this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. as the warden that ukraine enters its second month, president zelensky pleads for a show of unity around the world. nato�*s core task is to protect and defend all our lies. and defend all allies. we have increased our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance. the nato leaders will today address the need for a reset of our terms and defence. vladimir putin has already crossed the red _ vladimir putin has already crossed the red line into barbarism, and i

think_ the red line into barbarism, and i think it _ the red line into barbarism, and i think it is — the red line into barbarism, and i think it is now up to nato to consider— think it is now up to nato to consider together the appalling crisis _ consider together the appalling crisis in — consider together the appalling crisis in ukraine, the appalling suffering — crisis in ukraine, the appalling suffering of the people of ukraine, and to— suffering of the people of ukraine, and to see — suffering of the people of ukraine, and to see what more we can do to help the _ and to see what more we can do to help the people of ukraine protect themselves. help the people of ukraine protect themselves— help the people of ukraine protect themselves. ., ., ., , themselves. come from your overseas, our themselves. come from your overseas, your homes. — themselves. come from your overseas, your homes. your _ themselves. come from your overseas, your homes, your schools _ themselves. come from your overseas, your homes, your schools and - your homes, your schools and universities _ your homes, your schools and universities will— your homes, your schools and universities will stop, - your homes, your schools and universities will stop, in - your homes, your schools and universities will stop, in the l your homes, your schools and - universities will stop, in the name of peace — universities will stop, in the name of peace come _ universities will stop, in the name of peace. come up _ universities will stop, in the name of peace. come up with— universities will stop, in the name of peace. come up with ukrainianl of peace. come up with ukrainian symbols. — of peace. come up with ukrainian symbols. to — of peace. come up with ukrainian symbols, to support _ of peace. come up with ukrainian symbols, to support ukraine, - of peace. come up with ukrainian symbols, to support ukraine, to. symbols, to support ukraine, to support— symbols, to support ukraine, to support freedom, _ symbols, to support ukraine, to support freedom, to _ symbols, to support ukraine, to support freedom, to support - symbols, to support ukraine, to. support freedom, to support life. also this hour — in the uk — the chancellor, rishi sunak, defends his spring statement — saying he's taken action to support households affected by the rise in the cost of living — amid criticism he hasn't done enough to help families struggling their bills. mr sunak said the tax cut would save employees £330 a year. it comes as the uk's public finance watchdog said living standards are set to take the biggest hit since records began in the 1950s. my tax plan delivers the biggest net cut to personal taxes in over a quarter of a century,

and i commend it to this house! the truth is, mr speaker, people can no longer afford the conservatives. working families can't, pensioners can't, and businesses can't. the duke of cambridge said he feels "profound sorrow" over slavery and said it "forever stains our history" during his visit to jamaica as part of a royal tour with the duchess. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. nato leaders from the across the world are meeting in brussels to discuss the war.

president biden has just arrived. as nato says it's deployed extra troops to eastern europe. the uk is also sending extra missiles to the ukrainian military. it comes as ukrainian's president makes a direct appeal to citizens around the world to take to the streets in protest against russia's invasion of his country. we'll hearfrom him in a moment. but first arriving at that summit in brussels the nato chief jens stoltenberg said vladimir putin made a "big mistake" by invading ukraine and that new troop deployments were being made made to eastern europe. president zelensky will address the nato leaders, and the leaders will focus on our support to ukraine. allies have provided support ukraine for several years, and we have stepped up with more military, financial and humanitarian support,

to help ukraine uphold its fundamental right for its self defence. nato's court task is to protect and defend all allies. we have increased our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance. nato leaders today will address the need for a reset of our terms and defence in the longer term. the first step is the establishment of four new battle groups in the eastern part of the alliance, in bulgaria, romania, hungary... british prime minister, borisjohnson has arrived at the summit in the last few minutes. he outlined what leaders would be discussing today. i think the reality is that vladimir putin has already crossed the red line into barbarism. and i think it's now up to nato to consider together the appalling crisis in ukraine, the appalling suffering of the people of ukraine

and to see what more we can do to help the people of ukraine to protect themselves, see what more we can do to tighten the economic base around the putin regime and that's what we are going to be... some of the things we are going be talking about. do you think there could i potentially be a recession as a result of this invasion? should europe and the rest - of the world be prepared for that? i think it's very important that we work together to get this thing done as fast as possible. the harder our sanctions, the tougher our economic vice around the putin regime and the more we can do to help the ukrainians, i think the faster that this thing can be over. president volodymyr zelensky has urged people worldwide to demonstrate their support for ukraine as the war with russia enters its second month. in his latest video address, he appealed in english for rallies to be held in the cause of peace.

show you are standing, come from your offices, your homes, your schools and your universities. come in the name of peace. come with ukrainian symbols to support ukraine, to support freedom, to support life. come to your squares, your streets, make yourselves visible and heard. say that people matter, freedom matters, peace matters, ukraine matters. our europe correspondent, nick beake, joins us from brussels — where nato leaders are gathering for the summit. what is the expectation of this summit? , ., , what is the expectation of this summit? , . , ., ., summit? just a few minutes ago, president biden _ summit? just a few minutes ago, president biden arrives, - summit? just a few minutes ago, president biden arrives, he - summit? just a few minutes ago, president biden arrives, he went| president biden arrives, he went through the trappings of being american president, his motorcade was the biggest by far. he was greeted by the secretary—general of the nato alliance. in terms of what is going

to be agreed today, i think very much the idea that this is symbolism, trying to project a message that the transatlantic relationship, the alliance is strong in the face of president putin's aggression. in terms of what may be agreed today that has a direct impact on the lives of ukrainian people, who fought more than a month now have the face with russian aggression, russian attacks, many people sleeping in a bonkers overnight, we will have to see what is agreed here. certainly in the 2a hours beforehand, we heard about nato bolstering the number of forces, particularly in eastern europe. i think what is a worrying reflection of the situation we find ourselves in, the nato alliance is talking about sending more weaponry, but also sending more resources to ukraine to deal with a biological or chemical attack. secondly, white

house intelligence suggests president putin is considering that. so quite concerning that is the sort of aid that might be going to the ukrainians. i'm joined now by former secretary general of nato, jaap de hoop scheffer from the hague. nato, the g7 and the eu at all holding summits in a rare show of unity. beyond that solidarity, what do you want to actually see nato doing? do you want to actually see nato doin.? , do you want to actually see nato doing? basically, all these three summits are _ doing? basically, all these three summits are very _ doing? basically, all these three summits are very necessary - doing? basically, all these three summits are very necessary for. summits are very necessary for political signalling, for political messaging. nato is showing not only that it messaging. nato is showing not only thatitis messaging. nato is showing not only that it is beefing up its robust military presence at its eastern borders, deterring russia, which could be a position in which putin

might make a wrong move. nato is standing firm on the us leadership. also, the situation nato will be in when putin will take the unholy decision to use atomic, biological or chemical weapons. decision to use atomic, biological or chemicalweapons. of decision to use atomic, biological or chemical weapons. of course, that line is not publicly communicated, that's what president obama learn in syria, you don't do that. nato will show solidarity and unity. the second important element is to show today president biden, in the eu summit, that nato and the eu stand together, which is a very important signal to the world and to president putin more specifically. finally, the g7 summit, i also see these three summers as giving a very important signal how the democracies

of this world are going to deal with autocracies. president biden has referred to this many, many times in at the recent past. it is very important messaging and signalling what is going to happen in brussels today. what is going to happen in brussels toda . ., . ~' what is going to happen in brussels toda . ., ., ,, ., today. you talked about the red lines on the _ today. you talked about the red lines on the possible _ today. you talked about the red lines on the possible use, - today. you talked about the red lines on the possible use, you l today. you talked about the red i lines on the possible use, you said when chemical or biological weapons let say if. - will are used. let say if. if they will use, are used. let say if. if they will use. you _ are used. let say if. if they will use. you said _ are used. let say if. if they will use been said _ are used. let say if. if they will use been communicated - are used. let say if. if they will use bi lines nmmunicated - is the lines nato has drawn very clearly borders of is the lines nato has drawn very clearly been 5rs of is the lines nato has drawn very clearly been criticised by is the lines nato has drawn very clearly who been criticised by is the lines nato has drawn very clearly who are been criticised by is the lines nato has drawn very clearly who are basicallyriticised by is the lines nato has drawn very clearly who are basically sayingi by is the lines nato has drawn very cleé given |o are basically saying i by is the lines nato has drawn very cleé given |o are basically sé dogi by is the lines nato has drawn very cleé given |o are basically sé do what wa nts wants in ukraine. do you he wants in ukraine. do you think that ,

that was a mistake? communicated to that was a mistake? putin communicated to that was a mistake? putin through nunicated to that was a mistake? putin through back ated to that was a mistake? iyou through back ated to that was a mistake? iyou througi going ated to that was a mistake? iyou througi going tord to channels. you are not going to publicly discuss red lines, that is why i publicly discuss red lines, that is why had a red line who had a red line but not respect his own red line. the who had a red line but not respect his own red line. th will of mass destruction will not be approach with to of mass destruction will not be approaci if�*ith to of mass destruction will not be approaci if that to of mass destruction will not be approaci if that happens, then of mass destruction will not be app also if that happens, then of mass destruction will not be app also have it happens, then of mass destruction will not be app also have to |appens, then of mass destruction will not be app also have to cross is, then of mass destruction will not be app also have to cross 15 certain will also have to cross a certain political line it has drawn for itself. as far as you said, it respects the difference inside and outside ukraine. mata respects the difference inside and outside ukraine.— outside ukraine. nato is so far refusin: outside ukraine. nato is so far refusing to _ outside ukraine. nato is so far refusing to follow _ outside ukraine. nato is so far refusing to follow what - outside ukraine. nato is so far- refusing to follow what volodymyr zelensky is calling for, that no fly zone over ukraine, the fears of

where that might lead, an escalation of the conflict. of course, we have had threats from vladimir putin, referring to the possible use of the nuclear power that russia has. do you think it is right for nato not to get involved because of the fear of where that might lead? this form of where that might lead? this form of escalation. _ of where that might lead? this form of escalation, the _ of where that might lead? this form of escalation, the no _ of where that might lead? this form of escalation, the no fly _ of where that might lead? this form of escalation, the no fly zone, - of where that might lead? this form of escalation, the no fly zone, the i of escalation, the no fly zone, the project we heard from a few weeks ago about polish mig fighters, that is a form of escalation nato should not embark on the. secretary—general stoltenberg has more than once explained. but weapons of mass destruction, that is climbing the ladder too far. i say again, nato will have a strategy, will need a

strategy what to do in that situation. but nato will definitely not communicate that publicly after a summit or whenever. you not communicate that publicly after a summit or whenever.— a summit or whenever. you have directly said _ a summit or whenever. you have directly said that _ a summit or whenever. you have directly said that you _ a summit or whenever. you have directly said that you want - a summit or whenever. you have l directly said that you want nuclear weapons to be discussed at this summit. are they not been discussed already? what do you think the conversation should be? thea;r already? what do you think the conversation should be? they are discussed on _ conversation should be? they are discussed on a _ conversation should be? they are discussed on a permanent - conversation should be? they are discussed on a permanent basis l conversation should be? they are| discussed on a permanent basis in nato, but we have not seen to nano is initiated by the russian president, that more than once he has refer to the possible use of nuclear weapons. that is a different situation. nato is a nuclear alliance, of course. they should remain a nuclear alliance. but in this very specific place, where at the russian president makes a thinly veiled reference to the use of nuclear weapons, veiled reference to the use of nuclearweapons, oras

veiled reference to the use of nuclear weapons, or as us intelligence indicates he might use chemical or biological weapons, that crosses a bridge that nato never had to cross before. but we can't be sure, we can't be certain. definitely let discussion within the nato alliance has a different angle thanit nato alliance has a different angle than it has had over the decades. i than it has had over the decades. i want to view due a short extract of a letter from want to view due a short extract of a letterfrom a us want to view due a short extract of a letter from a us attache to the moscow embassy published yesterday. he said, during his time in moscow the long dark path to what was obvious. he said, we repeatedly warned of the inevitability of conflict in detail regularly and with the despair of cassandra. did you see it coming and did the west walked into this? i did you see it coming and did the west

walked into this?— walked into this? i did not see this massive invasion, _ walked into this? i did not see this massive invasion, massive - walked into this? i did not see this massive invasion, massive war - massive invasion, massive war coming? i'm on the record with not too many people in telling public opinion that we in nato have also been extremely naive by neglecting serious defence spending, getting our house in order. they cause we thought when the berlin wall fell and the soviet union ceased to exist, certainly, we europeans could go on a sort of permanent holiday, sitting on the beach with a glass of white wine, leave security to the americans. and now we are faced with the consequences. thank heavens public opinion is now finally coming to realise this should end. nato is now standing firm and making the changes absolutely necessary enforces on the eastern flank, in

financing defence budgets. it is dramatic that we need such a horrible water to realise that this was coming. horrible water to realise that this was coming-— horrible water to realise that this was coming. horrible water to realise that this was cominu. ., ., , , was coming. volodymyr zelensky in his address — was coming. volodymyr zelensky in his address to _ was coming. volodymyr zelensky in his address to the _ was coming. volodymyr zelensky in his address to the german - was coming. volodymyr zelensky in l his address to the german parliament warned of a new wall now being built in europe. he said it is growing bigger with every russian bomber. he describes that as a wall in central europe between freedom and bondage. would you agree with that? i europe between freedom and bondage. would you agree with that?— would you agree with that? i would a . ree with would you agree with that? i would agree with that _ would you agree with that? i would agree with that to _ would you agree with that? i would agree with that to a _ would you agree with that? i would agree with that to a large _ would you agree with that? i would agree with that to a large degree. l agree with that to a large degree. one of the consequences of this war will definitely be that the europeans security architecture as you and i have known for decades will fundamentally change. there will fundamentally change. there will be different borders in europe depending on democracy and autocracy, depending on where this war ends and where the lines will be drawn. but it is is crystal clear

that in europe, we will not face the same architecture that we have faced over the decades. that is one of the big consequences of this war. you have spoken _ big consequences of this war. you have spoken about the fact that it has refocused attention on nato and that military budgets are being stepped up. but is it too late in terms of where we are? do you think a wider conflict is now inevitable? no, it is not inevitable. i hope in this regard that china will finally show that being a superpower comes with responsibility and leadership. if there is one leader due to the mic might listen to, it is president xijinping of china. china has shown impotence up till now to get itself together and try to mediate. being a

superpower comes with responsibilities, i repeat. so i really hope that this will happen, although we do not yet see signals of it to come. but china should realise it is not in its interest, this war, to come onto a collision course with the european union. this is after all a financial and economic giant where china has huge interest. it is not in a china's interest. it is not in a china's interest to be faced with a firm block of the usa, together with the eu, against china. i think china should perhaps realise to add that it sounds strange that the dutch man in the hague is warning china. but i really think president xi jinping should come in and convince putin that he should stop this horrible water. ., ., , ., . , that he should stop this horrible water. ., ., i. .,, i. that he should stop this horrible water. ., ., ., . water. how do you feel as you watch what is unfolding _

water. how do you feel as you watch what is unfolding in _ water. how do you feel as you watch what is unfolding in ukraine, - water. how do you feel as you watch what is unfolding in ukraine, with i what is unfolding in ukraine, with some cities effectively being raised to the ground, people trapped in underground bunkers, and the warnings from some of that what we're seeing unfolding is new genocide. we're seeing unfolding is new genocide-— we're seeing unfolding is new uenocide. , ., . , , genocide. genocide war crimes, in my oinion, genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion. we — genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion. we see _ genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion, we see them _ genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion, we see them every _ genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion, we see them every day - genocide. genocide war crimes, in my opinion, we see them every day and l opinion, we see them every day and in your pictures everyday. judges will two decide. these are war crimes. genocide is a different definition. i see the scene pictures as you see, i do realise we have been horrendously naive, all of us. we now have two convince a generation that grew up without war, without conflict, the generation of my children in their early 40s, they have lived in a world where freedom came for nothing, what we didn't

have to pay a price. they have to realise because they will be the leaders sooner than you and i expect, they will have to realise that freedom, democracy, the rule of law, governance, comes at a price, and the ukrainians at the moment are paying an extremely high price for this. ~ , ., paying an extremely high price for this. ~ ,, _ paying an extremely high price for this. ~ i. _ ., paying an extremely high price for this. ~ i. ., , this. when you say we have been horrendously _ this. when you say we have been horrendously naive, _ this. when you say we have been horrendously naive, in _ this. when you say we have been horrendously naive, in terms - this. when you say we have been horrendously naive, in terms of. horrendously naive, in terms of history, it is not long since those world wars, after which the message was never again. how is it that we have been so naive?— have been so naive? because we thou~ht have been so naive? because we thought that _ have been so naive? because we thought that freedom _ have been so naive? because we thought that freedom came - have been so naive? because we thought that freedom came for l have been so naive? because we - thought that freedom came for three. i thought perhaps president bush 41... when i started as nato secretary into the zen of four, relationship with russia was not bad at all. it was good, it was rather

constructive. in the course of those years, president putin has changed tact, has a change of position. in 2007 when he made his speech in munich, in 2008, it has gone from bad to worse. i’m munich, in 2008, it has gone from bad to worse-— bad to worse. i'm so sorry, it has been so interesting _ bad to worse. i'm so sorry, it has been so interesting and - bad to worse. i'm so sorry, it has been so interesting and great - bad to worse. i'm so sorry, it has been so interesting and great to| been so interesting and great to talk with you this morning. we now can hear from the current secretary general of nato, yen stoltenberg. thank you very much for your time. doing more online, at sea, in the air. this is necessary to respond to new reality in europe. this concludes the public part of the i thank the media forjoining us at the opening and we will continue our deliberations in a moment. thank you forjoining us. studio: well, wejust caught forjoining us. studio: well, we just caught the very tail end of the opening of that meeting. they do a very short bit in

public and then it goes into private consultations. you are still there? definitely. consultations. you are still there? definitel . ., ., consultations. you are still there? definitel. ., ., definitely. you are saying when you were secretary-general _ definitely. you are saying when you were secretary-general of - definitely. you are saying when you were secretary-general of nato, i definitely. you are saying when you l were secretary-general of nato, you were secretary—general of nato, you said relationship with russia was still good. vladimir putin, were there no signs of what was to come? did you ever have a suspicion or did you think things were really different? in you think things were really different?— you think things were really different? , ., ., different? in the beginning, to two is in a five. — different? in the beginning, to two is in a five, we _ different? in the beginning, to two is in a five, we had _ different? in the beginning, to two is in a five, we had the _ different? in the beginning, to two is in a five, we had the nato i is in a five, we had the nato founding act, we had the nato russia council. we weren't great friends, but the relationship was a not bad at all. then came the same vladimir putin in 2007, in munich, where he made a speech strongly opposing the

expansion of nato. that was the beginning of the end, in my opinion. then n2 thousand and eight we had the nato summit where nato made a promise to ukraine and georgia they would become nato members. —— in 2008. the problem was we cannot deliver because there was no consensus on ukraine in nato. as we speak, there is no consensus on ukraine membership. then it has grown, of course, from bad to worse. in 2014, the annexation of crimea, donbas, donetsk. the invasion in georgia in 2008. putin not respecting his own red wines, by the way, which is an important message for nato. then it has grown finally

into this. the ambition of vladimir putin, i think, into this. the ambition of vladimir putin, ithink, has into this. the ambition of vladimir putin, i think, has always been there and been the same, although he is now articulating it through horrible violence— that he wants his empire back. where he refers much more to the ancient russian empire than the soviet empire. but he wants exclusive political and military dominance, and that is what he is aiming for. on this wish list, is ukraine. on his list are definitely also moldova, georgia, belarus is already in the pocket because lukashenko has survived thanks to vladimir putin when he was confronted with an uprising. yes, he has always had this ambition. but i had not expected over the years, i

must admit, that this would lead to bus war and this massive invasion into ukraine. 50 bus war and this massive invasion into ukraine-— bus war and this massive invasion into ukraine. so the ambition was clear in terms _ into ukraine. so the ambition was clear in terms of— into ukraine. so the ambition was clear in terms of any _ into ukraine. so the ambition was clear in terms of any strategy i into ukraine. so the ambition was clear in terms of any strategy or l clear in terms of any strategy or containment? how was that considered? you talked about what happened with the effective promise to ukraine and georgia a session to nato. now volodymyr zelensky said it is not going to happen. how much has that been over the time because of what you are identified as a russia's opposition and fears about how russia would respond? vladimir putin of course _ how russia would respond? vladimir putin of course knows _ how russia would respond? vladimir putin of course knows that _ how russia would respond? vladimir| putin of course knows that consensus on ukraine in nato was no the case in 2008 and is not the case now. coming back to the broader picture, nato of course, that if his back to what i said about freedom not coming

for three, what i said about freedom not coming forthree, nato what i said about freedom not coming for three, nato through the years could have fought to deter by punishment. nato has a minimal military presence in the baltic states. anotherfundamental military presence in the baltic states. another fundamental shift which will be cleared today at the summit, nato is now changing from denial to deterrence by punishment. if you invade, you will be punished, vladimir putin. you will be punished, russia. becausei vladimir putin. you will be punished, russia. because i our eastern flank we have an extremely robust military presence. that in nato is also a sea change in comparison with the past. how do you fill in your notion of determining russia from setting foot on nato territory? —— determining russia.

might it have been effective if nato stood up before russia invaded ukraine and said we will defend ukraine. ukraine has agreement to a right to nato membership. therefore we put our arms around ukraine at this point. the we put our arms around ukraine at this oint. , , we put our arms around ukraine at this oint. , .,, , ., ., this point. the problem is, nato could never— this point. the problem is, nato could never have _ this point. the problem is, nato could never have delivered i this point. the problem is, nato could never have delivered this | could never have delivered this message for the simple reason there is no consensus in nato on nato membership. george w bush pushed very hard, but if i now listen to president biden i do not think that nato membership for ukraine was very high up before this war broke out on the biden agenda. it is high up before this war broke out on the biden agenda.— the biden agenda. it is great to talk to you. _ the biden agenda. it is great to talk to you, thank _ the biden agenda. it is great to talk to you, thank you - the biden agenda. it is great to talk to you, thank you so i the biden agenda. it is great to| talk to you, thank you so much. the biden agenda. it is great to i talk to you, thank you so much. some breaking news. the uk is announcing further sanctions against 65

individuals and entities. the latest round of sanctions include the wagner group of missionaries, russian railways, also the stepdaughter of the russian foreign minister, sergey lavrov. the wagner group of mercenaries, it is a group talked about potentially being in that ukraine, a group that works to support russia. they are now included in the latest round of sanctions. that is an interesting development lead in terms of the tentacles of the sanctions moving just a little bit onto the next level from those directly linked with vladimir putin, and that is nowt they have now extended to the stepdaughter of the russian foreign minister, sergey lavrov. also hearing that the russian ambassador

has said that poland has blocked the russian embassy's bank accounts. we don't have any other information now, but it sounds like that is a bit of a consolidated effort this morning to announce new actions. this is the nato summitjust getting under way in brussels. yens still timber borisjohnson, joe biden and emmanuel macron as they prepare to go into those talks. —— yens stoltenberg. that is the traditional photograph of those leaders as they gather. it is notjust a nato summit, the g7 and the eu are all holding meetings in a display of unity rarely seen by the west. joe biden is taking part in all three of those, which is the first time that a us president has visited an eu summit in brussels.

those are the diplomatic moves. we can talk now to david wallace lockhart, our political correspondent joining lockhart, our political correspondentjoining us now from westminster. we have just heard the news from the uk of further sanctions against 65 individuals and entities. tell us more about what is included in that announcement. thea;r included in that announcement. they have 'ust included in that announcement. they have just come _ included in that announcement. they have just come out _ included in that announcement. they have just come out in _ included in that announcement. tie: have just come out in the included in that announcement. he have just come out in the last included in that announcement. t“t9:1: have just come out in the last few minutes, the latest round of sanctions, 65 individuals and entities from russia and belarus who will face asset freezes and travel bans as a result of these sanctions. a few interesting names and organisations in there. the wagner group, which borisjohnson said this morning he planned to sanction. the

foreign office silently have reportedly been tasked with trying to assassinate president zelensky in ukraine, a group of mercenaries. russian railways also being sanctioned. the stepdaughter of the russian foreign minister, sergey lavrov, also facing sanctions with an address based in london. she is also included on the list there. over 1000 businesses and individuals now in total have been sanctioned by the uk government. this latest round this morning also with six russian banks are now being added into the mix there. liz truss, the foreign secretary, has put out a statement to go alongside this latest round. she said, these individuals and organisations are complicit with what is going on in ukraine and it is right they pay the price, right that they face those asset freezes making it impossible for anyone in the uk to do business with them, and

travel bans that could affect whether or not they come in and out of the uk. borisjohnson this morning stressing that not only does he want to give that not only does he want to give that military support to ukraine, that military support to ukraine, that diplomatic support, but hp objective of the uk government to try and increase economic hardship on russia in an effort to try and get them to reverse what they have done, this is the latest step in that and i am sure some things that the nato leaders will be discussing later today. the nato leaders will be discussing later toda . :, ~ the nato leaders will be discussing latertoda . :, ,, , the nato leaders will be discussing later toda . :, ~' , : ~ later today. thank you very much. we will keep you — later today. thank you very much. we will keep you updated _ later today. thank you very much. we will keep you updated on _ later today. thank you very much. we will keep you updated on any - later today. thank you very much. we will keep you updated on any more i will keep you updated on any more news that we get out of brussels where the nato summit is getting under way. to politics in the uk, the chancellor has defended his spring statement,

soaring energy costs and rising bills due to increasing inflation. to increasing inflation. rishi sunak insisted he'd taken action to help people —— by cutting fuel duty and raising the income threshold for national insurance contributions. our political correspondent ione wells has more., iain watson, joins us from westminster. the the spring statement is a resonse the the spring statement is a response to _ the the spring statement is a response to the _ the the spring statement is a response to the cost - the the spring statement is a response to the cost of i the the spring statement is a response to the cost of living | response to the cost of living crisis which the country is experiencing and is about to get worse. i did not say that, the people the government employs four economic forecasts are suggesting we could see the biggest fall in living standards in any one year since the 19505 standards in any one year since the 1950s when current records began. they are also saying prices could go up they are also saying prices could go up at the fastest rate for 48 years. against that kind of backdrop, the chancellor has been doing some

things to help hard—pressed families but questions are raised as to whether he is doing enough. the resolution foundation looks at the effect on low paid workers, they are suggesting that more than i effect on low paid workers, they are suggesting that more than 1 million people could be forced into poverty. the opposition are saying too that they believe the chancellor has not quite grasp the full scale of the crisis. even some of his own conservative mps who like some of the he is introducing including the prospect of a tax cut before the next general election are nonetheless worried about the effect on the most disadvantaged, state benefits will rise at half the level currently of the increase in prices. they may not be able to keep up. the chancellor was asked about this this morning and he said he is helping families under difficult economic conditions. the measures we announced yesterday are indeed tax cuts, cutting fuel duty by 5p a litre, raising national insurance thresholds, which is a tax cut of £330 for up to 30 million workers, and then getting round to cutting income tax.

those are all tax—cutting measures. we also cut tax for businesses to make it cheaperfor them to employ staff. so, across the board... actually, we also cut vat on people who want to install solar panels and heat pumps at home. so, look, where we can make a difference, we can. but i've always been honest. look, these are global challenges that we face, we're not alone in experiencing them. and i can't. .. i wish i could, and it's the hardest part of this job, not being able to do everything that people would like you to do. but i can't make every problem go away. but where we can make a difference, we want to, and that's what yesterday was about. rishi sunak says his spring statement was about emphasising tax cuts but hits cricket say he is only cutting them by a fraction by the amount he has already raised them, 16. some of his own mps are saying he should go further and faster on tax cuts and bear down inflation.

there is a political dividing line between government and opposition, the labour party and lib dems are calling for a one—off tax on big energy companies which the government is resisting because it could drive away investment in the energy sector. there is shadow chancellor, the labour spokesperson the chancellor was indulging in alice in wonderland economics. people can see it in their pay packages, people can see it when they get their bills. that the... their living standards, their incomes are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. and, as i say, the tax burden now, the highest in 70 years at the end of this parliament, seven out of eight workers are going to be paying more in taxes because during the course of the two years that rishi sunak has been chancellor, taxes have been raised 15 times. and the cut in income tax, not next year, but the year after that, is not making up for the multiple tax increases that this government have imposed on ordinary working people up and down our country.

she spoke for the labour party making it clear there was a tax cut in the offing before the next general election but she said it should be done now. critics say not enough is being done to put bread on the table right now. some of the critics are inside rishi sunak�*s own party so they political arguments will continue. there was a hint from the chancellor that if we still see a further increase in energy prices, they could rise by 40% in the autumn, he is prepared to do more. thank you very much. we are going to talk more about that in a moment. i want to bring you some pictures that we are just getting. these pictures are being put out by ukraine military and they are claiming to

have destroyed a large landing ship near the russian occupied port city. we understand it is a landing ship, a russian landing ship and according to defence analysts, it has been hit ijy to defence analysts, it has been hit by ballistic missiles and we can see the flames and the smoke in the area. that isjust the flames and the smoke in the area. that is just through the ukraine military saying that they have blown up that russian ship, the russian military has not commented on what has happened to it. mike brewer, chief economist at think tank the resolution foundation has been going over the details of the spring statement overnight and is here to explain what it means for the public.

thank you forjoining us. what is your analysis? thank you forjoining us. what is youranalysis? t’itt thank you for “oining us. what is your analysis?— thank you for “oining us. what is your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a aood your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a good picture- _ your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a good picture. we _ your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a good picture. we know - your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a good picture. we know the i your analysis? i'm afraid it is not a good picture. we know the key threat facing the country right now is the rising cost of living. the chancellor yesterday had an opportunity to respond to that and he announced a significant package of support but our analysis shows it was not sufficiently targeted on low to middle incomes and was not up to the scale of the challenge. our key result is that amongst working age households, typical incomes next year are set to fall by 4%, e1100 fall in income. year are set to fall by 4%, £1100 fall in income.— year are set to fall by 4%, £1100 fall in income. realistically, what do ou fall in income. realistically, what do you think _ fall in income. realistically, what do you think the _ fall in income. realistically, what do you think the chancellor i fall in income. realistically, what do you think the chancellor could | do you think the chancellor could have done? when we look at the pressures on the cost of living and the increases which are obviously having this huge effect, prediction

that inflation is going to be at 8.4% by the end of the year, the rising cost of energy bills going up 50%, rising cost of fuel, everywhere you look, prices are rising. what could the chancellor do to help people? could the chancellor do to help eo - le? :, could the chancellor do to help --eole? :, , :, , people? there are several things. what he did _ people? there are several things. what he did do — people? there are several things. what he did do was _ people? there are several things. what he did do was increase i people? there are several things. what he did do was increase the l what he did do was increase the national insurance threshold which provides a tax cut, that does not help people on lower earnings or who are out of work and does not help pensioners either. what he should have done is focus on the benefits system, we know benefits are going up system, we know benefits are going up next month by 3%, the cost of living next year is going to peak at 8.7% in the autumn. he could have brought forward a benefit rice to make sure the real value of benefits is keeping up with prices. lastly, he could have given us a hint about what he might do next autumn when the energy price cap is due to go up

again. perhaps up to £2800 a year for domestic energy bills which would be an astonishing level and would be an astonishing level and would cause real hardship. what would be an astonishing level and would cause real hardship. what will the im act would cause real hardship. what will the impact be? _ would cause real hardship. what will the impact be? your _ would cause real hardship. what will the impact be? your foundation i would cause real hardship. what will the impact be? your foundation are| the impact be? yourfoundation are saying 1.3 million people will fall into absolute poverty next year, they could not afford basic necessities.— they could not afford basic necessities. ,::, :, ::, necessities. the scale of the income fall we are next _ necessities. the scale of the income fall we are next year _ necessities. the scale of the income fall we are next year is _ necessities. the scale of the income fall we are next year is just - fall we are next year is just unbelievable. we are not in a recession at the moment, the economy is growing but the cost of living is rising so quickly that incomes are falling at a rapid rate. a typical household will see their real income fall by £1000 per year but this will be worse for low income households partly because benefits are not keeping up with inflation and we think incomes at the bottom of the distribution will fall by about 6%. that is going to push over1 million people into poverty next year. it is an astonishing figure giving the

economy is not in recession at the moment. it is not going to feel like that for low income households. what that for low income households. what su - ort that for low income households. what su- ort is that for low income households. what support is there? _ that for low income households. what support is there? in _ that for low income households. what support is there? in the spring statement there was an announcement of £500 million for councils or household support fund from april to help vulnerable households with living costs. how much of difference will that make? that living costs. how much of difference will that make?— will that make? that is very welcome- — will that make? that is very welcome. the _ will that make? that is very welcome. the chancellor. will that make? that is very i welcome. the chancellor argued will that make? that is very - welcome. the chancellor argued that local authorities are in a good position to sport the household who need support most, and it is right that local authorities have that money to act as a final safety net to cope with households which are in crisis. we pointed out is this failure to keep benefits increase in line with inflation next year, that is a benefit cut of around £10 billion next year. the chancellor is spending £0.5 billion on the household support fund. this discretionary local scheme cannot be a substitute for the inability to

keep benefits going up in line with prices. it keep benefits going up in line with rices. , , prices. it is sobering when the office for _ prices. it is sobering when the office for budget _ prices. it is sobering when the | office for budget responsibility says living standards will take their biggest hit since records began in the 1950s. it is their biggest hit since records began in the 1950s.— their biggest hit since records began in the 1950s. it is a huge surrise began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to _ began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to all— began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to all of— began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to all of us. _ began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to all of us. we - began in the 1950s. it is a huge surprise to all of us. we know. began in the 1950s. it is a huge i surprise to all of us. we know the economy recovered well from coronavirus, the government measures were very effective then at protecting household incomes from the huge fall in gdp. yesterday the office for budget responsibility said they did not think the economy would be to hand in the long run by coronavirus the stock having done quite well out of the local —— global pandemic over the last couple of years, it is very surprising and disappointing that we are in a worse economic situation from the point of view of households because of the rising cost of living but also because the government has not quite stepped up to the extent it did during the pandemic.— stepped up to the extent it did during the pandemic. thank you very

much. during the pandemic. thank you very much- nato — during the pandemic. thank you very much. nato members— during the pandemic. thank you very much. nato members are _ during the pandemic. thank you very much. nato members are meeting . during the pandemic. thank you veryj much. nato members are meeting in brussels to discuss the situation in ukraine. more than 3.5 million people have fled ukraine, more than 2 million crossing into poland. our correspondent has been in poland since the first day and sent this report from the border. compassion is of hearts and homes opened of the democratic world standing up to the aggressor. four weeks on the only change its warmer weather. the arrivals keep coming, seeking safety from a war some don't understand.

this is a school, a smile for the children. inside, volunteers bring comfort after an exhausting journey. yulia kirilenko and her sons fled kyiv, her husband staying to fight. translation: children were killed and teenage girls were raped. i we had to leave. they were shooting at the cars as we tried to escape. we prayed as we drove. it's good here, but we want to go home. i just want this to end. the trauma on the youngest could take years to show and last a lifetime. olga's little ones already feel it. translation: they were asking why helicopters were flying, _ why there were sirens, why people were dying. i had to explain it in a way that didn't hurt them. at the start of the invasion, we watched as panic prompted the immediate first rush to escape. but these are the people who didn't want to leave, thinking

they could stick it out, that the bombs might stop. but they didn't stop and more than 3.5 million refugees later, there's a growing feeling of the long term about this, with all the challenges that that will entail. destination warsaw, whose population is up by almost a fifth. new arrivals given id numbers and school places. they have a journey to safety, but their country still has no passage to peace. mark lowen, bbc news, on the poland—ukraine border. let's go back to the russian landing ship that has been destroyed according to the ukraine military with a direct hit, it is a 370 foot landing ship. we can show you what it was like before we got these pictures. it has been docked in

gdansk which is under the control of the russian military is where it has been. it was filmed previously. these pictures were released by russian state television and they showed the ship unloading reinforcements at the port. there we have the footage that the russian military wanted us to see initially which was the reinforcements being unloaded of the ship and we have had those pictures through from the ukrainian military is showing the destruction of it. a group of 52 children from an orphanage in ukraine have arrived safely in the uk before heading to their temporary home in scotland.

the children, aged between one and 18, and their carers were supposed to leave poland on monday but were held up after paperwork was delayed. vincent mcaviney has their story. as bombs fall across ukraine, this evacuation bus is the result of weeks of work by a team of british charities. on board, 52 children from orphanages in dnipro, unaware of the extent of the danger they're escaping, sing together. after safely crossing into poland with their legal guardians, they've spent days waiting for their paperwork to be approved. finally, last night, the final leg of their escape, a specially chartered virgin plane flew them to britain. seeing them climb up the stairs, it was excitement. the crew were waving ukrainian and british flags at the top of the steps. they were giving out small unionjack flags to them. the plane was full of toys and of other goodies and sweets and chocolates for them, and it was absolute excitement. i think we need to do this. if today teaches me personally anything, it's that we all need to step up and do our bit. i genuinely feel privileged to be a part of it and to know that as part of british society,

we've contributed to this as well. for sally becker, who's helped treat and evacuate children from conflicts around the world, it was an emotionalflight. well, when we touched down, they all clapped. all of them. i mean, i've seen people clap on planes before, but this was different. they could see london below them as we came down and they were telling one another and looking at me and excited. and yeah, it was lovely. the children who range from infants to older teens will now acclimatise to their new life in scotland in these peaceful surroundings near stirling. they'll then be housed in family—style groups in edinburgh until one day it's hoped they can return home to a peaceful ukraine. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. prosecutions have been launched over alleged health and safety failings relating to the croydon tram crash. the office of rail and road said it

would prosecute transport for london, tram operations limited —— which is owned by first group —— and the driver, alfred dorris. seven passengers died and 51 were injured when the tram derailed in croydon in south london in november 2016. an inquest heard the tram toppled over and spun off the tracks in darkness and heavy rain after hitting a curve at more than 40 miles an hour. the former south korean president, park geun hye, is heading home for the first time since she was jailed for corruption four years ago. ms park smiled as she was released from a seoul hospital. she was pardoned in december, but has been in hospital suffering from an undisclosed illness. the prosecutor who played a key role in her conviction, yoon suk—yeol, was elected president earlier this month. prince william has expressed "profound sorrow" at "abhorrent" slavery in a speech to dignitaries during his visit to jamaica. the duke and duchess of cambridge are currently on the second leg of their tour of the caribbean in honour

of the queen's platinum jubilee. our royal correspondentjonny dymond reports from kingston and just a warning his report contains flash photography. in swept the couple for dinner with the great and the good ofjamaica. ever since this trip was announced, a question hung over it, how would william address the issue of slavery? the brutal exploitation of hundreds of thousands of enslaved africans when jamaica was run by britain. i strongly agree with my father, the prince of wales, who said in barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery for ever stains our history. i want to express my profound sorrow. slavery was abhorrent and it should never have happened. this has been quite a political part of the caribbean tour. earlier, the jamaican prime minister

made very clear to the couple in front of the cameras that he wanted an end to the role of the queen as the head of state here and to the constitutional link to britain. william tried to answer some of the questions about britain's past injamaica with his speech. less clear is what the royal family's future, if any, is in a truly independentjamaica. jonny dymond, bbc news, kingston. as we've heard —

it's one month since the russian invasion of ukraine began. an unknown number of people have been killed — millions more have been forced to leave their homes. the war has been particularly traumatic for the children of ukraine. but some are seeking comfort in an artistic way — as the bbc�*s tim allman reports. how you explain work to a child? how the process the order they are witnessing? fortwo the process the order they are witnessing? for two ukrainian witnessing ? for two ukrainian parents witnessing? for two ukrainian parents one answer was to offer a creative outlet with paper, pencils and crayons. the set up a social media account and let children use art as a way to channel the trauma of war. it art as a way to channel the trauma of war. , , :, of war. it definitely gives them a safety space _ of war. it definitely gives them a safety space so _ of war. it definitely gives them a safety space so that _ of war. it definitely gives them a safety space so that they - of war. it definitely gives them a safety space so that they can i of war. it definitely gives them a i safety space so that they can switch

their focus, safety space so that they can switch theirfocus, their safety space so that they can switch their focus, their reality from the war, from tanks and bombs and missiles. , :, :, , :, missiles. hundreds of drawings from ukrainian children, _ missiles. hundreds of drawings from ukrainian children, some _ missiles. hundreds of drawings from ukrainian children, some showing i ukrainian children, some showing family and friends, some showing angels, some showing tanks. one girl from odesa through a portrait of her mother who is now serving in the army trying to protect her hometown. this picture is really like ukraine, very beautiful woman. she must protect— very beautiful woman. she must protect herself with a weapon. as the war protect herself with a weapon. is the war goes on, more paintings drawings and illustrations will follow. their message crystal clear that only a child can convey. as we speak the nato summit in

brussels is beginning. 30 presidents and prime ministers taking part in those discussions. jens stoltenberg greeting joe biden, borisjohnson and the french president emmanuel macron. also happening, g7 and eu are holding meetings and the us president is attending all three will stop the ukrainian president, president zelensky will appear by video link to nato and eu leaders. the conversations will focus on how to show greater support for ukraine and new troop deployments for eastern allies to show solidarity to kyiv. not going as far as president vlodymyr zelensky would like which is to see a no—fly zone over ukraine. we will keep you updated with all of the latest developments here on bbc news.

our style of settle spring weather is set to stick around. we have more clout moving in across northern parts of the uk. over the next few days, dry weather, patchy frost and fog overnight. this area of high pressure is in charge. the weak front is moving in from the north—west bringing cloud to scotland and northern ireland some of the clout moving into northern england later today. clear blue skies, temperatures 14 to 20 degrees,

cooler across the north—west of scotland. we have poor air quality, it is pretty hazy across parts of eastern england, high levels of pollution across east anglia. the pollutants are trapped under the descending air with high pressure. this evening and overnight, clear skies, dry weather, light winds and a cold night, temperatures three or 4 degrees. it could be colder in rural areas. a touch of frost, light winds, mist and fog should lift away quickly on friday. more sunshine across the uk tomorrow, the threat of a few isolated showers in southern scotland and northern england over high ground. warm again, 14 to 18 or 19 degrees. in the week in, we still have high pressure but it is changing position. some subtle changes on saturday. more low and mist around

the coast in the northern half of the coast in the northern half of the uk. inland, lots of sunshine, the uk. inland, lots of sunshine, the warmest places, 19 degrees. sunday, the cloud could be more extensive around parts of eastern england, central southern england and wales, the cloud lingering, not as warm, 15 celsius. some sunny spells further north by sunday. we will see a change in the next week, blue colours moving down the map. a cold air mass on its way. warm over the next few days but the temperatures will drop off during next week, we could have some wintry showers across high ground in the north of the uk. for the next few days, more of the warm spring

sunshine.

whether or not they come in and out of the uk. i'm ben brown, live in lviv. as the conflict enters its second month, the ukrainian military says diplomatic efforts continue for an emergency meeting in brussels as they double the number of troops in countries bordering ukraine. vladimir putin has already crossed the red line into barbarism, and i think it is now up to nato to consider together the appalling crisis in ukraine, the appalling suffering of the people of ukraine, and to see what more we can do to help the people of ukraine protect themselves. as the conflict enters its second

month, the ukrainian military says