this is bbc news. the headlines: borisjohnson announces sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals — after president putin orders troops into eastern ukraine. the house should be in no doubt that the deployment of these forces in sovereign ukrainian territory amounts to a renewed invasion of that country. in germany, the government halts the process to approve a new pipeline from russia which could double europe's gas supply. ukrainians were told by their president to remain calm — he said his country was not afraid of anything or anyone. questions about who will be eligible for free covid testing — after the government announced

the end of universal testing in england from april. covid plans for scotland are due to be announced shortly — we'll bring you nicola sturgeon�*s announcement from holyrood later this hour. buckingham palace says the queen has cancelled planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild cold—like symptoms due to covid. three convicted terrorists, including one of the men behind the manchester arena bombing, are found guilty of a vicious attack on a prison officer. and storm franklin leaves disruption in its wake — with floods along the river severn and people evacuated from their homes.

good afternoon. the prime minister has been setting out details to mps of sanctions against russia, after president putin ordered his troops into two breakaway regions of eastern ukraine — following weeks of high—level international diplomacy aimed at defusing the crisis. borisjohnson, who held an emergency cobra meeting this morning, said that russia had violated ukrainian sovereignty and broken international law, and he laid out what he described as a barrage of sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals — telling mps to prepare for a protracted crisis. russian troops have been ordered into two areas of eastern ukraine, together known as the donbass region. donetsk and luhansk are self—declared republics, held by separatists backed by moscow. the news of russia's actions has

prompted international outrage — with a promise of sanctions by the eu — and germany halting approval of a key pipeline designed to export gas from russia. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. is this the start of things to come? a column of unidentified military vehicles moving into donetsk, just hours after vladimir putin signed a decree ordering russian forces to the region. a region that the west says is part of ukraine, a region that the russian leader claims is made up of two independent countries. translation: i consider it necessary to immediately recognise _ the independence and sovereignty of the donetsk and luhansk people's republics. his decision to sign a decree to that effect has been condemned around the world as an illegal violation of ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. the united nations met in the early hours,

and the anger was clear to see. russia's clear attack on ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unprovoked. it is an attack on ukraine's status as a un member state. this move by president putin is clearly the basis for russia's attempt to create a pretext for a further invasion of ukraine. will any sanctions - change putin's mind? this morning, ministers met in emergency session to discuss the crisis and agreed an initial package of sanctions against russia. this, i should stress, is the first barrage of uk economic sanctions against russia, because we expect, i'm afraid that there is more russian irrational behaviour to come. the european union is also planning sanctions. an early target is a new gas pipeline from russia to germany whose regulatory approval has been suspended. the german chancellor said

the sanctions were needed to prevent what he called escalation and disaster. translation: it sounds technocratic, but this is the first step to make - sure the pipeline cannot be certified, and without the certification, nord stream 2 cannot operate. but in the two regions led by pro russian separatists, this is how recognition by moscow was celebrated by some. russia's foreign minister dismissed the threat of sanctions as a predictable response and questioned whether ukraine had a right to any sovereignty. overnight, ukraine's president held a flurry of calls with world leaders and asked for urgent help. translation: they must all show how fast they can act. _ sanctions are the most powerful assistance they can offer, in addition to arming ukraine to defend its borders, a policy of sanctions is very powerful and can have an immediate

impact when facing this escalation from russia. and that is the question that matters — will the international response be enough to deter the threat of full scale invasion which russian forces appear to have been training for in recent weeks? james landale, bbc news. as we try to keep across a very fast moving situation regarding the situation in ukraine, a to bring you which is on the reuters news agency —— a line bring you. this is witnesses talking to reuters journalists but they are telling people that they have heard blasts in the centre of donetsk, one of those key regions in ukraine. that is only on the reuters news agency at the moment but we are keeping a close eye on that. in terms of diplomatic activity back here, we will be live in westminster in a moment. the foreign secretary liz

truss says we are prepared to go much further if russia does not pull back from the brink, she said. a couple of comments there from the foreign secretary. let's talk to our political correspondent nick eardley. a huge amount of political activity of course. that comment from liz truss is one of the latest so give a sense of where we are right now because there has been a lengthy debate in the house of commons? in the view of boris johnson and the uk the view of borisjohnson and the uk government, it is firmly that an invasion has begun in ukraine but they are using this phraseology that they are using this phraseology that they don't think it is a full invasion, and so they do think some regions are being invaded but they are still saying to president putin and to russia that there is a way to step back from this, but what we have got from the uk government todayis have got from the uk government today is what borisjohnson called the first barrage of sanctions,

targeted sanctions designed to hit some people who are close to the regions that have been invaded. five banks with close links to areas like donetsk and three russian billionaires, some of whom are very close to president putin, that are going to face asset freezes in the uk, travel bans as well. that is only a fraction, actually, what the uk government has been talking about in the last couple of days and we have heard over the last couple of weeks a lot of threats about what could happen to various russian investments in places like london, to various oligarchs with ties to president putin and the russian regime, and listening to the debate in the house of commons this afternoon, there were a lot of mps from different parties, many of them conservative backbenchers, saying that they think the uk needs to go harder and faster right away,

talking about, for example, iain duncan smith talking about russia needing to feel pain as he put it. immediately to deter any further incursions into ukrainian territory. it will be interesting to see how what liz truss just said plays out because it is clear from the mood in the house of commons that, yes, the sanctions have been welcomed by mps, but there are a number from different parties of mps who think that the government should perhaps be going further and faster. for now, be going further and faster. for now. thanks — be going further and faster. for now, thanks forjoining us. nick will continue to get political reaction for us. joining me now is the shadow attorney general for england & wales, and former shadow foreign secretary, emily thornberry.

the prime minister is describing the uk response as a barrage of sanctions, is a barrage sufficient? the first thing to say is that it is really important to be strong at a moment like this and to be unified and that is what we are being. i'm really pleased to see the way in which the west is standing together and abroad what the germans have done with nord stream 2. we support the government and the actions they are taking but i think there is a but and that is we don't think they are doing enough when it comes to sanctions, we think they have been dragging theirfeet over sanctions, we think they have been dragging their feet over a period sanctions, we think they have been dragging theirfeet over a period of years. in terms of introducing appropriate legislation to make sure that we can have a new generation of sanctions but also just not using the sanctions that we have. we have, for example, laws, we can grab assets of people if they can't prove where that money has come from, and

the unexplained assets legislation is important but is just not used. when it comes to magnitsky sanctions which are one that labour introduced in the first place and the government said they will introduce them on the back of government legislation, but they are not being used as efficiently and they could be used notjust for assets that come on the back of human rights abuses but also on the back of corruption. there has been too much dirty russian money sloshing around in london and we are known as london grad and you can hear complaints from the americans saying that even if sanctions are introduced, the money of putin is already in knightsbridge, so to a certain extent the horse has already sauntered out of the door. but there are sanctions we can introduce and i would not necessarily say that what was introduce this afternoon was exactly a barrage and i think what we should be doing is introducing all powers at our fingertips. and also introduce new legislation, for example, we should be making sure

that money cannot be hidden in bogus companies registered. we need to make sure all land is properly registered so that we know who owns what and so we can properly sanction, but dojust what and so we can properly sanction, but do just hear three individual sanction today in the house of commons is not a barrage and we do think the government should have a bit more courage and be introducing stronger sanctions. they should also be handing back the russian connected money that the conservative party have had which we believe it's over £2 million and they should be handing that back because it is very important that russian money does not affect our democracy. russian money does not affect our democracy-— russian money does not affect our democra . ., , , ., democracy. you highlight the russian investment in — democracy. you highlight the russian investment in london _ democracy. you highlight the russian investment in london and _ democracy. you highlight the russian investment in london and the - democracy. you highlight the russian| investment in london and the russian elite, buying property in particular, and this has been known about for many years and years, and that governments of various types, so doesn't putin look at the uk, he

knows that very well, which is why he is able to divide and rule like this and to talk about ukraine in the way he is?— the way he is? that is why i say that as far— the way he is? that is why i say that as far as _ the way he is? that is why i say that as far as i'm _ the way he is? that is why i say that as far as i'm concerned - the way he is? that is why i say| that as far as i'm concerned this goes back ten years, and over ten years we have been talking about the importance of introducing strong legislation and making sure that we stop the sort of money laundering thatis stop the sort of money laundering that is happening, the kleptocracy and the friends of putin who have been stealing money from the russian people and hiding it in london. it has been appalling to watch and frankly the conservatives have been too complacent over the time they have been in government, they have not dealt with it, but they now need to deal with it and they need to introduce legislation. they have been promising legislation over years now, and it is about time they did it and use the legislation they have at the moment. if did it and use the legislation they have at the moment.— did it and use the legislation they have at the moment. if you were in the cabinet — have at the moment. if you were in the cabinet now, _ have at the moment. if you were in the cabinet now, you _ have at the moment. if you were in the cabinet now, you would, - have at the moment. if you were in the cabinet now, you would, whatl the cabinet now, you would, what could you do, what would you be

doing that is absolutely instantaneous because the troops are at the ukrainian border already? the first at the ukrainian border already? tue: first thing at the ukrainian border already? tta: first thing is at the ukrainian border already? tt2 first thing is in order to hit putin and to hurt him personally you have got to go for his friends and so what we need to do is have a list which is longer than three when it comes to the friends of putin who are in the uk and we can then have those individuals named and then it is the responsibility of all economic actors and banks and estate agents and everybody, they are not allowed to deal with those people, thatis allowed to deal with those people, that is how you sanction individuals and that is how you hurt putin and his friends. we need to go for the oligarchs and those people whose money cannot be explained in any other way than their closeness to putin. , ., , , ., putin. emily thornberry, from labour, thanks _ putin. emily thornberry, from labour, thanks for— putin. emily thornberry, from labour, thanks forjoining - putin. emily thornberry, from labour, thanks forjoining us. | putin. emily thornberry, from i labour, thanks forjoining us. we are very much keeping a close eye on everything happening at westminster and the response to the situation in

ukraine. the president of ukraine vlodymyr zelensky warned this morning that if russia does launch a full—scale invasion — other states in the region will also be in danger. ukrainians have been living in the shadow of war since 2014, when separatists seized areas in the east of the country and russia annexed crimea. so what has driven president putin to this point and how are ukrainians responding? our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford reports from the ukrainian capital, kyiv. they said prayers today in kyiv for a soldier and a son. anton was killed in eastern ukraine, in shelling by russian backed forces. a conflict that is a national cause and now a personal tragedy. his wife and young family left devastated.

this woman knew anton from childhood, he was a real man who chose a military path, she says. "i have no words." and now ukraine's president faces the prospect of that war escalating very fast. in this dawn address this the morning, volodymyr zelensky declared russian recognition of two breakaway regions a violation of ukrainian sovereignty. "this is our land," he said, "we will give nothing away, "we fear nothing and no—one." it was in 2014 that pro russian crowds stormed buildings around eastern ukraine, tearing down the nationalflag. it was a crisis formented and backed by russia, but moscow has always denied sending troops. now it has recognised these territories, russian soldiers could be deployed openly. and today, on russian television,

one of the rebel leaders hinted they may advance deeper into ukraine to expand his self—proclaimed republic. this conflict has already cost ukraine dearly — a country russia's president seems obsessed with controlling, like the soviet union never collapsed. so ukraine is calling on its allies in the west for urgent support. i hope that leaders of different countries which promised us that the sanctions will be starting after the invasion, i think... anton is being remembered here is here today as a soldier and as a friend, one of more than ia,000 ukrainians who have died in over eight years of this conflict, and the worry now is that the fighting is about to get worse.

for ukraine, this war is about defending its independence, against russia, that refuses to let go. sarah rainsford, bbc news, kyiv. we are sticking with our coverage of ukraine but i want to flag that we are also waiting to hear from nicola sturgeon because we are expecting significant announcements around covid, following on from everything we saw from the westminster government yesterday, of course, so just to flag that we will be at holyrood when nicola sturgeon starts giving an update to msps. but we will stick with our coverage to the response of what is going on on the ukrainian border. we have heard about what british politicians are doing. the uk has led the way with announcing sanctions against russia, and others are expected to follow suit — but what effect will such moves have on russia

and its economy? our global trade correspondent chris morris reports on the potential impact. eight years ago, russian troops moved into crimea, annexing part of ukraine. it provoked a first round of international sanctions and it taught moscow an important lesson. since 2014, it's been setting up defences, moving away from the dollar and trying to sanction—proof the russian economy. by january this year, the government's international reserves in foreign exchange and gold were at record levels, worth over $630 billion. and only about 16% of that foreign exchange is now actually held in dollars, down from 40% five years ago. there have also been other changes, with russia relying less on foreign loans and investments, seeking new trade opportunities away from western markets, creating its own system

of international payments and cutting the size of its budget. it could be a dangerous game for moscow. sanctions on russian banks would hurt. but president putin may be calculating that the us, the uk and the eu have slightly different strategic interests. while in the short term, the russian economy might suffer, this is a specific type of trade war where they are trying to change, actually, the strategic behaviours of a country using trade measures and sanctions, and the risk of all of that is you can miscalculate both the economic and strategic costs of doing this. russia's huge foreign reserves could certainly be used to prop up its currency, the ruble, for quite a while, but other weaknesses can be exploited. so, russia may think it has, to some extent, inoculated itself against western financial pressure at home, but is it vulnerable elsewhere? here in london, for instance?

for years, members of the russian elite, close to vladimir putin, have used this city as a place to invest and to get money out of moscow. it's become known as the london laundromat. it's a world of smoke and mirrors, front companies, property portfolios and political influence. the us is actually trying to push britain towards a tougher line on this dirty money. the government has now promised to take decisive action, but many countries, including the uk, could have acted earlier. the western governments are notjust failing the russian people by allowing this to happen, they are also failing their own people, but change will happen if the sanctions are much more targeted against, you know, the so—called oligarchs. so, sanctions can have an impact, but a package as broad as this has never been imposed on an economy as large as russia. the west would have to be in it for the long haul. chris morris, bbc news. with me now is our business correspondent theo leggett.

that is a sobering thought at the end of that report, that sanctions like this have not been tried on a country as big as russia. absolutely. there have been sanctions against russia at since 2014 over what has been going on in the ukraine but on a more limited level. what has been announced today remains quite limited, but it is pretty clear that the british government wants to target vladimir putin's in a circle and that's why the three men targeted today, they are close acolytes of vladimir putin, and then the banks, it is not targeting the biggest banks in russia but targeting banks which are known to be used by members of vladimir putin's circle, so it is targeted and has been described as the first tranche, it is clear that if russian incursions into ukraine continues there could be more on the way. frankly a lot of people were expecting a more significant proportion of sanctions today which

they haven't got and there has been some criticism of that, from the labour leader keir starmer and others. but this is a step and it is quite clearly targeted in a specific way at people close to vladimir putin. �* ., , way at people close to vladimir putin. 1, _., ,., way at people close to vladimir putin. , putin. boris johnson himself said it was an initial— putin. boris johnson himself said it was an initial step. _ putin. boris johnson himself said it was an initial step. it _ putin. boris johnson himself said it was an initial step. it is _ putin. boris johnson himself said it was an initial step. it is also - was an initial step. it is also uuite was an initial step. it is also quite hard _ was an initial step. it is also quite hard to _ was an initial step. it is also quite hard to do _ was an initial step. it is also quite hard to do because . was an initial step. it is also l quite hard to do because what was an initial step. it is also - quite hard to do because what they are talking about against these individuals is as it freezes and travel bans, the latter are easy to implement but as you heard in that report, if you are targeting wealth and assets, and those assets are held by companies which are owned by shell companies which are based in offshore tax havens, it can be difficult to work out who owns what. the organisation transparency international suggested that some £1.5 billion worth of russian money and dubious —— of dubious origin is invested in london but finding out who owns those assets can be very difficult. , , ., , ., , , difficult. the issue of property beinu difficult. the issue of property being owned _ difficult. the issue of property

being owned by _ difficult. the issue of property being owned by companies . difficult. the issue of property| being owned by companies has difficult. the issue of property - being owned by companies has been around now for some time with some people campaigning against it over at some time. could we be in a situation, how quickly could those rules be changed? you can't buy a £10 million house anonymously, for example. £10 million house anonymously, for examle. ., ., , £10 million house anonymously, for examle. ., , ., , example. the government has promised to do this in the — example. the government has promised to do this in the past _ example. the government has promised to do this in the past but _ example. the government has promised to do this in the past but it _ example. the government has promised to do this in the past but it hasn't - to do this in the past but it hasn't done it as yet, although it was promised in the 2019 queen's speech that there would be a register of beneficial ownership so you know who owns these assets but we are not at that stage yet and it will take time. ., that stage yet and it will take time. . , ., , , u, time. regarding germany, significant announcement _ time. regarding germany, significant announcement in _ time. regarding germany, significant announcement in terms _ time. regarding germany, significant announcement in terms of _ time. regarding germany, significant announcement in terms of the - time. regarding germany, significant announcement in terms of the nord l announcement in terms of the nord stream to pipeline. the announcement in terms of the nord stream to pipeline.— stream to pipeline. the german leader schultz _ stream to pipeline. the german leader schultz said _ stream to pipeline. the german leader schultz said the - stream to pipeline. the german leader schultz said the pipeline | leader schultz said the pipeline which is going to bring gas from russia to germany —— 0laf scholz. the pipeline is pretty much ready to be completed and russia wants it to be completed and russia wants it to be operated so it can sell large quantities of gas to germany without

having to go through countries like ukraine. germany is taking this seriously and they are prepared to take a potential pain and remember the gas prices are very high in europe, in order to put pressure on vladimir putin. for europe, in order to put pressure on vladimir putin.— vladimir putin. for now, thanks for “oininu vladimir putin. for now, thanks for joining us- — defence minsters from a number of northern european nations have been meeting at belvoir castle in leicestershire. the defence secretary ben wallace has been speaking. he said it was the west's responsibility to ensure president putin did not get the legacy he was hoping for. ukraine matters because many other countries are watching. 0ur resolve is being tested, as is the ambitions of president putin's legacy. president putin wants a legacy, it's our duty to make sure he gets a legacy — but not the one he's planning. we are keeping a close eye on all

matters ukrainian in the tense situation there —— and the tense situation there —— and the tense situation there. there is nicola sturgeon, and we can out hit her update to msps about covid restrictions in scotland. increasing confidence in our ability to achieve a sustainable return to normal life even as we remain prepared for future threats from a covid so i will describe our updated strategic intent and approach and the new approach will see us resort to much less to legally imposed protective measures, hopefully not at all, and predominantly we will rely on vaccines and sensible public health behaviours but much as we might wish it was not the case, covid is to a public health at risk here and globally. and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future

so we must also remain vigilant and prepared. to that end i will also outline how we will categorise and respond to future risks including from new variants and i will explain why our decision must be based on a combination of data, evidence and judgment. and i will also give our assessment of the current situation in scotland in light of recent data and set out an indicative timescale for lifting or converting to guidance the small number of legally binding measures that still remain in place. finally i will set out our commitment to continued access to pcr and lateral flow testing free of charge while we transition to a system of testing that is more targeted but which retains adequate capacity to support surveillance, rapid response to the emergence of new variants and access to the best care and treatment for those who need it and i will also confirm our advice that those testing positive

for covid should continue to self—isolate for now. on the issue of testing, i must express frustration at the uk government's position and it is, of course, for the prime minister to decide how best to tackle covid in england but current funding arrangements mean that while taxpayers in all four uk nations contribute to the cost it is decisions taken for england that determine the resources available to scotland, wales and northern ireland, for testing and other covid measures. as of now we have no clarity on how much of the covid testing infrastructure of the uk government intends to retain and no clarity on how much investment will support it in future and no clarity on whether the treasury will provide additional resources or demand that funding is taken from elsewhere in the health budget. i hope we get this clarity soon so we can then set out in more detail our own longer term approach to testing. but and i will say more on this later, i want

to give an assurance now that the scottish government is determined to retain a robust testing system capable of providing scotland with a strong resilience against future covid threats and firmly aligned with public health advice and the principles underpinning the national health service. now to the key points in detail, starting with our revised strategic approach. in earlier phases of the pandemic it was important to try to eliminate covid and suppress it to the lowest possible level, because then we did not have vaccines and treatments to protect against the serious illness and death that the virus can cause. that is why our objective initially was to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level, but we modified that last year. the update todayit modified that last year. the update today it is modified further and now expressed as follows, to manage covid effectively primarily through adaptations and health measures, that strengthen our resilience and recovery as we rebuild for a better

future. this change is possible because widespread vaccination coverage and better treatments have reduced the direct harms of the virus and as a result using restrictions to suppress infection is no longer as necessary as it once was and given the wider harms caused by protective measures, it is no longer as justifiable either. the frame may make clear we will seek to rely less on legal imposed measures and more on vaccines, treatments and sensible adaptations and good public health behaviours. as a priority, we will continue to ensure the maximum possible availability and uptake of vaccination in line with expert advice. while the success of the vaccination programme has exceeded our expectations, there are today still more than 600,000 people over 18 who have had a second dose not yet a third or a booster dose. there is more still to do to maximise uptake. we will also continue to

extend the scope of vaccination. last week the jcvi recommended all five to 11—year—olds, notjust those at highest clinical risk, should be eligible for the vaccine. i can confirm today that vaccine appointments for this age group will issue from mid—march allow parents and carers to attend with children most appointments will be in the evenings, weekends or during the easter school holidays. yesterday we also accept itjcvi advice on protecting those at highest risk. it is now our intention to offer a care home residents, those over 75, and anyone over 12 who is immunosuppressed and additional booster six months after their last jag- booster six months after their last jag. this phase will also start in march although the scheduling for individuals will depend on the timing of their initial booster or third dose. in addition to vaccination we will also use the best available treatments those who need them stop there are already

effective treatments available which reduce serious illness and death in those who have been admitted to hospital with disease. therapeutic medicines are now also being offered to patients who have not been admitted to hospital what you are assessed as being at greatest risk of needing hospital treatment and new oral anti—viral treatments are currently being evaluated through a uk wide study. we will make the best use of those treatments, depending on what the evidence and expert advice tells us about their efficacy. vaccination and treatment will play a major, perhaps as a major role in limiting the health harm caused by this virus in the months and indeed years to come. however it is also important to encourage and support people to adopt safe practices and make basic adaptations that will help keep us safe. the document we are publishing today gives more detail on the kinds of behaviours and adaptations that will be encouraged in different circumstances. these include enhanced hygiene across the general population and improved ventilation

in workplaces and other settings and especially when levels of infection may be higher, increased hybrid and flexible working and the use of face coverings in some indoor public places. it is less likely that any of these measures will be legally imposed in future, but we will advise them for as long as they help keep the virus under control and also help protect those who are most vulnerable to it. it is also vital, of course, that we remain vigilant for new developments. it is unfortunately highly likely that this virus will continue to mutate and confront us with new and potentially more harmful variants in future. to identify and respond to such threats quickly, we will maintain a strong surveillance capability, we will set this out in more detail next month but, subject to the point i made earlier about the overall resources available to us, our surveillance system will include extensive pc out sampling and processing capacity, waste water

sampling and genomic sequencing capability. we also welcome confirmation that the uk wide covid infection survey conducted by the ons infection survey conducted by the 0ns will continue. it is essential, however, that it continues at scale, and we will seek to work with the uk government to ensure that this is the case. this surveillance capacity it will help us identify new threats rapidly stop it will also help us assess the potential severity of any new threat and quickly determine the appropriate level of response. a strategic update we are publishing today sets out a clear framework or any decisions we may have to take in future in response to new developments. i want to stress, this is intended as a contingency. we do hope of course we never have to use it. however it does recognise the ongoing challenge that covid presents and sets out three broad levels of future potential threat. low, medium and high. it also offers

illustrative examples of the type of protective measures that could be deployed in response to different threat levels and it may be helpful to illustrate this through some general examples. if a new variant emerged at was more transmissible and more severe, perhaps with the ability to evade vaccine or a natural immunity, this threat would likely be classified as high. in those circumstances we might advise people to limit social contacts for a period to work from home where possible, and we may introduce some temporary detections for high—risk settings. if a new variant was either more transmissible or a more severe, but not both, as is the case with 0micron, the initial threat assessment would likely be medium. in these circumstances there may be a legal requirement to wear face coverings in some settings as we might as your guide is for businesses and service providers on reasonable measures to reduce the spread of covid on their premises. lastly, in the absence of a new variant, or if a new variant was

neither more transmissible nor a more severe, and if vaccines continue to be effective, the threat classification would likely remain low. 0bviously classification would likely remain low. obviously this is the level we hope to reach, and stay at on a sustainable basis. in these circumstances there would be no legally imposed protective measures, instead we would continue to advise individuals and organisations to adopt sensible public health behaviours. it is important to stress that any decision about the threat level and what the appropriate response should be will be guided by data and evidence, but it is not an exact science. it will also, by necessity, involve judgment. that is because the kind of developments we may face in future principally doing a pro, principal at new variant, will not be uniform in potential impact. a new variant that is highly transmissible but less severe would obviously require a different response to one that was less transmissible but more severe. so we must guard against a one size fits all approach, which is why the framework does not propose fixed

threshold for action, for example by stating we will take certain predetermined steps in the number of cases rises above a specific level. such thresholds may be superficially attractive because of the certainty they appear to provide, but they pose a very significant risk of both under and over reaction. the framework i havejust under and over reaction. the framework i have just described can be used to categorise our current threat level, and therefore help guide decisions in the coming period and i will return to that shortly. first let me summarise the latest data and trends. today we are reporting 6127 new cases from lateral flow and pcr tests. 1060 people in hospital, nine more than yesterday, 25 people in intensive care, the same as yesterday. sadly in the past 24 hours 18 for the debts have been registered of people with covid —— 18 further deaths. my condolences go to every one morning a loved one. reported cases have fallen by around 1% over the past week, following in all age groups

under 45 and risen in all age groups over 45. the latest available data shows hospital admissions have slightly increased again, from 619 in the week to the 11th of february, to 654 in the most recent week, and total hospital occupancy has also increased again and we will obviously continue to keep a close watch on this. the number of people in intensive care with covid, 25, continues to be relatively low. in summary, we continue to face a very highly transmissible variant that is causing a high level of community infection. however, while it is far from harmless, its overall impact is less severe than delta. so using the framework i described earlier, we assessed the current threat level to be medium. however, assuming the level of infection and its associated impacts, for example hospital admissions, falls or broadly stabilises, we would expect this to be reassessed as low in the period ahead. this has enabled kavanagh to agree this morning and

indicative timescale lifting or converting to guidance the small number of legally imposed protective measures that remain in place at this stage. i can confirm first that the covid certification scheme required in certain venues and events to check vaccine or test status of attendees will come to an end next monday, the 28th of february. the app which supports the scheme will remain operational, so any business that wishes to continue covid certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers will be able to do so. second, as of the zist able to do so. second, as of the 21st of march, assuming no significant adverse developments in the course of the virus, we expect that the legal requirement to wear face coverings in certain indoor settings and on public transport will be converted to guidance. we will be converted to guidance. we will continue to strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings in shops and other indoor public places and on public transport. we also expect on the 21st of march to link the legal requirement for businesses, places of worship and

service providers to have regard to guidance on covid and take practical measures set out in the guidance. the legal requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details is also expected to end on the 21st of march. governments obviously must act lawfully and that means we cannot impose legal restrictions when it is disproportionate to do so. as the situation improves and the severity of the impact from covid reduces, we are therefore duty—bound to remove legally imposed restrictions. but this should not be taken as a signal that covid no longer represents any risk to health because it clearly does. even though certain measures, for example face coverings, may not be legal requirements in future we will still recommend voluntary compliance as part of the range of behaviours that will help keep us safe as we manage the covid in a more sustainable and less restrictive way. let me turn now finally to testing. testing has

been and will continue to be a vital part of our management of covid. however, as the nature of the threat and our approach to managing it evolves, so too will our approach to testing. it is reasonable over time and barring adverse developments to move away from the mass population wide asymptomatic testing, towards a more targeted system focused on specific priorities. these priorities will include surveillance, rapid detection of and response to new variants, effective outbreak management, particularly in high risk settings like care homes and hospitals, and ensuring access to care and treatment for those who need it. however, it is vital that we make this transition in a careful and a phased manner. in march, by which time i hope we will have more clarity from the uk government on available resources, we will publish available resources, we will publish a detailed transition plan protest and protect, setting out our priorities in more detail —— protest

and protect. requiring the scale of infrastructure in place for the longer term. the plan will also confirm the duration beyond the end of march of any transition period during which the system will operate broadly on the same basis as now. the public health reasons for ensuring a careful phased transition from the current arrangements to a more targeted testing system are obviously the most important. we should also remember that hundreds of people in test and protect, a testing sites across the country, and in our processing labs, including glasgow light has come have worked tirelessly to keep us safe over the last two years and these decisions affect theirjobs and livelihoods, a point seemingly overlooked by the uk government yesterday. let me record our thanks to them today and give an assurance that the scottish government will engage closely with them in the weeks ahead. as we do this work in the coming weeks and for the

transition period, subject to one change i will set out shortly, access to testing will continue on broadly at the same basis as now. we will be considering separately advice for schools and care workers in line with expert advice, but for the general public let me set out clearly what this means from now until further notice. clearly what this means from now untilfurther notice. firstly, if you have covid symptoms you should continue to go for a pcr test. access to these tests will remain free of charge at testing sites across the country. second, you should continue to make regular use of lateral flow tests, even if you don't have symptoms. the only immediate change we are making to current arrangements on lateral flow tests the general population is in our advice on the frequency of testing. instead of advice to test before going anywhere to mix with others, we will, from monday next week, relates to advice to test at least twice a week and in particular if you are going to a crowded place were mixing with someone who is

clinically vulnerable. lateral flow tests will remain free of charge in the transition phase. indeed, we consider it important, in line with the principle of health care free at the principle of health care free at the point of use, that they should remain free of charge for any circumstance in which government recommends testing, and this is a principle we will seek to uphold in our longer term plan testing. i also want to emphasise that in scotland for now we will continue to ask those who test positive for covid to isolate for the recommended period, and we will continue to make a isolation support payments available to those who are eligible. we will of course keep the recommended period of isolation under review that i think it is worth stressing that i think it is worth stressing that isolating, staying at home when positive, with a highly infective virus, and the follow—up casing that test and protect does, remains one of the most fundamental public health protections we have available —— follow—up contact tracing. it

helps limit transmission overall and in helping keep workplaces and other settings safer, it also provides protection for those at risk of serious illness from covid, enabling them to return to normal lives, as well. covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. today's new framework is an important moment in our recovery. it marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainable, from legal restrictions and rely instead on sensible behaviours, adaptations and mitigations. a return to normality it must go hand in hand with continuing determination to look after each other. all of us have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery. i will close by urging everyone to follow advice on getting vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, we face coverings when required or recommended, keeping rooms are ventilated and following hygiene advice. all of this still matters,

even as we lift the remaining legal requirements. it is how we keep ourselves and each other safe as we recover from covid and look forward now to get too much brighter days ahead. ., ., now to get too much brighter days ahead. ., ~' ,, now to get too much brighter days ahead. ., ~ ,, , ~ , ahead. thank you. the first minister will now take — ahead. thank you. the first minister will now take questions _ ahead. thank you. the first minister will now take questions on _ ahead. thank you. the first minister will now take questions on the - will now take questions on the issues — will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. i intend _ issues raised in her statement. i intend to — issues raised in her statement. i intend to allow around 40 minutes, after which — intend to allow around 40 minutes, after which we will move onto the next item — after which we will move onto the next item of business and i will be grateful _ next item of business and i will be grateful if — next item of business and i will be grateful if members who wish to ask a question— grateful if members who wish to ask a question will press their request to speak— a question will press their request to speak buttons. douglas ross. thank _ to speak buttons. douglas ross. thank you — to speak buttons. douglas ross. thank you. can i begin by saying that as we debate this afternoon, the situation in ukraine is at the forefront of all of our minds. the prime minister has made a statement to the house of commons that has rightly received cross—party condemnation for the actions of president putin and russia. for weeks we have seen a build—up of activity and threats but last night's statement from president putin provided in the starkest possible terms the reality of what russia is seeking to do. we must

stand together, supporting the uk government, governments around europe and across the world as they seek to deal with the current and future threats from russia, but above all else we have to make it very clear that we stand with the people of ukraine. turning to today's a statement, we welcome the move away from blanket legal restrictions towards an approach based on public health guidance. two weeks ago the scottish conservatives published our own blueprint for living with covid, titled back to normality. we focused on personal responsibility, trusting the scottish public to protect themselves and their families. when our plan was published, the health secretary claimed it was reckless. today, large parts of it have been adopted by the scottish government. they are moving facemasks from law to guidance. they have finally

scrapped the vaccine passports and they are getting rid of mass testing. rec was two weeks ago, government policy today. so can i ask the first minister. her statement said the government is moving to a system of representative sampling away from mass testing. so why has the first minister created a fight with the uk government over this issue just weeks before fight with the uk government over this issuejust weeks before her own plans to scale back testing anyway? secondly, the first minister of justice said in his statement, and i quote," using restrictions to suppress infection is no longer as necessary as it once was, and given the wider harms caused by protective measures, it is no longer justifiable either." can the first minister explain why the government intends to extend the covid powers it has at its disposal for a further six months until september if it is no longer necessary or it justifiable to keep restrictions in place, why is it necessary or justifiable for the government to cling onto control over those powers and keep the threat of restrictions

hanging over the public? finally does studio: that is part of the response from scottish conservatives, nicola sturgeon in the last few minutes outlining the future for the country living with covid as the threat evolves from coronavirus, so will our approach to testing and very striking that there were a lot of references to testing. all of that following on from what we heard from borisjohnson following on from what we heard from boris johnson yesterday about the end of free lateral flow tests. not immediately but coming up in april, and there was a lot of talk of that. let's assess what the first minister announced and what more remains to come clear it yet. what stood out for you, alexandra? we always look for the difference is, i guess, we always look for the difference is, iguess, between we always look for the difference is, i guess, between the various nations on all of this. what is standing out?— nations on all of this. what is standing out?

nations on all of this. what is standin: out? . , ., ., standing out? there was quite a lot of information _ standing out? there was quite a lot of information there _ standing out? there was quite a lot of information there and _ standing out? there was quite a lot of information there and quite - standing out? there was quite a lot of information there and quite a - standing out? there was quite a lot of information there and quite a lot| of information there and quite a lot of information there and quite a lot of dates, as well. it was very much about a way of getting back to a normal way of life but also, i think, very cautious, as well. the first minister mentioned at the top of her speech away of... remaining vigilant, i have to say. she said we must remain vigilant and prepared. i think what she meant there was, you know, if there are more variants... she certainly wasn't and couldn't rule that out. they could be more variants and could possibly be worse than the ones we have had previously. she said the public health risk is still very much there. she also expressed her frustration quite early on at the uk government in terms of getting rid of mass testing. she has been calling for some kind of clarity on that since yesterday in terms of what resources were what money might

be available there. in terms of dates, she talked about legal requirements, losing those moving to guidance rather than things being in law. covid certification scheme, that ends on the 28th of april, that is going into nightclubs or large events, they will not need that covid certification scheme. douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservative party, he welcomed today because macro announcements but welcomed that one in particular because that is something the opposition parties have been against since the very beginning and also from the 21st of march, face coverings will no longer be mandatory. here is government at the moment, in indoor public places, restaurants, public transport, it is mandatory to wear face coverings. so from the 21st of march, that will no

longer be mandatory. she also said that, going forward, it would be vaccines and treatments that would be important rather than these legal requirements. i mention testing. she said that access to testing will remain broadly in the same way as it does now, so that is before she has got that clarity that she is talking about that she wants to get from borisjohnson. she said that pcr tests will remain free and available to the public, as they are now. and lateral flow tests, instead of taking them every time you go out, she said twice weekly, and also to larger events. also on self isolating, that is not a legal requirement at the moment but that continues the same, those testing

positive for coronavirus should self—isolate. positive for coronavirus should self-isolate.— positive for coronavirus should self-isolate. �* . ., ., ~ self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave _ self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave that _ self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave that for _ self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave that for now. - self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave that for now. a - self-isolate. alexandra, thank you. we will leave that for now. a busyl we will leave that for now. a busy afternoon. we want to bring you an update on some breaking news from the old bailey. this is a court case which concerns the shooting of sasha johnson, you may remember this case. a young woman, still in her 20s, who was shot in the head at a house party in south london. that was in may last year. there has been a trial continuing and we are just hearing that that trial has collapsed. let's go straight to the old bailey. adina campbell is there. remind people of this case. 28 adina campbell is there. remind people of this case.— people of this case. 28 euros .3 macro -- _ people of this case. 28 euros .3 macro -- sasha _ people of this case. 28 euros .3 macro -- sasha johnson - people of this case. 28 euros .3 macro -- sasha johnson was i people of this case. 28 euros .3 i macro -- sasha johnson was shot people of this case. 28 euros .3 - macro -- sasha johnson was shot in a macro —— sasha johnson was shot in a house party in peckham last year. she has since been in hospital, has

undergone two operations. she is in a serious but stable condition but today we learn she has a catastrophic and permanent injuries. in an unexpected turn of events here at the old bailey this afternoon. we now know that this trial has effectively collapsed. it was due to begin next month. four men were accused of conspiracy to murder. devonte brown, cameron deriggs, troy reid and prince dixon. not guilty verdicts have now been recorded. when looking at evidence the prosecution this afternoon said that after reviews of new evidence presented to them, they could no longer meet the requirements for the trial so that has now indeed collapsed. the four men who appeared via video link were celebrating, punching their arms in the air. they will now be released from prison but of course for sasha johnson's family, she is still in hospital

with catastrophic injuries and the big question remains, he was responsible for her attack? and the injuries which keep her in hospital? absolutely desperate case for her, a young mother, for her whole family. they will want answers, of course. what sort of process does the legal process go through now? what will the police, the cps, we wait to hear from them, i suppose. after the police, the cps, we wait to hear from them, i suppose.— the police, the cps, we wait to hear from them, i suppose. after this new evidence was — from them, i suppose. after this new evidence was presented, _ from them, i suppose. after this new evidence was presented, we - from them, i suppose. after this new evidence was presented, we were - from them, i suppose. after this new| evidence was presented, we were told that the review would be taking place. the cps have of course been involved from the very beginning but as it stands at the moment it's just doesn't meet the current test for a trial to go forwards. there will be more scrutiny there, they will be looking at the case and the evidence at the moment, but as it stands, not guilty verdicts have been recorded by those four defendants who were charged with conspiracy to murder. sasha johnson of course is still in hospital, she is in a very serious condition. she is well known for

being an antiracism equal rights campaigner, heavily involved in the black lives matter movementjust after the high—profile killing of george floyd, his murder in the states back in 2020. sasha johnson, who is from oxford, she spent her childhood there, she actually arranged the black lives matter march in oxford in 2020 and she is a well—known proactive campaigner who is really passionate about equal rights. when the news broke about her, hershooting rights. when the news broke about her, her shooting and what happened at that house party in peckham in south london, there was a massive outpouring of support on social media, individuals were held in and in oxford, and people were shocked about what happened to her and over the last nine months she is still in hospital, she has had two macro operations, but we know that those injuries are catastrophic, they are permanent, and for sasha johnson's

family today this will be really quite difficult to take because they still have answers, they still don't know who was responsible for that attack and for those catastrophic injuries, but today we now know the four men accused of conspiracy to murder, accused of setting up with the lack of a firearm with intent to endanger life, all those charges have now been, well, not guilty verdict have never recorded in relation to those charges and they will be released prison.— will be released prison. thank you very much — will be released prison. thank you very much for— will be released prison. thank you very much for the _ will be released prison. thank you very much for the latest _ will be released prison. thank you very much for the latest there - will be released prison. thank you very much for the latest there on | very much for the latest there on that breaking news from the old bailey. much more about ukraine coming up at the top of the hour. we will pause now and take a look at the weather. hello, there. we still have a number of flood warnings in force across the country, a couple of severe flood warnings for the north and west midlands. and over the next few days, it will remain quite unsettled — very windy, with spells of rain at times, but nothing quite as windy

and as wet as what we've had over the past week. we've had a weather front spreading southwards across the country through the day and then that's left brighter skies for much of the afternoon with sunshine and showers. it will be windy — gales across the far north and the west. temperatures, though, on the face of it, not too bad for the time of year — highs of 11 to 14 degrees across england and wales — something a bit colder, though, for the north of scotland. as we head through tonight, it turns wetter and windier across scotland, northern ireland — gales developing here, some snow on the hills. further south, for england and wales, though, it's going to be mainly dry with clear skies — lighter winds, so it will turn quite chilly, particularly out of town. so for wednesday, it's not too bad for england and wales. more unsettled, wet and windy further north. and then it turns colder and very windy for all areas on thursday with sunshine and showers.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines: borisjohnson announces sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals — after president putin orders troops into eastern ukraine. the house should be in no doubt that the deployment of these forces in sovereign ukrainian territory amounts to a renewed invasion of that country. in germany, the government halts the process to approve a new pipeline from russia which could double europe's gas supply. ukrainians were told by their president to remain calm — he said his country was not afraid of anything or any one. questions about who will be eligible

for free covid testing — after the uk government announced the end of universal testing in england from april. meanwhile, nicola sturgeon says the covid certification scheme and face mask laws will come to an end in scotland, but says she's determined to keep testing people. the scottish government is determined to retain a robust testing system capable of providing scotland with a strong resilience against future covid threats. buckingham palace says the queen has cancelled planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild cold—like symptoms due to covid. russia's decision to send troops into two rebel—held regions in eastern ukraine,

after recognising them as independent states, has led to widespread international condemnation. let's cross live to kyiv and our correspondent, lyse doucet. welcome to the ukrainian capital kyiv where the president, volodymyr zelensky, has been urging his people to remain calm, despite the political earthquake which has hit this region and far beyond. tough messages to date from the ukrainian leader, according on the west to take action. what are you waiting for, he said, as he met the estonian president in kyiv. russian aggression is happening and we expect you to take action, he said. the big question on everyone's mind is how far the big question on everyone's mind is how faeradimir the big question on everyone's mind is how far vladimir putin will go, we are at the russian backed forces in luhansk and donetsk stop at the

areas now controlled by russian backed forces or try to take the broader territories? the head of the region in donetsk said the decision would come later. we now have this report from our diplomatic correspondent james landale. is this the start of things to come? a column of unidentified military vehicles moving into donetsk, just hours after vladimir putin signed a decree ordering russian forces to the region. a region that the west says is part of ukraine, a region that the russian leader now claims is made up of two independent countries. translation: i consider it necessary to immediately recognise _ the independence and sovereignty of the donetsk and luhansk people's republics. his decision to sign a decree to that effect has been condemned

around the world as an illegal violation of ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. the united nations met in the early hours, and the anger was clear to see. russia's clear attack on ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unprovoked. it is an attack on ukraine's status as a un member state. this move by president putin is clearly the basis for russia's attempt to create a pretext for a further invasion of ukraine. will any sanctions - change putin's mind? this morning, ministers met in an emergency session to discuss the crisis and agreed an initial package of sanctions against russia. this, i should stress, is the first barrage of uk economic sanctions against russia, because we expect, i'm afraid that there is more russian irrational behaviour to come. the european union is also planning sanctions.

an early target is a new gas pipeline from russia to germany whose regulatory approval has been suspended. the german chancellor said the sanctions were needed to prevent what he called escalation and disaster. translation: it sounds technocratic, but this is the first step to make - sure the pipeline cannot be certified, and without the certification, nord stream 2 cannot operate. but in the two regions led by pro russian separatists, this is how recognition by moscow was celebrated by some. russia's foreign minister dismissed the threat of sanctions as a predictable response and questioned whether ukraine had a right to any sovereignty. overnight, ukraine's president held a flurry of calls with world leaders and asked for urgent help. translation: they must all show how fast they can act. _ sanctions are the most powerful assistance they can offer, in addition to arming ukraine to defend its borders,

a policy of sanctions is very powerful and can have an immediate impact when facing this escalation from russia. and that is the question that matters — will the international response be enough to deter the threat of full scale invasion which russian forces appear to have been training for in recent weeks? james landale, bbc news. so many questions concerning ukraine and the wider region and even before president putin made his move last night, a legal move here described as legal aggression, many ukrainian officials included the —— including the president, volodymyr zelensky, asked for the west to put sanctions on russia now, and some have now been put on the banks and individuals, but is it enough? we arejoined by the ukrainian ambassador. your reaction to what has happened so far in reaction to

russia's first move, if you like? tt russia's first move, if you like? if this is a reaction to the first move. _ this is a reaction to the first move, this is a good first wave of sanctions. — move, this is a good first wave of sanctions, but also i guess we will have _ sanctions, but also i guess we will have to _ sanctions, but also i guess we will have to climb up if russia go further— have to climb up if russia go further with their incursion into ukrainian — further with their incursion into ukrainian territory. that further with their incursion into ukrainian territory.— further with their incursion into ukrainian territory. that is a big if, but what _ ukrainian territory. that is a big if, but what is _ ukrainian territory. that is a big if, but what is your _ ukrainian territory. that is a big if, but what is your sense, - ukrainian territory. that is a big if, but what is your sense, is i ukrainian territory. that is a big l if, but what is your sense, is this going to be enough for president putin or do you believe he is going to go further to take more territory?— to go further to take more territo ? , . ., . territory? this sanction which will cover the banks _ territory? this sanction which will cover the banks which _ territory? this sanction which will cover the banks which have - territory? this sanction which will i cover the banks which have business on our— cover the banks which have business on our territory, they will suffer. some _ on our territory, they will suffer. some of— on our territory, they will suffer. some of them were involved in the building _ some of them were involved in the building of— some of them were involved in the building of the crimea bridge, so this is— building of the crimea bridge, so this is an — building of the crimea bridge, so this is an important signal but i hope _ this is an important signal but i hope that— this is an important signal but i hope that they will be able to transmit— hope that they will be able to transmit this message to sunni

personally. if it works —— putin personally _ personally. if it works —— putin personally. if it works —— putin personally. if it works —— putin personally. if it works, it might help _ personally. if it works, it might help him — personally. if it works, it might help him to change his mind and work towards _ help him to change his mind and work towards a _ help him to change his mind and work towards a diplomatic resolution. we have towards a diplomatic resolution. have been towards a diplomatic resolution. 2 have been talking to some financial experts and they have made light of the sanctions so far, for example the sanctions so far, for example the individuals you mentioned. the americans already sanctioned those individuals. do you really feel that this is something to make president putin think again? t this is something to make president putin think again?— putin think again? i guess that this one is not. — putin think again? i guess that this one is not, and _ putin think again? i guess that this one is not, and he _ putin think again? i guess that this one is not, and he knew— putin think again? i guess that this one is not, and he knew sanctionsl one is not, and he knew sanctions would _ one is not, and he knew sanctions would come, and these oligarchs depend on him, he gave them all the wealth— depend on him, he gave them all the wealth they have, so they have to suffer— wealth they have, so they have to suffer for— wealth they have, so they have to suffer for the sake of their great leader. — suffer for the sake of their great leader, and they will, but if there is a reat— leader, and they will, but if there is a real incursion on our territory. _ is a real incursion on our territory, then we will have to find something — territory, then we will have to find something better than that. i'm just thinking _ something better than that. i'm just thinking out loud. may be the centrai— thinking out loud. may be the central bank of russia could be

under— central bank of russia could be under the — central bank of russia could be under the sanctions so they really feel the _ under the sanctions so they really feel the heat under their feet. we are feel the heat under their feet. are hearing feel the heat under their feet. 2 are hearing from western capitals including london that the dog should still be open for diplomacy —— the door. has it been slammed shut? russia have tried to slam it shut and they— russia have tried to slam it shut and they killed the minsk process which _ and they killed the minsk process which allowed us to have negotiations with them each day for ei-ht negotiations with them each day for eight years, but at least we were trying _ eight years, but at least we were trying to— eight years, but at least we were trying to find some common ground. they tried _ trying to find some common ground. they tried to shut the door by killing — they tried to shut the door by killing the minsk agreement but volodymyr zelensky said he is still eager— volodymyr zelensky said he is still eager to _ volodymyr zelensky said he is still eager to meet with president putin with our— eager to meet with president putin with our allies in the west to help everyone. — with our allies in the west to help everyone, even the russians themselves, they are getting further into conflict with the democratic world _ into conflict with the democratic world and — into conflict with the democratic world and that is not good for the russian _ world and that is not good for the russian nation and the russian leadership as well. as russian nation and the russian leadership as well.— russian nation and the russian leadership as well. as you know president putin _ leadership as well. as you know president putin accused - leadership as well. as you knowj president putin accused ukraine leadership as well. as you know i president putin accused ukraine of failing to implement the 2015 minsk

agreement and you know they are seen as more favourable to rush it so ukraine was not keen on moving forward —— favourable to russia. is that fair comment? 2815 forward -- favourable to russia. is that fair comment?— that fair comment? 2015 when the document was _ that fair comment? 2015 when the document was signed, _ that fair comment? 2015 when the document was signed, it - that fair comment? 2015 when the document was signed, it was - that fair comment? 2015 when the i document was signed, it was signed because _ document was signed, it was signed because they were holding a gun to our head _ because they were holding a gun to our head and the document was only for one _ our head and the document was only for one year— our head and the document was only for one year only. our parliament never— for one year only. our parliament never ratified it at the president never— never ratified it at the president never signed it, it was the only diplomatic document —— and the president— diplomatic document —— and the president never signed it. so that is how— president never signed it. so that is how deep the conflict was. now we do not _ is how deep the conflict was. now we do not have _ is how deep the conflict was. now we do not have this document, but we are unfortunately as of today, we don't _ are unfortunately as of today, we don't have — are unfortunately as of today, we don't have anything to start negotiations but who knows? maybe we can sit _ negotiations but who knows? maybe we can sit around the table and find a better— can sit around the table and find a better solution because the situation is different and russia has actually tried to kill the document and they have taken the

territory _ document and they have taken the territory this time openly. we have seen the images _ territory this time openly. we have seen the images from _ territory this time openly. we have seen the images from donetsk - territory this time openly. we have seen the images from donetsk and j seen the images from donetsk and luhansk of people celebrating the move from moscow. would you admit that there are people in those areas who do support this decision from russia? while it may be more dangerous for the russian forces to move outside of that area, where they have moved now it is where people in that area want to be? the russian media have been covering this territory all these years which is different from what you know, this is— is different from what you know, this is pure — is different from what you know, this is pure propaganda, talking about— this is pure propaganda, talking about us— this is pure propaganda, talking about us as fascists who are crucifying _ about us as fascists who are crucifying three—year—old kids, so these _ crucifying three—year—old kids, so these people, they are frightened to death— these people, they are frightened to death that some mythical ukrainian fascists— death that some mythical ukrainian fascists would come. they hope that somehow _ fascists would come. they hope that somehow the peace will come to their homes _ somehow the peace will come to their homes. now they believe this is

something which can provide some peace _ something which can provide some peace and — something which can provide some peace and security and stability. we told them _ peace and security and stability. we told them already, the ukrainian president— told them already, the ukrainian president reached out to them, if you want— president reached out to them, if you want to come, we will find a way to accommodate everybody, how we can build a _ to accommodate everybody, how we can build a better ukraine, if you can't. — build a better ukraine, if you can't. we _ build a better ukraine, if you can't, we understand. if you have relatives— can't, we understand. if you have relatives you can move and we will try sooner— relatives you can move and we will try sooner or— relatives you can move and we will try sooner or later to get us united, — try sooner or later to get us united, but we are not doing it with force. _ united, but we are not doing it with force. we _ united, but we are not doing it with force, we are trying to do it peacefully and diplomatically. for now, peacefully and diplomatically. fr?" now, thanks forjoining us. that is your assessment of the current situation in terms of the sanctions being rolled out today but also the speculation about what could be happening next. in recent days even before this announcement from moscow, the separatist leaders in those republics had been urging people to leave the area, at least women and children, those evacuees have turned up around certain areas

and i've spoken to our correspondence about these evacuees. i am currently standing outside one of the evacuation areas, in tagan, where many people have been coming through and they are travelling on into central russia and behind me, the tents that have been put up by the russian emergency ministry in order to be able to process people as they are coming through. i have been speaking to some of the evacuees who have been passing through at the moment but also people who have been here since over the weekend about what they have made of the comments by president putin in the course of the last 24 hours, about the fact russia has now recognised these separatist states, separatist held areas, as being independent states. of course, russia up until this point had acknowledged and accepted these were part of ukraine, but the fact russia has chosen to say that they are now independent states goes against

the minsk agreements. in terms of people's reaction, unsurprisingly, a lot of people here are very pleased about this announcement, quite a few people were quite emotional about it and i think that is because quite a few of them associate it with what russia says this means. russia has said this is about a peacekeeping mission, as we have heard, president putin talked about sending in peacekeeping troops. that is not how the rest of the world views it. but i think it is also interesting that some of the people i have spoken to maybe have a sense or some nuance in the situation. one woman i spoke to while she was processing some of her paperwork, talked about the fact that she really hoped there was not going to be an escalation in some form of violence, she said that many of the people that were in these separatist regions still had family and friends in ukraine and they should still respect and understand ukraine and in her eyes, ukraine was once home, but in her view, she now lives in a separate, independent state, not something that is recognised internationally by anyone other than russia. so, i think there is a sense here, many people feeling quite

joyful, hoping they might even be able to go back home, but i think the rest of the world is very concerned that this has been an escalatory step, not a step in the direction towards peace, this could be towards something far worse. the earlier reports spoke about how it was mainly women and children who were taken out, and if that is the case, many of the people you are speaking to would have sons, brothers and husbands still in the area, that must cause concern, perhaps creating a fear that there could be some military activity? yes, many people are very worried. we spoke to one woman recently who was talking about the fact her husband had not been part of the military before this but, of course, as soon as the warning came to evacuate, all of the men were also told that if they were able to, they needed to sign up tojoin the military which is what her husband had done and she told me if he had not done that, there was a warning that he could in fact have faced criminal charges afterwards.

that is something she was very worried about, people are very emotional about leaving fathers, sons, husbands and brothers, all in those territories, many of them signing up to the military with no certainty about what might happen to them. caroline davies reporting from taganrog. we can now speak to max seddon, who is the moscow bureau chief at the financial times. would russian backed forces try to move out of the areas in those republics which are now held by ukrainian forces, how hard would that be to do? we ukrainian forces, how hard would that be to do?— ukrainian forces, how hard would that be to do? we still don't know so much about _ that be to do? we still don't know so much about what _ that be to do? we still don't know so much about what exactly - that be to do? we still don't know so much about what exactly the i that be to do? we still don't know- so much about what exactly the plans of russia is and there are a few things putin could do. i spoke to a spokesperson who said whether russia

was recognising the separatists under their current areas or the area they claim which is the whole of the donbas region which is three times the size and he performed the most amazing feat of verbal gymnastics in managing to not really give an answer. and the one of the separatist heads said when he was signing the documents, he did not even discuss with sunni what they were actually recognising, but this is important —— with putin. this could mean a declaration of war, and russia have massed close to 200,000 troops all around the ukrainian border, so the military experts, they will say that this is something russia could do but the question is whether vladimir putin is planning to do this and many of his own officials did not even know, and the mps who were voting, to recognise

the republics, they did not know either, so maybe only putin really knows going on. you either, so maybe only putin really knows going on-— knows going on. you wrote in the financial times _ knows going on. you wrote in the financial times about _ knows going on. you wrote in the financial times about what - knows going on. you wrote in the financial times about what has . knows going on. you wrote in the i financial times about what has been described as political theatre, the national security council meeting, and president putin's speech, so did it confirm to you what many have said that the decision—making may lie only with president putin now? absolutely. what was symbolic, in the room where they formalise the annexation of crimea in 2014, there were words about how they made the decision in crimea, he had a security council meeting and stayed up security council meeting and stayed up until seven o'clock in the morning with his top security advisers where they hatched a plan to annex crimea and this underscored something which is very much done for show. they are all sitting 20 feet away from putin like members of

spectre in james feet away from putin like members of spectre injames bond films, and he was very much underlining that only he was making the decisions, even the people, like criminologists, have said that these are the couple of security advisers who are in the room, and putin listens to what they say and takes the advice, but some of them he even publicly grilled at this thing and the question i had was, why do this sherrard that he had even discussed this before, and he had not even made a decision, and then he made this our long rambling speech shortly afterwards. it was almost like a loyalty test for his subordinates, there is russian expression which means collective guilt, and putin was really reading them to say, yes, that they supported the decision —— was really grilling them to say. a couple of

them were not fully committed and he wanted a straight answer, and he wanted a straight answer, and he wanted to know if they were publicly all in this with him. i don't think the comparisons with the politburo are really apt any more, this more like the tsar dealing with his court. 50 like the tsar dealing with his court. . like the tsar dealing with his court, . ., like the tsar dealing with his court. . ., _, ,. ,, court. so much more we could discuss but we have — court. so much more we could discuss but we have got _ court. so much more we could discuss but we have got to _ court. so much more we could discuss but we have got to leave _ court. so much more we could discuss but we have got to leave it _ court. so much more we could discuss but we have got to leave it there - but we have got to leave it there for now. thanks forjoining us. that is the bureau chief of the financial times in moscow, doing what so many people are around the world, trying to understand just what is on president putin's mind. as he underlined last night, the spectacle underlined last night, the spectacle underlined that it is really down to paris and the big question is whether he believes that what he gains geopolitically from his moves and possibly moves to come come up

outweighs any financial cost on the sanctions which are now being imposed in one of western capital after another. we will keep a close eye on developments but now back to london. i will be talking to someone in kyiv shortly, about how they are feeling about what is happening. now back to our other main story, it is all about coronavirus and learning to live with covid. health leaders, unions and charities are calling for greater clarity on who is going to be eligible for free covid tests in england from april. the government says free tests will continue for those most at risk — and for staff working in social care in the nhs, with more details to follow. all covid restrictions will end in england on thursday — including mandatory self—isolation

for positive cases. free mass testing will stop from april 1st for most people. it's part of the government's "living with covid" plan. our health correspondent, katherine da costa, reports. in response to the covid crisis, the uk rapidly built up one of the biggest testing capabilities in the world. it came with a hefty price tag. infections are still high, but the government said it's time to wind down free mass testing. so what exactly is changing, and when? well, from thursday, you will no longer be legally required to self—isolate, but advised to stay at home for at least five days. routine contact tracing will end on thursday, as well. the £500 self—isolation payments will stop this week. and in april, free mass testing for the general public will end — apart from high—risk groups and those working with vulnerable people. we know that omicron is milder than delta.

we know that the vaccines — if you've had a boost — the three vaccines work incredibly well against this. and so we do have to take into account the changing situation. but, as i say, we also have to remain vigilant. from now on, the government says vaccines and treatment are the way forward. many at this club for older people will be eligible for the extra spring booster announced for the over—75s and for those with weakened immune system. it's brilliant. anything that's going, i'll have it. i think it's a good idea, i think it protects you. i'm over 80 so i will definitely have anotherjab, yeah. - but some health experts feel we can't rely on vaccination alone — they want extra clarity on who will be eligible for free tests, and fear the plans will impact the least—well—off communities. it will have such a disproportionate impact on the more deprived communities where people won't be able to afford to buy tests, won't be able to afford to self—isolate. they're more exposed,

they're less vaccinated, and more vulnerable to severe illness and long covid. so you're really kind of having this really big impact that's just going to exacerbate the health inequalities. the government says surveillance of the virus will continue, and testing could be ramped up again in response to new variants. scotland, wales and northern ireland are still to set out their plans for living with the virus. katherine da costa, bbc news. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has set out her government's updated plans for dealing with covid. speaking in the past hour, she said face covering laws would switch to guidance next month, and the requirement for covid passports would end next week. however, she expressed frustration at the uk government's decision to end free mass testing. let's hear what else she said. on the issue of testing, presiding officer, i must express frustration at the uk government's position. it is, of course, for the prime minister to decide how best to tackle covid in england. however, current funding

arrangements mean that while taxpayers in all four uk nations contribute to the cost, it is decisions taken for england that determine the resources available to scotland, wales and northern ireland, for testing and other covid measures. as of now, we have no clarity on how much of the covid testing infrastructure the uk government intends to retain, no clarity on how much investment will support it in future, and no clarity on whether the treasury will provide additional resources or demand instead that funding is taken from elsewhere in the health budget. i hope we get this clarity soon so that we can then set out in more detail our own longer—term approach to testing. i want to give an assurance now that the scottish government is determined to retain a robust testing system capable of providing scotland with strong resilience against future covid threats, and firmly aligned with public health advice and the principles underpinning our national health

service. i can confirm firstly that the covid certification scheme requiring certain venues and events to check the vaccine or test status of attendees will come to an end next monday, the 28th of february. the app which supports the scheme will remain operational, however, so any business that wishes to continue covid certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers will be able to do so. second, as of the 21st of march — assuming no significant adverse developments in the course of the virus — we expect that the legal requirement to wear face coverings in certain indoor settings and on public transport will be converted to guidance. we will continue to strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings in shops and other indoor public places and on public transport. we also expect on the 21st of march to lift the legal requirement for businesses,

places of worship and service providers to have regard to guidance on covid and to take practical measures set out in the guidance. and the legal requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details is also expected to end on the 21st of march. that was nicola sturgeon talking in the last hour. we will talk more about covid in the next hour, including about testing. plenty more to talk about. over 90 flood warnings remain in place across england and wales after storm franklin hit the uk over the weekend. people have been rescued after the river severn burst its banks — and properties have been evacuated. a severe flood warning is in place in ironbridge in shropshire, meaning there could be a risk to life. large parts of shrewsbury town centre are under water and a major incident has been declared in bewdley, worcestershire. our news correspondentjo black is in bewdley with the latest. we're on the bridge here in bewdley, over the river severn, and this georgian town usually sits upon the river severn,

but look at it today — very swollen, the river levels are very high, and over here you can see some road closures and there are properties over there with flood doors. there are sandbags. people say they are concerned. and you can also see over there that there are some temporary barriers — they are temporary flood barriers. people get concerned about those because they're a temporary structure — people do worry that they could be overtopped. now there is an evacuation order in place here — around 50 to 60 properties are deemed at risk of flooding. about 20 miles north from where i'm standing, talking to you now in ironbridge, around 60 properties there also at risk of flooding. people we spoke to in ironbridge this morning, they said they were worried and some of them have gone to stay in a local hotel. some of them have packed a bag preparing to leave, but some say they are staying put because they have seen this before.

the environment agency and the local councils for areas affected by the flooding are urging people who are concerned to check the websites. so difficult still for so many people after days and days of storms. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello, there. we still have a number of flood warnings in force across the country, a couple of severe flood warnings for the north and west midlands. and over the next few days, it will remain quite unsettled — very windy, with spells of rain at times, but nothing quite as windy and as wet as what we've had over the past week. we've had a weather front spreading southwards across the country through the day and then that's left brighter skies for much of the afternoon with sunshine and showers. it will be windy — gales across the far north and the west. temperatures, though, on the face of it, not too bad for the time of year — highs of 11 to 14 degrees across england and wales — something a bit colder, though, for the north of scotland. as we head through tonight, it turns wetter and windier across scotland, northern ireland —

gales developing here, some snow on the hills. further south, for england and wales, though, it's going to be mainly dry with clear skies — lighter winds, so it will turn quite chilly, particularly out of town. so for wednesday, it's not too bad for england and wales. more unsettled, wet and windy further north. and then it turns colder and very windy for all areas on thursday with sunshine and showers. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. borisjohnson announces sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals — after president putin orders troops into eastern ukraine the house should be in no doubt that the deployment of these forces in sovereign ukrainian territory amounts to a renewed invasion of that country. in germany, the government halts the process to approve a new pipeline from russia which could double europe's gas supply. ukrainians were told

by their president to remain calm — he said his country was not afraid of anything or anyone. questions about who will be eligible for free covid testing — after the uk government announced the end of universal testing in england from april. meanwhile nicola sturgeon says the covid certification scheme and face mask laws will come to an end in scotland, but says she's determined to keep testing people. the scottish government is determined to retain a robust testing system capable of providing scotland with a strong resilience against future covid threats. buckingham palace says the queen has cancelled planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild cold—like symptoms due to covid. we will talk more about covid testing and ukraine in this half hour but now time for all the latest

sports news. hello. the bbc understands uefa are almost certain to move the venue for this year's champions league final away from the russian city of st petersburg. following overnight developments involving russia and ukraine, european football's governing body are thought to be looking into an alternative to host the showpiece match on may 28th. the chair of the dcms committee has urged uefa to move the match immediately. julian knight says allowing russia to host the final would send out all the wrong messages. here's what the prime minister said on the matter in the commons earlier. mr speaker, on his point about the sporting events, as i said earlier on, i think it inconceivable that major international football tournaments can take place in russia after, as i say, the invasion of a sovereign country. well, as teams left in the competition try to reach that final, the champions league holders are back in action this evening.

chelsea welcome lille in the first leg of their last 16 tie. the build—up has focused on chelsea striker romelu lukaku, who touched the balljust seven times in 90 minutes in their last premier league match — a record. that stat prompted some jokes at his expense from fans, but his manager says it's time to get behind their £90 million man. it can be like this and it's of course not what we want and of course not what romelu wants but it's also not like... it's not the time to laugh about him and make jokes about him. he is in the spotlight, of course, and we will protect him because he's our player. members of the us women's soccer team have reached a landmark agreement with their governing body to end a six—year legal battle over equal pay. the $24 million settlement was announced today — years after a group, which includes megan rapinoe and alex morgan, brought legal action over inequality

and their treatment. us soccer also committed to providing an equal rate of pay for the women's and men's national teams including world cup bonuses the world heavyweight title match up between dillian whyte and tyson fury has finally been agreed in principle. just hours before this morning's deadline, whyte signed the contract to fight fury so it's now set to go ahead on the 23rd of april, with wembley and caridff�*s principality stadium among the potential venues. whyte won his last fight — a rematch with russia's alexander povetkin last march, while fury is still unbeaten after defeating deontay wilder for a second time in october. preparations are starting up again for the second season of the hundred — english cricket's newest one season of the hundred — english cricket's newest 100—ball competition. today clubs announced their retained list — most of the players they drafted ahead of that first season will stay on for a second year,

including england test captain joe root at trent rockets and ben stokes at northern superchargers. australia's ellyse perry's been retained by birmingham phoenix, she'll be playing in the hundred for the first time, as travel restrictions stopped her last summer. elsewhere in cricket, after missing out on qualification for the 50—over world cup in 2019, ireland have booked their place at the t20 world cup in australia later this year. they beat oman by 56 runs in the semi—finals of the qualifying tournament. ireland were 165—7 after their 20 overs, and bowled oman out for 109. while the winter olympics might be over, the paralympics arejust around the corner and paralympics gb have announced one of their biggest teams yet. former silver and bronze medallist millie knight is among them — we caught up with her ahead of what will be her third games.

sochi was for the experience, to kind of gain understanding of what competing at the paralympics was like. 28 he was about performing and these games, i am looking forward to taking it back to sochi and enjoying it and going for the experience and for myself, really. i've got to learn to enjoy myself and relax a little more! that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. see you then. thank you very much, see you in the next hour. three convicted terrorists including the brother of the manchester arena bomber have been found guilty of attacking a prison officer in belmarsh's high security unit. our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford, is with me. remind us who we are talking about. a short trial, lasted just over one week. the people at the centre of the trial, the jury were not told what they were convicted of but now

they will realise that they were dealing with the manchester bomb a's brother, hashem abedi, serving a life sentence for 22 meadows, minimum term of 55 years. muhammed saeed, the convicted terrorist, and ahmed hassan, the parsons green failed bomber, whose explosive did not go off properly in september 2017. thejury was not go off properly in september 2017. the jury was shown cctv of the men smiling and joking as they come u psta i rs upstairs just before the attack, clearly a premeditated attack and then they run off screen to go and carry out the attack in an office and it was a brutal attack. they kicked and punched this prison officer, tried to hit him with an office chair. luckily all his colleagues run off themselves to help him and you have a situation where there is a struggle in the office and they are pulled off him and he escapes with bruising to his rib cage, his back, and cuts to his head. but it was quite vicious attack. it was something they planned before they do it, you could see that from the

cctv. ., , do it, you could see that from the cctv. people watching that footage will see think _ cctv. people watching that footage will see think it _ cctv. people watching that footage will see think it can _ cctv. people watching that footage will see think it can happen - cctv. people watching that footage will see think it can happen in - cctv. people watching that footage will see think it can happen in high| will see think it can happen in high security, it can happen anywhere. what was said about how it was allowed to get to that point? there are 'ust allowed to get to that point? there are just ten — allowed to get to that point? there are just ten prisons _ allowed to get to that point? there are just ten prisons in _ allowed to get to that point? there are just ten prisons in belmarsh . allowed to get to that point? tt22 are just ten prisons in belmarsh at arejust ten prisons in belmarsh at the time, in the high security unit. there is a high prison officer to prison at ratio there. you can see the number of offices that run after them. there are people like peter clarke, the former chief inspector of prisons and forming head at the met who is now policy exchange you are worried that these kinds of it was a missed terrorist prisoners who are very manipulative by not being handled within the prison system, being kept together, been allowed to make plans and the prison officers may not have the training to deal with people who are going to game the system as well as these men seem to have done on this occasion. a

serious assault because a prison officer had downgraded them... a couple of them from standard privileges to basic privileges. thank you very much. buckingham palace buckingham palace says the queen has cancelled a virtual engagement but will continue with "light duties" today after she tested positive for covid. the queen is understood to be fully vaccinated but — at 95 — her age puts her at increased risk from the virus. our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. as they describe it, she is still having these mild cold—like symptoms and therefore it has been decided she won't undertake any of these planned engagements today. they were all virtual, online, they have been postponed. we last saw the queen towards the end of last week, when she had this face—to—face meeting with military leaders at windsor castle. it was there that she talked about feeling frail and not being able to move very well. palace officials say at the moment she is still able to do light duties —

so that would be paperwork and perhaps a phone call — and it is clear they are taking a day—to—day approach to the queen's diary, and assessing what she is able to do. we are scheduled to see the queen next next wednesday when she is due to host a diplomatic reception — that is still in the diary. let's talk more about covid, as promised. particular reference to testing. health leaders, unions and charities want clarity on who is going to be eligible for free covid tests on who is going to be eligible for free covid tests in england from april. the government says free tests will continue for those most at risk — and for staff working in social care. while in scotland, wales and northern ireland, ministers have expressed concern that funding for testing was about to be cut. we have nicola sturgeon in the last hour saying she wants clarity, that was away she kept using. what do some people think the situation should be regarding testing? what is the optimum situation?

professor alan mcnally is director of institute of microbiology and infection at birmingham university — he helped set up the milton keynes lighthouse testing lab — the first of the government "mega—labs" to be set—up across the uk. very good afternoon to use. afternoon. very good afternoon to use. afternoon-— very good afternoon to use. afternoon. ., ., , , ., afternoon. your thoughts, first of all, on afternoon. your thoughts, first of all. on testing. — afternoon. your thoughts, first of all, on testing, whether - afternoon. your thoughts, first of all, on testing, whether it - afternoon. your thoughts, first of all, on testing, whether it is - all, on testing, whether it is right, inevitable perhaps, that it has to be scaled down at some point. how should we all be thinking about this? t how should we all be thinking about this? ., how should we all be thinking about this? ~' ., , , how should we all be thinking about this? ~' . , , ., this? i think there has been a stron: this? i think there has been a strong case — this? i think there has been a strong case for _ this? i think there has been a strong case for scaling - this? i think there has been a strong case for scaling back. this? i think there has been a| strong case for scaling back of this? i think there has been a - strong case for scaling back of pcr testing, mass pcr testing for quite some time now. it has been a while since that large scale pcr testing system has really had any impact on covid in the uk. and also because we have had such freely available access to lateral flow tests, which are very accurate at determining if someone has a covid and is infectious, and are very easy—to—use and we have all got used to using

them. the case for the big pcr testing setup is very difficult to make, but there is clearly a case for still making those quick lateral flow tests available to quite a large proportion of the population. i don't think we should be using them any more for lots of asymptomatic testing, personally. we can think about using them in a targeted way for symptomatic testing and then asymptomatic for people who work in care homes, for example, people who are at direct patient facing jobs in hospital.— facing jobs in hospital. health leaders, facing jobs in hospital. health leaders. as — facing jobs in hospital. health leaders, as you _ facing jobs in hospital. health leaders, as you will _ facing jobs in hospital. health leaders, as you will know, - facing jobs in hospital. health i leaders, as you will know, have facing jobs in hospital. health - leaders, as you will know, have been really clear on this and they say, for them, they feel it is non—negotiable, if you work for the nhs you should have access continually to lateral flow tests for what one would think is fairly obvious reasons. surely that has to be done to give patients confidence, apart from anything else. absolutely, i would hope so, and i think this is also where we have to

think this is also where we have to think about continued use of lateral flow for people who are symptomatic. one very easy example to make someone with covid could visit a gp surgery and the next patient in that office could be a chemotherapy patient, so there is still an awful lot of case to be made from using lateral flows to determine if symptoms are covid or not. there are many more examples you can think of. i would like to see a proper detailed public health strategy for continued use of lateral flows and what are testing strategy is going to be. i don't think we are in a position yet when we can just abandon any sort of covid testing strategy. abandon any sort of covid testing strate: . ., ., abandon any sort of covid testing strate: . . ., ., , abandon any sort of covid testing strateu. . ., ., , abandon any sort of covid testing strate. . . . ., , w strategy. lateral flows, you make the oint strategy. lateral flows, you make the point that _ strategy. lateral flows, you make the point that everyone _ strategy. lateral flows, you make the point that everyone is - strategy. lateral flows, you make the point that everyone is used i strategy. lateral flows, you make the point that everyone is used to using them, they are far more accurate than we thought in the early days, perhaps. are you saying it should be almost a question of your own judgment? it should be almost a question of your ownjudgment? if you it should be almost a question of your own judgment? if you are feeling grotty, you have symptoms, you are concerned it might be covid, thatis you are concerned it might be covid, that is the time to use a lateral

flow, not to just take one irrespective on a day—to—day basis but were really specific occasions? yeah, and again, i think there are lots of use cases. i have elderly parents in scotland and certainly i would not want to go and visit them without knowing i was covid free to visit them because they are both clinically vulnerable. there are lots of use cases that are good and justified, and the cost of lateral flow tests is not enormous and so i have given you a couple of examples but there are quite a lot of examples of where the use of them would be good but i do think that we have to maintain some sort of symptomatic testing programme. it doesn't need to be the big extensive pcr testing system but i think we could develop symptomatic testing programme using lateral flows that would be sustainable cost wives and would be sustainable cost wives and would still be meaningful and would still help control the pandemic to some extent.

still help control the pandemic to some extent-— still help control the pandemic to some extent. �* ., ., some extent. and i thought about the future and new _ some extent. and i thought about the future and new variants. _ some extent. and i thought about the future and new variants. i _ some extent. and i thought about the future and new variants. i am - future and new variants. i am interested in your abroad it take of the preparedness, i guess, that we all need. of course we hope there will not be another brutal variant that comes through and causes all the problems we have seen in the last couple of years, but if there is one presumably at that point as a society we need to be able to move quickly and to test for that. absolutely, absolutely. that is where there has been a lot of talk about the future of the ons survey, the national survey of covid prevalence and all of those go to gene sequences. it is essential if we drop testing altogether, pcr testing altogether, because we need pcr testing to provide viruses for genome sequencing so we need some sort of national survey. to just abandon any sort of surveillance of covid is crazy and it comes to this point of living with the virus, and

i think living with the virus will still have to do require some amount of adaptation on our part of how we live. you have to adapt to new pathogens, we all had to adapt our lifestyles to hiv in the 1980s. i think we are going to have to think about some sort of adaptations as to how we move forward with covid, but just to abandon all surveillance and knowledge of transmission and knowledge of transmission and knowledge of transmission and knowledge of how the virus is behaving in the general population is very, very dangerous.— is very, very dangerous. really interesting _ is very, very dangerous. really interesting to _ is very, very dangerous. really interesting to hear— is very, very dangerous. really interesting to hear your - is very, very dangerous. really i interesting to hear your thoughts. thank you for your time, as ever. that is professor alan mcnally. i am sure we will talk again, but for now thank you very much. from birmingham university for his expertise there around testing. thoughts about new variants. moving away from covid, i am just hearing that, back to our main topic, back to ukraine, the us presidentjoe biden is going to be talking about the situation. that is

due just after lunch eastern time, so 7pm, i believe, british time tonight. 7pm in ourtime, we so 7pm, i believe, british time tonight. 7pm in our time, we will hearfrom the us president, the white house response to pressure's actions, we are being told. we will hear more from the us president in a few hours from now. also we have been waiting to hear from ursula von der leyen, expecting some comments from the european union, as well. there has been an eu foreign ministers meeting in paris so we have kept an eye on that, too. we have kept an eye on that, too. we have not seen ursula von der leyen as of yet but we might get a few comments from her, as well. continuing reaction from various countries to the intense tension now, and real concern and anxiety that has been mounting deliver her mounting for a considerable period of time now. let's go straight to kyiv. let's talk to someone who

lives there to ask how it feels from their perspective. paul niland is originally from dublin — he's been living in ukraine for the past two decades. it is really good a you to give up your time to speak to us. from where your time to speak to us. from where you sit today, does your city, the city you call home, does it feel any different to you right now? t city you call home, does it feel any different to you right now?- different to you right now? i would sa that different to you right now? i would say that the _ different to you right now? i would say that the mood _ different to you right now? i would say that the mood has _ different to you right now? i would say that the mood has slightly i say that the mood has slightly changed after the events of yesterday because with vladimir putin's recognition of the independence of the states that were created in the kremlin, that was where they were born, then imposed on the people of eastern independence of them came an hour—long speech where he demonstrated... his entire feelings about ukraine in that he despises

this country. the mood today is one of anger but one of resilience, still. ., , ., of anger but one of resilience, still. . , ., , of anger but one of resilience, still. . , . , ., , , still. there was a televised address from the leader _ still. there was a televised address from the leader of _ still. there was a televised address from the leader of ukraine - still. there was a televised address from the leader of ukraine say i still. there was a televised address from the leader of ukraine say we i from the leader of ukraine say we are not frightened of anything, as we understand it here. if you a sense that a lot of people will have been watching that? what are people saying to you about what they make of it? ., , ., , saying to you about what they make of it? .,, ., , , of it? the “0b of president zelensky in this of it? the job of president zelensky in this situation _ of it? the job of president zelensky in this situation is _ of it? the job of president zelensky in this situation is to _ of it? the job of president zelensky in this situation is to try _ of it? the job of president zelensky in this situation is to try to - in this situation is to try to present a balanced picture to the nation but also to keep the nation fairly calm, as well. but the reality is that we have lived with war for eight years and we are used to processing these emotions. what has happened is there has been an escalation, notjust politically from russia but also an escalation in fighting and shelling over the last 72 hours. president zelensky�*s ways were quite important yesterday

and many people have seen growing more as the process grows more, seeing him as a more dependable figure who can be relied upon. you mention the _ figure who can be relied upon. you mention the word anger in response to what vladimir putin said. what are the other emotions that you are experiencing at the moment? from my side personally. _ experiencing at the moment? from my side personally. you — experiencing at the moment? from my side personally, you know, _ experiencing at the moment? from my side personally, you know, i _ experiencing at the moment? from my side personally, you know, i am - side personally, you know, i am getting on with things that i need to get on with. i have an organisation that i run. i am in the process of some fairly important strategic things that we are doing and developing right now. i am also very focused on current affairs and i wrote today an article about the view from ukraine. the people here have put up with seeing their friends, seeing their loved ones go off to war and after a person is

demobilised from the military service here, it may have combat experience, they go into the reserve and so what a lot of people are now worried about is that their loved ones might have to go back there and again be at risk. 50 t ones might have to go back there and again be at risk.— again be at risk. so i people scared? -- _ again be at risk. so i people scared? -- are _ again be at risk. so i people scared? -- are people i again be at risk. so i people i scared? -- are people scared? in k iv, i scared? -- are people scared? in kyiv. i don't— scared? -- are people scared? in kyiv, i don't think _ scared? -- are people scared? in kyiv, i don't think they _ scared? -- are people scared? in kyiv, i don't think they are, i scared? -- are people scared? in kyiv, i don't think they are, other than that fearfor their kyiv, i don't think they are, other than that fear for their loved ones that i mentioned. but certainly the people on the front lines right now, the men and women in the military, and also the local population around the currently occupied areas, because if vladimir putin decides to break out from there, probably under the pretense he wants a security buffer zone or something like that because of the invented threats of ukraine potentially invading the donbas, which is absurd because there is no way ukraine would do that with 200,000 troops sitting on the border pot but if he decides to take more land then there are people in the firing line. there are

villages and cities of hundreds of thousands of people that would again come under occupation after they were liberated in the summer of 2014 by ukraine's armed forces. brute were liberated in the summer of 2014 by ukraine's armed forces.— by ukraine's armed forces. we are 'ust by ukraine's armed forces. we are just hearing _ by ukraine's armed forces. we are just hearing that _ by ukraine's armed forces. we are just hearing that putin _ by ukraine's armed forces. we are just hearing that putin has - by ukraine's armed forces. we are just hearing that putin has asked . just hearing that putin has asked legislators for permission to use force outside russia. that is an ominous sentence to have readout. would you think about leaving, coming back to the uk?- would you think about leaving, coming back to the uk? well, first of all i coming back to the uk? well, first of all i will— coming back to the uk? well, first of all i will say _ coming back to the uk? well, first of all i will say that _ coming back to the uk? well, first of all i will say that vladimir i of all i will say that vladimir putin does not ask for permission for anything from anyone. the legislators are rubber—stamping what he tells them to do. in response to your follow—up question, he tells them to do. in response to yourfollow—up question, no, i am not leaving. i am yourfollow—up question, no, i am not leaving. iam here yourfollow—up question, no, i am not leaving. i am here at home and i am staying here. you not leaving. i am here at home and i am staying here-— am staying here. you must love it. obviously- — am staying here. you must love it. obviously- you _ am staying here. you must love it. obviously. you have _ am staying here. you must love it. obviously. you have lived - am staying here. you must love it. obviously. you have lived there i am staying here. you must love it. j obviously. you have lived there for the best part of 20 years. right now, as we sit here now in london, it is really high for any of us who have never visited ukraine to know

what it must be like, but you look out of your window, is life continuing as normal for now? lite continuing as normal for now? life is continuing _ continuing as normal for now? lt2 is continuing as normal, and, yes, you are quite right, i do love this country and i love the people of this country and, you know, i have stood next to them when we have needed to demand that our democratic rights are observed when the attempt to steal a presidential election caused the orange revolution, and then when that fundamental direction of the country that had been stated for over a decade, which meant closer ties with the eu, when that was turned on its head, the people here turned out again and demonstrated that they demand a better future. demonstrated that they demand a betterfuture. what demonstrated that they demand a better future. what that second revolution, the revolution of dignity, turned into, and actually it ended on this very date, the 22nd

of february. the revolution of dignity turned into a mass protest that went on for three months against corruption. and so, yeah, i have great admiration for the people here because they have seen what they can do collectively when they stand together.— they can do collectively when they stand together. paul niland, thank ou ve stand together. paul niland, thank you very much _ stand together. paul niland, thank you very much indeed, _ stand together. paul niland, thank you very much indeed, really i you very much indeed, really appreciate your time. thank you for talking to us on bbc news, thank you, all the best to you. paul niland, who has lived in ukraine for 19 years. we are very much keeping an eye on comments that emerge both from moscow and from western nations. lots of meetings amongst the eu and we will be hearing from president biden in washington later tonight. time to squeeze in a couple more stories this hour. one important story that has emerged in the last hour or so. the case against four men charged over the shooting of black

equal rights campaigner sasha johnson at a birthday party last year has collapsed. the activist was shot in the head in peckham in south london last may. our correspondent adina campbell is at the old bailey. explain what has happened. as you sa , in explain what has happened. as you say. in the — explain what has happened. as you say. in the last— explain what has happened. as you say, in the last couple _ explain what has happened. as you say, in the last couple of— explain what has happened. as you say, in the last couple of hours i explain what has happened. as you say, in the last couple of hours or i say, in the last couple of hours or so at the old bailey, we know the case against four men who were charged with conspiracy to murder after sasha johnson shot in the head at that house party in peckham last year. that's case has now collapsed. a trial was due to start next month but all four defendants have been told that they will be released from custody and not guilty verdicts have been recorded in relation to the conspiracy to murder charge. and the charge of possession of a firearm. the four defendants appeared via

video link to hear the outcome of today's court hearing. they were celebrating, arms punching in the air, smiles beaming across their faces as they learnt the development of today's court hearing. for sasha johnson's family, they will be disappointed because we still don't know who shot sasha johnson, why she was caught up in that attack last year, and she remains in a serious condition in hospital. we know that she has catastrophic permanent injuries and she is a mum of two, a youth worker, and she is well known for her activism. she is a well known antiracism, equal rights campaigner, who is extremely passionate about the opportunities and the rights of people from all backgrounds and communities in the uk. when the news broke of what had happened to her at that house party there was huge amounts of support on social media, there were vigils held here in london and in oxford, where she grew up, and where she worked as

a social worker. she even arranged the black lives matter in march in oxford in 2020, a few weeks after the high—profile murder of george floyd. so today we know that the four men, aged between 18... sorry, aged between 19 and 25, they will be released from custody. they are cameron deriggs, prince dixon, troy reid and devonte brown. and for sasha johnson's family and for sasha johnson, news that they were not expecting, and we still don't know exactly who is responsible for that attack. . .. exactly who is responsible for that attack. . ~' , ., , . exactly who is responsible for that attack. ., ,, , ., , . ., attack. thank you very much for the latest air from _ attack. thank you very much for the latest air from the _ attack. thank you very much for the latest air from the old _ attack. thank you very much for the latest air from the old bailey. i attack. thank you very much for the latest air from the old bailey. morej latest air from the old bailey. more from ukraine at the top of the hour. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello, there. we still have a number of flood warnings in force across the country, a couple

of severe flood warnings for the north and west midlands. and over the next few days, it will remain quite unsettled — very windy, with spells of rain at times, but nothing quite as windy and as wet as what we've had over the past week. we've had a weather front spreading southwards across the country through the day and then that's left brighter skies for much of the afternoon with sunshine and showers. it will be windy — gales across the far north and the west. temperatures, though, on the face of it, not too bad for the time of year — highs of 11 to 14 degrees across england and wales — something a bit colder, though, for the north of scotland. as we head through tonight, it turns wetter and windier across scotland, northern ireland — gales developing here, some snow on the hills. further south, for england and wales, though, it's going to be mainly dry with clear skies — lighter winds, so it will turn quite chilly, particularly out of town. so for wednesday, it's not too bad for england and wales. more unsettled, wet and windy further north. and then it turns colder and very windy for all areas on thursday with sunshine and showers.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines: vladimir putin has asked legislators for permission to use force outside russia, in a move that could pave the way for a broader attack on ukraine. in response to putin's actions, borisjohnson announces sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals. the house should be in no doubt that the deployment of these forces in sovereign ukrainian territory amounts to a renewed invasion of that country. ukrainians were told by their president to remain calm — he said his country was not afraid of anything or any one. questions about who will be eligible

for free covid testing — after the uk government announced the end of universal testing in england from april. meanwhile, nicola sturgeon says the covid certification scheme and face mask laws will come to an end in scotland, but says she's determined to keep testing people. buckingham palace says the queen has cancelled planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild cold—like symptoms due to covid. in the past few minutes — it's been confirmed that president putin has asked legislators in the russian parliament for permission to use force outside its borders which could pave the way for a broader attack on ukraine.

it follows growing international condemnation following russia's decision to send troops into two rebel—held regions in eastern ukraine, after recognising them as independent states. let's go to our chief international correspondent lyse doucet — who's in kyiv. welcome to kyiv. today in kyiv the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky called on the west to act now. he said russian aggression was already under way. in his speech last night he said russia boss �*s decision to recognise the two separatist held enclaves was a legal affirmation of what has been the case for the last few years but

these are dangerous times, notjust for ukraine, but for the world, and volodymyr zelensky said the future security of all europe was at risk. we will hear more about the sanctions imposed in one european capital after another, sanctions that have already been laughed off by president putin. we are going to hearfrom our diplomatic hear from our diplomatic correspondent james landale hearfrom our diplomatic correspondentjames landale in a moment but first to the news conference taking place from jens stoltenberg. brute conference taking place from jens stoltenberg— conference taking place from jens stoltenberu. ~ ., stoltenberg. we also condemn the further russian _ stoltenberg. we also condemn the further russian incursion _ stoltenberg. we also condemn the further russian incursion into i further russian incursion into ukraine _ further russian incursion into ukraine. moscow has now moved from covert _ ukraine. moscow has now moved from covert attempts to destabilise ukraine — covert attempts to destabilise ukraine to breaking of international law. ukraine to breaking of international law it _ ukraine to breaking of international law. it further undermines ukraine's sovereignty— law. it further undermines ukraine's sovereignty and territorial

integrity and it damages efforts to find a _ integrity and it damages efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict — find a peaceful solution to the conflict and it has grave consequences for european security. this is— consequences for european security. this is a _ consequences for european security. this is a crisis created by russia alone _ this is a crisis created by russia alone we — this is a crisis created by russia alone. we commend ukraine for its restraint _ alone. we commend ukraine for its restraint in — alone. we commend ukraine for its restraint in not responding to rush up's repeated provocations. —— russia — up's repeated provocations. —— russia we _ up's repeated provocations. —— russia. we stand in solidarity with the ukrainian people and its government. allies are united in their— government. allies are united in their full— government. allies are united in their full support for ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its international recognised borders. we will continue to provide _ recognised borders. we will continue to provide ukraine with strong political— to provide ukraine with strong political support and allies are providing equipment to help ukraine defend _ providing equipment to help ukraine defend itself as well as sustained financial— defend itself as well as sustained financial support. for months, russia — financial support. for months, russia has—

massive military force in and around ukraine. including in belarus. with over 150,000 troops, and fighter 'ets over 150,000 troops, and fighter jets and — over 150,000 troops, and fighter jets and attack helicopters. many units _ jets and attack helicopters. many units are — jets and attack helicopters. many units are now forward deployed in combat _ units are now forward deployed in combat formations, and they are out of their— combat formations, and they are out of their camps in the field and ready— of their camps in the field and ready to — of their camps in the field and ready to strike. nato is resolute and united — ready to strike. nato is resolute and united in its determination to protect— and united in its determination to protect and defend all allies. in the last— protect and defend all allies. in the last weeks, and eyes have deployed _ the last weeks, and eyes have deployed thousands of more troops to eastern _ deployed thousands of more troops to eastern part of the alliance —— allies— eastern part of the alliance —— allies have _ eastern part of the alliance —— allies have deployed. more have been placed _ allies have deployed. more have been placed on— allies have deployed. more have been placed on standby. we have over 100 'ets placed on standby. we have over 100 jets at— placed on standby. we have over 100 jets at high— placed on standby. we have over 100 jets at high alert and there are more — jets at high alert and there are more than 120 allied ships at the sea from — more than 120 allied ships at the sea from the high north to the mediterranean. we will continue to do whatever is necessary to shield the alliance from aggression. nato

allies— the alliance from aggression. nato allies and — the alliance from aggression. nato allies and the rest of the international community warn there would _ international community warn there would be _ international community warn there would be a — international community warn there would be a high cost of russia —— if russia _ would be a high cost of russia —— if russia carried out further aggressions against ukraine and i welcome — aggressions against ukraine and i welcome the economic sanctions announced today by many nato allies and the _ announced today by many nato allies and the decision by the german government that it cannot certify the north— government that it cannot certify the north stream to pipeline. we ur-e the north stream to pipeline. we urge russia in the strongest possible _ urge russia in the strongest possible terms to choose the path of diplomacy _ possible terms to choose the path of diplomacy. this is the most dangerous moment in european security— dangerous moment in european security for a generation. but europe — security for a generation. but europe and north america continue to stand _ europe and north america continue to stand strongly together in nato, united _ stand strongly together in nato, united and committed to defend and protect— united and committed to defend and protect each other, and with that i'm protect each other, and with that i'm ready— protect each other, and with that i'm ready to take your questions.

does _ i'm ready to take your questions. does nato — i'm ready to take your questions. does nato have a transparent policy in the _ does nato have a transparent policy in the assessment, _ does nato have a transparent policy in the assessment, so _ does nato have a transparent policy in the assessment, so can - does nato have a transparent policy in the assessment, so can you i does nato have a transparent policy| in the assessment, so can you share the vision? — in the assessment, so can you share the vision? have _ in the assessment, so can you share the vision? have you _ in the assessment, so can you share the vision? have you discussed i in the assessment, so can you share the vision? have you discussed the i the vision? have you discussed the possibility— the vision? have you discussed the possibility that _ the vision? have you discussed the possibility that russian _ the vision? have you discussed the possibility that russian troops i possibility that russian troops would — possibility that russian troops would not _ possibility that russian troops would not stop _ possibility that russian troops would not stop on _ possibility that russian troops would not stop on the - possibility that russian troops would not stop on the line - possibility that russian troops | would not stop on the line and possibility that russian troops - would not stop on the line and will be moving — would not stop on the line and will be moving deeper— would not stop on the line and will be moving deeper at _ would not stop on the line and will be moving deeper at least - would not stop on the line and will be moving deeper at least to - would not stop on the line and will be moving deeper at least to the l be moving deeper at least to the administrative _ be moving deeper at least to the administrative borders— be moving deeper at least to the administrative borders of- be moving deeper at least to the administrative borders of the - administrative borders of the luhansk_ administrative borders of the luhansk and _ administrative borders of the luhansk and donetsk - administrative borders of the luhansk and donetsk areas l administrative borders of the . luhansk and donetsk areas and administrative borders of the - luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the _ luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the reaction — luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the reaction of _ luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the reaction of nato _ luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the reaction of nato in _ luhansk and donetsk areas and what is the reaction of nato in that - is the reaction of nato in that regard? — is the reaction of nato in that regard? and _ is the reaction of nato in that regard? and what _ is the reaction of nato in that regard? and what is - is the reaction of nato in that regard? and what is your- is the reaction of nato in that - regard? and what is your assessment of how— regard? and what is your assessment of how high— regard? and what is your assessment of how high the — regard? and what is your assessment of how high the risk— regard? and what is your assessment of how high the risk is— regard? and what is your assessment of how high the risk is for— regard? and what is your assessment of how high the risk is for a _ regard? and what is your assessment of how high the risk is for a false - of how high the risk is for a false fla- of how high the risk is for a false ftag operation _ of how high the risk is for a false flag operation from _ of how high the risk is for a false flag operation from russia? - of how high the risk is for a false i flag operation from russia? thank you. flag operation from russia? thank ou. , g g, a, flag operation from russia? thank ou. , t, , t, ,, t, you. every indication is that russia continues to _ you. every indication is that russia continues to plan _ you. every indication is that russia continues to plan for _ you. every indication is that russia continues to plan for a _ you. every indication is that russia continues to plan for a full-scale i continues to plan for a full—scale attack— continues to plan for a full—scale attack on — continues to plan for a full—scale attack on ukraine. we see the ongoing — attack on ukraine. we see the ongoing military build—up. they promised — ongoing military build—up. they promised to step back but they have continued _ promised to step back but they have continued to step up. we see that

more _ continued to step up. we see that more and — continued to step up. we see that more and more the forces are moving out of— more and more the forces are moving out of the _ more and more the forces are moving out of the camps and are in combat formations — out of the camps and are in combat formations and ready to strike. and we see _ formations and ready to strike. and we see the — formations and ready to strike. and we see the ongoing provocations in donbas— we see the ongoing provocations in donbas and the different false flag operations where they are trying to create _ operations where they are trying to create a _ operations where they are trying to create a pretext for an attack and then, _ create a pretext for an attack and then, of — create a pretext for an attack and then, of course, we saw last night, further— then, of course, we saw last night, further russian troops moving into donbas, _ further russian troops moving into donbas, into parts of donetsk and luhansk— donbas, into parts of donetsk and luhansk and then we had the threatening rhetoric which was confirmed in the speech of president putin yesterday. at the same time, it is never— putin yesterday. at the same time, it is never too late. it is never too _ it is never too late. it is never too late — it is never too late. it is never too late to _ it is never too late. it is never too late to not attack, and that is the reason — too late to not attack, and that is the reason why we continue to call on russia — the reason why we continue to call on russia to step back and de—escalate and to engage in good faith in— de—escalate and to engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts to find a political solution. if russia decides _ a political solution. if russia decides once again to use force against — decides once again to use force against ukraine there will be even

stronger— against ukraine there will be even stronger sanctions and an even higher— stronger sanctions and an even higher price to pay. allies continue to offer— higher price to pay. allies continue to offer support to ukraine and in the meeting with ukraine to date many— the meeting with ukraine to date many allies pledged to continue financiat— many allies pledged to continue financial support, military support and also _ financial support, military support and also nato provides critical support— and also nato provides critical support to help ukraine strengthen its cyber— support to help ukraine strengthen its cyber defences. and of course nato's _ its cyber defences. and of course nato's main responsibility is to make _ nato's main responsibility is to make sure that there is no aggression against any nato allied countries — aggression against any nato allied countries so we have increased our presence _ countries so we have increased our presence in — countries so we have increased our presence in the eastern part of the alliance _ presence in the eastern part of the alliance and we are ready to further increase _ alliance and we are ready to further increase our— alliance and we are ready to further increase our presence in the eastern part of— increase our presence in the eastern part of the _ increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance if necessary. associated press. do you consider russia's_ associated press. do you consider russia's latest _ associated press. do you consider russia's latest movement - associated press. do you consider russia's latest movement is - associated press. do you consider russia's latest movement is an i russia's latest movement is an invasion— russia's latest movement is an invasion of— russia's latest movement is an invasion of ukraine? _ russia's latest movement is an invasion of ukraine? [- russia's latest movement is an invasion of ukraine?— russia's latest movement is an invasion of ukraine? i think we have to recall that — invasion of ukraine? i think we have to recall that russia _ invasion of ukraine? i think we have to recall that russia has _ invasion of ukraine? i think we have to recall that russia has already - to recall that russia has already invaded — to recall that russia has already invaded ukraine, they invaded in

2014 _ invaded ukraine, they invaded in 2014 they— invaded ukraine, they invaded in 2014. they annexed a part of ukraine, _ 2014. they annexed a part of ukraine, crimea, and since 2014 there _ ukraine, crimea, and since 2014 there have — ukraine, crimea, and since 2014 there have been russian military units _ there have been russian military units and — there have been russian military units and forces in donbas in donetsi

online to fox news. i really had to be precise about _ online to fox news. i really had to be precise about this _ online to fox news. i really had to be precise about this because - online to fox news. i really had to| be precise about this because there has been _ be precise about this because there has been a — be precise about this because there has been a bit — be precise about this because there has been a bit of— be precise about this because there has been a bit of confusion. - be precise about this because there has been a bit of confusion. you - be precise about this because there| has been a bit of confusion. you say last night, _ has been a bit of confusion. you say last night, further— has been a bit of confusion. you say last night, further russian- has been a bit of confusion. you say last night, further russian troops i last night, further russian troops entered _ last night, further russian troops entered the — last night, further russian troops entered the donbas, _ last night, further russian troops entered the donbas, do - last night, further russian troops entered the donbas, do you - last night, further russian troops entered the donbas, do you have evidence — entered the donbas, do you have evidence that _ entered the donbas, do you have evidence that russian _ entered the donbas, do you have evidence that russian troops - entered the donbas, do you have evidence that russian troops and i evidence that russian troops and vehicles — evidence that russian troops and vehicles have _ evidence that russian troops and vehicles have moved _ evidence that russian troops and vehicles have moved from - evidence that russian troops and i vehicles have moved from russian territory— vehicles have moved from russian territorv into — vehicles have moved from russian territory into ukrainian _ vehicles have moved from russian territory into ukrainian territory, l territory into ukrainian territory, but the — territory into ukrainian territory, but the occupv _ territory into ukrainian territory, but the occupy donbas, - territory into ukrainian territory, but the occupy donbas, do - territory into ukrainian territory, but the occupy donbas, do you i territory into ukrainian territory, - but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence _ but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of— but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that _ but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that and _ but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that and if _ but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that and if so, - but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that and if so, that - but the occupy donbas, do you have evidence of that and if so, that is i evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion — evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion and _ evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion and if _ evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion and if so, _ evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion and if so, have - evidence of that and if so, that is an invasion and if so, have you . an invasion and if so, have you changed — an invasion and if so, have you changed your _ an invasion and if so, have you changed your posture? - an invasion and if so, have you changed your posture? but - changed your posture? but specifically. _ changed your posture? but specifically, do _ changed your posture? but specifically, do you - changed your posture? but specifically, do you have i changed your posture? but - specifically, do you have evidence that russian— specifically, do you have evidence that russian troops _ specifically, do you have evidence that russian troops have - specifically, do you have evidence that russian troops have moved l specifically, do you have evidence - that russian troops have moved from russia _ that russian troops have moved from russia into _ that russian troops have moved from russia into the — that russian troops have moved from russia into the donbas? _ that russian troops have moved from russia into the donbas? yes, - that russian troops have moved from russia into the donbas?— russia into the donbas? yes, and i think ou russia into the donbas? yes, and i think you have _ russia into the donbas? yes, and i think you have to _ russia into the donbas? yes, and i think you have to understand, - russia into the donbas? yes, and i. think you have to understand, russia has been _ think you have to understand, russia has been in _ think you have to understand, russia has been in donbas now for many years— has been in donbas now for many years since — has been in donbas now for many years since 2014, but that has been in a covert— years since 2014, but that has been in a covert operation, where they have _ in a covert operation, where they have denied their presence, but this so-called _ have denied their presence, but this so—called separatist has been controlled and supported by russian troops _ controlled and supported by russian troops and _ controlled and supported by russian troops and russian special

operations personnel over many years, _ operations personnel over many years. so— operations personnel over many years, so russia has been present in different— years, so russia has been present in different covert operations in donetsk— different covert operations in donetsk and luhansk now for many years _ donetsk and luhansk now for many years. what we see now is additional russian _ years. what we see now is additional russian forces and troops moving in. this makes— russian forces and troops moving in. this makes the whole situation even more _ this makes the whole situation even more serious and this is a step change — more serious and this is a step change and then this is combined with the — change and then this is combined with the recognition of these territories which are inside the internationally recognised borders of ukraine, as independent states, so this— of ukraine, as independent states, so this is— of ukraine, as independent states, so this is adding fuelled and making it more _ so this is adding fuelled and making it more dangerous and more serious and then— it more dangerous and more serious and then on— it more dangerous and more serious and then on top of that we also see the continued russian military build-up— the continued russian military build—up and preparation for a larger— build—up and preparation for a larger scale attack on ukraine. next cuestion.

we cannot hear you. nicola? you will need to unmute yourself. flan we cannot hear you. nicola? you will need to unmute yourself.— need to unmute yourself. can you uive a need to unmute yourself. can you give a precise _ need to unmute yourself. can you give a precise view— need to unmute yourself. can you give a precise view on _ need to unmute yourself. can you give a precise view on the - need to unmute yourself. can you i give a precise view on the military forces _ give a precise view on the military forces and — give a precise view on the military forces and assets _ give a precise view on the military forces and assets supplied - give a precise view on the military forces and assets supplied by- give a precise view on the military . forces and assets supplied by russia near the _ forces and assets supplied by russia near the border— forces and assets supplied by russia near the border and _ forces and assets supplied by russia nearthe borderand in— forces and assets supplied by russia near the border and in donbas? - forces and assets supplied by russia nearthe borderand in donbas? you| near the border and in donbas? you talked _ near the border and in donbas? you talked about — near the border and in donbas? you talked about 150,000 _ near the border and in donbas? you talked about 150,000 troops - near the border and in donbas? you talked about 150,000 troops but. near the border and in donbas? you| talked about 150,000 troops but can you be _ talked about 150,000 troops but can you be more — talked about 150,000 troops but can you be more precise? _ talked about 150,000 troops but can you be more precise? thanks. - talked about 150,000 troops but can you be more precise? thanks. iirilr�*haitl talked about 150,000 troops but can you be more precise? thanks. what i can sa , you be more precise? thanks. what i can say. russia _ you be more precise? thanks. what i can say, russia has _ you be more precise? thanks. what i can say, russia has over— you be more precise? thanks. what i can say, russia has over 150,000 - can say, russia has over 150,000 troops _ can say, russia has over 150,000 troops and — can say, russia has over 150,000 troops and in addition to that there are the _ troops and in addition to that there are the air— troops and in addition to that there are the air force and naval forces also close — are the air force and naval forces also close to ukraine and these forces — also close to ukraine and these forces are — also close to ukraine and these forces are partly inside ukraine alreadv. — forces are partly inside ukraine already. in— forces are partly inside ukraine already, in crimea, and in donbas, and partly— already, in crimea, and in donbas, and partly close to ukraine's borders, _

and partly close to ukraine's borders, both in the east but also in the _ borders, both in the east but also in the south and also in the north, partly— in the south and also in the north, partly in _ in the south and also in the north, partly in russia and partly in belarus _ partly in russia and partly in belarus. these forces are tens of thousands— belarus. these forces are tens of thousands of combat troops but also all kinds _ thousands of combat troops but also all kinds of— thousands of combat troops but also all kinds of enablers, missiles, armoured _ all kinds of enablers, missiles, armoured vehicles, battle tanks, drones~ — armoured vehicles, battle tanks, drones. systems for electronic warfare, — drones. systems for electronic warfare, air defence, missiles which are dual— warfare, air defence, missiles which are dual capable, and a wide range of different military capabilities, so this— of different military capabilities, so this is— of different military capabilities, so this is a force which is a strong and well— so this is a force which is a strong and well equipped and has a lot of high-end — and well equipped and has a lot of high—end capabilities but is also a force _ high—end capabilities but is also a force which is now fully resourced with ammunition and fuel and then more _ with ammunition and fuel and then more of— with ammunition and fuel and then more of the troops have moved out of their camps— more of the troops have moved out of their camps and are now in a position— their camps and are now in a position where they can attack without — position where they can attack without any warning time, so this

makes _ without any warning time, so this makes the — without any warning time, so this makes the whole situation very dangerous but as we have stated again— dangerous but as we have stated again and — dangerous but as we have stated again and again, russia still has a choice _ again and again, russia still has a choice to— again and again, russia still has a choice to choose diplomacy and to step back — choice to choose diplomacy and to step back and to engage in a political— step back and to engage in a political dialogue with nato allies and we _ political dialogue with nato allies and we have demonstrated over a long period _ and we have demonstrated over a long period of— and we have demonstrated over a long period of time that we are ready to sit down, _ period of time that we are ready to sit down, to— period of time that we are ready to sit down, to talk to russia in good faith on— sit down, to talk to russia in good faith on issues which also matters for their— faith on issues which also matters for their security, arms control, and any— for their security, arms control, and any other issues. jens stoltenberg speaking from brussels. his last— stoltenberg speaking from brussels. his last comment emphasising that in his words— his last comment emphasising that in his words president putin has a choice — his words president putin has a choice and _ his words president putin has a choice and that the door is still open _ choice and that the door is still open for— choice and that the door is still open for diplomacy, and despite his stark emphasis on what he called the most stark emphasis on what he called most serious stark emphasis on what he called true: most serious moment for european security, the most dangerous moment for european security in a

generation. he has now confirmed, but they have been conflicting reports, russian forces and heavy weaponry have moved into luhansk and donetsk which were recognised in moscow last night. he took pains to emphasise that they have been russian troops and forces in the donbas in eastern ukraine since 2014 but he emphasised that in the past 24 but he emphasised that in the past 2a hours mort have arrived and indeed as he was speaking we were getting confirmation that the russian duma has authorised russia to send forces to that area. this nearly 2a hours after the legal move by president putin, this will be regarded as yet another escalation. the world is watching. we can now cross to germany.

the nato secretary general confirming that more russian troops and heavy weaponry have gone in and likely more are to follow, how much of an escalation is this? this likely more are to follow, how much of an escalation is this?— of an escalation is this? this is definitely another _ of an escalation is this? this is definitely another escalation. i of an escalation is this? this is i definitely another escalation. the eastern _ definitely another escalation. the eastern ukraine has been under de facto _ eastern ukraine has been under de facto russian control for many years but with _ facto russian control for many years but with the official russian troops now moving in, this has become more and more _ now moving in, this has become more and more of— now moving in, this has become more and more of a — now moving in, this has become more and more of a real invasion and it deepens— and more of a real invasion and it deepens the aggression that russia has been _ deepens the aggression that russia has been undertaking now for almost ei-ht has been undertaking now for almost eight years— has been undertaking now for almost eight years in eastern ukraine. germany— eight years in eastern ukraine. germany was one of the first european countries to announce new moves against russia, how hard a decision was it for the german chancellor to announce that the approvals for the nord stream 2

pipeline had been put on hold? it pipeline had been put on hold? it was not hard to decide because this has been _ was not hard to decide because this has been well reflected over the last couple of weeks. the chancellor and the _ last couple of weeks. the chancellor and the german government has consistently made clear that everything is on the table when it comes— everything is on the table when it comes to — everything is on the table when it comes to sanctions, and in the case of russian _ comes to sanctions, and in the case of russian aggression, and now this aggression — of russian aggression, and now this aggression has occurred and consequently germany has decided to be ready— consequently germany has decided to be ready to _ consequently germany has decided to be ready to bear the cost of sanctions, raising the barfor evervone _ sanctions, raising the barfor everyone else, as well. sanctions, raising the bar for everyone else, as well. there must be deep anger— everyone else, as well. there must be deep anger and _ everyone else, as well. there must be deep anger and anxiety - everyone else, as well. there must be deep anger and anxiety in - be deep anger and anxiety in germany, the chancellor, olaf scholz, had worked until the 11th hour to try to find a diplomatic way out, and president putin seems to

have slammed the door on that as if it did not matter. you have slammed the door on that as if it did not matter.— it did not matter. you are right. but what should _ it did not matter. you are right. but what should we _ it did not matter. you are right. but what should we have - it did not matter. you are right. but what should we have done l it did not matter. you are right. - but what should we have done else? i think even— but what should we have done else? i think even in— but what should we have done else? i think even in these dire circumstances, we should try to continue — circumstances, we should try to continue to— circumstances, we should try to continue to pave the way for diplomacy asjens continue to pave the way for diplomacy as jens stoltenberg has 'ust diplomacy as jens stoltenberg has just spelt out in his press conference, as well, but we have to understand — conference, as well, but we have to understand and we have to acknowledge that we are in a long protracted conflict with russia that has started in 2014 and that will continue — has started in 2014 and that will continue for the next years to come. and so— continue for the next years to come. and so it _ continue for the next years to come. and so it is — continue for the next years to come. and so it is not only about the military— and so it is not only about the military escalation going on right now in— military escalation going on right now in eastern ukraine but about us and our— now in eastern ukraine but about us and our resilience to fend off the efforts— and our resilience to fend off the efforts of— and our resilience to fend off the efforts of russia in hybrid warfare

ranging _ efforts of russia in hybrid warfare ranging from military attacks on european — ranging from military attacks on european states, murders on european soil, european states, murders on european soil. up— european states, murders on european soil. up to — european states, murders on european soil, up to disinformation and cyber attacks— soil, up to disinformation and cyber attacks against democratic institutions like the german parliament. we have to understand that we _ parliament. we have to understand that we are — parliament. we have to understand that we are out there for a long game _ that we are out there for a long game and — that we are out there for a long game and we have to play the long game _ game and we have to play the long game and — game and we have to play the long game and not always leave the initiative — game and not always leave the initiative to putin.— game and not always leave the initiative to putin. thank you very much. initiative to putin. thank you very much- the _ initiative to putin. thank you very much- the day — initiative to putin. thank you very much. the day continues - initiative to putin. thank you very much. the day continues to - initiative to putin. thank you very | much. the day continues to unfold with dramatic new developments. they are being watched closely in eastern ukraine where there has been intensifying shelling between ukrainian forces and the russian backed fighters now over many years. our correspondent orla guerin sent this update from eastern ukraine — where separatist rebels have been battling ukrainian forces for many years. well, within the last

minute or so we have been hearing more shelling. we are on a front—line position in a place called zolotye where ukrainian forces have been battling kremlin backed rebels since 2014. and this area is a battleground. more shelling in the last few seconds. troops here are aware of president putin's decision to recognise the separatist republics. they say, for them it changes nothing. they have not received any new orders. they will carry on as normal. they say they will stay at their positions, defending their motherland, whether or not russian troops come. they insist that they have the motivation, they are defending their own homes. there is a lot more at stake here now than the future of ukraine. there are implications in all of this for the security and stability of europe. and if russian troops do come, the question is, how far will they go? how much of ukraine does

president putin want to take? that is the question being asked across the world including in washington. daniel fried was the coordinator for sanctions policy during the obama administration who crafted us sanctions against russia in 2014. thanks forjoining us. are you regretting not imposing tougher sanctions in 2014 that might have been a wait of at least delaying or stopping even what is happening today? —— might have been away. sanctions were imposed in 2014 were strong enough to get putin to pull back but not pull out of ukraine. so they succeeded a bit but not enough. i regret that in 2016 we didn't push

harder on sanctions. but the biden administration is poised to pick up where the barack obama people left off and they have prepared a very strong set of sanctions and they are now discussing how much of them to roll out in response to putin's latest aggressions. taste roll out in response to putin's latest aggressions.— roll out in response to putin's latest aggressions. we spoke to a sanctions expert _ latest aggressions. we spoke to a sanctions expert to _ latest aggressions. we spoke to a sanctions expert to date - latest aggressions. we spoke to a sanctions expert to date who - sanctions expert to date who emphasised that the only sanctions which really matter are those that target president putin directly but he himself does not have his name on any financial assets so he is difficult to track. when you look at what could possibly send a strong message to russia and to president putin, what would the west have to impose? putin, what would the west have to im ose? putin, what would the west have to

imose? . ., , , putin, what would the west have to imose? . ., ,, _ impose? the sanctions prepared by the biden administration _ impose? the sanctions prepared by the biden administration include i the biden administration include heavy financial sanctions, sanctions against russian companies and i think sanctions against individuals including vladimir putin and his entourage and they also include expert controls. they are intended to hit the russian economy hard. putin's russia can either have a relationship with the world or it can attack the world but it can't do both. right now it seems intent on his version of an early 20th—century dictator, so he should pay the consequences. the challenge for the biden administration is, capturing his attention, and going after putin's ill gotten gains is not easy and he doesn't have them in his own name, uses cutouts, but it is possible through research to identify some of this. it has been

done, look at the pandora papers and the paradise papers, there are ways to uncover this but it is a labour—intensive process. it takes time. the biden administration and europe and the uk need to hit russia hard. if they go in full on in world war ii start invasion against ukraine, and they need to hit them today in response for the aggression yesterday from putin. the biden administration is likely to roll out sanctions today and i know the eu is discussing it and the british have done something, so have the germans. i'm afraid we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining us. he is a person who has looked very closely at the details of the sanctions which were imposed, the sanctions which were imposed, the sanctions being imposed across

european countries. president volodymyr zelensky has called on countries to do more. we will watch all of this closely, of course, but now, from kyiv, i will say goodbye and now back to london. we will keep you date with all events in ukraine. so many countries with an interest in this. vladimir putin hasjust with an interest in this. vladimir putin has just started speaking in moscow and we do have an interpreter so we can now listen in. translation: so we can now listen in. tuna/mom- so we can now listen in. translation: . ., ., ., translation: the recognition of esterda translation: the recognition of yesterday was — translation: the recognition of yesterday was prompted - translation: the recognition of yesterday was prompted by - translation: the recognition of yesterday was prompted by the l translation: the recognition of- yesterday was prompted by the public statements of kyiv to the effect that they had no intention of fulfilling the minsk agreement so what can you say about that? firstly it was a public statement, what should we expect more than that? not

to actually do that, you would be doing a genocide of 4 million people which is impossible to let that go by. how much longer can we be patient with that kind of situation? everybody says the same thing in europe, yes, we have got to go along that path but they could not actually stop their partners from doing that. we were forced to take that decision. in that sense, of course, the minsk agreements simply don't exist, what's the point of their existence if nobody fulfils them? now, as to the question of borders, within what kind of borders should the republics be recognised?

we have already said and in the constitution the borders of the donetsk and luhansk districts were within the confines of ukraine but we acknowledge that there were complex issues here and that that would be decided between the kyiv government and the legislators of those two republics back in the course of time we realised that that was impossible because the conflict continued. and it was intended to exacerbate even. yes, on the question of forces being used abroad, well, yesterday we made a

treaty and in those treaties with both republics, there are a number of points which say that of course we will be providing all kinds of assistance including military inasmuch as much as this is a conflict. we gave assurances that we will fulfil those pledges which we signed up to. translation: the west is saying that. . . translation: the west is saying that... obviously, _ translation: the west is saying that... obviously, you _ translation: the west is saying that... obviously, you have - translation: the west is saying that... obviously, you have is - translation: the west is saying that... obviously, you have is not| that... obviously, you have is not agreed _ that... obviously, you have is not agreed with— that... obviously, you have is not agreed with our—

that... obviously, you have is not agreed with our recognition - that... obviously, you have is not agreed with our recognition —— . that... obviously, you have is not. agreed with our recognition —— kyiv has not _ agreed with our recognition —— kyiv has not agreed _ agreed with our recognition —— kyiv has not agreed. after— agreed with our recognition —— kyiv has not agreed. after what - agreed with our recognition —— kyiv. has not agreed. after what happened yesterday— has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and — has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and today, _ has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and today, can _ has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and today, can you - has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and today, can you say- has not agreed. after what happened yesterday and today, can you say an i yesterday and today, can you say an outlook _ yesterday and today, can you say an outlook for — yesterday and today, can you say an outlook for rehabilitation _ yesterday and today, can you say an outlook for rehabilitation of - outlook for rehabilitation of relations— outlook for rehabilitation of relations between - outlook for rehabilitation of relations between moscowl outlook for rehabilitation of. relations between moscow and outlook for rehabilitation of - relations between moscow and kyiv and if _ relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, _ relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, what _ relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, what do _ relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, what do they— relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, what do they have - relations between moscow and kyiv and if so, what do they have to - relations between moscow and kyivj and if so, what do they have to do? translation: _ and if so, what do they have to do? translation: inte— and if so, what do they have to do? translation:— translation: we discussed these issues in meetings _ translation: we discussed these issues in meetings with _ translation: we discussed these issues in meetings with our - translation: we discussed these l issues in meetings with our european partners which lasted over many hours and also with the americans. i think that it wasn't stated publicly but let me say so now. clearly, what both sides, what should happen for us to acknowledge the situation was settled, and to have relations with kyiv which would mean that we could live peaceably side by side and without armed conflict, well, i don't think that i'm revealing any

secrets, it is absolutely clear, first of all, we have to do everything to recognise the will of the people living in the region, about which i've many times. in what way is that worse than what happened in kosovo? there it was and here it could be a public referendum. nobody at the barrel of a gun can agree to elections. they would have to do that voluntarily and to make their decisions and we have to respect the decision. of the determination of the people, and that happens in any democratic country. that is the first thing. secondly, i have already said this publicly many, many times. this has

to do with our very acute problems with nato and the us. the acceptance of nato as... ukraine as a nato member because this is a threat to us. and we take a view of course in russia that although many people in western countries say that the best kind of decision to settle this issue would be... would be for today's kyiv government to give up their hopes ofjoining nato. this would mean the western leaders would not lose face. and secondly, third point, it is not particularly topical now, though. i

have always said that the problems in donbas should be settled in peaceful negotiations on the basis of the minsk agreement and the most important point, the fourth one, is that everything i said just now could be completely overturned if our partners, the kyiv government, would not deploy weaponry. what i am talking about is demilitarisation of today's ukraine. that is the only objective controlling factor which we could observe and have a proper reaction to. otherwise, the whole thing could turn this way or that way tomorrow, given the previous

government, which was allegedly treacherous and all the agreements that i have, they could have actually been solved if there was a will to do that. if washington, berlin, paris had contributed. this is absolutely unacceptable, especially after the kyiv government talked about their atomic ambitions. in your address yesterday, mr president. _ in your address yesterday, mr president, you _ in your address yesterday, mr president, you talked - in your address yesterday, mr president, you talked about . in your address yesterday, mr i president, you talked about the possibility— president, you talked about the possibility of _ president, you talked about the

possibility of nuclear— president, you talked about the possibility of nuclear weaponryi president, you talked about the i possibility of nuclear weaponry in ukraine — possibility of nuclear weaponry in ukraine and— possibility of nuclear weaponry in ukraine. and you _ possibility of nuclear weaponry in ukraine. and you quoted - possibility of nuclear weaponry in i ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. possibility of nuclear weaponry in - ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is thatjust _ ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is thatjust his— ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is that just his words _ ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is thatjust his words or— ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is that just his words or is _ ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is thatjust his words or is it— ukraine. and you quoted zelensky. is thatjust his words or is itjust - thatjust his words or is itjust fear— thatjust his words or is itjust fear that— thatjust his words or is itjust fear that nuclear— thatjust his words or is itjust fear that nuclear weapons - thatjust his words or is itjust i fear that nuclear weapons should appear _ fear that nuclear weapons should appear on— fear that nuclear weapons should appear on the _ fear that nuclear weapons should appear on the borders? - fear that nuclear weapons should appear on the borders? me i fear that nuclear weapons should appear on the borders? we understand those words of — appear on the borders? we understand those words of his _ appear on the borders? we understand those words of his were _ appear on the borders? we understand those words of his were addressed i those words of his were addressed particularly to us, and he wanted us to hear them. particularly to us, and he wanted us to hearthem. ukraine, eversince soviet times, has had nuclear competencies. it has a fairly well developed nuclear industry. there are schools, everything they have to be able to resolve this problem quicker than countries which begin from scratch. i will not enumerate them, you know them all. that is the first thing. there is only one thing

lacking. the only lacking thing, enrichment technique, but that is just a technical issue. this is not a problem which cannot be resolved. ukraine could resolve it itself. and i think that yesterday in my address i think that yesterday in my address i addressed the whole question of the old missiles which could strike us over a distance of 100 or 120 kilometres. that is also not a problem. but what is the threat to us? it is that even the appearance of tactical nuclear weaponry in ukraine, for us, this means a strategic threat. that is what we have to bear in mind. because you

could come know, you could go from 120 kilometres to 300 or 400, so we have strategic concerns here. and of course we must look at that and react to it in the most serious way possible. mr president, how do you think... do you think— mr president, how do you think... do you think that, — mr president, how do you think... do you think that, in _ mr president, how do you think... do you think that, in the _ mr president, how do you think... do you think that, in the modern - mr president, how do you think... do you think that, in the modern world, | you think that, in the modern world, you think that, in the modern world, you can _ you think that, in the modern world, you can use — you think that, in the modern world, you can use force _ you think that, in the modern world, you can use force and _ you think that, in the modern world, you can use force and remain- you think that, in the modern world, you can use force and remain on- you think that, in the modern world, you can use force and remain on the| you can use force and remain on the side of— you can use force and remain on the side of good? — you can use force and remain on the side of good? my— you can use force and remain on the side of good? my second _ you can use force and remain on the side of good? my second question i you can use force and remain on the| side of good? my second question is more _ side of good? my second question is more technical _ side of good? my second question is more technical. how— side of good? my second question is more technical. how far _ side of good? my second question is more technical. how far do - side of good? my second question is more technical. how far do you i side of good? my second question is| more technical. how far do you think that troops— more technical. how far do you think that troops could _ more technical. how far do you think that troops could go _ more technical. how far do you think that troops could go to _ more technical. how far do you think that troops could go to the _ more technical. how far do you think that troops could go to the line i more technical. how far do you think that troops could go to the line of i that troops could go to the line of separation. — that troops could go to the line of separation. to— that troops could go to the line of separation, to the _ that troops could go to the line of

separation, to the line _ that troops could go to the line of separation, to the line separatingj separation, to the line separating the 0pr — separation, to the line separating the 0pr and _ separation, to the line separating the 0pr and the _ separation, to the line separating the 0pr and the dpr? _ separation, to the line separating the 0pr and the dpr? [- separation, to the line separating the opr and the 0pm— separation, to the line separating the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troo -s the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troops would _ the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troops would go _ the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troops would go that - the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troops would go that far, i the opr and the dpr? i didn't say the troops would go that far, that| the troops would go that far, that is the first thing. secondly to predict what kind of convoy would be involved and so on, it depends on the conditions on the ground but as far as the question of solving questions by force, why do you suggest that if you are on the side of good you cannot use force? good, of good you cannot use force? good, of course, presupposes you would be able to defend yourself, it is as simple as that. thank you very much. studio: you may have gathered that one of the questions there was essentially about whether anything

could change the current stand—off, but we had a lot of talk about the strategic threat from ukraine and the fact that demilitarisation of ukraine is the only answer, says vladimir putin. that somewhat unexpected news conference from vladimir putin ending in the last few moments in moscow. we have had outrage from many western governments over the course of the day, of course, and with liking to you that we are going to be here, we are due to hearfrom us president joe biden. he is due to be speaking from the white house about this 7pm british time, as soon as he talks we will bring that to you. we have been keeping an eye on the eu, as well, because there was an eu foreign ministers meeting today in paris and we were expecting to hear comments at the end of that, which have thus far not materialised. we were expecting those in the last hour and we are keeping an eye on that, as

well so possibly more to come out of paris, as well. sanctions of course among the measures that were announced by prime minister boris johnson a little earlier today. what he called the first tranche of sanctions, suggesting there could be more to come and certainly the foreign secretary at liz truss suggesting there could be more to come. we will keep an eye on all of that continue reaction and see what emerges in the coming hours. we will keep you up—to—date with any developments there. the other major story today here is still covid, particularly learning to live with it following the announcements are borisjohnson about england yesterday and more up—to—date from scotland's affairs minister nicola sturgeon. —— scotland's first minister. health leaders, unions and charities are calling for greater clarity on who is going to be eligible for free covid tests in england from april. the government says free tests will continue for those most at risk — and for staff working in social care

in the nhs, with more details to follow. all covid restrictions will end in england on thursday — including mandatory self—isolation for positive cases. free mass testing will stop from the first of april for most people. it's part of the government's "living with covid" plan. our health correspondent, katherine da costa, reports. in response to the covid crisis, the uk rapidly built up one of the biggest testing capabilities in the world. it came with a hefty price tag. infections are still high, but the government said it's time to wind down free mass testing. so what exactly is changing, and when? well, from thursday, you will no longer be legally required to self—isolate, but advised to stay at home for at least five days. routine contact tracing will end on thursday, as well. the £500 self—isolation payments will stop this week. and in april, free mass testing for the general public will end — apart from high—risk groups and those working with vulnerable people.

we know that omicron is milder than delta. we know that the vaccines — if you've had a boost — the three vaccines work incredibly well against this. and so we do have to take into account the changing situation. but, as i say, we also have to remain vigilant. from now on, the government says vaccines and treatment are the way forward. many at this club for older people will be eligible for the extra spring booster announced for the over—75s and for those with weakened immune system. it's brilliant. anything that's going, i'll have it. i think it's a good idea, i think it protects you. i'm over 80 so i will definitely have anotherjab, yeah. i but some health experts feel we can't rely on vaccination alone — they want extra clarity on who will be eligible for free tests, and fear the plans will impact the least—well—off communities. it will have such a disproportionate impact on the more deprived communities where people won't be

able to afford to buy tests, won't be able to afford to self—isolate. they're more exposed, they're less vaccinated, and more vulnerable to severe illness and long covid. so you're really kind of having this really big impact that's just going to exacerbate the health inequalities. the government says surveillance of the virus will continue, and testing could be ramped up again in response to new variants. wales and northern ireland are still to set out their plans for living with the virus. katherine da costa, bbc news. we are going to cross to the comments because james cleverly, the foreign office minister, has been addressing mps foreign office minister, has been addressing mp5 for the last couple of minutes. let's hear some of what he is saying about the tension in ukraine. to he is saying about the tension in ukraine. ., . _, he is saying about the tension in ukraine. ., . , . . ., ukraine. to what could be a range of o tions ukraine. to what could be a range of options depending _ ukraine. to what could be a range of options depending on _ ukraine. to what could be a range of options depending on whether - ukraine. to what could be a range of options depending on whether or- ukraine. to what could be a range ofj options depending on whether or not we asked the international community are successful or otherwise in deterring further incursions into ukraine. i

deterring further incursions into ukraine. . . ., ., ukraine. i am gratefulto him for aaivin ukraine. i am gratefulto him for giving wav- _ ukraine. i am gratefulto him for giving wav- a — ukraine. i am gratefulto him for giving way. a follow-up - ukraine. i am gratefulto him for| giving way. a follow-up question giving way. a follow—up question posed _ giving way. a follow—up question posed by— giving way. a follow—up question posed by the member for chingford and woodford green earlier. the package — and woodford green earlier. the package of sanctions that have been announced _ package of sanctions that have been announced today specifically, what is that's _ announced today specifically, what is that's designed to deter? what is the ultimatum that is being sent to the ultimatum that is being sent to the russian government today? | rdrill the russian government today? i will come to more — the russian government today? i will come to more details _ the russian government today? in it come to more details of the sanction package and what we hope to achieve with it but ultimately what we are hoping to achieve if you prevent further territorial encryption and aggression into ukraine and get russian troops to withdraw back to russian troops to withdraw back to russia and then ultimately to de—escalate and move away from the ukrainian border. the point is, and i will make this later in the speech at the house will give me an opportunity to progress, that we are working closely and coordinating closely in our sanctions response

with our international partners to ensure maximum effectiveness. i will give way. it ensure maximum effectiveness. i will uive wa . . , ensure maximum effectiveness. i will uive wa . , , . give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean — give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean to _ give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean to put _ give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean to put him - give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean to put him on i give way. it is very relevant. i don't mean to put him on the| give way. it is very relevant. i i don't mean to put him on the spot because _ don't mean to put him on the spot because i— don't mean to put him on the spot because i have the advantage of looking — because i have the advantage of looking at what the news has just said _ looking at what the news has just said putin— looking at what the news has just said. putin hasjust now recognise the whole — said. putin hasjust now recognise the whole of the donbas as independence, which goes beyond the ceasefire _ independence, which goes beyond the ceasefire line and into territory now held — ceasefire line and into territory now held by the ukrainian government. therefore what we have already— government. therefore what we have already announced is already out of date _ already announced is already out of date i_ already announced is already out of date. i appreciate already announced is already out of date. iappreciate he may already announced is already out of date. i appreciate he may need to confer. _ date. i appreciate he may need to confer. but — date. i appreciate he may need to confer, but our sanctions that are currently — confer, but our sanctions that are currently being discussed in this statement appropriate? what is the trigger— statement appropriate? what is the trigger point for an escalation of sanctions? it was very clear this house _ sanctions? it was very clear this house was _ sanctions? it was very clear this house was not satisfied with what was brought earlier today. one house was not satisfied with what was brought earlier today.- was brought earlier today. one of the thin . s was brought earlier today. one of the things i _ was brought earlier today. one of the things i will— was brought earlier today. one of the things i will go _ was brought earlier today. one of the things i will go on _ was brought earlier today. one of the things i will go on to - was brought earlier today. one of the things i will go on to explain l the things i will go on to explain to the house is that in the legislation that we are discussing today, it is a framework which allows us to deploy a range of measures and, as i will also make the point later on in my speech, is

that we are also giving ourselves further legislative vehicles by which we can impose sanctions, punitive sanctions, on russia. i will give way. i punitive sanctions, on russia. i will give way-— will give way. i am grateful. everything _ will give way. i am grateful. everything we _ will give way. i am grateful. everything we have - will give way. i am grateful. everything we have heard i will give way. i am grateful. i everything we have heard today as suggested the government has started from the _ suggested the government has started from the point of view of saying, here _ from the point of view of saying, here are — from the point of view of saying, here are some sanctions, we know you will do _ here are some sanctions, we know you will do more _ here are some sanctions, we know you will do more and when you do, we will do more and when you do, we will do _ will do more and when you do, we will do more. it could not be much more _ will do more. it could not be much more feeble in terms of the message that has— more feeble in terms of the message that has come from this place. i appreciate — that has come from this place. i appreciate what the minister has said about the conversations he is having _ said about the conversations he is having with partners across the west — having with partners across the west. will he in those conversations make _ west. will he in those conversations make sure _ west. will he in those conversations make sure that they know that the resolute _ make sure that they know that the resolute opinion of this house is at the sanctions that have happened so far are _ the sanctions that have happened so far are only— the sanctions that have happened so far are only a start and much more strong _ far are only a start and much more strong action needs to come for the sake of— strong action needs to come for the sake of ukraine and for the sake of president — sake of ukraine and for the sake of president putin getting that message? my president putin getting that message?— president putin getting that messaue? y ., ., ., message? my right honourable friend the prime minister _ message? my right honourable friend the prime minister earlier _ message? my right honourable friend the prime minister earlier on -

message? my right honourable friend the prime minister earlier on today i the prime minister earlier on today spokein the prime minister earlier on today spoke in praise of the unanimity of voice experience in the house and i want to echo that and give the house, the honourable lady, the right honourable members, the absolute assurance that we regard this as the start of a range of sanctions which we can escalate in response to what russia does, our desire is to deter further aggression. we have said right from the start, and in the intelligence that has been declassified and put in the public domain, but we were highly concerned that an encroachment purely into the donbas was not the ultimate limit of putin's aggressive ambitions, and that we would act to try and deter further aggression, and i can absolutely... i will make progress. i can absolutely assure the house that we will use this range...

sorry, we use these sanctions and other sections and legislations we might bring forward to deter further actions and encourage russia to de—escalate. i give way. actions and encourage russia to de-escalate. i give way.- actions and encourage russia to de-escalate. i give way. forgive me, but the question _ de-escalate. i give way. forgive me, but the question i _ de-escalate. i give way. forgive me, but the question i want _ de-escalate. i give way. forgive me, but the question i want to _ but the question i want to understand more clearly is, are we deterring _ understand more clearly is, are we deterring president putin, is the idea to — deterring president putin, is the idea to deter him from doing more, or is the _ idea to deter him from doing more, or is the idea — idea to deter him from doing more, or is the idea to get president putin— or is the idea to get president putin to — or is the idea to get president putin to step back? i am not altogether clear and therefore that means _ altogether clear and therefore that means the force of the sanctions is dictated _ means the force of the sanctions is dictated by— means the force of the sanctions is dictated by what we are trying to do and i_ dictated by what we are trying to do and i would — dictated by what we are trying to do and i would love to hear what we are trying _ and i would love to hear what we are trying to _ and i would love to hear what we are trying to do — and i would love to hear what we are trying to do. he and i would love to hear what we are trying to do— trying to do. he makes a very good oint. trying to do. he makes a very good point- our— trying to do. he makes a very good point- our aim _ trying to do. he makes a very good point. our aim is _ trying to do. he makes a very good point. our aim is to _ trying to do. he makes a very good point. our aim is to prevent - trying to do. he makes a very good j point. our aim is to prevent further aggression, for russian troops to withdraw from where they have advanced, and for them to move away from ukrainian border and remove that threat from the ukrainian people. these are a series of events

and i will explain given the opportunity to. i will give way. he will know from his own career in the army— will know from his own career in the army that _ will know from his own career in the army that the principle of clout, don't _ army that the principle of clout, don't dribble, is an important want to make _ don't dribble, is an important want to make sure that the opposition understands you are serious. does he not agree _ understands you are serious. does he not agree that the ratchet could be misinterpreted as giving a free pass at an— misinterpreted as giving a free pass at an early— misinterpreted as giving a free pass at an early stage, rather than drawing — at an early stage, rather than drawing a _ at an early stage, rather than drawing a clear line that needs not to be _ drawing a clear line that needs not to be crossed? my drawing a clear line that needs not to be crossed?— to be crossed? my honourable and callant to be crossed? my honourable and gallant friend _ to be crossed? my honourable and gallant friend makes _ to be crossed? my honourable and gallant friend makes a _ to be crossed? my honourable and gallant friend makes a point - to be crossed? my honourable and gallant friend makes a point which | to be crossed? my honourable and| gallant friend makes a point which i fully understand and i can assure him the government fully understands, and the pace at which we in conjunction with our international partners ratchet up our sanctions response is very much to notjust send a message, although sending a message is important, but to actually ensure that these sanctions are meaningfully felt by the russian leadership, and those people around vladimir putin funding him and propping him up. i will make some progress. trust me, i will give

the gentleman an opportunity to intervene later on. as i say, we are providing political support to ukraine. the foreign secretary is in close and regular contact with ukrainian foreign minister dmytro kuleba and otherfriends ukrainian foreign minister dmytro kuleba and other friends and allies around the world. i pay tribute to melinda simmons, the ambassador, and her team, who remain in ukraine operating from the british embassy office, providing what support we can for those british nationals are still in the country. third, we are leading on the strategic communications response to russian actions. at every stage, working closely with our international partners, we have exposed president putin's plans, his lies, false flag activities, and we have exposed them for what they are. a pretext for

aggression, an attempt to justify what is in every respect unjustifiable. last week i highlighted the falsehoods put forward by vladimir putin at the united nations security council. i will. i united nations security council. i will. . , , . will. i am very, very grateful. one ofthe will. i am very, very grateful. one of the problems _ will. i am very, very grateful. one of the problems with _ will. i am very, very grateful. one of the problems with the - of the problems with the government's arguments, it seems to me, government's arguments, it seems to me. is— government's arguments, it seems to me. is that — government's arguments, it seems to me, is that president putin has already— me, is that president putin has already said the whole of the donbas is now— already said the whole of the donbas is now effectively to be either independent or part of russia. two thirds _ independent or part of russia. two thirds of— independent or part of russia. two thirds of that territory is presently held by ukraine, a third by separatists. that is an incursion already~ _ by separatists. that is an incursion already it — by separatists. that is an incursion already. it feels as if what we have announced — already. it feels as if what we have announced today by way of sanctions is remarkably puny, and yet it feels also as— is remarkably puny, and yet it feels also as if— is remarkably puny, and yet it feels also as if we — is remarkably puny, and yet it feels also as if we are not going to do anything — also as if we are not going to do anything more. does the minister not understand _ anything more. does the minister not understand the anxiety that there

is, ithink— understand the anxiety that there is, i think come across the house? | is, i think come across the house? i have is, i think come across the house? have a huge is, i think come across the house? i have a huge amount of respect for him, he knows that, we speak when the cameras are not rolling. and i fear that he is putting his prejudice end of the statement i am making. were he to listen to the point i'm making, i think he would understand, and if he allows me to get to the point where i will be explicit about this, he would understand that the uk government's actions are not limited to what the prime minister has currently announced. he will hear that we will bring forward further legislation to further extend the measures available to us, and that we are absolutely not... make this clear, we are absolutely not ignoring the fact that there has already been written incursion into ukraine, which we want to halt or reverse, and get those trips away from the

ukrainian void. if he gives me the opportunity... i will give way. he opportunity... iwill give way. he has opportunity... i will give way. he has been very generous. can i press him on _ has been very generous. can i press him on this— has been very generous. can i press him on this point? i think many of us feel— him on this point? i think many of us feel the — him on this point? i think many of us feel the package of sanctions announced today is comparatively modest~ — announced today is comparatively modest~ is — announced today is comparatively modest. is it my understanding that the government strategy is that further— the government strategy is that further sanctions will come forward in the _ further sanctions will come forward in the days— further sanctions will come forward in the days ahead, even if vladimir putin— in the days ahead, even if vladimir putin takes— in the days ahead, even if vladimir putin takes no further steps and acts of— putin takes no further steps and acts of aggression against ukraine? 0r acts of aggression against ukraine? or is it _ acts of aggression against ukraine? or is it that— acts of aggression against ukraine? or is it that the further steps that are undoubtedly being planned by colleagues in government will only come _ colleagues in government will only come forward, should there be an additional— come forward, should there be an additional ratchet in the level of aggression shown towards ukraine? | aggression shown towards ukraine? 1 thank aggression shown towards ukraine? thank him aggression shown towards ukraine? i thank him for giving me the opportunity to make clear our position. we intend, and if this is not clear to the house let me make it clear now. we intend to escalate these sanctions, to ratchet up these sanctions in response to what has already happened in order to deter

further aggression and in order to stimulate putin to withdraw the troops from the ukraine, take them away from the border and back home to theirfamilies and away from the border and back home to their families and barracks in other parts of russia. i have to make progress, otherwise... just on that point. — make progress, otherwise... just on that point. if— make progress, otherwise... just on that point. if i _ make progress, otherwise... just on that point, if i can _ make progress, otherwise... just on that point, if i can ask— make progress, otherwise... just on that point, if i can ask him _ make progress, otherwise... just on that point, if i can ask him to - that point, if i can ask him to explain — that point, if i can ask him to explain a _ that point, if i can ask him to explain a little bit further. obviously the items of sanctions stay under the existing legislation, what is _ stay under the existing legislation, what is going to be proposed today is going _ what is going to be proposed today is going to — what is going to be proposed today is going to enable further clutches of sanctions. is he proposing, obviously— of sanctions. is he proposing, obviously they would be worked on with foreign governments, will be also be _ with foreign governments, will be also be looking at further sanctions from a _ also be looking at further sanctions from a uk — also be looking at further sanctions from a uk perspective at the same time as— from a uk perspective at the same time as he — from a uk perspective at the same time as he is looking at it with other— time as he is looking at it with other countries?— time as he is looking at it with other countries? , . . ., other countries? yes, and i am going to progress — other countries? yes, and i am going to progress because _ other countries? yes, and i am going to progress because some _ other countries? yes, and i am going to progress because some of- other countries? yes, and i am going to progress because some of the i to progress because some of the points that are being raised in interventions are actually covered interventions are actually covered in the speech. but i recognise, i do recognise the huge levels of interest there is in the house from

honourable and right honourable members. this point, i think, honourable and right honourable members. this point, ithink, will address a number of the points that have been raised. fourthly, i have made three points previously... fourthly, we will use britain's economic and financial might to hit russia's economy hard. the new sanctions regime that this brings in place, that we are debating today, is a vital part of this is not limited the points set out in this si. this legislation follows, made affirmative set out in section 55.3 of the sanctions and anti—money laundering act of 2018. the eu exit regulation 2090. it allows the government to impose sanctions on a much broader range of individuals and businesses who are, or have

been, involved in, and i quote directly from the si, "obtaining benefit from or supporting the government of russia". and this includes... i have to make progress. this includes those that carry on business as a government of russia affiliated entity, carry on business of economic significance to the russian government, carry on business in a sector of the strategic significance to the government of russia, or own or control or act as a director, a trustee or equivalent of any of these entities. that is a huge scope of individuals and entities. i give way. i of individuals and entities. i give wa . . ~' of individuals and entities. i give wa . . ~ way. i thank him. last time i saw him he was _ way. i thank him. last time i saw him he was about _ way. i thank him. last time i saw him he was about to _ way. i thank him. last time i saw him he was about to enter- way. i thank him. last time i saw him he was about to enter the i way. i thank him. last time i saw| him he was about to enter the us security— him he was about to enter the us security council and i would like to thank— security council and i would like to thank you — security council and i would like to thank you for how strongly represented our country at that point — point. studio: we will point. — studio: we will pull away from events in the commons for now. the

foreign office ministerjames cleverly taking questions there, all part of the anxiety around ukraine. we will keep you fully up—to—date with that. much more on that coming up with that. much more on that coming up from 5pm. right now we will pause and take a look at the weather prospects wherever you are in the uk. it was an improving sort of day today, we saw the cloud and rain clear from the south and it brightened up with plenty of sunshine, just a few scattered showers across northern and western areas. it is going to remain unsettled over the next few days, we will have quite a lot of windy weather around, outbreaks of rain but not as much as what we have had recently with those named storms. they cause issues with both wind and rain and we continue with dozens of flood warnings across the uk but i think this is a slowly improving situation over the next few days as they will not be quite as much rainfall around. this brief ridge of high pressure to end the day today. a lot of fine weather for much of

england and wales, showers should die off this evening and overnight, turning dry and lighter winds, turning dry and lighter winds, turning chilly but windy and wet across scotland and later in life northern ireland as that weather front pushes in here. temperatures, close to freezing in one or two spots across the far south—east and less cold further north and west because of the wind and rain. here is this weather front, a cold front pushing it to the north—west of the uk, then south closer to an area of low pressure so on wednesday doesn't look too bad. low pressure so on wednesday doesn't look too had. a lot of dry weather around the sunshine, one or two showers across western england in towards wales. this weather is bringing very wet weather to scotland and northern ireland, is no developing across central and northern scotland, said over the hills, here it will be windy with gales. a blustery day further south but not as windy as further north. fairly mild to the south of this conference, nine to 11 degrees. to the north of it it will be colder. this cold front will continue to journey southwards and eastwards

wednesday night into thursday, behind it the air turns cold, stays very windy and there will be wintry showers but it will be quite wet to start the day on thursday across southern and south—eastern areas, the weather front eventually cleared away and skies brightened. it will be one of sunshine and blustery showers and these showers will have a wintry element with significant snow across scottish hills. gale force winds across the country and it will be colder for all. some improvements into friday, a ridge of high pressure builds in and settle down with increasing amounts of sunshine, same as we head into the weekend but staying windy and wet for the far north west of scotland.

this is bbc news i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines at 5pm. vladimir putin has asked legislators for permission to use force outside russia, in a move that could pave the way for a broader attack on ukraine. in response to putin's actions, borisjohnson announces sanctions in the half hour, let me has asked for uk not tojoin nato. that in the half hour, let me has asked for uk not to join nato._ for uk not to 'oin nato. that is the onl for uk not to join nato. that is the only objective _ for uk not to join nato. that is the only objective controlling - for uk not to join nato. that is the only objective controlling factor i only objective controlling factor which we could observe and have a proper reaction to. in response to putin's actions, borisjohnson announces sanctions against russian banks and wealthy individuals. the house should be in no doubt that the deployment of these forces in sovereign ukrainian territory amounts to a renewed invasion of that country.