hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching context on bbc news. after months of shuttle diplomacy, a speech from president putin that puts russia on the brink of war. in a rambling address, mr putin said ukraine was linked to russia by blood. his entire speech, as in earlier essays, laying the groundwork for the wholesale occupation of ukraine. the british prime minister is due speak to the ukrainian president tonight, the house of commons will vote on a new sanctions bill tomorrow. this is plainly in breach of international law. i think it's a very ill omen and a very dark sign. in other news... england ends covid restrictions with the legal requirement to self isolate gone from thursday. tonight with all the

context, mick mulvaney, president trump's former chief of staff and jess barnard chair of young labour. hello and welcome. president putin has announced he intends to recognise as independent the two breakaway regions of ukraine controlled by russian—backed separatists — donetsk and lugansk. in an extraordinary address to the russian people this evening, mr putin laid historic claim to ukraine, a country he said was infested by neo nazis who had never been able to achieve statehood, and were now entirely reliant on foreign powers. ukraine he said was "ancient russian land" created by bolsheviks and connected to russia by blood. translation: in this connection, i have taken the _ translation: in this connection, i have taken the long _ translation: in this connection, i have taken the long since _ translation: in this connection, i have taken the long since overdue l have taken the long since overdue decision immediately to recognise

the independence and sovereignty... of the donetsk people's republic and the lugansk people's republic. i asked the federal assembly to support this decision and to ratify the treaty on friendship and mutual assistance with both republics. this afternoon, mr putin presided, almost tzar like, over a special session of the kremlin�*s security council. after which he called olaf scholz of germany and france's emmanuel macron to inform them he was effectively giving up on the 2015 minsk agreement. immediately, the french president called for an emergency session of the security council. the decision gives russia the pretext it has been seeking to send troops to these newly—recognised independent states in eastern ukraine. it is not yet clear what that means for the rest of ukraine. though the russian president's rhetoric hardly gives us cause for optimism. we will get plenty of reaction this evening from our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet.

she is in kyiv. and also with us from washington, our state department correspondent barbara plett usher. you are part of the trump administration that are sent plenty of arms and support to ukraine. tonight, president putin said nato countries in the american government had effectively set up databases in the country, training and equipping ukrainian soldiers and all of it an effort to threaten russia he said, your reaction? in effort to threaten russia he said, your reaction?— your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations _ your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations when _ your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations when i _ your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations when i was - your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations when i was in - your reaction? in fact one of our frustrations when i was in the i your reaction? in fact one of our - frustrations when i was in the trump administration was that no one, not nearly enough folks, was sending literary aid to the ukrainians. europeans were mostly sending non—lethal aid and for a while we were the only country sending military aid. it is another ruse. we expect this from putin and he is doing everything we expect him to do to lay pretext for invasion. to simply say the americans and nato have set up a base in ukraine is observe no one believes it other than the russian people i suppose. those are the audience he is

speaking to, not you or me. he is looking to lay a foundation for invasion. it is properly not unexpected that he take that route. the criticism of the europeans is probably fair and we will speak about that. there were indiscretions within the trump administration as well. and whether some of the support was held back from the ukrainian government and whether that undermined their position. did america do enough to stop this from happening? to america do enough to stop this from ha eninr? ., , .,, america do enough to stop this from hawenin? ., , , america do enough to stop this from ha eninr? ., , .,, , ., happening? to stop this from happening? _ happening? to stop this from happening? i _ happening? to stop this from happening? ithink... - happening? to stop this from happening? ithink... lets. happening? to stop this from | happening? ithink... lets talk happening? i think... lets talk about what is happening now and what we can do. if the biden administration was looking for an excuse to put on what we might call pre—emptive sanctions, the recognition of these two to breakaway separatist areas is the excuse they should take advantage of to put on frank sean is now before we possibly get to a hot shooting war —— to put on sanctions now. i would be curious to see where the germans and the rest of the europeans are on that. it is almost as if we have been afraid to put on these pre—entry sanctions because we

didn't want to provoke the russians. now they have recognised the separatists group it seems the appropriate time to take the economic steps to put pressure on russia that we haven't up to this point. russia that we haven't up to this oint. ., , ., russia that we haven't up to this oint. .,, ., , , ., point. least of set in kyiv, what he was doinu point. least of set in kyiv, what he was doing tonight _ point. least of set in kyiv, what he was doing tonight was _ point. least of set in kyiv, what he was doing tonight was effectively l was doing tonight was effectively appealing to nationalist sentiment in russia. he is stirring up the deep history of the two countries. he said you need to back me because we need to reclaim what is ours. that does not sound to me like a man who is ready to accept an olive branch. ., ., ., ~' who is ready to accept an olive branch. ., ., ., 4' . who is ready to accept an olive branch. ., ., ., ~ ., ,., u, branch. no, look at the political theatre we _ branch. no, look at the political theatre we saw _ branch. no, look at the political theatre we saw tonight. - branch. no, look at the political theatre we saw tonight. i - branch. no, look at the political theatre we saw tonight. i am i branch. no, look at the political. theatre we saw tonight. i am sure this was_ theatre we saw tonight. i am sure this was watched around the who saw the nationai— this was watched around the who saw the national security chiefs and intelligence chiefs trembling and stammering in front of president putin _ stammering in front of president putin we — stammering in front of president putin. we called them to ask for their— putin. we called them to ask for their opinions and it was clear he only wanted to hear what he had already— only wanted to hear what he had already made up his mind about which was to— already made up his mind about which was to recognise the two rebel republics _

was to recognise the two rebel republics. it was described as live, but we _ republics. it was described as live, but we think it was pre—recorded. the fact— but we think it was pre—recorded. the fact that there was translation, this was— the fact that there was translation, this was for— the fact that there was translation, this was for the world to see and for ukraine — this was for the world to see and for ukraine to see, as well. one of the only— for ukraine to see, as well. one of the only women on the national security— the only women on the national security council talking very emotionally, perhaps she believes it, emotionally, perhaps she believes it. given _ emotionally, perhaps she believes it, given what russians have been hearing. _ it, given what russians have been hearing. on— it, given what russians have been hearing, on russian television, but the genocide in these areas. not 'ust the genocide in these areas. not just to _ the genocide in these areas. not just to russian speaking ukrainians, but two _ just to russian speaking ukrainians, but two russian citizens. some 800,000 russians live in those rebel held republics, which have now been recognised _ held republics, which have now been recognised as russian. and never mind _ recognised as russian. and never mind that — recognised as russian. and never mind that some of them have only received _ mind that some of them have only received russian passports in recent years _ received russian passports in recent years. judging from the reaction across— years. judging from the reaction across social media by the ukrainian politicians, — across social media by the ukrainian politicians, they have described this as — politicians, they have described this as dangerous and a declaration of war~ _ this as dangerous and a declaration of war~ rt_ this as dangerous and a declaration of war. �* ., ., �* of war. a few weeks ago, ben wallace, _ of war. a few weeks ago, ben wallace. the _ of war. a few weeks ago, ben wallace, the defence - of war. a few weeks ago, ben l wallace, the defence secretary of war. a few weeks ago, ben - wallace, the defence secretary says there was a whiff of munich 1938 about all of this. just to go back in history at that time, adolf

hitler called the land part of germany and he wanted to unite the 3 million german speakers in czechoslovakia he thought were part of a greater germany. if you look at that speech and the speech we had that speech and the speech we had that night from president putin, there was something more than a whiff of munich 1938 about it. let’s whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see, i whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see. i have — whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see. i have just _ whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see, i have just come _ whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see, i have just come from - whiff of munich 1938 about it. let's see, i have just come from munich the munich— see, i have just come from munich the munich security conference and where _ the munich security conference and where western leaders and nato leaders — where western leaders and nato leaders are all too aware that in munich— leaders are all too aware that in munich has a really bad tent about it. munich has a really bad tent about it this— munich has a really bad tent about it. this year's me nick security conference _ it. this year's me nick security conference which was described as one of— conference which was described as one of the — conference which was described as one of the most consequential of all try one of the most consequential of all by the _ one of the most consequential of all by the chairman, with their words they were — by the chairman, with their words they were saying this was not going to he _ they were saying this was not going to he a _ they were saying this was not going to be a repeat of what chamberlain did, this _ to be a repeat of what chamberlain did, this was not going to be appeasement. we are standing together and every single country i spoke _ together and every single country i spoke to, — together and every single country i spoke to, whether it was their prime minister. _ spoke to, whether it was their prime minister, foreign minister, defence minister. _ minister, foreign minister, defence minister, said they had a package of

robust _ minister, said they had a package of robust and _ minister, said they had a package of robust and punishing sanctions that would _ robust and punishing sanctions that would be _ robust and punishing sanctions that would be imposed immediately, that would _ would be imposed immediately, that would immediately kick in once president — would immediately kick in once president putin moved into ukraine. but the _ president putin moved into ukraine. but the big — president putin moved into ukraine. but the big question tonight, and we can see _ but the big question tonight, and we can see it— but the big question tonight, and we can see it going back and forth on social— can see it going back and forth on social media and the statements, is what happened today, the signing of that with _ what happened today, the signing of that with the stroke of the pen, what _ that with the stroke of the pen, what president putin did, is that the trigger to impose those punishing sanctions? president biden's— punishing sanctions? president biden's announcement was that there was a _ biden's announcement was that there was a set _ biden's announcement was that there was a set of— biden's announcement was that there was a set of sanctions, but this was not the _ was a set of sanctions, but this was not the package. the package of the most punishing sanctions that have been prepared by the west and by nato~ _ been prepared by the west and by nato~ and — been prepared by the west and by nato. and if this is not the trigger. _ nato. and if this is not the trigger, ukrainians are asking, what is? �* , trigger, ukrainians are asking, what is? �*, , , w trigger, ukrainians are asking, what is? �*, ,, ., trigger, ukrainians are asking, what is? let's speak to barbara in washington- _ is? let's speak to barbara in washington. reaction - is? let's speak to barbara in washington. reaction to - is? let's speak to barbara in i washington. reaction to night, barbara, what is president biden doing and who is he speaking to? —— reaction tonight. he doing and who is he speaking to? -- reaction tonight.— reaction tonight. he spoke to the german chancellor _ reaction tonight. he spoke to the german chancellor and _ reaction tonight. he spoke to the german chancellor and the i reaction tonight. he spoke to the | german chancellor and the french president— german chancellor and the french president this _ german chancellor and the french president this afternoon. - german chancellor and the french president this afternoon. and i german chancellor and the french president this afternoon. and the i president this afternoon. and the white _ president this afternoon. and the white house _ president this afternoon. and the white house has _ president this afternoon. and the white house has announced, i president this afternoon. and the white house has announced, as i president this afternoon. and the i white house has announced, as lyse

was mention. — white house has announced, as lyse was mention, the _ white house has announced, as lyse was mention, the steps— white house has announced, as lyse was mention, the steps it _ white house has announced, as lyse was mention, the steps it would i was mention, the steps it would take _ was mention, the steps it would take he — was mention, the steps it would take he said _ was mention, the steps it would take. he said this— was mention, the steps it would take. he said this move - was mention, the steps it would take. he said this move by- was mention, the steps it would take. he said this move by mr. was mention, the steps it would i take. he said this move by mr putin had been _ take. he said this move by mr putin had been anticipated, _ take. he said this move by mr putin had been anticipated, some - take. he said this move by mr putin had been anticipated, some move l take. he said this move by mr putin i had been anticipated, some move like this, so— had been anticipated, some move like this, so they— had been anticipated, some move like this, so they were— had been anticipated, some move like this, so they were ready to respond i this, so they were ready to respond with certain — this, so they were ready to respond with certain sanction _ this, so they were ready to respond with certain sanction steps, - with certain sanction steps, imposing _ with certain sanction steps, imposing sanctions- with certain sanction steps, imposing sanctions on- with certain sanction steps, imposing sanctions on any. with certain sanction steps, . imposing sanctions on any us with certain sanction steps, - imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would _ imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would trade _ imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would trade or— imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would trade or finance _ imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would trade or finance or- imposing sanctions on any us citizen but would trade or finance or investl but would trade or finance or invest in these _ but would trade or finance or invest. in these breakaway rebel regions. or also issuing — in these breakaway rebel regions. or also issuing an — in these breakaway rebel regions. or also issuing an authority— in these breakaway rebel regions. or also issuing an authority that - in these breakaway rebel regions. or also issuing an authority that would i also issuing an authority that would allow _ also issuing an authority that would allow the _ also issuing an authority that would allow the white _ also issuing an authority that would allow the white house _ also issuing an authority that would allow the white house to _ also issuing an authority that would allow the white house to put - allow the white house to put sanctions _ allow the white house to put sanctions on _ allow the white house to put sanctions on anyone - allow the white house to put sanctions on anyone who i allow the white house to put i sanctions on anyone who operated allow the white house to put - sanctions on anyone who operated in that region — sanctions on anyone who operated in that region. present— sanctions on anyone who operated in that region. present biden _ sanctions on anyone who operated in that region. present biden is - that region. present biden is issuing — that region. present biden is issuing an _ that region. present biden is issuing an executive - that region. present biden is issuing an executive order. that region. present biden is issuing an executive order to that region. present biden is i issuing an executive order to that effect _ issuing an executive order to that effect as— issuing an executive order to that effect as we _ issuing an executive order to that effect. as we had, _ issuing an executive order to that effect. as we had, this _ issuing an executive order to that effect. as we had, this is - issuing an executive order to that effect. as we had, this is not i issuing an executive order to that effect. as we had, this is not the| effect. as we had, this is not the swift _ effect. as we had, this is not the swift and — effect. as we had, this is not the swift and severe _ effect. as we had, this is not the swift and severe economic - effect. as we had, this is not the i swift and severe economic sanctions that we _ swift and severe economic sanctions that we have — swift and severe economic sanctions that we have been _ swift and severe economic sanctions that we have been told _ swift and severe economic sanctions that we have been told about. - swift and severe economic sanctions that we have been told about. that. that we have been told about. that would _ that we have been told about. that would be _ that we have been told about. that would be of — that we have been told about. that would be of detrimental— that we have been told about. that would be of detrimental to - that we have been told about. that| would be of detrimental to russia's economy _ would be of detrimental to russia's economy that— would be of detrimental to russia's economy. that is— would be of detrimental to russia's economy. that is separate. - would be of detrimental to russia's economy. that is separate. what i would be of detrimental to russia'sl economy. that is separate. what mr biden— economy. that is separate. what mr biden has— economy. that is separate. what mr biden has always _ economy. that is separate. what mr biden has always said _ economy. that is separate. what mr biden has always said is— economy. that is separate. what mr biden has always said is that - economy. that is separate. what mr biden has always said is that as i biden has always said is that as soon _ biden has always said is that as soon as— biden has always said is that as soon as the _ biden has always said is that as soon as the troops _ biden has always said is that as soon as the troops cross - biden has always said is that as soon as the troops cross the i biden has always said is that as i soon as the troops cross the border, that would _ soon as the troops cross the border, that would go — soon as the troops cross the border, that would go into _ soon as the troops cross the border, that would go into play. _ soon as the troops cross the border, that would go into play. that - soon as the troops cross the border, that would go into play. that seemsi that would go into play. that seems to be _ that would go into play. that seems to be a _ that would go into play. that seems to be a trigger— that would go into play. that seems to be a trigger that _ that would go into play. that seems to be a trigger that hasn't _ that would go into play. that seems to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet. to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet although— to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet. although this _ to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet. although this move _ to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet. although this move by- to be a trigger that hasn't happened yet. although this move by mr- to be a trigger that hasn't happenedj yet. although this move by mr putin could _ yet. although this move by mr putin could open— yet. although this move by mr putin could open the — yet. although this move by mr putin could open the door— yet. although this move by mr putin could open the door to _ yet. although this move by mr putin could open the door to that. - yet. although this move by mr putinl could open the door to that. because if he recognises — could open the door to that. because if he recognises these _ could open the door to that. because if he recognises these breakaway i if he recognises these breakaway regions _ if he recognises these breakaway regions and — if he recognises these breakaway regions and they— if he recognises these breakaway regions and they try _ if he recognises these breakaway regions and they try to _ if he recognises these breakaway regions and they try to take i if he recognises these breakaway regions and they try to take over|

regions and they try to take over the territory _ regions and they try to take over the territory they— regions and they try to take over the territory they have _ regions and they try to take over the territory they have claimed, i the territory they have claimed, they don't— the territory they have claimed, they don't control— the territory they have claimed, they don't control the _ the territory they have claimed, they don't control the territory. they don't control the territory they— they don't control the territory they have _ they don't control the territory they have claimed, _ they don't control the territory they have claimed, they- they don't control the territory they have claimed, they could| they have claimed, they could ostensibly _ they have claimed, they could ostensibly ask— they have claimed, they could ostensibly ask the _ they have claimed, they could ostensibly ask the russians i they have claimed, they couldl ostensibly ask the russians for military— ostensibly ask the russians for military aid _ ostensibly ask the russians for military aid. and _ ostensibly ask the russians for military aid. and you can- ostensibly ask the russians for military aid. and you can see l ostensibly ask the russians for i military aid. and you can see how this could — military aid. and you can see how this could develop _ military aid. and you can see how this could develop from _ military aid. and you can see how this could develop from there. i military aid. and you can see how. this could develop from there. also, the white _ this could develop from there. also, the white house _ this could develop from there. also, the white house said _ this could develop from there. also, the white house said there - this could develop from there. also, the white house said there would i this could develop from there. also, i the white house said there would be other measures _ the white house said there would be other measures announced - the white house said there would be other measures announced but - the white house said there would be other measures announced but theyl other measures announced but they came _ other measures announced but they came out— other measures announced but they came out right — other measures announced but they came out right after— other measures announced but they came out right after mr— other measures announced but they came out right after mr putin's i came out right after mr putin's speech, — came out right after mr putin's speech. these _ came out right after mr putin's speech, these initial— came out right after mr putin's| speech, these initial sanctions. barbara. — speech, these initial sanctions. barbara, thank— speech, these initial sanctions. barbara, thank you _ speech, these initial sanctions. barbara, thank you very - speech, these initial sanctions. barbara, thank you very much. i speech, these initial sanctions. i barbara, thank you very much. jess barnyard, you are a keen supporter of the stop the war movement. you supported jeremy corbyn's position on nato. you have been critical of keir starmer�*s support for the alliance, what are your thoughts tonight, what should europe do next, watch of the uk government do next? the absolute priority has to be that we absolutely have to achieve peace and avoid war. i think we can take quite a lot of lessons from france and germany on this, who have been pursuing dialogue and negotiations are revisiting potential agreements and trying to resolve this dispute.

let's put this back into perspective, even borisjohnson were saying this could be one of the most disastrous wars we have ever seen if this breaks out and they should be avoided at all costs. we did not want to see hundreds of thousands of people dying because of this conflict. we need to be pursuing peace as an absolute. interesting that ou peace as an absolute. interesting that you say _ peace as an absolute. interesting that you say we _ peace as an absolute. interesting that you say we should _ peace as an absolute. interesting that you say we should be - peace as an absolute. interesting i that you say we should be following germany's example because germany has been heavily criticised for sending 5000 helmets and not enough in terms of a deterrent, not enough arms to support the ukrainian government. the diplomacy has failed and buddha may put pudding will go into ukraine, from what he has said this evening —— has failed and vladimir putin will go back. does diplomacy not have to work with a deterrent? it diplomacy not have to work with a deterrent? . . diplomacy not have to work with a deterrent? , ., ., ., ,., ., ., diplomacy not have to work with a deterrent? , ., ., , deterrent? it is far too soon to be sa in: deterrent? it is far too soon to be saying that _ deterrent? it is far too soon to be saying that diplomacy _ deterrent? it is far too soon to be saying that diplomacy has - deterrent? it is far too soon to be saying that diplomacy has failed. | saying that diplomacy has failed. this is very early days and we have only just seen the this is very early days and we have onlyjust seen the announcement and we need to consider what this means and what that means for negotiations

going forward. we need to be careful in this kind of pro—war rhetoric that we are constantly being exposed to. particularly in the uk media. we can't be accepting defeat. this will have completely disastrous consequences if we allow a war to break out. we absolutely need diplomacy to succeed. and all parties need to come to the table i have that discussion. to parties need to come to the table i have that discussion.— have that discussion. to you put some responsibility _ have that discussion. to you put some responsibility for - have that discussion. to you put some responsibility for this i have that discussion. to you put some responsibility for this on l some responsibility for this on vladimir putin?— some responsibility for this on vladimir putin? absolutely, yes. like i said. _ vladimir putin? absolutely, yes. like i said, all— vladimir putin? absolutely, yes. like i said, all parties, _ vladimir putin? absolutely, yes. like i said, all parties, including| like i said, all parties, including putin, needs to come to the table and engage in negotiations to come out of this with a peaceful resolution.— out of this with a peaceful resolution. . , , ,., resolution. ok, we will address some ofthat resolution. ok, we will address some of that a little — resolution. ok, we will address some of that a little further _ resolution. ok, we will address some of that a little further in _ resolution. ok, we will address some of that a little further in the - of that a little further in the programme. nick, you are shaking your head, go on, come back on that. that's the type of language that will get you into war. to that's the type of language that will get you into war.— that's the type of language that will get you into war. to say let's no will get you into war. to say let's to back will get you into war. to say let's go back to _ will get you into war. to say let's go back to the — will get you into war. to say let's go back to the table, _ will get you into war. to say let's go back to the table, back- will get you into war. to say let's go back to the table, back to i will get you into war. to say let's go back to the table, back to the | go back to the table, back to the table. _ go back to the table, back to the table, that is what putin wants to hear~ _ table, that is what putin wants to hear~ the — table, that is what putin wants to hear. the time for that is finished. christian. — hear. the time for that is finished. christian, you are the first person to articulate it but i think you are right. _ to articulate it but i think you are right, diplomacy has failed at this point _

right, diplomacy has failed at this point as— right, diplomacy has failed at this point. as soon as the russian recognised the breakaway republics, then the _ recognised the breakaway republics, then the diplomacy has failed. now we are _ then the diplomacy has failed. now we are in_ then the diplomacy has failed. now we are in the world of real politic. now it _ we are in the world of real politic. now it is — we are in the world of real politic. now it is not _ we are in the world of real politic. now it is not discussion and are we pro-war— now it is not discussion and are we pro-war or— now it is not discussion and are we pro—war or anti—war? now it is not discussion and are we pro—war oranti—war? it is now it is not discussion and are we pro—war or anti—war? it is not a psycho— pro—war or anti—war? it is not a psycho babble, it is ok, russia, if you do— psycho babble, it is ok, russia, if you do this. — psycho babble, it is ok, russia, if you do this, this is the penalty. it doesn't _ you do this, this is the penalty. it doesn't have to be war, i am not pro-war— doesn't have to be war, i am not pro-war and _ doesn't have to be war, i am not pro—war and i was glad to hear president _ pro—war and i was glad to hear president biden say he was not going to commit— president biden say he was not going to commit american troops to go into ukraine _ to commit american troops to go into ukraine. that doesn't mean there are other— ukraine. that doesn't mean there are other things — ukraine. that doesn't mean there are other things you can't and should be doing. _ other things you can't and should be doing, which is where sanctions are so important. they are much too like mine _ so important. they are much too like mine out— so important. they are much too like mine out we — so important. they are much too like mine out we haven't reached out in europe _ mine out we haven't reached out in europe and — mine out we haven't reached out in europe and the united states to the saudis— europe and the united states to the saudis about why they are continuing to abide _ saudis about why they are continuing to abide by— saudis about why they are continuing to abide by the terms of their agreement with the russians that still props up the price of oil. there — still props up the price of oil. there was— still props up the price of oil. there was a lot of real—world things that can _ there was a lot of real—world things that can and — there was a lot of real—world things that can and should be done and say let's be _ that can and should be done and say let's be against war and sit down at the table _ let's be against war and sit down at the table is — let's be against war and sit down at the table is probably the way that would _ the table is probably the way that would get you into war. i the table is probably the way that would get you into war.— would get you into war. i would t in: to would get you into war. i would trying to be _ would get you into war. i would trying to be think _ would get you into war. i would trying to be think if _ would get you into war. i would trying to be think if what i i would get you into war. i would trying to be think if what i was l trying to be think if what i was feeling tonight if i was in warsaw when you hear the russian president talking in historical terms as he

did nostalgically about the former soviet union. that must sent shock waves through the eastern flank of europe. the sheet that must send. i think it does. as a russian court. just north of leningrad although my geography is not as good as it used to be where you could make the same case. this is the case that putin made before he went into crimea. they are russian people, russian language speakers, we have historical ties, we bought this land with the blood of our grandfathers, etc. it is a playbook now. he has tipped his hand and that is why i say it diplomacy unfortunately has probably failed. this is the second or third move or the fifth move is an invasion, it is transparent at this point. if i were the polls, i would be worried. it is an important difference. poland is a nato nation but ukraine isn't. that is different and that is something that bears discussion. i was glad to hear president biden not to commit troops

to ukraine but we should commit troops to poland because we have made them promises we should keep. there is a lot of... i get the fact that there is turmoil in europe, i understand that and i am sympathetic and to the polish situation and the baltic states, the same way but it doesn't mean i don't think we shouldn't send troops into ukraine when we have sanctions that we haven't undertaken yet.- when we have sanctions that we haven't undertaken yet. let's bring in alexander vindman, a retired us army lieutenant colonel who oversaw the trump administration's ukraine policy. he is of some ukrainian descent, as well. let me get your reaction to the announcement tonight from moscow. what does it mean? what does it mean that the duma and the kremlin is going to recognise donetsk and lugansk as independent states? it donetsk and lugansk as independent states? . . donetsk and lugansk as independent states? . , ., ., states? it means we are almost certainly at — states? it means we are almost certainly at the _ states? it means we are almost certainly at the end _ states? it means we are almost certainly at the end of- states? it means we are almost. certainly at the end of diplomatic negotiations that are going on. what we have _ negotiations that are going on. what we have now is the last closure of

the last _ we have now is the last closure of the last best opportunity to avoid a military— the last best opportunity to avoid a military offensive. if the idea was to apply— military offensive. if the idea was to apply pressure on ukraine to come back to _ to apply pressure on ukraine to come back to minsk, to implement minsk according _ back to minsk, to implement minsk according to russia plus my calculations, there is a whole different— calculations, there is a whole different story about how the ukrainians see minsk implications and how— ukrainians see minsk implications and how the russians see it. at the bottom _ and how the russians see it. at the bottom line — and how the russians see it. at the bottom line is it would give russia a veto _ bottom line is it would give russia a veto over — bottom line is it would give russia a veto over ukraine's geopolitical orientation. if the russians sign that away— orientation. if the russians sign that away with a stroke of a pen, they— that away with a stroke of a pen, they no— that away with a stroke of a pen, they no longer have that... they can no longer— they no longer have that... they can no longer try— they no longer have that... they can no longer try to beat ukraine into conducting... into giving away... their— conducting... into giving away... their sovereignty. the only option is to use _ their sovereignty. the only option is to use military force to achieve their— is to use military force to achieve their objectives. their diplomatic options _ their objectives. their diplomatic options from here, as bad as they were _ options from here, as bad as they were this — options from here, as bad as they were this morning, they are even worse _ were this morning, they are even worse now — were this morning, they are even worse now. now you basically have a situation _ worse now. now you basically have a situation in _ worse now. now you basically have a situation in which one of the major parties _ situation in which one of the major parties capitulating on the position is that— parties capitulating on the position is that they have taken. even the west— is that they have taken. even the west with —

is that they have taken. even the west with regards to principles on sovereignty and integrity than giving — sovereignty and integrity than giving russia a veto or russia backpedalling on this major speech that putin — backpedalling on this major speech that putin gave about ukraine's sovereignty and brotherhood of the people _ sovereignty and brotherhood of the people. and how they are indivisible. now we are basically heading — indivisible. now we are basically heading towards a military confrontation.— heading towards a military confrontation. ., ., ._ confrontation. throughout the day, the have confrontation. throughout the day, they have been _ confrontation. throughout the day, they have been edging _ confrontation. throughout the day, they have been edging closer- confrontation. throughout the day, they have been edging closer to i confrontation. throughout the day, | they have been edging closer to the border. they now have the pretext to go into the done basque region. what does president zelenskyy do next? because he has two options —— into the donbas region. either he can engage the russian military as they come over the border, which would risk a conflagration. or he can do nothing in which case he looks politically weak in kyiv. which is the better option?— the better option? president zehns the better option? president zelinsky has _ the better option? president zelinsky has been, _ the better option? president zelinsky has been, frankly, i the better option? president i zelinsky has been, frankly, like a man— zelinsky has been, frankly, like a man of— zelinsky has been, frankly, like a man of steel in terms of not bending to pressure — man of steel in terms of not bending to pressure thus far. in certain

ways— to pressure thus far. in certain ways that _ to pressure thus far. in certain ways that has been good because he has not _ ways that has been good because he has not given any signals of any kind _ has not given any signals of any kind of— has not given any signals of any kind of belligerence, anything to be remotely— kind of belligerence, anything to be remotely perceived as provocative. but putin _ remotely perceived as provocative. but putin doesn't require anything substantially, he could fabricate a pretext _ substantially, he could fabricate a pretext. at this point, president zietinski's — pretext. at this point, president zielinski's best options are probably to start to mobilise his population for this forthcoming walk on to engage with the diplomatic community and build some sort of consensus — community and build some sort of consensus around this idea of response _ consensus around this idea of response options and sanctions that should _ response options and sanctions that should be _ response options and sanctions that should be going into effect now. not the limited sanctions that were announced by the biden administration that were limited to basically— administration that were limited to basically the donbas, russian —controlled areas but something to punish _ —controlled areas but something to punish russia for this assault on international norms. the ukrainian defence minister _ international norms. the ukrainian defence minister said _ international norms. the ukrainian defence minister said today - international norms. the ukrainian defence minister said today that i international norms. the ukrainian. defence minister said today that the question of kyiv is very much in the air but if there was an invasion with the idea of taking the capital, they would move the ukrainian

capital to the western side of the country, probably to a city like lviv, that brings the ukrainians and russians right onto the european border. 50 you have american troops on the polish border right opposite lviv, that is a very dangerous scenario that might not be many weeks away. it’s scenario that might not be many weeks away-— weeks away. it's a shocking development, _ weeks away. it's a shocking development, frankly, - weeks away. it's a shocking development, frankly, a . weeks away. it's a shocking i development, frankly, a major european _ development, frankly, a major european city, a population of 3 million — european city, a population of 3 million and now there is a discussion due to russia's belligerence moving it to a different location to preserve the government, to preserve national unity~ _ government, to preserve national unity~ that — government, to preserve national unity. that is probably the major reason _ unity. that is probably the major reason why you could criticise not 'ust reason why you could criticise not just the _ reason why you could criticise not just the biden administration, but you could — just the biden administration, but you could criticise the efforts by the eu, — you could criticise the efforts by the eu, the uk, overthe past two decades— the eu, the uk, overthe past two decades to — the eu, the uk, overthe past two decades to actually stand up to russian — decades to actually stand up to russian belligerence. i think we find ourselves in this situation now because _ find ourselves in this situation now because we — find ourselves in this situation now because we have tried to continuously buydown short—term

risks _ continuously buydown short—term risks. when russia was attacking the international system, whether it is with regards to a tepid response to poisoning _ with regards to a tepid response to poisoning and the chemical weapons attack— poisoning and the chemical weapons attack in _ poisoning and the chemical weapons attack in salsbury and the assassinations in germany, the election— assassinations in germany, the election interference, illicit finance _ election interference, illicit finance. and we didn't take the steps _ finance. and we didn't take the steps we — finance. and we didn't take the steps we needed to because we wanted to keep _ steps we needed to because we wanted to keep their relationship somewhat nornrat~ _ to keep their relationship somewhat normal. that was the hope. and now we have _ normal. that was the hope. and now we have a _ normal. that was the hope. and now we have a much more aggressive and much _ we have a much more aggressive and much more _ we have a much more aggressive and much more belligerent russian president putin and he is going to keep— president putin and he is going to keep taking more and more. i think the trick— keep taking more and more. i think the trick is— keep taking more and more. i think the trick is to avoid a military confrontation. nobody wants that with russia. but also stand our ground — with russia. but also stand our ground in— with russia. but also stand our ground in a _ with russia. but also stand our ground in a way that sends a signal that there — ground in a way that sends a signal that there will not be any more tolerated _ that there will not be any more tolerated. this kind of behaviour will not — tolerated. this kind of behaviour will not be — tolerated. this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. us and uk will not be tolerated. us and uk will protect our interests in europe _ will protect our interests in euroe. �* will protect our interests in euroe. ., will protect our interests in euroe. �* ., . ,, ., will protect our interests in euroe. �* ., . ,, europe. always good to talk to you, thank ou europe. always good to talk to you, thank you for— europe. always good to talk to you, thank you for being _ europe. always good to talk to you, thank you for being with _ europe. always good to talk to you, thank you for being with us - europe. always good to talk to you, thank you for being with us this - thank you for being with us this evening. we will come back to ukraine. plenty of reaction coming in from european cities. we will bring you that reaction. let's turn to some of the other news in england, today.

borisjohnson has confirmed from thursday the legal requirement for people to self—isolate if they test positive for covid—i9 will end in england. until april, the government is advising people to stay at home if they test positive. but after that, people with covid symptoms will be encouraged to exercise personal responsibility much as they do with flu. he said. the prime minister said this was not the end of the pandemic, in fact his chief scientific advisor said today that other variants will continue to evolve, quite fast over the next couple of years and some of them may be more serious than omicron. but the prime minister said after two of the darkest years in peacetime history, it was finally time to start living with the virus. today is not the day we can declare victory over covid because this virus is not going away. but it is the day when all the efforts of the last two years finally enable us to protect ourselves whilst restoring our liberties in full. and, after two of the darkest and grimmest years in our peacetime history, i do believe this is a moment of pride for our nation.

and a source of hope for all that we can achieve in the years to come. so what else is changing for people living in england? the universal free testing programme will also end from april 1st, even for people with symptoms. instead, free testing will be available only to the most vulnerable. an additional booster dose will be offered to all over—75s and the most vulnerable over 12s from the spring — six months after their last jab. the leader of the opposition — sir keir starmer — called on the government to publish the scientific evidence behind their decision to remove the requirement to self—isolate. the government he said was taking away the tools that will help the british people to act responsibly. this is a half—baked announcement from a government paralysed by chaos and incompetence. it is not a plan to live well with covid back. joining me now is sally cutler —

professor in medical microbiology at the university of east london. thank you for being patient, i know you have been waiting to talk about covid and we are grateful. let me start with the comments from sir patrick vallance this evening. he said it will evolve, covid, over the next two years and we might get a variant worse than omicron. will we have the tools to be able to spot that? , ., ., ., ., , that? yes, we have got the tools, but it does _ that? yes, we have got the tools, but it does need _ that? yes, we have got the tools, but it does need continual - but it does need continual investment. and this is what is known as surveillance. they did mention during the announcement today about continuing the ons surveillance, which is great that that's going to continue. but it's probably going to be scaled back. so it will be continuing, but not at the level it has been. but there are other surveillance mechanisms that are probably going to be ongoing as well. they were alluded to but not detailed in the announcements that came out today. and one of those is actually looking at waste water. that is a great way of actually getting surveillance of all the

sewage. it is the polite way of actually describing sewage. so you can actually screen that so you can get disease activity and new variants that could emerge. it is cost effective. i variants that could emerge. it is cost effective.— cost effective. i don't think your cat likes it! _ cost effective. i don't think your cat likes it! laughter - cat likes it! laughter i don't think your cat likes it at all! ,, ., , ., i don't think your cat likes it at all! ,, . , ., ., i don't think your cat likes it at all! ,, ., , ., ., laughter all! she wants to 'oin in! laughter we have all! she wants to 'oin in! laughter we have been — all! she wants to join in! laughter we have been remarkably - all! she wants to join in! laughter | we have been remarkably successful, actually, to testing in this country, we test about a million people on average every day but that costs the exchequer £2 billion a month. there will be some who say thatis month. there will be some who say that is money much better spent in areas of the nhs that are under extreme pressure at the moment. yes. extreme pressure at the moment. yes, ou could extreme pressure at the moment. yes, you could say _ extreme pressure at the moment. yes, you could say that — extreme pressure at the moment. yes, you could say that and _ extreme pressure at the moment. is: you could say that and it could certainly the justification for everything going on at this point in time is not quite there. basically, a lot of pcr tests are being when we

are in the middle of a wave of omicron. we know that the result willjust omicron. we know that the result will just show that yes, it is omicron. do tend to be quite accurate. it's not quite as sensitive as a... if it is positive, the likelihood is it will be confirmed, yes, you've got covid. it doesn't tend to give you false positives. doesn't tend to give you false ositives. doesn't tend to give you false positives-— doesn't tend to give you false ositives. , , g , , positives. let me 'ust bring jess barnard, positives. let me 'ust bring jess bernard. they — positives. let me just bring jess barnard, they will _ positives. let me just bring jess barnard, they will be _ positives. let me just bring jess barnard, they will be lots - positives. let me just bring jess barnard, they will be lots of - positives. let me just bring jess i barnard, they will be lots of people who are immunosuppressed who have anxieties about the announcements that have been made today. we need to find a commercially acceptable way to provide people with tests if they have to purchase that particular with a cost of living crisis. ! particular with a cost of living crisis. ., ., , particular with a cost of living crisis. . . , ., . crisis. i am really worried about this lack of _ crisis. i am really worried about this lack of free _ crisis. i am really worried about this lack of free testing. - crisis. i am really worried about this lack of free testing. let - crisis. i am really worried about this lack of free testing. let me 'ust brine this lack of free testing. let me just bring jess _ this lack of free testing. let me just bring jess barnard - this lack of free testing. let me just bring jess barnard in - this lack of free testing. let me just bring jess barnard in on - this lack of free testing. let me l just bring jess barnard in on that, if you would, jess, would you give me an answer on that? absolutely. there is absolutely _

me an answer on that? absolutely. there is absolutely no _ me an answer on that? absolutely. there is absolutely no reason - me an answer on that? absolutely. there is absolutely no reason we i there is absolutely no reason we should _ there is absolutely no reason we should be — there is absolutely no reason we should be getting rid of free testing. _ should be getting rid of free testing, which has proved really successful and we're really fortunate to be able to have that in our country — fortunate to be able to have that in our country. getting rid of that really— our country. getting rid of that really does expose people who are, like you _ really does expose people who are, like you say, vulnerable or for whatever— like you say, vulnerable or for whatever reason have not been able have the _ whatever reason have not been able have the vaccine, who are at a huge amount— have the vaccine, who are at a huge amount of— have the vaccine, who are at a huge amount of risk in terms of their health— amount of risk in terms of their health and _ amount of risk in terms of their health and longer term effects. sometimes fatal impact of covid. making _ sometimes fatal impact of covid. making sure that testing is free and widely— making sure that testing is free and widely accessible is such an essential part of this living with covid _ essential part of this living with covid plan. essential part of this living with covid plan-— covid plan. sally, very quickly, with about _ covid plan. sally, very quickly, with about 40 _ covid plan. sally, very quickly, with about 40 seconds - covid plan. sally, very quickly, with about 40 seconds left, i covid plan. sally, very quickly, with about 40 seconds left, if| covid plan. sally, very quickly, i with about 40 seconds left, if you don't have free testing, you can't very well enforce self isolation, can you, because people won't know whether they've got it?— whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact _ whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact that _ whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact that a _ whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact that a good - whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact that a good third - whether they've got it? absolutely. given the fact that a good third or. given the fact that a good third or more people are asymptomatic with their infection, if they are not tested, they won't know and they will carry on circulating and not doing the right thing, transmitting their infection to all those people around them. and i am really worried about people that are working in the nhs, people that work in care homes,

for instance. because the provision of free testing, they said, yes, for the very vulnerable but what about pregnant ladies, carers? taste the very vulnerable but what about pregnant ladies, carers?— the very vulnerable but what about pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there. _ pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there, we _ pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there, we are _ pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there, we are out _ pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there, we are out of - pregnant ladies, carers? we have to leave it there, we are out of time i leave it there, we are out of time but thank you very much. busy programme. much more coming up. hello, there. conditions improved quite quickly during monday, as storm franklin continued to push out into the near continent, and that allowed a ridge of high pressure to build in across the uk there. on the pressure chart, you can see storm franklin pushing into the near constant, and this is the ridge of high pressure, which gradually brought lighter winds to our shores during the afternoon. so the winds turn lighter. but we still have some concerns about the amount of rainfall that's fallen. there is more rain to come through the week. we have over 100 flood warnings across parts of england and wales, a couple of severe flood warnings across northwest england. so stay tuned to the forecast as we could be looking at more rainfall during the coming days, but nothing quite as severe, i think, as what we've had over the past week. now it's a quiet evening

and night to come with that ridge of high pressure, central and eastern areas will see clear skies. they'll turn chilly there, but it will be turning wet and windy again across scotland and northern ireland as the next frontal system arrives here by the end of the night. temperatures will rise too, with that wind and rain, but it will be chillier further east. so here it is — this next bout of wind and rain spreading its way eastwards across the country through the day. this weather front will be weakening, though, as it reaches england and wales. so initially we'll have some heavy rainfall across the northwest of the country. as that pushes across england and wales throughout tuesday, it will turn lighter and patchier, eventually clearing away into the afternoon. and then it's brighter for many with sunshine, a few blustery showers, most of these in the north and the west, and they will be wintry over the high ground of scotland. and it will be a windy day for all, particularly across hills and towards western coast and gates across the far north west of scotland. here it will be chillier again, single digits, whereas england and wales ranging from about eight to 11 degrees. then we've got another brief ridge of high pressure on wednesday for england and wales. but this large, deep area of low pressure in the north atlantic

will influence the weather for scotland and northern ireland. so here it's going to turn increasingly wet and windy through the day, with gales developing. some of the rain heavy, some snow on the hills. the large majority of england and wales, you'll notice, will stay mainly dry bar the odd shower. we should see some sunny spells and, again, temperatures in double figures. it will be breezy here, but not as windy as it will be further north, where it will be colder. thursday looks pretty unsettled. widespread gales across the country, early rain will clear to leave aunshine and showers. it will feel a bit cooler too, and then a brief respite into friday with it turning dry and brighter.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching context on bbc news. russia's president vladimir putin signs a decree recognising breakaway regions of ukraine, deepening the crisis in relations between russia and the west. following the announcement, scenes of elation in donetsk, as the white house as president biden will order sanctions on people operating in the breakaway areas. the european union described the recognition of the territories as a blatant violation of international law. and britain's prime minister boris johnson called the move an ill omen and a very dark sign. tonight with the context, jess barnard, chair of young labour, and mick mulvaney, president trump's former chief of staff.

things happening very quickly this evening. bringing some breaking news from moscow. president putin ordering peacekeeping operations in eastern ukraine's two breakaway regions. i sat at the top of the programme this was the pretext the russian president had been looking for to send russian troops across the bridge into ukraine. in the last few minutes he said there will be a peacekeeping operation to protect russian backed separatists in those two areas, so some reaction to that. mick mulvaney, your reaction? that essentially will be seen in western capitals as tantamount to an invasion. it capitals as tantamount to an invasion. . ., capitals as tantamount to an invasion-— capitals as tantamount to an invasion. , . . . ., invasion. it is, and again, what you sow with the _ invasion. it is, and again, what you sow with the recognition _ invasion. it is, and again, what you sow with the recognition of - invasion. it is, and again, what you sow with the recognition of these l sow with the recognition of these separatist areas with step two and three, and step five is invasion and we are moving towards that. the question comes, what comes next? would they go beyond eastern

ukraine? whether or not they do would depend in large part on what the rest of the world says. where are the heavier sanctions from the us? where are the heavier sanctions from europe? where the chinese on this? we have not talked much about that. are they going to speak out against this activity? are they going to sit back and not take a side? it will be interesting to see what the chinese do, but, no, there is a textbook if you want to invaded place, putin has done before. not surprising. place, putin has done before. not surrisinu. ,, place, putin has done before. not sur-risine. ,, ., place, putin has done before. not sur-reisin. ,, . place, putin has done before. not surprising-— surprising. jess, i am looking at some of the _ surprising. jess, i am looking at some of the reaction _ surprising. jess, i am looking at some of the reaction on - surprising. jess, i am looking at some of the reaction on social l some of the reaction on social media. you won't be surprised, but it is a lot of people don't like what you said who want you to be firmer on president putin. can you really trust a man who released biological weapon in salisbury, who assassinates people in berlin, who backed the regime in syria, who went

into georgia, who took crimea and is not going into eastern ukraine? can you negotiate with a man like that? if you're excepting you cannot go sheet _ if you're excepting you cannot go sheet and — if you're excepting you cannot go sheet and you think invasion is inevitable, your excepting that hundreds of thousand people die... that is— hundreds of thousand people die... that is not— hundreds of thousand people die... that is not something i am prepared to accept _ that is not something i am prepared to accept. that is not something nrany— to accept. that is not something many rural— to accept. that is not something many rural leaders are prepared to accept _ many rural leaders are prepared to accept. many countries have been willing _ accept. many countries have been willing to — accept. many countries have been willing to negotiate and say that we need to _ willing to negotiate and say that we need to make sure we come to the table _ need to make sure we come to the table and _ need to make sure we come to the table and avoid war at all costs. and that — table and avoid war at all costs. and that is _ table and avoid war at all costs. and that is what i am saying stuff that is— and that is what i am saying stuff that is not — and that is what i am saying stuff that is not a defence of putin, that is not _ that is not a defence of putin, that is not saying i think he is the most trustworthy — is not saying i think he is the most trustworthy man on earth, but it is recognising — trustworthy man on earth, but it is recognising we need to do all began to make _ recognising we need to do all began to make sure there's a peaceful resolution— to make sure there's a peaceful resolution to the situation. but haven't we _ resolution to the situation. elf haven't we done that? there have been no sanctions until he set foot in ukraine. president macron spent five hours in moscow with him. there was intense diplomacy over the weekend. the foreign secretary has been to moscow, president biden has

met with him. the western leaders have gone, bent over backwards to try and find a diplomatic solution to this. i try and find a diplomatic solution to this. ., ., . , . ., try and find a diplomatic solution to this. ., ., ., . ., _ to this. i would go as far to say it has been the _ to this. i would go as far to say it has been the complete _ to this. i would go as far to say it has been the complete opposite. to this. i would go as far to say it - has been the complete opposite. we have had _ has been the complete opposite. we have had nothing but warmongering headlines — have had nothing but warmongering headlines. since the full of the soviet— headlines. since the full of the soviet union, nato has been expended across— soviet union, nato has been expended across europe, which is been perceived _ across europe, which is been perceived by russia as an act of aggression, it has added 13 member states— aggression, it has added 13 member states to _ aggression, it has added 13 member states to it— aggression, it has added 13 member states to it in the last 20 years despite — states to it in the last 20 years despite assuring russia after the cold war— despite assuring russia after the cold war that it explicitly... but hane on, cold war that it explicitly... but hang on, these _ cold war that it explicitly... elf hang on, these baltic states don't trust him and they want nato in as a defensive alliance. finland, who is a neutral party in this, is now discussing whether it should be joining nato because they don't trust president putin. absolutely, i am not trust president putin. absolutely, i am rrot saying _ trust president putin. absolutely, i am not saying that _ trust president putin. absolutely, i am not saying that we _ trust president putin. absolutely, i am not saying that we should - trust president putin. absolutely, i am not saying that we should be i am not saying that we should be saying _ am not saying that we should be saying president putin is the most trustworthy individual, i am saying there _ trustworthy individual, i am saying there needs to be a conversation about— there needs to be a conversation about how— there needs to be a conversation about how we navigate out of this

peacefully, and that's got to be a priority— peacefully, and that's got to be a priority of— peacefully, and that's got to be a priority of our road leaders, and i 'ust priority of our road leaders, and i just don't— priority of our road leaders, and i just don't accept we should have people _ just don't accept we should have people saying and invasion is inevitable. i don't think it helps the situation and i don't thing it is fair— the situation and i don't thing it is fair to— the situation and i don't thing it is fairto ukrainians the situation and i don't thing it is fair to ukrainians interruptions, who are _ is fair to ukrainians interruptions, who are very, very scared right now about _ who are very, very scared right now about what — who are very, very scared right now about what this means for their lives _ about what this means for their lives -- — about what this means for their lives. —— interruptions. we have seen— lives. —— interruptions. we have seen from — lives. —— interruptions. we have seen from previous wars we been involved — seen from previous wars we been involved in— seen from previous wars we been involved in an afghanistan, we saw the deaths — involved in an afghanistan, we saw the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. _ the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and that has to be avoided _ of people, and that has to be avoided. we don't want to be dragged into another war where hundreds of thousand _ into another war where hundreds of thousand people lose their lives or our displaced... thousand people lose their lives or our displaced. . ._ our displaced... amen to that, absolutely- _ our displaced... amen to that, absolutely. and _ our displaced... amen to that, absolutely. and i'm _ our displaced... amen to that, absolutely. and i'm sure - our displaced... amen to that, - absolutely. and i'm sure everybody would agree with that. mick mulvaney, how does president macron come out of this? it was something of a diplomatic hail mary, something that might be able to stop this. twice now he has gone out on a limb and twice the russian president has rubbed his face in it.— rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think... rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think--- i— rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think... i don't — rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think... i don't the _ rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think... i don't the key _ rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i think... i don't the key comes i rubbed his face in it. yeah, and i | think... i don't the key comes out

particularly well. it is a good question, it is something that is secondary to the larger issues may, something emmanuel macron getting involved in something people did not want him involved with. i am not sure even talk about the idea with the americans, but politicians want to be seen to be important and relevant, so the idea of macron getting involved, was it harmful? probably not. doesn't him look good? i don't think so. with diplomacy, the phrase is, it takes two to tango. does not work in the real world. two to tango. does not work in the realworld. in two to tango. does not work in the real world. in the real world of international relations, of realpolitik, the russians are only going to talk to us if they feel it is in their best interest to do so, and right now they would only talk

to us if they feel there is some penalty for not doing so, so you can sing and dance all you want and say, is the plummeting entree? but the fact of the matter is, this is the real world and if the russian thinkers in the best interest to invade ukraine because there's a little downside or at least they perceive there to be little downside in doing it, that is exactly what they're going to do... in doing it, that is exactly what they're going to do. . ._ they're going to do... colonel vindman _ they're going to do... colonel vindman said _ they're going to do... colonel vindman said that _ they're going to do... colonel vindman said that we - they're going to do... colonel vindman said that we turned | they're going to do... colonel i vindman said that we turned away, they're going to do... colonel - vindman said that we turned away, we turned a blind eye after salisbury, we turned a blind eye after the assassinations in berlin. president trump cozied up to the russian president for a long time, in spite of what he had done in crimea. he took over shortly after crimea and then went and stood with him in helsinki and carried favour with him. �* ., helsinki and carried favour with him. �* . ., ., ,, . helsinki and carried favour with him. . ., ., ,, . him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was — him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was going _ him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was going to _ him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was going to happen. - him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was going to happen. you i him. and did what on nord stream 2? we saw was going to happen. you can say what you want about how president trump handles himself, but over the policies? we stood up

firmly against nord stream 2 because of the liberty dave the russians for study biden administration backpedaled on that as soon as they came into office. we understood realpolitik, the real world of it, and if you signed up for nord stream 2 but it was going to give the russians tremendous leverage over the germans. one of the reasons we are probably where we are is the germans were fairly neutral in this for a long time, the united states is a long way away, germany is right there, major power, and for them to say, we know crimea happened but now we want to buy your natural gas, what kind of message does that send the russians?— the russians? what about president of biden? at — the russians? what about president of biden? at the — the russians? what about president of biden? at the weekend, - the russians? what about president of biden? at the weekend, he i the russians? what about president of biden? at the weekend, he is i of biden? at the weekend, he is heading off to wilmington, and all the other leaders are heading off to munich. talk about leading from the back. why wasn't the american president in munich over the weekend, rallying the western alliance? i weekend, rallying the western alliance? ~ . . alliance? i think he sent the vice president. _ alliance? i think he sent the vice president, which _ alliance? i think he sent the vice president, which is _ alliance? i think he sent the vice president, which is probably i president, which is probably

appropriate. we have a decent team. i am not an antony blinken fan, but he's a capable guy, our ambassador is excellent. we have a good team. president zielinski is there he is in munich, borisjohnson is there, macron is there, they are all there, and present biden is heading off home, to wilmington.— and present biden is heading off home, to wilmington. yeah, again, i could be trickle _ home, to wilmington. yeah, again, i could be trickle a _ home, to wilmington. yeah, again, i could be trickle a present _ home, to wilmington. yeah, again, i could be trickle a present biden i home, to wilmington. yeah, again, i could be trickle a present biden for. could be trickle a present biden for a bunch of different things, but for not being there? the president is always the president, always into medications, i saw that person with donald trump, so i blame more in the fact they were not aggressive with sanctions, they have not talked to the saudis, not talk to the chinese, not built the coalition to say to the russians, this is not in their interests. that is all that matters right now. the russians are sitting there, are we that are often or not? worth considering he did postpone his wilmington trip, so he did turn

that plan around. as you would expect, there's been a lot of reaction already. in brussels, the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, and the european council president, charles michel, condemned in the strongest possible terms the decision by the russian president. in a joint statement, they said this step is a blatant violation of international law as well as of the minsk agreements. we have also heard from the nato secretary general, jens stoltenberg. he said... we have also had reaction from the polish prime minister. he said... suzanne lynch is co—author of politico playbook brussels.

nice to have you with us. bring some of the reaction that you're picking up of the reaction that you're picking up from around europe, particularly from the eastern europeans and the baltic states. from the eastern europeans and the baltic states-— baltic states. lots of diplomacy, lots of activity _ baltic states. lots of diplomacy, lots of activity here _ baltic states. lots of diplomacy, lots of activity here in _ baltic states. lots of diplomacy, lots of activity here in brussels l lots of activity here in brussels tonight— lots of activity here in brussels tonight over _ lots of activity here in brussels tonight over the _ lots of activity here in brussels tonight over the stiff _ lots of activity here in brusselsl tonight over the stiff elements. foreign— tonight over the stiff elements. foreign ministers— tonight over the stiff elements. foreign ministers had _ tonight over the stiff elements. foreign ministers had been- tonight over the stiff elements. i foreign ministers had been meeting in brussels — foreign ministers had been meeting in brussels. they— foreign ministers had been meeting in brussels. they arrive _ foreign ministers had been meeting in brussels. they arrive here - foreign ministers had been meeting in brussels. they arrive here this. in brussels. they arrive here this morning — in brussels. they arrive here this morning we _ in brussels. they arrive here this morning. we already— in brussels. they arrive here this morning. we already had - in brussels. they arrive here this morning. we already had insight| in brussels. they arrive here this- morning. we already had insight into the divisions— morning. we already had insight into the divisions in— morning. we already had insight into the divisions in europe _ morning. we already had insight into the divisions in europe about- morning. we already had insight into the divisions in europe about how- morning. we already had insight into the divisions in europe about how to| the divisions in europe about how to handle _ the divisions in europe about how to handle this, — the divisions in europe about how to handle this, with _ the divisions in europe about how to handle this, with some _ the divisions in europe about how to handle this, with some countries- handle this, with some countries particular— handle this, with some countries particular in _ handle this, with some countries particular in the _ handle this, with some countries particular in the east _ handle this, with some countries particular in the east calling i handle this, with some countries particular in the east calling for i handle this, with some countries| particular in the east calling for a consideration— particular in the east calling for a consideration for— particular in the east calling for a consideration for sanctions to i particular in the east calling for a consideration for sanctions to be| consideration for sanctions to be imposed — consideration for sanctions to be imposed now _ consideration for sanctions to be imposed now. this— consideration for sanctions to be imposed now. this was - consideration for sanctions to be imposed now. this was echoingl consideration for sanctions to be i imposed now. this was echoing calls from president — imposed now. this was echoing calls from president zielinski _ imposed now. this was echoing calls from president zielinski in _ imposed now. this was echoing calls from president zielinski in munich. from president zielinski in munich at the _ from president zielinski in munich at the weekend. _ from president zielinski in munich at the weekend. he _ from president zielinski in munich at the weekend. he made - from president zielinski in munich at the weekend. he made a - from president zielinski in munich at the weekend. he made a very. at the weekend. he made a very strong _ at the weekend. he made a very strong case, _ at the weekend. he made a very strong case, when _ at the weekend. he made a very strong case, when he _ at the weekend. he made a very strong case, when he said, - at the weekend. he made a very| strong case, when he said, look, if the end _ strong case, when he said, look, if the end southern— strong case, when he said, look, if the end southern russia _ strong case, when he said, look, if the end southern russia is - strong case, when he said, look, if the end southern russia is about. strong case, when he said, look, ifi the end southern russia is about to invade, _ the end southern russia is about to invade, why— the end southern russia is about to invade, why not _ the end southern russia is about to invade, why not impose _ the end southern russia is about to invade, why not impose sanctions. invade, why not impose sanctions now? _ invade, why not impose sanctions now? why— invade, why not impose sanctions now? why wait? _ invade, why not impose sanctions now? why wait? you _ invade, why not impose sanctions now? why wait? you had - invade, why not impose sanctions now? why wait? you had some i invade, why not impose sanctions- now? why wait? you had some country saying _ now? why wait? you had some country saying that _ now? why wait? you had some country saying that this — now? why wait? you had some country saying that this morning, _ now? why wait? you had some country saying that this morning, other- saying that this morning, other countries — saying that this morning, other countries saying, _ saying that this morning, other countries saying, no, _ saying that this morning, other countries saying, no, we're i saying that this morning, other. countries saying, no, we're going saying that this morning, other- countries saying, no, we're going to wait _ countries saying, no, we're going to wait, so _ countries saying, no, we're going to wait, so now. — countries saying, no, we're going to wait, so now, since _ countries saying, no, we're going to wait, so now, since the _ countries saying, no, we're going to wait, so now, since the settlementl wait, so now, since the settlement has happened _ wait, so now, since the settlement has happened from _ wait, so now, since the settlement has happened from moscow, - wait, so now, since the settlement i has happened from moscow, there has been a _ has happened from moscow, there has been a lot of— has happened from moscow, there has been a lot of phone _ been a lot of phone calls, we have had that joint _

been a lot of phone calls, we have had that joint statement _ been a lot of phone calls, we have had that joint statement we - been a lot of phone calls, we have i had that joint statement we have had president— had that joint statement we have had president charles _ had that joint statement we have had president charles michelle _ had that joint statement we have had president charles michelle on - had that joint statement we have had president charles michelle on the i president charles michelle on the phone _ president charles michelle on the phone to — president charles michelle on the phone to various _ president charles michelle on the phone to various leaders, - president charles michelle on the phone to various leaders, the i phone to various leaders, the prominence _ phone to various leaders, the prominence or— phone to various leaders, the prominence or poland, - phone to various leaders, the prominence or poland, of- phone to various leaders, the i prominence or poland, of baltic countries, — prominence or poland, of baltic countries, the _ prominence or poland, of baltic countries, the chancel- prominence or poland, of baltic countries, the chancel of- prominence or poland, of baltic. countries, the chancel of austria. the big _ countries, the chancel of austria. the big question _ countries, the chancel of austria. the big question now— countries, the chancel of austria. the big question now is, - countries, the chancel of austria. the big question now is, will- countries, the chancel of austria. i the big question now is, will there be another— the big question now is, will there be another meeting _ the big question now is, will there be another meeting called? - the big question now is, will there be another meeting called? there| the big question now is, will there i be another meeting called? there is talk of— be another meeting called? there is talk of may— be another meeting called? there is talk of may be — be another meeting called? there is talk of may be an _ be another meeting called? there is talk of may be an emergency - be another meeting called? there is. talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders _ talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders here, _ talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders here, at— talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders here, at the _ talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders here, at the very— talk of may be an emergency meeting of leaders here, at the very least i of leaders here, at the very least you ambassadors— of leaders here, at the very least you ambassadors are _ of leaders here, at the very least you ambassadors are going - of leaders here, at the very least you ambassadors are going to i of leaders here, at the very least i you ambassadors are going to meet here tomorrow— you ambassadors are going to meet here tomorrow are _ you ambassadors are going to meet here tomorrow are bubbly, - you ambassadors are going to meet here tomorrow are bubbly, and i you ambassadors are going to meet here tomorrow are bubbly, and thei here tomorrow are bubbly, and the question— here tomorrow are bubbly, and the question is, — here tomorrow are bubbly, and the question is, what— here tomorrow are bubbly, and the question is, what would _ here tomorrow are bubbly, and the question is, what would trigger- question is, what would trigger sanctions? _ question is, what would trigger sanctions? they— question is, what would trigger sanctions? they might - question is, what would trigger sanctions? they might be - question is, what would trigger- sanctions? they might be considering targeted _ sanctions? they might be considering targeted sanctions _ sanctions? they might be considering targeted sanctions to _ sanctions? they might be considering targeted sanctions to do _ sanctions? they might be considering targeted sanctions to do with - sanctions? they might be considering targeted sanctions to do with this i targeted sanctions to do with this recognition — targeted sanctions to do with this recognition by— targeted sanctions to do with this recognition by putin _ targeted sanctions to do with this recognition by putin of— targeted sanctions to do with this recognition by putin of these i targeted sanctions to do with this recognition by putin of these two| recognition by putin of these two areas _ recognition by putin of these two areas in — recognition by putin of these two areas in eastern _ recognition by putin of these two areas in eastern ukraine, - recognition by putin of these two areas in eastern ukraine, but. recognition by putin of these twoi areas in eastern ukraine, but are they— areas in eastern ukraine, but are they going — areas in eastern ukraine, but are they going to _ areas in eastern ukraine, but are they going to move _ areas in eastern ukraine, but are they going to move forward - areas in eastern ukraine, but are they going to move forward withi areas in eastern ukraine, but arel they going to move forward with a further— they going to move forward with a further package _ they going to move forward with a further package of— they going to move forward with a further package of sanctions? i they going to move forward with a . further package of sanctions? that's now the _ further package of sanctions? that's now the big — further package of sanctions? that's now the big question. _ further package of sanctions? that's now the big question.— further package of sanctions? that's now the big question. talking but he really germany _ now the big question. talking but he really germany has _ now the big question. talking but he really germany has played _ now the big question. talking but he really germany has played in - now the big question. talking but he really germany has played in this, i really germany has played in this, for a long period of time, neutral despite all the provocations from moscow. where do you think olaf scholz is denied? is he as behind present biden as president biden like you think he is? he present biden as president biden like you think he is?— present biden as president biden like you think he is? he has been on the hone like you think he is? he has been on the phone to — like you think he is? he has been on the phone to president _ like you think he is? he has been on the phone to president biden. -

like you think he is? he has been on the phone to president biden. biden convened _ the phone to president biden. biden convened a — the phone to president biden. biden convened a secure _ the phone to president biden. biden convened a secure call— the phone to president biden. biden convened a secure call with - the phone to president biden. biden convened a secure call with him - the phone to president biden. biden convened a secure call with him and| convened a secure call with him and macron— convened a secure call with him and macron which — convened a secure call with him and macron which finished _ convened a secure call with him and macron which finished in _ convened a secure call with him and macron which finished in the - convened a secure call with him and macron which finished in the last. macron which finished in the last few minutes _ macron which finished in the last few minutes i_ macron which finished in the last few minutes. ithink— macron which finished in the last few minutes. i think there - few minutes. i think there resistance _ few minutes. i think there resistance now— few minutes. i think there resistance now in - few minutes. i think there i resistance now in germany, i few minutes. i think there - resistance now in germany, i was in munich— resistance now in germany, i was in munich myself— resistance now in germany, i was in munich myself at— resistance now in germany, i was in munich myself at the _ resistance now in germany, i was in munich myself at the weekend, - resistance now in germany, i was in| munich myself at the weekend, that they are _ munich myself at the weekend, that they are on — munich myself at the weekend, that they are on board _ munich myself at the weekend, that they are on board —— _ munich myself at the weekend, that they are on board —— there - munich myself at the weekend, that they are on board —— there is - munich myself at the weekend, that they are on board —— there is a - they are on board —— there is a sense — they are on board —— there is a sense now _ they are on board —— there is a sense now. there _ they are on board —— there is a sense now. there was - they are on board —— there is a sense now. there was a - they are on board —— there is a sense now. there was a lot - sense now. there was a lot of lobbying — sense now. there was a lot of lobbying done _ sense now. there was a lot of lobbying done on— sense now. there was a lot of lobbying done on this - sense now. there was a lot of lobbying done on this nord i sense now. there was a lot of- lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue _ lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue and _ lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue and they— lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue. and they have _ lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue. and they have now _ lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue. and they have now i - lobbying done on this nord stream 2 issue. and they have now i think- issue. and they have now i think realised — issue. and they have now i think realised it— issue. and they have now i think realised if russia _ issue. and they have now i think realised if russia is _ issue. and they have now i think realised if russia is to _ issue. and they have now i think realised if russia is to invade, . realised if russia is to invade, nord — realised if russia is to invade, nord stream _ realised if russia is to invade, nord stream 2— realised if russia is to invade, nord stream 2 is— realised if russia is to invade, nord stream 2 is not- realised if russia is to invade, nord stream 2 is not going. realised if russia is to invade, nord stream 2 is not going to| nord stream 2 is not going to happen, _ nord stream 2 is not going to happen. but— nord stream 2 is not going to happen, but again _ nord stream 2 is not going to happen, but again let's - nord stream 2 is not going to happen, but again let's look. nord stream 2 is not going to. happen, but again let's look and nord stream 2 is not going to- happen, but again let's look and see what is _ happen, but again let's look and see what is in _ happen, but again let's look and see what is in the — happen, but again let's look and see what is in the sanctions _ happen, but again let's look and see what is in the sanctions package. - what is in the sanctions package. the european _ what is in the sanctions package. the european commission- what is in the sanctions package. the european commission says l what is in the sanctions package. i the european commission says it what is in the sanctions package. - the european commission says it has prepared _ the european commission says it has prepared this — the european commission says it has prepared this package _ the european commission says it has prepared this package which - the european commission says it has prepared this package which is- the european commission says it has prepared this package which is ready| prepared this package which is ready to go. _ prepared this package which is ready to go. trut— prepared this package which is ready to go. but we — prepared this package which is ready to go, but we don't— prepared this package which is ready to go, but we don't know— prepared this package which is ready to go, but we don't know what - prepared this package which is ready to go, but we don't know what is in i to go, but we don't know what is in it, to go, but we don't know what is in it. so— to go, but we don't know what is in it. so that — to go, but we don't know what is in it. so that is — to go, but we don't know what is in it, so that is what _ to go, but we don't know what is in it, so that is what people _ to go, but we don't know what is in it, so that is what people are - it, so that is what people are looking — it, so that is what people are looking for. how _ it, so that is what people are looking for. how are - it, so that is what people are looking for. how are they - it, so that is what people are i looking for. how are they going it, so that is what people are - looking for. how are they going to target _ looking for. how are they going to target russia? _ looking for. how are they going to target russia? is _ looking for. how are they going to target russia? is it— looking for. how are they going to target russia? is it going - looking for. how are they going to target russia? is it going to- looking for. how are they going to target russia? is it going to be . target russia? is it going to be enough — target russia? is it going to be enough to— target russia? is it going to be enough to change _ target russia? is it going to be enough to change behaviour? i target russia? is it going to be i enough to change behaviour? and frankly. _ enough to change behaviour? and frankly. is— enough to change behaviour? and frankly. is it — enough to change behaviour? and frankly, is it too _ enough to change behaviour? and frankly, is it too little, _ enough to change behaviour? and frankly, is it too little, too - enough to change behaviour? and frankly, is it too little, too late . frankly, is it too little, too late at this — frankly, is it too little, too late at this point? _ frankly, is it too little, too late at this point?— frankly, is it too little, too late at this oint? ,, . , . at this point? 0k, suzanne lynch, thank ou at this point? 0k, suzanne lynch, thank you very — at this point? 0k, suzanne lynch, thank you very much _ at this point? 0k, suzanne lynch, thank you very much indeed. - at this point? 0k, suzanne lynch, thank you very much indeed. mick mulvaney, would you expect tonight the white house is leaning on olaf scholz, in quite a way that they would want him to come out tomorrow and start to talk but the sanctions are but impose?—

are but impose? yeah, i do, it is auoin to are but impose? yeah, i do, it is going to be _ are but impose? yeah, i do, it is going to be a _ are but impose? yeah, i do, it is going to be a long night - are but impose? yeah, i do, it is going to be a long night at - are but impose? yeah, i do, it is going to be a long night at the i going to be a long night at the white house. i have been through these with president trump. the national security team will be there all evening, and there will be pressure on all the europeans to speak with one voice. again, i question whether or not will be outreach to other parts of the world, sallies, the chinese, but, no, there will be particular pressure on the germans, because you cannot do something that part of europe without the germans buying in, and if the germans are going to keep buying gas from the russians, i cannot imagine they would do that after an invasion, that's nothing but moving money to russia... it is critical, and i think everybody in the white house knows this, everybody in europe knows this, we have to speak with one voice tonight, the germans have been a quieter voice up to this point. if they step up, that might excellent carry more weight right now than the french and british or the americans in terms of the sanctions, because of the close park 70 with economically and geographically, so,

yeah, i would economically and geographically, so, yeah, iwould imagine economically and geographically, so, yeah, i would imagine there is a full press to fa natically yeah, i would imagine there is a full press to fanatically from the us towards the germans this evening. and, just, from a stop the war perspective, if you're gonna stop or, y ., perspective, if you're gonna stop or, , ., . ., , , perspective, if you're gonna stop or, , ., ., ., , ' , , or, you have to find stuff in pretty cuick or, you have to find stuff in pretty quick time--- _ or, you have to find stuff in pretty quick time. .. massive _ or, you have to find stuff in pretty quick time. .. massive sanctions i or, you have to find stuff in pretty| quick time. .. massive sanctions so quick time... massive sanctions so he is under no illusions what the cost to russia will be? to he is under no illusions what the cost to russia will be?— he is under no illusions what the cost to russia will be? to be clear, i am not cost to russia will be? to be clear, i am not the _ cost to russia will be? to be clear, i am not the spokesperson, i - cost to russia will be? to be clear, i am not the spokesperson, i am i cost to russia will be? to be clear, i am not the spokesperson, i am a | i am not the spokesperson, i am a supporter. — i am not the spokesperson, i am a supporter, so i cannot claim to speak— supporter, so i cannot claim to speak on— supporter, so i cannot claim to speak on behalf of the organisation for what _ speak on behalf of the organisation for what i _ speak on behalf of the organisation for what i would say is we have to -et for what i would say is we have to get quite — for what i would say is we have to get quite serious about what this nteans_ get quite serious about what this means and what our own government and our— means and what our own government and our country has billions of pounds — and our country has billions of pounds of— and our country has billions of pounds of russian oligarch money tied up— pounds of russian oligarch money tied up in— pounds of russian oligarch money tied up in our economy and also in our housing. — tied up in our economy and also in our housing, buildings and properties, which i know there has been _ properties, which i know there has been a _ properties, which i know there has been a very— properties, which i know there has been a very big concern about whether— been a very big concern about whether that will undermine any sentient — whether that will undermine any sentient attempts, economically... they are _ sentient attempts, economically... they are voting on the sanctions

bill tomorrow. they have brought that forward. in fact, they have changed government business tomorrow so they can bring that forward. you would say it has to go far in reaching those russians that are protecting president putin's money in london? , ., ., , in london? there should not be russian oligarch _ in london? there should not be russian oligarch money - in london? there should not be l russian oligarch money protected in london? there should not be - russian oligarch money protected in our economy, and for far too long that has— our economy, and for far too long that has gone unchallenged. i know that boris— that has gone unchallenged. i know that borisjohnson did interview with the — that borisjohnson did interview with the pvc yesterday and he said we were _ with the pvc yesterday and he said we were going to hit that hard. why aren't— we were going to hit that hard. why aren't we _ we were going to hit that hard. why aren't we asking what that means? —— interview with — aren't we asking what that means? —— interview with the bbc. for years, that ntoney— interview with the bbc. for years, that money has been quite closely linked _ that money has been quite closely linked with the conservative party themselves. it linked with the conservative party themselves— linked with the conservative party themselves. . , , themselves. it cuts both ways. there is russian money _ themselves. it cuts both ways. there is russian money going _ themselves. it cuts both ways. there is russian money going to _ themselves. it cuts both ways. there is russian money going to the - themselves. it cuts both ways. there | is russian money going to the labour party. not as much as the conservative party. i'm joined now by vitaliy shevchenko, russia editor at bbc monitoring. i know you were watching the statements tonight the a lot of people say they have read all sorts of essays from the russian president and they are familiar with the

language uses, but this went far, far beyond what they have seen before. . far beyond what they have seen before. , ,, ., , far beyond what they have seen before. , ,, . , ., before. yes, essentially what he said his ukraine _ before. yes, essentially what he said his ukraine is _ before. yes, essentially what he said his ukraine is not _ before. yes, essentially what he said his ukraine is not a - before. yes, essentially what he said his ukraine is not a real - said his ukraine is not a real state. — said his ukraine is not a real state, manipulative - said his ukraine is not a real state, manipulative by- said his ukraine is not a real state, manipulative by the i said his ukraine is not a real. state, manipulative by the us, said his ukraine is not a real- state, manipulative by the us, used against _ state, manipulative by the us, used against russia _ state, manipulative by the us, used against russia. he _ state, manipulative by the us, used against russia. he accused - state, manipulative by the us, used against russia. he accused ukrainel against russia. he accused ukraine of genocide — against russia. he accused ukraine of genocide of— against russia. he accused ukraine of genocide of the _ against russia. he accused ukraine of genocide of the russian - against russia. he accused ukraine| of genocide of the russian speaking population— of genocide of the russian speaking population and _ of genocide of the russian speaking population and the _ of genocide of the russian speaking population and the idea _ of genocide of the russian speaking population and the idea is _ of genocide of the russian speaking population and the idea is that, - population and the idea is that, well. _ population and the idea is that, well. russia— population and the idea is that, well, russia has— population and the idea is that, well, russia has to _ population and the idea is that, well, russia has to step - population and the idea is that, well, russia has to step in. - population and the idea is that, i well, russia has to step in. within the past _ well, russia has to step in. within the past half— well, russia has to step in. within the past half hour, _ well, russia has to step in. within the past half hour, i— well, russia has to step in. within the past half hour, i think- well, russia has to step in. within the past half hour, i think we - well, russia has to step in. within the past half hour, i think we goti the past half hour, i think we got news _ the past half hour, i think we got news that— the past half hour, i think we got news that lets _ the past half hour, i think we got news that lets us _ the past half hour, i think we got news that lets us form _ the past half hour, i think we got news that lets us form in - the past half hour, i think we got news that lets us form in pretty i news that lets us form in pretty good _ news that lets us form in pretty good idea — news that lets us form in pretty good idea of— news that lets us form in pretty good idea of why _ news that lets us form in pretty good idea of why this _ news that lets us form in pretty good idea of why this has - news that lets us form in pretty - good idea of why this has happened. russia's_ good idea of why this has happened. russia's published _ good idea of why this has happened. russia's published putin's _ good idea of why this has happened. russia's published putin's decrees, i russia's published putin's decrees, recognising — russia's published putin's decrees, recognising the _ russia's published putin's decrees, recognising the independence - russia's published putin's decrees, recognising the independence of. recognising the independence of these _ recognising the independence of these two — states, and at the bottom, it says the russian — states, and at the bottom, it says the russian military— states, and at the bottom, it says the russian military will— states, and at the bottom, it says the russian military will perform. the russian military will perform peacekeeping _ the russian military will perform peacekeeping functions - the russian military will perform peacekeeping functions in - the russian military will perform i peacekeeping functions in donetsk and luhansk. _ peacekeeping functions in donetsk and luhansk, so— peacekeeping functions in donetsk and luhansk, so essentially- peacekeeping functions in donetsk and luhansk, so essentially what i peacekeeping functions in donetsk. and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking — and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking at — and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking at is _ and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking at is a _ and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking at is a way— and luhansk, so essentially what we are looking at is a way of _ are looking at is a way of legitimising _ are looking at is a way of legitimising russian- are looking at is a way of legitimising russian of. are looking at is a way of i legitimising russian of the are looking at is a way of - legitimising russian of the very presence — legitimising russian of the very presence in _ legitimising russian of the very presence in eastern _ legitimising russian of the very presence in eastern ukraine. i legitimising russian of the very - presence in eastern ukraine. before that. _ presence in eastern ukraine. before that. let's _ presence in eastern ukraine. before that, let's think— presence in eastern ukraine. before that, let's think about _ presence in eastern ukraine. before

that, let's think about how- presence in eastern ukraine. before that, let's think about how these . that, let's think about how these two statements— that, let's think about how these two statements appeared. - that, let's think about how these two statements appeared. the i that, let's think about how these i two statements appeared. the two separatist — two statements appeared. the two separatist leaders. _ two statements appeared. the two separatist leaders. they— two statements appeared. the two separatist leaders. they thought i separatist leaders. they thought russiam — separatist leaders. they thought russiam now— separatist leaders. they thought russia... now but— separatist leaders. they thought russia... now but we _ separatist leaders. they thought russia... now but we are - separatist leaders. they thought russia... now but we are seeing separatist leaders. they thought i russia... now but we are seeing is separatist leaders. they thought - russia... now but we are seeing is a way of— russia... now but we are seeing is a way of tegitintising _ russia... now but we are seeing is a way of legitimising that. _ russia... now but we are seeing is a way of legitimising that. he - russia. .. now but we are seeing is a way of legitimising that.— way of legitimising that. he has got 190,000 way of legitimising that. he has got 190.000 troops. — way of legitimising that. he has got 190,000 troops, something - way of legitimising that. he has got 190,000 troops, something like . way of legitimising that. he has got i 190,000 troops, something like that, on three sides of ukraine. the question was asked this morning, before we got breaking news this evening, how long he could keep them there, because he it is meant to keep 75% of the russian military in freezing conditions —— it is expensive. do you have any sense whether it is just peacekeeping missions in the east? or do you think they are still thinking over the question of whether this will be a full—scale invasion? in the question of whether this will be a full-scale invasion?— a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on — a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on the _ a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on the one _ a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on the one hand _ a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on the one hand there - a full-scale invasion? in short, no, because on the one hand there has -ot because on the one hand there has got to— because on the one hand there has got to be _ because on the one hand there has got to be a — because on the one hand there has got to be a reason _ because on the one hand there has got to be a reason why _ because on the one hand there has got to be a reason why he - because on the one hand there has got to be a reason why he has - because on the one hand there has i got to be a reason why he has almost 200.000 _ got to be a reason why he has almost 200.000 troops _ got to be a reason why he has almost 200,000 troops on _ got to be a reason why he has almost 200,000 troops on the _ got to be a reason why he has almost 200,000 troops on the border- 200,000 troops on the border with ukraine. _

200,000 troops on the border with ukraine. but— 200,000 troops on the border with ukraine. but on— 200,000 troops on the border with ukraine, but on the _ 200,000 troops on the border with ukraine, but on the other— 200,000 troops on the border with ukraine, but on the other hand, - ukraine, but on the other hand, president — ukraine, but on the other hand, president putin— ukraine, but on the other hand, president putin absolutely- ukraine, but on the other hand, j president putin absolutely loves confounding _ president putin absolutely loves confounding the _ president putin absolutely loves confounding the people - president putin absolutely loves confounding the people who - president putin absolutely loves confounding the people who try| president putin absolutely loves i confounding the people who try to second-guess— confounding the people who try to second—guess what— confounding the people who try to second—guess what he _ confounding the people who try to second—guess what he is - confounding the people who try to second—guess what he is ultimate| second—guess what he is ultimate objective — second—guess what he is ultimate objective is. — second—guess what he is ultimate objective is, and _ second—guess what he is ultimate objective is, and the _ second—guess what he is ultimate objective is, and the messaging i second—guess what he is ultimate . objective is, and the messaging that he sends— objective is, and the messaging that he sends out— objective is, and the messaging that he sends out in— objective is, and the messaging that he sends out in advance _ objective is, and the messaging that he sends out in advance of- objective is, and the messaging that he sends out in advance of what - objective is, and the messaging that he sends out in advance of what he. he sends out in advance of what he does _ he sends out in advance of what he does often — he sends out in advance of what he does often leads _ he sends out in advance of what he does often leads into _ he sends out in advance of what he does often leads into complete - he sends out in advance of what he does often leads into complete the different _ does often leads into complete the different direction, _ does often leads into complete the different direction, so— does often leads into complete the different direction, so that - does often leads into complete the different direction, so that is - does often leads into complete the different direction, so that is what| different direction, so that is what makes _ different direction, so that is what makes a _ different direction, so that is what makes a lot— different direction, so that is what makes a lot of— different direction, so that is what makes a lot of people _ different direction, so that is what makes a lot of people in _ different direction, so that is what makes a lot of people in ukraine i makes a lot of people in ukraine realty— makes a lot of people in ukraine really concerned. _ makes a lot of people in ukraine really concerned. what - makes a lot of people in ukraine really concerned. what is - makes a lot of people in ukraine really concerned. what is going i makes a lot of people in ukraine i really concerned. what is going to happen? — really concerned. what is going to happen? are _ really concerned. what is going to happen? are they— really concerned. what is going to happen? are they going _ really concerned. what is going to happen? are they going to - really concerned. what is going to happen? are they going to see . really concerned. what is going to - happen? are they going to see bombs raining _ happen? are they going to see bombs raining down— happen? are they going to see bombs raining down on— happen? are they going to see bombs raining down on their— happen? are they going to see bombs raining down on their homes - happen? are they going to see bombs raining down on their homes today? i raining down on their homes today? 0r raining down on their homes today? or this _ raining down on their homes today? or this evening _ raining down on their homes today? or this evening or— raining down on their homes today? or this evening or tonight? - raining down on their homes today? or this evening or tonight? that - raining down on their homes today? or this evening or tonight? that is i or this evening or tonight? that is the kind _ or this evening or tonight? that is the kind of— or this evening or tonight? that is the kind of conversation _ or this evening or tonight? that is the kind of conversation we - or this evening or tonight? that is the kind of conversation we are i the kind of conversation we are seeing — the kind of conversation we are seeing on — the kind of conversation we are seeing on social— the kind of conversation we are seeing on social media. - the kind of conversation we are seeing on social media. all- the kind of conversation we are seeing on social media. all we i the kind of conversation we are - seeing on social media. all we know is that— seeing on social media. all we know is that the _ seeing on social media. all we know is that the russian _ seeing on social media. all we know is that the russian troops _ seeing on social media. all we know is that the russian troops are - is that the russian troops are going to be _ is that the russian troops are going to be pouring — is that the russian troops are going to be pouring into _ is that the russian troops are going to be pouring into those _ is that the russian troops are going to be pouring into those two - to be pouring into those two separatist _ to be pouring into those two separatist states, _ to be pouring into those two separatist states, and - to be pouring into those two separatist states, and it- to be pouring into those two separatist states, and it is. to be pouring into those two separatist states, and it is a| separatist states, and it is a complete _ separatist states, and it is a complete different - separatist states, and it is a complete different questionj separatist states, and it is a - complete different question where they _ complete different question where they ~_ complete different question where the . . ,., complete different question where the .. . ., , they. . indeed so. worrying time -- lets brina they. . indeed so. worrying time -- lets bring an — they. . indeed so. worrying time -- lets bring an she _ they. . indeed so. worrying time -- lets bring an she political _ lets bring an she political commentator at the i. what has been

the erection in the house of commons? and how will government business change tomorrow —— the reaction? business change tomorrow -- the reaction? . business change tomorrow -- the reaction? , . , , ., , reaction? there is a sense of unity in the house _ reaction? there is a sense of unity in the house of _ reaction? there is a sense of unity in the house of commons. - reaction? there is a sense of unity in the house of commons. for - reaction? there is a sense of unity in the house of commons. for the j in the house of commons. for the first time in along in the house of commons. for the first time in a longtime, a labour opposition totally in line with the government on putting pressure on russia for crucially, there will be... i think it is worth saying that it be... i think it is worth saying thatitis be... i think it is worth saying that it is a big moment because it seems in other western countries, there is not that unanimity, let alone between individual states. the prime minister famously said when he was in kyiv recently that he said the first toe cap of russian army that entered into ukraine, there would be british sanctions. he is aiming to follow through on that. there are some big russian companies listed on the uk stock exchange, the likes of

gazprom, one and links to the chelsea owner, close to president putin... ~ . , . putin... what they have said previously — putin... what they have said previously is _ putin... what they have said previously is they _ putin... what they have said previously is they want - putin... what they have said previously is they want to i putin... what they have said i previously is they want to make putin... what they have said - previously is they want to make sure russian, and he cannot raise money on the london markets. they cannot use british markets to raise cash or capital, so i suspect they will be pretty severe, though sanctions. what impact will have on companies that have got a foot in both russia and in the uk remains to be seen, but it is clear that the government, the cabinet are united on it, and so is parliament, sol the cabinet are united on it, and so is parliament, so i think they know there is good to be some kind of pushback from russia, and also obviously potentially this will push russians closer towards china in terms of relying on his finance and relying on other forms of ways around sanctions, but british government determines to still go ahead. . . ~ government determines to still go ahead. . . ,, , ., , government determines to still go ahead. . . ~' , . ., ahead. paul, thank you very much for that. nick. — ahead. paul, thank you very much for that. nick, you've _ ahead. paul, thank you very much for that. nick, you've talked _ ahead. paul, thank you very much for that. nick, you've talked a _ ahead. paul, thank you very much for that. nick, you've talked a lot - that. nick, you've talked a lot about the russian— chinese axis,

which is reforming, and the vladimir putin was in beijing during the winter olympics. i heard the taiwanese in washington were lobbying quite hard, because they see a worrying scenario here, that if europe does not stand up to what is happening in ukraine in the firmest possible way, then china will look at that as a pretext for invading taiwan.— will look at that as a pretext for invading taiwan. shore, and you've mentioned earlier _ invading taiwan. shore, and you've mentioned earlier how— invading taiwan. shore, and you've mentioned earlier how the - invading taiwan. shore, and you've mentioned earlier how the polls . invading taiwan. shore, and you've i mentioned earlier how the polls must feel tonight —— people in poland. and lithuanians. anybody living in the shadow of russia or china are having the same conversation tonight, which is, if this goes, are we next? which i think his latest import to have a universally universally worldwide reaction condemning what russia has already done —— it is so important to have. yeah, i would done —— it is so important to have. yeah, iwould not done —— it is so important to have. yeah, i would not be surprised if taiwan is having a conversation here in washington, dc... just

taiwan is having a conversation here in washington, dc...— in washington, dc... just very briefl , in washington, dc... just very briefly. is _ in washington, dc... just very briefly, is dependent - in washington, dc... just very briefly, is dependent on - in washington, dc... just very - briefly, is dependent on discussing tonight, do you think, bigger deployments of american troops to eastern europe? i deployments of american troops to eastern europe?— eastern europe? i don't have that insiaht eastern europe? i don't have that insight any _ eastern europe? i don't have that insight any more, _ eastern europe? i don't have that insight any more, but _ eastern europe? i don't have that insight any more, but they - eastern europe? i don't have that insight any more, but they are i eastern europe? i don't have that| insight any more, but they are not doing theirjob if they are not. that is what they get paid to do, to gain this out and say, if this happens, what happens next and next and next? if they are not any panic on tonight trying to figure what all the continues are, then they're not doing theirjob —— if they are not any panic on tonight. doing theirjob -- if they are not any panic on tonight.— doing theirjob -- if they are not any panic on tonight. yeah, there is any panic on tonight. yeah, there is an enormous _ any panic on tonight. yeah, there is an enormous chain _ any panic on tonight. yeah, there is an enormous chain reaction - any panic on tonight. yeah, there is i an enormous chain reaction unfolding tonight in europe, huge diplomatic moves under way in european capitals and in washington, mick mulvaney, take you very much indeed for being with us this evening. and thank you, jess barnard, for your thoughts as well. don't forget, plenty more in the bbc. if you want to continue watching if limits in ukraine, world news america coming up on world

news, the news at ten coming up in the uk and the website online. thanks very much for watching. we'll see you tomorrow. hello there. after a record—breaking number of named storms issued within a week, since we started naming storms back in 2014, things look a little bit quieter for the coming few days. however, it's still going to remain quite unsettled, and concerns are, with the amount of rainfall that's fallen, river levels running very high. we have over 100 flood warnings across england and wales, a couple of severe ones across north—west england. any more rainfall through this week will be bad news. however, like i mentioned, it's not going to be quite as wet and as windy as what we've seen over the past week. nevertheless, the rest of this week looks like it will remain fairly unsettled, with some brighter interludes at times. so for tuesday, here comes the next frontal system, which will be spreading in fairly quickly from the west. and in fact as it moves across england and wales,

it will be a weakening feature. very patchy rain on it, some cloud, and then eventually it clears away and leaves a much brighter afternoon across the country. plenty of sunshine, some blustery showers, most of these in the north and the west, where they'll be wintry on the hills. here it'll be chilly, milder in the south, and it will be quite a blustery, windy afternoon for all of us. now, through tuesday evening and overnight, ridge of high pressure brings more fine and settled weather to large parts of england and wales. under clear skies, lighter winds, it's actually going to turn quite cold. temperatures close to freezing across some central and eastern areas. but those temperatures will be recovering across the north and the west, because we are looking at the next area of low pressure which will influence the weather here. now, this deep low will stay across the north atlantic, but it will influence the weather across scotland and northern ireland throughout the day on wednesday. wet, very windy, with gales here, some snow on the hills. for much of england and wales, though, closer to an area of high pressure to the south of the uk, it'll stay largely fine and settled with some sunshine. fairly mild, 10 or 11 degrees there, but colder further north. this weather front, though, will sink its way

southwards and eastwards during wednesday night. during thursday it will eventually clear away from the south—east, and behind it the air will be colder. so a chilly day to come on thursday. bright with sunshine and blustery showers. these will be wintry across the north and the west certainly over the higher ground, maybe even a bit of wintriness down to lower levels. and it'll be a windy day right across the board, so fairly widespread gales, more especially across the northern half of the uk. and those temperatures will be lower as well on thursday, single figures across the board, ranging from around it to 8 or 9 in the south. stays very windy during thursday night. further gales, as you can see there, plenty of showers. but a new ridge of high pressure will be moving in for friday. so friday starts chilly, windy with further showers, wintry across southern and eastern areas, and then as that ridge of high pressures builds in, it'll settle things down, become quieter, the winds will become lighter, and we should see fewer showers and more in the way of sunshine. temperatures recovering a bit in the south, but still quite cool across the north. not a bad day on friday. stays unsettled, though,

for next weekend and beyond. this is the jet stream and the pressure chart. the jet will be firing just in the north—west of the uk towards the end of the week and into next week, and that'll be steering areas of low pressure to the north and the west of the country, whereas further south and east, you'll be influenced more here by areas of higher pressure over the near—continent. and the temperatures will be fluctuating. generally mild for england and wales, occasionally getting into scotland and northern ireland, with the coolest of the air affecting scotland and northern ireland at times. so you can see quite unsettled through next weekend and into the following week. pretty mild in the south, outbreaks of rain, but there will also be some drier, brighter interludes as well.

tonight at ten — all covid restrictions in england — will end in three days' time — despite the concerns of some experts. the changes are part of the 'living with covid' plan — with an end to the legal requirement to self—isolate — after a positive test. let us learn to live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others without restricting our freedoms.