a re are now are new member eastern europe, who are new member states 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. italy, germany, those countries who have close business ties with russia, that rely so much more than the rest, they are worried if you impose the toughest of sanctions on russia that their economies could suffer as much or even more than the kremlin. this is still the debate, the second sanctions package was signed off by the eu today. it says it was its biggest sanctions package ever but it is already under pressure because of the scenes of monetary aggression in ukraine to already be discussing a third and even tougher package. now over to washington. we had the nato secretary—general talking about ships, troupes, jets to secure every inch of nato territory, how much concern is that in washington about this escalating?

a considerable concern. the us has made it clear all along that they have no intention that their forces will engage in ukraine or attempt to defend the country or engage with the russian military, but they have sent significant numbers of troops to poland, romania, the baltic states that copy i was talking about there. the two bolster their defences and to make absolutely clear that the us will stand behind and defend any nato ally which is attacked in any way by russia. that is a sentiment which is underlined here every day that the us is utterly committed to article five of the nato treaty which says that an attack on one is an attack on all and that they will become involved if there is an assault on any nato member. however, that does not help ukraine right at the moment. we know that president biden in the white house hasjust been that president biden in the white house has just been talking to president zelensky in ukraine and they discussed strengthening sanctions and providing some kind of concrete defence assistance. that will not come in the form of troops, but could come in the form of

material. there is criticism here that the sanctions package and the actions the us has taken have not been strong enough, you can probably here beside me here a pro—ukrainian demonstration where they are demanding personal sanctions on vitamin are prudent, which the us is not instituting at the end closing ukrainian airspace in order to try and defend the country against attack such a coming at the moment. there is criticism from republican politicians as well. the plan from the white house has always been pretty clear which was to gradually increase economic sanctions as russian aggression increased. but they may not of expected things to move quite as rapidly as they are in ukraine at the moment. they do admit that these sanctions didn't act as any kind of deterrence, and that it will take some time, months, probably for their effect and impact to really be felt in russia to the russian economy and also to impede russia's ability to mobilise its armed forces. right now, there are very defiant words coming from the

us saying that the world will hold russia accountable will stop moving resolution in the security council later today to demand that russia withdraw from ukraine, but for all their demands and their defiant words, the actions that they've taken so far i certainly don't seem to have had any deterrent impact. catch you, can i ask you whether or not you had any response on the line that we've heard from the kremlin spokesperson on whether talks are possible and the question of neutrality, whether that is any potential way forward.- neutrality, whether that is any potential way forward. well, it's been mentioned _ potential way forward. well, it's been mentioned for— potential way forward. well, it's been mentioned for a _ potential way forward. well, it's been mentioned for a long - potential way forward. well, it's| been mentioned for a long time, potential way forward. well, it's - been mentioned for a long time, and of course _ been mentioned for a long time, and of course russia says that's what it wants _ of course russia says that's what it wants it _ of course russia says that's what it wants. it wants a ukraine without weapons, — wants. it wants a ukraine without weapons, it wants a neutral ukraine, and it_ weapons, it wants a neutral ukraine, and it would — weapons, it wants a neutral ukraine, and it would see that then as a buffet — and it would see that then as a buffet it — and it would see that then as a buffer. it does not want ukraine absorbed — buffer. it does not want ukraine absorbed into nato. again, as i say, there _ absorbed into nato. again, as i say, there is_ absorbed into nato. again, as i say, there is a _ absorbed into nato. again, as i say, there is a definite belief here in there is a definite belief here in the eu — there is a definite belief here in the eu that it's about more than that with —

the eu that it's about more than that with russia. they want more of a buffer— that with russia. they want more of a buffer zone. i've spoken in favour of eu _ a buffer zone. i've spoken in favour of eu member states, sweden and finland _ of eu member states, sweden and finland being neutral, and that is where, _ finland being neutral, and that is where, for— finland being neutral, and that is where, for example, the baltic states— where, for example, the baltic states feel that they might come under— states feel that they might come under real pressure as well, of course, — under real pressure as well, of course, nato members they are, and as was— course, nato members they are, and as was said. — course, nato members they are, and as was said, nato's article five meahs— as was said, nato's article five means that if they ever came under attack— means that if they ever came under attack by— means that if they ever came under attack by the whole of the alliance would _ attack by the whole of the alliance would have to come to their defence. vladimir— would have to come to their defence. vladimir putin has asked to speak to the ukrainian president about the possibility of ukrainian neutrality, but that _ possibility of ukrainian neutrality, but that is— possibility of ukrainian neutrality, but that is not something that the president— but that is not something that the president has yet made public, that he is willing to do, in fact, his words — he is willing to do, in fact, his words are _ he is willing to do, in fact, his words are defiant, his deeds are defiant, — words are defiant, his deeds are defiant, calling everybody to pick up defiant, calling everybody to pick up arms. — defiant, calling everybody to pick up arms, even called for europeans, if they— up arms, even called for europeans, if they have — up arms, even called for europeans, if they have any experience of the arms— if they have any experience of the arms to _ if they have any experience of the arms to come and help them while the decisions _ arms to come and help them while the decisions makers in europe he said, earlier— decisions makers in europe he said, earlier today — decisions makers in europe he said, earlier today aren't taking their time _ earlier today aren't taking their time about taking any action there. so that— time about taking any action there. so that is— time about taking any action there. so that is where we are with that situation — so that is where we are with that situation at the moment with regards

to neutrality. i think it's kind of overtaken— to neutrality. i think it's kind of overtaken the kind of violence that we are _ overtaken the kind of violence that we are seeing at the moment on the ground _ we are seeing at the moment on the round. , , , , , we are seeing at the moment on the round. , , , , ., ground. just briefly, in terms of further resources, _ ground. just briefly, in terms of further resources, troops, - ground. just briefly, in terms of. further resources, troops, support from the us here. we have heard about more funding, for example, coming to nato if needed. what are the potential plans ahead on that front? how much political division could we see on that front?- could we see on that front? well, there is a degree _ could we see on that front? well, there is a degree of _ could we see on that front? well, there is a degree of unity - could we see on that front? well, there is a degree of unity across l there is a degree of unity across there is a degree of unity across the political spectrum here that ukraine needs to be supported, the exact methods and whether or not the sanctions came in quickly enough or strictly enough, that is being debated. but if there was a move to supply more funding, more equipment to ukraine, that would be broadly supported. there are also plans being discussed here for humanitarian assistance, because of course we know there is the potential for a course we know there is the potentialfor a huge refugee wave coming out of ukraine and the us is already looking at supplying some humanitarian assistance to help with

that. we were just talking about the idea of talks between putin and zelensky, that is being rubbished here, where you cannot engage in diplomas at the barrel of a gun. they are advising him not to do that and to not sound enthusiastic about the idea that that could produce any kind of solution to this crisis. sarah smith, katya, in washington and brussels, many thanks to you both. reuters is reporting, and through romania through its export or checkpoints according to the romanian prime minister. 8000 of them passed through romania on their way to bulgaria and hungary. tens of thousands of people we think, mostly women and children have crossed into slovakia, romania on friday, as of grace we see many, many people being displaced internally in ukraine. let's get up of all the global

responses to the latest developments from our diplomatic correspondent, james langdale. this is what the defence of kyiv looks like. soldiers with guns and armoured vehicles, ready to take on the might of russian tanks and warplanes. little wonder there is a debate about what more the west can do to help. but these american fighter jets will not be coming to theiraid. they arrived in romania today as part of nato's decision to beef up its presence in member states close to russia. so as well these british forces, arriving in the baltic states of estonia. they are there to deter potential russian aggression against nato countries. at the headquarters of the military alliance in brussels world leaders agreed to go even further, making what they call significant additional defensive deployments in eastern europe. we are deploying elements of the nato response force on land, at sea and in the air.

to further strengthen our posture and to respond quickly to any contingency. there must be no space for miscalculation or misunderstanding. we will do what it takes to protect and defend every ally. and every inch of nato territory. what the west could do is give ukraine more help like this. these are anti—tank weapons provided by britain. downing street said more support was planned and nothing was off the table. there is clearly a strong appetite here at westminster and in other european capitals to give ukraine more military kit, to support an insurgency against russian forces. but ministers are absolutely clear there will be no uk troops on the ground, nor a no—fly zone enforced by nato warplanes. but we must all in

this house be clear that british and nato troops should not, must not play an active role in ukraine. we must all be clear what the risks of miscalculation could be and how existential that could very quickly become when people miscalculate and things escalate unnecessarily. and here is why. ukraine might have held a parade for nato forces last summer, but it is not yet a member. it wants to join, but that will not happen while there is a risk of importing conflict into the alliance and that could take years to resolve. but look at how far and wide nato reaches, and the fear is that if nato forces joined the fight in ukraine, then war could spread across the whole continent. an attack on one member of nato is an attack on all members of nato. the president has been clear that we will defend every inch of nato territory. i think that is the most powerful deterrent against president putin going beyond ukraine. but that may be of little

solace to the many thousands of people trying to flee kyiv station. where guards fired warning shots to keep backgrounds, crowds choosing to head west rather than rely on the west. james landale, bbc news. just to let you know, our colleague has tweeted just briefly saying in the last 15 minutes, their incoming missiles in kyiv where she is another bbc colleagues. reuters is saying that a witness has said that there are artillery rounds hurried in ukrainian capital of kyiv, also of course, there have been a number of reports in the last few hours of tanks being seen to the north of the city, but that is the latest that we are getting at the moment. well, the eu's foreign affairs chief says the block is including president putin and his foreign ministers and news sanctions imposed because of the invasion of ukraine. he said that vladimir putin would join only two

other world leaders sanctioned by the eu outside of syria. 0ur the eu outside of syria. our business editor has this report on the impact of the sanctions. yesterday the russian airline aeroflot was banned from british skies. today ba was banned from russia, a reminder that in economic warfare there is an exchange of fire. sanctions are the weapons the west has chosen and the uk has laid out its arsenal so far. the ten—point plan also includes freezing russian banks' uk assets, banning the russian state or companies from raising money on uk markets, sanctioning 100 companies and individuals, which will include travel bans to the uk, and placing a £50,000 limit on uk bank deposits for russian nationals. so how powerful a package is this? and what might be the collateral damage? these sanctions are very significant. the financial relationship between the uk and russia has been severed and that will significantly impact the russian economy and russian financial institutions.

but it will also affect companies in the uk because companies in the uk who thought they were going to be exporting, i don't know, whisky to russia next week will suddenly find that their bank will no longer process that payment. so i don't think we've yet really thought through the consequences of what this means for uk industry. the uk, france and others have also called for russia to be excluded from the swift system, a network of 11,000 financial firms in 200 countries that facilitate international payments. it is considered among the most damaging sanction that could be imposed, but again it is not without cost to others. slap bang opposite the bank of england is this building, home to vtb, russia's second biggest bank. pulling firms like this out of swift will be disruptive for russia for sure, but it also comes at a heavy cost to those companies and countries owed money either now or in financial contracts by russian companies. it is particularly true of germany which has a deep financial relationship with russia and used the system to pay for two thirds

of their gas supply. that is one reason germany has so far been reluctant to pull the trigger on swift, though that may change. the conflict and the sanctions will add fuel to inflation and not just at the petrol pump and in our energy bills. russia and ukraine are major exporters notjust of oil and gas, but actually foodstuffs, wheats, fertilisers, and that is going to impact the broad food chain. i think it is highly likely now the uk will see inflation reach 8% which is a number we haven't seen in 30 years. russia has over $600 billion in reserves to tough this out and it is a grim paradox that the higher prices for oil and gas rise, the more the countries dependent on it fuel the very russian war machine they are trying to stop. simon jack, bbc news. just repeats, reports of incoming

missiles into kyiv at the moment. that's been in the last 15—20 minutes or so. in the last couple of hours i spoke to canada's foreign minister to ask her her reaction to the ongoing events in ukraine. 0bviously, what is happening in ukraine is extremely outrageous, and thatis ukraine is extremely outrageous, and that is why canada has joined its place to many nations, including the uk, the us to condemn them and place extremely important sanctions. but at the same time, i must say that we know well the ukrainian spirit. i was in ukraine a month ago. the ukrainian diaspora here is extremely vocal about the importance of supporting ukraine right now. and there is a very strong resolve, a very strong willingness on the part of ukraine to fight for their motherland. so that's always important to bear in mind when there

are conflicts such as this one right now, and that is why we stand with ukraine. we are confident in the fact that they can defend themselves, although, we need to help, which is why we are providing them with weapons. i did think without any external military help that ukrainian forces can repel this huge force from russia? we think that ukraine's military at this point is different when the crimea were started in 2014. many nations, including canada participated in helping build the capacity of the army. since 2014, we had our own operation and unifier which has trained at this point more than 30,000 shares soldiers and reservists for the national guard as well for the armed forces. so, there has been a lot of work that has been donein has been a lot of work that has been done in the past, but of course, we know this is a very difficult

situation and ukraine is in dire need of help. situation and ukraine is in dire need of help-— situation and ukraine is in dire need of help. this is something ukraine said, _ need of help. this is something ukraine said, president - need of help. this is something | ukraine said, president zelensky last night was saying that they feel that they are fighting this war alone. we've heard calls today for people, for nato to come in and to security airspace, to stop the russian planes. we know about the risk of nato escalation, and yet, isn't that the riskier, that without nato actually intervening, ukraine is going to be overrun, and we are already seeing the destruction right in front of us. already seeing the destruction right in front of us— in front of us. well, we provide le . al in front of us. well, we provide legal aid. _ in front of us. well, we provide legal aid. like _ in front of us. well, we provide legal aid, like an _ in front of us. well, we provide legal aid, like an engine, - in front of us. well, we provide i legal aid, like an engine, financial support, and we are in close contact. i'm in close contact with the deputy prime minister of ukraine and with the minister of finance and the minister of foreign affairs. we now also ukraine is not part of nato. so that is why we are making sure that we support in every single

way, all the tools in our tool box for ukraine. way, all the tools in our tool box for ukraine-— way, all the tools in our tool box for ukraine. but the sanctions and the other things _ for ukraine. but the sanctions and the other things are _ for ukraine. but the sanctions and the other things are slow, - the other things are slow, diplomatic, they will not hit quickly, and many feel they will not be effective enough. you know, the west is talking but not acting —— acting. i west is talking but not acting -- actina. ., �* ., ., . acting. i don't agree with that. we came on yesterday _ acting. i don't agree with that. we came up yesterday with _ acting. i don't agree with that. we came up yesterday with a - acting. i don't agree with that. we came up yesterday with a very - acting. i don't agree with that. we i came up yesterday with a very strong sanctions package, one of the strongest of all of our allies. we are targeting the russian economy, but definitely put in's guard around him, it is important that we suffocate the russian regime, we need to make sure that they understand the pressure under which they are, but i understand that more needs to be done and that's why many options are on the table. the canadian _ options are on the table. the canadian foreign _ options are on the table. the canadian foreign minister speaking to me in the last couple of hours, just update you, we are getting

reports from reuters is saying that artillery rounds have been heard in kyiv this evening in the ukrainian capital, and other witnessing has been intense gunfire in the western part of kyiv. also incoming fire, so obviously the capital has of course been a key target. we will keep you across the reports that we are getting. the un refugee agency says that more than 50,000 people have fled ukraine in the last 48 hours. many have headed west attempting to cross the border into neighbouring countries. now there is concern that the steady stream could become a mass exodus. ukrainians tried to flee the fighting. a border separates but also brings together. families reunited in the search for safety, like ten—year—old mariya and her mother, who travelled for two days from kyiv tojoin herfather here in poland.

how do you feel about leaving? do you feel scared about what is happening? yes. i've never felt about this situation that one day another country in the 215t century could attack another country, in europe. your country? my country. the stream of ukrainians crossing this border is increasing. they've lived with the threat from russia for years. but now, with its leader besieging their homes, they've had to flee. nadiya left her eldest daughter behind to help the army, coming here with her two youngest. yesterday, i woke up because i've heard some noise and i asked my husband, what is happening? he looked through the window and said, well, russia has bombed our airport. so, 0k, just pack our bags and you have to save the kids. i love my country. i want to go back. but we cannot go, we cannot stay safe over there.

poland is welcoming the new arrivals with open arms, and is setting up several reception centres. it's been one of the eu's most hardline, anti—migrant countries in recent years — but it also knows all too tragically the cost of russian occupation and hostility. these scenes of seeking refuge across europe's borders are more associated with the migrant crisis from the middle east. but now the threat is on the eu's doorstep, and while poland says that the uptick in arrivals so far is modest, it warns that it could become the largest refugee wave since 2015. there is traffic in the other direction too. ukrainians andrei and nikolai heading back to help their homeland fight. "we are going home to defend our country," he says. "this is our duty." "we didn't do anything wrong to russia." "putin is trying to capture the whole of ukraine." from wherever they came, they have one destination — safety. yesterday they were

residents, today refugees. mark lowen, bbc news. are hearing some artillery rounds, but america has had more than... has so far been observed in the battle for ukraine, but russia still has to capture any highly populated areas. our defence correspondent assesses 0ur defence correspondent assesses russia's military strategy and what might come next. russia's armoured columns are still rolling, but they are also taking casualties. this day two of their unprovoked invasion of ukraine, a sovereign, democratic country. russian units have moved in from multiple directions, from the north, east and from the south. their most significant advance so far is from belarus to the capital kyiv.

russia now says it has captured the hostomel airfield or 20 miles to the north of the city, despite ukrainian efforts to retake it. russian troops have also now entered the suburbs of kyiv itself to the north of the city. they are also reported to be advancing from the east, but british military intelligence assesses russian forces have so far made limited progress and they have been meeting fierce resistance. the russian advance has been slower than expected for multiple reasons. i don't think they have used their artillery in the same way that they would and they have quite a lot of axes of advance to prioritise i also think a key part of it is they are facing very stiff ukrainian resistance, which i don't think they expected. so what is russia's final objective? it is now clear russian troops

want to see is the capital kyiv, the centre of government. but is russia's and go to take the entire country, which is bigger than france? remember, russia had around 190 troops on the border, 190,000 troops on the border, enough for an invasion, but experts question if that is enough to occupy the whole of ukraine. this river by ukraine and forms a natural barrier and russian attacks are so far focused in the east. so is their goal to take all the territory east of the river? it would certainly give russia one of its objectives, a land bridge to crimea, which it invaded in 2014. if vladimir putin's intent was to occupy the whole of ukraine with a force of 150,000, that would only conceivably work if it had the consent of the population of ukraine and it will not. a force of 150,000 is sufficient to defeat the ukrainian military pretty much wherever it is, but it is not sufficient to occupy by compulsion a country of that size with that

number of people who reject their presence. this may be a major miscalculation. this is just the evidence of ukraine's resistance outside kharkiv, its second—largest city, and just 30 miles from the russian border. if president putin really wants to conquer the entire country, as he try to bite off more than he can chew? jonathan beale, bbc news. hearing reports that there have been five blasts near the power station in kyiv, has clearly there is further assault on the capital. further updates coming up. this is bbc news. thanks for watching. hello there. today it began to feel a little more like spring is just around the corner. many places dry, some sunshine and lighter winds, but there could be a bit of a winter chill tonight in some places. further west in northern ireland, increasingly in scotland, we've seen more cloud coming in, there's even been a bit of rain in the northwest of scotland.

there is the cloud that's coming in from the atlantic. it's all wrapped around that area of low pressure shown there. those weather fronts bringing the cloud, bringing some stronger winds into the northwest of the uk, but not bringing much rain at all. we are likely to find the winds blowing that rain away from the northwest of scotland, and with those brisk winds and more cloud in scotland and northern ireland, it should milder here. england and wales, it will be colder, particularly through the midlands, lincolnshire, east anglia, the southeast, light winds, clearer skies, may start the weekend with a slight frost. here, we're closer to an area of high pressure that at the moment is blocking off that weather front, the cloud and the rain from coming in to the atlantic. now, we will still have more cloud during the day on saturday across scotland and northern ireland, probably going to be dry. some of the cloud will push into england and wales, turning the sunshine a bit hazy. bluer skies likely towards the southeast. the breeze will freshen through the day, a southerly breeze picking up across the country, but it's a mild breeze, of course. and those temperatures may be a shade higher than today,

afternoon number is typically 10—12 celsius. now, that band of rain not having moved much during the day will start to move eastwards. the weather front will bring some rain overnight into scotland and northern ireland, but it's slowing down and it's weakening as it heads towards the uk. so there won't be much rain left over by sunday. more cloud, some pockets of light rain or drizzle for northern ireland, pushing into scotland, perhaps some western parts of england and wales, but many places will be dry. sunshine towards the east and temperatures 9—10 celsius or so. the winds will ease down during sunday. they are likely to pick up again, though. for monday, this deep area of low pressure, thankfully, is going to be driving its way up towards iceland. thankfully for us, because we'll just going to get a glancing blow and the northwest of the uk. but we will see what that weather front some rain around. that should clear away from scotland and northern ireland. it gets colder with some showers. rain pushes into england and wales, could be a bit heavy over some of those western hills. dry for most of the day in the southeast with

temperatures 13 degrees.

you this is bbc news you . russian armoured vehicles have entered kyiv as authorities hand and dozens of machine—gun is to defend the city. damage in residential neighbourhoods of the capital after reports of missile strikes and an aircraft being shot down. warning shots have been fired as thousands of people continued to try to flee kyiv by train and whatever means possible. the kremlin has said it is prepared for talks and has called on the ukrainian military to put down its weapons. take power into your own hands, like that it will be easy for us to come

to an agreement than