? oh, and this is something my guess just a moment ago, pointed out whether nato will resume talks with russia.

while nato itself used to have relations with russia, these are some of the nato russia council used to even not in this building in the of the old nato headquarters use, have russian diplomats permanently stationed at nato. i don't see anything like that happening. but in terms of diplomacy between nato nations and russia, it's an interesting, it's an interesting subject going forward. there is not a state of war between, between any of those nato nations and russia. ukraine is cut off diplomatic relations, but i'm sure that other nato nations will need to, to have in the future discussions with russia. and clearly, there are forums where nato nations and russia still talking. the see in the end is a forum for the former countries of the soviet union to discuss with the west have been repeated meetings that they've had to pull out their monitoring mission. that

was in easton, ukraine in the last 24 hours. but the other key venue where this happens is of course the un and that there are regular discussions. and even now, i suspect there are discussions away from the cameras in the council chamber between the us ambassador and the russian and bastard are often those whispered conversations before a council meeting can, can be very important. conversations was reminding you that in a few hours time in new york, in the un security council, there is going to be a vote. i can tell you already the result of the vote. the resolution condemning russia will be vetoed by public member of the security council. russia, which currently has the presidency of the un security council. but i still think that is an important moment because i think it will show the condemnation of the other nations, and it will show where all of the 50 members of the security council stand. what will china do? is he going to vote with russia or what as it did in 2014 on crime will abstain

and other key nations to watch. india will let abstain or vote with, with the western nations and condemn russia and others. pat, potentially, you've got to watch brazil. i think and maybe the united arab emirates will lay abstain. all right, we'll be watching out for that. thank you so much. are the magic editor james base reporting from brussels, while european union leaders may have agreed to impose sanctions on russia, but those measures stopped short blocking russia from the belgium based west the global payment system. so banks worldwide use it to make secure across the board of payments. britain, this pushing to block russia, but the u. s. and you are so far offering, not to us. president joe biden says the decision could be reconsidered. we have to correspondence following the latest on the sanctions. new barker is joining us from london in a moment. first, let's speak to dominic cane, who is joining us from berlin to tell us more about why the you is staying away

from walking russia from swift. dominic one reason is because there is an ease that sort of no strong more strongly than that. there is anees in several capitals right now about what that would mean for their own economies. and that's naming those countries being germany, but also the italians. and we understand to a certain extent, the french government has unease about the thought of freezing the access to the swift transaction system, which is so vital in many ways say the german government and others for german companies who have trading links with russian business interests in russia and in germany and elsewhere in the u. so it's the thought that actually in doing that in cutting off russian access to swift that might also cause such a negative effect on the economies in germany,

in italy and elsewhere in the u. that that's a step that they really aren't quite prepared right now. anyway, to really consider the problem for the government. here is that the political opposition to the right? the conservatives of the former angular angler michael was in charge of. well, they now say, well actually we should consider imposing this freeze freeze on access to swift for russia. one other thing to think about, it's being widely reported that the e u is going to bring in personally targeted sanctions against president putin and foreign minister love robin. moscow. effectively freezing their assets will. that's one thing that they could do. what they can't seem to do right now, or at least until now they haven't indicated they're prepared to do. it is deny russia writ large access to the swift transaction system. all right, thank you so much. stamina kane, reporting from berlin law, bring in the barker is joining us from london. so new britain, on the other hand,

has been much more vocal in its desire to see russia banned from the swift system. what's behind that? yeah, perceived a perceived disagreements in ukraine over europe. stance on swift is onique of course, adding to the frustration that in key f. this is a block of 27 countries in the u. k. obviously no longer any you member, but a definitely an ally of the use saying that they cannot agree to step up to the market during ukraine's hour of need the united kingdom though, reaffirming that it strongly believes that more needs to be done. and it has said that it is powerless unilaterally to force russia out of swift is morgan. i zation is based in belgium. there are multiple stakeholders and all science essentially have to agree, although the british authorities are continuing to put pressure on g 7 countries, an e u member states said to, to essentially do, do you more, but as,

as dominic res, there, there are some big concerns about cashflow issues, of course, this isn't just about money going to russia, is about money coming from russia to european countries as well. and those nations that have a biggest stake, as opposed to the russian economy, fear that for instance, that credit is not going to get that cash back of all of a sudden, russia is kicked out of swift, throw some other concerns that by taking rush or out of this arrangement that it will force russia closer towards china that it would help her had the power, the dollar. at the same time, the united kingdom is keen to see the channels remain open, for least the discussion of what my happened to ukraine when it comes in. when it, when it becomes a need as oppose of, of more military support oversee the u. k. anita member is not gonna cross that line is not gonna trigger article 5, which would essentially lead to a, a protracted conflict across the entire continent. but it has raised the prospect

that militarily om should be at the ready potentially in the baltic states. although, talk of exactly how that, how those weapons could potentially reach you, crime remains a closely guarded secret. this is obviously highly sensitive information, given the prospects of what that could mean in terms of a conflict between nato line states and russia going forward. thank you. so much and the barker reporting from london still ahead on al jazeera, the world of sport, has been reacting to russia invasion of ukraine. would st. petersburg, stripped off this years champions league final. that's coming up a little later. ah . when it snows in the levant, you might think that's

a horrible food for everyone. some love it. the sky result, the oldest one in the country, lebanon receives this. now there's more, of course to common. this is friday's forecast in turkey. what's been happening, your winter in the caucasus, the rainy and maintenance as well. and we tend to get a spread of the whole system down with sharon's in q 8, moving further 7 dying out. being followed by an shamal z systems and they've been happening every 4 or 5 days. go from eventually west to east. the story of south days, a sally, improving wellness, still some possibly rain showers or thunderstorms. down in garza, by the way, the sun is rather more dominant by this time, this orange suggests dust in the air as the shemelle stuff to pick up. rather more notes will i think during sunday, then on saturday eventually spreads out to southern saudi. not a co one is said about 25 in q 8 and back 27. and our ha, southern africa has seen, as you know, cited us to psycho going across madagascar. this is a ratings of remains of naughty. there are more showers by day sharp,

madagascar over the already flooded area. so there's no relief inside here. but the intensity showers in the so to an east and south africa. they've come down. ah, the serious, darkest days with one month leading the country through pleasant alice out as last legitimacy. he needs to step down. how has he retained control through over a decade of war? we examine the global power games of president bush out on the side. we believe assad simply carrying out iranian orders. what keeps you awake at night when the reason that could effect any human aside master of chaos on all jazeera, on counting the cost argentina turns to the i'm at the rescue, but does the from really all that hard to find out, the stability, pumping passenger fuels will bang for peddler,

quit bumbling policing with and the poles thus, the town, how a bomb is happening. the water shortage. counting the cost on al jazeera. mm mm. holding the powerful to account. as we examined the u. s. is role in the world on al jazeera o a hello again, the top floor is on to 0. this our, your, with our continuing coverage on the crisis in ukraine. let's get you up to dates with the latest on the ground. and a video has emerge if a tank in rhythm into a running over a car, people passing by later around to do the passenger inside. once the tank had left,

the scene. weapons have been distributed to record and ready to take up arms. ukraine has also bard men age 18 to 60. from leaving is that order is general mobilization. rocket hit residential building for a 2nd day. families have been hiding and make shift basement shelters subway stations on parking lot. there's also fierce fighting and several other cities rushes military claim this season, airports 10 kilometers outside the u. n. refugee agency. the violence has displaced a 100000 ukranian so far with more families streaming to the polish border. and are simmons isn't kiev, where he's been talking to a ukranian family seeking safety in one of the bomb shelters. svetlana? i'm out a 0 english. can i ask you a just how? no, just can i get my microphone in the better place least. i'm just how are you coping

with this situation? ah, but have to cope so, but really we are struggling by getting stuck in here. that's the thing that we can count. escape at the moment. we're just trapped to be honest. and what do you think about the, the whole invasion of the the way look, sir. i got in my putin as for hagen. i was just terrible. it's just not on the on appropriate any sybil last along with them. and, and what a body of use towards vladimir putin in the sort of things that he's doing and saying, i said again, what about vladimir putin? what do you think about what he's doing and saying just most aligned to the russians. invading just regular international laws. are you scared? ah, we are great. you know we, we all were to call fear during my don into

o 12. and yet just would. it's unpredictable. that's the thing. that's why we will this carrier. what is the tank? so only 1215 kilometers away. i said again that we were where the tanks are getting closer. yeah. in the column here, we know that what you're going to do stay here with them. how safe place at the moment you're spending a lot of time in the shelter. yeah. to nights in iraq. and what about your son? you must be often enough to right. how are you feeling towards this? are you hopeful? ah, well, i'm scared in also hopeful that we'll have a bright future. oh, it's very terrify, hang. i was hoping, and i'm sure that in about a few days it should be fine. now, it should says little bit. very optimistic,

articulate young man, the a good luck to vote for hope. things progress in a positive way. all the un predicts up to 5000000 people, could flee to fighting and to surround these countries. the children's agency. unicef is boosting its response to support those and needs clearly in the last few days, the needs of children and families are escalating in line with the conflict. as many of you seen, i have seen evacuations are ongoing in the hans crowd blast and have started in damascus. needs are wide ranging from hygiene products to blankets, gas burners fuel 1st aid kits. unicef, along with the rest of the you and family, has called on all parties to protect children at all times. and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need, wherever they are. we will will be working with you and hcr and other un agencies

in the coming days for a flash appeal for the surrounding countries that will include moldova, romania and, and poland as a 1st call. and then obviously i'm hungry and sabina as well. ross as a tax on ukraine pose a challenge for china. the chinese government has refused to condemn the military action. and while the west and pose a sanctions, china is boosting the russian economy by importing wheat. katrina, you reports from beijing. the less than a month after chinese president, she didn't ping met vladimir putin. russia's liter launched the most aggressive attack in europe for decades. the china's leaders have refused to condemn the invasion or use the word invasion at all or now and he, she would sit hack. the ukrainian issue has other very complicated historical backgrounds. today, it may not be what any of us want. so we hope that all parties will work together

to give peace a chance is looking to see what china is criticizing. birth united states for, exacerbating tensions and nato for ignoring what it says or rushes legitimate security concerns. china also says sanctions are ineffective and orderly harm the general population. china feels very strongly that the u. s. is trying to circle it and contain it. ah, russia feels the same way. ah, the combined pressure on both of them have to push them together. and there's no question about that. so at this juncture, they feel that they are up against the us. and its allies. paging has repeated its claims of non interference, the affairs of other countries. it would provide moscow with military support, but it has been bolstering trade, such as increasing imports of russian wheat. you don't go and throw a lifeline to russia in the middle of a period when they're inviting another country that is simply unacceptable. but

this doesn't mean china condones rushes attack on ukraine. it also has good ties with kill and relies on strong trade with europe. aging must balance it's friendship with moscow while maintaining relations with the west for the sake of its long term economic and strategic interests. were china clearly supports moscow in terms of trade and economic sense in ideology, but won't actually, you know, kind of violate western sanctions o d, you know, to, to, to, to physically help i think that situation will remain and that's what must go expects on same day russian forces invaded ukraine, 9 chinese fighter jets and to tie one's ad to fed cern. some analysts have drawn comparisons between ukraine and the self ruled island claimed by china. a link chinese officials deny katrina you out a 0 pitching all the usaa sanctions will target russia's financial system. presidential biden says he wants to impede russia's ability to do business or white

house correspondent, kimberly hockey asthma. after consulting with his national security council in the white house situation room and a virtual meeting with g 7 leaders, you as president joe biden made good on his promise to inflict massive costs on russian president vladimir putin for invading ukraine. who is the aggressor who chose this war? and now he and his country will bear the consequences. the new sanctions target major russian bags and russian leads and in coordination with allies, representing more than half the global economy, are designed to cut off russia from the world's financial system. russian assets in the us are also now frozen. we will limit russia's ability to do business in dollars. euro's pounds and yen export controls to curtail russian high tech imports are also being opposed to cripple russia's military and high tech capabilities. the

moves are backed by top, congressional democrats, like senate leader, chuck sure, who condemned russia's invasion and pledge support for ukraine. ukrainians are tough and resilient. i know they will not give up their country. they will fight fiercely for it. but senate republican leader mitch mcconnell is blaming biden for the crisis. i think the precipitous withdrawal from i've got a fan and all this was a signal to put in and maybe to chinese president she as well. that america was and retreat across america, demonstrators protested to invasion after a generation of fighting in iraq and afghanistan. most americans are war weary in a recent pull, just 26 percent of americans support the us playing a major role in the russian ukraine conflict. the

bided has promised us troops won't be said to ukraine, but if the conflict spreads to a native country, us soldiers already states europe would be obliged to fight a thursday side and reaffirm that commitment to collective nato defense. let's, i'll bring in our white house correspondent, kimberly hawkins. so the messaging from the biden administration, kimberly is but more action can be taken by the united states, such as, what's well, what the united states is saying is that they're leaving room with these current sanctions to ratchet up further. they're certainly not going to forecast ahead. what those sanctions might be, they'll keep that information close to their chest. but what they're doing is essentially a bit of cleanup after a lot of criticism that the sanctions they didn't put in place didn't go far enough . essentially, the criticism they're getting is over the statement that they,

they acknowledge that the, they were not designed to disrupt the energy exports of russia. and that is kind of a conflict with what the vice president to come. la harris had said just days earlier, that security conference and munich essentially, she said that the sanctions were to have a deterrent effect for vladimir putin invading ukraine. and clearly that's not the case. so what we know about these sanctions is they were designed to give this maneuverability. in other words, if things get better that. c there is the opportunity for dialogue. if things get worse, they can be raptured it up even more. but there's another reason that these sanctions have not been as strict as some were expecting they would be. and that has to do a lot with the united states. american voter who is feeling the pinch in terms of inflation right now and doesn't want to see higher energy prices translate into the

amount they pay for gasoline that they put in their cars. right now we're seeing in the state of california, for example, part of me in the state of california, for example, i tank of gas is now costing about $6.00 a gallon that's very high by u. s. standards. and so the u. s. president doesn't want to have the blow back from that. so that's another reason. but again, it's it odds with what the administration was promising just days ago, and that's why it's receiving so much criticism right now. all right, thank you so much. kimberly health reported in the white house. so meanwhile, us republicans are meeting this year as conservative political action conference in top of that agenda as president biden's handling off the russia ukraine conflict. let's bring in john hender and he's joining us from orlando. so john, a, how is this playing out politically for the president where you are? well, interestingly very different from the way this organization was founded. ceeback was founded by aggressive u. s. foreign policy talks,

people who wanted an interventionist strategy to the u. s. foreign policy. and that really changed after trump. so back in 1974, been future president ronald reagan introduced john mccain to raucous applause, mccain he just returned as a prisoner of war and vietnam. and that kind of intervention approach was popular backbone. but since trump, he's had this notoriously close, some would say, wanting relationship with vladimir putin and has had a non interventionist foreign policy when he was president. so a lot of what's going on here reflects the trump foreign policy. these are really the more trump republican. so the most aggressive thing we've heard from the podium is marco rubio, the florida senator saying that he was inspired by the example of all ukrainians taking up arms and fighting against russia. and he said that that reminded him of the american revolution. but we've had other people stand over the podium and say,

most americans couldn't pick out, keep on a map that they should be more concerned with what's going on on the u. s. southern border and then of course there's the more extreme view of donald trump, himself seemed to celebrate that recently saying that vladimir putin declaring to provinces, independent in ukraine, was an active genius that it was savvy. so we'll hear more perhaps about that when pres former president trump speaks to morrow night on saturday, about 7 pm local time. yeah, i know it's supposedly on donald trump. i mean, as you're saying, he is expected to be there on saturday. any idea at all what we expect him to say? what there's always speculation that he's going to announce his own run for president in 2024. but we do expect that he'll probably address the subject of ukraine. he's on shaky ground there because remember, he was in peach for withholding $400000000.00 in military aid from the government of loading ears, a land steep. nevertheless,

we do expect that is likely to come up. it'll be interesting if he talks about his own political future here in the home of florida, governor rhonda sanchez, who's also a leading candidate for the g o. p nomination in 2024. thank you so much. don hendern is reporting from orlando. well, ukraine has asked turkey to shut the boss for us and garden owl to block russian worships turkey can close the sea route between the mediterranean and the black sea . if it feels threatened, russia has already moved a fleet of worships and tank lending vessels from bases in northern russia to attack ukraine from the black sea and the sea of as of other russian worships, have been spotted off the coast of syria and the eastern mediterranean turkey shares the black sea with russia and ukraine, and it does have a good relationship with both countries. you're with al jazeera still ahead. formula one cancels the seasons. russian grand prix saying it's impossible to hold the race there. in the current circumstances.

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lou ah ah well those here now to tell us how the world of sport has been reacting to russia's invasion of ukraine, joe during yes, and the international committee is ash sports organizations to relocate or cancel events planned in russia or bella, ruth european pupils governing body is already done that with a major move, stripping rusher of the champions league final year. it was most prestigious club game, was due to be held in st. petersburg on may, the 28th. it is now been moved to the stud to france in paris. you a for thanked french president manuel mac home for his commitment to have the match,

move to france at a time of unparalleled crisis. while you wait for is also decided russian and ukrainian club and national teams and european competitions. that's a play home games at mutual venues, but a decision is still made a well cut qualifies. that's a fif of responsibility. russia, you to play poland in a well cut playoff in moscow next month with sweden and check republic, also in line to possibly playing russia. the 3 countries i've written a joint, let's as a fee for saying games should be played, their pizza express, his hope for a rapid cessation of hostilities and for peace in ukraine. the for condemns as well. the use of force by russia and ukraine, and any type of violence to resolve conflicts munches

united of an ounce. they cancel their 10 years sponsorship deal with russia's national airline air afloat. the airline had been united official carriers since 2013, and they use it to take them to europe in games. the deal was thought to be worth more than $53000000.00. united not fly with era flocked to spain this week for the game with athletic immigrate in the champions. league. u. k. government has bond airflow from landing in britain football. continue to cross here on thursday with clubs players and funds showing this support for ukraine offline. napoli, players held up bana, which read stopped war before they kicked off the euro police much in italy, and check side saw the prague major crane defend a tough catch at arbor captain, for the game with turkish called flint about, say, in the 3rd tier of european competition, flavio players also will shirts, bearing the message we stand with ukraine for no one has cancelled the seasons.

russian growth pre the race is to be held on september the 25th and thought she but f one says it's impossible to hold the rice. and the current circumstances and hopes were swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. like everyone said, you know, innocent people losing their lives in people losing their homes and families and don tough, safe places to, to live in it's, it's not right. but all, we can hope that everything gets resolved in the best possible outcome and way that is, that is possible. and for now, i think is the right decision by form one not to go to russia is so hard to predict the future what, what is going to be in few months? so definitely i'm pretty sure that all the drivers agree with that, that decision. finish ice hockey team yo caught it. hell, think he have pulled out of the russian league as a result of the situation in ukraine. the team was scheduled to feature in the playoffs next week. the ukranian men's basketball side found the strength to play a welcome qualifier in spain. plays and stuff woke up to the news of that country

being invaded and scrambled to find out if the relatives was safe back home. the return game against spain and kia scheduled for this weekend has now been postponed . there was no relation from lego globe in the morning. everybody was like i said, i'm go to find the energy in the m b a the sacramento kings and the denver nuggets held a moment of silence followed generously with the people of ukraine. sacramento, alex. len is one of the 2 active ukrainian players in the league. russian tennis play, andre ruba has made an appeal for peace and unity. the world number 7 was all about the russian taxi crane following his final victory as to by championship.

in this moment, utilize the my much is what's important. so it's not about my much house affect me because what's happening is much more terrible. and like i said, you realize how important is to have peace in the world and to respect each other, no matter what. and to be united and russian play a daniel med with f. we'll replace another job of which is the world's top ranked male player on monday. that's off the joke which suffered a surprise defeat into by that of that says his mind has been focused on events back home. miss moreland, sir, understand that than is sometimes is not that important. and i definitely a lot of feelings when i woke up the novel close and actually before the match, i didn't even know that. so i'm going to become number one. if you lose is no matter what, ah, so them, lot of messages and i understood that it's happening more emotions. all right, that is, are your sports these for now more later during. thank you so much. so,

and that's we're watching the news hour on al jazeera. before we go, we're going to leave you with a look at the panic that's being felt by civilians in kiev. this was the scene earlier on friday. you'll see it in a moment just outside the main train station where people are seeking shelter. take a look ah. busy ah, ah ah

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with man or the misconceptions and debate the contradiction, carmen get up front on al jazeera. we understand the differences and similarities of culture across the world. so no matter where you call home will, but you can use in current affairs that matter to years. ah, 1600 hours g m t 6 p. m. in ukraine. these are the latest images emerging out of ukraine's capital. kiev ukrainian tanks on soldiers are taking up positions on empty streets across the city center in preparation for a russian assaults. this is al jazeera ah hello, i'm darian obligate. are welcome to our continuing coverage of the russia an attack on ukraine.