this is outside source. a united front by western leaders one month on from russia's invasion of ukraine. meeting in brussels, they promise to increase military aid to ukraine and send 40,000 more troops to countries in eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. there are new western sanctions against russia, too, with the usjoining the uk in targeting hundreds of politicians in its state duma. we'll bring you a special report from the front—line in the city

of kharkiv that's under constant russian bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they've had four weeks of this, and still they remain. the russians haven't been able to break their lines. in other news here in the uk, p&0 ferries admit they did break the law when they sacked 800 staff without consultation. we start with a big day of diplomacy in brussels. world leaders have gathered there for three summits in a show of unity against russia's war in ukraine. first up, nato — the security alliance of 30 countries from north america and europe. next, the g7 — leaders from the us, the uk, canada, france, germany, italy and japan were all there.

within the past hour, the us president hasjoined european leaders for an eu council meeting also in the belgian capital. let's begin with nato and joe biden�*s verdict on the unity of that alliance over the crisis. putin was banking on nato being split. my early conversations with him in december and earlyjanuary, it was clear to me he didn't think we could sustain this cohesion. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. we've built that same unity with the european union and the leading democracies of the g7. the leaders of the military alliance approved plans to send 40,000 more troops to eastern europe to tackle what they describe as the biggest security crisis in a generation. four new nato battlegroups are to be sent to its eastern flank, to slovakia, hungary,

bulgaria and romania. here's nato's secretary generaljens stoltenberg on the deployments. so, we are resetting nato's deterrence and defence for the long—term. with more troops, with more air assets and more maritime capabilities. we have already increased our presence in the east, and today, we decided on four new battlegroups and the leaders agreed to talks to commanders to provide options for a long—term reset of our presence, our military posture in the eastern part of the alliance and across the whole alliance. nato is also stepping up chemical, biological and nuclear defences for its forces in eastern europe, as well as helping ukraine to defend itself against such attacks. mr stoltenberg said nato had to respond to the new threat posed by russia's actions.

so, we are concerned partly because we see the rhetoric and we see that russia is trying to create some kind of pretext, accusing ukraine, united states, nato allies for preparing to use chemical and biological weapons. and we have seen before that this way of accusing others is actually a way to try to create a pretext to do the same themselves. and, of course, their accusations against ukraine and nato allies are absolutely false. germany's chancellor, 0laf scholz, warned russia against any use of chemical weapons in ukraine. translation: should there be i preparations for a false flag action where those who point at others actually use such weapons, - indeed this would breach all international- rules and agreements - and conventions that exist. and this is why it is in our-

interest to not just point out this, but also on the talks that we have to discourage russia _ from doing them. nato leaders were addressed directly by ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, earlier in the day. he called for more military help, including the supply of tanks and warplanes. here's some of what he had to say. translation: i only ask from you, after the month of war, _ i plead with you for the sake of our military after such a war with russia, please never ever tell us that our army is not compliant with nato standards. we have demonstrated our latest standards. we've shown how much we can do for contributing to safety in europe and the world and for defence against aggression against everything we value, that you value. however, nato still has to demonstrate that the alliance can

do something to save people, to show the indeed it is the strongest defence alliance in the world. the world is waiting. ukraine is waiting for actual actions, proper safety guarantees. after the nato meeting, the uk prime minister, borisjohnson, announced what britain would be contributing. we will work with like—minded allies to ramp up lethal aid to ukraine at scale, providing kit to president zelensky in the quantity and with the quality that he needs to defend his country from its bullying neighbour. today, i've announced that we in the uk will send an additional 6000 missiles and provide £25 million in unrestricted funding for ukraine's armed forces, more than doubling the lethal aid we've provided to date. we're bolstering our support for the nato countries on the front—line, sending a new deployment of uk troops to bulgaria on top

of doubling our troops both in poland and in estonia. president biden announced new humanitarian aid to ukraine on top of billions in military aid already announced. the united states has committed to provide over $2 billion- in military equipment to ukraine since i became president. - anti—air systems, anti—armor- systems, ammunition and our weapons are flowing into ukraine as i speak. and today, i'm announcing - that the united states are prepared to commit more than $1 billion- in humanitarian assistance to help get relief to millions of ukrainians affected by the war in ukraine. . joining me now to explain all this diplomatic wrangling is the former deputy secretary general of nato, rose gottemoeller, who is in washington. thank you very much for coming on the programme. my thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme._ we i thank you very much for coming on - the programme._ we have the programme. my pleasure. we have seen these new—

the programme. my pleasure. we have seen these new announcements - the programme. my pleasure. we have seen these new announcements from l seen these new announcements from nato, these new battle groups in more than 40,000 troops to the eastern flank. what do you make of that? i eastern flank. what do you make of that? 4' eastern flank. what do you make of that? ~ , ., eastern flank. what do you make of that? 4' , ., . ., eastern flank. what do you make of that? ~ , ., . ., , , that? i think it is a clear response to as what — that? i think it is a clear response to as what boris _ that? i think it is a clear response to as what boris johnson - that? i think it is a clear response to as what boris johnson put - that? i think it is a clear response to as what boris johnson put it, . to as what borisjohnson put it, putin's bullying behaviour to make clear that all along nato borders with russia, including the black sea, that there should be a strong deterrence and defence posture for nato. so i think that's important, but it also bolsters lines of communication quite honestly and confrontation with ukraine as more an additional armaments and military in a are brought to bear. i like the fact that president biden said even as he was speaking, additional us armaments were being flown into ukraine, but those lines of communication and transportation flow through a lot of nato countries to ukraine and have that deterrence and defence strengthened there i think will secure those bylines as well. . ., , ., ., think will secure those bylines as well. _, ,., ., ., well. the counterpoint to that, thou . h, well. the counterpoint to that, though. if _ well. the counterpoint to that, though. if it — well. the counterpoint to that, though, if it is _ well. the counterpoint to that, though, if it is a _ well. the counterpoint to that, though, if it is a good - well. the counterpoint to that, though, if it is a good think- well. the counterpoint to that, though, if it is a good think of| though, if it is a good think of than on the other side is does is not bring potentially a direct conflict between nato and russia a

little bit closer? i conflict between nato and russia a little bit closer?— little bit closer? i don't think so, not in this _ little bit closer? i don't think so, not in this case. _ little bit closer? i don't think so, not in this case. although - little bit closer? i don't think so, not in this case. although putin l little bit closer? i don't think so, i not in this case. although putin has threatened that his military supplies to ukraine could be viewed as a threat by the russian federation. but i think the way nato is nothing itself in terms of a multiplicity of supply lines come out in the russians would really have to start ramping up themselves against nato per se, and i don't think they want to go there. it's clear that they are already weakened by their attempt to invade ukraine and the ukrainians are fighting hard and the ukrainians are fighting hard and bravely. and the russians are the ones with the morale, equipment and resupply problems. and so i think that it would be... is a situation where i think a multiplicity of avenues is a very good think, and it lends resilience to the efforts to support ukraine. if you are not too worried right now at the risk of that escalation can be that one of the flip side of that, that nato simply has not been doing enough so far and in fact going back years now, underestimated vladimir putin? i

going back years now, underestimated vladimir mm— vladimir putin? i don't think nato underestimated _ vladimir putin? i don't think nato underestimated vladimir - vladimir putin? i don't think nato underestimated vladimir putin. . vladimir putin? i don't think nato - underestimated vladimir putin. since the war, i should say the invasion of crimea in 2014, nato in fact has been steadily wrapping up his efforts, but i do think... but since then and not— efforts, but i do think... but since then and not clearly _ efforts, but i do think... but since then and not clearly wrapping - efforts, but i do think... but since then and not clearly wrapping up i then and not clearly wrapping up anywhere near the level of the terra because it simply was not enough deterrent. ~ . . because it simply was not enough deterrent. ~ ., ., ., ., deterrent. wait a minute, wait a minute. deterrent. wait a minute, wait a minute- has _ deterrent. wait a minute, wait a minute. has putin _ deterrent. wait a minute, wait a minute. has putin attacked - deterrent. wait a minute, wait a i minute. has putin attacked nato? deterrent. wait a minute, wait a - minute. has putin attacked nato? no. he has attacked his defenseless but not so defenseless neighbour ukraine. so i think it is important to draw that distinction and in fact nato is now devoted to its deterrence messaging and its defence of its territory in order to ensure that this invasion of ukraine does not turn into a wider war in europe. and avoiding that wider war in europe is clearly paramount and quickly top of everyone's mine. what do you think happens next? how to use of this conflict unfolding from

here? i use of this conflict unfolding from here? ~ ., ., ., ., here? i think we are in for a longer war that many _ here? i think we are in for a longer war that many of _ here? i think we are in for a longer war that many of us _ here? i think we are in for a longer war that many of us hoped. - war that many of us hoped. it's clear that the russians are adopting the interesting approach as they took in chechnya and also in syria, grinding down ukrainian cities, targeting civilians in this barbaric way. and so i think they are hoping that over time, everyone will weary, the nato alliance will weary in the ukrainians themselves will query and will throw down the flag so i don't see that happening, and i think it was also important to really bolster nato today with the message of the alliance is in this for the long haul. if alliance is in this for the long haul . alliance is in this for the long haul. . , alliance is in this for the long haul . , .., haul. if that is the case, if it does turn — haul. if that is the case, if it does turn out _ haul. if that is the case, if it does turn out to _ haul. if that is the case, if it does turn out to be - haul. if that is the case, if it does turn out to be this - haul. if that is the case, if it - does turn out to be this long, drawn out affair and certainly longer than anyone would want and you don't got the resilience of nato, where was that then leave russia? will it leave it completely isolated internationally? it leave it completely isolated internationally?— leave it completely isolated internationally? it already is i flitted internationally - internationally? it already is i flitted internationally and - internationally? it already is i flitted internationally and we | internationally? it already is i i flitted internationally and we can see increasingly that with

additional sanctions applied and with the egregious behaviour of vladimir putin and his cohorts, the real disregard international law that they are turning themselves into an international pariah state. so i do think that russia is effectively isolated at the moment. is that stable? if we see russia withdraw even more, the economy withdraw even more, the economy withdraw even more and become even more isolated, is that a stable state that nato would welcome? eadie; state that nato would welcome? sadly we saw that during _ state that nato would welcome? sadly we saw that during the _ state that nato would welcome? cmi we saw that during the cold war and know we would not want that. we were all delighted when the berlin wall fell down and when the doors of the eastern european countries were thrown open to the people could leave and move freely and seek their economic and family health and wealth elsewhere. so i would hate to see russia close down behind walls again. see russia close down behind walls atain. ., ,. ., see russia close down behind walls atain. ., ., again. fascinating to get your thoughts. _ again. fascinating to get your thoughts, thank _ again. fascinating to get your thoughts, thank you - again. fascinating to get your thoughts, thank you very - again. fascinating to get your. thoughts, thank you very much again. fascinating to get your - thoughts, thank you very much for spending time with us. my pleasure.

just to spending time with us. my pleasure. just to exolain. _ spending time with us. my pleasure. just to explain, these _ spending time with us. my pleasure. just to explain, these are _ spending time with us. my pleasure. just to explain, these are life - just to explain, these are life pictures from brussels at the third of three summits today, president bidenjoining the eu commission meeting after of course being at the nato meeting this morning. and then a meeting of the g7 a little bit after that and this is the third of the three meetings that we are seeing and you see the handshakes and diplomacy going on as we see that in front of our eyes really. let's get a bit more on what has been going on today in brussels. jessica parker is with us and she can help us as we are seeing pictures ofjoe biden wandering around her shaking hands there so it's been a significant day there. yes, it has. president biden not long _ yes, it has. president biden not long ago— yes, it has. president biden not long ago it _ yes, it has. president biden not long ago it was standing right there behind _ long ago it was standing right there behind me — long ago it was standing right there behind me with the european council president— behind me with the european council president as he arrived for the eu leaders _ president as he arrived for the eu leaders summit. the president is in there _ leaders summit. the president is in there now_ leaders summit. the president is in there now speaking to the 27 hands of state, and one of the things that he said is— of state, and one of the things that

he said is it — of state, and one of the things that he said is it was his belief that president _ he said is it was his belief that president putin have been trying to hreek— president putin have been trying to break up _ president putin have been trying to break up nato, that the russian president— break up nato, that the russian president also wanted to prove that democracy did not work any more. and that instead _ democracy did not work any more. and that instead you had to have autocracies and a modern fascinating world _ autocracies and a modern fascinating world and _ autocracies and a modern fascinating world and president biden obsolete resistant— world and president biden obsolete resistant to that chemically stressing unity amongst western nations— stressing unity amongst western nations as they keep talking and keep— nations as they keep talking and keep trying and finding new ways to face off— keep trying and finding new ways to face off russian aggression in ukraine _ face off russian aggression in ukraine. today, of course, they don't _ ukraine. today, of course, they don't commit one of the big summits, emergency— don't commit one of the big summits, emergency summit called here in brussels as they agree to reinforce nato's _ brussels as they agree to reinforce nato's eastern flank. still with because — nato's eastern flank. still with because of course for ukraine to enforce — because of course for ukraine to enforce a — because of course for ukraine to enforce a no—fly zone, warning that can basically risk leading to world war iii _ can basically risk leading to world war iii come up here tonight, president _ war iii come up here tonight, president biden i think will be speaking to eu leaders about a variety— speaking to eu leaders about a variety of— speaking to eu leaders about a variety of subjects but not least of all america's push to potentially supply— all america's push to potentially supply the eu with more liquefied natural— supply the eu with more liquefied natural gas to help the eu when itsetf— natural gas to help the eu when itself off— natural gas to help the eu when itself off russian energy supplies.

just itself off russian energy supplies. just to— itself off russian energy supplies. just to mark the car briefly because we have just heard from president biden, he made as announcements and he gave a little press conference earlier. to be expect any more announcements or any more they're from brussels this evening? we announcements or any more they're from brussels this evening?- from brussels this evening? we are exectin: from brussels this evening? we are exoecting a — from brussels this evening? we are exoecting a pretty _ from brussels this evening? we are expecting a pretty late-night - from brussels this evening? we are expecting a pretty late-night press| expecting a pretty late—night press conference not featuring president biden— conference not featuring president biden hut— conference not featuring president biden but i think we'll probably hear— biden but i think we'll probably hear the — biden but i think we'll probably hear the european council president possibly— hear the european council president possibly in— hear the european council president possibly in the early hours of the morning — possibly in the early hours of the morning because eu leaders i suspect once president biden has finished the visit _ once president biden has finished the visit here, he is only do to meet with— the visit here, he is only do to meet with the leaders for an hour or so and _ meet with the leaders for an hour or so and leaders will continue their discussions late into the night. they— discussions late into the night. they have _ discussions late into the night. they have refugee crisis to discuss and ukraine's application to join the eu — and ukraine's application to join the eu to — and ukraine's application to join the eu to talk about and they have -ot the eu to talk about and they have got energy sanctions to talk about and as— got energy sanctions to talk about and as i_ got energy sanctions to talk about and as i mentioned some eu states realty— and as i mentioned some eu states really trying to push this idea of cutting — really trying to push this idea of cutting russian supplies off sooner rather— cutting russian supplies off sooner rather than later others warning that could — rather than later others warning that could push europe into a recession— that could push europe into a recession so they have a lot to discuss — recession so they have a lot to discuss here between themselves here this evening. discuss here between themselves here this evenint, ,, .., discuss here between themselves here

this eveninu, ,, ., ~ discuss here between themselves here this evenina. ,, ., ~' ., discuss here between themselves here this evening-— this evening. jessica parker, a huge da of this evening. jessica parker, a huge day of diplomacy — this evening. jessica parker, a huge day of diplomacy there _ this evening. jessica parker, a huge day of diplomacy there in _ this evening. jessica parker, a huge day of diplomacy there in brussels i day of diplomacy there in brussels and thank you so much for summing that up. meanwhile, the united nations general assembly has been meeting in new york. it demanded the protection of civilians in ukraine and has criticised russia for causing a dire humanitarian situation. the resolution, proposed by ukraine, and had overwhelming support, with only five countries voting against it. they were russia, syria, north korea, eritrea and belarus. let's go live to nada tawfik at the un headquarters in new york. good to see you. what does this boat mean? , , ., ., , ., ., . mean? this is another diplomatic victo for mean? this is another diplomatic victory for ukraine _ mean? this is another diplomatic victory for ukraine at the - mean? this is another diplomatic victory for ukraine at the un and | victory for ukraine at the un and again— victory for ukraine at the un and again it — victory for ukraine at the un and again itjust_ victory for ukraine at the un and again itjust underscores- victory for ukraine at the un and again itjust underscores how- again itjust underscores how isolated _ again itjust underscores how isolated russia _ again itjust underscores how isolated russia is _ again itjust underscores how isolated russia is here. - again itjust underscores how isolated russia is here. we l again itjust underscores how. isolated russia is here. we had again itjust underscores how- isolated russia is here. we had this resolution. — isolated russia is here. we had this resolution, this _ isolated russia is here. we had this resolution, this second _ isolated russia is here. we had this resolution, this second during - isolated russia is here. we had this resolution, this second during this. resolution, this second during this emergency— resolution, this second during this emergency session— resolution, this second during this emergency session on _ resolution, this second during this emergency session on ukraine - resolution, this second during this. emergency session on ukraine where we had _ emergency session on ukraine where we had more — emergency session on ukraine where we had more than _ emergency session on ukraine where we had more than three _ emergency session on ukraine where we had more than three quarters- emergency session on ukraine where we had more than three quarters of. we had more than three quarters of the generai— we had more than three quarters of the general assembly— we had more than three quarters of the general assembly voting - we had more than three quarters of the general assembly voting on - the general assembly voting on ukraine's— the general assembly voting on ukraine's side. _ the general assembly voting on ukraine's side. this— the general assembly voting on ukraine's side. this resolution i the general assembly voting onl ukraine's side. this resolution in particular— ukraine's side. this resolution in particular singled _ ukraine's side. this resolution in particular singled out— ukraine's side. this resolution in particular singled out russia -

ukraine's side. this resolution in particular singled out russia as. ukraine's side. this resolution in . particular singled out russia as the aggressor. — particular singled out russia as the aggressor. as— particular singled out russia as the aggressor. as the _ particular singled out russia as the aggressor, as the one _ particular singled out russia as the aggressor, as the one responsiblel aggressor, as the one responsible for the _ aggressor, as the one responsible for the humanitarian _ aggressor, as the one responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe, | for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it— for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it got — for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it gotjust _ for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it gotjust as— for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it gotjust as much— for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it gotjust as much support i and it gotjust as much support chemically— and it gotjust as much support chemically the _ and it gotjust as much support chemically the same _ and it gotjust as much support chemically the same number. and it gotjust as much support| chemically the same number of and it gotjust as much support - chemically the same number of votes, as the _ chemically the same number of votes, as the initiai— chemically the same number of votes, as the initial resolution _ chemically the same number of votes, as the initial resolution that _ chemically the same number of votes, as the initial resolution that was - as the initial resolution that was voted _ as the initial resolution that was voted on — as the initial resolution that was voted on march _ as the initial resolution that was voted on march the _ as the initial resolution that was voted on march the 2nd. - as the initial resolution that was voted on march the 2nd. now i as the initial resolution that wasi voted on march the 2nd. now we as the initial resolution that was - voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia _ voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia siding — voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia siding with _ voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia siding with south _ voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia siding with south africa - voted on march the 2nd. now we saw russia siding with south africa and i russia siding with south africa and the ukrainians— the ukrainians saying that russia instigated — the ukrainians saying that russia instigated south _ the ukrainians saying that russia instigated south africa _ instigated south africa to produce its own rival draught. _ instigated south africa to produce its own rival draught. so - instigated south africa to produce its own rival draught. so the - instigated south africa to produce its own rival draught. so the saidl its own rival draught. so the said they— its own rival draught. so the said they were — its own rival draught. so the said they were doing _ its own rival draught. so the said they were doing it _ its own rival draught. so the said they were doing it because - its own rival draught. so the said they were doing it because theyi its own rival draught. so the said i they were doing it because they felt their draught— they were doing it because they felt their draught was— they were doing it because they felt their draught was putting _ their draught was putting humanitarian _ their draught was putting humanitarian needs- their draught was putting i humanitarian needs ahead their draught was putting - humanitarian needs ahead of geo— political— humanitarian needs ahead of geo— political divisions, _ humanitarian needs ahead of geo— political divisions, and _ humanitarian needs ahead of geo— political divisions, and their - political divisions, and their draught _ political divisions, and their draught was _ political divisions, and their draught was very— political divisions, and their draught was very neutral. . political divisions, and their draught was very neutral. it just asked _ draught was very neutral. it just asked for— draught was very neutral. it just asked for both _ draught was very neutral. it just asked for both sides _ draught was very neutral. it just asked for both sides to - draught was very neutral. it just asked for both sides to end - asked for both sides to end hostilities. _ asked for both sides to end hostilities. he _ asked for both sides to end hostilities. he did - asked for both sides to end hostilities. he did not- asked for both sides to endl hostilities. he did not name asked for both sides to end - hostilities. he did not name russia, but ultimately — hostilities. he did not name russia, but ultimately the _ hostilities. he did not name russia, but ultimately the general - hostilities. he did not name russia, | but ultimately the general assembly voted to _ but ultimately the general assembly voted to not — but ultimately the general assembly voted to not even _ but ultimately the general assembly voted to not even consider— but ultimately the general assembly voted to not even consider that - voted to not even consider that draught. — voted to not even consider that draught. so— voted to not even consider that draught. so that _ voted to not even consider that draught. so that was _ voted to not even consider that draught. so that was a - voted to not even consider that draught. so that was a real, . voted to not even consider that. draught. so that was a real, real victory as— draught. so that was a real, real victory as i— draught. so that was a real, real victory as i say— draught. so that was a real, real victory as i say for— draught. so that was a real, real victory as i say for ukraine - draught. so that was a real, real victory as i say for ukraine and l victory as i say for ukraine and again— victory as i say for ukraine and again an — victory as i say for ukraine and again an embarrassing - victory as i say for ukraine and again an embarrassing loss - victory as i say for ukraine and again an embarrassing loss for russia — again an embarrassing loss for russia at— again an embarrassing loss for russia at the _ again an embarrassing loss for russia at the united _ again an embarrassing loss for russia at the united nations, i again an embarrassing loss for - russia at the united nations, where it finds _ russia at the united nations, where it finds itself — russia at the united nations, where it finds itself with _ russia at the united nations, where it finds itself with very _ russia at the united nations, where it finds itself with very few- it finds itself with very few friends. _ it finds itself with very few friends. . . . . it finds itself with very few friends. ., ,. ., .,f . ., friends. fascinating. the official root of what's _ friends. fascinating. the official root of what's happened - friends. fascinating. the official root of what's happened so -

friends. fascinating. the official root of what's happened so far i friends. fascinating. the official. root of what's happened so far but what about the more unofficial soundings? what are you hearing there about what the countries there are actually feeling about what is going to happen next and what they are going to do next?— are going to do next? look, this is a nonbinding _ are going to do next? look, this is a nonbinding resolution _ are going to do next? look, this is a nonbinding resolution for- are going to do next? look, this is a nonbinding resolution for them i think— a nonbinding resolution for them i think it's — a nonbinding resolution for them i think it's important _ a nonbinding resolution for them i think it's important to _ a nonbinding resolution for them i think it's important to rememberi think it's important to remember that. _ think it's important to remember that. trut— think it's important to remember that. but it — think it's important to remember that. but it is _ think it's important to remember that, but it is symbolic. - think it's important to remember that, but it is symbolic. it - think it's important to remember that, but it is symbolic. it is - that, but it is symbolic. it is about — that, but it is symbolic. it is about the _ that, but it is symbolic. it is about the moral— that, but it is symbolic. it is about the moral compass i that, but it is symbolic. it is about the moral compass of that, but it is symbolic. it is - about the moral compass of what countries — about the moral compass of what countries feel— about the moral compass of what countries feel here, _ about the moral compass of what countries feel here, and - about the moral compass of what countries feel here, and quite - countries feel here, and quite friendly— countries feel here, and quite friendly at _ countries feel here, and quite friendly at the _ countries feel here, and quite friendly at the united - countries feel here, and quite friendly at the united nations| countries feel here, and quite l friendly at the united nations is the only— friendly at the united nations is the only real— friendly at the united nations is the only real pleasure _ friendly at the united nations is the only real pleasure we - friendly at the united nations is the only real pleasure we get i friendly at the united nations isj the only real pleasure we get to hear _ the only real pleasure we get to hear what — the only real pleasure we get to hear what the _ the only real pleasure we get to hear what the whole _ the only real pleasure we get to hear what the whole world - the only real pleasure we get to hear what the whole world has i the only real pleasure we get to. hear what the whole world has to say. now. — hear what the whole world has to say. now, certainly— hear what the whole world has to say. now, certainly the _ hear what the whole world has to say. now, certainly the un - hear what the whole world has to say. now, certainly the un is- say. now, certainly the un is limited — say. now, certainly the un is limited in _ say. now, certainly the un is limited in what _ say. now, certainly the un is limited in what it _ say. now, certainly the un is limited in what it can - say. now, certainly the un is limited in what it can do - say. now, certainly the un is limited in what it can do to. say. now, certainly the un is. limited in what it can do to him about— limited in what it can do to him about the — limited in what it can do to him about the united _ limited in what it can do to him about the united nations - limited in what it can do to him about the united nations on i about the united nations on the humanitarian _ about the united nations on the humanitarian side _ about the united nations on the humanitarian side continues - about the united nations on the humanitarian side continues to. about the united nations on the - humanitarian side continues to work on relief— humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts _ humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts there. _ humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts there. i— humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts there. i think - humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts there. i think the i on relief efforts there. i think the real concern _ on relief efforts there. i think the real concern is that _ on relief efforts there. i think the real concern is that you _ on relief efforts there. i think the real concern is that you hear- on relief efforts there. i think the | real concern is that you hear from a number— real concern is that you hear from a number of— real concern is that you hear from a number of diplomats— real concern is that you hear from a number of diplomats that _ real concern is that you hear from a number of diplomats that they- real concern is that you hear from a number of diplomats that they do l number of diplomats that they do feel somewhat _ number of diplomats that they do feel somewhat helpless - number of diplomats that they do feel somewhat helpless here - number of diplomats that they do feel somewhat helpless here in. number of diplomats that they do i feel somewhat helpless here in new york. _ feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they— feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they know _ feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they know that _ feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they know that this _ feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they know that this is - feel somewhat helpless here in new york. they know that this is not - york. they know that this is not where _ york. they know that this is not where the — york. they know that this is not where the pressure _ york. they know that this is not where the pressure is. - york. they know that this is not where the pressure is. we - york. they know that this is not where the pressure is. we see. where the pressure is. we see obviously— where the pressure is. we see obviously the _ where the pressure is. we see obviously the nato _ where the pressure is. we see obviously the nato summit - where the pressure is. we see i obviously the nato summit taking place. _ obviously the nato summit taking place. leaders— obviously the nato summit taking place, leaders meeting _ obviously the nato summit taking place, leaders meeting their- obviously the nato summit taking place, leaders meeting their to. place, leaders meeting their to hopefully— place, leaders meeting their to hopefully push _ place, leaders meeting their to hopefully push for— place, leaders meeting their to hopefully push for more - place, leaders meeting their to- hopefully push for more punishment on president — hopefully push for more punishment on president putin— hopefully push for more punishment on president putin in— hopefully push for more punishment on president putin in russia - hopefully push for more punishment on president putin in russia if- hopefully push for more punishment on president putin in russia if not. on president putin in russia if not moves _ on president putin in russia if not moves that— on president putin in russia if not moves that will— on president putin in russia if not moves that will make _ on president putin in russia if not moves that will make them - on president putin in russia if noti moves that will make them change course. _

moves that will make them change course. but— moves that will make them change course. but here _ moves that will make them change course. but here at _ moves that will make them change course. but here at the _ moves that will make them change course. but here at the un, - moves that will make them change course. but here at the un, very. course. but here at the un, very much _ course. but here at the un, very much the — course. but here at the un, very much the focus _ course. but here at the un, very much the focus is _ course. but here at the un, very much the focus is on _ course. but here at the un, very much the focus is on how- course. but here at the un, very much the focus is on how they i course. but here at the un, very. much the focus is on how they can help in_ much the focus is on how they can help in pushing _ much the focus is on how they can help in pushing russia _ much the focus is on how they can help in pushing russia to - much the focus is on how they can help in pushing russia to dialogue on this conflict. _ help in pushing russia to dialogue on this conflict. 0k. _ help in pushing russia to dialogue on this conflict.— on this conflict. 0k, thank you for that. we're going to look at what's happening on the ground in ukraine now. it's a month since vladimir putin's forces invaded ukraine, but they were met with firm resistance and their offensive is largely stalled. ukraine says its forces are now shifting onto the offensive in much of the country. a ukrainian source posted these pictures. they show a strike on a russian ship in the occupied port of berdyansk. you can see plumes of smoke coming from the large ship there. if confirmed it would be a setback for russian attempts to create a landbridge in the south—east of ukraine. these images show the military supply ship on monday. it was capable of carrying up to 1500 tonnes of military equipment. the attack took place 80 kilometres from the besieged city of mariupol. this is what's left of the once vibrant port after the russian bombardments.

well, three weeks ago, a huge convoy of russian troops moved towards the capital, kyiv, but its advance was stalled. since then, fierce fighting has taken place in the towns and cities outside the capital, and ukrainian forces now claim they've succeeded in pushing russian troops back with a series of counterattacks, asjeremy bowen reports. let's go live to lyse doucet in kyiv. good to see you. what is a status then of these counterattacks? essen; then of these counterattacks? every da is then of these counterattacks? every day is different. _ then of these counterattacks? every day is different. every _ then of these counterattacks? every day is different. every day, - then of these counterattacks? every day is different. every day, the - day is different. every day, the battle lines seem to ship. we saw the mayor of the city yesterday. he seemed to say there was fierce fighting continuing to the north of kyiv, to the west. we heard from london and washington and their assessment that russian forces have been pushed back by several miles to the east of the city. and that the ukrainian forces were notjust

pushing back, but recapturing territories in the west, including makariv, a small town or the ukrainian flag is it to be flying again. but there are discussions about the russian military digging in their artillery, underlining that if ukraine enters the second month of this war, russia still have overwhelming firepower and it's still out man's the ukrainian forces in every which way and president putin has given no indication that he is ready to end what he calls his special military operation anytime soon. find what he calls his special military operation anytime soon. and let's aet onto operation anytime soon. and let's get onto the _ operation anytime soon. and let's get onto the issue _ operation anytime soon. and let's get onto the issue the _ operation anytime soon. and let's get onto the issue the diplomacyl get onto the issue the diplomacy here was a big game in brussels, will that making various commitments, president zelensky making various requests. how do you think his requests have been met so far? he

think his requests have been met so far? . think his requests have been met so far? , . ., , ., far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, and _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, and a _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, and a lot _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, and a lot of- far? he is certainly getting a lot - of weapons, and a lot of ammunition. you hear about... the javelin anti—tank missiles to great effect, you hear them using the fingers, the surface shoulder surface to air missiles and is certainly making a difference on the battlefield and of course we don't see all of the weaponry, all of the supply lines that are coming into ukraine. and today, president zelensky thanked his nato partners, but again he said it is ably not enough. he talked and thought of them in a way as he often does this and tries to shame his partners saying you could only give me 1% of your tanks. you have tens of thousands of tanks can me just give me 500, just give me a 1% of your combat aircraft and it would make all the difference on the ground. of course what he wants most of all, not a day goes by without him mentioning it, a no—fly zone, close the skies as they call it here. but it seems nato is going to

revive him with some air defence systems which can also play a very effective role. so there is certainly resolving nato to continue to provide advanced weaponry, but equally there is resolve to ensure that this war does not cross ukraine's border into the territory of nato members.— ukraine's border into the territory of nato members. exactly on that, that commitment _ of nato members. exactly on that, that commitment by _ of nato members. exactly on that, that commitment by nato - of nato members. exactly on that, i that commitment by nato announced today that they are going to commit 40,000 or so extra troops to the eastern flank, can you just talk through what exec and that means and what consequence that has? because we heard one consequence could be a kind of shoring up of supply lines potentially. it is kind of shoring up of supply lines potentially-— potentially. it is the other flank ofthe potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian _ potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian defences - potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian defences i - potentially. it is the other flank - of the ukrainian defences i suppose what it is on the other side of the border. we have seen a strengthening of the eastern borders of nato members ever since this invasion began a month ago and even before because of the battle groups won't

make a big, big difference but as you say, they send a symbolic message and they will help with sending a strong message to president putin but also helping and again they try to keep these details as discreet as possible because we know that president putin has attacked in the west of ukraine before, struck a nato training centre and struck an airfield rather aircraft repair centre close to an airfield and he will continue to try to strike those supply lines which he said is it legit legitimate target. he said is it legit legitimate tar: et. �* . he said is it legit legitimate tarret. �* . he said is it legit legitimate tarret. , ~ he said is it legit legitimate tarret. , ., target. and 'ust last week before i let ou no target. and just last week before i let you go and _ target. and just last week before i let you go and before _ target. and just last week before i let you go and before the - target. and just last week before i let you go and before the end - target. and just last week before i let you go and before the end of i target. and just last week before i i let you go and before the end of the programme, we have about 30 or 40 seconds left, we are now a month into this conflict. is there any sign of what it will take to bring it to an end?— sign of what it will take to bring it to an end? no, no sign. this is president — it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. _ it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. he - it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. he keepsl president putin's war. he keeps saying it is going according to plan, that it will end when his objectors are achieved and we still

don't know if he will stop at mary a pole or will want to go to edessa and have total control of the southern coast or will come as far as kyiv, the capital.— as kyiv, the capital. thank you so much for all your _ as kyiv, the capital. thank you so much for all your porting - as kyiv, the capital. thank you so much for all your porting so - as kyiv, the capital. thank you so much for all your porting so far. as kyiv, the capital. thank you so i much for all your porting so far and sadly it seems like your continued efforts will be required there. we will leave ukraine now with a hugely significant day for diplomacy in brussels, those three big meetings of world leaders getting together to show a really united front against russia in this war in ukraine and it begin this morning with that nato meeting. then the g7 meeting also a few hours ago, and right now is the eu council meeting that is going on, which is also being attended byjoe biden. joe biden saying that putin was banking on nato being split, but nato has never been more unified. that was the president of the us's

message to vladimir putin a couple of hours ago. that is it, this is bbc news. good evening. we certainly are being spoiled at the moment. another day of the glorious spring sunshine and warmth for many. this was cornwall earlier on today. a story which suggests a warm summer's afternoon, not a spring afternoon. high pressure still with us. this little weather front toppling across the morth—west of the high has introduced more in the way of cloud, more moisture as well. so, highland scotland this afternoon certainly a cloudier story in comparison to earlier on in the week, and there were a few isolated showers. if we take a look at the satellite picture, it was scotland, northern ireland, north west england impacted by that cloud. there were some breaks

and some sunny spells, but the best of the sunshine certainly across england and wales. now, over the next few hours, a lot of that cloud is going to retreat back to the north—west coast, and under clearing skies once again, temperatures falling away quite sharply. low single figures to start the day tomorrow. little patches of early frost and mist first thing in the morning. they will lift quite readily once again, and the emphasis is with dry, settled and sunny. still some cloud across the far north and west, and the cloud thick enough in the northern isles perhaps to produce some showery outbreaks of rain. top temperatures maybe through friday afternoon once again mid to high teens. now, that frontal system bringing the showery rain through the northern isles may well just drift down across the east of the high through the north sea. that could have an impact to those north sea coasts on saturday. a little more cloud perhaps just shrouding that east coast for a time. some cloud through western scotland and through the irish sea as well. so, inland through the spine of the country is where we'll see the highest values, 19 degrees by saturday afternoon. into sunday, mothering sunday, toppling around that high, the potentialfor a little more cloud to come in off the north sea

across england and wales. if that happens and with those light winds here, it's not going to move very far very fast. that could have an impact to the feel of the weather. not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon. 14—15 high, best of the sunshine further north, best of the temperatures as well. but it's the colder air that is set to return into next week. a northerly wind driving that colder air further south, so that means that the temperatures will be below par for the time of year. and some of those showers in the far north east could have a wintry flavour in there as well.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. this is 0utside source. a united front by western leaders one month on from russia's invasion of ukraine. the meeting in brussels promised to increase military aid to ukraine and sent 40,000 troops in eastern europe.— eastern europe. nato has never, never been — eastern europe. nato has never, never been more _ eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united - eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united than - eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united than it i eastern europe. nato has never, | never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. , ., ., . , ukraine. they are our new western sanctions against _ ukraine. they are our new western sanctions against russia _ ukraine. they are our new western sanctions against russia with - ukraine. they are our new western sanctions against russia with the i ukraine. they are our new western i sanctions against russia with the uk and politicians in the state duma. a

special report from the front lines in kharkiv under constant bombardment.— in kharkiv under constant bombardment. ., , ., bombardment. you can see what the 're bombardment. you can see what they're up _ bombardment. you can see what they're up against _ bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. - bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this - bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this is i bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this is a j they're up against here. this is a lay. but the steadfastness of these men is being felt notjust in kharkiv all around the world with the four weeks of this and still they remain. the russians haven't been able to break their lines. in other news, here in the uk be endo ferries admit they did break the law when they sacked 800 staff without consultation. ferries a month ago today the world changed when russia invaded ukraine. since then thousands of russian and ukrainian today leaders of the western military alliance met in nato to

discuss what the world should do now. we begin this half—hour of outside source with a special report on the city of kharkiv and easing country less than 25 miles from the russian border. is face relentless russian border. is face relentless russian missiles and showing are corresponded has spent time with the two fighters who have been on the front line since the very beginning. a month of fighting alone. and russian guns still haven't silenced ukraine's cry for freedom. at the kharkiv philharmonic, maria baranovska may not have an audience, but this is not a city abandoned, only a city half gone. she remains here with her ten—month—old boy. staying is her duty.

translation: i believe in our victory. _ i know that the armed forces of ukraine will protect their home. we just need to be a little bit more patient. standing united with the boys defending her and her son. a month ago, 22—year—old vlad said goodbye to his own mother and went off to fight. he and fellow private mark have been here ever since. they have quickly grown comfortable with war�*s daily tempo. they have the upper hand in kharkiv. what are you fighting for? translation: for peace in ukraine. what about you, mark?

translation: like my comrade 'ust said, for peace in ukraine. �* these people came to our land. no one was waiting for them here, no one asked them to come. and what do you want to tell the russian soldiers that are shelling you? run. we were not calling you here. run away. there is nothing else to say. either you stay here forever, in the ground, or you go back home and stop killing children and destroying homes and families. go back home while you are still alive. their steady determination, and a little help from western weaponry, have got them this far. it is time to head out to the front again. this, they say, is their land. they know these fields and villages better than the invaders. and here, amid the melting winter snows, they cover every inch of ground. ukrainian mud is the

defender�*s friend. mark's foxhole has room for one, and offers just about enough protection from exploding russian shells. suddenly, on the horizon, there is movement. an enemy scouting party spotted. shooting. the russians shoot back. but the danger here is artillery. mark tells us we have to move. the russians will definitely respond, he says, 100%. it's time to seek better cover. what is it like, spending day and night out in those tiny, tiny little trenches?

the shifts are longer during the day, but at night, when it's cold, we swap often. what about you, mark? it's ok, you get used to it. humans can adapt to. explosions. humans can adapt to everything. what's going on right now? they are targeting our position. explosions. get down, get down. the shells begin to land all around us, only metres away. explosions. you can see what they are up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv,

but around the world. they have had four weeks of this and still they remain. the russians have not been able to break their lines and this invasion might have come as a surprise to the rest of the world but this is what they have been expecting and training for for years. unable to move, the shelling is relentless. these bombardments are endless. this is russia's tactic of choice. shouting. we are told for the third time that day to get into a nearby underground shelter. the russians are pretty determined to break these lines. are they going to get past here? are they going to get past you and these men? i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv.

our loved ones have got our backs. they won't get through here. quentin sommerville, bbc news, kharkiv. a powerful insight into life on the front lines. our thoughts did not thanks to quinton for that. our thoughts did not thanks to quinton for that. let's get more now on the diplomatic efforts to stop the war. both the us and the uk announced fresh sanctions against russian individuals and companies as the west tries to isolate moscow over its invasion of ukraine. washington is freezing the assets of 328 members of russia's lower house of parliament, the duma and 48 defence companies which it says "fuel putin's war machine". also targeted is herman gref, the ceo of russia's biggest financial institution, sberbank. president biden tweeted that the additional sanctions were in response to mr putin's "war of choice in ukraine", saying "they personally gain from the kremlin s policies, and they should share in the pain." the uk is sanctioning 65 more

organisations and people, including the russian billionaire youjeen shvidler and also galina danilchenko, who was installed by moscow as the mayor of occupied melitopol — a city in south—east ukraine. also targeted are: the wagner group, a russian mercenary group seen as vladimir putin's private army, gazprombank, russia's third—largest bank and one of the main channels for payments for russian oil and gas. and the reported step—daughter of russian foreign minister sergei lavrov — polina kovalyohva — who is thought to own a london property worth an estimated £4 million, or $5.3 million. this is what borisjohnson had to say as he arrived for the nato summit. 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 two gather the appalling crisis in ukraine, the appalling suffering of the people in ukraine to see

with we can do to help the people of ukraine protect themselves, see what more we can do to tighten the economic vice around the putin regime. the most contentious area, as the west tries to tighten sanctions against russia, is the eu's dependence on russian fossil fuel exports. the eu currently relies on russia for 40% of its gas. brussels has laid out a strategy aimed at cutting that reliance by two thirds within a year. but some want the bloc to go faster, including latvia's prime minister. we have to find a way to move away from russian energy dependency as quickly as possible. it's in line with the green deal moving towards renewables, energy efficiency, we have to continue in this as possible and i am arguing and i'll argue tonight that we have to look at serious energy sanctions as well because this is the main source of income for the russian government.

few western economies are as dependent as germany. germany is among european countries most dependent on russia for its gas supplies. but the german chancellor olaf scholz said the country was doing what it could to speed up the construction of facilites to import lng — liquefied natural gas — from other countries: two term it's relatively likely that the building process will start this year and we are discussing with the companies that are doing this that they should try to hurry up and we are working on changing the legal scenario of this activity that it can be done faster than it usually would, that it would usually take. this is what we did and the truth is, germany is already working on diversifying supply for the time we live in. this is very much today with a long—term strategy we have.

this is very much today with a long—term strategy we have. oil prices fell today as the us and its allies discussed a possible further coordinated release of supplies from storage to help calm energy markets and ease prices in the wake of russia's invasion. this was the price of brent crude a short while ago. let's hear what the us energy secretary had to say following a meeting of members of the international energy agency in paris earlier in the day. every one was united in condemning, obviously putin is war but also united in seeing how we can do what we can to both increase supply, adopt efficiency measures but also this transition to clean and how we can accelerate it as fast as we possibly can. im joined now by elina ribakova, deputy chief economist at the insititue of international finance. thank you for coming on the program. thank you for coming on the program. thank you for having me.— thank you for having me. sanctions have been in _ thank you for having me. sanctions have been in place _ thank you for having me. sanctions have been in place for— thank you for having me. sanctions have been in place for a _ thank you for having me. sanctions have been in place for a while. -

thank you for having me. sanctions have been in place for a while. we l have been in place for a while. we know they are having an effect. but the big one is this dependence, the reliance on russian energy. how truly effective can sanctions be if thatis truly effective can sanctions be if that is in sanctioned? haste truly effective can sanctions be if that is in sanctioned? we absolutely do have to go _ that is in sanctioned? we absolutely do have to go after _ that is in sanctioned? we absolutely do have to go after energy _ that is in sanctioned? we absolutely do have to go after energy sanctions sometimes in the nearfuture. the issue here is russia has been building this fortress, trying to insulate and isolate itself from the world. and was successful doing is accumulating reserves from the export of energy. right now with the dramatic contraction and the dead growth in russia, basically an net inflow of about 200 billion to 250 billion of dollars per year. that means that russia can't recoup the $300 billion loss because of sanctions. just a bit over a year. so it is fundamentally crucial and we did hear how thejury so it is fundamentally crucial and we did hear how the jury need, other countries are trying to reduce their

dependence on it. let's move more widely to the issue of sanctions. it may sound a silly question but lots of people have been asking just why hold back? we know sanctions are done stage by stage gradually, it's not like we don't know what russia has been doing in ukraine. its bombing of mariupol for example. why notjust implement every single section you can all at once? haste section you can all at once? we almost did _ section you can all at once? - almost did that a few weeks ago. what used to be nuclear options, whether it swift or sanctioning banks or commercial or esso events in russia, that all used to be a nuclear option. we managed to do that in an extremely well coordinated way and very expedient response. implemented sanctions which is extremely effective we implemented sanctions of financial institutions and disconnecting from swift. the reason may be to give a pause and see the pause already is

because of the unintended consequences. what is truly unprecedented here is the fact that all of the sanctions were put all together at the same time. of course we understand sanctioning countries will also have some cause. but we do not want to see unintended cause, something that may now functions in the market and would backfire for the market and would backfire for the country. i think that's likely the country. i think that's likely the reason why we are seeing some of the pause in the discussion of sanctions. the pause in the discussion of sanctions-— the pause in the discussion of sanctions. ., ., sanctions. the law of unintended consequences. _ sanctions. the law of unintended consequences. given _ sanctions. the law of unintended consequences. given where - sanctions. the law of unintended consequences. given where we i sanctions. the law of unintended i consequences. given where we are with sanctions, the sanctions being made on energy, where do you think this leaves russia in six months�* time where the impact of those are all born out, how devastated, how hit below the russian economy be? already from existing sanctions we are forecasting —15% growth this year, unusually high uncertainty but nonetheless this —15 will take us about 15 years back in time. so russia will be almost 15 years poor

by the end of this year. we expect the worst of the sanctions start hitting the economy and the second quarter. this quarter is still relatively ok, very strong economic growth in russia early in the air. but the second quarter is likely to be truly devastating. sanctions imposed so far are working. if there are sanctions on energy coming down the pipeline that could bring close to minus, 25,—40% of gdp. this is unprecedented numbers. this is higher than any other russia has experience in the past.— experience in the past. really interesting — experience in the past. really interesting to _ experience in the past. really interesting to get _ experience in the past. really interesting to get a _ experience in the past. really interesting to get a number. experience in the past. really| interesting to get a number on experience in the past. really - interesting to get a number on that, wiping out 15 years of economic growth. thank you for coming on and talking to us. it�*s one month since the invasion began and a growing number of experts agree that the russian advance has slowed. our security correspondent frank gardner has this assessment of the current state

of the conflict. the kremlin�*s plan was simple, and as it turned out, absurdly overoptimistic — cross the border on three fronts, capture the big cities with overwhelming force and then the ukrainian government would soon collapse. well, it hasn�*t turned out like that. at an operational level, it�*s been a disaster. it�*s also been an international humiliation for putin in particular, but for russia more generally. because it has exposed all the faulty thinking. so, just why has it gone so badly for russia in these first few weeks of the war? well, there are a number of reasons. there is the strength of ukrainian resistance. most of the population has rallied round their government. the troops are using western—supplied weapons like javelin and stinger missiles. and when it comes to getting inside big cities, russia doesn�*t have enough troops to take on the defenders in most cases. even on the coast on the sea of azov, where the russian navy

predominates, it�*s taking hits. this was a russian supply ship targeted today by the ukrainian navy. then there�*s poor russian tactics. russian commanders on the ground have largely failed to take full advantage of all the tools at their disposal. things like armoured vehicles, artillery, rocket launchers, helicopters and warplanes, all of which when combined with the infantry can have a massive effect, but which the russians have apparently failed to co—ordinate. and finally, there�*s poor russian logistics and communications. russian soldiers have not always maintained their vehicles properly, meaning that many of them are breaking down. and when it comes to radios, a lot of them don�*t work, forcing them to use mobile phones which can easily be intercepted by the ukrainians. many of the russian soldiers thought they were just going on exercise, like this one in belarus. that didn�*t give their ncos, the sergeants and corporals, enough time to prepare for battle. in the russian army,

the sergeants and the corporals are renowned for their inefficiency, their corruption and the bad relationships they have with the soldiers. so, everything that could go wrong more or less did go wrong. russian military doctrine says if you can�*t advance into a city, you pummel it with artillery. that�*s what�*s happened to mariupol and other cities at huge humanitarian cost, but russia, too, has had thousands killed so far. what the west fears now is that to break the stalemate, the kremlin will resort to something as drastic as chemical or battlefield nuclear weapons to tip the odds in its favour. frank gardner, bbc news. katazhyna zysk is a professor at the norwegian institute for defence studies in oslo, but tonightjoins me from paris. thank you for having me. that last ruestion thank you for having me. that last question they're _ thank you for having me. that last question they're posed _ thank you for having me. that last question they're posed by - thank you for having me. that last question they're posed by frank i question they�*re posed by frank gardner, this threat of chemical, biological nuclear weapons, how

realistic, how likely do you think thatis realistic, how likely do you think that is that russia use them? unfortunately, this is a possibility. we know that the allied supreme commander of nato essentially increase residency to elect resoluteness because it will be an attack from ukraine this may spread across the borders. we�*ve seen that russia did not shy from using this kind of weapons in syria. right now the offensive from the north, east and south has stalled. and putin and the military command is desperate to move ahead. this and putin and the military command is desperate to move ahead.- is desperate to move ahead. this is unfortunately _ is desperate to move ahead. this is unfortunately a _ is desperate to move ahead. this is unfortunately a possibility. - is desperate to move ahead. this is unfortunately a possibility. an i unfortunately a possibility. an unfortunately a possibility. an unfortunate possibility. let�*s move to the advance. the south of the country and we saw pictures earlier on not completely confirmed as yet but pictures seem to show a significant shift, on fire, —— ship. a win certainly for ukrainians. how

do you view the battle in the russian advance along the south? in the south we've seen a little bit the south we�*ve seen a little bit more advanced, apparently russia is instructed some bass but it is not going as expected. that�*s why you are not really seen an amphibious operation in the south. the damage to the ship is a procedures failure full and humiliating failure but also militarily, the ship can carry 400 shoulders. 20 five military vehicles. logistically this is a problem to russia because the ship also will be participating likely in the assault. that is also one more failure on the russian side. [30 the assault. that is also one more failure on the russian side. do you be leave now _ failure on the russian side. do you be leave now that _ failure on the russian side. do you be leave now that the _ failure on the russian side. do you be leave now that the ukrainian i be leave now that the ukrainian forces will get the extra supplies, the extra equipment, the extra weapon that they�*ve been asking for?

tickets absolutely likely. they have been getting a lot of assistance. from the west side there is not that many other tools, sanctions, increasing pressure politically, economically but also helping ukrainians to maintain the resistance in order to pressure russia to get to the negotiating table. . .. russia to get to the negotiating table. ., ~' ,, russia to get to the negotiating table. ., ,, i. . russia to get to the negotiating table. ., ,, . ., on the program. p&o ferries did break the law when it sacked 800 workers last week without consulting the trades unions. the company�*s chief executive made the open admission — in response to questions from a parliamentary committee at westminster. peter hebblethwaite said he had chosen not to consult because he didn�*t believe there was any other way to do it. the staff are being replaced with agency workers, earning an average of £5.50 an hour,

which is around $7.20. mr hebblethwaite told mps that reducing p&o�*s wage bill was the only way to make the company viable as our transport correspondent katy austin reports. arriving to face mps this morning. are you ashamed of sacking the staff? ..the boss of the ferry company which suddenly fired 800 workers last week. the difficult questions started straightaway. are you in this mess because you don�*t know what you�*re doing or are you just a shameless criminal? later, peter hebblethwaite insisted the law hadn�*t been broken when it came to notifying relevant authorities of the redundancy plans. on the lack of consultation, though, he said this. there is no doubt that we were required to consult with unions. we chose not to do that because we believed. you chose to break the law? because we chose not to consult, we will compensate everybody in full for that.

he said replacement agency crew will be paid on average £5.50 per hour. that�*s below the national minimum wage of this country. how do you reconcile that? where are governed by national minimum wage, we will actually pay national minimum wage. this is an international seafaring model that is consistent with models throughout the globe and our competitors. he apologised to workers affected by what happened last thursday, but argued it was the only option to save the business and he would make the same decision again. save the company. save the company? you�*ve trashed its reputation! john, one of the workers who lost his job, listened to today�*s hearing. this is outrageous. i�*m shocked, i�*m sickened and his position is untenable. labour said the government had still done nothing to act. the transport secretary announced a review of maritime employment laws and said that protections

for minimum wages would be strengthened. the political row over the sacking continues. peter hebblethwaite faces calls to resign. a week on, many sacked workers are still shocked. for now, many of the company ferries are going nowhere. they will have to pass inspections before they can sail again. katy austin, bbc news. just want to take you back to brussels on what�*s been a very significant day of diplomacy world leaders gathering to present a united front against russia over the invasion of ukraine. nato met this morning followed by the g7 and just right now the eu council is meeting with us president invited along as a special guest. to that we�*ve heard new sanctions on many more russian

people and organisations. that is it from me. bye—bye. good evening. we certainly are being spoiled at the moment. another day of the glorious spring sunshine and warmth for many. this was cornwall earlier on today. a story which suggests a warm summer�*s afternoon, not a spring afternoon. high pressure still with us. this little weather front toppling across the north—west of the high has introduced more in the way of cloud, more moisture as well. so, highland scotland this afternoon certainly a cloudier story in comparison to earlier on in the week, and there were a few isolated showers. if we take a look at the satellite picture, it was scotland, northern ireland, north west england impacted by that cloud. there were some breaks and some sunny spells, but the best of the sunshine certainly across england and wales. now, over the next few hours, a lot

of that cloud is going to retreat back to the north—west coast, and under clearing skies once again, temperatures falling away quite sharply. low single figures to start the day tomorrow. little patches of early frost and mist first thing in the morning. they will lift quite readily once again, and the emphasis is with dry, settled and sunny. still some cloud across the far north and west, and the cloud thick enough in the northern isles perhaps to produce some showery outbreaks of rain. top temperatures maybe through friday afternoon once again mid to high teens. now, that frontal system bringing the showery rain through the northern isles may well just drift down across the east of the high through the north sea. that could have an impact to those north sea coasts on saturday. a little more cloud perhaps just shrouding that east coast for a time. some cloud through western scotland and through the irish sea as well. so, inland through the spine of the country is where we�*ll see the highest values, 19 degrees by saturday afternoon. into sunday, mothering sunday,

toppling around that high, the potentialfor a little more cloud to come in off the north sea across england and wales. if that happens and with those light winds here, it�*s not going to move very far very fast. that could have an impact to the feel of the weather. not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon. 14—15 high, best of the sunshine further north, best of the temperatures as well. but it�*s the colder air that is set to return into next week. a northerly wind driving that colder air further south, so that means that the temperatures will be below par for the time of year. and some of those showers in the far north east could have a wintry flavour in there as well.

hello, i�*m lewis vaughan—jones. this is outside source. a united front by western leaders one month on from russia�*s invasion of ukraine. meeting in brussels, they promise to increase military aid to ukraine and send 40,000 troops to eastern european nato members. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. there are new western sanctions against russia too, with the usjoining the uk in targeting hundreds of politicians in its state duma. we�*ll bring you a special report

from the front line, in the city of kharkiv, that�*s under constant russian bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they've had four weeks of this, and still they remain. the russians haven't been able to break their lines. in other news here in the uk: p&o ferries admit they did break the law when they sacked 800 staff without consultation. we start with a big day of diplomacy in brussels. world leaders have gathered there for three summits, in a show of unity against russia�*s war in ukraine. first up, nato, the security alliance of 30 countries from north america and europe. next, the g7 — leaders from the us, the uk, canada, france, germany, italy and japan were all there. within the past hour, the us president hasjoined european leaders

for an eu council meeting, also in the belgian capital. let�*s begin with nato and joe biden�*s verdict on the unity of that alliance over the crisis. putin was banking on nato being split. my early conversations with him in december and earlyjanuary, it was clear to me he didn�*t think we could sustain this cohesion. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. we�*ve built that same unity with the european union and with the leading democracies of the g7. the leaders of the military alliance approved plans to send 40,000 more troops to eastern europe, to tackle what they describe as the biggest security crisis in a generation. four new nato battlegroups are to be sent to its eastern flank to slovakia, hungary, bulgaria and romania.

here�*s nato�*s secretary general jens stoltenberg on the deployments. so, we are resetting nato's deterrence and defence for the long—term. with more troops, with more air assets— and more maritime capabilities. we have already increased our presence in the east, and today, we decided on four new battlegroups and the leaders agreed to talks to commanders to provide options for a long—term reset of our presence, our military posture in— the eastern part of the alliance and across the whole alliance. he also confirmed to help ukraine�*s military. he also confirmed to help ukraine's milita . �* he also confirmed to help ukraine's milita . . ., , , ., , military. allied leaders promised further help _ military. allied leaders promised further help to _ military. allied leaders promised further help to ukraine, - military. allied leaders promised further help to ukraine, helping l further help to ukraine, helping them _ further help to ukraine, helping them to— further help to ukraine, helping them to self defence. we will be

giving _ them to self defence. we will be giving ukraine significant supplies including — giving ukraine significant supplies including anti—tank, anti—aircraft and drones— including anti—tank, anti—aircraft and drones which are proving highly effective. _ and drones which are proving highly effective. as well as a substantial financial— effective. as well as a substantial financial and military aid. nato is also stepping up chemical, biological and nuclear defences for its forces in eastern europe, as well as helping ukraine to defend itself against such attacks. mr stoltenberg said nato had to respond to the new threat posed by russia�*s actions. we are concerned, partly because we see the rhetoric and we see that russia is trying to create some kind of pretext, accusing ukraine, the united states and nato allies for preparing to use chemical and biological weapons. and we have seen before that this way of accusing others is actually a way to create a pretext to do the same themselves. and of course accusations against ukraine and nato allies are absolutely false. germany�*s chancellor olaf scholz warned russia against

any use of chemical weapons in ukraine. translation: should there be preparations for a false flag i action where those who point out to this actually use such weapons, indeed this would breach all international rules and agreements and conventions that exist. this is why it is in our interest to not just point out to this but also, in the talks that we have, to discourage russia from doing it. nato leaders were addressed directly by ukraine�*s president volodymyr zelensky earlier in the day. he called for more military help, including the supply of tanks and warplanes. here�*s some of what he had to say. translation: i only ask from you, after the month of war, _ i plead with you for the sake of our military after such a war with russia, please never ever tell us that our army is not compliant with nato standards.

we have demonstrated our latest standards. we�*ve shown how much we can do for contributing to safety in europe and the world and for defence against aggression against everything we value, that you value. however, nato still has to demonstrate that the alliance can do something to save people, to show that indeed it is the strongest defence alliance in the world. the world is waiting. ukraine is waiting for actual actions, proper safety guarantees. after the nato meeting, the uk prime minister borisjohnson announced what britain would be contributing. we will work with like—minded allies to ramp up lethal aid to ukraine, at scale, providing kit to president zelensky in the quantity and with the quality that he needs to defend his country

from its bullying neighbour. today, i've announced that we in the uk will send an additional 6000 missiles and provide £25 million in unrestricted funding for ukraine's armed forces, more than doubling the lethal aid we've provided to date. we're bolstering our support for the nato countries on the front—line, sending a new deployment of uk troops to bulgaria on top of doubling our troops both in poland and in estonia. president biden announced new humanitarian aid to ukraine, on top of billions in military aid already announced. the united states has committed to provide over $2 billion- in military equipment to ukraine since i became president. - anti—air systems, anti—armour- systems, ammunition and our weapons are flowing into ukraine as i speak. and today, i'm announcing - that the united states are prepared to commit more than $1 billion-

in humanitarian assistance to help get relief to millions of ukrainians affected by the war in ukraine. i let�*s get some analysis of the nato meeting, particularly on its stance of russia�*s potential use of chemical weapons within ukraine. david simpson gathers this. —— john simpson gathers this. than david simpson gathers this. -- john simpson gathers this.— simpson gathers this. an unnamed official came _ simpson gathers this. an unnamed official came out _ simpson gathers this. an unnamed official came out today _ simpson gathers this. an unnamed official came out today at - simpson gathers this. an unnamed official came out today at that i official came out today at that meeting — official came out today at that meeting and said that actually, the use of— meeting and said that actually, the use of chemical weapons inside ukraine — use of chemical weapons inside ukraine against ukrainian people is not a _ ukraine against ukrainian people is not a red _ ukraine against ukrainian people is not a red line for nato, that is to say. _ not a red line for nato, that is to say. if— not a red line for nato, that is to say. if the — not a red line for nato, that is to say, if the russians do use that, nato _ say, if the russians do use that, nato will— say, if the russians do use that, nato will not use it as an excuse to move _ nato will not use it as an excuse to move in_ nato will not use it as an excuse to move in and — nato will not use it as an excuse to move in and take on russian troops, and the russians will have noticed that. _ and the russians will have noticed that. they— and the russians will have noticed that. they will note that they can,

if they— that. they will note that they can, if they wanted to coo get away with using _ if they wanted to coo get away with using chemical weapons, what what they will— using chemical weapons, what what they will not be able to get away with is. — they will not be able to get away with is. if— they will not be able to get away with is, if the effect of those chemical— with is, if the effect of those chemical weapons drifts across into nato territory, one area or another, pulling _ nato territory, one area or another, pulling perhaps or something like that. _ pulling perhaps or something like that. that, nato would consider an absolute _ that. that, nato would consider an absolute red line and an attack on nato _ absolute red line and an attack on nato territory. but, if it is done within _ nato territory. but, if it is done within ukraine, it looks as though nato _ within ukraine, it looks as though nato will— within ukraine, it looks as though nato will look on at that and just have _ nato will look on at that and just have to — nato will look on at that and just have to put up with it. in nato will look on at that and 'ust have to put up with iti nato will look on at that and 'ust have to put up with it. in the last houri have to put up with it. in the last hour l spoke _ have to put up with it. in the last hour i spoke to _ have to put up with it. in the last hour i spoke to the _ have to put up with it. in the last hour i spoke to the deputy i have to put up with it. in the last i hour i spoke to the deputy secretary general of nato. i asked her what she had made of the announcement in brussels. i think it is a clear response to putin�*s, as borisjohnson put it, putin�*s bullying behaviour

to ensure that all along nato borders with russia, including the black sea, that there should be a strong deterrence and defence posture for nato. so i think that�*s important. but it also bolsters lines of communication, quite honestly, and transportation with ukraine as more and additional armaments and humanitarian aid are brought to bear. i like the fact that president biden said even as he was speaking, additional us armaments were being flown into ukraine, but those lines of communication and transportation flow through a lot of nato countries to ukraine and having that deterrence and defence strengthened there i think will secure those supply lines as well. the counterpoint to that, though, if that is a good thing, on the other side does it not bring potentially a direct conflict between nato and russia a little bit closer? i don�*t think so, not in this case. although putin has threatened that these military supplies to ukraine could be viewed as a threat by the russian federation. but i think the way nato is conducting itself in terms of a multiplicity of supply lines,

the russians would really have to start ramping up themselves against nato per se, and i don�*t think they want to go there. it�*s clear that they are already weakened by their attempt to invade ukraine — and the ukrainians are fighting hard and bravely — and the russians are the ones with the morale, equipment and resupply problems. and so i think that it would be... it�*s a situation where i think a multiplicity of avenues is a very good thing and it lends resilience to the efforts to support ukraine. if you are not too worried right now at the risk of that escalation, what about the flip side of that, that nato simply has not been doing enough so far and in fact going back years now, it has underestimated vladimir putin? i don�*t think nato underestimated vladimir putin. since the war, i should say the invasion of crimea in 2014, nato in fact has been steadily ramping up its efforts, but i do think... but since then and not clearly

ramping up anywhere near the level of a deterrent because it simply was not enough to deter... waita minute, waita minute. has putin attacked nato? no. he has attacked his defenceless — but not so defenceless, as it turns out — his neighbour, ukraine. so i think it is important to draw that distinction and in fact nato is now devoted to its deterrence messaging and its defence of its territory in order to ensure that this invasion of ukraine does not turn into a wider war in europe. and avoiding that wider war in europe is clearly paramount and clearly top of everyone�*s mind. what do you think happens next? how do you see this conflict unfolding from here? i think we are in for a longer war that many of us hoped. it�*s clear that the russians are adopting this attrition approach that they took in chechnya and also in syria, grinding down ukrainian cities, targeting

civilians in this barbaric way. and so i think they are hoping that over time, everyone will weary, the nato alliance will weary and the ukrainians themselves will weary and will throw down the flag. i don�*t see that happening, and i think it was also important to really bolster nato today with the message that the alliance is in this for the long haul. if that is the case, if it does turn out to be this long, drawn—out affair, certainly longer than anyone would want and you don�*t doubt the resilience of nato, where will that then leave russia ? will it leave it completely isolated internationally? it already is isolated internationally and we can see increasingly that with additional sanctions applied and with the egregious behaviour of vladimir putin and his cohorts, the real disregard of international law that they are turning themselves into an international pariah state, so i do think that russia is effectively isolated at the moment. is that stable?

if we see russia withdraw even more, its economy withdraw even more and become even more isolated, is that a stable state that nato would welcome? sadly, that�*s what we saw during the cold war and no, nato would not want that. we were all delighted when the berlin wall fell down and when the doors of the eastern european countries were thrown open, so the people could leave and move freely and seek their economic and family health and wealth elsewhere. so i would hate to see russia closed up behind walls again. fascinating insights there. our brussels correspondent, jessica parker, has the latest and explains how significant this day has been. biden, not long ago was stood right there behind me with the european council president charles michel, he�*s in there now speaking to the 27

heads of state, and one of the things that he said was that it was his belief that president putin had been trying to break up nato, that the russian president also wanted to prove that democracy didn�*t work any more, and that instead you had to have autocracies and a modern fast changing world, and president biden obviously resistant to that, stressing unity amongst western nations as they keep talking and keep trying to find new ways to keep facing off russian aggression in ukraine. today, of course, nato one of the big emergency summit scored here in brussels. they agreed to reinforce nato�*s eastern flank, still resisting calls for ukraine to enforce a no—fly zone, warning that that could risk leading to world war iii, but here tonight, president biden will be speaking to eu leaders about a variety of subjects but, not least of all, america�*s push to potentially supply the eu with more

liquefied natural gas to help the eu wean itself off russian energy supplies. wean itself off russian energy su lies. , ., ~ wean itself off russian energy su lies. . ., ~' ., wean itself off russian energy su--lies. , ., ,, ., wean itself off russian energy su--lies. . ., ~' ., ., wean itself off russian energy su lies. , ., ~' ., ., , supplies. just mark our card for us briefl , supplies. just mark our card for us briefly. will— supplies. just mark our card for us briefly, will you? _ supplies. just mark our card for us briefly, will you? we _ supplies. just mark our card for us briefly, will you? we have - supplies. just mark our card for us briefly, will you? we have heard i briefly, will you? we have heard from president biden who made the owners announcements and gave a press expect any more announcements from brussels this evening? we expect any more announcements from brussels this evening?— brussels this evening? we are expecting _ brussels this evening? we are expecting a — brussels this evening? we are expecting a late-night - brussels this evening? we are expecting a late-night press i expecting a late—night press conference not featuring president biden. we will hear from conference not featuring president biden. we will hearfrom ursula von der leyen and charles michel possibly in the early hours of the morning because eu leaders i suspect, once president biden has finished his visit, he is to meet with the leaders for about one hour or so, they will continue their discussions late into the night was that they have a refugee crisis to talk about, ukraine�*s application to join the eu to talk about, energy sanctions to talk about. some eu states trying to push this idea of cutting russian supplies off sooner rather than later. others warning that that could push europe into recession so they have much to

discuss between themselves here this evening. discuss between themselves here this evenina. ., ., discuss between themselves here this evenin. ., ,, meanwhile the united nations�* general assembly has been meeting in new york. it demanded the protection of civilians in ukraine and has criticised russia for causing a dire humanitarian situation. the resolution proposed by ukraine had overwhelming support, with only five countries voting against it — they were russia, syria, north korea, eritrea and belarus. nada tafik told me more. other victory for ukraine at the un and it underscores how excellent that russia is here. we had the second emergency session on ukraine where we had more than three quarters of the general assembly voting on ukraine�*s side. this resolution in particular singled out russia as the aggressor, as the one responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe, and it gotjust as much

support, nearly the same number of votes as the initial resolution that was voted, on march two. we saw russia siding with south africa, the ukrainian saying that russia instigated south africa to produce its own rival draft. south africa said they were doing that because they thought that their draft was putting humanitarian needs ahead of geopolitical divisions and their draft was very neutral. itjust asked for both sides to end hostilities. it did not name russia but, ultimately, the general assembly voted to not even so consider the south african draft so that was a real, real victory for ukraine and again an embarrassing loss for russia at the united nations, where it finds itself with very few friends.— very few friends. that is fascinating. _ very few friends. that is fascinating. what i very few friends. that is fascinating. what about| very few friends. that is i fascinating. what about the very few friends. that is - fascinating. what about the more unofficial soundings? what are you hearing about what the countries

there are actually feeling about what is going to happen next, what they are going to do next?- they are going to do next? look, this is a non-binding _ they are going to do next? look, this is a non-binding resolution. | they are going to do next? look, i this is a non-binding resolution. it this is a non—binding resolution. it is important to remember that. but it is symbolic. it is about the moral compass of what companies —— country swiel here and the un is the only real place where we get to hear what the whole world has to say —— what the whole world has to say —— what countries feel here. the un is limited in what it can do but the united nations on the humanitarian side continues to work on relief efforts. i think the real concern is that you hear from a number of diplomats that they do feel somewhat helpless here in new york. this is not whether pressure is. we see obviously the nato summit taking leaders meeting there, to hope more punishment on president putin and russia, if not news that will make him change course, but here at the united nations, very much the focus is on how they can help in pushing

russia to dialogue on this conflict. thanks to nada there. we�*re going to look at what�*s happening on the ground in ukraine now. it�*s a month since vladimir putin�*s forces invaded ukraine — but they were met with firm resistance and their offensive is largely stalled. ukraine says its forces are now shifting onto the offensive in much of the country. a ukrainian source posted these pictures. they show a strike on a russian ship in the occupied port of berdyansk. you can see plumes of smoke coming from the large ship there. if confirmed it would be a setback for russian attempts to create a land bridge in the south east of ukraine. these images show the military supply ship on monday. it was capable of carrying up to 1,500 tonnes of military equipment. the attack took place 80 kilomtres from the besieged city of mariupol. this is what�*s left of the once vibrant port after the russian bombardments. well, three weeks ago a huge convoy of russian troops moved towards the capital kyiv,

but its advance was stalled. since then, fierce fighting has taken place in the towns and cities outside the capital — and ukrainian forces now claim they�*ve succeeded in pushing russian troops back with a series of counter attacks. lyse doucet is in kyiv and gave us this update on the attacks. every day is different. every day the battle lines seem to shift. we saw the mayor of the city vitali klitschko yesterday. he said there was fierce fighting continuing to the north of to the west. we heard from london and washington their assessment, that russian forces had been pushed back by several miles, to the east of this city, and that the ukrainian forces were notjust pushing back but recapturing territories in the west, including makariv, which is a small town where the ukrainian flag is now said to be flying. there is also an assessment that russian forces are consolidating their positions on the

edges of this capital, digging in their artillery, edges of this capital, digging in theirartillery, underlining edges of this capital, digging in their artillery, underlining that, as ukraine enters the second month of this war, that russia still has overwhelming firepower, it is still out gunned and out manned —— it has still out gunned and out manned ukraine forces and president putin given no indication he is ready to end what he calls a special military operation any time soon. let�*s end what he calls a special military operation any time soon.— operation any time soon. let's get onto the issue _ operation any time soon. let's get onto the issue of _ operation any time soon. let's get onto the issue of european - onto the issue of european diplomacy, a big day in brussels with world leaders making various commitments and volodymyr zelensky making various requests. how do you think his requests have been met so far? he think his requests have been met so far? . think his requests have been met so far? , . ., , ., ., far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons. _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons. a _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, a lot _ far? he is certainly getting a lot of weapons, a lot of _ far? he is certainly getting a lot i of weapons, a lot of ammunition. you hear about ukrainian forces using the javelin anti—tank missiles to great effect. you hear them using the stingers, the shoulder held surface to air missiles. it

certainly is making a difference on the battlefield. we don�*t see all of the battlefield. we don�*t see all of the weaponry and all of the supply lines that are coming into ukraine and today president zelensky thanked his nato partners, but again he said it is simply not enough. he taunted them in a way, he often does this, he tries to shame his partner saying you could only give me 1% of your thanks. you have tens of thousands of thanks, just give me 500, just give me 1% of your combat aircraft and it would make all the difference on the ground. "what he wants most of all, not a day goes by without him mentioning it is a no—fly zone, to close the skies as they call it here, but it seems nato is going to provide him with some air defence systems which can also play a very effective role so there are certainly resolving nato to continue to provide advanced weaponry, but there is equal resolve to ensure

that this war does not cross ukraine�*s baubles into the territory of nato members. just ukraine's baubles into the territory of nato members.— of nato members. just exactly on that, that commitment _ of nato members. just exactly on that, that commitment by - of nato members. just exactly on that, that commitment by nato i that, that commitment by nato announced today, that they are going to commit 40,000 or so extra troops to commit 40,000 or so extra troops to the eastern flank. just talk through what that means, what consequence that has, because we heard that one consequence could be a kind of shoring up of supply lines, potentially. it is a kind of shoring up of supply lines, potentially.— a kind of shoring up of supply lines, potentially. it is the other flank of the _ lines, potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian _ lines, potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian defence i lines, potentially. it is the other flank of the ukrainian defence is but it is side of the border. we have seen strengthening of the eastern borders of nato members ever since this invasion began a month ago and even before. the battle groups will not make a big, big difference but they send a symbolic message and it will help with sending a strong message to president putin but also helping, and again, they try to keep these

details as discreet as possible, because they know that president putin has attacked in the west of ukraine before, struck a nato training centre, he struck an airfield, and aircraft repair centre, close to an airfield and he will continue to try to strike those supply lines which he said is a legitimate target. find supply lines which he said is a legitimate target.— supply lines which he said is a legitimate target. and 'ust lastly before i let * legitimate target. and 'ust lastly before i let you i legitimate target. and 'ust lastly before i let you go i legitimate target. and 'ust lastly before i let you go andi legitimate target. and just lastly before i let you go and before i legitimate target. and just lastly | before i let you go and before the end of the programme, we have about 30-40 end of the programme, we have about 30—40 seconds left, we are one month into this conflict. is there any sign of what it will take to bring it to an end?— sign of what it will take to bring it to an end? no, no sign. this is president — it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's _ it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. _ it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. he - it to an end? no, no sign. this is president putin's war. he keep i president putin�*s war. he keep saying it is going to plan and it will end in his objectives are achieved and we still don�*t know if he. at mariupol, whether he wants to go to edessa, to have complete control of the southern coast, and whether he will come as far as kyiv, the capital.

whether he will come as far as kyiv, the caital. ., whether he will come as far as kyiv, the capital-— the capital. thanks to lyse for her brilliant deporting. _ you can reach me on twitter — i�*m @lvaughanjones. this is world news america on bbc news. —— this is outside source. good evening. we certainly are being spoiled at the moment. another day of the glorious spring sunshine and warmth for many. this was cornwall earlier on today. a story which suggests a warm summer�*s afternoon, not a spring afternoon. high pressure still with us. this little weather front toppling across the north—west of the high has introduced more in the way of cloud, more moisture as well. so, highland scotland this afternoon certainly a cloudier story in comparison to earlier on in the week, and there were a few isolated showers. if we take a look at the satellite picture, it was scotland, northern ireland, north west england impacted by that cloud. there were some breaks and some sunny spells, but the best of the sunshine certainly across england and wales.

now, over the next few hours, a lot of that cloud is going to retreat back to the north—west coast, and under clearing skies once again, temperatures falling away quite sharply. low single figures to start the day tomorrow. little patches of early frost and mist first thing in the morning. they will lift quite readily once again, and the emphasis is with dry, settled and sunny. still some cloud across the far north and west, and the cloud thick enough in the northern isles perhaps to produce some showery outbreaks of rain. top temperatures maybe through friday afternoon once again mid to high teens. now, that frontal system bringing the showery rain through the northern isles may well just drift down across the east of the high through the north sea. that could have an impact to those north sea coasts on saturday. a little more cloud perhaps just shrouding that east coast for a time. some cloud through western scotland and through the irish sea as well. so, inland through the spine of the country is where we�*ll see the highest values, 19 degrees by saturday afternoon. into sunday, mothering sunday, toppling around that high, the potentialfor a little more cloud to come in off the north sea

across england and wales. if that happens and with those light winds here, it�*s not going to move very far very fast. that could have an impact to the feel of the weather. not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon. 14—15 high, best of the sunshine further north, best of the temperatures as well. but it�*s the colder air that is set to return into next week. a northerly wind driving that colder air further south, so that means that the temperatures will be below par for the time of year. and some of those showers in the far north east could have a wintry flavour in there as well.

hello, i�*m lewis vaughanjones. this is outside source. a united front by western leaders one month on from russia�*s invasion of ukraine. meeting in brussels, they promise to increase military aid to ukraine and send 40,000 more troops to countries in eastern europe. nato has never, never been more united than it is today. putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. there are new western sanctions against russia too, with the usjoining the uk in targeting hundreds of politicians in its state duma. we�*ll bring you a special report from the frontline,

in the city of kharkiv — that�*s under constant russian bombardment. you can see what they are up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they have had four weeks of this and still they remain. the russians have not been able to break their lines. in other news here in the uk: p&o ferries admit they did break the law when they sacked 800 staff without consultation. welcome to the programme. a month ago today the world changed when russia invaded ukraine. since then, thousands of russian and ukrainian troops have been killed, as well a huge number of civilians. more than 3 million people have been forced to flee from ukraine. and today, leaders of the western military alliance, nato, met in brussels to discuss what the world should do now. we begin this half hour

of outside source with a special report from the city of kharkiv, in the east of the country — less than 25 miles from the russian border. it has faced relentless russian missile strikes and shelling. our correspondent quentin sommerville and camera journalist darren conway has spent time with two fighters who have been on the frontline since the very beginning. violin plays. one month of fighting alone. and russian guns still have not silenced ukraine�*s cry for freedom. at the kharkiv philharmonic, maria may not have an audience, but this is not a city abandoned. only a city half gone. she remains here with her ten—month—old boy. staying is her duty. translation: i believe

in our victory. _ i know that the armed forces of ukraine will protect their home. we just need to be a little bit more patient. standing united with the boys defending her and her son. a month ago, 22—year—old vlad said goodbye to his own mother and went off to fight. he and fellow private, mark, have been here ever since. they have quickly grown comfortable with war�*s daily temple. they have the upper hand in kharkiv. what you fighting for? what are you fighting for? translation: for peace in ukraine. what about you, mark? translation: like my comrade 'ust said, for peace in ukraine. i these people came to our land.

no one was waiting for them here, no one asked for them to come. i what do you want to tell the russian soldiers who are shelling you? translation: run. we were not calling you here. run away. there is nothing else to say. either you stay here forever — in the ground — or you go back home and stop killing children and destroying homes and families. translation: go back home, while you are still alive. i their steady determination — and a little help from western weaponry — have got them this far. it is time to head out to the front again. this, they say, is their land. they know these fields and villages better than the invaders. and here, amid the melting winter snows, they cover every inch of ground.

ukrainian mud is the defenders�* friend. mark�*s foxhole has room for one and offers just about enough protection from exploding russian shells. suddenly, on the horizon, there is movement. an enemy scouting party is spotted. gunfire. the russians shoot back. gunfire. but the danger here is artillery. mark tells us we have to move. the russians will definitely respond, he says, 100%. it is time to seek better cover. what is it like spending the day and night out in those tiny, tiny little trenches? translation: the shifts|

are longer during the day, but at night when it is cold we swap often. explosion. what about you ? translation: it is ok. you get used to it. gunfire. humans can adapt. translation: humans can adapt to everything. - what is... explosion. what is going on right now? translation: they are targeting our position. i explosion. the shells begin to land all around us, only metres away. explosion. you can see what they are up against here.

this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they have had four weeks of this and still they remain. the russians have not been able to break their lines and this invasion might have come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but this is what they have been expecting and training for for years. unable to move... explosion. ..the shelling is relentless. these bombardments are endless. explosion. this is russia�*s tactic of choice. explosion. shouting. we are told for the third time that day to get into a nearby underground shelter. the russians are pretty determined to break these lines. are they going to get past here, are they going to get past you and these men? translation: i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. our loved ones have got our backs.

explosion. translation: they want to get through here. i - translation: they | won't get through here. quentin somerville, bbc news, kharkiv. yes, an incredibly vivid portrait of life on the front line there. let�*s get more now on the diplomatic efforts to stop the war. both the us and the uk announced fresh sanctions against russian individuals and companies, as the west tries to isolate moscow over its invasion of ukraine. washington is freezing the assets of 328 members of russia�*s lower house of parliament, the duma, and 48 defence companies, which it says "fuel putin�*s war machine." also targeted is herman gref, the ceo of russia�*s biggest financial institution, sberbank. president biden tweeted that the additional sanctions were in response to mr putin�*s "war of choice in ukraine", saying, "they personally gain from the kremlin s policies, and they should share in the pain." the uk is sanctioning 65 more

organisations and people, including the russian billionaire, eugene shvidler and also galina danilchenko, who was installed by moscow as the mayor of occupied melitopol — a city in south—east ukraine. also targeted are the wagner group, a russian mercenary group seen as vladimir putin�*s private army, gazprombank, russia�*s third largest bank and one of the main channels for payments for russian oil and gas, and the reported step—daughter of russian foreign minister sergei lavrov, polina kovaleva, who is thought to own a london property worth an estimated £4 million — or $5.3 million. this is what borisjohnson had to say as he arrived for the nato summit. the reality is that 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 and 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 and see what more we can do to tighten the economic vice around the putin regime. the most contentious area, as the west tries to tighten sanctions against russia, is the eu�*s dependence on russian fossil fuel exports. the eu currently relies on russia for 40% of its gas. brussels has laid out a strategy aimed at cutting that reliance by two thirds within a year. but some want the bloc to go faster, including latvia�*s prime minister. we have to find a way to move away from russian energy dependency as quickly as possible. it is in line with our green... the green deal moving towards renewables, towards energy efficiency. we have to continue in this way as quickly as possible and i am arguing and i will argue again tonight that we have to look at serious energy sanctions as well because this is the main source

of income for the russian government. few western economies are as dependent on russian energy as germany. it currently gets 55% of its natural gas from russia. but a short while ago, the german chancellor, olaf scholz, said the country was doing what it could to speed up the construction of facilities to import lng — liquefied natural gas — from elsewhere. ..are relatively likely that the building process will start this year and we are discussing with the companies that are doing this that they should try to hurry up and we are working on changing the legal scenario of this activity, that it can be done faster than it usually would, in a shorter time as it would usually take. so this is what we did and so, the truth is germany is already working on diversifying supply for the time we live in and this fits very much today with the longer

term strategy we have. let me bring you some breaking news. the financial times is reporting that president biden and the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, hope to announce an agreement on us liquified natural gas — or lng — exports to the eu tomorrow morning. the ft says washington is finalising a plan to supply the eu with up to 15 billion additional cubic metres of lng by the end of 2022. oil prices fell today as the us and its allies discussed a possible further coordinated release of supplies from storage to help calm energy markets and ease prices in the wake of russia�*s invasion. this was the price of brent crude a short while ago. let�*s hear what the us energy secretary had to say following a meeting of members of the international energy agency in paris earlier in the day.

everyone was united in condemning, obviously, vladimir putin�*s war, but also united in seeing how we can do what we can do both increase supply, adopt efficiency measures, but also this transition to clean and how we can accelerate it as fast as we possibly can. elina ribakova is deputy chief economist at the institute of international finance. i asked her what impact sanctions against russian can really have, if russian energy isn�*t being sanctioned. we absolutely do have to go after energy sanctions some time in the nearfuture. the issue here is that what russia has been building, this fortress russia strategy of trying to insulate and isolate itself from the world, and the way it was successful in doing so was by accumulating reserves from the export of energy. right now, with the dramatic contraction of the growth in russia,

we expect with its current account, basically a net inflow of foreign exchange to russia of about 200 billion, to 250 billion, of dollars for a year, so that means that russia can recoup the $300 billion loss because of sanctions and just about break even in a year. it is fundamental, it is crucial, and we did hear how germany, europe, other countries are trying to reduce their dependence on it. let�*s move more widely to the issue of sanctions, and it may sound like a bit of a silly question, but lots of people have been asking why hold back? we know sanctions are done stage by stage, gradually, but it is not like we don�*t know what russia has been doing in ukraine, its bombing of mariupol, for example. why notjust implement every single sanction you can, all at once? well, we almost did thatjust a few weeks ago, so, just what used to be nuclear options, whether that is swift, or sanctioning of central bank, or sanctioning of systemic or commerical or soe banks in russia, that all used

to be a nuclear option and we managed to do that in an extremely well coordinated way, and a very speedy response, so we implemented sanctioning of the central bank, we implemented sanctioning of the financial institutions, and we disconnected from swift, as well as export controls, so the reason maybe to pause and we have seen it paused before already, is because of the unintended consequences. what is truly unprecedented here is the fact that all of the sanctions were put on together at the same time and of course, we understand that the sanctioning countries will also have some costs, but we do not want to see unintended costs, something that maybe malfunctions in the market, so, i think that is likely the reason why we are seeing some pause in the discussions of the sanctions. the law of unintended consequences. absolutely fascinating. that is really interesting. given where we are with sanctions, the effort being made on energy, where do you think this leaves russia in, say, six months�* time, with the impact of those all borne

out, how devastated, how hit will the russian economy be? already from the existing sanctions, we are forecasting —15% growth this year, which is unusually high in certainty, but nonetheless, this —15 will take us about 15 years back in time, so russia will be almost 15 years poorer by the end of this year. we expect the worst of the sanctions to start hitting the economy in the second quarter, so this quarter, march, is still relatively ok. we had very strong economic growth in russia earlier in the year, but the second quarter is likely to be truly devastating. so, the sanctions already imposed so far are working. if there are sanctions on energy, coming first down the pipeline, that could bring a gross minus, i don�*t know, say, —25, —30% of gdp. this is unprecedented numbers. this is higher than any other

crisis that russia has experienced in the past. we are going to leave sanctions sarah take a quick look now and what is happening on the ground. —— we are going to leave sanction is there. it�*s one month since the invasion began, and a growing number of experts agree that the russian advance has slowed. our security correspondent frank gardner has this assessment of the current state of the conflict. the kremlin�*s plan was simple, and as it turned out, absurdly overoptimistic — cross the border on three fronts, capture the big cities with overwhelming force and then the ukrainian government would soon collapse. well, it hasn�*t turned out like that. at an operational level, it�*s been a disaster. it�*s also been an international humiliation for putin in particular, but for russia more generally. because it has exposed all the faulty thinking. so, just why has it gone so badly for russia in these first few weeks of the war? well, there are a number of reasons. there is the strength of ukrainian resistance. most of the population has rallied round their government. the troops are using western—supplied weapons like javelin and stinger missiles. and when it comes to getting

inside big cities, russia doesn�*t have enough troops to take on the defenders in most cases. even on the coast on the sea of azov, where the russian navy predominates, it�*s taking hits. this was a russian supply ship targeted today by the ukrainian navy. then there�*s poor russian tactics. russian commanders on the ground have largely failed to take full advantage of all the tools at their disposal. things like armoured vehicles, artillery, rocket launchers, helicopters and warplanes, all of which when combined with the infantry, can have a massive effect, but which the russians have apparently failed to co—ordinate. and finally, there�*s poor russian logistics and communications. russian soldiers have not always maintained their vehicles properly, meaning that many of them are breaking down. and when it comes to radios, a lot of them don�*t work, forcing them to use mobile phones which can easily be intercepted by the ukrainians.

many of the russian soldiers thought they were just going on exercise, like this one in belarus. that didn�*t give their ncos, the sergeants and corporals, enough time to prepare for battle. in the russian army, the sergeants and the corporals are renowned for their inefficiency, their corruption and the bad relationships they have with the soldiers. so, everything that could go wrong more or less did go wrong. russian military doctrine says if you can�*t advance into a city, you pummel it with artillery. that�*s what�*s happened to mariupol and other cities at huge humanitarian cost, but russia, too, has had thousands killed so far. what the west fears now is that to break the stalemate, the kremlin will resort to something as drastic as chemical or battlefield nuclear weapons to tip the odds in its favour. frank gardner, bbc news. earlier i spoke to katazhyna zysk, a professor at the norwegian institute for defence studies in oslo, who gave her assessment

on how likely it is that russia would use biological or chemical weapons. unfortunately this is a possibility. we know that the allied commander of nato has actually increased readiness to defend from such an event, because, if there will be an attack in ukraine, this, of course, may spread across the borders. we have seen that russia does not shy from using these kinds of weapons in syria and, right now, the offensive from the north, east and south has stalled, and putin and the military command is desperate to move ahead, so this is unfortunately a possibility. so an unfortunate possibility. let�*s move to the advance now and go to the south of the country and we saw pictures earlier are not completely confirmed as yet, but pictures that seem to show a significant ship on fire, basically, it wins certainly for the ukrainians. how do you view

the battle and the russian advance along the south bank? in the battle and the russian advance along the south bank?— the battle and the russian advance along the south bank? in the south, we have seen _ along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a _ along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a little _ along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a little bit _ along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a little bit more i along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a little bit more of- along the south bank? in the south, we have seen a little bit more of an | we have seen a little bit more of an advance. apparently russia is also constructing some base, but it is now been going as far as expected, which is why we have not really seen a previous operation in the south. so there is damage to the ship, a prestigious failure, of course, humiliating failure, but also this ship can actually carry 400 soldiers, 20 tonnes or 25 military vehicles, so also logistically this is an additional problem to russia because the ship would also be participating likely in the previous operation in the south. so that is one more failure on the russian side. do you believe now the ukrainian forces will get the extra supplies, extra equipment, extra supplies, extra equipment, extra weapons they have been asking

for? i think it is absolutely likely. they have been getting a lot of assistance. from the west side, there is not that many other choice, apart from more sanctions, increasing the pressure on russia politically, economically, but also helping ukrainians to actually maintain the resistance in order to pressure russia to return to the negotiating table. here in the uk... p&0 ferries did break the law when it sacked 800 workers last week without consulting the trades unions. the company's chief executive made the open admission in response to questions from a parliamentary committee at westminster. peter hebblethwaite said he had chosen not to consult because he didn't believe, "there was any other way to do it". the staff are being replaced with agency workers — earning an average of £5.50 an hour — which is around $7.20. mr hebblethwaite told mps that reducing p&0's wage bill was the only way to make the company

viable, as our transport correspondent, katy austin, reports. arriving to face mps this morning... are you ashamed of sacking the staff? ..the boss of the ferry company which suddenly fired 800 workers last week. the difficult questions started straightaway. are you in this mess because you don't know what you're doing or are you just a shameless criminal? later, peter hebblethwaite insisted the law hadn't been broken when it came to notifying relevant authorities of the redundancy plans. 0n the lack of consultation, though, he said this. there is no doubt that we were required to consult with unions. we chose not to do that because we believed... you chose to break the law? because we chose not to consult, we will compensate everybody in full for that. he said replacement agency crew will be paid on average £5.50 per hour. that's below the national minimum wage of this country. _ how do you reconcile that?

where are governed by national minimum wage, we will actually pay national minimum wage. oh, my god. this is an international seafaring model that is consistent with models throughout the globe and our competitors. he apologised to workers affected by what happened last thursday, but argued it was the only option to save the business and he would make the same decision again. save the company... save the company? you've trashed its reputation! john, one of the workers who lost his job, listened to today's hearing. this is outrageous. i'm shocked, i'm sickened and his position is untenable. labour said the government had still done nothing to act. the transport secretary announced this afternoon a review of maritime employment laws

and said that protections for seafarers�* minimum wages would be strengthened. the political row over the sacking continues. but there is no sign that p&0 ferries tends to reverse its decision. i intends to. peter hebblethwaite faces calls to resign. a week on, many sacked workers are still shocked. for now, many of the company ferries are going nowhere. they will have to pass inspections before they can sail again. katy austin, bbc news. a quick reminder of our menus. the present biden hasjoined a council in brussels of nato members, focused on ukraine. ursula von der leyen will on friday announced a dealfor the eu to provide lng, liquefied natural gas, from the us to help reduce the eu's reliance on russia for fossil fuels. that is it from me, get in touch with me any time on social media.

you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. iam i am lewis vaughanjones and this is bbc news. glorious spring sunshine one for many today, this is commonly earlier on today, a story that suggests a warm summer afternoon, not a spring afternoon. high pressure still with us, this weather front toppling across the north—west of the high has produced more cloud and moisture as well, so the highlands of scotland this afternoon is certainly a cardio story in comparison to earlier in the week and there were a few isolated showers. if you look at the satellite picture with scotland, northern ireland and north—west england were impacted by that cloud. there were some bright and sunny spells, but the best of the sunshine

certainly across england and wales. in the next few hours a lot cloud will retreat to the north—west coast and under clearing skies once again temperatures falling away quite sharply, low single figures to start tomorrow, little patches of early frost and mist their sting in the morning. they will lift quite readily once again and the emphasis is with dry, settled and sunny. still some cloud across the far north and west and clouds thickening up north and west and clouds thickening up in the northern isles perhaps to produce some showery outbreaks of rain. top temperatures through friday afternoon once again mid — high teens. that frontal system bringing the showery rain into the northern isles may well drift down across the east of the high to the north sea, which could have an impact to those north sea coasts on saturday. a little more cloud on saturday. a little more cloud on saturday perhaps rowdy bet east coast for a time, some pad through west scotland and the irish sea as well. in [and for the spine of the country where we will see the highest values, 19 degrees by

saturday afternoon. into mothering sunday, toppling around that high, the potential for a sunday, toppling around that high, the potentialfor a bit more sunday, toppling around that high, the potential for a bit more cloud to come in of the sea across england and wales. if that happens and with those light winds yell, it is not going to move very far very fast and could have an impact to the feel of the weather, not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon, iii the weather, not quite as warm here on sunday afternoon, 1a or 15 degrees behind, best of the sunshine that the north and best of the temperatures as well. but it is the colder air set to return next week, northerly wind driving that cold air further south, northerly wind driving that cold air furthersouth, meaning northerly wind driving that cold air further south, meaning the temperatures will be below par for the time of year and some of those showers in the far north—east could have a wintry flavour in there as well. as well.

i'm laura trevelyan in washington and this is bbc world news america. world leaders hold emergency meetings in brussels, a month into russia's invasion of ukraine. in the city of kharkiv — it's under constant russian bombardment. you can see what they're up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they've had four weeks of this, and still they remain. the russians haven't been able to break their lines. in the capital kyiv, ukrainian forces say they're pushing

russian troops back — in a series of counter—offensives.