this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the globe. i'm yalda hakim. our top stories: volodymyr zelensky makes an historic address to the us congress, calling on american fighterjets to impose a no—fly zone above the skies of ukraine. translation: i have a need. i need to protect our sky. i need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words, "i have a dream." russian attacks continue against kyiv and other cities — but the uk's ministry of defence says they're struggling to progress.

in the western city of lviv, grandmothers, grandfathers and other volunteers are given a crash course in how to use a gun to defend themselves. translation: normally, | i wouldn't even point a gun at an animal, but this is now a time to learn how to hold weapons and shoot them. russia says agreement is close in peace talks in some areas — ukraine says the dialogue has become more realistic. heading back to the uk, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe — the british—iranian mum detained in iran since 2016 has been freed. you're watching bbc news, i'm yalda hakim, broadcasting live from lviv in western ukraine.

ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has used a rare live address to the us congress to make an emotional appealfor more help from america to fight off the russian invasion. speaking by video link from kyiv, he pleaded for the us to impose a no fly zone on russia. here in ukraine, the country has now endured three weeks of war. blasts have been heard in the capital, kyiv, with emergency services saying a block of flats in the city has been hit by russian shelling. people have been sheltering underground and in their homes, while a curfew remains in place. the uk's ministry of defence says ukraine is continuing to succeed in "stalling russia's advance", with russian forces "struggling to overcome the challenges posed by ukraine's terrain". nato defence ministers have been meeting in brussels to discuss their response to the conflict. meanwhile, president zelensky has also said peace talks are beginning to sound more realistic. russia's foreign minister has said there is "hope for compromise".

let's begin, though, with what volodymr zelensky said in his historic address to the united states congress. have a listen. translation: russian troops have already fired nearly 1,000 missiles at ukraine, countless bombs. they use drones to kill us with precision. this is a terror that europe has not seen, has not seen for 80 years, and we are asking for a reply, for an answer to this terror from the whole world. is this a lot to ask for? to create a no—fly zone over ukraine, to save people, is this too much to ask? a humanitarian no—fly zone, something that russia would not be able to terrorise our free cities. if this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative. you know what kind of defence systems we need, 5—300 and other similar systems.

you know how much depends on the battlefield, on the ability to use aircraft, powerful, strong aviation, to protect our people, ourfreedom, our land, aircraft that can help ukraine, helps europe. that was president zelensky addressing the us congress there. let's bring you the latest now on the fighting inside ukraine. our first report today is on the continuing russian assault. here's our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. three weeks into this war and russia keeps attacking. and, for the capital, the battle is getting closer and the defenders keep defending. translation: they sometimes fire artillery every _ ten to 20 minutes. we're holding on, everything will be all right,

everything will be ukraine. a lull in fighting allows for a quick rest. and this is what we see now. plumes of dark smoke on the outskirts of the city, as ukrainian forces try to keep out this russian advance. and, further inside kyiv, more residential blocks are randomly getting hit. for the third consecutive morning, residential blocks bear the brunt of the shelling, along with the people in them. here, two were injured, 35 evacuated. most of the city are underground, waiting for a day and a half curfew to end tomorrow. in the south—east, ukrainians who have been forced from their home arrived here, but is it safer? authorities here claim russian missiles recently hit a train station and a public park. this is what they have finally been able to escape. more than 20,000 have made it out, say officials, from mariupol. the south—eastern city has been

surrounded for two weeks. more than 300,000 are still trapped under heavy shelling with barely any food or water. 400 people are still reportedly being held hostage at the biggest hospital. it's the only russian advance that hasn't stalled, according to british defence officials. it's thought invading troops almost everywhere else are continuing to be held up by stiff resistance and low supplies. partly why there is optimism from president zelenskyy, as a fourth round of peace negotiations carries on today. compromise could come from ukraine continuing to distance itself from ever joining nato, one of russia's original demands before they invaded. the question for many ukrainians will be, what will they get in return? james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. let's cross live to kyiv and our correspondent james waterhouse. signs of compromise and optimism

that we are seeing regarding these talks, and president zelensky made the point last night again when he pointed out that they are aware, they have been aware for a long time, that ukraine might neverjoin nato. time, that ukraine might never “oin nato. , , ., time, that ukraine might never “oin nato. , ., ., nato. yes, you are right, and he has said this before, _ nato. yes, you are right, and he has said this before, he _ nato. yes, you are right, and he has said this before, he has _ nato. yes, you are right, and he has said this before, he has talked - said this before, he has talked about a cooling of the idea of joining and he previously called it a dream, and he has now said ukrainians need to realise that the doors to nato are closed, so he has continually inched away from the idea ofjoining, and we have seen more and more prominent ukrainian politicians come up with their own proposals for ukraine to form new alliances. the uk was named as one where it was described as a nuclear superpower and they said, organisations like nato that were formed after the second world war, no longer have any influence, so you are seeing some movement from the ukrainian side and to date we have

seen where russia might be willing to concede some ground —— today. they have said they would accept ukraine adopting a neutral stance so it would have its own government and military but it would have to take a neutral stance on foreign affairs issues, like with countries like austria, but ukraine says to that, no way, because we want to have our own security guarantees, given our place in europe and what has happened for the last three weeks, so outwardly that there is still a deadlock but as long as the russian advanceis deadlock but as long as the russian advance is frustrated and as both sides sustained heavy losses, the appetite to thrash out some kind of deal and ultimately peace will ultimately become greater. {flare deal and ultimately peace will ultimately become greater. give us a sense of how — ultimately become greater. give us a sense of how those _ ultimately become greater. give us a sense of how those three _ ultimately become greater. give us a sense of how those three prime - sense of how those three prime ministers who arrived in kyiv yesterday, how was that received? we heard president zelensky say it was

courageous and he urged other leaders to come. it is courageous and he urged other leaders to come.— courageous and he urged other leaders to come. it is funny how different things _ leaders to come. it is funny how different things are _ leaders to come. it is funny how different things are interpreted l leaders to come. it is funny how i different things are interpreted and in that extraordinary visit, three world leaders from poland, slovenia slovenia and the czech republic, taking the train on a journey that in normal times would take around seven hours across this vast country, and i would love to note the security details of that and how they got there, was it a fast track, did they stop anywhere? nevertheless they came to a capital city at war where they represented the eu and presented a support package, and they posed for photographs, the first such diplomatic visit which we have not seen it since the bombs started landing in this war and this has gone down extremely well in many corners, along with president zelensky�*s continual addresses from the capital, standing in defiance of the capital, standing in defiance of the russian attack, but if i was to use another example, the demonstration we saw on russian state tv by the journalist, when she

held a no war poster, and some ukrainians were sceptical and they thought that was a tokenistic gesture, saying there are more pressing issues happening in the country with the fighting, so it seems engaging the public mood, what matters the most people is what is happening here and what fellow ukrainians are doing in the face of this continuing threat as russia continues to spread this invasion across the country.— continues to spread this invasion across the country. james, thanks for “oininu across the country. james, thanks forjoining us- _ across the country. james, thanks forjoining us. james _ across the country. james, thanks forjoining us. james waterhousel forjoining us. james waterhouse there. president zelensky has been addressing the us congress as we have said. we are joined addressing the us congress as we have said. we arejoined by bill taylor. tell me more about that address by video link, president zelensky received a standing ovation but he asked what he has been asking for over the last 21 days, a no—fly

zone over the skies in ukraine? yes. zone over the skies in ukraine? yes, he did. it zone over the skies in ukraine? yes, he did- it was _ zone over the skies in ukraine? yes, he did. it was an _ zone over the skies in ukraine? yes he did. it was an emotional and direct appeal, and the response was a bipartisan support, you saw support coming from the republicans and democrats across the spectrum, so it was well received. president zelensky did ask again for more support and more sanctions and he asked for a way to address this, and he raised 9/11 and pearl harbor where the us was attacked from the skies, and it was a very well thought out presentation and request. he also said in addition to the no—fly zone which he has been asking for before, he also said, if the us can't do that, there are other requests that can address the

same issue, address the threat from the skies, so president zelensky again, very carefully addressed the us audience and addressed president biden directly, and addressed the american people directly, after the video, the very moving video. he addressed the united states and americans and president biden in english, it was very powerful and direct, and it was very well thought out. it direct, and it was very well thought out. . , ., ., , out. it was. the video was incredibly _ out. it was. the video was incredibly moving - out. it was. the video was incredibly moving and - out. it was. the video was - incredibly moving and heartbreaking and we have seen these scenes over the last couple of weeks. you say he handled it very carefully in terms of what he asked for and how he addressed members of congress but what hasn't been handled well is the offer from what hasn't been handled well is the offerfrom poland what hasn't been handled well is the offer from poland for those fighter jets which the united states pushed back on, and that was a very public

discussion and for that split to be shown so publicly right now? you are riuht. not shown so publicly right now? you are right- not well _ shown so publicly right now? you are right. not well done. _ shown so publicly right now? you are right. not well done. maybe - shown so publicly right now? you are right. not well done. maybe that - shown so publicly right now? you are right. not well done. maybe that is l right. not well done. maybe that is the exception that proves the rule, perhaps, but it was a sign, a disagreement, ora perhaps, but it was a sign, a disagreement, or a lack of coordination between allies, between the united states and poland that seems to have been addressed, and the amazing thing has been the unity of the nato alliance on almost all things. with regards to the sanctions which are more difficult for the europeans than the americans, and the americans have led on the sanctions and the europeans have been in some cases actually ahead of the americans on these sanctions so the unity has been striking. you are right, the dealfor the mig—29s been striking. you are right, the deal for the mig—29s which some have a question, it was not well handled, but again, president zelensky addressed the issue and the concern

he has got is the attacks from the skies. mig—29s can address that and a no—fly zone can address that but there are other things which he acknowledged, other air defence weapons systems, ground to air, anti—missile defence, and other things which can address these concerns that he has raised. haw concerns that he has raised. how lona concerns that he has raised. how long before _ concerns that he has raised. how long before those _ concerns that he has raised. how long before those offered to him? we have seen 21 days and we have had civilians displaced so how long before they take up his ask? you are riaht, before they take up his ask? you are ri ht, 21 before they take up his ask? you are right. 21 days — before they take up his ask? you are right. 21 days is _ before they take up his ask? you are right, 21 days is amazing, _ before they take up his ask? you are right, 21 days is amazing, in - before they take up his ask? you are right, 21 days is amazing, in the - right, 21 days is amazing, in the first instance, three weeks, when i'm sure there was told by his military generals and his minister of defence that his troops, the russian troops would be in kyiv in three days —— when i'm sure that president putin was told. it has

been a long time and the ukrainian military has put up a great defence and it has stalled this effort to get into kyiv. and into most of the big cities. ukrainian has stood strong. you are right to ask a question about how long can the request for these other weapons systems go on, and the concern is not going away, the concern about the stability and the concern about the stability and the concern about the russian nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, that is there, so again, president zelensky was right to say, this is what we need, but if you can't give this, if you can't close the skies and provide these jets, you can't close the skies and provide thesejets, here you can't close the skies and provide these jets, here are the capabilities we need, and we can figure out, the military people can figure out, the military people can figure out, the military people can figure out how to address these capabilities. figure out how to address these capabilities-_ figure out how to address these caabilities. �* , ., ., , capabilities. ambassador, always aood to capabilities. ambassador, always good to talk _ capabilities. ambassador, always good to talk to _ capabilities. ambassador, always good to talk to you, _ capabilities. ambassador, always good to talk to you, thanks - capabilities. ambassador, always good to talk to you, thanks for i good to talk to you, thanks for joining us.

i'm joined now byjournalist and author anne applebaum who yesterday addressed the us senate's foreign relations committee on how to combat the rise of authoritarianism. thanks forjoining us. 21 days of conflict and so much bloodshed in ukraine, what does a victory in your view look like for vladimir putin? victory for putin is clear, he said victory is conquering ukraine and re—incorporating it into some kind of post soviet empire. whether that means making it part of russia or simply installing a puppet regime, we are not sure, but he has said and russian propagandists have said that is what he wants. it russian propagandists have said that is what he wants.— is what he wants. if that is what he wants, is what he wants. if that is what he wants. that — is what he wants. if that is what he wants. that is _ is what he wants. if that is what he wants, that is not _ is what he wants. if that is what he wants, that is not necessarily - is what he wants. if that is what he wants, that is not necessarily what| wants, that is not necessarily what he might get because as we have heard, the ukrainians have put up a hell of a fight. heard, the ukrainians have put up a hell of a fight-— hell of a fight. they have, and it is very important _

hell of a fight. they have, and it is very important that _ hell of a fight. they have, and it is very important that we - hell of a fight. they have, and it is very important that we now i hell of a fight. they have, and it - is very important that we now begin to understand not what victory looks like for putin but what it looks like for putin but what it looks like for putin but what it looks like for ukraine. what victory looks like for ukraine. what victory looks like for ukraine is the russians withdrawing their forces from the country, and one of the ways we are going to get to that is that ukraine has got to win the military battle. i hope that leaders in london and washington are focused now on. if washington are focused now on. if that doesn't happen, given the might of the russian military, and yes, they have had setbacks, but what is they have had setbacks, but what is the alternative in terms of face saving for vladimir putin in this case? it saving for vladimir putin in this case? . , saving for vladimir putin in this case? , , saving for vladimir putin in this case? . , , . saving for vladimir putin in this case? , ., , , case? it may be that he comes up with something _ case? it may be that he comes up with something that _ case? it may be that he comes up with something that he _ case? it may be that he comes up with something that he can - case? it may be that he comes up| with something that he can accept that will allow him to tell the russian people he scored a victory, and i don't want to speculate about what that might be, it might involve crimea or donbas or a declaration from ukraine, buti crimea or donbas or a declaration from ukraine, but i don't think ukrainians can accept anything that

involves further russian occupation of territory because we have seen what occupation means, it means the arrest and murder of ukrainians and the imposition of terror and so i don't think we are going to see an end to the war from their perspective until the russian troops are gone. if putin can find a way to live with that and remember he a dictator so he decides what he can say and he can declare victory and say and he can declare victory and say that he has won something, if he wants to, but i don't think we are going to get to that until the ukrainians win militarily. barack obama described _ ukrainians win militarily. barack obama described russia - ukrainians win militarily. barack obama described russia not - ukrainians win militarily. barack obama described russia not as| ukrainians win militarily. barack| obama described russia not as a global power but a regional power, but if we look at the situation in ukraine, is it in fact that russia is a global power and not a regional power because they have not been able to defeat within 21 days the ukrainian forces and they are holding nato accountable and they

can invade syria, for example, and keep assad in power, so it is it actually the other way around? i’m actually the other way around? i'm not sure i actually the other way around? i“n not sure i understand the question. russia is a special kind of power because it is the largest nuclear power in the world. that means nato is reluctant to confront russia directly, and nato could obviously if it wanted enter the conflict, all of those russian tank columns would be gone immediately, if we wanted to fight a war with russia, we would win, a conventional war, but that doesn't happen because of the fear of escalation into a nuclear conflict so the nature russian power, whether you call it global or regional, that is very specific. it doesn't have an army that can match the us but it has this one kind of weapon that people are especially afraid of, and i think one of the reasons why russia has been able to do what it has done for the last

decade is also because until very recently, until the last two weeks, many in the west simply did not acknowledge that what russia was doing was important or not important enough or dangerous enough or damaging enough to warrant our attention. only now has russia got our attention and the genuine danger that russia opposes is now presenting itself to the west and finally people are beginning to think about what is our long—term strategy towards russia, a realistic one, and how we can deal with them in the future. one, and how we can deal with them in the future-— in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is — in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is it — in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is it a _ in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is it a concession - in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is it a concession on - in the future. ultimately, how does this end? is it a concession on both sides? i this end? is it a concession on both sides? . ., ., , this end? is it a concession on both sides? . . . , ., , sides? i have said already, the only wa it sides? i have said already, the only way it ends — sides? i have said already, the only way it ends in _ sides? i have said already, the only way it ends in a _ sides? i have said already, the only way it ends in a semipermanent - sides? i have said already, the only| way it ends in a semipermanent way is if the ukrainians win, and by winningi is if the ukrainians win, and by winning i mean the russian troops withdrawing, and any solution that ends with russians present in more ukrainian territory than they were

present on before the conflict started will mean a long—term struggle and ukrainian resistance and long—term questions about funding, the same questions we are having now about who should find the resistance, and how it should be funded and how to avoid a nuclear conflict with russia, so i don't think there's a permanent solution to this conflict which involves russians remaining on ukrainian soil. ~ ., ., ., ., soil. we have got to leave it there, but thanks — soil. we have got to leave it there, but thanks for— soil. we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining _ soil. we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining us. _ soil. we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining us. thank - soil. we have got to leave it there, | but thanks forjoining us. thank you but thanks for “oining us. thank you so much. the uk's foreign secretary has confirmed that two british—iranian nationals, who were held in iran on charges of spying, will return to the uk in the next few hours — and be re—united with their families "later today." nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anousheh ashouri were handed over to to the uk government at tehran's international airport

earlier on wednesday. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested six years ago and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government — a charge she's always denied. caroline hawley reports. it is almost six years since they were last together as a family. but now a reunion isjust but now a reunion is just hours away. this was the moment, in april 2016, when nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested at tehran airport where she was trying to leave the country trying to get back after visiting her parents. now she is back at the airport with fellow british national anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent years in jail. since her arrest, nazanin has endured solitary confinement, psychological torture and the agony of separation from her daughter. she served a five year sentence and was immediately given another. her husband richard has campaigned around the clock for her release, last october going on hunger strike in an act of desperation to pressure the uk government

to do more to get her home. he has always said she was being held as a hostage for a debt that britain owes iran. in the 1970s, iran bought more than 1,500 chieftain tanks from the uk but, after the islamic revolution, the deal wasn't completed and iran has been demanding its money back for decades. this is the moment that state—run television announced the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. they said the money britain owes iran has now been paid. i suspect that when she touches down, it will be a very intimate party, this is a moment for richard and gabriella and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebration. this was nazanin's favourite spot to come with her daughter when she was a baby. so many years to catch up on now, so much time they will never get back. since her release from jail

into house arrest... we can now speak to nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's husband richard. the first thing she always wanted to do when she gets back to is make a cup of tea, and i think actually we were looking at the house, you needs a bit of tidying, as well, so may be a bit of tidying, as well, so may be a bit of tidying, as well, so may be a bit of tidying directed by mami when she comes back. —— mummy. inaudible we have been kept out of the loop and at various points i have been talking very long distance, and to this point we have been kept out of the loop but behind closed doors with the lawyers we have been taken, so i don't know what has happened. i am relieved the problem has been solved. the government has two jobs,

to protect people and in situations like this to make sure it doesn't happen again and partly they have got to do what it needs to do to get people home and also to learn the lessons do not continue doing that, at the second part is for another day but today under a cloud she is home. —— today i'm very glad she is coming home. home. -- today i'm very glad she is coming home-— home. -- today i'm very glad she is cominu home. ~ ., ., ., ., coming home. what do you want to say to --eole coming home. what do you want to say to people who — coming home. what do you want to say to people who have _ coming home. what do you want to say to people who have got _ coming home. what do you want to say to people who have got behind - coming home. what do you want to say to people who have got behind you? i to people who have got behind you? thank you. this would not have happened without all the care and support of people up and down the country, ordinary people, people in the media, people in politics, some celebrities, and the overwhelming care we have had, and i said this on the hunger strike, it has been a cool experience, but also an exposure to such a level of kindness —— it has been a cruel experience. i'm very thankful to all of the people, thank you to everyone. hose

people, thank you to everyone. how have ou people, thank you to everyone. how have you been _ people, thank you to everyone. how have you been feeling? agitated - people, thank you to everyone. how have you been feeling? agitated as| have you been feeling? agitated as the day has — have you been feeling? agitated as the day has grown _ have you been feeling? agitated as the day has grown that _ have you been feeling? agitated as the day has grown that gone - have you been feeling? agitated as the day has grown that gone on, i have you been feeling? agitated as. the day has grown that gone on, and also some scary conversations of people making sure that she would be well when she came back but there was a big grin on herface in that photograph and it will be lovely to see her. we have chosen which toys we have taken so she will get to see them and looking forward to that. you can't get back the time is gone, thatis you can't get back the time is gone, that is a fact. but we live in the future, not in the past. we will take it one day at a time. we have followed your _ take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney, _ take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney, the - take it one day at a time. we have followed yourjourney, the first. take it one day at a time. we have | followed yourjourney, the first hug will make it all worthwhile? i’m followed yourjourney, the first hug

will make it all worthwhile? i'm not sure it will make _ will make it all worthwhile? i'm not sure it will make it _ will make it all worthwhile? i'm not sure it will make it all _ will make it all worthwhile? i'm not sure it will make it all worthwhile . sure it will make it all worthwhile but it will be the beginning of a new life, a normal life, and there will be bumps, no doubt, the normal squabbles we had before, but we are really looking forward to seeing her. it really looking forward to seeing her. , ., , ,., really looking forward to seeing her. , ., , ' . her. it must have been so difficult, but when you _ her. it must have been so difficult, but when you got _ her. it must have been so difficult, but when you got to _ her. it must have been so difficult, but when you got to break - her. it must have been so difficult, but when you got to break the - her. it must have been so difficult, | but when you got to break the good news to your daughter, that was a special moment? i news to your daughter, that was a special moment?— special moment? i don't think we still uuite special moment? i don't think we still quite believe _ special moment? i don't think we still quite believe it, _ special moment? i don't think we still quite believe it, but- special moment? i don't think we still quite believe it, but we - special moment? i don't think we still quite believe it, but we will. still quite believe it, but we will when we see her. certainly last night, and may be on sunday when the passbook came back, i said i didn't know what it meant, to be honest. but i'm grateful to everyone who has followed us along the way and kept supporting us and kept us in the sunlight which is crucial in cases like this. homecoming is a journey, not an arrival, and i think there will be a whole process and hopefully we will look back in years

to come and be a normalfamily hopefully we will look back in years to come and be a normal family and this will be a chapter in our lives but they will be more chapters to come. ~ ., but they will be more chapters to come. ~ . ., i. come. we are delighted for you. thank you- _ come. we are delighted for you. thank you. thank _ come. we are delighted for you. thank you. thank you _ come. we are delighted for you. thank you. thank you to - come. we are delighted for you. thank you. thank you to the - thank you. thank you to the government and to the foreign office staff, we have had a lot of help along the way behind closed doors, and the care and support from the foreign office, the different ministers have at different points, and different mps have, it has been and different mps have, it has been a tough journey and different mps have, it has been a toughjourney for and different mps have, it has been a tough journey for everyone for lots of different reasons and i'm really grateful for the stoicism which they have shown to get her out. �* , �*

studio: that was the husband of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, richard, and of course she was held in prison in iran since 2016 but nazanin is now on her way back to london, and he said it was a difficult ordeal, all these years apart, but they are not going to look back and they are focused on the future and looking forward to welcoming her home. let's speak to professor seyed mohammad marandi, chair of the american studies department at the university of tehran. thanks forjoining us. thanks for joining us. just listening thanks forjoining us. just listening to nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's husband richard talking about that terrible ordeal that they have had the past six years as they have been separated a family, so is there regret in iran for her arrest? whenever an uranium is arrested abroad, western governments say they have arrested an uranium, the assumption is that

the iranian is definitely guilty. but whenever someone from western country express it in around the assumption is that the person is innocent. in fact, your prime minister borisjohnson he was foreign secretary basically admitted that she had violated the law, although he had to backtrack later on omits the outrage in the media, which is strange because you would think it would be the other way around. you think they would be looking for the truth and trying to find out the truth. in any case,... but tell us about the timing, then. sorry, go ahead. but tell us about the timing, then. sorry. go ahead-— sorry, go ahead. there is also a iranian sorry, go ahead. there is also a iranian to _ sorry, go ahead. there is also a iranian to being _ sorry, go ahead. there is also a iranian to being returned, - sorry, go ahead. there is also a iranian to being returned, but i sorry, go ahead. there is also a l iranian to being returned, but you won't hear anything about that in western media, but of course the iranians are not very important. it isjust iranians are not very important. it is just how we are seeing wall—to—wall coverage of the war in ukraine but we don't hear anything about the war in yemen. which is even worse. it is basically because

people of yemen don't have blue eyes and blond hair, so they are not worthy, just like the fact that the british government... . worthy, just like the fact that the british government. . ._ british government... , we have covered the _ british government... , we have covered the war _ british government... , we have covered the war in _ british government... , we have covered the war in yemen, - british government... , we have covered the war in yemen, the i british government... , we have i covered the war in yemen, the war in afghanistan, the war in syria and iraq nonstop, cover to cover. i have travelled to these places myself for many years. to this ongoing accusation against western media is inaccurate, we have covered those wars extensively for many, many years. but ijust want wars extensively for many, many years. but i just want to wars extensively for many, many years. but ijust want to bring you back to this issue of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. tell me about the timing of this, why now? zaghari-ratcliffe. tell me about the timing of this, why now?— timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i timing of this, why now? well, first of all. i want _ timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i want to _ timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i want to point _ timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i want to point out _ timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i want to point out that - timing of this, why now? well, first of all, i want to point out that the l of all, i want to point out that the coverage on yemen is zero compared to ukraine. and it is ongoing and there is a starvation taking place and thousands of british military experts are helping keep the saudi forces. with regard to the situation

now, i think there is a new beginning that is being attempted by western governments because of the difficult circumstances that they are now face in europe. of course after the nuclear deal, western countries violated the deal and then tore up the nuclear deal, whereas the iranians were abiding by the deal. now western countries want to come back to the deal. if we abide by the deal, then i think this can be a new beginning. but it depends on them. , , . ., on them. this prisoner exchange... but what on them. this prisoner exchange... ihut what was _ on them. this prisoner exchange... but what was her _ on them. this prisoner exchange... but what was her release. . . ? - on them. this prisoner exchange... but what was her release. . . ? was i but what was her release...? was that part of getting this deal back? yes, well, it is not directly linked. there was no negotiations over the iranian prisoner or her in iran in vienna. but negotiations were taking place elsewhere. i could say there was a parallel negotiation taking place, and there is the issue of the iranian money that the british have been holding for

decades, and many iranians have probably died because of the lack of money, their own money especially, during the maximum sanctions. so despite... can i ask about that money, the £400 million debt? there are reports that there has been, it has been paid. the uk government denies it, they acknowledged that they owed the money but there are reports that it has been paid. m understanding, i reports that it has been paid. mg understanding, i don't have any official information, but my understanding is that the money has been transferred. but i am not completely certain about that. but it is money that the british government has owed iran for four decades, especially during coronavirus when iran needed that money back, it was not forthcoming. and a while back, this prisoner exchange was actually supposed to take place within a broader context, including american prisoners. but

the americans... who told you it was an exchange? the the americans. .. who told you it was an exchange?— an exchange? the prisoners. it is in the news. — an exchange? the prisoners. it is in the news, basically. _ an exchange? the prisoners. it is in the news, basically. we _ an exchange? the prisoners. it is in the news, basically. wejust - an exchange? the prisoners. it is in the news, basically. we just want i the news, basically. we 'ust want more information. _ the news, basically. we 'ust want more information. my _ the news, basically. we just want i more information. my understanding is that an iranian _ more information. my understanding is that an iranian is _ more information. my understanding is that an iranian is also _ more information. my understanding is that an iranian is also being i is that an iranian is also being released. �* is that an iranian is also being released-— is that an iranian is also being released. �* , ., . ., , released. but if you could 'ust give us more information i released. but if you could just give us more information about - released. but if you could just give us more information about that i us more information about that prisoner exchange between the two? there are two prisoner exchanges that were discussed, one was a few months ago when there were american prisoners, iranian prisoners and british prisoners. iranian prisoners, iran had more prisoners held abroad because there are a lot of iranians who are being held for busting sanctions. the sanctions are illegal, but wherever and iranian tries to bust sanctions to obtain agreement for the food industry or elsewhere, the americans would order that person to be arrested. so we

have a lot of iranians who are being held in prisons or being held in prisons in other countries waiting for extradition. and there are some iranians who have fled to iran but their assets have been confiscated, simply because they were breaking sanctions that were illegal. they were supposed to be a large exchange a while back, and everything was agreed upon, and it would have included what has gone and now between iran and the uk. but at the last moment, the united so, this prisoner, you havejust said it is unlikely to be reported on, but we just want more information on who this prisoner is and when they are likely to return to iran. my understanding is that there is a single person who is going to be released. i don't know the person's name, but i think that person would be released quite soon. that is my understanding. 50 be released quite soon. that is my

understanding.— be released quite soon. that is my understanding. so you don't have any more details — understanding. so you don't have any more details on _ understanding. so you don't have any more details on the _ understanding. so you don't have any more details on the name _ understanding. so you don't have any more details on the name or- understanding. so you don't have any more details on the name or the i more details on the name or the reason? ., ., , , . . , more details on the name or the reason? ., ., ,, . ., �* reason? no, not the specifics. but that person _ reason? no, not the specifics. but that person has — reason? no, not the specifics. but that person has been _ reason? no, not the specifics. but that person has been held - reason? no, not the specifics. but that person has been held longer. that person has been held longer than british iranians in iran. would ou acce -t than british iranians in iran. would you accept or _ than british iranians in iran. would you accept or acknowledge, i than british iranians in iran. would you accept or acknowledge, then, | you accept or acknowledge, then, that these two were essentially, nazanin and anoosheh ashoori were essentially political pawns in all of this? ., ~' ., essentially political pawns in all ofthis? ., ~ ., ., ., , of this? you know, again, this narrative _ of this? you know, again, this narrative building _ of this? you know, again, this narrative building in _ of this? you know, again, this narrative building in the i of this? you know, again, this narrative building in the west | of this? you know, again, this. narrative building in the west is based upon the assumption of some sort that the west is good and iran is bad. i don't accept that narrative. your own prime minister went to parliament, people can go on youtube, if utube hasn't deleted it yet, because right now everything is being deleted. there are all sorts of things being censored in the west now. if this clip still exists, people and go and look for themselves and see what the british prime minister said in parliament

about the fact that she violated the law and iran. obviously the iranians have said that she and the other have said that she and the other have done more than that. i don't see how, i don't know this woman. let's assume that you and i know nothing about her. i don't see how we can assume that someone who is arrested in iran is necessarily innocent. that is based on the assumption that under no circumstances do british or western governments carry out espionage in our country. i don't know how one can assume that when an uranium is arrested abroad, you can automatically assume that that person is definitely violating the law and western governments are... interference ok, professor, we will leave it there. thank you very much for joining us. there. thank you very much for joining us-_ there. thank you very much for joining us— there. thank you very much for “oininr us. ., ~ ,, �*, joining us. thank you. let's return to events here _ joining us. thank you. let's return to events here in _ joining us. thank you. let's return to events here in ukraine. - so far, the west of ukraine has escaped relatively unscathed

from the russian onslaught. there have been some airstrikes, including a military base near the polish border, but the region is relatively calm. despite that, here in lviv people are preparing for an attack they believe is coming. jonah fisher has this report. in western ukraine, the war is getting closer and people are getting ready. we've 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. translation: normally, | i wouldn't even point a gun at an animal, but this is now time to learn how to hold weapons and shoot them. as, one by one, the volunteers take their turn, we're interrupted by the awful soundtrack of this war. air raid siren

so you can just hear there, the air raid siren has gone off, some people are leaving, some people are 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 yaryna, a doctor at lviv hospital. she's at the training. herjob is to save lives, but she says she is now ready to kill. i stay here and i defend under bombing and different military troops and i stay under fire. and you're 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. bought after russian air raids on western ukraine this weekend. translation: it's sad, it's very sad. | sometimes this 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, bbc news in western ukraine. joining me now from kyiv is the ukrainian mp, and leader of the holos party, kira rudik. thank you so much forjoining us here on the programme. tell us about the situation in kyiv right now. because of course you are there living under a curfew.—

because of course you are there living under a curfew. thank you so much for having _ living under a curfew. thank you so much for having me. _ living under a curfew. thank you so much for having me. we _ living under a curfew. thank you so much for having me. we are i living under a curfew. thank you so much for having me. we are in i living under a curfew. thank you so much for having me. we are in the | much for having me. we are in the middle of a curfew right now. expecting that russian forces can attack today or tomorrow. the last two days have been very heavy in terms of shelling. we have at least four buildings destroyed in kyiv and the top of one subway station. we are getting ready for different areas. the first scenario is that russia all have a full—scale land attack, and we are ready for that as attack, and we are ready for that as a resistance team and is a part of a bigger resistance group in kyiv. we are ready if russia will try to take over the entrance and exits to the city. and we will —— and if they try to siege the city and starve us out. for the last few days, we have been destroying their products and water supplies to be able to stay for at least 14 days. —— we have been

storing products and water supplies. what we are not really as for the attacks on missiles that are doing to our homes. that is why here there is nothing that we can do as citizens, there is nothing we can do to help ourselves. this is why we keep clearing to the nato countries to provide a no—fly zone for us, or at least a variation of a no—fly zone. to give us the jets, to give us... zone. to give us the 'ets, to give us... �* , w us... and we saw president zelensky address congress _ us... and we saw president zelensky address congress again _ us... and we saw president zelensky address congress again and - us. .. and we saw president zelensky address congress again and ask- us... and we saw president zelensky address congress again and ask for. address congress again and ask for that. we have made it clear that that. we have made it clear that thatis that. we have made it clear that that is not going to happen. —— they have made it clear. are you concerned that kyiv could turn into another city like mariupol, for example or kharkiv?- another city like mariupol, for example or kharkiv? well, we see this as a possibility, _ example or kharkiv? well, we see this as a possibility, because i example or kharkiv? well, we see | this as a possibility, because again we as citizens can do nothing about it. and this is why we keep pleading to the nato countries. you know, even with all of the help...

mobile phone rings from older countries of the world, —— from all of the copies of the world, we cannot by ourselves equipment. there is no way to build up equipment. there is no way to build up a system in place for the air force protection that we need. and this is why we are saying that if we are fighting for the same course, if we are fighting for the same values, for the same idea of peace in the world, why wouldn't you help us? not even with a no—fly zone, but with the jets, even with a no—fly zone, but with thejets, with even with a no—fly zone, but with the jets, with the additional systems that should be in place, so we can protect ourselves. does anybody have an illusion that putin will stop in ukraine? he said that he wouldn't stop. and this is so clear to everybody who ever dealt with russia. 50 clear to everybody who ever dealt with russia-— with russia. so right now we are sa inc... with russia. so right now we are saying- -- we _ with russia. so right now we are saying... we are _ with russia. so right now we are saying... we are seeing - with russia. so right now we are saying... we are seeing that i saying... we are seeing that frustration from volodymyr zelensky, from ukrainian lawmakers. here in lviv, i am from ukrainian lawmakers. here in lviv, iam hearing it all from ukrainian lawmakers. here in lviv, i am hearing it all the time, this question about why there is no

no—fly zone. you then willing in your discussions with russia when your discussions with russia when you see that there is not that support for a no—fly zone orjets from the west, that perhaps there will be certain concessions made to the russians now? we will be certain concessions made to the russians now?— the russians now? we don't trust russians, the russians now? we don't trust russians. and _ the russians now? we don't trust russians, and we _ the russians now? we don't trust russians, and we know _ the russians now? we don't trust russians, and we know there i the russians now? we don't trust russians, and we know there is l russians, and we know there is nothing worse than to make peace with russians. because they were absolutely flawless, they will absolutely flawless, they will absolutely break their promise, they will absolutely —— they will... i don't see as making any peace with russians, i have in the way that we will push them back with force. and you see on the land that we are staying very well, we are fighting them back and doing a greatjob as an army, as a nation. and the only thing that we need right now is to get the support in the air. and we are saying the risk for the whole world is so high right now, the

situation isjust like world is so high right now, the situation is just like during world war ii when hitler was taking over europe and the allies when negotiating whether they should get involved right away or maybe later. and there are so many nations who are paying with their own lives, and right now we are paying with our own lives for this time, for the time, for the decisions to be made. i appreciate that at some point nato allies will get involved, will help ukraine with military support. but this time, we are paying with blood spilled right now. {lila this time, we are paying with blood spilled right now.— spilled right now. 0k, thank you very much _ spilled right now. 0k, thank you very much for— spilled right now. 0k, thank you very much forjoining _ spilled right now. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us - spilled right now. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us live i spilled right now. 0k, thank you | very much forjoining us live from kyiv. very much for 'oining us live from k iv. ., ~ very much for 'oining us live from k iv. . ,, , ., very much for 'oining us live from k iv. . ,, ., very much for 'oining us live from kiv. . ., .,y ., kyiv. thank you and glory to ukraine- _ humanitarian aid is unable to reach

those in need. we can tell us about what is happening in person, because it is one of the only cities full control over.— it is one of the only cities full control over. ., ., , ,., , ., control over. for the opportunity to share information _ control over. for the opportunity to share information about _ control over. for the opportunity to share information about kherson. l control over. for the opportunity to i share information about kherson. the situation _ share information about kherson. the situation is _ share information about kherson. the situation is tense, as it was for the last— situation is tense, as it was for the last i— situation is tense, as it was for the last i think more than two weeks — the last i think more than two weeks. i'm sorry, it is the 21st day of war. _ weeks. i'm sorry, it is the 21st day of war. by— weeks. i'm sorry, it is the 21st day of war, by can't keep track of nounal— of war, by can't keep track of normal time. yes, of war, by can't keep track of normaltime. yes, russians are in kherson_ normaltime. yes, russians are in kherson now, but ukrainians managed to fly above _ kherson now, but ukrainians managed to fly above and mayor's office, our city administration, and our mayor is still_ city administration, and our mayor is still providing all of the service to the cities. so fortunately we still have water,

gas _ fortunately we still have water, gas also — fortunately we still have water, gas. also some shops work. there is not a _ gas. also some shops work. there is not a lot— gas. also some shops work. there is not a lot of— gas. also some shops work. there is not a lot of food. it is like you go there _ not a lot of food. it is like you go there and — not a lot of food. it is like you go there and what do we have today? and it is not _ there and what do we have today? and it is not possible... fire there and what do we have today? and it is not possible. . ._ it is not possible... are the aid convo s it is not possible... are the aid convoys reaching _ it is not possible... are the aid convoys reaching kherson i it is not possible... are the aid convoys reaching kherson with| it is not possible... are the aid. convoys reaching kherson with a supplies, medicalsupplies convoys reaching kherson with a supplies, medical supplies and things like food? late. supplies, medical supplies and things like food?— supplies, medical supplies and things like food? no, not kherson and not the _ things like food? no, not kherson and not the region _ things like food? no, not kherson and not the region either. - things like food? no, not kherson and not the region either. we i things like food? no, not kherson and not the region either. we are| and not the region either. we are just living on supplies that our city had before the war started. bud city had before the war started. and are ou city had before the war started. and are you concerned that those supplies could soon run out? yes. supplies could soon run out? yes, artl supplies could soon run out? yes, partly because _ supplies could soon run out? yes, partly because we _ supplies could soon run out? yes, partly because we have _ supplies could soon run out? 1a: partly because we have enough food now, and our volunteers work and try to help everybody to get food to make some supplies for some period of time. but, for sure, make some supplies for some period of time. but, forsure, i make some supplies for some period

of time. but, for sure, i am worrying that it might not be enough for some time. but it can be over, may be over. but we really hope that this war will be over earlier. brute this war will be over earlier. we have been _ this war will be over earlier. we have been seeing images of people protesting in kherson. is that continuing? there are approaching russian shoulders and have been illustrating in the town square. —— there are approaching russian soldiers. l there are approaching russian soldiers. ~' ., there are approaching russian soldiers. ~ ., , there are approaching russian soldiers. ~' ., , ~' soldiers. i know even this week there were _ soldiers. i know even this week there were protests. _ soldiers. i know even this week there were protests. i - soldiers. i know even this week there were protests. i don't i soldiers. i know even this week l there were protests. i don't know about today. unfortunately, because even yesterday the situation here in kherson was pretty, you know, scary because we heard a lot of explosions all day long. and there were fights in kherson region, near kherson in small villages. and the russian

military ran through kherson. and know what i heard from the people i know, they are going to apartment buildings looking for some activists, some people who are connected to the military etc. a lot of my friends saw russian military today in their apartment buildings, in the holes and in the yards and through the windows. i'm not sure about protests today, because the city is unclear. pare about protests today, because the city is unclear-— about protests today, because the city is unclear. are you planning on sta in: city is unclear. are you planning on staying there? _ city is unclear. are you planning on staying there? i — city is unclear. are you planning on staying there? i mean _ city is unclear. are you planning on staying there? i mean if _ city is unclear. are you planning on staying there? i mean if the i city is unclear. are you planning on. staying there? i mean if the russian forces remain in kherson, will you stay orfind a forces remain in kherson, will you stay or find a way out? l’m forces remain in kherson, will you stay or find a way out?— stay or find a way out? i'm sorry, if the russian _ stay or find a way out? i'm sorry, if the russian forces _ stay or find a way out? i'm sorry, if the russian forces do - stay or find a way out? i'm sorry, if the russian forces do what? i l if the russian forces do what? i mean, the russian forces are there now in kherson, you say they are all over the city. are you planning on staying or leaving? haifa over the city. are you planning on

staying or leaving?— staying or leaving? now i cannot leave, because _ staying or leaving? now i cannot leave, because nobody - staying or leaving? now i cannot leave, because nobody can. i staying or leaving? now i cannot. leave, because nobody can. there staying or leaving? now i cannot i leave, because nobody can. there are no green corridors to relocate people. but i really hope i won't have to leave, i hope that our military will kick them out here and kherson is a ukrainian city and it will always be ukrainian. i don't want to become a refugee, i was born in kherson and have lived here almost all of my life. i believe, i strongly believe it will state ukrainian, and i will be able to stay here. ukrainian, and i will be able to stay here-— stay here. 0k, svetlana, we appreciate _ stay here. 0k, svetlana, we appreciate you _ stay here. 0k, svetlana, we appreciate you sharing i stay here. 0k, svetlana, we appreciate you sharing your| stay here. 0k, svetlana, we - appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. thank you so much. thank ou ve with us. thank you so much. thank you very much- _ reports from the united states suggest china has suggested it is willing to provide military assistance to russia to support its invasion of ukraine. according to the financial times, two officials familiar with diplomatic cables said washington had told allies that

russia had asked china for military equipment, including the surface—to—air missiles. for more on this i'm joined from washington by demetri sevastopulo, the us—china correspondent for the financial times who's been reporting on the military assistance disussions between russia and china. thanks very much forjoining us. tell us a little bit more about what you are hearing. tell us a little bit more about what you are hearing-— you are hearing. what we know is that the us _ you are hearing. what we know is that the us intelligence _ you are hearing. what we know is that the us intelligence believesl that the us intelligence believes that the us intelligence believes that russia made a request to china and asked for different kinds of military assistance, you mentioned the surface to air missiles, but also drones, intelligence —related equipment and some kind of armoured vehicles. there is a lot of concern in washington that china and russia are really getting closer together. and that while a lot of the western world is trying to help ukraine, repelled the russian invasion and put pressure on russia by sanctions, that china may be moving in the other direction and actually willing to help russia sustain the pressure.

so that is something the us has told its allies that they are very worried about. i think we also want the allies to put pressure on china and to tell them don't do this, it will not be in your interest. yeah, because the _ will not be in your interest. yeah, because the united _ will not be in your interest. yeah, because the united states, i will not be in your interest. yeah, because the united states, jake l because the united states, jake sullivan has already made that clear to the chinese in his statements, saying that, "we don't want you to do this." he saying that, "we don't want you to do this. " ., , ., saying that, "we don't want you to do this.“ . , ., ., , do this." he has, he had a seven hour, do this." he has, he had a seven hour. won _ do this." he has, he had a seven hour. won the — do this." he has, he had a seven hour, won the white _ do this." he has, he had a seven hour, won the white house i do this." he has, he had a sevenl hour, won the white house called do this." he has, he had a seven i hour, won the white house called an intense meeting, with his chinese counterpart on monday in rome. but even before he left for rome, he's public he said that if china does anything to help russia to circumvent sanctions or other things, that there will be a price to pay. we don't yet know what he said in the meeting and how much of a threat to the americans made to the chinese, but we do know that the intelligence community here does worry that china may be willing to do something. and they are very concerned about it. it would be a major turning point global geopolitics of china actually stepped in and helped russia support

this invasion. stepped in and helped russia support this invasion-— this invasion. yeah, i knew when we think back to — this invasion. yeah, i knew when we think back to 2014 _ this invasion. yeah, i knew when we think back to 2014 and _ this invasion. yeah, i knew when we think back to 2014 and the _ this invasion. yeah, i knew when we think back to 2014 and the invasion. think back to 2014 and the invasion of crimea, china sort of sat on the fence more. atjust a few weeks ago, china signed this friendship or unity memorandum of understanding with the russians saying that their unity had no bounds, almost most likely prelude to this. tiler;r unity had no bounds, almost most likely prelude to this.— likely prelude to this. they did. the chinese — likely prelude to this. they did. the chinese and _ likely prelude to this. they did. the chinese and the _ likely prelude to this. they did. the chinese and the soviets i likely prelude to this. they did. | the chinese and the soviets had likely prelude to this. they did. i the chinese and the soviets had an alliance in the '50s which split in the '60s. they have been neighbours and friends and not friends over the years. but they are getting very close. but the partnership they signed in beijing when brad putin was there for the beijing winter olympics, they called it a no limit partnership. and what it has done is, even the chinese bureaucracy wanted to shift and put pressure on russia over ukraine, it is very difficult because xi jinping has russia over ukraine, it is very difficult because xijinping has put his personal stamp on this relationship. and i think is both

putin and xijinping, they both relationship. and i think is both putin and xi jinping, they both see this as a way to push back against the us, against western alliances and be united by their angst about the common enemy as opposed really wanting to help each other. at the end result may be that china helps russia. and again, that would be a huge turning point in history, in fact one of the americans and allies are watching and can be closely right now. lt are watching and can be closely riaht now. , ., , right now. it is not 'ust militarily, fl right now. it is not 'ust militarily, is it, i right now. it is not 'ust militarily, is it, ith right now. it is notjust militarily, is it, it is- right now. it is notjust - militarily, is it, it is economic? because the two countries are very closely linked economically. it is closely linked economically. it is economically. _ closely linked economically. it is economically. one _ closely linked economically. it 3 economically. one of the critical questions and one of the concerns, again, in the west is will china help russia evade some of these sanctions that have been imposed? or as russia has been cut off from the swift international payment system, will china be able to help them in any way? i think china may help them in some areas, but i think the one thing that china right now will not

do is help russia in ways with financial support or economic support that might be seen to violate the sanctions that the us and its allies are imposing on russia. if they did that, there is a possibility of the imposition of what i call secondary sanctions where, for example, chinese banks might be punished for helping russian companies do certain things. so i think china is very wary about sanctions itself, it is watching that very closely. and if they do act to help russia, i think they will colour within the lines, as people say, and make sure that they don't go beyond that in a way that the us would then come back with their own sanctions. i the us would then come back with their own sanctions.— the us would then come back with their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell. the — their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, the eu _ their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, the eu policy _ their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, the eu policy chief - their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, the eu policy chief said - their own sanctions. i mean, joseph borrell, the eu policy chief said if. borrell, the eu policy chief said if there is anyone that can mediate between the two sides, it ultimately could be china.— could be china. yes, i mean, china has leveraged _ could be china. yes, i mean, china has leveraged with _ could be china. yes, i mean, china has leveraged with russia - could be china. yes, i mean, china has leveraged with russia to - could be china. yes, i mean, china has leveraged with russia to a - has leveraged with russia to a certain extent. but would xi jinping really put pressure on vladimir putin who is not an ally that is the closest thing that he has a powerful

friend? i think many people are sceptical about that. and while chinese diplomats are talking about mediation and the need for a ceasefire, they haven't called it an invasion of ukraine. they are using what they would call very neutral language in ukraine and the invasion there. i think while there is a lot of diplomatic talk publicly, we have not seen very much evidence that china is actually putting any pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just — pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a _ pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a short _ pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a short on _ pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a short on time, - pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a short on time, i'm . pressure on russia. unfortunately, we are just a short on time, i'm so | we are just a short on time, i'm so sorry. we arejust we are just a short on time, i'm so sorry. we are just coming to the end of the programme. but we appreciate you joining us here on the programme. thank you so much. we'll be back with all the latest headlines in the next edition. in the meantime, you can get in touch with me on twitter. i'm following all of the developments here from ukraine. we'll be back in the next few seconds.

a further west, already looking drier, some light brightness to come, but that rain in the east has been proving just a little bit unpredictable in how quickly it will clear off into the north sea. slightly complicated structure bringing it. we've got a weather front coming across from the west and then an area of low pressure that's pushed up from the south, and those two elements combining just slow things down a little. 50 wet on into the evening, certainly across eastern england. into the small hours, it's looking a lot clearer. by then, though, some showers just starting to approach the west of northern ireland. clear skies overnight, however, accompanied by light winds. it looks like it's going to be a pretty chilly night, with lows in eastern scotland perhaps rurally down to —3 or —ii. through thursday, high pressure will largely dominate the weather across the uk, but this front here towards the northwest will come into play for scotland and northern ireland. so initially a lot of fine and sunny weather, but some of these showers marching across northern ireland and scotland could be heavy, maybe even a little thundery at times through the day.

they could be wintry as well above around 300 metres across scotland. there will be some decent spells of sunshine on and off through the day as well, but a rather more mixed forecast here, whereas across england and wales it's looking dry and fine. could be some early morning mist and fog, a few late showers getting into the north west of england. for the end of the week, however, high pressure asserts itself again. that front scoots off towards scandinavia under the influence of this big high. for friday, we will be left with a lot of fine weather. first thing, though, we could see perhaps a little bit more in the way of fog developing, certainly across central reaches of the uk, parts of the midlands and mid wales. that's what this white mass here on the map is trying to indicate. through the day, though, the sun should gradually burn it off. perhaps in a few areas it'll linger in the form of low cloud, but essentially i think we're looking at a lot of sunshine for friday. always cooler along eastern coasts thanks to an onshore breeze, but in central parts of england we could see temperatures of 15 or 16 degrees. and that same high is going to stay with us on into the weekend.

a lot of fine weather to come through the weekend, some chilly starts, but a lot of sunshine by day and some pretty healthy temperatures. mid—teens possible in many areas. always a little cooler, though, along the north sea coast.

this is bbc news. i'm rebecca jones. the headlines: heading back to the uk — nazanin zaghari ratcliffe — the british iranian woman detained in iran since 2016 — has been freed. her husband richard has campaigned tirelessly for her release, including going on hunger strike. he gave this reaction, alongside their daughter. the smile on her face the smile on herface in the smile on her face in that photograph... it will be lovely to see her and we have chosen which toys we are taking and we are looking forward to being reunited. another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is also leaving tehran, bound for the uk. volodymyr zelensky makes an historic address to the us congress, calling on american fighterjets to impose a no—fly zone

above the skies of ukraine.