ukraine's president zelensky has delivered a defiant statement saying �*we want freedom and are ready to fight for it.�* earlier he said he's counting on european support in the country's bid — eventually — to become a nato member. but added, ukraine might never get there. the latest intelligence from washington says russia is adding more military force and capability near ukraine's border with each passing day. the russian teenager, kamilia valieva, has been cleared to compete in the individualfigure skating competiton in the winter olympics, despite failing a drugs test late last year. the world anti doping agency says it's disappointed by the decision. the canadian prime minister justin trudeau "plans to invoke the emergencies act in response to the protests" against

covid restrictions by truckers. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are rachel cunliffe, senior associate editor at the new statesman and lucy fisher, deputy political editor at the telegraph. hello to you both. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the ft leads with talk of a way forward from the russia minister lavrov after tensions in ukraine. meanwhile, the metro says borisjohnson�*s urging germany and france to say �*no�* to russian gas amidst a looming invasion of ukraine. the i says there are last ditch

efforts to stop a war. meanwhile, the telegraph says that biden and johnson are saying that there is a window for peace amidst there is a window for peace amidst the ukraine tensions. the guardian says the prime minister is warning that the build—up from russia is very, very dangerous. the sign says the england goaliejordan pickford is at the centre of a police probe. meanwhile, the daily mail is leading with the post office scandal or rather the telegraph, you can see on the page there. also saying that 33 died withoutjustice. also saying that 33 died withoutjustice. so let's begin... rachel and lucy, lovely to have you both here this evening. i, i wonder if you could get that off for us,

please. i if you could get that off for us, lease. ~ . ,, if you could get that off for us, lease. ~' ., i. ., , ., please. i like that you are starting with me for _ please. i like that you are starting with me for an _ please. i like that you are starting with me for an overview _ please. i like that you are starting with me for an overview of - please. i like that you are starting with me for an overview of russia | with me for an overview of russia and ukraine before we go to lucy was the absolute expert. but a lot of what you're seeing on the front pages, a lot of the papers, this is the last moment before a war could potentially be eminent. depending on which when you read there is a slightly different answer as to how close we are to that point. certainly there has been some reassuring language on the part of the russian foreign minister when he was asked by putin in a televised britain, is there is still a point in continuing with diplomacy and the reply there, there's always a chance put up toying with the words that possibly this war that we've been watching approach in slow motion could be averted. but you only need to look at the military force that russia is amassing on ukraine's

borders to see that the threat is very, very real. and i pointing out that there are other aspects of this such as a looming humanitarian and refugee crisis if this goes ahead. so all countries in western europe and the us trying very hard at this crucial moment to try and avert war. let's cross over to lucy, former defence correspondent. let us start off with this latest line that came out that russia is looking at upping the diplomacy. what did you make of that? i the diplomacy. what did you make of that? ., , the diplomacy. what did you make of that? . , , �* , that? i was interested in it. it's very difficult — that? i was interested in it. it's very difficult to _ that? i was interested in it. it's very difficult to know _ that? i was interested in it. it's very difficult to know how - that? i was interested in it. it's very difficult to know how to i that? iwas interested in it. it's. very difficult to know how to read some _ very difficult to know how to read some of— very difficult to know how to read some of the messaging coming—out of russia, _ some of the messaging coming—out of russia, famously trixie in the methods_ russia, famously trixie in the methods that they deploy politically. i spoke to are a number of sources— politically. i spoke to are a number of sources across government this evening _ of sources across government this evening about how it's being read in britain _ evening about how it's being read in britain and — evening about how it's being read in britain. and i think it's fair to say that— britain. and i think it's fair to say that there is a high degree of

scepticism. of course one the source said, _ scepticism. of course one the source said. you've — scepticism. of course one the source said, you've got to always retain the possibility that they are talking _ the possibility that they are talking in good faith here. and at the same — talking in good faith here. and at the same time, we've got to look at what's _ the same time, we've got to look at what's happening on the ground. and that is— what's happening on the ground. and that is that _ what's happening on the ground. and that is that the number of russian battalion — that is that the number of russian battalion tactical groups is now 100. _ battalion tactical groups is now 100, that's up from 83 last week amassing — 100, that's up from 83 last week amassing on the borders of ukraine. another— amassing on the borders of ukraine. another 14 _ amassing on the borders of ukraine. another 14 or on the way. at the minute — another 14 or on the way. at the minute there is around 60% of russia's— minute there is around 60% of russia's entire ground combat force ready— russia's entire ground combat force ready on— russia's entire ground combat force ready on the borders of russia. the majority— ready on the borders of russia. the majority of— ready on the borders of russia. the majority of its air force has been mohiiised~ — majority of its air force has been mobilised. you've got to be aware that there — mobilised. you've got to be aware that there is a gap potentially between the rhetoric coming out of moscow _ between the rhetoric coming out of moscow and the reality on the ground~ — moscow and the reality on the ground. and i think that we saw tonight— ground. and i think that we saw tonight from the 40 minute phone call between boris johnson and joe biden— call between boris johnson and joe biden that there is still the sincere _ biden that there is still the sincere hope that diplomacy can win the day— sincere hope that diplomacy can win the day and — sincere hope that diplomacy can win the day and that the security crisis can he _ the day and that the security crisis can be resolved peacefully. but

there _ can be resolved peacefully. but there is— can be resolved peacefully. but there is also an egg acknowledgement that the _ there is also an egg acknowledgement that the window of opportunity seems to be closing. it really does feel last chance saloon this week. rachel, — last chance saloon this week. rachel, picking up on that point that lucy stressed there almost a case of mixed messaging that we've had put up today or even the last 24 hours. the front page of the financial times also has this on its front page, one rods hinted at a way lives hopes on averting war in ukraine. in terms of the mixed messaging that i'm trying to get across we've got an invasion in the matter of days, or on the precipice, diplomatic possibilities are far from exhausted yes, world to join nato, no or not tojoin nato. if you're following the story it can be very confusing. it you're following the story it can be very confusing-— very confusing. it can be very confusing _ very confusing. it can be very confusing and more - very confusing. it can be very| confusing and more confusing very confusing. it can be very - confusing and more confusing than that because i think lucy would agree with me that nobody knows or

can predict what vladimir putin is going to do. possibly including vladimir putin. there are people who have spent their entire careers trying to guess at his motivations in the game of four dimensional chest he is playing here. very difficult to make predictions. there is this gap in the rhetoric, the window of opportunity versus the troops on the ground and what we are actually seeing happening. there's a quote in the ft from the pentagon spokesperson saying that the putin clearly believes there is still oxygen for diplomacy. in the headline that down as hope i would say oxygen for diplomacy, that suggests a chance, possibly that not the most optimistic way of raising it. ithink the most optimistic way of raising it. i think certainly there is an understanding across europe and the us that we are very, very close to this. maybe there's a chance that it can be averted. certainly there are

some of russia's security concerns with the seems to be some movement in the direction vaguely of an agreement, if he could put it that way. but it does look like boars very real and distinct possibility. lucy obviously olaf scholz, he visited kyiv first, moving to moscow tomorrow. what did you make of the fact that he did it that way and emmanuel macron did the other way, he went to moscow first? 15 he went to moscow first? is interesting that olaf scholz trying to take _ interesting that olaf scholz trying to take a — interesting that olaf scholz trying to take a message of unity from kyiv to moscow— to take a message of unity from kyiv to moscow potentially. i think there's— to moscow potentially. i think there's been a lot of scrutiny about what _ there's been a lot of scrutiny about what his— there's been a lot of scrutiny about what his messaging has been particularly around the nordic stream — particularly around the nordic stream to issue, the pipeline that has been — stream to issue, the pipeline that has been built direct from russia to germany— has been built direct from russia to germany to— has been built direct from russia to germany to pipe and gas. obviously already— germany to pipe and gas. obviously already up— germany to pipe and gas. obviously already up and running. a lot of concern — already up and running. a lot of concern i — already up and running. a lot of concern i think in the west that a

real misstep was made in the wake of the 2014— real misstep was made in the wake of the 2014 annexing of crimea by russia — the 2014 annexing of crimea by russia. they really should have acted _ russia. they really should have acted then to decrease its dependency on russia for oil and gas will top _ dependency on russia for oil and gas will top it— dependency on russia for oil and gas will top it didn't do that. russia's foothold — will top it didn't do that. russia's foothold has only grown in that time _ foothold has only grown in that time and _ foothold has only grown in that time. and it's left the west very reliant— time. and it's left the west very reliant on— time. and it's left the west very reliant on russia for such a vital commodity. we've heard in recent weeks _ commodity. we've heard in recent weeks that— commodity. we've heard in recent weeks that london and washington be very robust— weeks that london and washington be very robust that nord stream needs to he _ very robust that nord stream needs to be ended. olaf scholz has contorted himself into acrobatic postures — contorted himself into acrobatic postures in handling this issue, not really— postures in handling this issue, not really committing is full throated lee really committing is full throated lee as _ really committing is full throated lee as the uk has. i think all eyes tomorrow— lee as the uk has. i think all eyes tomorrow will be on whether that issue _ tomorrow will be on whether that issue arises. i think germany is seen _ issue arises. i think germany is seen as— issue arises. i think germany is seen as a — issue arises. i think germany is seen as a key player like emmanuel macron, _ seen as a key player like emmanuel macron, potentially having taken a

more _ macron, potentially having taken a more conciliatory tone towards moscow — more conciliatory tone towards moscow then biden and johnson have. it moscow then biden and johnson have. it will— moscow then biden and johnson have. it will he _ moscow then biden and johnson have. it will be interesting to see what happens — it will be interesting to see what happens. i think it is a very dangerous, dicey situation at the moment — dangerous, dicey situation at the moment i— dangerous, dicey situation at the moment. i also think is the prospect of war— moment. i also think is the prospect of war grows, the ravages discussing not only— of war grows, the ravages discussing not only to _ of war grows, the ravages discussing not only to the ukrainian economy but economies across the west is also really— but economies across the west is also really important to mark. this morning _ also really important to mark. this morning by— also really important to mark. this morning by mid—morning 54 billion had been _ morning by mid—morning 54 billion had been wiped out of the 350 higgest — had been wiped out of the 350 biggest companies on the uk stock exchange — biggest companies on the uk stock exchange. i think we may see more economic— exchange. i think we may see more economic harm at the prospect of war are chalked _ economic harm at the prospect of war are chalked up in the coming days. just before — are chalked up in the coming days. just before we move on from germany, out of all of this, what's mr putin it's been argued has achieved is that he's unified nato if anything. however, germany's positioning do you think could potentially scupper that position of strength and what

they been saying and how they've been acting in of this? good question- — been acting in of this? good question- i _ been acting in of this? good question. i think— been acting in of this? good question. i think there - been acting in of this? good question. i think there are l been acting in of this? good i question. i think there are two sides— question. i think there are two sides to — question. i think there are two sides to the coin. as you say, it sort _ sides to the coin. as you say, it sort of— sides to the coin. as you say, it sort of galvanised nato, it's woke the alliance up, it's oil the wheels of the _ the alliance up, it's oil the wheels of the alliance with many more meetings — of the alliance with many more meetings with leaders, summits, defence _ meetings with leaders, summits, defence ministerial is in recent weeks — defence ministerial is in recent weeks was up at the same time we have also— weeks was up at the same time we have also seen fractures i think would — have also seen fractures i think would be — have also seen fractures i think would be right to highlight germany's position particularly on -as germany's position particularly on gas being — germany's position particularly on gas being won. a lot of eyebrows are raised _ gas being won. a lot of eyebrows are raised last— gas being won. a lot of eyebrows are raised last week when emmanuel macron— raised last week when emmanuel macron went to moscow and was seen by other— macron went to moscow and was seen by other alliance partners is going off script — by other alliance partners is going off script in hinting that the west might— off script in hinting that the west might be — off script in hinting that the west might be willing to grant some of russia's— might be willing to grant some of russia's security guarantees. particularly around this issue of whether— particularly around this issue of whether ukraine should have the i’i l ht whether ukraine should have the right to _ whether ukraine should have the right tojoin nato in whether ukraine should have the right to join nato in future. whether ukraine should have the right tojoin nato in future. so whether ukraine should have the right to join nato in future. so for boris _ right to join nato in future. so for borisjohnson and joe biden it's is absolutely— borisjohnson and joe biden it's is absolutely fundamental that it's our country _ absolutely fundamental that it's our country and freedom to decide his

own future, its destiny, its policy nato _ own future, its destiny, its policy nato is _ own future, its destiny, its policy nato is absolutely key. i think there — nato is absolutely key. i think there have been fractures in the alliance — there have been fractures in the alliance that is come up through this and — alliance that is come up through this and of— alliance that is come up through this and of course russia is expert at exploiting those trying to widen such divisions. so at exploiting those trying to widen such divisions.— at exploiting those trying to widen such divisions. so rachel, lucy has hiuuhlihted such divisions. so rachel, lucy has highlighted nord _ such divisions. so rachel, lucy has highlighted nord stream _ such divisions. so rachel, lucy has highlighted nord stream and - such divisions. so rachel, lucy has highlighted nord stream and gas i highlighted nord stream and gas supplies. that is essentially what the front page of the metro goes well. pm, just say no.— well. pm, 'ust say no. yes, he is talkin: well. pm, 'ust say no. yes, he is talking to — well. pm, just say no. yes, he is talking to friends _ well. pm, just say no. yes, he is talking to friends in _ well. pm, just say no. yes, he is talking to friends in germany - well. pm, just say no. yes, he is i talking to friends in germany saying no to nord stream, get nord stream out of the bloodstream. as you say, it's already switched on and it's an issue that's been going back at least a couple of years. very strong words from boris johnson least a couple of years. very strong words from borisjohnson of urging european leaders to take a hard—line stance against putin. i think he's right and i think britain's position in this nda that we've been sending

ukrainians compared to other leaders in europe is admirable and probably the right course. the issue is, we might have been in a better position to negotiate and to encourage the european leaders to act in a certain way had we not left the eu, possibly going to get angry comments for saying that. even having left the eu, a lot of the antagonism that we've seen in all kinds of debates between britain and other eu countries, particularly france are played out, think about the fishing, the channel crossings and every time we have a domestic issue we blame the french and we blame the germans. a lot of that place quite well over here but has a cost and that cost is when you are the prime minister of britain and you are saying to your allies, stand up for this cause which is incredibly important, they don't necessarily listen stop or you have exhausted a lot of the goodwill that you might�*ve had. i agree with

him ijust think that you might�*ve had. i agree with him i just think that that you might�*ve had. i agree with him ijust think that his message is probably not going to land as effectively as it might�*ve done had he made different decisions over the past three years. he made different decisions over the past three years— past three years. okay. let us chance past three years. okay. let us change subjects _ past three years. okay. let us change subjects without - past three years. okay. let us change subjects without the i past three years. okay. let us i change subjects without the daily mail front page, change subjects without the daily mailfront page, 33 die change subjects without the daily mail front page, 33 die without justice in post office scandal. what justice in post office scandal. what a sto . justice in post office scandal. what a story- it's _ justice in post office scandal. what a story- it'sjust — justice in post office scandal. what a story. it'sjust heartbreaking. some _ a story. it'sjust heartbreaking. some of— a story. it'sjust heartbreaking. some of the facts to come out of this of— some of the facts to come out of this of course this was the fiasco by which — this of course this was the fiasco by which between 2000 and 2015 3500 people _ by which between 2000 and 2015 3500 people working for the post office were wrongly accused of taking money from their— were wrongly accused of taking money from their businesses due to what in fact turned _ from their businesses due to what in fact turned out to be a computer up and hearing — fact turned out to be a computer up and hearing some of the testimony from the _ and hearing some of the testimony from the witnesses and the court case _ from the witnesses and the court case that— from the witnesses and the court case that has begun today has been astonishing. he 69 told how he was brought— astonishing. he 69 told how he was brought to — astonishing. he 69 told how he was brought to the brink of suicide after— brought to the brink of suicide after being falsely accused of stealing £17,000. mr williams talked

about the _ stealing £17,000. mr williams talked about the grim punishments that so many— about the grim punishments that so many of— about the grim punishments that so many of the victims of this miscarriage ofjustice have faced. families — miscarriage ofjustice have faced. families are a part of his reputation is ruined, lives wrecked. and really— reputation is ruined, lives wrecked. and really sad that this male splashing 33 people died before their innocence was recognised with their innocence was recognised with the and _ their innocence was recognised with the and yet — their innocence was recognised with the and yet those still alive have yet to _ the and yet those still alive have yet to receive compensation. rachel. liz's yet to receive compensation. rachel. liz's absolutely _ yet to receive compensation. rachel. liz's absolutely right, _ yet to receive compensation. rachel. liz's absolutely right, it's _ liz's absolutely right, it's heartbreaking and some of those deaths were reportedly death by suicide potentially as a result of the strain of these wrongful convictions i think a lot of people will find staggering is this is down to a computer glitch software by a japanese company. which has yet to pay a penny in terms of compensation for them and the compensation when it does come will come from the post office and potentially from the uk taxpayer. and since 2013 so long

after