alliance to prevent any attack on a nato allied country. we have a defensive presence in the east. we are increasing our presence, not to provoke a conflict that to prevent one. as long as there is no doubt about nato's readiness to protect and defend all allies and our commitment to the core message, the couric task for nato, an attack on one ally will be regarded as an attack on all, they know how they will be attacked. that would prevent the conflict. that would preserve peace for nato allies, and for1 billion people. and that's the reason why we communicate so clearly and that's the reason why we are deploying more troops in the eastern part of the alliance to make sure that there is no possibility to misunderstand our readiness to protect and defend all allies. again, to preserve peace, to prevent

an attack and to prevent other wars going on in ukraine. spilling over to a nato allied country. that was the message from nato leaders today. that was also the message when i met with ben at the g7 yesterday. that is also of course the message when speaking to close partners, finland, sweden, the european union, because we are all concerned and russia's attack on ukraine is more than an attack on ukraine is more than an attack on ukraine is more than an attack on ukraine. it's a devastating tremendous attack on innocent... people in ukraine, but it's also an attack on the whole european security order. that's why we take it so extremely seriously. secretary—general, one question on

ukraine's request for turkey to close the bosporus for russian warships. close the bosporus for russian warshi s. ., ., , ., , warships. one follow-up on the 'ust asked. we heard i warships. one follow-up on the 'ust asked. we heard from i warships. one follow-up on the 'ust asked. we heard from the i warships. one follow-up on the just | asked. we heard from the lithuanian foreign minister saying when we lose ukraine we be fighting for nato later stop would you say that statement is exaggerated? fin later stop would you say that statement is exaggerated? on the bosorus, statement is exaggerated? on the bosmrus. that _ statement is exaggerated? on the bosporus, that was _ statement is exaggerated? on the bosporus, that was not _ statement is exaggerated? on the bosporus, that was not an - statement is exaggerated? on the bosporus, that was not an issue. | statement is exaggerated? on the i bosporus, that was not an issue. on the potential attack or any potential attack on a nato country, that has been a message throughout the day, that was the message from nato leaders in the summit. we are the to protect and defend our allies. nato is the strongest military alliance in the world. make no mistake be other to protect and defend our allies and we repeat that message again and again, both in

words but also in deeds. that is the way to prevent war, that is the way to prevent attacks, to ensure peace and we had done so for more than 70 years and we will continue to do it, in light of the attack on ukraine. this concludes this press conference. jens stoltenberg nato secretary—general just ending conference. jens stoltenberg nato secretary—generaljust ending that news conference. we are bringing you special coverage on bbc news. just to sum up the press conference, if he managed to see some of it. mr stoltenberg were the very strong message, saying that the alliance was stepping up basically its own defences with forces, with jets, with ships and saying there was no at all for a miscalculation or

misunderstanding and they wanted to defend every inch of nato territory. he was asked a number of questions, including about whether there was a possibility of talks. mr putin's spokesman has suggested that is a possibility, to have talks on the question of ukraine's neutrality. he said that was a question for mr zelensky and repeated a call borussia to pull out of ukraine. he about wanting to ensure there were no accidental escalations, for example on the black sea and said they were pursuing various channels for action on that for the infliction, as he put it, which has been pursued in other parts of the world to ensure there was no accidental escalation. he was also asked about worries of cyber attacks and whether that could trigger

article five if there were cyber attacks on nato members. he said theoretically that is possible but it has never happened to date. he was repeating that very strong message that nato is united in terms of defending all members and said russia was making basically very excessive demands about withdrawing forces from almost half the nato member countries. we are hoping to speak live to mr stoltenberg this hour if we can get hold of him in the next half—an—hour or so, do stay with us so we can press him on further questions. we are going to bring you more of an update on events which are moving all the time. ukraine's of defence has called on residents to defend the capital. officials said troops

reached a northern suburb of the city this morning after lad explosions and air raid sirens overnight. machine guns have been handed out to people wanting to defend the city. this shows russian armoured vehicles driving to the north—west of kyiv. the area is nine kilometres, 5.5 miles north of parliament and the city centre. the residents have told to stay off the streets. the city wake to the damage this morning. i russian aircraft was reportedly shot down over kyiv last night. several people are said to be injured. the us has said no cities have yet been taken back more than 200 missile launches have been seen so falcon including some hitting residential areas. io0,000 so falcon including some hitting residential areas. 100,000 people across ukraine are thought to have

left their homes seeking safety. jens stoltenberg condemned the invasion, calling it deliberate, cold—blooded and long planned. the blog has agreed to freeze assets belonging to vladimir putin and sergei lavrov as part of a package of sanctions. president zelensky made a plea for more help from the international community earlier. he said he would not leave kyiv even though he knows he is a target. negotiating team is being sent to belarus to talk about the neutral status of ukraine. this is not normal but it is live now for anna and herfamily, add a sense vladimir putin launched his invasion. the boys don't go to school any more,

everyone home, waiting for the war to reach them. if the michelle and they are ready to run to the basement. basic stuff. i have to keep up my smile for the kids because they are very nervous. the? because they are very nervous. they cried yesterday. _ because they are very nervous. they cried yesterday, they _ because they are very nervous. tie: cried yesterday, they are scared. because they are very nervous. tie1: cried yesterday, they are scared. i am scared for my life, for my kids. i am scared for my country. as you know, this is the fear that is transformed into anger. it makes you do something to defend your country and protect yourself.— and protect yourself. things are calm here _ and protect yourself. things are calm here now _ and protect yourself. things are calm here now at _ and protect yourself. things are calm here now at 10p _ and protect yourself. things are calm here now at 10p and - and protect yourself. things are calm here now at 10p and a - and protect yourself. things are | calm here now at 10p and a siren sounds and the streets empty. the city straddles the vast whether dividing ukraine from east to west.

the local blood donor centre is working flat out. there has been war here in eastern ukraine for eight years. what is happening is on a whole new scale. people had been coming here all day to get blood. the thing i am hearing from people in this queue is they want the west to do more to help the country. sanctions are ok. it helps and i believe it will help a lot. we need more, it is not enough. we really rely on europe now. my friend is going there. rely on europe now. my friend is going there-— rely on europe now. my friend is going there. your friend has to go and fiuht going there. your friend has to go and fight from _ going there. your friend has to go and fight from russia? _ going there. your friend has to go and fight from russia? yes. - going there. your friend has to go and fight from russia? yes. i - going there. your friend has to go and fight from russia? yes. i do i going there. your friend has to go i and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose — and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, _ and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, i _ and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, i do _ and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, i do not - and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, i do not want - and fight from russia? yes. i do not want to lose them, i do not want to | want to lose them, i do not want to

lose my country. want to lose them, i do not want to lose my country-— want to lose them, i do not want to lose my country. how worried are you about what is — lose my country. how worried are you about what is happening? _ lose my country. how worried are you about what is happening? it _ lose my country. how worried are you about what is happening? it is - lose my country. how worried are you about what is happening? it is quite l about what is happening? it is quite shockin: about what is happening? it is quite shocking for — about what is happening? it is quite shocking for me. _ about what is happening? it is quite shocking for me. right _ about what is happening? it is quite shocking for me. right now- about what is happening? it is quite shocking for me. right now i am - shocking for me. right now i am thinking — shocking for me. right now i am thinking about what happened, at least _ thinking about what happened, at least to— thinking about what happened, at least to defend my local district. ukraine — least to defend my local district. ukraine has now called on everyone to help defend this land as russian troops fight their way forward across the country nervous but determined to resist them. we are going to speak to sarah live in a moment. we are hoping to speak to jens stoltenberg, the secretary—general of nato within the next half—an—hour, 50 minutes possibly if we can get to him that quickly. he hasjust done possibly if we can get to him that quickly. he has just done a possibly if we can get to him that quickly. he hasjust done a news by saying that nato members are going to defend every inch of territory and they will be deploying jets, ships and forces along the eastern

part of the alliance and again calling on russia to pull out of ukraine saying they are trying to destroy the core forces they are making a very strong plea for russia to de—escalate this current crisis. let's speak to sarah raynsford. a strategically important city dividing east and west ukraine. the very dramatic couple of days. tell us how it feels on the ground for you at the moment. as you can see and hear from behind me, there is movement on the street, the sense of some calm. a couple of hours to go until the curfew kicks in at ten o'clock at night, when the

streets must be empty and people must be home, and when all the restaurants, cafe is, everything must be closed down. the fighting hasn't deliberately affected here although there are a couple of explosions has vladimir putin's invasion of ukraine began. it has started affecting and changing lives, as we have been finding out. it is what people are talking about and thinking about and what they are preparing for. the report ijust sent, that people were just watching, it included a woman who lives very close to here, anna, i can hear it at home with weapons on her window ledge, with her sofa moved into the middle of the room and the entire family sleeping together in the living room with grab bags ready to take and go to the basement if there is shelling in the basement if there is shelling in the city. everyone's lives have already been really radically changed by what has happened in not

even 48 hours since the war began. it is really quite extraordinary to feel the mood and feel the frustration. when i was talking to people in the queue who had come to get blood for the soldiers, there are a lot of people saying they had come here because they wanted to do something, do anything for those fighting to defend ukraine from russian troops. also frustration about the response of the west. a few days ago people were saying, thank you for your help, for military support with money. now they are saying it is not strong enough, it is not stopping the russians. why aren't there more sanctions? why aren't there more sanctions? why aren't less doing more to help us? limited has changed little bit. it feels like ukraine feels it has been abandoned by its allies can just when it needs them the most. i do not know if— when it needs them the most. i do not know if it _ when it needs them the most. i do not know if it is _ when it needs them the most. i do not know if it is possible to get a full picture. we have heard from

moscow, the offer potentially of talks in minsk, to talk about ukrainian neutrality. what is your sense of that being a politically viable option and will have public support? viable option and will have public su ort? ~ ., �* viable option and will have public su--ort? ~ ., �* ~ ., viable option and will have public su--ort? ., �* ~ ., , support? well, i don't know is the clearest answer. _ support? well, i don't know is the clearest answer. certainly - support? well, i don't know is the clearest answer. certainly ukrainej clearest answer. certainly ukraine and president zelensky has said all along they are ready to talk and everything in theory is on the table. we were with president zelensky weeks ago and he made it clear that whilst ukraine has a goal ofjoining nato and it is not ready to drop that goal in the face of russian aggression, he did say he is ready to talk to vladimir putin. a couple of hours before the invasion began, he tried to call president putin but he said all he got in response was silence. it has been clear all along that ukraine is prepared to discuss how to get out of this crisis, how to get out of the war now. the latest isil from

the war now. the latest isil from the kremlin was no particular encouraging regarding russia. —— i saw. people are hoping to keep the violence away from the city to stop the violence that is already killing so many people. whether or not the talks are a realistic proposition, i would be fairly sceptical about that just now. would be fairly sceptical about that 'ust now. ., ~' , ., would be fairly sceptical about that 'ust now. ., ,, , ., , . would be fairly sceptical about that 'ust now. ., ~ , ., , . ., just now. thank you very much for “oininr just now. thank you very much for joining us- — let's speak to the nato secretary general jens stoltenberg. our talks a possibility? we have heard from the kremlin. is that really an option. the heard from the kremlin. is that really an option.— heard from the kremlin. is that really an option. the best option is for russia to _ really an option. the best option is for russia to stop _ really an option. the best option is for russia to stop attacking - for russia to stop attacking ukraine, cease attacks on ukraine and then start to talk. i trust the

ukrainian government and president zelensky to make decisions about how to deal with the different proposals from russia and all nato allies at the summit today restated a strong call for russia to withdraw their forces. and cease hostilities against ukraine.— forces. and cease hostilities against ukraine. there must be stron: against ukraine. there must be strong contacts _ against ukraine. there must be strong contacts and _ against ukraine. there must be strong contacts and russia - against ukraine. there must be strong contacts and russia is i strong contacts and russia is clearly not going to withdraw its troops, certainly not in immediate few hours. what would your take on trying to de—escalate this by holding talks be? you must have a view. it holding talks be? you must have a view. , , ., _, ., , view. it depends on the conditions. as far as i — view. it depends on the conditions. as far as i have _ view. it depends on the conditions. as far as i have seen, _ view. it depends on the conditions. as far as i have seen, russian - as far as i have seen, russian conditions violates the sovereignty and integrity of ukraine. this is a ukraine decision, about respecting

ukraine decision, about respecting ukraine as an independent sovereign nation and not try to coerce them into decisions they fundamentally disagree with. the best way of doing thatis disagree with. the best way of doing that is stop using violence. military aggression against ukraine and that is the reason why we are imposing heavy sanctions on russia and also the reason why the nato allies were in a meeting today. we said we would continue to provide support from ukraine. taste said we would continue to provide support from ukraine.— said we would continue to provide support from ukraine. we are hearing from a correspondence _ support from ukraine. we are hearing from a correspondence in _ support from ukraine. we are hearing from a correspondence in ukraine - support from ukraine. we are hearing from a correspondence in ukraine and some of the public that they do not feel nato is doing enough. mr zelensky said they feel they are fighting this alone. should nato step up its support? i understand resident step up its support? i understand president zelensky _ step up its support? i understand president zelensky and _ step up its support? i understand president zelensky and ukrainian | president zelensky and ukrainian people are in a desperate situation, it is painful and there is human

suffering. nato has provided and is providing support. ukrainian army is much better trained much better equipped, much larger, much better commanded than in 2014. d0 equipped, much larger, much better commanded than in 2014.— equipped, much larger, much better commanded than in 2014. do you think the can commanded than in 2014. do you think they can hold — commanded than in 2014. do you think they can hold back _ commanded than in 2014. do you think they can hold back the _ commanded than in 2014. do you think they can hold back the russian - they can hold back the russian military? they can hold back the russian milita ? ., ., ., , military? one of the main reasons wh the military? one of the main reasons why they are _ military? one of the main reasons why they are able _ military? one of the main reasons why they are able to _ military? one of the main reasons why they are able to conflict - military? one of the main reasons why they are able to conflict so i why they are able to conflict so much serious damage on the invading russian forces is that nato allies have supported them, trained them for many years and nato allies continue to provide support. that was also announced in the summit today. we have said we are not ready today. we have said we are not ready to send nato troops into ukraine. nato and nato allies provide significant and important support but we are not sending in nato troops. but we are not sending in nato troos. ., ,, , ., but we are not sending in nato troos. ., i. , ., , troops. can you explain why, when --eole troops. can you explain why, when people are — troops. can you explain why, when people are losing _ troops. can you explain why, when people are losing their _ troops. can you explain why, when people are losing their lives - troops. can you explain why, when people are losing their lives and i people are losing their lives and people are losing their lives and people are losing their lives and people are no doubt drawing parallels with world war ii and

previous massive strategic errors? what is going on in ukraine is a tragedy. it leads to a lot of human suffering. we have to prevent this from becoming an even bigger tragedy that involves a big, large—scale war in the whole of europe. ukraine is a highly valued partner, we support them, we continue to them and they are able to build a much stronger army than before. if are able to build a much stronger army than before.— are able to build a much stronger army than before. if putin succeeds in takin: army than before. if putin succeeds in taking ukraine, _ army than before. if putin succeeds in taking ukraine, occupying - army than before. if putin succeeds in taking ukraine, occupying and i in taking ukraine, occupying and putting in his own puppet regime or whatever his plan is, hasn't lost and russia, there is than a risk of further expansionism?— further expansionism? nato's core task is to protect _ further expansionism? nato's core task is to protect almost _ further expansionism? nato's core task is to protect almost 1 - further expansionism? nato's core task is to protect almost 1 billion l task is to protect almost1 billion people living in nato allied countries. forthese

people living in nato allied countries. for these countries we provide absolute security guarantees, an attack on one will be regarded as an attack on all. to make sure there is no misunderstanding about that commitment we have significantly increased our major presence in the eastern part of the alliance, not only the united kingdom but other allies have stepped up and sends a very clear message to russia that they should not rank about or consider at all an attack on any nato allied country.— nato allied country. does the intelligence _ nato allied country. does the intelligence you are - nato allied country. does the intelligence you are getting i nato allied country. does the - intelligence you are getting suggest that putin has further plans, if he is able to take ukraine in the coming days? i is able to take ukraine in the coming days?— is able to take ukraine in the coming days? i am convinced president _ coming days? i am convinced president putin _ coming days? i am convinced president putin understandsl coming days? i am convinced i president putin understands the difference between a partner of nato, ukraine, and a nato ally. because for nato allies there are absolute guarantees and enshrined in nato and we demonstrate that commitment, the commitment to our

security guarantees by increasing the presence in the eastern part of the presence in the eastern part of the alliance. yesterday we activated our defence plans to make it possible to deploy the nato response. possible to deploy the nato response-— possible to deploy the nato resonse. ., ., ., i. ., response. how worried are you about further action? _ response. how worried are you about further action? you _ response. how worried are you about further action? you said _ response. how worried are you about further action? you said in _ response. how worried are you about further action? you said in the - response. how worried are you about further action? you said in the newsl further action? you said in the news conference he wanted to defend every inch. does that mean intelligence you have suggest nato members are at risk? mil you have suggest nato members are at risk? �* ., ., ., ., risk? all the information and intelligence _ risk? all the information and intelligence we _ risk? all the information and intelligence we have - risk? all the information and i intelligence we have illustrates russia understand the difference between nato allies and non—nato allies. is the reason why nato has been able to ensure peace and protect all nato allies for more than 70 years. protect all nato allies for more than 70 years-— protect all nato allies for more than 70 years. protect all nato allies for more than 70 ears. ~ . ., , ,, than 70 years. what that sounds like it's nato is willing _ than 70 years. what that sounds like it's nato is willing to _ than 70 years. what that sounds like it's nato is willing to send _ than 70 years. what that sounds like it's nato is willing to send money, i it's nato is willing to send money, training, military resources to ukraine but if russia takes it, it

will only face financial sanctions and little sanctions, not military push back. we and little sanctions, not military push back-— and little sanctions, not military ush back. ~ , , push back. we impose severe costs and punishment _ push back. we impose severe costs and punishment on _ push back. we impose severe costs and punishment on russia - push back. we impose severe costs and punishment on russia because| push back. we impose severe costs i and punishment on russia because of the totally unjustified and brutal attack on ukraine and innocent ukrainian people. we provide them with support and continue to support than and then strengthen their defences for nato allied countries. how long is it before potentially key levels? it how long is it before potentially key levels?— key levels? it is a very unpredictable - key levels? it is a very. unpredictable situation. key levels? it is a very - unpredictable situation. what key levels? it is a very _ unpredictable situation. what we have seen is ukrainian forces have been able to actually provide serious resistance and fight back the invading russian forces. i think we also have to understand an attack on ukraine is a brutal attack on the independent sovereign country in europe but it goes beyond that

because it is challenging core values for security and all vessels up values for security and all vessels up in that way it is creating a normal for european security and nato has to address the more normal consequences. it nato has to address the more normal consequences. if it nato has to address the more normal consequences-— consequences. if it does basically ush -- consequences. if it does basically push -- as _ consequences. if it does basically push -- as if— consequences. if it does basically push -- as if ukraine _ consequences. if it does basically push -- as if ukraine is _ consequences. if it does basically push -- as if ukraine is taken - consequences. if it does basically| push -- as if ukraine is taken and push —— as if ukraine is taken and it pushes the border further west, they will need more financial resources and political resources. is it not better to send a signal to putin now that he must stop by closing the airspace over ukraine? having some sort of limited nato engagement to try to stop this. we are engagement to try to stop this. - are sending a very clear signal. we are sending a very clear signal. we are imposing the most severe sanctions ever imposed on russia ever. we are sending a clear signal ljy ever. we are sending a clear signal by providing critical support to

ukraine and a clear signal by increasing the presence of nato forces on land, at sea and in the air in the eastern part of the alliance. we have made it clear we are not sending in troops or air forces into ukrainian territory, or airspace because that will really trigger a big conflict in the whole of europe and that would be dangerous for all others. there has been much — dangerous for all others. there has been much concern _ dangerous for all others. there has been much concern about - dangerous for all others. there has been much concern about whetherl dangerous for all others. there has i been much concern about whether the sanctions are fast enough and deep enough, whetherfor sanctions are fast enough and deep enough, whether for example the swift system, russia will be. out of aqua concern about refugees and energy prices. this is a huge multipronged crisis. to think —— the thing nato members are sufficiently allied? i thing nato members are sufficiently

allied? ., thing nato members are sufficiently allied? . ., , thing nato members are sufficiently allied? . , , ,, allied? i am actually very impressed that nato allies _ allied? i am actually very impressed that nato allies have _ allied? i am actually very impressed that nato allies have been _ allied? i am actually very impressed that nato allies have been able - allied? i am actually very impressed that nato allies have been able to i that nato allies have been able to agree and unite behind severe sanctions which will have a greater impact over time. it will take time before we see the full effect of the sanctions. it will mean russia has to pay a high price for violating international law and attacking innocent people. we have seen allies are ready to pay a cost. the sanctions also affect our economies but they are ready to pay that cost because there is no way we can accept the absolutely horrendous behaviour by russia, which we have seenin behaviour by russia, which we have seen in the last days conducting this behaviour on a peaceful country in europe. it this behaviour on a peaceful country in euroe. .,, , this behaviour on a peaceful country in euroe. , , in europe. it has been extremely alarmin: in europe. it has been extremely alarming for— in europe. it has been extremely alarming for many _ in europe. it has been extremely alarming for many to _ in europe. it has been extremely alarming for many to watch - in europe. it has been extremely alarming for many to watch the l alarming for many to watch the events of the last couple of days with something many thought they would never witness. there have been

accusations that nato should have seen this coming, but there was a provocation and lack of understanding of ukraine's situation. is the land point here that ukraine does have some sort mutual status?— mutual status? ukraine is an independent— mutual status? ukraine is an independent sovereign - mutual status? ukraine is an | independent sovereign nation mutual status? ukraine is an - independent sovereign nation and they chose their own path. that is they chose their own path. that is the core principle we are defending and ukraine is defending. this is enshrined in court documents in call security. russia is violating its principle, the right of every nation to choose its own path. nato respects that. we respect finland and sweden, they were at the summit today. they are not members but they are close partners. we also accept countries who want to join. over the

last few decades they have helped to spread peace and prosperity across europe. that is what russia is trying to stop. when it comes to predicting this, we had been very open and clear. since last fall, our intelligence services, especially the united states and also the united kingdom have been very specific about the threat, the possibility, the likelihood of a russian attack and we have warned against this performance and sadly it has happened. we been prepared for it exactly because our intelligence service has predicted it. iii intelligence service has predicted it. , ., , ~ ., intelligence service has predicted it. if you see ukraine full totally to moscow _ it. if you see ukraine full totally to moscow in — it. if you see ukraine full totally to moscow in the _ it. if you see ukraine full totally to moscow in the next - it. if you see ukraine full totally to moscow in the next few - it. if you see ukraine full totally| to moscow in the next few days, it. if you see ukraine full totally - to moscow in the next few days, how are you going to feel? it to moscow in the next few days, how are you going to feel?— are you going to feel? it will be extremely _ are you going to feel? it will be extremely painful— are you going to feel? it will be extremely painful for— are you going to feel? it will be extremely painful for all - are you going to feel? it will be extremely painful for all those l are you going to feel? it will be - extremely painful for all those who have lost their lives and are suffering in ukraine. it will be painfulfor all suffering in ukraine. it will be painful for all of suffering in ukraine. it will be painfulfor all of us suffering in ukraine. it will be painful for all of us standing in solidarity with ukraine, he believe

in freedom, democracy. solidarity with ukraine, he believe infreedom, democracy. i solidarity with ukraine, he believe in freedom, democracy. i am absolutely certain at the end of the day freedom will prevail and also believe in repression of autocracy. i'm joined now by our europe editor katya adler in brussels and north america editor sarah smith in washington. thanks, both of you. i do not know if you could hear any of that. criticism of where they really need is doing enough and even politically on sanctions and swift and all the actions that had been called for, whether europe has been disunited and slow. a. ., ,., , and slow. accusations are flying around. and slow. accusations are flying around- its _ and slow. accusations are flying around. as we _ and slow. accusations are flying around. as we are _ and slow. accusations are flying around. as we are speaking - and slow. accusations are flying i around. as we are speaking there and slow. accusations are flying - around. as we are speaking there are tweets coming in saying missiles are falling into ukrainian capital. as much criticism is aimed at the west

for not taking action sooner and not tough enough, at the same time there are questions about, could anything have stopped vladimir putin right now in his intentions over ukraine? this is something that history will judge in the future. if ukraine had already been a nato member states quite nato would be taking military action in ukraine. as it is it doesn't want to send soldiers and trips itself into ukraine. the worry with the that the conflict would spread further across europe and potentially you would have the two nuclear powers, the united states and russia face—to—face over ukraine, and that is a huge worry, this looming fear of a possible third world war over this. at the moment it is concentrated in ukraine. if you talk here in the eu with countries in central and eastern europe, who are now member

states and members of nato, they are extremely worried because they say it is notjust focused on ukraine for vladimir putin it is about changing the balance of power in europe, changing the security structure of europe away from the west and in russia's favour, particularly the baltic states, lithuania, estonia and latvia, who had been among the european voices saying, let's do more and let's do it now. they border russia and feel extremely exposed, if not immediately from russian tanks. they are worried about their countries being destabilised by more disinformation campaigns aimed at the russian minorities there and also from cyber attacks as well. europe is feeling jittery, particularly the east and then central europe as well. the gravity of the situation is felt. there is

self—interest here as well.