blue cover all sides. no matter where it takes us, a fear or my eye, and power, and passion. we tell your stories. we are your voice. news, your network al jazeera, blue, a thriving port city, reduced to rubble. after weeks of bombardment, russian troops reached the sand. so of mario pool were thousands of civilians are still trapped by the fighting. ah, hello there. i'm julie mcdonald, this is sel. 0 alive from london. also coming up. the presidents of china and the u . s. speak for the 1st time since the war began. washington looks to beijing for supports against russia. at

a rally to marty anniversary of the annexation of crimea. vladimir putin sale support as the war in ukraine has been a success. and a still russian cosmonaut had leave earth. we take a closer look at has a war in ukraine, could impact missions to the international space station. ah they one welcome to the program. hundreds of thousands of people are stranded and major ukrainian port city. and it's been bombarded by russian forces as they try to seize control. while this british romero portion of the scale of devastation there, a shopping mall is heavily damaged and several residential buildings have been reduced to rubble. the battle to take mario pool has now reportedly reached the city center as russian forces in circle the area. francis resident, a man will mac. com, one of the few western leaders to regularly speak with russian president,

a person has demanded. the russian forces immediately left their siege, allow humanitarian access to order an immediate cease farm. well, this is the state of play in ukraine on day 23 of the war. the areas you can see in rates are those that are held by russia and they have been more tax in the capital . keep city official say more than 200 people have died there during the war so far . they've has been a humanitarian hub and home to about 200000 displaced people. missiles has an aircraft repair factory there and it avoided the worst as apartment before and that . and then mary pool, about a 130 people, have been rescued from the basement of a thier to struck by russian shelling about 30000 people have now escaped the besieged city. rob mcbride joins is formed as if in western ukraine. hi there, rob. we've got some new pictures now coming out of the, the sea city of mario paul today. can you tell us a bit more about what's been happening there?

yeah, i mean various reports coming from mary paul do seem to indicate a rapidly changing situation on the ground there. this is a city of course that has been under pretty much a constant bombardment since the start of this conflict a, it was correct quickly at besieged, cut off from the rest of ukraine. and, but we do know that in the past week, especially conditions have deteriorated to really desperate levels inside the city . the thousands of people who have been coming out allow to leave in these convoys of vehicles have been describing the conditions they've left behind. but the question remains about the fate of the thousands of people who are still stuck within at their that city. that some of the latest reports now seem to indicate as that troops, russian troops could well be in the city center itself. there a, the mare of mario paul is being quoted on media as saying russian troops are in the cities are in the streets of the city that they're fighting at continues. and we do

know that from the pictures that are being released by agencies, especially this a drone footage or which indicates just the extent of the devastation throughout large parts of their city. places really just simply reduced to rubble for the president's office. and here in ukraine, a spokesperson seems to accept that of where the city is in pretty a dire situation. and that her, the a spokesperson has said that the ukrainian forces that are closest to the city simply do not have the strength to try to lift this siege. but, and adding that at the city will never be surrendered. in the daily briefing, given by the president office just on the general military situations throughout ukraine, it does a paint, a picture of this war, simply grinding on of things being fairly static, saying that while our russian forces have pushed on

a number of different the ukrainians have men managed to a repel then adding that around a 10 aircraft in the past 24 hours are well different types including drones have actually been shut down. but the big focus as we get into these evening hours is how the situation that mary, you poll, is going to develop. and just how far russian troops might well have encroached inside the city and world to day, day 23, of course of the war started with an attack on a target in la viv where you are that's right. or the a war as a here in the viv a does after today a seem a lot closer levers in the very far western part of ukraine. it has been relatively untouched by the conflict. so far there have been a couple of strikes against military target, sir, or some kilometers from the city. but friday morning,

this are attack by or of several missiles assume to be cruise missiles that hit their target as they landed a barely 6 kilometers from the levine city center, which really has alarmed people here. this is a very large transport hub. it is basically the gateway between the ukraine with the ukraine's european neighbors. it was through here that hundreds of thousands of people, refugees have been traveling and recent weeks to try to escape the fighting. but of course, it's also the way in her for humanitarian aid, but also more controversially, for some of the sophisticated weaponry that are the nato countries are supplying to ukraine. the anti tank systems, the anti, the anti aircraft missiles. and so it does have a strategic value, this western part of ukraine, and that is not last, of course, on the russians. and the fear is for people here in the vive that it could well now

find itself targeted as such as other parts of ukraine are being targeted right now, rob mcvey joining us, their line for the latest families ever. rock thank ocean forces are expanding no offensive in ukraine and hitting the cities further west. as you heard earlier. for the 1st time, their missiles landed in the city of live. if that's a rope was talking about, they're hitting an aircraft repair site near an airport will save us robbing wraps up developments from there and across the remainder of ukraine. within minutes of early morning air raid sirens throughout the city, russian missiles hit targets near levine international airport. shattering once again, the sense of relative safety here in the west of ukraine before the police unless but the read boarding system worked and i'm grateful to the armed forces as they reacted some missiles, which were launched from the black sea area were intercepting 4 missiles, hit an aircraft repair plant. as you already know,

there have been some attacks in this part of the country. a training company operative last week, and a military posted in airfield, near luke. but the friday morning, airport strike is the closest, the war has come to the city of levine. so far as you see behind me, smoke is still rising from the area that was hit. we've been stopped from going any further any closer to the areas that were hit by the strikes. police have pushed us back twice. we've tried to go over the bridge, but we've been sent back to this area here. so we can't get a clear view of what's happening, but the smoke that continues to below, over the skies over the city certainly tells you that something definitely was hit and it's still on fire. in the eastern city of carkeek, a college building was shelled, killing one person entering 11 and trapping another in the rubble. the city is home to one of the largest markets in eastern europe, and it remains on fire, sparked by shelling on thursday. another shelling and cromer tours killed to an interim since russian rockets continued a pound, the capital key of as well

a nursery and school targeted on friday, killing one child injuring $23.00 little glitch in more general larissa. the aggressor always pays a high price for war and morton, but whatever happens to them, it cannot revive our cities or he'll our wounds. weakness will become members of the issue that life will be different now. so is my, all of those rest in peace who have given their lives for our pay. so say the enemy continues. shilling a piece won't sitting summons attacks. hitting mostly civilian targets is proof. ukrainian officials say that russia is choosing not to fight ukrainian troops instead hitting the country's most vulnerable yoke. that how can people in russia be so stupid and let this happen? how come russians don't understand that putin is not defending russian speaking people in ukraine? he simply went mad, that's it. this is what i think because the same person, but never do anything like this. in the central square of the view of the countries,

cultural capital and installation highlights the most innocent victims of ward among the thousands of ukrainian dead. 109 empty prams symbolizing 109 infants killed in a conflict where the death toll increases every day. zane basra v l 0 live. will you as president joe biden has warned his chinese can't apart change in pain that there will be consequences of china provides material support to russian forces, attacking ukraine or white house correspondent, kimberly how could join me now? hi there. kimberly, to preston biden's for to president she on the telephone earlier. what did we know about the nature of the conversation they had? we know that it lasted for about 2 hours or nearly 2 hours was actually a video conference type call. that took place of the white house situation room and according to a white house official, it was substantial if it was detailed and it focused mostly on ukraine and why this call took place. had

a lot to do with the concerns by the weston that essentially up until now that china had been playing both sides in this conflict. and there was a feeling that there was a need of china to essentially condemn russia's actions or at least denounced them . and that had not occurred thus far, and there was a hope that that would be achieved in this phone call. but according to this readout that has not happened and as well, what we also see in this is that there has been really no effort on the part of china to in any way use its leverage to bring about as cease fire. and that was something that there was at least a goal going into this, the, the part of the, by to ministration. they were hoping that they might at least be able to encourage china to try and uses economic leverage with russia to at least begin that discussion. that was also absent from this read out. instead, what we have seen from this read out is that the u. s. president underscored the

cost to china if it continues to support russia. we have had reports that there has been some support militarily, by the chinese supplying military equipment for russia, for example. and also we know that the united states underscored that the u. s. policy with regard to china has not changed. and the reason quickly that, that is significant is that there is this belief by china that die wine is a break away province that should be returned potentially by force to china. bite in the u. s. president has vowed to defend taiwan if that were to occur. and so there's this feeling that china is studying very carefully how the u. s. in the west were, is reacting right now ah, to the invasion of ukraine by russia to see how potentially the westward react. of china were to invade taiwan. and so that is why

the united states has reiterated his position with regard to taiwan. in other words, its policy has not changed. that was also included in this read out. so not a lot of what the white house was hoping would be achieved in this call appears to be in the read out. instead, what we know, it's a lot of reiterating. c of what we have seen in recent weeks and that is that the white house is outlined consequences, but it has not been able to achieve sort of a moving of the needles even further in the direction that it was hoping for. kimberly, how could they are joining us live from the white house? kimberly thank you. a while. russian forces rain fire on ukrainian cities that of me a person has praised his troops in biblical terms and aware public appearance. the president addressed tens of thousands of people and rally celebrating 8 years since russia annex crimea, from ukraine. event was packed with russian flags and pro kremlin popstars. bernard smith reports from the capital moscow. this was

a powerful show of patriotism. in moscow, russia's biggest stadium was filled to its 81000 capacity to celebrate 8 years since the annexation of crimea, or as it's called here, the reunification and everywhere. the said, the sign, the 1st appeared on russian military vehicles in ukraine, and has now become a symbol of support for russia's war. there. it was a stage set of vladimir putin who told the crowd that the united states is using ukraine to threaten russia. is that the soldiers fighting their illustrated russian unity delete your bleach, you show that a shoulder, they help each other who support each other i easily and when needed, they shield each other from bullets with their bodies like brothers. but such unity . we have not had pol on time napoleon. a survey after the 1st week of the war showed that what the kremlin calls its special operation in ukraine. we supported

by 58 percent of russians. there have been attempts to protest against the war, but they are quickly, often brutally suppressed. but others are finding ways to voice their opposition, such as this art group called party of the dead, protesting somewhere in russia. we've heard shift years ago, the young brain, we are practically living on a war footing. there is no way for it not to affect us any more. we have to fight this war, and those were stoking it for keeping it going and are prepared to take it to some catastrophic finale that show of descent won't get covered by russian television, but friday's flag waving in moscow. another city's will, though you won't hear that ukraine says it's fighting for survival of the west. dismiss his accusations that it wants to rip russia apart. bernard smith, al jazeera moscow, still had here now to sierra accusations fly across the u. n. russia says ukraine is conducting dangerous research. the u. s. says it's just

a conspiracy. me all that more when we come back. ah, hell i we got some lovely weather shaping up across northern parts of europe over the next couple of days, largely clear skies. we have got a high pressure in charge that actually the lid on the atmosphere. so even though they have these, a weakening weather systems at high will just tend to squeeze the cloud a little further southwards. and it's gonna see it break thin and more sunshine coming through. bit more the white cloud across central southern parts, you know to say there are some showers just around the mediterranean. we have got some heavy burst of rain coming through here. when she flour is still there just around southern parts of the black satan, northern areas of turkey, but blue sky across northern areas of europe is, can be fine and try little on the cool side there for london with

a measly wind temperature at around 12 celsius tat cooler as we go through, we're sunday. but in light winds it won't feel too bad still quite as many showers around 30 minutes rated as we go on into sunday, but they will still be there nevertheless. and some of those just brushing across the far north of africa or a brisk wind and some live the showers and in northern areas of libya and plenty. a shower sand now started to push in across the gulf with guinea. so we will see some wet weather coming into ivory coast, pushing across guinea, and also liberia ah, from international politics to the global pandemic. everything in between, it did not restart to poor people and pure our planet, promised to ensure the safety of women, what purpose, dr. 15 for pulled back, that people actually have more fuel. why is the u. k. feel hostile to train the

mysteries? all of us join me if i take on the live dismantled misconceptions and meet the contradiction. carmen get up put on al jazeera. ah ah, it could remind dinner of our top stories here and algebra russian forces battling to seize control of mario pool, have reached the grading and city center. frances president, manuel mccall has asked russian leader vladimir putin to salt besieging the city and declare the sea spar. russian missiles have struck an aircraft repair facility nearly viv western city hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced capital key. f has also been hit by missiles shells. u. s. president joe biden has more just

chinese crime to partridge and hang that there will be consequences of china provide some material support to russian forces. attacking ukraine. china has so far, refused to condemn russia's invasion. the russian warships have been shelling odessa, which is bracing for an invasion. odessa is ukraine's 3rd largest city in his home to more than 1000000 people. it's the case. it's on the black sea coast and host the grady and navy's headquarters which moved there after russia annex crimea and 2014. it also handles around 65 percent of ukrainian c cargo. and that makes it a lifeline to the outside world. if russia seizes a desk, it will effectively cut off a crane from overseas trade and military aid or the abdul hamid has more now. from odessa, the russian war ships have been seen off the coast approaching and maybe sort of

navigating around according to satellite imagery to be at least 3 fleets of russian warships, including landing ships. so this is bracing himself the beaches. have been mind if you go around the city, this checkpoints everywhere, all the historic center of the city, just behind me there has been completely field off. you need a special permission to get in then only residence allowed to get there. and then behind me here you see you have this volunteer center you money, terry and aid being gathered and dispatch. this is actually usually a food market as food. busy for tours where they can try all the, the salad. well, if you go inside, it's really distracted activity, collecting medicine, water, food maps, blankets, all sorts of things that can help. what if indeed, is an assault and also to be sent to nikolai of which is about an hour and

a half or know, 2 hours i would say at least drive from here to the north east. did the russians and the ukrainian army, are there been fighting overnight from what we understand? the cleaning army is still holding ground and the rushes are not advancing quite at a quick pace. but people watching what's happening because there is a feeling that after nikolai, if it falls, then it will be turn. robert brinkley is a former british ambassador to the ukraine and he joins us now. live roberts, a very warm welcome to the program. well, but from your perspective, how do you read the way things stand currently in ukraine? could we be moving towards something much more long and drawn? i think your well, that remains to be seen on the military situation does not look particularly good for russia, which is don't bog down and has had major problems over the morale of its true

service, supplying its forces. and they come up against very strong, fierce ukrainian resistance, i think, much stronger than they anticipated. but the russians have reacted by standing off outside cities like hawkins from mario, poland sumi and just selling them from outside, causing enormous damage, civilian casualties, and even bombing schools. and hospitals, ukraine says that it's negotiating position hasn't changed, it wants withdrawl of troops, and of course, strong security guarantees. but how much negotiating power does it have right now, given what you've just said, there, robert, about russia's current situation. militarily, i think the longer the ukraine is successful in holding back the russian

assault, the stronger its negotiating power is if russia expected that it would just walk in to care within a matter of days, but it's been seriously disappointed. so ukraine has bolstered its position and also it has huge international support. russia is isolated, diplomatically isolated, economically in the world. ukraine is getting more and more humanitarian, economic, political and defensive support. it does well, but make a difference to russia. and when i say that, i mean to bother me reputed that it is currently isolated. i mean, we saw these pictures of the adamant putin stadium reading today at this rally in front of thousands, but how strong is his position domestically right now? well, i think because he's launched this adventure and many russian troops are being killed

or injured, a lot of their equipment is being destroyed, their economy is under severe pressure. his regime is looking more precarious. now he can tell state organizations that they have to bring their people to a rally in that stadium in moscow, but that's not the same as enjoying the whole hearted, legitimate support of his people. many of his people know that if they were to come out on the streets and protest, they would be beat not they would be arrested, they would be put in trail. so it's only a very few very brave people who've been able to do that. and robert lance can criticize germany yesterday for putting what i think he called his economy before you graded security. and the response seems to be that the need to will help to stop things escalating going forward. but is that just to kind of hollow statement?

what does that mean? well i, i think there are 2 aspects. this one is that the nato countries are already providing a great deal of help to ukraine and will carry on doing so. and the other is that nature is very conscious of the need to defend all of its members and all of its territory, a reinforcing its eastern flank. and in order to do that, and germany itself has made a quite remarkable turn around it in its policy. and is also supplying defensive equipment to ukraine as well as suspending the north stream gas pipeline from russia, and joining in the international sanctions on russia. fantastic, well, but thanks very much for joining me. let's go straight to the white house, where we will join the business roundtable, c, e o quarterly meeting at their headquarters in washington dc to discuss the united

states response to russia's unprovoked and unjustified war with ukraine. and the president's plans to lower costs for working families crate, good paying union jobs and tackle the climate crisis on wednesday. as you all know, he will travel to brussels belgium, where he will have a packed thursday. he will, he's traveling that day. there's not a schedule that day, but each weekdays, each are spinach going to be along thursday. because on thursday to start today, the president will attend an extraordinary nato summit to discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts in response to russia's unprovoked and justified attack on ukraine who also reaffirm our eyeing ironclad commitment to our nato allies and to defend every inch of our nato territory of native territory, then he will be join a scheduled gra, p, and counsel summit to discuss our shared concerns about ukraine, including trans atlantic efforts to post economic sanctions on russia. provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other allen just

related to the conflict. later in the day, he will attend the g 7 meeting called by germany to further discuss with our allies and partners, the consequences we are imposing on russia for it's war of choice. we'll have more announcements, i am certain on the trip in the days ahead. i don't have additional details. i, we've also, of course, invited our national security advisor who always enjoys engaging with all of you to join us to preview the trip early next week. so we're just figuring out the date in the time, depending on when the charter leaves with that sequence is on friday schedule. don't have any updates at this point in time of the present call this morning with the white house now have a sense of whether or not china has decided whether jesus russia backfill wise philip's request for material. well, i'm not going to give an assessment of that from here. what i can tell you is that

the majority of this call as i think you heard it, you saw on the read out and you heard, i think on the call we just did. but was focused on rushes and provoked invasion of ukraine. the president spent the vast majority of the nearly 2 hours was spent with the president, outlining the views of the united states and our allies and partners on this crisis . including a detailed overview of efforts to prevent and then response, the invasion, how we got here, steps we've taken where, where we've gone and why. um and of course as i was also note in the read out. but let me just reiterate a he also conveyed at the, in describe the implications and consequences of china per divides material support to russia. but again, i'm not going to provide any additional assessment from here. the president, with slides is sort of democracy for one very hard bored to market world, is in fact by writing oil right now. expanding ferguson taking the situation.

does the white house have any response to your purchases? there is a plan to reach out to the government. well, we have not. well, we made a decision about banning the russian import of oil. every country has not made that decision. and we recognize that and they have different economic reasoning as to why different countries do, including some in europe. we have been in touch, of course, with indian leaders at a range of levels, not through the president. it. if that happens, we will, of course, provide that read out in information to all of you. but what we would project or convey to any leader around the world is that the world, the rest of the world is watching, where you're going to stand as it relates to this conflict. i whether it's support for russia in any form i as they are illegally invading ukraine, a coven, i. and so this week, by to request a port of what route for 5 years and maternal last night.

for all adults, with the federal government to have the money right now to purchase the goes is needed to get everyone the boosters to that should be at the agency. buddha, well, just to reiterate some of the pieces of where the process is. so the cdc, i'm, we're does recommend 4th doses for the immunocompromised a. well, it hasn't been of course, as you noted, approved for others and they're running a vigorous data driven process. and right now, over a 100000000 americans have been boosted millions more, have not done so and are eligible to do so i need to get posted. but to go to your question, we have been clear, we need additional funding from congress. you've heard me talk about that a fair amount in here and including for the possibility of a 4th dose or a very specific vaccine. so we would indeed need additional funding to ensure that can be widely available. but during the read out of this call, a senior official said that the president was sort of laying out the segment of the

situation to present. and she that he was making clearly of what.