this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. seeking solutions — nato defence ministers meet to discuss ukraine, for the first time since the russia invasion. the world is condemning this senseless war and we are united in our support to ukraine. under curfew and under attack — smoke billowing above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. twenty thousand people flee the beseiged city of mariupol — while 400 are described as "like hostages" inside a hospital, with staff and patients, trapped under russian bombardment borisjohnson is in the middle east — meeting leaders of the uae and saudi arabia — hoping to secure energy supplies amid the ukraine crisis.

and we have a special report from afghanistan, where malnutrition has become more widespread, since the takeover by the taliban last year. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the nato secretary general, jens stoltenberg, has opened a meeting of the alliance�*s defence ministers with a declaration that they are united in their support for ukraine. they've gathered in brussels to discuss their next moves. while nato has previously made clear it does not want to get directly involved in a conflict with russia,

individual allies have already been providing ukraine with weapons and the meeting will discuss what more they can do. it comes as more explosions have been heard in western areas of kyiv, where the curfew residents have been under continues , it will last until thursday morning. in southern ukraine, evacuation buses and aid trucks remain blocked from entering the besieged city of mariupol. on tuesday, hundreds of cars were able to leave the port city along a humanitarian corridor. the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has said negotiations with russia are beginning to "sound more realistic" with further talks due to take place over a video link on wednesday. mr zelensky is due to address the us congress in the coming hours. with the latest, here'sjon kay. —— mark here is tim moffat.

another morning and the aftermath of another attack on the residential apartment block in kyiv. three weeks since the russian invasion of ukraine and authorities say overnight two residential buildings were struck in the capital and two people were injured. the streets of the city are said to be deserted, a 34 the city are said to be deserted, a 3k hour curfew is currently in 3a hour curfew is currently in force. natal representatives have been arriving in brussels ahead of talks to discuss the situation. —— nato. we continue to deliver weapons into ukraine from many directions getting into the front line. this into ukraine from many directions getting into the front line.- getting into the front line. this is devastating _ getting into the front line. this is devastating for _ getting into the front line. this is devastating for ukrainian - getting into the front line. this is devastating for ukrainian people | getting into the front line. this is . devastating for ukrainian people and i will change your security environment, it will have long—lasting consequences for security for all nato allies.

long-lasting consequences for security for all nato allies. some nato military _ security for all nato allies. some nato military equipment - security for all nato allies. some nato military equipment has - security for all nato allies. some l nato military equipment has been seized according to russia. it is thought that was taken from a battlefield near kyiv. optimism has beenin battlefield near kyiv. optimism has been in short supply since the invasion, but these pictures perhaps offer some hope. negotiators from both sides are still talking. last night one ukrainian diplomat said there was room for compromise and there was room for compromise and the country's president said that although the situation remains difficult, the positions of the two sides were more realistic. this, though, is the besieged port city of mariupol, which is still being pounded. around 20,000 residents managed to leave last night, but the city's deputy mayor to sate around 400 people including doctors and patients were being held like inside the hospital. across ukraine, the clearing up continues. another day of wondering when and how this will

end. we have some breaking news from reuters news agency which is quoting the lawyer of two detained british iranians who are heading to the airport to leave iran. that is the only information we have got, so we do not know in which british that would be. we are getting that report from reuters news agency. there is an update. two british detained british iranians, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, dodge this is a moving moment, these people have been detained for some time. we are hearing that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and her... are leaving the country. this is the reuters news agency that is

reporting this. we do not have independent verification, but if thatis independent verification, but if that is true, that obviously will be a very significant development because nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has been held for nearly six years in iran and her husband has worked tirelessly to secure her release. i think we can bring you some pictures. we hope to bring you some pictures. we hope to bring you some pictures. very significant breaking news, we do need to get confirmation of this. we are hearing that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe according to their lawyer, has told the reuters news agency that they are heading to the airport in iran to leave the country. we knew that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe had been given back her uk passport, there had been negotiations, they have been going on for many years to try to secure her release and hopes were raised at

one point. she was released from prison. this was during the covid—i9 pandemic, she was able to go and stay with her parents but she was under house arrest at that point and hopes were raised at that stage that she may be released. in the event she may be released. in the event she was returned to prison, and the prime minister has said this morning that negotiations for the release of dual nationals in tehran had been going on for a long time. he said the talks continue to be under way and we are going right up to the wire. that is nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe with her daughter, she returned to this country, she was in the country with her mother when they were visiting six years ago, and she remained with her grandparents. she was returned to this country where she has been living with her father.

this country where she has been living with herfather. they this country where she has been living with her father. they have been obviously campaigning, he has been obviously campaigning, he has been campaigning for the release of his wife, for the release of the mother of their daughter. we have heard previously from their local mp, she has said in the past day that the family had been feeling more hopeful that she would return to the uk. she said she is... this was this morning she was speaking, that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was still technically on a travel ban although she had been given her passport back which led to hope she may be able to leave. mp had said that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe had been dreaming about the day she could return to the uk. she said there was a british negotiating team and iran and she said it was difficult to think why they would be there if there was not some leeway in what was happening and she said

that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's husband was feeling hopeful. she was also in touch with her and said she centred stress and nervous, but she is talking about coming home and being reunited with her husband and daughter, being at home in london, the day she has been dreaming about for six years. there was so much hope, but they had had their hopes dashed before. that was presumably temporary, they hope. we are now hearing that she has been released, according to her lawyer, to return to the united kingdom and liz truss has been speaking earlier about this. i think... has been speaking earlier about this. ithink... when has been speaking earlier about this. i think... when she was speaking earlier, she was talking about the case in the same way boris

johnson was talking about the negotiations that were under way, they were described as going right up they were described as going right up to wire. there has been this hope, this possibility but until that moment that the names were confirmed by the lawyer, there was still always concern that this may not end up with the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. there are other british iranians held in iran and one of them, we hear, according to the lawyer, is travelling with nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. she is anousheh ashouri, and they are heading to the airport now to leave the country. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has always denied the charges against her. she was jailed in 2016 after being accused of plotting against the regime. she spent the last year of her sentence under house arrest at the home of her parents. after that sentence

expired, she was sentenced to another year of detention. that was april last year on charges of spreading propaganda and that was served at her parent's house in iran. we had seen the pictures of her with her daughter, her husband, her with her daughter, her husband, he is in london and gabriella returned to the united kingdom and she has been with herfather here but she was nationally in iran with her daughter. there is a picture of the three of them when gabriella was born. gabriella is still a very young girland a born. gabriella is still a very young girl and a very long time since that family have been able to be together. pictures from the free nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe campaign, as is often the case in these situations, the family were told not to speak because of fears it could jeopardise the possession but her

husband was a very vocal campaigner on behalf of his wife, he has been on behalf of his wife, he has been on hunger strike as he has endeavoured to keep their focus on the plight of his wife, jailed for six years in iran. we are hoping to get some reaction to this breaking news as soon as we can. i can bring you more information on anousheh ashouri, a british iranians who had been held in iran on spying charges injanuary of this year. he began a hunger strike, a retired civil engineer and is approaching his 68th birthday and had been detained for four years and denies the charges against him. his daughter said he hoped the hunger strike would bring global attention to the plight of those unfairly held by iran and the foreign office had said previously that the detention of anousheh

ashouri was unjustified. we understand according to their lawyer they are heading to the airport and they are heading to the airport and they will be returning to the united kingdom. foranousheh they will be returning to the united kingdom. for anousheh ashouri, after four years in prison in iran and for nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, after six years of detention. we don't hear from the prime minister this morning talking about the negotiations going to the wire. we will keep you updated with any more developments that we can on that, and we will try to get some reaction to that breaking news which no doubt the families will obviously be extremely happy about and will be digesting because there had been so many hopes that have been dashed over the years in terms of whether there may be a release. it has now happened and we will keep you updated. the chernobyl nuclear power plant has been re—connected

to the national electricity grid and is no longer relying on back up generators for power. russian forces took control of the former plant last month — but ukrainian staff have continued to manage day—to—day operations at the site. the ministry of defence, here in the uk has published its latest intelligence about the conflict in ukraine. it says: russian forces are struggling to overcome the challenges posed by ukraine's terrain. the statement also says — the destruction of bridges by ukrainian forces, has stalled the advance of russian troops. it adds that russia has continued to fail to gain control of the air. and it concludes that the tactics of ukrainian forces have exploited russia's �*lack of manoeuvre' and inflicted heavy losses on the invading forces the bbc�*s james waterhouse is in kyiv. a short time ago i asked him what it's like in the city — since the curfew was put in place. we cannot bring you that. we will bring you an update for what is happening at nato because the nato

defence ministers are meeting to discuss what more nato can potentially do, individual countries have been providing military support to ukraine in terms of training and also weaponry. there is a discussion now about how much further they can go. there are meeting in brussels and we can hear from hearfrom our hear from our defence correspondent, jonathan beale. i think it is a continuation of what they have been doing already, what they are talking about, supplying more weapons. it is not nato that supplies the weapons, it is members of nato and not all of them who are supplying the weapons. others are supplying humanitarian aid to ukraine. we have just heard from the estonian defence minister who said their latest shipment of weapons got through to ukraine yesterday. ben wallace, the british defence secretary said the supplies are continuing from many different

directions and getting through to the front line. we know that most of those weapons, anti—tank missiles, anti—aircraft, short—range anti aircraft missiles, one of the things that has been called on from ukraine's president is a no—fly zone. that is not on the agenda. there are individuals who may think that is a good idea, the estonian defence minister thinks it should be discussed. the baltic states do not have fast aircraft which could enforce a no—fly zone. they need countries like the us, the uk to do that and it is not on the agenda because of the concern that it could bring nato or nato members into direct conflict with russia and an escalation in this war. they want to show support for ukraine, they will hear from the ukraine defence minister who is joining the conference virtually, but there is a limit

to how much nato will do. president biden has signed a spending bill that includes over $13 billion in security assistance to ukraine. mr biden said president putin's attack on ukraine had united people across the world, and in america — including both democrats and republicans in congress. mr biden will head to europe next week to take part in an emergency nato summit. our north america correspondent david willis says this amount of money is significant. it will provide nearly 14 billion dollars of humanitarian security and economic assistance for ukraine. the white house has been fairly vague about how that will break down, what that money will actually be spent on. but there are reports here in the us media that about $1 billion, just over, of that money will be spent on military assistance, in particular anti aircraft missiles. that is confirming the suspicions of

president zelenskyy and others that the next round, if you like, in this battle will be from the skies. joe biden is expected to give full details of where the $14 billion is being spent in a speech tomorrow, butjust before he does so, a joint session of congress will hear from president zelenskyy who is expected and previously has called for a no—fly zone over ukraine and for the provision of anti aircraft missiles from poland. those are two issues that the white house has nixed on the belief that it could lead to an escalation of the conflict, leading it into a world war iii. zelensky amongst members of congress and some support, i might add, for sending those polish mig fighters to help ukraine and its battle against russia. so what happens tomorrow

then, an address by president zelenskyy could lead to further pressure being put on president biden to take particular action as regards to this conflict. tens of thousands of people are continuing to leave ukraine each day, as the fighting continues. these pictures show some of the latest people to cross the borderfrom ukraine into poland. there are, however, reports that many thousands of civilians remain trapped in ukraine, unable to leave their homes, as fighting continues around them. many people have also crossed ukraine's border with moldova — where officials say the country is struggling to cope with the huge number of arrivals. kirill prihoko has set up a refugee centre in the capital chisinau. and was also a refugee himself. we can talk to him now. thank you so much forjoining us. can you tell us about, i think we may have lost can you hear me? no, we can see him

about the line has frozen. he is a refugee himself and he has now gone to moldova, he left with his mother and her sister, they had to leave the father behind. they have gone to moldova and he has set up a refugee centre. he was previously in ukraine running a group to counter russian misinformation. we hope to speak to him soon. an information war has... russian groups are using this information. he is director of the nato strategic communications centre of excellence in riga. thank you forjoining us. tell us

more about what is happening. first and foremost _ more about what is happening. first and foremost our— more about what is happening. f "st and foremost our observation is rush out this time around lost the information war in the west and is now clinging onto the russian speaking population where the majority of the battle is being fought. clearly they are still now, after three weeks of invasion, trying to put up a rival strategy to shift the narrative in the audience in the west, but they are not succeeding. they are still quite successful in the russian speaking environment. successful in the russian speaking environment-— successful in the russian speaking environment. ~ . , , ., ., environment. what is being done for audiences in — environment. what is being done for audiences in the _ environment. what is being done for audiences in the west _ environment. what is being done for audiences in the west and _ environment. what is being done for audiences in the west and how- environment. what is being done for audiences in the west and how is - environment. what is being done for audiences in the west and how is it i audiences in the west and how is it being stopped? audiences in the west and how is it being stepped?— audiences in the west and how is it bein: sto ed? ., , being stopped? there have been three ke factors, being stopped? there have been three key factors. four. _ being stopped? there have been three key factors, four, actually. _ being stopped? there have been three key factors, four, actually. this - being stopped? there have been three key factors, four, actually. this is - key factors, four, actually. this is the war that we have seen unfold live on social media and that has been brought to us by the people of ukraine showing the suffering they

are going through, the tragedy, very personal individual human perspective, that has been a large factor in that. the second factor, we strongly believe that russian disinformation led by the kremlin were not aware of the decision of president putin to go ahead with the full scale therefore not prepared, and a successful us strategic campaign in the run—up to the invasion which took out a lot of the russian propaganda options and ultimately, social media companies have done quite a good job in trying to rise to the occasion and prevent this information spreading. still, it is possible, but not to the extent we saw in 2014. we it is possible, but not to the extent we saw in 2014. we do hear

from peeple _ extent we saw in 2014. we do hear from peeple in _ extent we saw in 2014. we do hear from people in ukraine _ extent we saw in 2014. we do hear from people in ukraine who - extent we saw in 2014. we do hear from people in ukraine who have l from people in ukraine who have relatives, loved ones in russia who say that they have effectively fallen out in some situations because the people in russia did not believe what they are being told is happening in ukraine because the disinformation has been so effective. how much is getting through, though? we saw the journalist on russian television holding up the banner saying no war, you are being lied to, and there have been a number of hacking attempts to get information through to russians. this attempts to get information through to russians. , , ~ . ,�* to russians. this is the achilles' heel of president _ to russians. this is the achilles' heel of president putin - to russians. this is the achilles' heel of president putin in - to russians. this is the achilles' heel of president putin in this i heel of president putin in this operation, he has told russian people something that does not exist, no big casualties, no atrocities, no civilians are being killed which is the opposite. when you watch russian tv, it is war

propaganda that we see. that is a vulnerability. part of the population are hypnotised by the kremlin tv but at some point, what this time is coming when the tv will be won over. i would argue there is a large population that is within the kremlin narrative, but there is an increasing number of people, especially in moscow, st petersburg and other areas that are clearly seeing the war for what it is. is ongoing but it could take a long time. ., ' . , ., ongoing but it could take a long time. ., '. , ., time. how difficult is that process? if --eole time. how difficult is that process? if peeple are _ time. how difficult is that process? if people are absolutely _ time. how difficult is that process? if people are absolutely believing l if people are absolutely believing what they are hearing from the state, even when they see something that shows a different narrative, they will not believe that? it is

psychological _ they will not believe that? it is psychological state _ they will not believe that? it 3 psychological state where people block the information, theyjust don't want to believe it, it is too painful. i think that is happening to a lot of the russian audience. what is going to get them to change their mind, it is the reality of the war coming back, stories of the russian soldiers which are by no means in a position by russian commanders to survive in this war, and their stories, sanctions will be biting, and increasingly, the more people are ready to call the war the war, the more the tide changes. can it happen quickly? it is hard to tell right now. there is very little credible data from russia emerging, but i think it is still quite that president putin is going to lose at some point. president putin is going to lose at some point-— some point. thank you very much for “oininu us.

more now on the release of two british—iranian nationals, who have been detained in iran for several years on allegations of spying. tulip siddique is the member of parliament representing nazanin zagari—ratcliffe — and she has just tweeted this confirmation...'nazanin is at the airport in tehran and on her way home.�* there is the tweet, she is at the airport, she is on her way home, i came into politics to make a difference and right now i'm feeling like i have. she has worked extremely hard to secure the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe along side her husband, he is in london with their daughter, gabriella, and they will no doubt be absolutely jubilant at the news that after six years of detention, nazanin

zaghari—ratcliffe is coming home. there have been moments where there was hope raise that she may be released, but in the event, she was sentenced to two separate periods of detention, some of that detention time she spent in prison, other she spent in the home of her parents. she was not able to leave and yesterday we heard that she had her british passport returned to her which had raised hopes that she would be freed, but when the news came, just in the past half hour or so, it was quite a moment because it had not been anticipated that it would happenjust like had not been anticipated that it would happen just like that, had not been anticipated that it would happenjust like that, that had not been anticipated that it would happen just like that, that we would happen just like that, that we would get the news, not only is she free to go, she is already on her way to the airport and we are now hearing from her mp she is at the airport in tehran and she is on her way home. it is important to also

say that travelling with her is a fellow detainee to two, and that is anousheh ashouri, he is 68 years old, he had been held in iran for four years himself. his family, are, his... some members of his family and they had spoken, his daughter in particular had spoken after he went on hunger strike injanuary of this year, to say that he was doing that because he hoped the protest would bring global attention to the plight of those unfairly help by iran. he is a retired civil engineer and had been detained forfour is a retired civil engineer and had been detained for four years. he denied the charges against him and the foreign office had said that the continued all detention of anousheh ashouri i iran was wholly

unjustified. those two are now at the airport in tehran and they will no doubt be a welcome party in the uk when they return. anousheh ashouri and nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. we will bring you more on that as we can. many people have also cross ukraine's border with moldova — where officials say the country is struggling to cope with the huge number of arrivals. kirill prihoko has set up a refugee centre in the capital. thank you forjoining us. tell us about yourjourney from thank you forjoining us. tell us about your journey from a refugee thank you forjoining us. tell us about yourjourney from a refugee to running a refugee camp. i about yourjourney from a refugee to running a refugee camp.— running a refugee camp. i hope you

can hear me- _ running a refugee camp. i hope you can hear me. at _ running a refugee camp. i hope you can hear me. at first, _ running a refugee camp. i hope you can hear me. at first, i _ running a refugee camp. i hope you can hear me. at first, i would - running a refugee camp. i hope you can hear me. at first, i would like l can hear me. at first, i would like to say that it was not established by me personally but a huge ukrainian community, in national congress of ukrainians who are in charge here in moldova supporting ukrainian women and children who were forced to leave their houses and come here in moldova and search for shelter, food and safety. about the trip which i had from ukraine to hear, have you ever imagined waking up hear, have you ever imagined waking up at five o'clock in the morning because your city is being bombarded? if that happened to me in kyiv, i days and nights with people in a basement under constant air strikes and ballistic missiles. there is no explanation for the russian war crimes over ukraine to be honest. we were driving 30 hours

to the west of ukraine to save my family, no food and water, that is how we went to moldova through the border, the queues, and we made it finally. cooler along east facing coast. —— coasts. hi he describes so clearly fi he describes so clearly what you hi he describes so clearly what you have been through _ hi he describes so clearly what you have been through and _ hi he describes so clearly what you have been through and the - hi he describes so clearly what you i have been through and the emotions, we cannot imagine. you are there, with many others, who cannot understand exactly what you have been going through. what has it been like being part of that community there now?— like being part of that community there now? �* . ., , ., ., ., there now? actually, the emotional state here of _ there now? actually, the emotional state here of the _ there now? actually, the emotional state here of the people _ there now? actually, the emotional state here of the people who - there now? actually, the emotional state here of the people who camel state here of the people who came from ukraine to moldova is quite high —— hard to express, and to explain the very exhausted state of people with what is happening in ukraine because they lost their houses and homes, but we all as

ukrainians, we are confident for our army, but the world will end up that ukraine will be a sovereign state, and they have to be, for the rest of the world. pare and they have to be, for the rest of the world. �* , ., and they have to be, for the rest of the world. �* ,, ., ., ~' and they have to be, for the rest of the world. �* i. ., , the world. are you looking any further beyond _ the world. are you looking any further beyond each _ the world. are you looking any further beyond each day - the world. are you looking any further beyond each day as - the world. are you looking any further beyond each day as it | the world. are you looking any - further beyond each day as it comes at the moment?— further beyond each day as it comes at the moment? could you repeat once aaain at the moment? could you repeat once again please? — at the moment? could you repeat once again please? are _ at the moment? could you repeat once again please? are you _ at the moment? could you repeat once again please? are you looking - at the moment? could you repeat once again please? are you looking any - again please? are you looking any further than _ again please? are you looking any further than each _ again please? are you looking any further than each day _ again please? are you looking any further than each day as _ again please? are you looking any further than each day as it - again please? are you looking any further than each day as it comes| again please? are you looking any i further than each day as it comes at the moment? we further than each day as it comes at the moment?— further than each day as it comes at the moment? we are not looking any further, the moment? we are not looking any further. for — the moment? we are not looking any further, for now. _ the moment? we are not looking any further, for now. there _ the moment? we are not looking any further, for now. there is— the moment? we are not looking any further, for now. there is no - further, for now. there is no strategic planning, i guess, the only thing which we are trying to do is that we are trying to cope, with the refugee flows, and personally we have no further going plans. there is obviously _ have no further going plans. there is obviously a _ have no further going plans. there is obviously a little _ have no further going plans. there is obviously a little girl _ have no further going plans. there is obviously a little girl running - is obviously a little girl running around behind you. what is the

programme there? how do you keep the spirits of a child like that kept up in the way that it seems to be for now at least?— in the way that it seems to be for now at least? ., , ., , ~ ., ., now at least? you see many ukrainian women and — now at least? you see many ukrainian women and children _ now at least? you see many ukrainian women and children who _ now at least? you see many ukrainian women and children who are - now at least? you see many ukrainian women and children who are refugees| women and children who are refugees basically behind me because i am in a refugee centre here, in chisinau, and we are trying to provide them with food and basic medicine supplies, and i wouldn't say that they have an actual programme for they have an actual programme for the current moment here. we try to have some of the support from international organisations, as well as in mould of the government participates in that process, so also —— in moldova. the people who

come here to moldova are not staying here for a long time, they come here and they try to help them with legal registration here, but most of the people they stay here for an average three days, then they go to other european countries to find their homes in other european countries. thank you very much indeed for joining us from the refugee camp in moldova. ., ~ joining us from the refugee camp in moldova. ., ,, , ., ., joining us from the refugee camp in moldova._ let's . joining us from the refugee camp in moldova._ let's go j moldova. thank you, dear. let's go back to the — moldova. thank you, dear. let's go back to the release _ moldova. thank you, dear. let's go back to the release of _ moldova. thank you, dear. let's go back to the release of nazanin - back to the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anousheh ashouri, both british nationals who had been held in iran, six years for nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, and four years for anousheh ashouri, and we are hearing that they are at the airport and coming home. this is

such a moment, isn't it? we can talk now to our reporter. it is such a moment, isn't it? we can talk now to our reporter.— now to our reporter. it is a big day for both of— now to our reporter. it is a big day for both of them _ now to our reporter. it is a big day for both of them and _ now to our reporter. it is a big day for both of them and for— now to our reporter. it is a big day for both of them and for their - for both of them and for their families. for nazanin it is six years she has been separated, i remember meeting richard ratcliffe and didn't realise how long she would be in prison but it has been such a huge strain for the family which is not that surprising. gabriella, at the time, still in iran, the family was keeping her there because those visits with her daughter was what was keeping nazanin going at that time, and so in skype calls with her father she had forgotten to speak english and she had not changed anything hoping that nazanin would come home and find everything the same way, but after all these years she is free, and herfamily after all these years she is free, and her family who after all these years she is free, and herfamily who has been campaigning for so long can finally be reunited should this go through. is it clear what has made the

breakthrough? it is it clear what has made the breakthrough?— breakthrough? it isn't. dual nationals — breakthrough? it isn't. dual nationals have _ breakthrough? it isn't. dual nationals have often - breakthrough? it isn't. dual nationals have often been l breakthrough? it isn't. dual- nationals have often been detained in iran for political gain and in this case it was connected to a £400 million debt related to 1500 tanks that had been sold. the 1970s was a very tricky time for iran, the islamic revolution had happened and so the uk had refused to pay that debt and that i have been held up as a reason to use these dual nationals as some sort of leveraged to get that money, and it should be clear that money, and it should be clear that that money had been owed to the iranians by an international court, so you could speculate and argue that perhaps that has been resolved somehow. as far as what the government has said, they have denied those two things are related and have said that these negotiations have been going right up negotiations have been going right up to the wire. negotiations have been going right up to the wire-— negotiations have been going right up to the wire. thank you, i'm glad to sa we up to the wire. thank you, i'm glad to say we can _ up to the wire. thank you, i'm glad to say we can talk _ up to the wire. thank you, i'm glad to say we can talk to _ up to the wire. thank you, i'm glad to say we can talk to rebecca - to say we can talk to rebecca ratcliffe, the sister—in—law of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. how are

you feeling? it is nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe. how are you feeling?— you feeling? it is quite an emotional— you feeling? it is quite an emotional day, _ you feeling? it is quite an emotional day, today. - you feeling? it is quite an emotional day, today. it i you feeling? it is quite an - emotional day, today. it feels like on the home run now. but until she leaves that airport, we can't quite believe it. really positive developments. we found out about one hour ago that nazanin had been picked up and taken to the airport with herfamily, with her parents. so she still actually under iranian control in the airport so she is still not free but it definitely feels like she is about to be. when ou found feels like she is about to be. when you found out _ feels like she is about to be. when you found out about _ feels like she is about to be. when you found out about one _ feels like she is about to be. when you found out about one hour- feels like she is about to be. when you found out about one hour ago, how did you find out? was that the first moment that you knew that she was going to the airport, that she was going to the airport, that she was on her way? mr; was going to the airport, that she was on her way?— was going to the airport, that she was on her way? was going to the airport, that she was on herwa ? g , ., ., was on her way? my brother tweeted a messare was on her way? my brother tweeted a message this — was on her way? my brother tweeted a message this morning _ was on her way? my brother tweeted a message this morning that _ was on her way? my brother tweeted a message this morning that things - message this morning that things look like they were moving and in fact they had been messaged to hear

that she had been picked up and taken to the airport so we knew that things were moving quite quickly. we thought that she would be on a flight by now because the government were going to have a press conference but it hasn't yet happened so there seems to be some delaying tactics again by the iranians. whether that is just a little bit of game playing before she catches a flight i don't know, but fingers crossed.— she catches a flight i don't know, but fingers crossed. when you say ress but fingers crossed. when you say press conference, _ but fingers crossed. when you say press conference, would - but fingers crossed. when you say press conference, would you - but fingers crossed. when you say i press conference, would you expect nazanin to speak at that? that press conference, would you expect nazanin to speak at that?— nazanin to speak at that? that was the government, _ nazanin to speak at that? that was the government, not _ nazanin to speak at that? that was the government, not richard - nazanin to speak at that? that was the government, not richard and i the government, not richard and nazanin, the government were going to put out some kind of information that had been hinted at in the media but richard is not doing a press conference today.— but richard is not doing a press conference today. but richard is not doing a press conference toda . . , ., , ., conference today. have you spoken to richard? you — conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said _ conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said that _ conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said that you _ conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said that you have - conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said that you have had i richard? you said that you have had messages. i richard? you said that you have had messares. , ., , , messages. i spoke to him briefly, but i messages. i spoke to him briefly, but i haven't _ messages. i spoke to him briefly, but i haven't heard _ messages. i spoke to him briefly, but i haven't heard from - messages. i spoke to him briefly, but i haven't heard from him - messages. i spoke to him briefly, i but i haven't heard from him since. he is calm and cautious like he always is. we have been close before

and it hasn't worked out, so unfortunately for us and our family until she gets on a flight and touches down in london, we cannot quite believe it. we are all a bit on edge and hopeful that this is the start of the end. haifa on edge and hopeful that this is the start of the end.— start of the end. how much has he been in the _ start of the end. how much has he been in the picture _ start of the end. how much has he been in the picture was _ start of the end. how much has he been in the picture was matter- start of the end. how much has he| been in the picture was matter you said he had to leave the conversation to speak to the foreign office, how open have they been with him about what is going on? it has been, him about what is going on? it has been. when _ him about what is going on? it has been, when there _ him about what is going on? it has been, when there are _ him about what is going on? ht u—.3 been, when there are developments in ourfavour been, when there are developments in our favour they are relatively open but they are not open about negotiations behind the scenes in what is happening with negotiations, but he found out that nazanin was being picked up and taken to the airport, so i don't know how much this is coming from the foreign office over nazanin herself, just telling us the time that it happened. telling us the time that it happened-— telling us the time that it happened. telling us the time that it hauened. , ., ., ., happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite — happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite nervous. _ happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite nervous. she - happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite nervous. she is - happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite nervous. she is still. happened. did he say how nazanin was? quite nervous. she is still in| was? quite nervous. she is still in the control— was? quite nervous. she is still in the control of _ was? quite nervous. she is still in the control of the _ was? quite nervous. she is still in the control of the iranians - was? quite nervous. she is still in the control of the iranians at - was? quite nervous. she is still in the control of the iranians at the l the control of the iranians at the moment, in a holding room at the airport. they are not allowed to

speak to each other. she had to do some kind of report to iranian tv. she didn't tell richard what she said. we think that will come out if she does get on the flight. i think that was quite traumatic for her. she doesn't enjoy doing that. so the stakes are still high at the moment for her, so she is still on edge. when she comes there will no doubt be quite a welcoming party. i suspect when she touches down it will be a brilliant party. this is a moment for richard and nazanin and not really anybody else. it will just be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebration if she does come home. will you hope to see her? you celebration if she does come home. will you hope to see her?— will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! _ will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! it— will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! it has _ will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! it has been - will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! it has been such . will you hope to see her? you try and stop me! it has been such an| and stop me! it has been such an incredibly tough _ and stop me! it has been such an incredibly tough time _ and stop me! it has been such an incredibly tough time for- and stop me! it has been such an incredibly tough time for your - incredibly tough time for your family and also for the family of

anousheh ashouri, and initially the message from the foreign office to the family was, don't really speak about this because they do so may jeopardise things but then richard did speak very openly, and has been such an active campaigner on behalf of his wife. how do you feel about how your brother has handled all of this? he how your brother has handled all of this? ., , how your brother has handled all of this? . , ., ._ , ., how your brother has handled all of this? ., ., ._ , ., i. this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from _ this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from it, _ this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from it, he _ this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from it, he has - this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from it, he has to - this? he has always felt that, you can't hide from it, he has to be i can't hide from it, he has to be vocal about it. the power of the campaign, the power of being transparent will help get nazanin home, and let her know that she is loved and missed and that we are fighting for her, and once you make that decision, he has been a tower of strength and has not departed from that at all, and i have had so many knock backs over the past six years as you are well aware, but we have kept together as a family. nazanin and gabriella, getting them reunited, that is the goal that has

kept on pushing on against all of this adversity and it looks like it is paying off, which is amazing. [30 is paying off, which is amazing. do ou is paying off, which is amazing. do you know what made the final breakthrough? brute you know what made the final breakthrough?— you know what made the final breakthrough? we know that the negotiation _ breakthrough? we know that the negotiation team _ breakthrough? we know that the negotiation team went _ breakthrough? we know that the negotiation team went over - breakthrough? we know that the negotiation team went over to i breakthrough? we know that the i negotiation team went over to iran, the iranians mediator had put out tweets that the historical debt had been paid against these iran tanks that we have owned for many years now. we have had concerns with government, we don't know if that is true or not, they have put that message out before in the past and it wasn't true at the time so whether that has happened, it probably will, she will probably not be released without it happening, so we will see. in be released without it happening, so we will see. , ., we will see. in terms of them caettin we will see. in terms of them getting back _ we will see. in terms of them getting back together - we will see. in terms of them getting back together again l we will see. in terms of them | getting back together again as we will see. in terms of them i getting back together again as a family, after such a long period of time with nazanin being on the environment that she has been in, they are probably going to have quite the journey ahead of them just to lead a normal life. yes quite the journey ahead of them 'ust to lead a normal [wei to lead a normal life. yes because not only has _

to lead a normal life. yes because not only has there _ to lead a normal life. yes because not only has there been _ to lead a normal life. yes because not only has there been lots - to lead a normal life. yes because not only has there been lots of i not only has there been lots of trauma on both sides but particularly on nazanin's site, they have been separated for six years and have different experiences, and you talk to other hostages, it is incredibly traumatic, the process of healing, and relationships struggle, but there is a whole family there, looking out for them. there are lots of houses the family can escape to, they can come to be in wales here or elsewhere with other family members, so it is not going to be an easy journey by any stretch of the imagination but we are there to support them. imagination but we are there to support them-— imagination but we are there to support them. what has been the im act on support them. what has been the impact on the _ support them. what has been the impact on the wider _ support them. what has been the impact on the wider family? - support them. what has been the impact on the wider family? you i support them. what has been the i impact on the wider family? you can speakfor yourself and impact on the wider family? you can speak for yourself and perhaps others, and we think of the parents of nazanin, who have been there. she has had to stay with them under house arrest, and they have seen what has happened to their daughter and granddaughter close—up. filth. and granddaughter close-up. 0h, eah. the and granddaughter close—up. oi, yeah. the british and granddaughter close—up. “i, yeah. the british media see our family back it is nothing to what

nazanin's parents have been under for the last six years watching their girl being put to prison, separated from their granddaughter, so for the first couple of years they had to bring her up, she was only under two years old and they had to take care of that parenting role, so it has been hard for them in particular and now with the loss of nazanin following the loss of gabriella, it will be traumatic for them, as well. for richard, obviously, it has been a hell of a strain. for us it has been a strain from time to time but we can still get on with our lives. the real problem and trauma has been for richard, nazanin and gabriella. you have seen him _ richard, nazanin and gabriella. you have seen him going through the hunger strike. that must have been quite concerning. filth. hunger strike. that must have been quite concerning.— quite concerning. oh, yeah. it is uuite quite concerning. oh, yeah. it is quite tricky. _ quite concerning. oh, yeah. it is quite tricky, watching _ quite concerning. oh, yeah. it is quite tricky, watching your - quite concerning. oh, yeah. it is l quite tricky, watching your brother starve himself to death. especially in the winter when it is quite cold.

but at the same time you get a lot of support. when something like this happens to yourfamily of support. when something like this happens to your family it is so traumatic but the love, the outpouring of love from people you have never met before is really empowering, if you like, in the process and we found out that with the hunger strike, and numerous events over the last six years, there has been so much love sent to nazanin through us, so as difficult as those events have been watching richard suffer, there has been a lot of support as well. you richard suffer, there has been a lot of support as well.— of support as well. you say when something _ of support as well. you say when something like _ of support as well. you say when something like this _ of support as well. you say when something like this happens - of support as well. you say when something like this happens to i of support as well. you say when i something like this happens to your family, you're obviously a normal and something like this happens that has caused such an enormous rupture and put your family at the centre of international, an international dynamic that you may not have considered before. what has it been like to be caught up in all of that?

you have become experts in things you had probably not thought much about previously. irate you had probably not thought much about previously.— about previously. we were not particularly — about previously. we were not particularly interested - about previously. we were not particularly interested in - about previously. we were not particularly interested in geo i particularly interested in geo international politics like we had been before, it is surreal but you just have to look in the moment. for the first 18 months we struggled to get publicity. we had the occasional bit in the press, local media, then borisjohnson became home secretary and he said things that got picked up and he said things that got picked up by the iranians and were used against nazanin, and all of a sudden we were headline news. for the last four and a half years, we have kind of got a bit more used to it. it will be nice to get back to being an unknown family again, to be honest. do you know what richard will be looking for —— forward to most? i think you mentioned, just being able to walk, to go on a normal walk with his wife and child, as a family. it

will be those things we take for granted, a cup of tea, quick cuddle, going for a walk, watching a plane with gabriella. she will want to tidy up the flat a little bit and put some motherly touches there! i think just put some motherly touches there! i thinkjust looking forward to having his family whole again. and all of those family birthday parties, christmas is, that have been missed out on and family holidays which they have not been able to enjoy for they have not been able to enjoy for the last six years. they have not been able to en'oy for the last six yearsfi the last six years. gabriella, we the last six years. gabriella, we t to the last six years. gabriella, we try to shield _ the last six years. gabriella, we try to shield children _ the last six years. gabriella, we try to shield children from - the last six years. gabriella, we| try to shield children from things but she cannot have been shielded because she was there when her mother was taken. i doubt there had conversations have been handled around it but she is aware that she came back here, and her mother was there. it is going to be extraordinary for her to have her back together. —— iar extraordinary for her to have her back together. --_ extraordinary for her to have her back together. -- for gabriella, the bi est back together. -- for gabriella, the biggest change _ back together. -- for gabriella, the biggest change of _ back together. -- for gabriella, the biggest change of all _

back together. -- for gabriella, the biggest change of all because - back together. -- for gabriella, the biggest change of all because she i biggest change of all because she has not been used to having to smack parents together in her living memory. she was two when they were separated. she is used to money being in iran, and daddy being in london and she quite likes being the boss of that flat and there are going to be some changes coming when the —— when nazanin comes back home. so there will be adjustments. it is not going to be a walk in the park. but i'm sure that her parents will enjoy those changes. it but i'm sure that her parents will enjoy those changes.— but i'm sure that her parents will enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy — enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to _ enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to speak _ enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to speak to _ enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to speak to you - enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to speak to you on - enjoy those changes. it has been an absolute joy to speak to you on this| absolute joy to speak to you on this day which means so much for your family, but we have all watched what has happened, and i think other people have had you in their hearts, so it is great news to hear that she is coming home. thank you for joining us, we wish you all the best with the family reunion at the weekend. ., ~ with the family reunion at the weekend. ., ,, , ., , with the family reunion at the weekend. ., «i , ., , . with the family reunion at the weekend. ., ., ,, , . ., «i weekend. thank you very much, take care. we weekend. thank you very much, take care- we can — weekend. thank you very much, take care. we can bring _ weekend. thank you very much, take care. we can bring in _ weekend. thank you very much, take care. we can bring in our— weekend. thank you very much, take

care. we can bring in our reporter, i care. we can bring in our reporter, two people. _ care. we can bring in our reporter, two people, nazanin _ two people, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anousheh ashouri, who have been caught up in this international situation at the heart of this, but ordinary people, coming home to their ordinary families. ., , , ., «i ., , families. you speak to her, there is so much careful— families. you speak to her, there is so much careful optimism. - families. you speak to her, there is so much careful optimism. they i families. you speak to her, there is| so much careful optimism. they are not celebrating yet because partly for the past few years that have been so many stops and starts. last summer the iranian media was reporting that debt had been paid, it had been agreed, the contract, so they could move forward with the release, and that didn't happen. so we have never got this far before. yesterday, nazanin's passport was given back, we reported that and today we hear that she is at the airport, but you can imagine how difficult it must be for nazanin, he was held at the airport when she first arrived six years ago. so it is so difficult to know whether this is so difficult to know whether this is going to go through, but it feels like this is the closest the family

and nazanin have got, so far. == and nazanin have got, so far. -- thank you _ and nazanin have got, so far. —— thank you very much, we will keep you updated if we get any more news. actually i am just hearing an update. press tv, iranian tv, are saying that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anousheh ashouri are leaving turlan. so that sounds like they are on the plane —— leaving. it sounds potentially like they are on a flight that has taken off, but we can't confirm that at this point. that is iranian tv reporting. hearing from nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's sister in law saying that there had been an expectation of an iranian news conference before they left the airport, that hasn't happened, she also said that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe had been made to record something for iranian television and the family don't know exactly what it was that she had to

say in that, but that will be presumably broadcast later. so, various things are expected, but according to iranian television, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is leaving tehran. we will continue to monitor developments and keep you updated. russian forces are continuing their assault on the southern port of mariupol from the east and the west. soldiers have occupied the main hospital, where hundreds of medical staff members and patients remain trapped in the basement. the deputy mayor claims 400 people are being held "like hostages" 20,000 people managed to leave on tuesday in convoys involving hundreds of cars, but tens of thousands remain. buses and aid trucks have been waiting to get into mariupol to begin a bigger evacuation, but are being blocked by russian forces. let's talk now to mattia nelles — a political analyst recently working in eastern ukraine but, since the war, now based in germany, he has been tweeting on this topic.

thank you forjoining us. can you give us your perspective then, please? give us your perspective then, lease? , ., ., please? the situation in mariupol remains extremely _ please? the situation in mariupol remains extremely grim, - please? the situation in mariupol remains extremely grim, dark, i please? the situation in mariupol| remains extremely grim, dark, we have people, corpses lying on the streets, emergency forces cannot pick them up because of heavy shelling. we have the situation of the largest hospital where 400 staff and patients are held hostage as you describe and this is effectively a symbol for the russian war of annihilation and aggression against ukraine. it is one of those was like in syria, where we see the war crimes being committed live on air, we can follow them. it is extremely worrying and disturbing. haifa we can follow them. it is extremely worrying and disturbing.— worrying and disturbing. how are thins in worrying and disturbing. how are things in the _ worrying and disturbing. how are things in the occupied _ worrying and disturbing. how are things in the occupied areas? - worrying and disturbing. how are l things in the occupied areas? what is actually happening? obviously the russians are in control, but how is life being conducted their? it

depends where exactly in the occupied territories. if you look at the south which i care about as well, you can see in zapo reader, and in kherson, —— in zaporizha, you see the mayor of some cities been detained, some priests being detained, so you see the russian regime of oppression slowly starting and i'm worried that the civil by the local population is met with oppression by the occupying russian forces. irate met with oppression by the occupying russian forces.— russian forces. we have seen extraordinary _ russian forces. we have seen extraordinary videos - russian forces. we have seen extraordinary videos of - russian forces. we have seen - extraordinary videos of ukrainians walking right up to lines of russian soldiers and telling them to go away. soldiers and telling them to go awa . ~ , ,., y y soldiers and telling them to go away. absolutely. every day, you can see on tiktok. _ away. absolutely. every day, you can see on tiktok, telegram, _ away. absolutely. every day, you can see on tiktok, telegram, facebook, | see on tiktok, telegram, facebook,

twitter, these amazing, inspiring videos of peaceful ukrainian citizens from the south, east and elsewhere, resisting the occupation. we see whole villages coming out to block military columns of russian armed forces, so it is inspiring to see the bravery of the ukrainian population in the face of this russian aggression. mattia nelis, political analyst, formerly in ukraine but now based in germany, thank you. going back to developments on the two british nationals who have been released from custody in iran. irate nationals who have been released from custody in iran.— from custody in iran. we are 'ust heafina from custody in iran. we are 'ust hearing thatfi from custody in iran. we are 'ust hearing that nazanin * hearing that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has now been handed over to the uk government. that is on iranian state television. that is on iranian state television. that hopefully is the final confirmation for the family, that they need no longer continue with they need no longer continue with the nervousness they have felt, that this is the moment she is coming

home, because they have had hopes over the six years that she has been detained, that she may be able and allowed to be returned home and those hopes have previously been dashed, so this morning we have been watching unfold those steps to her release, we had the news that she along with anousheh ashouri, a retired civil engineer who had been held in iran forfour years, they are both on their way to the airport in tehran. i spoke to the sister—in—law of as any zaghari—ratcliffe who described the process and said that she had found her husband richard radcliffe to say that she was on her way to the airport and that she was, she was travelling with her parents but she was still basically under the guard of the iranian authorities and, once at the airport, she was unable to then remain with her parents but she remained in the custody of the iranians, and we now hear that she has been handed over to the uk

government. you're watching bbc news. hello, for friday and the weekend, plenty of fine weather around with lots of sunshine. we are not there yet. we have a weather system today and in fact another one coming in tomorrow with some rain. gone from northern ireland. slowly clearing from scotland today, but for wales and england that rain spreading east as a day goes on. it is two where the system is combining to give the rain today. it looks wet this afternoon into the evening in eastern england with some quite heavy persistent rain. gone from northern ireland this morning, some fine weather to come, just a chance of a shower. sunny spells developing in western scotland in the afternoon. rain clearing from eastern scotland, cloud lingering for much of the day. brightening up slowly through wales and western

england as the rain clears, with central and eastern england seeing cloud and outbreaks of rain and some heavier bursts across east anglia and south—east england. highs of around 14 celsius. a wet evening here, the rain slowly clearing. clearer skies elsewhere will allow temperatures to dip and there will be a widespread, if slight frost going into tomorrow morning. you may have to scrape the ice off the cars in places. tomorrow, we have another weather system moving in targeting mostly the northern half of the uk. it will move quite quickly into northern ireland. rain turning increasingly showery, as it pushes its way slowly eastwards, and a wintry nature to this over the hills of scotland, so a bit of sleet and snow for the hills as that moves in. into northern ireland, there will be few bands of rain moving in. behind it, brightening up into the afternoon with sunny spells. showery rain moving across scotland into parts of northern england, north wales and the north midlands whereas across the east

and south—east of england it will be dry with sunny spells, and temperatures again around 13 celsius in england, 10—12 in scotland and northern ireland. some fog for wales and england to start friday with a slight frost. plenty of sunshine to come. showers in the northern and western isles, and initially for wales and england in the sunshine, temperatures heading upwards, the warmth becoming more widespread over the weekend, nights still fairly chilly, plenty of sunshine out there, and increasingly stiff easterly wind making it feel cooler along east facing coasts.

this is bbc news. i'm kasia madera. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our main stories... nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian woman detained in iran nearly six years ago, has been released and is expected to be heading back to the uk soon. she is still actually under iranian control in the airports so she is still not free, but it definitely feels like she is about to be. another british iranian, anousheh ashouri, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran bound for the uk. seeking solutions — nato defence ministers meet to discuss ukraine for the first time since the russia invasion.

the world is condemning this senseless war, and we are united in our support to ukraine. under curfew and under attack — smoke billowing above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. welcome. the british iranian woman nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe — is about to leave iran, where she has been detained since 2016. iran state tv has just said she has been handed over to the uk government. she is accompanied by another british—iranian, anousheh ashouri. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in 2016 and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government, a charge that she's always denied.

tulip siddique is the uk member of parliament representing nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and she has just tweeted this confirmation. we will be hoping to speak to the mp within this hour, but first of all let stark to a reporter who has been covering this, azadeh moshari. this is a huge relief, a big moment in a story that has been going on for years. there was a little bit of optimism when mrs zaghari—ratcliffe got her passport back, and now this. that's right, today is a huge day for nazanin and of course anousheh ashouri and their families of course, but they are cautiously optimistic right now. they are trying not to get their hopes too high even though this is the closest

they have been, simply because they have been so many stops and starts throughout the last year's. nazanin has been imprisoned for nearly six years, anousheh four four, has been imprisoned for nearly six years, anousheh fourfour, and last, iranians day tv was reporting they were getting close to getting a deal on these dual nationals. so while this is the closest we have ever been, as you said nazanin has her passport back, both of them are reportedly at the airport, it is one the families will not want to celebrate until their family members are back home. we celebrate until their family members are back home.— are back home. we have this line from iranians _ are back home. we have this line from iranians television - are back home. we have this line from iranians television that - from iranians television that nazanin has been handed over to the uk government. what do we read into that? it uk government. what do we read into that? , ., , uk government. what do we read into that? ,., , , uk government. what do we read into that? , , that? it sounds extremely positive, the idea they _ that? it sounds extremely positive, the idea they have _ that? it sounds extremely positive, the idea they have been _ that? it sounds extremely positive, the idea they have been released i that? it sounds extremely positive, l the idea they have been released and iran are saying that suggests they are on their way home but it is a tricky one, especially when it comes to two people who have essentially been used as political pawns in relations between the uk and iran. and as far as we know, that could mean that a deal has been struck,

whether that is to do with the historic debt the uk owes iran, £400 million for 1500 tanks that it got before the revolution in the 1970s and refused to pay. or whether another agreement, another way of paying the debt has been agreed. it is hard to know what it is one of the most positive signs we have had in years. the most positive signs we have had in ears. ., ., the most positive signs we have had in ears. ., «i i. ., the most positive signs we have had in ears. ., «i ., ., in years. thank you, also important to stress the _ in years. thank you, also important to stress the british _ in years. thank you, also important to stress the british government i to stress the british government saying the two issues in terms of that order should not be linked. thank you for the time being. my colleaguejoanna spoke to rebecca ratcliffe, the sister—in—law of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, as the news broke. it's quite an emotional day today, it feels like we are in the home run now, but until she leaves the airport i can't quite believe it. but really positive developments. we

found out about an hour ago nazanin had been picked up and taken to the airport with herfamily, her parents. her parents weren't allowed to come in the room with her, so she is still under iranians control in the airport, so she is still not free, but it definitely feels like she is about to be. find free, but it definitely feels like she is about to be.— free, but it definitely feels like she is about to be. and when you found out about _ she is about to be. and when you found out about an _ she is about to be. and when you found out about an hour - she is about to be. and when you found out about an hour ago, i she is about to be. and when you | found out about an hour ago, how she is about to be. and when you i found out about an hour ago, how did you find out? and was that the first moment you knew she was going to the airport, that she was on her way? yes, my brother tweeted this morning, messaged me this morning that things looked like they were moving. in fact they had thought things were going to move yesterday and didn't, then he messaged me to say she had just been picked up and taken to the airport, so we knew things were moving quite quickly. it was obviously... i think they thought she would be on a flight by now because the government were about to do a press conference at ten o'clock and it hasn't happened, so there seems to be some delaying tactics again by the iranians.

whether that is gameplay before she gets on the flight i don't know but fingers crossed.— fingers crossed. when you say a ress fingers crossed. when you say a press conference, _ fingers crossed. when you say a press conference, would - fingers crossed. when you say a press conference, would you i fingers crossed. when you say a i press conference, would you expect nazanin to speak at that? ila. press conference, would you expect nazanin to speak at that?— nazanin to speak at that? no, that was the government, _ nazanin to speak at that? no, that was the government, not - nazanin to speak at that? no, that was the government, not richard i nazanin to speak at that? no, that i was the government, not richard or nazanin. the government were going to put out some kind of information, but richard isn't going to do a press conference today.- but richard isn't going to do a press conference today. have you soken to press conference today. have you spoken to richard? _ press conference today. have you spoken to richard? you _ press conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said i press conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said you | press conference today. have you i spoken to richard? you said you have had the messages. i spoken to richard? you said you have had the messages.— had the messages. i spoke to him briefl , had the messages. i spoke to him briefly. but _ had the messages. i spoke to him briefly, but then _ had the messages. i spoke to him briefly, but then he _ had the messages. i spoke to him briefly, but then he rung - had the messages. i spoke to him briefly, but then he rung me i had the messages. i spoke to him briefly, but then he rung me off. briefly, but then he rung me off because the foreign office where on the other line and i haven't heard from him since. he is calm and cautious like he always is. we have been close to this before and it hasn't worked out, so unfortunately for us, for ourfamily, until she for us, for our family, until she touches for us, for ourfamily, until she touches down in london wejust for us, for ourfamily, until she touches down in london we just can't quite believe it. but i think we are a little on edge today hopeful this is the start of the end for us. that was the sister-in-law _

is the start of the end for us. that was the sister-in-law of _ is the start of the end for us. that was the sister—in—law of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe speaking to my colleaguejoanna gosling earlier colleague joanna gosling earlier on that colleaguejoanna gosling earlier on that developing story that nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anousheh ashouri are about to leave iran. a developing story, of course we are monitoring it for you. press tv in iran saying nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has been handed over to the uk government. of course we are monitoring that. let's return to another of our main story is of course, the situation between ukraine and russia, the russian invasion of ukraine. the nato secretary general, jens stoltenberg, has opened a meeting of the alliance's defence ministers with a declaration that they are united in their support for ukraine. they've gathered in brussels to discuss their next moves. while nato has made clear it does not want to get directly involved in a conflict with russia, individual allies have already been providing ukraine with weapons and the meeting will discuss what more they can do. it comes as more explosions have been heard in western areas of kyiv, where residents are under a curfew

that lasts through to thursday morning. in southern ukraine, evacuation buses and aid trucks remain blocked from entering the besieged city of mariupol. on tuesday, hundreds of cars were able to leave the port city along a humanitarian corridor. the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has said negotiations with russia are beginning to "sound more realistic" with further talks due to take place over a video link on wednesday. mr zelensky is due to address the us congress in the coming hours. with the latest, here's callum tulley. another morning, and the aftermath of another attack on a residential apartment in kyiv. three weeks since the russian invasion of ukraine and authorities say that overnight two residential buildings were struck in the capital and two people were injured. the streets of the city are

said to be deserted. at 35 hour curfew is currently in force. nato representatives have been arriving in brussels ahead of talks to discuss the situation. this in brussels ahead of talks to discuss the situation.- discuss the situation. this is devastating _ discuss the situation. this is devastating for _ discuss the situation. this is devastating for the - discuss the situation. this is| devastating for the ukrainian discuss the situation. this is - devastating for the ukrainian people and it will also change our security environment. it will have long—lasting consequences for our security for all nato allies. tote long-lasting consequences for our security for all nato allies.- security for all nato allies. we are continuin: security for all nato allies. we are continuing to _ security for all nato allies. we are continuing to deliver _ security for all nato allies. we are continuing to deliver weapons i security for all nato allies. we are continuing to deliver weapons into ukraine _ continuing to deliver weapons into ukraine from many different directions and it is getting to the front_ directions and it is getting to the front line — directions and it is getting to the front line. it directions and it is getting to the front line. , ., front line. it might be getting to the front line, _ front line. it might be getting to the front line, but _ front line. it might be getting to the front line, but some - front line. it might be getting to the front line, but some nato i the front line, but some nato military equipment has been seized according to russia. it is thought this kit was taken from the battlefield near kyiv. optimism has beenin battlefield near kyiv. optimism has been in short supply since the invasion, but these pictures perhaps offer some hope. negotiators from both sides are still talking. last night one ukrainian diplomat said there was room for compromise and

there was room for compromise and the country's president, followed emir zelensky is, said that the positions of the two sides were more realistic. this is the besieged city of mariupol which are still being pounded. around 20,000 residents managed to leave last night but the city's deputy mayor said around 400 people including doctors and patients were being held by hostages inside a hospital. across ukraine, the clearing up continues. another day of wondering when and how this will end. we will be crossing over live to ukraine very shortly. my colleaguejonah fisher is there. i'll speak to him in a moment but first, this is his latest report on the situation in lviv. in western ukraine, the war is getting closer and people are getting ready.

we have been invited to a school building in lviv to see volunteers being given a crash course in handling a gun. lesia, a grandmother, is here with her architect husband, yuri. we need to be prepared. against missiles, against big missiles, this rocket, we can do nothing. but against this russian nazi who came in our life, on our land, we can use the guns. translation: normally, iwouldn't even point a gun at an animal. i but this is now a time to learn how to hold weapons and shoot them. as one by one the volunteers take their turn, we are interrupted by the awful soundtrack of this war. sirens blare

so we canjust hear the air raid siren has gone off. some people are leaving, some people carrying on. in the basement, those on the gun course mingle with the local children and mums that have decided not to flee ukraine. we find this woman, a doctor at lviv hospital. she is at the training. herjob is to save lives. but she says she is now ready to kill. i'm really happy that i haven't children for now, because it's really hard to make a choice between children and your country. so the fact you have not got children means that you will stay here whatever? yes, i'll stay here whatever and i defend under bombing, under different military troops, and i stay under fire.

and you are ready to pull the trigger on that gun if it comes to that? if i have no choice, yes. when the all—clear sounds, we are invited by yuri and lesia back to their apartment to see their new guns. it's normally for hunting. hunting gun. this is also a hunting gun. but it is more precise. for lesia, this war has made what was once unthinkable unavoidable. translation: it's very sad. sometimes it seems like a bad dream. it's not right. this shouldn't be happening. but it is happening, and the russians may move west. lviv's defenders are

armed and waiting. jonah fisher with that report. for the time being we say goodbye to our viewers on bbc two. we canjoin our viewers on bbc two. we canjoin our correspondent now. he joins us live from lviv. we saw your report speaking to people who have been turned into fighters. talk us through your reflections upon your return to ukraine. i through your reflections upon your return to ukraine.— return to ukraine. i think there's a real sense — return to ukraine. i think there's a real sense the _ return to ukraine. i think there's a real sense the mood _ return to ukraine. i think there's a real sense the mood in _ return to ukraine. i think there's a real sense the mood in ukraine i return to ukraine. i think there's a | real sense the mood in ukraine has changed since the missile strikes near the polish border that took place on sunday. what had been almost a distant ground war i think has now changed into a probable reality for people here, and that is why so many people are going to these training centres. one takeaway from having been there yesterday and

put that report together is just how much this war, really one person's war in president putin, has shaken up war in president putin, has shaken up everybody�*s life. every person in ukraine is having to re—evaluate their entire existence. do they try and stay here? what might that mean if the russians came into their town? what would they do? would they try and fight or take the difficult decision to flee? 3 million people have done that so far, many more may also make that similar choice. but the horrible reality for people here is that in the space of three weeks, everything has changed, and lots of people don't know where they are going to be next week, next month, and there is a horrible uncertainty. horrible uncertainty and of course those people who have moved from eastern ukraine are now gathering in lviv. what is the situation in terms of the refugees fleeing from other

parts of the country coming to lviv? and then what happens when they move on? i saw the scenes at the border, hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the country, many of them now in lviv, very uncertain. yes, the trains— now in lviv, very uncertain. yes, the trains are _ now in lviv, very uncertain. yes, the trains are still _ now in lviv, very uncertain. yes, the trains are still moving. i now in lviv, very uncertain. yes, the trains are still moving. we . the trains are still moving. we still have packed trains coming into lviv station from the east of this country and they are then being filled up and sent on towards poland so that is still happening, perhaps in a more orderly way than it was in the early weeks of this conflict. but certainly lviv is both a staging point and also for some ukrainians a place where they come and decide to stay here if they can afford or if they have friends here. this has been a place where some families have decided to take stock, to wait and see what happens, to see if perhaps lviv might not be targeted in the same way that kharkiv or kyiv

or the cities in south—east ukraine have been targeted. perhaps they don't have to take the big step of leaving the country. this has been a refuge so far as well for many ukrainians. it remains to be seen whether that remains the case going forward, because there have been signs in recent days that this area is now more of interest for the russians and they have been targeting places around here, perhaps an attempt to cut off supply routes between the ukrainian military and the european union. {liiq military and the european union. 0k, jono, is military and the european union. 0k, jono. is always _ military and the european union. 0k, jono, is always really good to see you and you will keep us up—to—date. ——jonah fisher. another ukrainian city that has been severely damaged by russian bombardment is kharkiv, to the east of the country. kharkiv is very near the russian border and was hit by russian forces early on in the invasion. ukrainian forces continue to hold out there however, and though the city has been hit by heavy russian bombardment,

the ukrainians say they've successfully seen off another russian attack in the last couple of days. let's go live to kharkiv and speak to maria avdeeva. you have stayed in kharkiv following this invasion, you have moved your family away but you have stayed. talk us through the daily experience you have in terms of the attacks. yes, i stayed you have in terms of the attacks. yes, istayed in you have in terms of the attacks. yes, i stayed in kharkiv because i think it is very important to show the truth to the world, because russia spreads this disinformation about not bombarding and targeting civilians and residential areas, and ijust civilians and residential areas, and i just stand civilians and residential areas, and ijust stand in civilians and residential areas, and i just stand in front of one of the houses that was hit yesterday. it is very close to where i live actually, only walking distance from my home, and i heard yesterday during the day the heavy shelling is, and today

they continue. this house was hit by probably what was cluster ammunition, the red rocket missile system. and i have seen the sight of them all over the place. also other buildings were destroyed. this residential area is pretty close to the city centre which is now completely destroyed. it means all those areas are without heating, electricity, water supply, and the people who live here, this is now minus temperatures outside and it is extremely cold. this spring is extremely cold. this spring is extremely cold. this spring is extremely cold. a couple of days ago it was —15 and that means all those people have to hide in shelters or underground to somehow get some safety there. you underground to somehow get some safety there-— safety there. you have shared ictures safety there. you have shared pictures with _ safety there. you have shared pictures with us. _ safety there. you have shared pictures with us. in _ safety there. you have shared pictures with us. in terms i safety there. you have shared pictures with us. in terms of i safety there. you have shared i pictures with us. in terms of the pictures with us. in terms of the picture of the cluster bomb, we have had it checked and we do believe it

is a cluster bomb. of course this is completely against the convention on cluster munitions because of the highly controversial nature of these bombs. sometimes they do not explode and end up acting as mines. extremely dangerous. ukraine not a signatory on the convention against cluster munitions but a very worrying development they are being used. talk us through the kind of things you have been seeing on the ground in terms of the debris from this war. , , ., , , this war. yes, it 'ust happened yesterday. _ this war. yes, it 'ust happened yesterday. se _ this war. yes, it 'ust happened yesterday. so i — this war. yes, itjust happened yesterday, so i took _ this war. yes, itjust happened yesterday, so i took this i this war. yes, itjust happened | yesterday, so i took this picture probably 500 metres from my home. it was the market square was hit by this cluster munition bombs so it's very empty at the moment, there are very empty at the moment, there are very few people outside. you would see someone in the morning when people will go to the shops when they tried to get some food because there are shortages of food

supplies, and especially the military and territorial defence units are in very hard conditions at the moment because they had to hold up the moment because they had to hold up the city and they do it greatly, but it is very cold outside and the people get tired. of course they are doing what they can to do their best, but of course you know that ukraine is asking for more defensive weapons so that people will be able to defend kharkiv and ukraine as long as russia continues its aggression. so people mostly will go to the shops in the morning, stay in line, then in the afternoon go to the shelter is or the basement of or to the apartments if they still have electricity and heating, and stay there hoping this night their house will not be hit by russian rockets. maria, thank you so much for speaking to us and sharing the

images you have seen in kharkiv, especially documenting the cluster munitions being used. maria avdeeva, who has decided to stay in kharkiv, please stay safe and we thank you for your time. we will catch up with you in the nearfuture i'm sure. we are continuing to monitor the situation in ukraine, but i want to return to the breaking news that we had at the top of the hour. the british iranian woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is about to leave iran where she has been detained since 2016. she is accompanied by another british—iranian, anousheh ashouri. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in 2016 and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government, a charge she's always denied. let's speak now to the family's local mp, tulip siddiq. she has been campaigning for the

release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. it must be a huge relief for you to hear this latest development, but ijust want relief for you to hear this latest development, but i just want to relief for you to hear this latest development, but ijust want to get confirmation from you. do we know where she is? do we know if she has been handed over to uk officials? i have spoken to richard, nazanin's husband, and he says nazanin is at the airport in tehran along with anousheh ashouri, the man detained alongside nazanin, although he was in prison and she was under house arrest at her parents'. richard made it clear to me that although she has her british passport, she is still very much under the control of the iranian revolutionary guard. so she is at the airport, she has a british passport, but she is still under the control of the iranian revolutionary guard. the deal hasn't been completed yet, and of course richard is excited but he was also striking

a note of caution. he said to me, we can smell freedom but we haven't grasped it yet. 50 can smell freedom but we haven't grasped it yet-— grasped it yet. so incredibly still tense situation, _ grasped it yet. so incredibly still tense situation, but _ grasped it yet. so incredibly still tense situation, but as - grasped it yet. so incredibly still tense situation, but as we i grasped it yet. so incredibly still tense situation, but as we were | tense situation, but as we were hearing yesterday, nazanin had been returned her uk passport. this next development has been very quick. is that something that you were expecting, the speed with which she is now being brought to the airport? yes, i was expecting it. is now being brought to the airport? yes, iwas expecting it. over the weekend, she was called in by the iranian revolutionary guard, the ministry to talk about the fact that she might be released and she was given her passport, but they made it very clear that she couldn't book her flight home. very clear that she couldn't book herflight home. they very clear that she couldn't book her flight home. they were still in charge of her. so i sort of suspected the fact she had been given her british passport, they had discussed the fact that she may be released but they didn't specify when she was going to be released to be fair. today the iranian newspapers on their front page, all

of them have said nazanin is going to be released, so nazanin was certainly very optimistic. she told me she had packed her bags and was waiting, and made a joke saying i have been waiting for six years to be fair. i'm very pleased to say she is at the airport, but what i can tell you is i won't rest until she is on british soil in west hampstead in her house. fiend is on british soil in west hampstead in her house-— in her house. and that is where we really hope — in her house. and that is where we really hope she _ in her house. and that is where we really hope she will— in her house. and that is where we really hope she will be _ in her house. and that is where we really hope she will be united i in her house. and that is where we really hope she will be united also| really hope she will be united also with her daughter as well who has grown up without her. the uk government always stressing that the situation between her detention and the debt relating to the 1970s, can you tell us what the situation is without debt?— you tell us what the situation is without debt? ,, ,., , , . , without debt? sure, so nazanin was told directly — without debt? sure, so nazanin was told directly by _ without debt? sure, so nazanin was told directly by the _ without debt? sure, so nazanin was told directly by the people - without debt? sure, so nazanin was told directly by the people who i told directly by the people who imprisoned her that the reason she was held because of the failure to pay the debt we as a country oh

iran. the government have consistently said those two things are not linked. i asked the foreign office today if the £400 million that had been paid and they said they cannot disclose that information.— they cannot disclose that information. . , ., information. that is what we expected — information. that is what we expected to _ information. that is what we expected to hear. _ expected to hear. hello, for friday and the weekend, plenty of fine weather around with lots of sunshine. we are not there yet, we have a weather system today and in fact another one coming tomorrow with some rain. gone from northern ireland this morning, slowly clearing from scotland today, and for wales the rain spreading eastwards as the day goes on. it looks quite wet this afternoon into this evening, especially in eastern england, some of the rain heavy and persistent. but gone from northern ireland this morning, so a lot of fine weather to come with a chance of a shower. although the rain clears from eastern scotland, some cloud will linger on for much of the day. brightening up slowly for

western wales as the rain clears, but central england with cloud and outbreaks of rain, and heavier bursts across particularly east anglia. these are the highest temperatures, around 14 celsius. a wet evening here, the rain then slowly clearing. clear skies elsewhere will allow the temperatures to dip and there will be a widespread frost going into tomorrow morning, you may have to scrape the ice of the car in places. then another weather system moving and which will target mostly the northern half of the uk. in fact it will move quite quickly into northern ireland. here it comes, the rain turning increasingly patchy as it moves further eastwards, and a wintry nature to this over the hills of scotland with sleet and snow to the hills as that moves in. to northern ireland there will be a few bands of rain moving in, but behind it brightening up into the afternoon with sunny spells. showery rain moving across parts of northern

england, north wales and midlands later on whereas elsewhere it will stay dry with sunny spells and temperatures again up to around 14 celsius. ten to 12 in scotland and northern ireland. some fog to start friday, dense in places, and a slight frost here and there. plenty of sunshine to come with showers in the northern and western isles. initially for wales and england in the sunshine on friday, temperatures are heading upwards and the warmth becomes more widespread over the weekend. the night is still fairly chilly. plenty of sunshine although a stiff easterly wind making it feel cooler along east facing coasts.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm kasia madera. our top stories... nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian woman detained in iran nearly six years ago, has been released and is expected to be heading back to the uk soon. until she gets on the flight, until she touches down and we can't quite believe it. i think we are a little bit on edge today, really hopeful this is the start of the end for us. another british iranian, anousheh ashouri, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran, bound for the uk. seeking solutions — nato defence ministers meet to discuss ukraine, for the first time since the russia invasion.

under curfew and under attack — smoke billowing above the ukrainian capital this morning, as residents are told not to be out in public. 20,000 people flee the beseiged city of mariupol — while 400 are described as "like hostages" inside a hospital, with staff and patients, trapped under russian bombardment. welcome. let's return to our main developing story today. let's return to our main developing story today. the british iranian woman, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe — is about to leave iran — where she has been detained since 2016. iran state tv has just said she has been �*handed over�* to the uk government.

she is accompanied by another british—iranian, anoosheh ashoori. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in twenty—sixteen and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government, a charge she's always denied. we've been speaking to her local member of parliament who said she will not rest until mezzanine is backin will not rest until mezzanine is back in her house reunited with her husband and her daughter. we are getting more of —— the moment we get more on that developing story, we will bring it to you. let's return to the war between russia and ukraine. russia's invasion of ukraine. nato defence ministers are meeting in brussels for the first such talks since russia invaded ukraine. nato's secretary general, jens stoltenberg, said members of the alliance were providing large quantities of critical military equipment to the country and that

support would continue. at the meeting today we will also not only address the immediate consequences of russia's invasion of ukraine, but we will also address the more long—term consequences, the long—term adaptations of our alliance, how to further strengthen our returns on defence and how to remove any room for a miscalculation or misunderstanding in moscow about our protecting and defending of all allies. nato has a responsibility to ensure that this crisis does not escalate beyond ukraine and that is also the reason why we have increased the presence in the eastern part of the alliance. that was jens stoltenberg they are speaking. nato leaders they are meeting today. we will be listening into what they are saying and we are going to talk about the latest lines from nato in relation to what

president zelensky said yesterday. matt qvortrup is professor of political science and international relations at coventry university. hejoins me now. good of you to join us good of you tojoin us now, professor. when we heard what slutsky said yesterday he said that ukraine should accept that ukraine will not become a member of nato. what is your reaction to what he is saying? is he stepping back for what he aspired for his country? it is a stretched out _ he aspired for his country? it is a stretched out hand _ he aspired for his country? it is a stretched out hand of _ he aspired for his country? it is a stretched out hand of proposing l he aspired for his country? it is a i stretched out hand of proposing to negotiate with vladimir putin. what is not going for plan —— to plan with the russians, and putin is trying to find way out. and so is the lenski. we are not quite where we need to be to have a negotiation. ukraine can probably say we have

defended our country very well. and a way of solving the conflict immediately could be some sort of negotiation where they would then concede that particular point. the longer the war goes on, the more difficult it will be in russia. yes, the media in russia is quite one—sided, however people are coming back with stories. the sanctions are biting and will continue to do so. the outstretched hand for negotiation is a positive development. it will not immediately end the war and i think we should not expect that. i end the war and i think we should not expect that.— not expect that. i absolutely concede your _ not expect that. i absolutely concede your point. - not expect that. i absolutely concede your point. it i not expect that. i absolutely concede your point. it will. not expect that. i absolutely. concede your point. it will not immediately end the war, but i

wonder it when it comes to what the ukrainian president... the concession that he is potentially making, i wonder what this means for the country. because does this then enable russia to dictate foreign policy for ukraine? and thus, by that very nature, make it less sovereign as a country and that is something that surely the international community cannot accept, can it? international community cannot accept. can it?— international community cannot accept, can it? the international community _ accept, can it? the international community will— accept, can it? the international community will not _ accept, can it? the international community will not be _ accept, can it? the international community will not be able i accept, can it? the international community will not be able to i accept, can it? the international- community will not be able to accept that, but having said that, the international community should be aware that war sometimes trumps justice. that is a sad thing to say. i think if we go back a little bit. when russia invaded another place in 2008. they did exactly the same thing committing atrocity. after a

few weeks, it became clear to the russians that they could not beat the georgians. and they were beaten back. and russia went back to where they started and they were not able to dictate foreign policy over the georgians. and since then the georgians. and since then the georgians were given aid and such. the russians are not and have not been very good at winning wars. they lost a war to japan. 21 million people died in the second world war. theyjust happen to be on the winning side. but in military terms it was not a victory. the much hailed and feared russian army is actually pretty poor when it comes to winning wars. they can make a lot of noise they can do what they did in chechnya, but ukraine is a very

large country, they will not be able to beat them and and they will not be able to dictate foreign policy. there will be a continuation of the sanctions and putin is really reeling from all of this. i think it is strategically clever for the lenski to say this at this point. —— for president zelensky. it is interesting _ for president zelensky. it is interesting to _ for president zelensky. it is interesting to hear- for president zelensky. it is interesting to hear russia's previous wars, but when it comes to ukraine, it annexed crimea. it was successful. what it is doing, the influence it has on the done basque means its level of sphere of influence is quite great. is not enough to disrupt the sovereignty of a nation? it is suggesting the way

that ukraine should dictate its foreign policy. it that ukraine should dictate its foreign policy-— foreign policy. it is not a level -la in: foreign policy. it is not a level playing field- _ foreign policy. it is not a level playing field. this _ foreign policy. it is not a level playing field. this is _ foreign policy. it is not a level playing field. this is the i foreign policy. it is not a level. playing field. this is the russian playbook. if we look at the eastern part of moldova, it is occupied by so—called freedom fighters. if we look at parts of georgia that was what the war was over, which also are supposedly independent state controlled by russia. they are able to control little slivers of land and cause a lot of trouble, but they are not able to hold large swathes of territory. there are quite a lot of territory. there are quite a lot of people who are russian speakers but are patriotic ukrainians. i

think they have bitten off more than they can chew. they thought they would be welcomed with open arms, but they are basically going back to the traditional playbook of controlling a slither of land and to show that they are there. there's a very big difference of that and controlling territory. the example of georgia shows that russia even against a smaller country is not able to dictate its terms. professor, insightfulto able to dictate its terms. professor, insightful to get your background and historical context. absolutely crucial. thank you so much for your time. ukrainian president has just been speaking. we've got that now. were going to have a listen. translation: zt}

we've got that now. were going to have a listen. translation: 20 days of russian incursion. _ have a listen. translation: 20 days of russian incursion. we _ have a listen. translation: 20 days of russian incursion. we want - have a listen. translation: 20 days of russian incursion. we want peace i of russian incursion. we want peace as soon as possible, and victory. there is always a feeling ofjust a little bit more is necessary and we will gain what is rightfully ours. but there are efforts that are needed, patience is needed. we need to fight and work. and everyone. and the representatives having talks with the russian federation. it is important, but complicated. every warfinishes important, but complicated. every war finishes with an agreement. as i understand there are some realistic signals, but time is needed to defend our interests, we are defending our country everywhere. the invaders have not succeeded

today though thousands of their people were killed in the south and the east. the enemy lost equipment. many russian conscripts were killed and a russian general. at least one general today. the invaders committed new war crimes. they were shelling peaceful cities and civil infrastructure. more than 900 air bombs. artillery shelling from russian forces. are representative of fox news, was killed. and another journalist was heavily wounded. it is one more reason to increase the western sanctions against the

russian federation and to increase it until the russian federation stops this war. citizens of russia, any of you who have access to true information and have had a chance to understand what the true result of this war for your country will be. shame and many years of isolation. and oppressive system who will treat a citizens of russians the same way as russia has treated ukrainians. it is up to you for what happens next. i want to tell everyone of the russian federation who have links with the current authority, if you remain in your position and do not oppose the war, the international community will do everything... in the same thing with the propaganda

system. if you continue to work for that, you are subject to greater risks. the risk of sanctions, as well as a tribunal for this war. for war crimes. you should resign. several months of unemployment is much better than all your life with international persecution. today kyiv was visited by prime ministers of the three partner countries. friendly countries. poland, the czech republic and slovenia. poland was represented by the deputy prime minister as well. and also the prime minister as well. and also the prime minister of poland. i was happy to meet them all and talk to them directly. it is substantial support when kyiv is being bombarded. it is

very brave for them to be here. this is how leadership is demonstrated. i suggest all of our friends to visit kyiv. it might be dangerous because our skies have not been closed from aircraft here. the decisions have not been made yet to provide us with aircraft, but for you to know for sure the attention for the whole world is actually directed on our capital. those who are with us would receive our appreciation. you will have a chance to become a real hero. i made a statement to the parliament of canada to all of the canadians, i saying to them for their support, sincere support. canada came to help ukraine and was among the first. and i called on canadians to continue in

this leadership to help ukraine not with words, but with deeds, new sanctions against the russian federation. also with active position towards the international businesses. those who still remain in russia, those who have not left although they are aware that they are sponsoring the war and terror. i plan to address the us congress on wednesday and it is a an important event. i want to express to president biden thanks for the new package of support for our country. $13.6 billion. the law has been signed. this is the first step. there was another session today were important decisions were adopted to

savejobs and to important decisions were adopted to save jobs and to provide opportunities for businesses to operate. opportunities for businesses to o erate. «i ., ., , operate. the ukrainian president there. operate. the ukrainian president there- that _ operate. the ukrainian president there. that was _ operate. the ukrainian president there. that was a _ operate. the ukrainian president there. that was a taped - operate. the ukrainian presidentj there. that was a taped recorded message. we believe it was taped yesterday. he refers to three national leaders —— international leaders from poland slovenia and czech republic. he was talking about the invaders having not succeeded about the invaders having committed war crimes and appealing directly to russian citizens to get access to those who can get access to independent media to hear what is

happening on the ground. no speak that i heard of about nato, which is something that nato leaders are meeting at the moment. we heard housel lenski said there was not... that ukraine should except that it could potentially not become a member of nato, something that the kremlin has always insisted. a lot of developments. we will analyse that throughout the day when we get more details. that was ever recorded message by president zelensky. this war is having a huge impact on lots and lots of different aspects of the international community. not least energy prices. were going to cross over to business time. because i know the prime minister is on a diplomatic mission. the british prime minister boris johnson is in the united arab

emirates as part of a visit to the gulf to try and convince some of the world's biggest oil producers to ramp up supplies. he's meeting with leaders of the uae and later saudi arabia — vital opec+ leaders — who have so far refused to increase oil supplies — in the face of an extremely volatile global market. this comes as the international energy agency has warned that western sanctions on russia are �*threatening to create a global oil supply shock�* with possible long term effects. it is not surprising that they are saying that. it is not surprising that they are saying that. russia is one of the world's biggest exporters of oil exporting nearly five million barrels of crude and refined oil products across the world a day in 2021. the iea estimates three million barrels per day of russian oil could be taken out of the market as a result of international sanctions. let's have a quick look at how the european markets are absorbing all this and the oil price. you can see... were going to get more on this. for more on thisjoining me now is aneeka gupta, director of research

at wisdom tree investments. thank you forjoining us. it is no surprise that we are experiencing these volatile markets in oil and energy products in general. ok, i think we are having... we will try again. it is not a surprise we are seeing these volatile markets in oil and in fact in all commodities. absolutely. russia is one of the biggest players in the oil markets. it is the third largest oil producer after saudi arabia and the us. and it is also the second largest exporter. the volatile moves we have seen over the past week have not just shifted from supplied, but we are seeing ripple effects on the demand side. drilling down on the supply side, we have seen two very

important factors weighing on oil markets. first, negotiations between ukraine and russia start to lead to a bit of restoration. we could see a biddle... bit of stability come back into the markets. also negotiations on the iranian nuclear deal. we saw in a statement yesterday made by russian's foreign minister that there is now a possibility the iranian nuclear deal could go forward as the us has given a guaranteed that the current sanctions on russia is not going to stop russian oilfrom reaching iran. yesterday we got new information coming out of china. the country is

grappling with rising covid cases. and that is making an impact on growth coming in lower. these factors have been playing up in the oil market. we have seen some pressure come off of oil prices because of this.— pressure come off of oil prices because of this. , because of this. focusing where we can set because of this. focusing where we can get other _ because of this. focusing where we can get other supplies _ because of this. focusing where we can get other supplies of— because of this. focusing where we can get other supplies of energy, i can get other supplies of energy, you mention iran and china has been one of russia's biggest customers and that could be under threat couldn't it?— and that could be under threat couldn't it? absolutely. we are seeine a couldn't it? absolutely. we are seeing a lot — couldn't it? absolutely. we are seeing a lot of— couldn't it? absolutely. we are seeing a lot of self _ couldn't it? absolutely. we are seeing a lot of self sanctioning | seeing a lot of self sanctioning taking place by companies and countries globally. we have seen the us and the uk commit to sanctioning russian oil. at the same time, the fact that we could see more oil come in from iran we could see 1.3 million barrels release back into the market.

million barrels release back into the market-— million barrels release back into the market. , ., ., the market. many thanks for your time. the market. many thanks for your time- that _ the market. many thanks for your time- that is _ the market. many thanks for your time. that is the _ the market. many thanks for your time. that is the business. i thank you so much. some important updates there. were going to return to the ongoing refugee crisis. the un says more than three million ukrainians have now fled the country as a result of the russian invasion. 1.8 million are in poland. polish authorities there say they are struggling to deal with the influx. let's go live to warsaw and speak to maciek czajkowski who is volunteering at a refugee centre there. it has been so busy. i've been at the border seeing the refugees cross into poland. you are there once they reach warsaw, talk us through what you have been seeing in the stories you've been hearing the mac first of all it needs to be said that that help that is being provided in

places like this it’s help that is being provided in places like this— help that is being provided in places like this it's not by the polish government. - places like this it's not by the polish government. it - places like this it's not by the polish government. it is i places like this it's not by the i polish government. it is provided places like this it's not by the - polish government. it is provided by ordinary people. volunteers. we have people from all walks of life. what i would like to say, let me change the camera. let me walk you through what is happening here. in front of the main concourse we have got this tent where people are provided with first aid items. it is mainly water and sandwiches and they can rest and eat in this kind of tent. let me take you to the main concourse of the station and let's see what is happening there. it is a very busy place right now. and so here there

are desks where... companies, mobile companies are providing completely free of charge sim cards. here we have got the place where people can get tea and sandwiches. all of these volunteers are just ordinary people as i said. i'm going to move further through the concourse and here we can see the desks where temporary accommodation is provided and transport by private cars. it is busy as we can see and... extremely bus . as busy as we can see and... extremely busy- as a — busy as we can see and. .. extremely busy. as a volunteer— busy as we can see and... extremely busy. as a volunteer amongst - busy as we can see and. .. extremely busy. as a volunteer amongst all- busy as we can see and... extremely busy. as a volunteer amongst all of. busy. as a volunteer amongst all of these refugees, we really appreciate

you giving us an impression of what is happening on the ground. we will be speaking to the mayor of warsaw in the next hour. stay with us here on bbc news. hello, for friday and the weekend, plenty of fine weather around with lots of sunshine. we are not there yet. we have a weather system today and in fact another one coming in tomorrow with some rain. gone from northern ireland. slowly clearing from scotland today, but for wales and england that rain spreading east as a day goes on. it is two where the system is combining to give the rain today. it looks wet this afternoon into the evening in eastern england with some quite heavy persistent rain. gone from northern ireland this morning, some fine weather to come, just a chance of a shower. sunny spells developing in western scotland in the afternoon. rain clearing from eastern scotland, cloud lingering for much of the day. brightening up slowly through wales and western england as the rain clears, with central and eastern england seeing cloud and outbreaks of rain and some heavier bursts across east anglia

and south—east england. highs of around 14 celsius. a wet evening here, the rain slowly clearing. clearer skies elsewhere will allow temperatures to dip and there will be a widespread, if slight frost going into tomorrow morning. you may have to scrape the ice off the cars in places. tomorrow, we have another weather system moving in targeting mostly the northern half of the uk. it will move quite quickly into northern ireland. rain turning increasingly showery, as it pushes its way slowly eastwards, and a wintry nature to this over the hills of scotland, so a bit of sleet and snow for the hills as that moves in. into northern ireland, there will be few bands of rain moving in. behind it, brightening up into the afternoon with sunny spells. showery rain moving across scotland into parts of northern england, north wales and the north midlands whereas across the east and south—east of england it will be dry with sunny spells, and temperatures again around

13 celsius in england, 10—12 in scotland and northern ireland. some fog for wales and england to start friday with a slight frost. plenty of sunshine to come. showers in the northern and western isles, and initially for wales and england in the sunshine, temperatures heading upwards, the warmth becoming more widespread over the weekend, nights still fairly chilly, plenty of sunshine out there, and increasingly stiff easterly wind making it feel cooler along east facing coasts.

this is bbc news. the headlines: nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian woman detained in iran nearly six years ago, has been released and is expected to be heading back to the uk soon. until she gets on that flight, until she touches down in london, we just can't quite believe it. but i think we're all a little bit on edge today, hopeful that this is the start of the end for us. another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran, bound for the uk. seeking solutions — nato defence ministers meet to discuss ukraine for the first time since the russia invasion. let's cross live to the house of commons for prime minister's questions.

he is discussing diplomatic action on russia and ukraine and regional issues including iran. with your forbearance, may i say that i understand that four members of the ukrainian parliament are here with us in the gallery in here today. i speak for the whole house when i say that we stand in total solidarity with them. mr that we stand in total solidarity with them-— that we stand in total solidarity with them. i ., «i ., ., that we stand in total solidarity withthem. i ., ., , with them. mr speaker, camelot is one of the largest _ with them. mr speaker, camelot is one of the largest employers i with them. mr speaker, camelot is one of the largest employers in i one of the largest employers in watford and for watford. and it's employers have worked tirelessly to run the national lottery for decades. and they play an important role across the uk and providing good causes including in my constituency so while i declare an increased in the gambling commission decision yesterday not to appoint a licence to camelot, i do wonder given the current situation in ukraine if my right honourable friend considers it appropriate that

the next licensee of the operator of the next licensee of the operator of the national lottery is known to have a joint venture with gazprom? can i thank my honourable friend and say what an incredible job the national lottery has done delivering £45 national lottery has done delivering £1i5 billion to good causes and he is right that the fourth licence will ensure operator profits are better aligned with returns to good causes but can i say on the specific points he makes, i understand that the owner will be moving its involvement.— owner will be moving its involvement. ~ ., involvement. we come to the deputy leader of the — involvement. we come to the deputy leader of the opposition, _ involvement. we come to the deputy leader of the opposition, angela - leader of the opposition, angela rayner. can i also welcome the ukrainian members and mr speaker, can i start by wholeheartedly welcoming the positive steps towards the return of nazanin

zaghari—ratcliffe and ensuring her return to the uk. i'm sure members across the house want to show their support for their families and then. i know the minister would agree with me that the devastating situation must never be repeated and other british nationals are still trapped in iran need to be brought home. so will the minister commit to a review of these cases to understand what more could have been done by the british government to secure comments on the prime minister worsened the situation? flan comments on the prime minister worsened the situation?- comments on the prime minister worsened the situation? can i first all say that — worsened the situation? can i first all say that i _ worsened the situation? can i first all say that i cannot _ worsened the situation? can i first all say that i cannot yet _ worsened the situation? can i first all say that i cannot yet confirm i all say that i cannot yet confirm the reports we have seen in the media, but it feels like positive signs and of course no one wants more than me and i'm sure all members of the house to see nazanin but also all of the arbitrarily detained nationals reunited with their loved ones. i can tell the honourable lady having worked for two years with the concerted diplomatic effort led by the prime

minister that we have done absolutely everything we can and she shouldn't give succour to the despotic regime that detained our nationals in iran or around the world by suggesting it's anyone else's responsibility other than theirs. it is exactly for that reason that i asked for the review. that it is important to learn from our mistakes so we don't end up with other innocent families facing this ordeal again, sol other innocent families facing this ordeal again, so i hope the minister will consider my comments. mr speaker, i would like to thank all of the people who have been working tirelessly to bring british nationals home from iran. our diplomatic staff and our world leading british intelligence agencies. the role of the british intelligence today is critical in the face of putin's aggression. the deputy prime minister oversaw our

foreign intelligence services as foreign secretary, so can he confirm if, at any time, he overruled or ignored direct advice from the british security services? flan ignored direct advice from the british security services? can i say to the honourable _ british security services? can i say to the honourable lady, _ british security services? can i say to the honourable lady, what - british security services? can i say to the honourable lady, what she. to the honourable lady, what she suggests is nonsense. she is talking about the house of lords appointments commission. they have a vetting process and i have never overruled intelligence advice and i wouldn't comment on the details of it, but what i would say and agree with her on is the strength and agility of the british to dramatic service time again are the unsung heroes and returning british nationals —— british diplomatic service. often in less famous cases on this but now is a good opportunity to recognise that heroic work they do. opportunity to recognise that heroic work they de— opportunity to recognise that heroic work they do— work they do. absolutely, i agree with the minister— work they do. absolutely, i agree with the minister regarding - work they do. absolutely, i agree with the minister regarding his i with the minister regarding his comments on their heroic work. the right honourable member was foreign secretary on the 17th of march 2020 when british intelligence reportedly warned against the granting of a

peerage to the prime minister's close friend, yevgeni lebed ever. 48 hours later, the prime minister visited him at his home in london. details of that meeting have never been released and injuly 2020 lebvedev�*s appointments as peer was announced, so can he tell the house what changed between the security warning and the appointment? . what changed between the security warning and the appointment? the warning and the appointment? . the honourable lady _ warning and the appointment? . the honourable lady knows _ warning and the appointment? . the honourable lady knows full- warning and the appointment? . the honourable lady knows full well that all individuals nominated for a peerage are done so in recognition of what their contribution is to society and i should say that includes those of russian origin who contribute brilliantly to our nation, many of whom in this country are critics of the putin regime. life peerages are vetted by the house of lords appointments

commission for matters of probity and frankly i think she should know better. what i do know better is the central duty of any government. which is to keep the british people say. there are now widespread reports that the prime minister did not accept warnings from our own intelligence services granted the russian oligarch, the sun and the business part of a kgb spy, act in this parliament. it should not matter if a warning was about a close personal friend of the matter if a warning was about a close personalfriend of the prime minister. it shouldn't matter if he gave the prime minister thousands of pounds of gifts, and it shouldn't matter how much champagne and caviar he serves. there are no ifs or buts when it comes to the safety of the british people, so i ask the deputy prime minister, can he guarantee that the prime minister never asked

anyone to urge the security services to revise, reconsider or withdraw their assessment of lord lebedev of hamilton and siberia? the suggestion that she is making _ hamilton and siberia? the suggestion that she is making is _ hamilton and siberia? the suggestion that she is making is sheer— that she is making is sheer nonsense. but if she wants to talk about national security then i will remind her that she and her shadow cabinet colleagues not so long ago wanted the honourable memberfor islington north, a man who wanted and talked about abolishing the army, pulling out of trident, and she voted for that. has there ever been a more ridiculous, reckless naive moment to call for unilateral nuclear disarmament and pulling out of nato? a labour government would put at risk our security risking everything we had done to protect our people. mar;

everything we had done to protect our people-— everything we had done to protect our eole. , , , our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister _ our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister that _ our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister that it _ our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister that it was _ our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister that it was his - our people. may i remind the deputy prime minister that it was his prime | prime minister that it was his prime minister in 2015 that said he wasn't sure if it was morally irresponsible to work with putin, so i don't think he is on safe ground there. last week, my right honourable friend the leader of the opposition said that britain should never again be at the mercy of a foreign dictatorship for our energy and fuel security. this week, the prime minister has gone cap in hand from one dictator to another. on a begging mission to the saudi prince to bail him out. mr speaker, the government have had 12 years to end their reliance on foreign oil and invest in home—grown energy to secure our supplies. their failure has left us all vulnerable, reliance on another murderous dictator to keep the lights on and

pumps open. i’m dictator to keep the lights on and pumps open-— dictator to keep the lights on and ---umsoen. �* ., ., ., , pumps open. i'm going to hear this cuestion. pumps open. i'm going to hear this question- if— pumps open. i'm going to hear this question. if some _ pumps open. i'm going to hear this question. if some people... - pumps open. i'm going to hear this question. if some people... if- pumps open. i'm going to hear this question. if some people... if you | question. if some people... if you want _ question. if some people... if you want a _ question. if some people... if you want a little — question. if some people... if you want a little argument, i'm more than _ want a little argument, i'm more than happy because we can argue outside _ than happy because we can argue outside when you are there, but the moment, _ outside when you are there, but the moment, i— outside when you are there, but the moment, i need to get on and i want to hear— moment, i need to get on and i want to hear the _ moment, i need to get on and i want to hear the question. angela rayner. thank— to hear the question. angela rayner. thank you. _ to hear the question. angela rayner. thank you, mr speaker. the government benches have a choice. they could accept labour's plan to save working families hundreds of pounds on bills funded with a one—off levy on the soaring profits of been —— big energy companies. 50 i asked the deputy prime minister, is their only plan to keep on begging? canl can i say gently to the honourable lady that when she was campaigning, as the rest of them were, to make the honourable memberfor islington north prime minister, this prime

minister was foreign secretary leading the response to the nerve agent attack... i leading the response to the nerve agent attack. . ._ leading the response to the nerve agent attack... i hate to say it. we can't keep — agent attack... i hate to say it. we can't keep going — agent attack. .. i hate to say it. we can't keep going back— agent attack. .. i hate to say it. we can't keep going back for- agent attack... i hate to say it. we can't keep going back for 12 - agent attack... i hate to say it. we can't keep going back for 12 years. can't keep going back for 12 years as a defensive mechanism. i will decide, — as a defensive mechanism. i will decide, thank you! what i wanted to do, decide, thank you! what i wanted to do. deputy— decide, thank you! what i wanted to do, deputy prime minister, if we can stick to— do, deputy prime minister, if we can stick to this — do, deputy prime minister, if we can stick to this because we have a lot of people — stick to this because we have a lot of people ahead of me desperate to -et of people ahead of me desperate to get in _ of people ahead of me desperate to get in without talking about history _ get in without talking about history. how far we go back is one thing _ history. how far we go back is one thing in _ history. how far we go back is one thing in passing. history. how far we go back is one thing in passing-— thing in passing. thank you, mr seaker. thing in passing. thank you, mr speaker. order. _ thing in passing. thank you, mr speaker. order. sir— thing in passing. thank you, mr speaker. order. sir desmond . thing in passing. thank you, mr speaker. order. sir desmond is thing in passing. thank you, mr- speaker. order. sir desmond is not responsible — speaker. order. sir desmond is not responsible for _ speaker. order. sir desmond is not responsible for the _ speaker. order. sir desmond is not responsible for the opposition's - responsible for the opposition's policies — responsible for the opposition's policies. this is about the government and about questions to the deputy prime minister. i will put the — the deputy prime minister. i will put the questions and decide which are right _ put the questions and decide which are riuht. . ~ i. ~ put the questions and decide which are riuht. ., ,, i. ~ .,~ are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point _ are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point out _ are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point out and _ are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point out and i _ are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point out and i hope - are right. thank you, mr speaker. i wanted to point out and i hope it's| wanted to point out and i hope it's not ancient history that the prime minister was, as foreign secretary, galvanising response to the nerve

agent attack in salisbury at the time when the honourable member, the former leader of the labour party, was siding with putin against the uk. what did the honourable lady have to say on sky news question what he is a very strong leader and she can't wait for him to become prime minister. mr she can't wait for him to become prime minister.— she can't wait for him to become prime minister. ~ ,, , ., ,, , prime minister. mr speaker. there is a war in europe. _ prime minister. mr speaker. there is a war in europe, there _ prime minister. mr speaker. there is a war in europe, there is _ prime minister. mr speaker. there is a war in europe, there is a _ prime minister. mr speaker. there is a war in europe, there is a fuel - a war in europe, there is a fuel energy crisis in britain. democracy is at risk. we must support the courageous efforts of president zelensky and the ukrainian people. these uncertain times require leadership with integrity, a leader that works with the security services. can be trusted to say the right thing for british diplomacy and provide security for the british

people. instead we have this sorry excuse of a government sat before us. they hiked tax on 27 million working people while the super—rich increased their wealth. they watch energy prices rise by over 50% while the companies enjoy profits they didn't even expect. and they cavort with russian oligarchs in luxury villas while neglecting the security of the british people. and remember, mr speaker, they partied while the country was in lockdown and were unable to see their dying loved ones. can the deputy prime minister looks the british people in the eye and really say that this government is doing their best in their interest? i’d is doing their best in their interest?— is doing their best in their interest? �* , ., ., , interest? i'd tell you what this government — interest? i'd tell you what this government and _ interest? i'd tell you what this government and reminisce - interest? i'd tell you what this government and reminisce to | interest? i'd tell you what this - government and reminisce to have done. 1000 russian individuals sanctions, a combined wealth of £45

billion dollars, the impact of the sanctions on the diplomatic effort that this foreign secretary and prime minister have led, the rouble plummeting, the russian stock market at record lows and doubled the interest rates. we have also showed the bighearted spirit of this government and indeed this nation with the 5500 visas granted to ukrainians to come here and also the humanitarian route which has now got 100,000 sponsors applying to come to take ukrainian families in these homes. while she is and her social media echo chamber stock is what this government is doing. it was very good to see my right honourable friend visit the international criminal court earlier this week, but they have had enduring difficulties with funding. last year they had a $40 million shortfall in their budget because some participating states failed to meet the annual contribution. the international criminal court is only as good as the sum of its parts, so

what steps can the government take to secure contingency funding to ensure that one day russian military commanders in ukraine can expect to stand trialfor war commanders in ukraine can expect to stand trial for war crimes? my honourable friend is bang on. i was in the hague on monday speaking to the prosecutor and the president of the court and we will be coming forward with a voluntary package of financial and technical support because now as they look at the situation in ukraine we want, and i think the whole house would want, putin's demanded to know if they continue with war crimes in ukraine they will end up notjust in the dock of the court, but behind bias. the leader of the snp, ian blackford. the leader of the snp, ian ltiackford-_ the leader of the snp, ian blackford. ., _, ., the leader of the snp, ian blackford. ., ., ., blackford. can i welcome our four colleagues _ blackford. can i welcome our four colleagues from _ blackford. can i welcome our four colleagues from the _ blackford. can i welcome our four colleagues from the parliament . blackford. can i welcome our four| colleagues from the parliament of ukraine who are with us today. we all stand with them. mr speaker, i have spent much of the last week trying to help the scottish charity,

need for kids, from the hibernian football club, to help evacuate children from orphanages in the ukraine and provide them with temporary sanctuary in scotland. mr speaker, there is a plain ready and waiting in poland to bring these orphans to the uk on friday, but that flight will leave empty without the necessary paperwork from the home office. the polish authorities, edinburgh city council, the scottish government and the orphans' guardians are all working to bring these children to safety. i have worked with uk government ministers to try and make this happen and i want to commend lord harrington in particularfor his want to commend lord harrington in particular for his efforts. but one week on the home office is still proving to be the only obstacle in the way and risked leaving these children stranded. so i am pleading with the deputy prime minister, remove these obstructions before it is too late. will he work with me

and the ukrainian authorities to guarantee that these 48 ukrainian orphans will get on that plane this friday? orphans will get on that plane this frida ? . . ~ orphans will get on that plane this frida ? ., ., ~ ., ., ., , friday? can i thank the honourable aentleman friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for— friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for all— friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for all he _ friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for all he is _ friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for all he is doing. - friday? can i thank the honourable gentleman for all he is doing. this | gentleman for all he is doing. this is a heart—rending situation. we want to do everything we can. of course there are a range of issues in this case, including the wishes of the ukrainian government on where orphan children should go and be living, whether any necessary permissions have been sought from the ukrainian and or the polish governments. this is about genuine safeguarding issues, but! governments. this is about genuine safeguarding issues, but i want to work with him in the best interests of those children. i work with him in the best interests of those children.— of those children. i am asking the government _ of those children. i am asking the government to — of those children. i am asking the government to do _ of those children. i am asking the government to do just _ of those children. i am asking the government to do just that. - of those children. i am asking the i government to do just that. we have been working with the ukrainian and polish authorities. we have their support, we need the home office to give us the paperwork that will make that happen because, mr speaker, this one case goes to the heart of the failure in the uk government's response to the biggest refugee crisis in europe since world war ii.

it is deeply concerning that it has taken the intervention of several ministers of state, letters to multiple european ambassadors and the fear of this case being exposed in the chamber to try and force movement in an urgent case involving almost 50 vulnerable children. even where there is the will, it seems there is simply no way that the home office can get involved. i should not be sending letters to the authorities in ukraine and poland, the home office should have been doing it. if all these powerful people cannot make it happen, what hope do all the other children fleeing kosovo war have of finding century in the uk? the united nations are now estimated almost one child per second is becoming a refugee from the war in ukraine. these 48 children will not be the last two sanctuary and safety. surely the deputy prime minister agrees it should not have taken this level of intervention and pressure on the home office to do the right thing by these children? flan i

on the home office to do the right thing by these children?— thing by these children? can i 'ust sa to him thing by these children? can i 'ust say to him it fl thing by these children? can i 'ust say to him it is �* thing by these children? can i 'ust say to him it is very i thing by these children? can i 'ust say to him it is very importanti thing by these children? can ijust| say to him it is very important that a proper international practice on safeguarding is followed. i know he appreciates that. we are keen to find out if family reunion options with ukrainian families in the region have been considered. can he just listen for a second because it is important? we also know many children in state care in ukraine have family members in the region for the safeguarding and well—being of the children and that must be considered. more broadly he raises theissue considered. more broadly he raises the issue about refugees on top of the issue about refugees on top of the measures i have already mentioned and we are making plans for the arrival of 100,000 ukrainian children through the education secretary in our schools. i pay tribute to the health secretary for bringing ukrainian children suffering from cancer over to this country to receive the vital treatment they need. country to receive the vital treatment the need. �* , , . treatment they need. british service men and women _ treatment they need. british service men and women have _ treatment they need. british service men and women have served i treatment they need. british service men and women have served under| men and women have served under operations since 2015 working with

ukrainian armed forces and helping to shore up the eastern flank of nature which is more important now than ever. will the deputy prime ministerjoin with me and put on the record the gratitude of this house and consider what recognition we can give them for their service and for their role in history? she give them for their service and for their role in history?— their role in history? she is absolutely _ their role in history? she is absolutely right. _ their role in history? she is absolutely right. she i their role in history? she is absolutely right. she is i their role in history? she is i absolutely right. she is totally right to pay tribute to their professionalism, their dedication and sacrifices of our armed services men and women everyday to defend this country. she know that recognition for all military operations is kept under continuous review and i know that the defence secretary will have heard her very compelling suggestions. flan i secretary will have heard her very compelling suggestions. can i first of all wish you _ compelling suggestions. can i first of all wish you and _ compelling suggestions. can i first of all wish you and the _ compelling suggestions. can i first of all wish you and the entire i compelling suggestions. can i first| of all wish you and the entire house very happy saint patrick's day. there was a 3.1% increase to benefits set by the government last september, but inflation is now pushing 7%. the rowntree foundation

and the trussell trust and many other organisations have highlighted the realjeopardy that millions of people are now facing and real terms cut in the level of benefits. what other measures can compensate for that? surely the government should not stick so rigidly to decisions taken months ago when the situation has changed so radically since then? he is right about the cost of living challenge, not least the war in ukraine and the government and the chancellor have already put in place £20 billion package across this year, £9 billion to help with energy bills, the rest to deal with the wider cost of living issues. that includes raising the national living wage. we are giving nearly 2 million families an extra £1000 a year. the kick—start scheme, the increase in the personal tax threshold by over 50% since 2010. we are doing everything we can and we will keep the cost of living issues under constant and regular review. iusi’ith

constant and regular review. with multinationals _ constant and regular review. it? multinationals scaling back constant and regular review. try multinationals scaling back russian operations and local businesses stepping forward with offers ofjobs and equipment, once again british businesses are responding at a time of great challenge. will the deputy prime ministerjoin me in thanking all those businesses across lincolnshire who have offered support? can he outline how the government may be able to connect those offers of support with the ukrainians in most need? flan those offers of support with the ukrainians in most need?- those offers of support with the ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable _ ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable friend _ ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable friend and _ ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable friend and i _ ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable friend and ijoin i ukrainians in most need? can i thank my honourable friend and ijoin him l my honourable friend and ijoin him in thanking all those businesses, but also all the charities and the individual families but also all the charities and the individualfamilies up but also all the charities and the individual families up and but also all the charities and the individualfamilies up and down but also all the charities and the individual families up and down the country who have shown the bighearted traditions that make this country so great. he will be aware of the new sponsorship scheme. we had over 100,000 sponsors apply and of course working with businesses is particularly valuable because we know that there is huge value not just in terms of allowing those who come here to get access to work, but it also helps them to integrate into

our society as confident members of our society as confident members of our community. our society as confident members of our community-— our community. thank you, mr speaker- _ our community. thank you, mr speaker- i _ our community. thank you, mr speaker- i am _ our community. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure _ our community. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the - our community. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure the deputy| our community. thank you, mr i speaker. i am sure the deputy prime minister will agree with me that when it comes to judging a person minister will agree with me that when it comes tojudging a person it is often done by the company that they keep. when it comes to tennis... when it comes to tennis the prime minister enjoys the company of and backhanders of lube of churn kick. when it came to the election victory the prime minister prioritised the party hosted by the former kgb agent alexander lebed f. he has a great many others as friends. can he therefore tell us what first attracted the prime minister to the billionaire russian oligarchs? i minister to the billionaire russian oliuarchs? . , minister to the billionaire russian oliuarchs? ., , ., , oligarchs? i was not quite sure

where he _ oligarchs? i was not quite sure where he was _ oligarchs? i was not quite sure where he was going _ oligarchs? i was not quite sure where he was going at - oligarchs? i was not quite sure where he was going at the i oligarchs? i was not quite sure i where he was going at the beginning of this question. of course the prime minister is notjust a very social individual... laughter. he wants this country to be open, outward looking to the world. but we were the government and he was the prime minister and i was the foreign secretary that introduced the sanctions that put human rights sanctions, as it pleases and visa bans notjust on rations where we have evidence of wrongdoing, but also the murderers of khashoggi and the persecutors of the myanmar minority and many others. it was this government, not the labour party. this government, not the labour pa . . ~' , ., ~ this government, not the labour pa . ., ~ party. thank you, mr speaker. the e es of party. thank you, mr speaker. the eyes of the — party. thank you, mr speaker. the eyes of the world _ party. thank you, mr speaker. the eyes of the world are _ party. thank you, mr speaker. the eyes of the world are rightly i eyes of the world are rightly focused on putin's evil invasion of ukraine. but there is still a

humanitarian crisis in afghanistan. i welcome the fact the uk government is hosting a pledging conference later this month for that crisis. can my right honourable friend ensure that we also keep education for those poor children on the agenda? for those poor children on the arenda? ,, , , ., agenda? she is absolutely right and we will keep — agenda? she is absolutely right and we will keep the _ agenda? she is absolutely right and we will keep the focus _ agenda? she is absolutely right and we will keep the focus on _ we will keep the focus on afghanistan and on many other conflicts around the world that need our support. conflicts around the world that need oursupport. i can conflicts around the world that need our support. i can tell her that particular conference will provide specifically support for access to girls' education, a long—standing priority of the prime minister. i would also point out that we have doubled our humanitarian aid to afghanistan for the financial year to £286 million.— afghanistan for the financial year to £286 million. �* ,, ., , to £286 million. appeasing murderous desots is to £286 million. appeasing murderous despots is never _ to £286 million. appeasing murderous despots is never going _ to £286 million. appeasing murderous despots is never going to _ to £286 million. appeasing murderous despots is never going to be _ to £286 million. appeasing murderous despots is never going to be the i despots is never going to be the route to security of energy supply, so would it not make more sense for the prime minister to be here talking to uk energy industries?

should he not be talking to renewable energy developers about what they can do to bring their product onstream faster and quicker? should he not also be speaking to our own offshore oil and gas industry about what they can do in the here and now to improve security of supply and to assist in the journey towards net zero? ihe of supply and to assist in the journey towards net zero? he will be doinu that journey towards net zero? he will be doing that on — journey towards net zero? he will be doing that on monday _ journey towards net zero? he will be doing that on monday evening i journey towards net zero? he will be doing that on monday evening and l journey towards net zero? he will be i doing that on monday evening and now it is wednesday. he is out in saudi arabia closing a £1 billion investment deal and creating several hundred jobs in the north and renewable energy. the liberal democrats need to keep up. north norfolk is a _ democrats need to keep up. north norfolk is a rural— democrats need to keep up. north norfolk is a rural constituency i democrats need to keep up. jijf7"jf�*u norfolk is a rural constituency and many residents rely on their car to get around and they heat their homes by using heating oil. the price of crude oil may have come down in the last few days, but the petrol pumps are still going up and i have had constituents who were quoted 2p a

litre for heating oil. this not only affects working families but pensioners in rural areas on a fixed income. can i ask that the deputy prime minister does everything he can to make sure that in the spring statement we address these problems for really rural constituencies that are getting the double whammy of these crippling costs? mr; are getting the double whammy of these crippling costs? my honourable friend is absolutely _ these crippling costs? my honourable friend is absolutely right. _ these crippling costs? my honourable friend is absolutely right. he - these crippling costs? my honourable friend is absolutely right. he knows l friend is absolutely right. he knows we have got a £20 billion package this year dealing with the cost of living, 9 billion of it focused on energy prices. the issues he talks about are in his constituency, but up about are in his constituency, but up and down the country the arguments are very well made and i know the chancellor will have heard his suggestions. the know the chancellor will have heard his suggestions.— his suggestions. the prime minister's _ his suggestions. the prime minister's visit _ his suggestions. the prime minister's visit in _ his suggestions. the prime minister's visit in saudi i his suggestions. the prime i minister's visit in saudi arabia is as usual we are told, there will be frank discussions with the saudis on their human rights record. in the light of the murder of kamel khashoggi and in the light of the brutal executions of 81 man at the

weekend, why does the deputy prime minister think the uk's representations on human rights are so effective? what can we do to make them more effective?— them more effective? when i was foreian them more effective? when i was foreign secretary, _ them more effective? when i was foreign secretary, and _ them more effective? when i was foreign secretary, and i- them more effective? when i was foreign secretary, and i went i them more effective? when i was foreign secretary, and i went to l foreign secretary, and i went to riyadh twice, and i know the prime minister is raising these issues again, we talked about the women's rights offenders. he says they were ineffective, they have all been released. an author and critic was recently released. he mentions jamal khashoggi and we were one of the first to apply asset freezes and these are bans on those responsible for his murder. we are an international country, that is what britain's role is in the 21st century, but we will never allow our moral red lines to be blurred. rousseau once said about the polish people, you may slow the cold, but you may never digestive. that

powerful quote says so much about how the polish people have stood up so robustly and strongly against aggression over the years and also about the steadfast support right now for their close and dear allies, the ukrainian people. we have had people go and support the ukrainian people. will the deputy minster support them? he people. will the deputy minster support them?— people. will the deputy minster su ort them? , ., ,_ support them? he is right and i pay tribute to not _ support them? he is right and i pay tribute to notjust _ support them? he is right and i pay tribute to notjust his _ tribute to notjust his constituents, but the polish community in particular. and of course for their big hearted support for the people of ukraine and of course as a leading donor i think the second largest donor to ukraine, we have committed a further £174 million in aid to bring our total to £400 million. that will also support those countries in close proximity to ukraine, their neighbours, and first and foremost will be poland.

on the 28th of april, 2018, when he was foreign secretary, the prime minister was reported to have attended a party at a castle in italy where he met a former kgb officer. this was just weeks after the salisbury poisonings and weeks after he attended a nato summit on russia. if that is not astonishing in itself, it is also reportedly travelled there without any security detail. will they now be an investigation into what sounds like a complete failure of national security? he is talking total nonsense and i don't have anything to add to what i have already said. in don't have anything to add to what i have already said.— have already said. in addition to my constituents — have already said. in addition to my constituents concerns _ have already said. in addition to my constituents concerns for _ have already said. in addition to my constituents concerns for ukraine, | constituents concerns for ukraine, they are also concerned about planning policy. iwrote they are also concerned about planning policy. i wrote to the prime minister in october 2019 about the threat to the goring gap. it is against government policy and against government policy and against government policy for every greenfield to be built on and they

made a decision that would wipe away the planning powers of every local council in the country. can i ask of the prime minister will see me and if the government will revoke this inspectors mistaken decision? i am the visor someone _ inspectors mistaken decision? i am the visor someone with _ inspectors mistaken decision? i am the visor someone with a massive proportion of green belt in my constituency on these frustrations and i think honourable members across the house feel with some planning decisions that are made, but once a planning decision is final, it cannot be challenged unless it is successfully challenged in the courts. unless it is successfully challenged in the courts-— in the courts. last year at children and young — in the courts. last year at children and young people _ in the courts. last year at children and young people were _ in the courts. last year at children and young people were admitted i in the courts. last year at children | and young people were admitted to barnsley hospital for self—harm —— 250 children. that is 15 times the national average. this is a public health crisis. will the prime minister asked the health secretary to meet with me on health care providers from barnsley to immediately respond to this mental health crisis? igrate immediately respond to this mental health crisis?— immediately respond to this mental health crisis? ~ , ., ., ., health crisis? we put a huge amount

into both mental _ health crisis? we put a huge amount into both mental health _ health crisis? we put a huge amount into both mental health and - health crisis? we put a huge amount into both mental health and the i into both mental health and the wider nhs budget, notjust on covid and to respond to the wider issues and to respond to the wider issues and i will make sure in relation to the specific issue she raises that an appropriate health minister will see her. pare an appropriate health minister will see her. �* . , an appropriate health minister will seeher.�* . _. .,. , see her. are any oligarchs with uk --assorts see her. are any oligarchs with uk passports on _ see her. are any oligarchs with uk passports on our _ see her. are any oligarchs with uk passports on our sanctions - see her. are any oligarchs with uk passports on our sanctions list? i see her. are any oligarchs with uk i passports on our sanctions list? can i thank the — passports on our sanctions list? can i thank the chair of the icc and i will have to let the foreign secretary and foreign office check carefully and respond to him in due course. ., ., . ., ., course. three weeks ago the chair of the uk statistics — course. three weeks ago the chair of the uk statistics authority _ course. three weeks ago the chair of the uk statistics authority wrote i course. three weeks ago the chair of the uk statistics authority wrote to l the uk statistics authority wrote to the uk statistics authority wrote to the prime minister to point out that his repeated assertion that employment is now higher than it was before the pandemic is incorrect. yesterday's employment statistics show 840,000 fewer self—employed people now than before the pandemic and that overall employment is 580,000 lower. does the deputy prime

minister agree that truthfulness is vital to trusting our democracy? does he accept the correction from sir david nor grove? £37! does he accept the correction from sir david nor grove?— sir david nor grove? of course we listened carefully _ sir david nor grove? of course we listened carefully to _ sir david nor grove? of course we listened carefully to that - listened carefully to that statement, but the honourable gentleman points to the data yesterday that showed that unemployment has fallen below 4% and is back at pre—pandemic levels and has been termed a remarkable success from everyone to the resolution foundation. it talks about the truth. there is one golden truth, and that is whenever there is a labour government in the past, unemployment has always been higher when they left office than when they started. that is the jobs guarantee you get with labour. istate started. that is the jobs guarantee you get with labour.— you get with labour. we have now rovided you get with labour. we have now provided more _ you get with labour. we have now provided more than _ you get with labour. we have now provided more than 3000 - you get with labour. we have now. provided more than 3000 anti-tank provided more than 3000 anti—tank weapons, training and other military support to ukraine alongside crushing financial sanctions on

russia and more bilateral assistance, humanitarian assistance and aid than any other country, but can my right honourable friend confirm that we will continue to deliver further military aid and support and that we will supply the anti aircraft missiles necessary to destroy russian jets? anti aircraft missiles necessary to destroy russianjets? mr; anti aircraft missiles necessary to destroy russian jets?— destroy russian 'ets? my right honourable — destroy russian jets? my right honourable friend _ destroy russian jets? my right honourable friend is _ destroy russian jets? my right honourable friend is absolutely right and we delivered over 3600 anti—tank weapons and will also be sending a consignment ofjavelin anti—tank missiles and as he says, we are exploring the donation of anti—air missiles. it is we are exploring the donation of anti-air missiles.— anti-air missiles. it is welcome that ukrainians _ anti-air missiles. it is welcome that ukrainians seeking - anti-air missiles. it is welcome that ukrainians seeking asylum in britain will have the right to work and access to public services. we should always offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. people who come to britain to make it their home, no matter where they are from, or the colour of their skin, make a hugely positive contribution to our

society and economy. if they are supported to do so. so how can the government nowjustify not extending the same welcome and the same rights, including the right to work, to all people seeking asylum in britain? he to all people seeking asylum in britain? , ., ., ., britain? he is right that we have a stron: britain? he is right that we have a strong tradition _ britain? he is right that we have a strong tradition and _ britain? he is right that we have a strong tradition and we _ britain? he is right that we have a strong tradition and we have i britain? he is right that we have a l strong tradition and we have shown that we have stepped up to the plate with the hong kong british national overseas citizens, the and we will go further and beyond the normal rules when there is a crisis as we have seen in ukraine. he is right about what he said in relation to the current scheme. those coming here, the ukrainians, who can live, work and access benefits and state with three years with leave to remain and i am proud of the whole house should be proud notjust because of the bighearted approach of the government also the 100,000 british sponsors who have come forward and said they would open their homes to those refugees. flan i their homes to those refugees. can i ask my right — their homes to those refugees. (can i ask my right honourable friend as the brilliant ukrainian people fight

and die on a daily basis for their rights of freedom and democracy, it is important therefore that we make something very clear and i wonder if he would do this. they have asked for membership of nato for a significant period of time and nato has chosen not to give it then. my concern now is that no matter what they decide, it remains the absolute right as a free people to make such an application in the future, and, noticing that finland is talking about being a member, that we treat them in exactly the same way as we would an application from finland. i thank my right honourable friend and he will have heard what president zelensky said overnight in relation to this but one of the things we have always been crystal clear as a government about is that if there is a diplomatic off ramp, and i have to

say we have a heavy measure of scepticism about whether putin could fulfil such a deal, but if there is it has to be done with the will and volition of the ukrainian president and ukrainian people. mr; volition of the ukrainian president and ukrainian people. my constituent is a --oular and ukrainian people. my constituent is a popular parish — and ukrainian people. my constituent is a popular parish priest _ and ukrainian people. my constituent is a popular parish priest in _ is a popular parish priest in glasgow, originally from nigeria, he became a british citizen last year and applied for his first british passport last summer. on his naturalisation certificate, issued by the home secretary, it includes his title, reverend father, under his title, reverend father, under his name. this is causing the passport office unexplained difficulties and seven months on he is still waiting for his passport. can i ask the deputy prime minister to look at this case is a matter of urgency? his mother is extremely ill in nigeria and he needs to get his passport to visit her. flan in nigeria and he needs to get his passport to visit her.— passport to visit her. can i thank the honourable _ passport to visit her. can i thank the honourable lady— passport to visit her. can i thank the honourable lady for- passport to visit her. can i thank the honourable lady for raising l passport to visit her. can i thank i the honourable lady for raising that case and it sounds very sensitive and i will make sure a home office

minister looks at it as a matter that was prime minister's questions. we heard from dominic raab at the beginning on the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. he said i cannot yet confirm the reports we have seen in the media, but it does feel like positive signs. the labour party were calling for a review of other cases. we are just hearing the prime minister was not there for prime minister's questions which is why dominic raab was doing it because he is in saudi arabia for talks on oil supplies. we are hearing that he has just now landed in saudi arabia and he was in the uae. he hasjust landed in riyadh. he is going to meet the crown prince and the focus of the talks will be on trying to

get saudi arabia and the uae to increase supplies of oil to lower prices, of course they are members of opec. whether that is going to be possible, we have to wait and see. we are returning to the main news, the release of the british—iranian woman nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. it is understood that she is in tehran waiting to leave the country at at the airport. we are hearing that a third british dating the —— detainee who also has uranian city and ship —— iranian citizenship and was

detained in 2019 has been freed on furlough. it is not clear exactly what released from jail on furlough means. we need to wait for more detail on that, but he was mentioned in the reporting in the run—up to the developments today, which have seen the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori. we now have this news about this new man being released on furlough. we will continue to check out exactly what that means that we will keep you updated on that. i mentioned that borisjohnson was not at prime minister's questions and neither was sick kier starmer. he has given his comments on

nazanin. ., . . he has given his comments on nazanin. ., ., ., ., ., , nazanin. for nazanin and her family this is a welcome _ nazanin. for nazanin and her family this is a welcome development. i nazanin. for nazanin and her family| this is a welcome development. they have shown such courage. i have met richard many times. i know and can feel what this will mean for all of them. my emotion will be the emotion of families across the whole of the country which are just so pleased for them that this moment has come. there will be questions, of course, for others to answer, but at the moment, i am so pleased for them as a family. for this incredible moment has appeared to come about. i think the british public would just be wishing them all the best after the unimaginable ordeal. with me now is leanna burnard, a legal officer at redress, who have been acting as legal representatives for nazanin and her family since 2016. welcome, thank you forjoining us.

can you confirm the status of nazanin now?— can you confirm the status of nazanin now? ., , ., ., ., nazanin now? the latest information i have received _ nazanin now? the latest information i have received is _ nazanin now? the latest information i have received is that _ nazanin now? the latest information i have received is that she _ nazanin now? the latest information i have received is that she is - nazanin now? the latest information i have received is that she is still- i have received is that she is still at the airport. she has not yet been released from the custody of the revolutionary guard. that is the latest news i have. and i understand him that it seems extremely close, but until she is officially out of the custody of the iranian revolutionary guard, we are still waiting for bated breath. i5 revolutionary guard, we are still waiting for bated breath. is it clear why _ waiting for bated breath. is it clear why it — waiting for bated breath. is it clear why it might _ waiting for bated breath. is it clear why it might be that she would still be in their custody? there has been some reports which you cannot confirm obviously that she had been handed over to the custody of uk authorities. what is the process and what might be delaying things? it is aenerall what might be delaying things? it 3 generally quite difficult to understand the exact movements of

the revolutionary guard and their movements. they have played games with nazanin over the past six years and dangled release in front of her, taken it away. so if there are any delays in hurley's i would speculate it is the iranian government's sort of final push to show that they are still in control and the a final attempt to assert their authority that they have —— as they have done over the past six years. do that they have -- as they have done over the past six years.— over the past six years. do you have an real over the past six years. do you have any real doubts _ over the past six years. do you have any real doubts that _ over the past six years. do you have any real doubts that she _ over the past six years. do you have any real doubts that she may - over the past six years. do you have any real doubts that she may not i over the past six years. do you have any real doubts that she may not bej any real doubts that she may not be able to come home? this any real doubts that she may not be able to come home?— able to come home? this is by far the closest _ able to come home? this is by far the closest we _ able to come home? this is by far the closest we have _ able to come home? this is by far the closest we have ever - able to come home? this is by far the closest we have ever been i able to come home? this is by far the closest we have ever been to l the closest we have ever been to seeing her coming home. ithink... ourfamily —— the family seeing her coming home. ithink... our family —— the family and seeing her coming home. ithink... ourfamily —— the family and our colleagues feel that this might be it. untilshe colleagues feel that this might be it. until she is definitely on the plane and out of the custody of the

revolutionary guards and the iranian government we cannot be absolutely confident. it government we cannot be absolutely confident. . , , government we cannot be absolutely confident. ., , , ., ., confident. it has been a roller coaster, has _ confident. it has been a roller coaster, has ended, - confident. it has been a roller coaster, has ended, for i confident. it has been a roller coaster, has ended, for her . confident. it has been a roller l coaster, has ended, for her and confident. it has been a roller i coaster, has ended, for her and her husband? they have had their hopes raised many times. have you spoken to richard? how is he doing? richard and the family— to richard? how is he doing? richard and the family are _ to richard? how is he doing? richard and the family are extremely - and the family are extremely anxious, very nervous. i think that they are quite guarded in their excitement. we have been in similar situations before, not quite this close. the family has been through this thinking that she is about to be released and that the debt has been paid, but it has not transpired. i think richard and the family are very guarded and cautious in their excitement, but i imagine there is a lot of anxiousness floating around as well as hope. do ou floating around as well as hope. do you know whether the debt has been paid? because there have been claims

both ways. istate paid? because there have been claims both wa s. ~ ., ., ., . ., both ways. we have had no official confirmation _ both ways. we have had no official confirmation from _ both ways. we have had no official confirmation from the _ both ways. we have had no official confirmation from the iranian i confirmation from the iranian government or the uk government that the debt has been cleared. it is unclear at this stage. there has been some kind of deal. what it involves, it is not entirely clear at this stage. but we are quite confident that there has been some kind of deal made.— kind of deal made. thank you for 'oinin: kind of deal made. thank you for joining us- _ nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's sister—in—law, rebecca ratcliffe, says the family are still cautious. it is quite an emotional day today. definitely feels like we are on the home run now, but until she leaves the airport, we can't quite believe it. but really positive developments. we found out about an hour ago that she has been picked up and taken to the airport with herfamily, with her parents. her parents were not allowed to come

in the room with her, so she is still actually under iranian control in the airport. she is still not free. but it definitely feels like she is about to be. and when you found out about an hour ago, how did you find out and was at the first moment that you knew she was going to the airport, that she was on her way? yes, so my brother messaged me this morning that things looked like they were moving and in fact they had thought things were going to move yesterday and did not. and then he messaged me today to say that he she had been picked up and taken to the airport. so we knew that things were moving quite quickly. it was obviously, i think, they thought she would be on a flight by now because i think the government went to a press conference at about ten o'clock and it has not happened. there seems to be some delay in tactics again by the iranians. whether that is just a little bit of game playing before she gets on a flight, i don't know.

but fingers crossed. when you say press conference, would you expect nazanin to speak at that? do you know what that was? no, that was the government. not richard or nazanin. the government was going to put out some information. i think the media had hinted at it, but richard has not been to a press conference today. have you spoken to richard? you said that you had the messages. yes, well, i spoke to him briefly and then he ran me off because the home office was on the other line and i have not heard from him since. you know, he is calm and cautious like he always is, we have been close to this before and it hasn't worked out, so unfortunately for us, until she gets on that flight, until she touches down in london, we just can't quite believe it. i think we are all a little bit on edge today. really hopeful that this is the start of the end for us. how much has he been in the picture? you said, he had to leave the conversation with you to speak to the foreign office, how open had they been with him about what has been going on?

i think when there are developments in our favour, they are relatively open. they're not about negotiations behind the scene, what is happening within the negotiation. but obviously he found out that nazanin was being picked up and taken to the airport because nazanin called him. i don't know how much this is coming from the home office and how much nazanin herself is saying it in the time it happens. did he tell you how nazanin was in that conversation? yes, quite nervous. she is still under the control of the iranians at the moment. she is in a holding room in the airport with anoosheh. they are not allowed to speak to each other. she had to do some kind of report on iranian tv. she did not tell richard what she said. we think that will probably come out while she is on the flight. if she does get on the flight. i think that was quite dramatic for her. she honestly didn't enjoy doing that. the stakes are so high at the moment for her, she is on edge. when she comes, there will no doubt

be a welcoming party. do you know what the plan is? i suspect when she touches down, it will be a very intimate party. i think this is a moment for nazanin and richard together. and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate. this weekend will be one of the celebration if she does come home. will you hope to see her this weekend?— will you hope to see her this weekend? , , ., , weekend? yes, you try and stop me. it has been — weekend? yes, you try and stop me. it has been obviously _ weekend? yes, you try and stop me. it has been obviously such an - it has been obviously such an incredibly tough time for your family and the family of anoosheh ashoori and initially, i think the message from the foreign office to the family was don't really speak about this because it might jeopardise things. but richard did speak very openly and has been such an active campaigner on behalf of his wife. how do you feel about how your brother has handled all of

this? , ., , your brother has handled all of this? , .,, ., , your brother has handled all of this? , ., , ., , ., this? yes, he has always felt that, ou this? yes, he has always felt that, you know. — this? yes, he has always felt that, you know. he _ this? yes, he has always felt that, you know, he cannot _ this? yes, he has always felt that, you know, he cannot hide - this? yes, he has always felt that, you know, he cannot hide from i this? yes, he has always felt that, you know, he cannot hide from it, | this? yes, he has always felt that, i you know, he cannot hide from it, he has to be vocal about it. the power of the campaign and being transparent will help get her home and to help her know that she is loved and missed and we are fighting for her. once he made that decision, he has been a tower of strength. and he has been a tower of strength. and he has been a tower of strength. and he has not wavered from that and there have been so many knock from that over the six years and the goal has been getting her home and reunited. it looks like it is about to pay off and that is lovely. do ou to pay off and that is lovely. do you know what made the final breakthrough?— you know what made the final breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation _ breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation team _ breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation team went _ breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation team went over i breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation team went over to l breakthrough? no. we know the negotiation team went over to i | breakthrough? no. we know the i negotiation team went over to i the media put out that the debt has been paid. the historical debt that we have owed for many years now. we

have owed for many years now. we have not had that confirmed by government. that message was put out by iran and that was not true. she probably will not be released without that happening, so we will see. in without that happening, so we will see. , ., . ~ see. in terms of them getting back toaether see. in terms of them getting back together again _ see. in terms of them getting back together again as _ see. in terms of them getting back together again as a _ see. in terms of them getting back together again as a family - see. in terms of them getting back together again as a family after i together again as a family after such a long time with nazanin being in the environment that she has been in, they are probably going to have quite a journey ahead to just live a normal life. quite a journey ahead to 'ust live a normal life.— normal life. yes, absolutely. not onl has normal life. yes, absolutely. not only has there — normal life. yes, absolutely. not only has there been _ normal life. yes, absolutely. not only has there been a _ normal life. yes, absolutely. not only has there been a lot - normal life. yes, absolutely. not only has there been a lot of- normal life. yes, absolutely. not. only has there been a lot of trauma only has there been a lot of trauma on both sides particularly in nasim sign, they've been separated for six years and have had different experiences over those years. if you talk to other hostages, it is an incredibly traumatic process for healing. there is a whole family there looking out for them. there are lots of places where the family

can go and escape to for healing. it is not going to be an easyjourney by any stretch of the imagination, but we are there to support them all. ~ ., but we are there to support them all. . ., ., , , but we are there to support them all. ., , ., all. what has been the impact on the widerfamily- — all. what has been the impact on the wider family. you _ all. what has been the impact on the wider family. you can _ all. what has been the impact on the wider family. you can speak - all. what has been the impact on the wider family. you can speak for i wider family. you can speak for yourself and others. we think about the parents of nazanin who have been there, who she has had to stay with them under house arrest and they have seen what has happened to their daughter, their granddaughter close up. daughter, their granddaughter close u . _ , daughter, their granddaughter close u. , �* , ., daughter, their granddaughter close up. yes, the british media see the stress on our _ up. yes, the british media see the stress on our family, _ up. yes, the british media see the stress on our family, but - up. yes, the british media see the stress on our family, but it - up. yes, the british media see the stress on our family, but it is - stress on our family, but it is nothing compared to what it is like for nazanin�*s family. the parents watching their child being separated from their granddaughter. it has been horrendous for them. and now the sudden loss of nazanin is going

to be traumatic for them as well. for richard it has been a hell of a strain, for us it has been a strain from time to time but we can still get on with our lives. i think the real trauma has been for richard and gabrielle. ., ., ., gabrielle. you saw him go through the hunuer gabrielle. you saw him go through the hunger strike _ gabrielle. you saw him go through the hunger strike and _ gabrielle. you saw him go through the hunger strike and that - gabrielle. you saw him go through the hunger strike and that must i gabrielle. you saw him go through i the hunger strike and that must have been quite concerning. yes. the hunger strike and that must have been quite concerning.— been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site _ been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for _ been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a _ been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a lot _ been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a lot of— been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a lot of it. - been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a lot of it. it - been quite concerning. yes, i was there on site for a lot of it. it is i there on site for a lot of it. it is quite tricky watching your brother starve himself to death especially in the winter when it is quite cold. at the same time you get a lot of support and when something like this happens to yourfamily, support and when something like this happens to your family, it is so traumatic, but the love and the outpouring from people you have never met before is really empowering. it is very nurturing. we found that the hunger strike as well as other events we have done we've done numerous of them. there has

been so much love sent to nazanin through us, so as difficult as those events have been watching richard suffered, it has also been very nurturing. suffered, it has also been very nurturing-— nurturing. that was the sister-in-law _ nurturing. that was the sister-in-law of - nurturing. that was the i sister-in-law of nazanin. now nurturing. that was the _ sister-in-law of nazanin. now back sister—in—law of nazanin. now back to ukraine. before russia invaded ukraine, president volodymyr zelensky was derided as the actor comedian turned unlikely politician. well, not any more. now he's seen by many as a wartime hero and a cultural icon. shelley phelps has more on the man himself. we are all here, our soldiers are here, the citizens of our country are here. practically every day, a new video pops up. president zelensky in his office. president zelensky with his staff. president zelensky appealing to the russian people. he rallies his troops and evokes ordinary ukrainians and even maybe people around the globe a spirit of defiance which has arguably

helped blunt the russian advance. so why does he appeal to people so much? american director david dodson worked on ten films with the actor turned politician. his biggest market for his movies was russia. he was a beloved comedy star in russia. i directed two of his movies in russia. he was never thought of as being an enemy or an antagonist. comparisons are often drawn with the former afghan president who faced criticism for fleeing kabul as the taliban closed in. public opinion is firmly behind president zelensky according to this analyst. now, of course, he's got 90% support. he is up from 23 or whatever in less than a month. it is pretty good. he is definitely... and my mother—in—law, specifically, she keeps mentioning that he stayed. that one thing, she keeps

mentioning from a ukrainian perspective. he is here. president zelensky�*s rapid rise was unexpected and unpredictable, as are so many aspects of this war. what is certain is that vlodymyr zelensky is set to remain centre stage as the story in ukraine unfolds. shelley phelps, bbc news. well president zelensky is about to address the house of congress and the united states. this is the scene in washington. this is where they are waiting to hear from in washington. this is where they are waiting to hearfrom him. he addressed the houses of parliament here previously and now he will be addressing congress coming up shortly. you can see there is a packed house for that address from president zielinski. all the latest news coming up at one with victoria. right now here is a look at the weather with nick miller. hello, for friday and the weekend, plenty of fine weather around

with lots of sunshine. we are not there yet. we have a weather system today and in fact another one coming in tomorrow with some rain. gone from northern ireland. slowly clearing from scotland today, but for wales and england that rain spreading east as a day goes on. it is two where the system is combining to give the rain today. it looks wet this afternoon into the evening in eastern england with some quite heavy persistent rain. gone from northern ireland this morning, some fine weather to come, just a chance of a shower. sunny spells developing in western scotland in the afternoon. rain clearing from eastern scotland, cloud lingering for much of the day. brightening up slowly through wales and western england as the rain clears, with central and eastern england seeing cloud and outbreaks of rain and some heavier bursts across east anglia and south—east england. highs of around iii celsius. a wet evening here, the rain slowly clearing. clearer skies elsewhere will allow temperatures to dip and there will be a widespread, if slight frost going into tomorrow morning.

you may have to scrape the ice off the cars in places. tomorrow, we have another weather system moving in targeting mostly the northern half of the uk. it will move quite quickly into northern ireland. rain turning increasingly showery, as it pushes its way slowly eastwards, and a wintry nature to this over the hills of scotland, so a bit of sleet and snow for the hills as that moves in. into northern ireland, there will be few bands of rain moving in. behind it, brightening up into the afternoon with sunny spells. showery rain moving across scotland into parts of northern england, north wales and the north midlands whereas across the east and south—east of england it will be dry with sunny spells, and temperatures again around 13 celsius in england, 10—12 in scotland and northern ireland. some fog for wales and england to start friday with a slight frost. plenty of sunshine to come. showers in the northern and western isles, and initially for wales and england in the sunshine, temperatures

heading upwards, the warmth becoming more widespread over the weekend, nights still fairly chilly, plenty of sunshine out there, and increasingly stiff easterly wind making it feel cooler along east facing coasts.

nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, the british—iranian mum detained in iran since 2016, is freed and at the airport ready to leave tehran. the 43—year—old was originally arrested on spying charges, which she always denied. the family say they won't believe it until her plane lands here. until she gets on that flight, until she touches down in london, we just can't quite believe it. but i think we are all a little bit on edge today, really hopeful that this is the start of the end for us. one other dual national, father anoosheh ashoori, has also been released from prison in iran. we'll try and explain what the breakthrough was and when both of them might be back in the uk. here in ukraine, a glimmer of hope as the president of ukraine sounds

more positive about talks to end the war.