this is bbc news. i'm ben brown live in lviv as ukraine is re—occupying some towns east of the capital, according to the uk's ministry of defence. ukrainian officials say they fear around 300 people may have died in a russian bomb attack on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol. the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we're going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. and president biden is now

in poland to see for himself the humanitarian crisis started by the war in ukraine. welcome from lviv in western ukraine. well, as the war in this country grinds on into its second month, ukrainian forces are continuing to counter attack and sieze back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilmoetres east of the city. in other words — as we've

known for a while now — the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. but the humanitarian situation in some cities under russian attack is dire. in mariupol especially, where ukrainian officials now say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week where civilians were taking shelter. that number can't be independently verified. of course, the russians have even more devastating weapons in their arsenal — which is why president biden has warned the kremlin not to use chemical weapons in this conflict — if it does — he says — nato will respond. joe biden has also announced a major deal with the european union to reduce its reliance on russian gas. he's arrived in poland to meet ukrainian refugees. from here in lviv, jonah fisher has this report. more than a week after it happened, footage has emerged from inside mariupol�*s theatre — of the terrifying moments just after it was destroyed. "a missile hit the theatre right in the centre," the voice says,

as people tried to escape the building they'd come to for shelter. fighting has made it hard to verify exactly how many died under the rubble. local officials today said it could be several hundred. what is clear is that the theatre was marked with the russian word deti, or children, and was targeted all the same. while in mariupol the russians are still making slow progress, elsewhere they've largely ground to a halt. indeed, there have been some indications, particularly around kyiv, that the ukrainian army is forcing the russians back. the now ruined town of makariv, a0 miles to the west of kyiv, was recaptured this week. and yesterday, a large russian warship in the captured ukrainian port of berdyansk, was sunk and several other ships damaged.

to the south, mykolaiv is another city that has defied the russian ground advance — and is now being targeted by artillery. on tuesday night, a russian shell hit tatiana's apartment building, killing two of her neighbours and badly damaging her home. a quarter of all ukrainians have been forced out of where they live, but tatiana says she won't be going. "we will fight until the end as best we can," she says, "some with weapons and some will help with moral support and by giving money to the army." a month into this war, ukraine's president is still looking for a way out. translation: the country must move towards peace, move forward. - with each day of our defence, we are bringing the piece we need so much closer. we are bringing victory closer. because in this war, it is simply

impossible for us not to win. ukraine is stopping russia winning, but there is no sign yet that moscow is ready for peace. jonah fisher, bbc news, lviv. let's ta ke let's take you to the polish border. president biden�*s plane hasjust arrived there. he is visiting the border, talking to ukrainian refugees there. our correspondent is there. just talk as to what president biden is going to be doing there. �* , , ., , ., president biden is going to be doing there. �*, , ., , ., . ., there. there's been a small change to the itinerary _ there. there's been a small change to the itinerary here, _ there. there's been a small change to the itinerary here, the _ there. there's been a small change to the itinerary here, the polish - to the itinerary here, the polish president was supposed to meet president biden of air force one here about 45 minutes ago. air force one landed on time, but president 0ne landed on time, but president duda's plane had to turn back because of an emergency, because of an emergency, so his plane landed backin an emergency, so his plane landed back in warsaw. he has switched to

another plane. he has onlyjust arrived here to meet president biden, who has already left the airport here. president biden is off to meet members of the us military, the 82nd airborne division, who have been stationed here in the last few months. there are about 5000 of those troops here. in a reversal of the planned itinerary, president biden will meet those us troops before coming back here to the airport, then he will have his meeting with president duda. he will also meet people who have been part of the humanitarian relief effort here in the east of ukraine, close to the border. handling more than 2.2 million ukrainians who have come over the border into poland since the start of this refugee crisis. so some difficulties here with this visit, but they have managed to reject things to make things work. things were out. this is a substantial visit, a major gesture by the us president. the fact that

he is here so close to the ukrainian border showing support for people in the east of europe for ukrainians who are here as refugees and for governments in this part of the world, because there has been growing concern, particularly among polish people here in the east of the country, about what this could mean for them, notjust the country, about what this could mean for them, not just for ukrainians. mean for them, not 'ust for ukrainiansfi mean for them, not 'ust for ukrainians. ., ~ , ., , . ukrainians. thank you very much indeed. that _ ukrainians. thank you very much indeed. that is _ ukrainians. thank you very much indeed. that is dan _ ukrainians. thank you very much indeed. that is dan johnson - indeed. that is danjohnson reporting there. earlier, the us and the eu announced a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy. the agreement will see the us provide the eu with at least 15 billion additional cubic metres of the fuel — known as lng — by the end of the year. president biden announced the deal before leaving for poland. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5,

15 billion metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. and as the eu works to discontinue buying russian gas, well before 2030, we will also work to ensure additional eu market demand for 50 billion metres of lng from the united states annually by 2030. to accomplish this, the european commission is going to work with the member states to store gas across the continent, to build more infrastructure to receive lng and to take steps to increase the efficiency of gas. this build—out will occur in a way that is consistent, not in conflict with, the net zero climate goal that we are shooting for. it's going to take some time to adjust gas supply chains and infrastructure that was built before the last decade. so we're going to have to make sure that families in europe get through this winter and the next while we're building

infrastructure for a diversified, resilient and clean energy future. at the same time, this crisis also presents a opportunity. it's a catalyst, a catalyst that will drive the investments that we need to double down on our clean energy goals and accelerate progress. that is president biden. we can now speak to mep and former polish foreign minsiter radek sikorski. thank you for being with us. president biden in your country right now. is that a show of solidarity, would you say, for poland? which is one of nato's front line states in this conflict. definitely, and i think recognition thatjust definitely, and i think recognition that just as definitely, and i think recognition thatjust as president putin was threatening ukraine before, so he is now threatening nato and poland in particular. and i think it is a signal to him not even to think

about breaching nato borders. there is american troops, we now have about 10,000 is american troops, we now have about10,000 in is american troops, we now have about 10,000 in poland. is american troops, we now have about10,000 in poland. are is american troops, we now have about 10,000 in poland. are also a strong signal, all good and well. how worried you think people in poland are by what is happening in ukraine, and the russian invasion a month ago? we ukraine, and the russian invasion a month ago?— month ago? we are particularly worried about _ month ago? we are particularly worried about this _ month ago? we are particularly worried about this russian - month ago? we are particularly - worried about this russian doctrine of escalate to de—escalate, which is what the exercise in their military manoeuvres, which involves using tactical nuclear weapons. and i think there president biden talks about chemical, it is actually code for weapons of mass destruction in general. we need to deter president putin from even thinking about it. is there a solidarity, do you believe, in nato, in the western military alliance when it comes to helping ukraine in this war against russia? particularly when it comes

to helping with weapons supplies. we have heard president zelensky say he needs more weapons, more military support from nato. i needs more weapons, more military support from nato._ support from nato. i think weapons are caettin support from nato. i think weapons are getting through, _ support from nato. i think weapons are getting through, mostly - support from nato. i think weapons are getting through, mostly from . are getting through, mostly from poland and romania. nato is trying to steer a line between helping ukraine without being drawn into the war ourselves. and i think that is the correct approach. find war ourselves. and i think that is the correct approach.— war ourselves. and i think that is the correct approach. and let's 'ust talk about this fl the correct approach. and let's 'ust talk about this incredible �* the correct approach. and let's 'ust talk about this incredible influxh the correct approach. and let'sjust talk about this incredible influx of l talk about this incredible influx of refugees into poland. more than 2 million people, and they have been welcomed with open or open arms there. it is a huge influx of people. what are your thoughts about the months or maybe even the years ahead? what is going to happen to those people?— ahead? what is going to happen to those --eole? , ., , , those people? they have mostly been received into — those people? they have mostly been received into polish _ those people? they have mostly been received into polish homes _ those people? they have mostly been received into polish homes and, - those people? they have mostly been received into polish homes and, you l received into polish homes and, you know, our attitude is that since

ukrainians are fighting for europe, for democracy, for freedom, ukrainians are fighting for europe, for democracy, forfreedom, they are fighting ourfight, the least for democracy, forfreedom, they are fighting our fight, the least we can do is take care of their women and children. they will be challenges, though. eventually they will have to leave private homes and be provided with housing. polish schools don't have a million spare seats. many of them are traumatised and unwell, so this is a strain upon the polish health service. we are showing our solidarity, but we also need some solidarity, but we also need some solidarity from other european countries. ., ~ solidarity from other european countries. ., ,, , ., solidarity from other european countries-— solidarity from other european countries. ., ,, , ., . solidarity from other european countries. ., ,, . ., countries. 0k, thank you so much for talkin: to countries. 0k, thank you so much for talking to us- — countries. 0k, thank you so much for talking to us. the _ countries. 0k, thank you so much for talking to us. the foreign _ talking to us. the foreign polish foreign minister. i'm nowjoined by lyana mytsko, director from the lviv municipal art center. you're trying to help some of the people who are here in this city who

have been forced to flee their homes? ., ., ., ~ ., homes? right now, we are working for --eole homes? right now, we are working for eo - le with homes? right now, we are working for people with creative _ homes? right now, we are working for people with creative and _ homes? right now, we are working for people with creative and social- people with creative and social sphere — people with creative and social sphere. they need to have some place for work. _ sphere. they need to have some place for work. for— sphere. they need to have some place for work, for collaboration with each _ for work, for collaboration with each other, to promote new ideas. so i’ilht each other, to promote new ideas. so right now— each other, to promote new ideas. so right now the — each other, to promote new ideas. so right now the municipal art centre is shelter— right now the municipal art centre is shelter but for workers. right now, _ is shelter but for workers. right now. we — is shelter but for workers. right now, we also promote new exhibitions that directly— now, we also promote new exhibitions that directly connect with water. can you — that directly connect with water. can you believe what is happening in this country? i can you believe what is happening in this country?— this country? i hope that everything will be ok. this country? i hope that everything will be 0k- it _ this country? i hope that everything will be ok. it is — this country? i hope that everything will be ok. it is really _ this country? i hope that everything will be ok. it is really one _ this country? i hope that everything will be ok. it is really one thing - will be ok. it is really one thing that we — will be ok. it is really one thing that we should promote. is that everything will be ok. 0ur army is everything will be 0k. 0ur army is super— everything will be 0k. 0ur army is super cool— everything will be ok. 0ur army is super cool and the people around they do — super cool and the people around the do. ., they do. live eeewv where we are in they do. live eeewv where we are in the west of — they do. live eeewv where we are in the west of ukraine _ they do. live eeewv where we are in the west of ukraine is _ they do. live eeewv where we are in the west of ukraine is largely - the west of ukraine is largely peaceful at the moment. do you fear that one day they war could come here to this beautiful city? exactly

at cannes. — here to this beautiful city? exactly at cannes, that _ here to this beautiful city? exactly at cannes, that is _ here to this beautiful city? exactly at cannes, that is why _ here to this beautiful city? exactly at cannes, that is why we - here to this beautiful city? exactly at cannes, that is why we should i here to this beautiful city? exactly i at cannes, that is why we should do everything — at cannes, that is why we should do everything to be ready, to become more _ everything to be ready, to become more probably correct with weapons, to understand what to do with it, and to— to understand what to do with it, and to do— to understand what to do with it, and to do everything. this is our new— and to do everything. this is our new idea — and to do everything. this is our new idea. ~ , , ., and to do everything. this is our new idea. ~ , , ., ., new idea. when russia invaded, we sur - rised new idea. when russia invaded, we surprised by — new idea. when russia invaded, we surprised by that? _ new idea. when russia invaded, we surprised by that? i _ new idea. when russia invaded, we surprised by that? i think— new idea. when russia invaded, we surprised by that? i think that - surprised by that? i think that russia will — surprised by that? i think that russia will go _ surprised by that? i think that russia will go away _ surprised by that? i think that russia will go away in - surprised by that? i think that russia will go away in some i surprised by that? i think that - russia will go away in some time, and i_ russia will go away in some time, and i hope — russia will go away in some time, and i hope that everyone of us will do everything correct. and and i hope that everyone of us will do everything correct.— do everything correct. and what about the ukrainian _ do everything correct. and what about the ukrainian armed - do everything correct. and what. about the ukrainian armed forces? they are fighting back around the capital, kyiv, do you think in the end they can win this war? i think that es, end they can win this war? i think that yes. they _ end they can win this war? i think that yes, they will— end they can win this war? i think that yes, they will win _ end they can win this war? i think that yes, they will win this - end they can win this war? i think that yes, they will win this war. i that yes, they will win this war. and we — that yes, they will win this war. and we should do everything to come back to _ and we should do everything to come back to a _ and we should do everything to come back to a new society, to a new peaceful — back to a new society, to a new peaceful life, to make life very good _ peaceful life, to make life very good in — peaceful life, to make life very good in this country. that is why we

do everything to save the cities. in terms do everything to save the cities. terms of the do everything to save the cities. in terms of the world of culture and art that you come from, is that continuing despite all the horror thatis continuing despite all the horror that is going on in this country at the moment?— that is going on in this country at the moment? , , ., ., the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in _ the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in the — the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in the best _ the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in the best way, _ the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in the best way, and - the moment? exactly, we must do what we can do in the best way, and we - we can do in the best way, and we will change — we can do in the best way, and we will change our focus to tell what is going — will change our focus to tell what is going on— will change our focus to tell what is going on in ukraine and to tell people _ is going on in ukraine and to tell people around ukraine that they should _ people around ukraine that they should be ready for the same horrors we see _ should be ready for the same horrors we see here. — should be ready for the same horrors we see here, because it is something we see here, because it is something we never_ we see here, because it is something we never used to understand. we will understand _ we never used to understand. we will understand it probably here. but now we should _ understand it probably here. but now we should take it really easy to our hearts _ we should take it really easy to our hearts and — we should take it really easy to our hearts and to do everything to make our life _ hearts and to do everything to make our life more peaceful.— hearts and to do everything to make our life more peaceful. thank you so much. director— our life more peaceful. thank you so much. director of _ our life more peaceful. thank you so much. director of lviv _ our life more peaceful. thank you so much. director of lviv municipal - much. director of lviv municipal art's centre. that is it from here in lviv for the moment. that hand you back to the studio in london.

i'm joined now by 0lha stefanishna, ukraine's deputy prime ministerfor european and euro—atla ntic integration. what is the latest your hearing? couple of days starting from the 20th of march to regroup russian forces and active military activity is being continued in almost all the regions covered by the military aggression, which is the east and south of ukraine, including kiel. 0ur armed forces has been successful in not only deterring but pushing back russian forces from the areas here near kyiv and make a life and

other regions, while no major developments or progress. related to the humanitarian corridors and ensuring the guarantee from russian federation for the smooth and ceasefire, evacuation of ukrainian people. in some cities of ukraine, it is more than 80 cities all around ukraine, like in mariupol where russian armed forces continue aggressive military activity against civilian populations and infrastructure to force people to leave to the territory of the russian federation. this has become a massive process. russians do. we have reached red cross

operation, which is a very direct reach of all the geneva principles of the humanitarian war and basically a war crime related to the displacement of a civil population. although it helps little... helps little to support to civilian casualties. those who died and were wounded on civil population is very high in ukraine, and basically it is now very clear that it is a war against ukrainian people. it is basically a genocide with no logic, etc. so little progress in

humanitarian corridors, although a very good dynamic of humanitarian aid and ensuring that the most vulnerable regions of ukraine have necessary elements of humanitarian aid and food products, while in the areas where the agreement with russian federation should be reached there is no progress. what russian federation should be reached there is no progress.— there is no progress. what about the reasons behind _ there is no progress. what about the reasons behind russia _ there is no progress. what about the reasons behind russia moving - there is no progress. what about the | reasons behind russia moving people from those areas into russia itself? why do you think they're wanting to do that? ~ ., , why do you think they're wanting to dothat? ., ,,, do that? well, that is basically art of do that? well, that is basically part of the _ do that? well, that is basically part of the general— do that? well, that is basically part of the general narrative i do that? well, that is basically part of the general narrative of this war. russian federation and the kremlin and putin are trying to put more legitimacy in this military activity. massive protests inside russian federation are taking place, with the plea to stop the war and withdraw russian troops. so these forced evacuation shows a picture inside russian federation that the people of ukraine are willing to

move their without any information. let me just remind that for russia these kind of wars and military activity is sort of a normality, so they do not hear about any issues related to people's lives. i can also confirm, based on the bilateral negotiations, they never let say act through the prism of humanitarian needs and humanity. they act on their own interests, and putting in their own interests, and putting in the ears of russian people the right narrative is something that they are targeted to do. indie narrative is something that they are targeted to do— targeted to do. we have seen the meetin: targeted to do. we have seen the meeting of— targeted to do. we have seen the meeting of the — targeted to do. we have seen the meeting of the eu _ targeted to do. we have seen the meeting of the eu and _ targeted to do. we have seen the meeting of the eu and nato - targeted to do. we have seen the i meeting of the eu and nato leaders over the last 2a hours, we have seen president biden landing in poland, what do you think about what has been said over the last 2a hours? well, it was extremely important, the discussions which were taking

place yesterday at the eu summit and the g7 group of leaders meeting, because it was a good opportunity to physically coordinate efforts towards the further elements of pressure which could be taken with russian federation through sanctions, through supporting european union in taking such complicated decisions as refusal of the russian gas and oil, and the us has played its role also. and it is also a very important element of solidarity, which shows, for nato not for ukraine, the biggest nato players stand by article five and they strengthen the defence of the southern and eastern flanks of native, both by military aid and by all other means. for us, the number of important decisions which have been taken, as you know ukraine has

applied for membership of the european union and this process has started. this has been discussed over a new summit. some of the issues were discussed and accepted also as establishment of the solidarity trust fund for ukraine, which also serves the interests of ukraine to ensure the nationals stability of our country throughout the period of war, but also its recovery after ukraine wins and the war ends. and of course, now when it is one month of our resistance and aggression, it is important to understand that the assistance, both military and humanitarian and defensive, should continue, and it should be to the full restoration of our territorial integrity first of all. and second of all to make sure that the war we are fighting is not

a war only on our territory, but for the values and the unity and peace all around the world. and this has been well discussed, well heard. 0ne president addressed all the leaders in all of these platforms and basically this physical impact would lead to a better coordination in all the world efforts and anti—war coalition. the world efforts and anti-war coalition. . . the world efforts and anti-war coalition. ., , , ., ~ the world efforts and anti-war coalition. ., , , ., ,, ., coalition. there has been talk, more talks between _ coalition. there has been talk, more talks between russia _ coalition. there has been talk, more talks between russia and _ coalition. there has been talk, more talks between russia and ukraine. i talks between russia and ukraine. potentially that could be a way out. but how willing is ukraine to make the concessions that clearly russia is saying it wants before a deal could be reached?— is saying it wants before a deal could be reached? well, to some extent, could be reached? well, to some extent. let's _ could be reached? well, to some extent, let's say _ could be reached? well, to some extent, let's say if _ could be reached? well, to some extent, let's say if one _ could be reached? well, to some extent, let's say if one may - could be reached? well, to some extent, let's say if one may call | extent, let's say if one may call it, it is an ordinary negotiation process, whereas the russian site is put on the table all of their wish list which is not realistic. for us,

there is a clear red line which has been identified by the president. the territorial integrity of ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, no step which would in any way legitimise the military aggression, and we also have to take into account a broader decision which has been taken already to stop this aggression, in particular a decision of the international court ofjustice of the russian federation to stop and refrain from any other military activities. this is already something that cannot be a discuss about the issue. while this process of negotiations is divided for different groups, the technical discussions are there, they are not easy of course, but as i can say, based on the enormous pressure russia is feeling from inside,

outside and military resistance of ukraine, their interest in these negotiations... it ukraine, their interest in these negotiations. . ._ ukraine, their interest in these neuotiations... negotiations... it has been so good to have you — negotiations... it has been so good to have you on _ negotiations... it has been so good to have you on this _ negotiations... it has been so good to have you on this programme. . negotiations... it has been so good i to have you on this programme. thank you for taking the time to speak to us on bbc news. let's ta ke let's take your life. here is president biden meeting us troops that have been especially placed in the area. he is there somewhere and i saw pictures of an earlier meeting and greeting some of those 9000 us troops who are stationed in the area. he is also going to be meeting those who are leading the humanitarian front, because poland has welcomed over 2.2 million ukrainian refugees. this is a symbolic and significant visit by the us president to poland as the war between russia and ukraine continues. and our coverage will

continues. and our coverage will continue on bbc news. stay with us, don't go anywhere. we really are being spoilt by our weather. there could be a little bit more cloud across the east coast of england as we go into the weekend. there is a little bit more cloud across the far north as well, could produce showers into the northern isles. but a sunny day generally through scotland. more sunshine around here over the next few hours in comparison with yesterday. a similar story for northern ireland and north—west england as well. for the remainder of the afternoon, we are going to keep plenty of sunshine. maybejust a chance are going to keep plenty of sunshine. maybe just a chance of some isolated showers. top temperatures again into high teens.

we could see 20 degrees in eastern scotland somewhere this afternoon. as we go through the evening and overnight, more cloud filtering in overnight, more cloud filtering in over the western isles, but where we have those clear skies single figure is not out of the question once again. early light frost as possible, may be some misty neis as well. but it is going to be another glorious day. we keep this low cloud for a time through the western isles, but that should improve a little. a little bit more overcast in scotland, but lots of sunshine coming through. a bit more of a brace on saturday, and as a consequence it will not be quite as warm on those exposed east coast. around 15 or 16 degrees here. we should see 18 or 19 further west with a bit more shelter. don't forget, as you're to bed saturday night the clocks go forward. it is the start of british summer time. and what a surprise, we could see a little more in the way of cloud and a cooler feel for england and wales

circulating in off the north sea around that high pressure. here it could stay a little bit murky on mothering sunday. further north, lots of sunshine and that is where the highest temperatures are likely to be. underneath the cloud, 13 or 14 to be. underneath the cloud, 13 or 1a in one or two spots. the colder air looks set to return as we go through our week ahead. a northerly flow will slowly start to drag that cooler stories south. it will take its time, so we start of the beginning of the week relatively mild. noticeably cooler by the end of the week.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm maryam moshiri. our top stories: ukrainian officials say they fear around 300 people may have died in a russian bomb attack on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol. western military analysis says ukrainian forces have recaptured towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of kyiv. the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. and president bidens is now in poland to see for himself

the humanitarian crisis ignited by the war in ukraine ukrainian forces are continuing to counter attack and sieze back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilmoetres east of the city. a month into the invasion, how much ground have russian troops actually ta ken? let's hear from our security correspondent, frank gardner. we are now into the second month of this invasion and much of the better

picture has not changed that much but the majority of the fighting is taking place in the east of the country, around here. this is where russian forces are making some progress. they are pushing back the regular of the ukrainian army unit. we don't hear very much about that part of the world. there is not a lot of reporting coming from it. a lot of reporting coming from it. a lot of reporting coming from it. a lot of the destruction has been around the port of mauripol. russian forces of each the centre of that city but there are around 100,000 civilians are trapped in it. some of the defenders there are some of the most die—hard ukrainian defenders who are going to fight right till the end as many ukrainians are. they are refusing to surrender and are not prepared captured. the reason why that is so important is for russia to link up its forces from crimea all the way through to their pro—kremlin separatist republic allies in the east which would give them a land corridor. but they also is try to take the port of 0desa

over there and that is why they're moving westwards towards the port, towards the town. 0desa is busy defending itself. it is preparing for any russian assault. finally, in the north, appear. yet this pretty much a stalemate. the ukrainians managed to retake some small area such as a town with the ukrainian flag flying there. they pushed back russian artillery at these 15, 20, even 35 kilometres from the city. 0therwise, even 35 kilometres from the city. otherwise, the picture has not changed a great deal from a week ago. the big question is where does all this leave president putin because this is very much his ward. he did not even share the intimate plans of it with many of his associates. those plans included capturing the capital early on, forcing the resignation of the

government and putting in place a new government sympathetic to moscow. that clearly has not happened. ukrainians defied the odds. it is held on. fear in western capitals that in order to break the stalemate is that this invasion is ground down to that russia is going to try something really dramatic and escalator e such as using chemical or biological weapons. there is no proof so far that russia is going to do it but that russia is going to do it but thatis that russia is going to do it but that is the fear in the west. this is the beginning of his two—day trip to poland and the end of his european trip to meet nato and eu leaders. here he is talking to troops in the us army's 82nd airborne division stationed there as part of nato's protection of the alliances eastern flank. it is around 80 kilometres from the border with ukraine. after this, he will go

to meet those in charge of the humanitarian efforts to help the other 2.2 million ukrainian refugees who have crossed the border into poland and he will also later this evening meeting with the polish president in warsaw. we have more on bbc news but for now let's talk about the invasion of ukraine. russia's invasion of ukraine is entering its second month and the mayor of the city of mariupol in southern ukraine says his city has been completely "destroyed". 100,000 people remain trapped in the port city but a safe corridor has finally been agreed to allow civillians out. ukrainian officials also say say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week in the city where civilians were taking shelter, that number cannot be independently verified. i am joined by vitalina dubovyk in kyiv. herfamily is in mariupol. thank you so much for talking to us.

let me ask you. tell me your story. what has happened to you? actually i am from mauripol— what has happened to you? actually i am from mauripol but _ what has happened to you? actually i am from mauripol but have _ what has happened to you? actually i am from mauripol but have been - am from mauripol but have been living in kyiv for ten years when i entered the university but once the war started i was forced to leave here and now i am a different region. when the war started i almost lost contact with my family and that is why during the month i only talk to them at times but i'm lucky that i got those phone calls, to be honest, because a lot of my friends have not heard from their families for almost one month so i am quite lucky, you no.— families for almost one month so i am quite lucky, you no. what if your family been — am quite lucky, you no. what if your family been telling _ am quite lucky, you no. what if your family been telling you? _ am quite lucky, you no. what if your family been telling you? it _ am quite lucky, you no. what if your family been telling you? it is - family been telling you? it is nonstop bombing _ family been telling you? it 3 nonstop bombing and shelling around the clock. all of the buildings, almost all of them have been damaged

severely. some friends of my family have already died and registering rainwater because they are lucky to have some supplier that they have some food supply and vocally some medicines but i'm not sure they've ever, they don't have electricity, central heating, gas, cell connection, internet, they have nothing, you no. they're trying to survive. ., ., , ., nothing, you no. they're trying to survive. ., ., ,, ,, survive. how do you feel when you see pictures _ survive. how do you feel when you see pictures of _ survive. how do you feel when you see pictures of the _ survive. how do you feel when you see pictures of the utter _ see pictures of the utter devastation? ., , , ., , devastation? completely heartbroken, to be honest- — devastation? completely heartbroken, to be honest. it— devastation? completely heartbroken, to be honest. it was— devastation? completely heartbroken, to be honest. it was such _ devastation? completely heartbroken, to be honest. it was such a _ to be honest. it was such a beautiful renovated city. very european. and now it isjust beautiful renovated city. very european. and now it is just broken and got some news yesterday that my school was bombed and ijust feel so helpless, you no. and we can do nothing probably because when my parents called me two days ago and

the first question was about how are you on the second question my mum asked you, me was i going to send help, where those aircraft because we desperately need them because they are afraid of air bombing they can to stop a bomb in the neighbourhood, and the house, as they've done many times so she asked me what about the situation in the country. i me what about the situation in the count . . . me what about the situation in the count . .. . ~ me what about the situation in the count . ., , ., ,, ., ., country. i was talking earlier to the deputy _ country. i was talking earlier to the deputy prime _ country. i was talking earlier to the deputy prime minister- country. i was talking earlier to the deputy prime minister of. country. i was talking earlier to - the deputy prime minister of ukraine and she was telling me that the russians are trying to get some people from areas like mauripol into russia through corridors into russia. would your family go to russia. would your family go to russia they were given the choice with the rather stay? it is russia they were given the choice with the rather stay?— with the rather stay? it is a difficult question. - with the rather stay? it is a difficult question. a - with the rather stay? it is a difficult question. a i - with the rather stay? it is a | difficult question. a i asked with the rather stay? it is a - difficult question. a i asked them

to leave mauripol and go at summer, you no. they don't want to go until official corridors are open and i understand that. i want them to stay in ukraine to be on the ukrainian side for sure but they don't want to leave. i want them to leave. i will take them from russia, from ukraine, doesn't matter, i will get them to me. i'll find a way to help them. but ijust want me. i'll find a way to help them. but i just want them to me. i'll find a way to help them. but ijust want them to leave. but i'm not sure that they want to go because they are really afraid and there have been rumours about deportation to the north of russia and forced to sign documents that you are obliged to work in russia for two years if you go there and you cannot leave the country for two years. in the evade of the

situation, to be honest. what is our situation, to be honest. what is your message _ situation, to be honest. what is your message to _ situation, to be honest. what is your message to those - situation, to be honest. what is your message to those leaders| situation, to be honest. what is. your message to those leaders in western countries at the moment given what is happening to your friends and family?— given what is happening to your friends and family? main message is ruite clear, friends and family? main message is quite clear. i— friends and family? main message is quite clear, i believe. _ friends and family? main message is quite clear, i believe. i— friends and family? main message is quite clear, i believe. ijust- friends and family? main message is quite clear, i believe. ijust beg - quite clear, i believe. ijust beg everybody from the west to help our country fight. we will do it by ourselves. we have a lot of volunteers that we have more people than we have weapons available so we do need some weapons. i mean, there are powerful ones and we just need some aircraft protection because as soon as we have aircraft protection the war will be finished really soon and we have all of the people's resources for that but we need more resources. if you cannot close this guy resend your trips here which i understand you don't want to take part in this war but we do need some weapons. 0ur ukrainian army, we truly believe in our president and army, so i believe the war will be

stopped and we are just no stopping the warfrom spreading stopped and we are just no stopping the war from spreading all over europe, all over the world. sojust give weapons to us. we will do it. what are you going to do yourself now? �* ., ., ., , ._ , now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv the au s now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv the guys i — now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv the guys i moved _ now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv the guys i moved from _ now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv the guys i moved from kyiv - now? i'm not going to stay in kyiv i the guys i moved from kyiv already. ijust the guys i moved from kyiv already. i just ran away from the guys i moved from kyiv already. ijust ran away from war. it is really not safe in kyiv. it is quite safe in the place where i am now. i am 200 kilometres away. 0vary don't want to go, to move somewhere else, just in case bombing happens here. may be able move with my husband to the west of ukraine but i really don't want to read ukraine and be an immigrant to another country. i want to stay here to build my country, develop it and just restore everything after the war. but i feel

quite safe here. it everything after the war. but i feel quite safe here.— quite safe here. it has been really aood to quite safe here. it has been really good to have _ quite safe here. it has been really good to have you _ quite safe here. it has been really good to have you talk— quite safe here. it has been really good to have you talk to - quite safe here. it has been really good to have you talk to us - quite safe here. it has been really good to have you talk to us and i quite safe here. it has been really i good to have you talk to us and give us your inside and i appreciate you taking the time to do it. stay safe. thank you. no surprise when it comes ukraine and russia. we had about a big deal that president biden has announced what he hopes is a big deal with the eu to reduce the reliance on russian gas. he said the us would step up its own supplies of liquefied natural gas this year sending an additional 15 billion cubic metres was to visit europe and us will accelerate efforts to reduce demand overall and switch to renewables. for more on this i am joined by doctor rebecca harding. she is the chief executive. how

significant is this deal considering europe rely so heavily on russian gas? it is significant for three reasons. the first is that it is accelerating something that needed to happen already so you said in your introduction, as a result of cop 26, we've needed to move towards more sustainable energy. the us actually exports more to europe than russia does this accelerating the process of getting more russian gas into europe. the important thing is if you look at this alongside the move away from coal by the summer that germany has announced and to reduce oil by 50% by the summer as well and her commitment to move away from russian fossil fuels well and her commitment to move away from russian fossilfuels by well and her commitment to move away from russian fossil fuels by 2024 this a big strategic shift for europe. it is actually very significant so the second reason is the strategic shift in the third is that it

the strategic shift in the third is thatitis, the strategic shift in the third is that it is, as part of an agreement across the eu showing again that the allies, the eu nato, the us, were all aligned in presenting a united economic front against what is happening in ukraine. this economic front against what is happening in ukraine.- economic front against what is happening in ukraine. this is like a move to target _ happening in ukraine. this is like a move to target worshippers - happening in ukraine. this is like a i move to target worshippers economy. 0n target their ability to fund the invasion of ukraine. how much as likely to cause the russian economy? in the market is causing the russian economy a huge amount of damage. we have seen pictures of queues outside shops and empty shelves and there are two things we are trying to do with all of this. the first is to create a domestic crisis in some sense to stop russian consumers being able to consume they have consumed. they have big restrictions on luxury goods, for example, this week. what is happening we need something that is longer term and

more strategic which is these economic tools are tightening worshippers make access to revenue so it cannot fund its military but also cannot fund and protect itself against economic sanctions themselves. it is making it difficult over a longer period of time for russia to reintegrate back into the global economy. has significant uc president biden's moved today and the fact that he is here in europe? how significant is it that he's come to poland? as it galvanising allies here? what is your take on that? he galvanising allies here? what is your take on that?— galvanising allies here? what is your take on that? he has come over to show unity- _ your take on that? he has come over to show unity. this _ your take on that? he has come over to show unity. this is, _ your take on that? he has come over to show unity. this is, his _ your take on that? he has come over to show unity. this is, his point - to show unity. this is, his point yesterday and has been the west is united. everybody is acting together in a way that we have not seen over the last few years. there were threats in the previous american administrations to nato and the commitment to nato and say what is

happening now is this big show of unity. he is also plain to some extent to the domestic audience by saying we're not going to let autocrats undermine freedom but it is important to poland because poland is on the front line of the humanitarian aspects of all of this. he's going to poland and showing solidarity and he is helping out an ally who is very vulnerable at the moment. ~ . , ally who is very vulnerable at the moment. a, , ., ally who is very vulnerable at the moment. , ., ., one big energy provider that says it too will increase its gas production to help the world cope with less supplies from russia is canada. its natural resources minister jonathan wilkinson spoke to my colleague aaron heslehurst — he began by asking if there was a consensus amongst energy ministers around the world about weaning themselves off russian energy.

i think there is a consensus. the only differences are around how fast can you actually get away from it. i think everybody is committed to doing that and many others are committing to try to help as much as we can in terms of displacing russian oil and gas i think it was also a consensus about the need to advance the energy transition and focus on driving renewables. let's talk about canada. are you going to help the world be less dependent on russian energy. we are going to try to do that in the long term. be increasing our production and flow through the pipelines of oil. extra. in line with working, the resilience of also announced. we're also looking at the potential for a couple of smaller energy facilities

in the east coast that might be able to supply the demand for natural gas. it was in the context of her due transition to something more sustainable over time. it need to be capable of renewing hydrogen and using electric drive technology so you're not creating domestic emissions that are difficult to reconcile your climate agenda. how do you pump out extra when fill? they are not quite full. we are a federation in canada. we want to try to identify the capacity. there is 300,000 barrels a day, 200,000 of oil and 100,000 of natural gas. the united states has the key takeaway capacity to take to the gulf coast and export. the long—term answer is not significant increases in oil production. we all know that oil has

to go down. if we're going to meet climate goals. to go down. if we're going to meet climate goals-— climate goals. how quickly can get this oil out? _ climate goals. how quickly can get this oil out? we _ climate goals. how quickly can get this oil out? we will— climate goals. how quickly can get this oil out? we will be _ climate goals. how quickly can get this oil out? we will be ramping i climate goals. how quickly can get| this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course _ this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course of _ this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course of the _ this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course of the next - this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course of the next few - over the course of the next few months and we expect that by the end of the year we will be fully up to the 300,000.— of the year we will be fully up to the 300,000. isn't it possible to shi this the 300,000. isn't it possible to ship this oil— the 300,000. isn't it possible to ship this oil and _ the 300,000. isn't it possible to ship this oil and products - the 300,000. isn't it possible to ship this oil and products to - the 300,000. isn't it possible to l ship this oil and products to europe in oil is at this price? it is not viable, right? if it is back down to normal levels? i viable, right? if it is back down to normal levels?— normal levels? i think it is. a lot of this is pulling _ normal levels? i think it is. a lot of this is pulling forward - of this is pulling forward production levels that producers had intended to move towards over the coming years. to be honest with you, the price is right now such that oil companies around the world are estimating pretty healthy profits. the actual operating costs of the facilities are relatively low and evenif facilities are relatively low and even if you are back to normal levels that would not be a problem but at the end of the day we know that demand for oil has to go down.

the ripple effects of the war in ukraine are being felt across the food industry. britain's biggest dairy company, arla, says the cost of producing milk is increasing like never before. arla is a co—operative with more than 2000 uk dairy farmers. it's ceo, ash amir—ah—madi, is warning that unless its farmers are paid more, milk supplies could be under threat. he's been talking to our business correspondent, emma simpson, who began by asking him about the cost increases being seen. costs have been rising since last summer. feed, fertiliser and fuel. and we have been paying ourfarmers more money to cover that. unfortunately, the cost of farming has increased so much because of the ukraine crisis that the cash flow and farm is negative and farmers as and farm is negative and farmers as a result are producing less milk. are they breaking even?- a result are producing less milk. are they breaking even? they're not makint are they breaking even? they're not making money _ are they breaking even? they're not making money at — are they breaking even? they're not making money at the _ are they breaking even? they're not making money at the moment - are they breaking even? they're not making money at the moment and l are they breaking even? they're not i making money at the moment and they have to make some important decisions on how much fee they buy, how much fertiliser to grow the feed

for the future. haifa how much fertiliser to grow the feed for the future.— for the future. how big is this drop in production _ for the future. how big is this drop in production then? _ for the future. how big is this drop in production then? in _ for the future. how big is this drop in production then? in the - for the future. how big is this drop in production then? in the uk - for the future. how big is this drop | in production then? in the uk dairy farmers have been producing more for about the last seven or eight years but in the last six months that has gone the other a way. in february farmers produce 2% less and in march it is 4% less. so the direction of travel is going the wrong way. what are the implications of that, then? a shortfall of milk?— a shortfall of milk? need to make sure that farmers _ a shortfall of milk? need to make sure that farmers costs _ a shortfall of milk? need to make sure that farmers costs are - a shortfall of milk? need to make | sure that farmers costs are covered but we also need to make sure that we give farmers the confidence to continue to produce milk. titer;r we give farmers the confidence to continue to produce milk. they could be the chance _ continue to produce milk. they could be the chance of— continue to produce milk. they could be the chance of a _ continue to produce milk. they could be the chance of a shortfall. - continue to produce milk. they could be the chance of a shortfall. that - be the chance of a shortfall. that is exactly what _ be the chance of a shortfall. that is exactly what we _ be the chance of a shortfall. that is exactly what we are _ be the chance of a shortfall. that is exactly what we are trying to avoid in the clear message that we're getting to our customers. racing that supermarkets will have to pay more so that farmers can

recover recover their costs? irate to pay more so that farmers can recover recover their costs? we are workin: recover recover their costs? we are working with _ recover recover their costs? we are working with our — recover recover their costs? we are working with our customers - recover recover their costs? we are working with our customers who i recover recover their costs? we are i working with our customers who have helped as of the previous resilience challenges and working with them to ensure that we put her arm around our farmers ensure that we put her arm around ourfarmers and ensure that we put her arm around our farmers and pay farmers not to cover the cost to make sure the milk is flowing. cover the cost to make sure the milk is flowint. . ~ cover the cost to make sure the milk is flowint. ., ,, i. cover the cost to make sure the milk is flowint. . ~ ,, , . more than three and half million people have left ukraine since the war began and millions more have been uprooted from their homes. for many, it's the country's trains that have delivered them from terrifying conditions, to safety. our special correspondent fergal keane along with camera journalist nik millard have been travelling with some of the railway workers, and their report begins in the city of lviv. train horn honks. it's the sound of reassurance in a world of chaos. horn honks. the rescue express... horn honks.

..rolling through the night... ..and the day, from lviv to the war zones of the east and back. keeping these trains running, running on time as they do, takes the work of so many people at all different levels on the railways. without them, it simply wouldn't have been possible to evacuate millions of people from the danger zone. many are railway veterans who started work in soviet times and are now rescuing people from their own hometowns. translation: it is really terrifying. i i'm from kharkiv, and my native city is being bombed. i can't feel it and i can see yet, but i cannot believe it. this is what people are fleeing. explosion. home is no longer safe.

the war has displaced over 10 million... military band plays. ..and sent many fleeing onto trains heading west. dawn, and arrival at kyiv. this family are heading to lviv. translation: my heart is bleeding. i don't want to leave my home, but it is my duty to keep my children safe. when we will win the war, i'll take them back home. grandad hugs his wife, but he must stay behind to care for an elderly relative. the women carry

the burdens of exile. train whistle blows. the family reached lviv eight hours later. but they have already caught another rescue train, west to peace and exile. fergal keane, bbc news, lviv. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @bbcmaryam

0n on thursday, despite the haziness of the sunshine and temperatures reached 20 degrees in east yorkshire, the warmest place in the country. a few degrees cooler in northern ireland and across scotland where we saw more cloud. we have still got a week where the front in the northern isles brings in damp weather here. otherwise it is high pressured dominating the weather. but that stagnant air and no mixing we have continued to see poor air quality. you'll find some high levels of air push in across eastern parts of england in particular on friday. underneath the high pressure with clear skies we start the day on

a chilly note. temperatures in rural areas will not be far away from freezing and may be a few pockets of mist and fog to start the day across scotland and northern ireland but away from the northern isles there will be more sunshine on friday for scotland and northern ireland. plenty of sunshine for england and wales. the old shower across higher ground in northern ireland, southern scotland and northern england but for most it is a dry and largely sunny day. quite warm for the time of year. 18 or 19 for england and wales. high pressure is still there across the uk for saturday. a weather front moving into the north sea bringing with it some cloud. that is going to be important for the second half of the weekend. mr low cloud affecting north—western parts of the uk but otherwise another dry and mostly sunny picture and temperatures showing little change on saturday. 0n and temperatures showing little change on saturday. on sunday we are expecting changes. high pressure but all that moisture is going to be dragged into that area of high

pressure for the second half of the weekend. uncertainty about the extent of the cloud but it looks like there will be cloud for a while. low cloud, misty weather, too. where it states it will be quite a bit cooler but further north there will be more warm sunshine. into next week we see significant changes. not least because we will start to see a northerly wind moving down and that will really drop temperatures. as the high receipts next week we have got the chance of some rain and a northerly wind arrives. much colder by day and coder by night.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm maryam moshiri. our top stories... president biden is now in poland to see for himself the humanitarian crisis ignited by the war in ukraine. the united states and european union announced a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we're going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. ukrainian officials say they fear around 300 people may have died in a russian bomb attack on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol.

in a show of strength and unity between nato members, president biden has arrived for talks in poland. the president landed in the town of rzeszow in the south—east of the country — around an hourfrom the border with ukraine. he was greeted by the polish defence minister and the us ambassador to poland. mr biden has also been meeting us troops stationed in the area. he's due to hold talks with the polish president with the polish president duda later today. let's go to rzeszow and speak to our correspondent, danjohnson. a hugely symbolic visit? absolutely. this is an enormous _ a hugely symbolic visit? absolutely. this is an enormous show _ a hugely symbolic visit? absolutely. this is an enormous show of - a hugely symbolic visit? absolutely. | this is an enormous show of support,

notjust for the 2.2 million ukrainian refugees who have come to poland but for this country, for all the countries of eastern europe, where there has been growing nervousness about that russian aggression just across the border in ukraine. i've been here for more than two weeks now, i have spoken to polish people in this part of the country who are concerned that that conflict could potentially spell over the border and affect them. and they are also on the front line of they are also on the front line of the humanitarian response, trying to help, house, close, keep warm all those ukrainians who have come across fleeing war. the president is here, talking to some of those people, aid volunteers, some of those volunteers and meeting us military personnel as well. there are around 10,000 us soldiers are stationed in poland. that is a presence that has been here for a long, long time. there has always been a military presence in poland. but it has increased in recent months, and president biden is at

the moment meeting some of those troops from the 82nd airborne division. things on this visit have had to be rejigged slightly, because when he landed here, the polish president wasn't actually here on time to meet president biden. his plane bringing him from warsaw had to turn around and make an emergency landing because of a technical issue. all was fine, the plane landed safely and president duda was put on another plane. he has landed here at rzeszow. president biden had already changed the itinerary, he will return here shortly to the airport to meet some of those humanitarian aid volunteers and talk to the polish president about the conflict next door, the pressure on poland because it is on the front line of the refugee roof response. and there is so much for the two men to talk about, given poland's key role over what has been happening in the past month.

role over what has been happening in the past month-— the past month. absolutely, yes. poland has _ the past month. absolutely, yes. poland has taken _ the past month. absolutely, yes. poland has taken buy _ the past month. absolutely, yes. poland has taken buy far - the past month. absolutely, yes. poland has taken buy far more i poland has taken buy far more ukrainian refugees than any other country. not all of those 2.2 million have stayed in poland, but estimates range from a million to 1.5 million, who are still being housed in polish towns, cities, in polish families's homes. the generosity has been enormous. the warning that if the fighting continued and more people came, the pressure simply wasn't bearable. there's been a call for more international support, but there is growing concern in the polish government and for the polish people, for all people in the eastern europe, about the level of aggression that is being displayed by russian military in ukraine. the response to that, we have seen more people signing up to the polish defence force, increased defence spending from the polish government, so i think this visit from president biden, the fact that air force one sits there on the tarmac so close to ukraine, will be of reassurance to

people and politicians here in eastern europe.— people and politicians here in eastern europe. people and politicians here in eastern euroe. ., ~ , ., , eastern europe. dan, thank you very much indeed- _ i'm joined now by michal baranowski, director of the warsaw 0ffice of the german marshall fund in warsaw. it's very good to talk to you. let me ask you, what do you think about what has happened so far between russia and ukraine? and more importantly, poland's key role in what has been happening. what importantly, poland's key role in what has been happening. what has been happening _ what has been happening. what has been happening is _ what has been happening. what has been happening is a _ what has been happening. what has been happening is a bloody - what has been happening. what has been happening is a bloody war - what has been happening. what has been happening is a bloody war that russia has started and has moved to a stalemate. in military terms, but a stalemate. in military terms, but a war of attrition. we are seeing, no question about it, the biggest conflict since world war ii, the biggest migration crisis since world war ii, and at the moment it is a moment that the war has to go one

way or another, and the west with the meetings yesterday, the nato summit, g7, is pushing clearly on russia to step back and sit down eventually to the negotiation table to finish this bloody war. what eventually to the negotiation table to finish this bloody war.— to finish this bloody war. what do ou think to finish this bloody war. what do you think about _ to finish this bloody war. what do you think about poland's - to finish this bloody war. what do you think about poland's role? i to finish this bloody war. what do | you think about poland's role? do you think about poland's role? do you think about poland's role? do you think the way poland is viewed within europe has changed over the last 30 days? what is the difference this soulmate? i do last 30 days? what is the difference this soulmate?— this soulmate? i do think that poland's reputation, - this soulmate? i do think that poland's reputation, the - this soulmate? i do think that i poland's reputation, the picture this soulmate? i do think that - poland's reputation, the picture of poland's reputation, the picture of poland has changed. 0n poland's reputation, the picture of poland has changed. on one hand, poland's role is key as a bridge to ukraine. both for the refugees coming out to poland and to the rest of the eu, but also for the humanitarian aid as well as military aid going into ukraine. i think clearly polish society is now perceived as it should be, as a very

open and kind towards our brothers and sisters from ukraine, from the east. and this is quite a big contrast to how poland was viewed through 2015 migration crisis. so thatis through 2015 migration crisis. so that is a big shift, and of course poland is the key military player when it comes to the security of the eastern flank and when it comes to providing aid to ukrainians fighting this bloody war. d0 providing aid to ukrainians fighting this bloody war.— this bloody war. do you think that the polish government _ this bloody war. do you think that the polish government is - this bloody war. do you think that the polish government is worried | the polish government is worried about what could potentially happen to next, particularly if, as you described, this war of attrition continues and president putin potentially feels backed into a sort of corner? ., ., , potentially feels backed into a sort of corner? ., . , , , potentially feels backed into a sort ofcorner? ., ., , , , . of corner? unfortunately, yes. we are very worried _ of corner? unfortunately, yes. we are very worried because - of corner? unfortunately, yes. we are very worried because even -

of corner? unfortunately, yes. we i are very worried because even though president putin is certainly not winning the war the way he wanted to be winning the war, he is losing the war. he is backed into a corner. but the conversation, chatter, intelligence about the use of chemical weapons has been very worrying, and that is unfortunately... worrying, and that is unfortunately. . .- worrying, and that is unfortunately... worrying, and that is unfortunatel ~ . worrying, and that is unfortunatel ~ , unfortunately... let me keep you there for a _ unfortunately... let me keep you there for a second. _ unfortunately... let me keep you there for a second. i _ unfortunately... let me keep you there for a second. i want - unfortunately... let me keep you there for a second. i want to - unfortunately... let me keep you there for a second. i want to take us to rzeszow. let us hear what president biden is saying to troops. we are a unique country in many ways. _ we are a unique country in many ways. and — we are a unique country in many ways, and we are the only country in the world _ ways, and we are the only country in the world not— ways, and we are the only country in the world not organised based on geography or ethnicity or religion or race — geography or ethnicity or religion or race. we are based on an idea, we are the _ or race. we are based on an idea, we are the only— or race. we are based on an idea, we are the only country in the world based _ are the only country in the world based on — are the only country in the world based on an idea. and we hold this to be _ based on an idea. and we hold this to be self—evident, all men and women — to be self—evident, all men and women are _ to be self—evident, all men and women are created equal. it sounds corny. _ women are created equal. it sounds corny. but— women are created equal. it sounds corny. but it — women are created equal. it sounds corny, but it is the truth of who we are _ corny, but it is the truth of who we are we _ corny, but it is the truth of who we are we have — corny, but it is the truth of who we are. we have never lived up to it

but we _ are. we have never lived up to it but we have _ are. we have never lived up to it but we have never walked away from it. but we have never walked away from it and _ but we have never walked away from it and the _ but we have never walked away from it. and the rest of the world looks to us— it. and the rest of the world looks to us because, you know, we not only lead to— to us because, you know, we not only lead to the _ to us because, you know, we not only lead to the example of our power but by the _ lead to the example of our power but by the power of our example. your generation— by the power of our example. your generation combines both. the rest of the _ generation combines both. the rest of the world looks at unc is who you are. of the world looks at unc is who you are they— of the world looks at unc is who you are. they see you are a multiethnic group _ are. they see you are a multiethnic group of— are. they see you are a multiethnic group of americans who are together and united _ group of americans who are together and united in one resolve, to defend your country — and united in one resolve, to defend your country and to help those who need _ your country and to help those who need help — your country and to help those who need help. that is why you were here _ need help. that is why you were here i_ need help. that is why you were here. i spend a lot of time in ukraine— here. i spend a lot of time in ukraine whenl here. i spend a lot of time in ukraine when i was a senator and vice president. in the days when they— vice president. in the days when they in— vice president. in the days when they in fact did not have a democracy. i was there when the former— democracy. i was there when the former leader had to take off and head _ former leader had to take off and head out— former leader had to take off and head out into russia. so, you know, ukrainian _ head out into russia. so, you know, ukrainian people have a lot of backbone, a lot of guts, and i'm sure _ backbone, a lot of guts, and i'm sure you — backbone, a lot of guts, and i'm sure you are _ backbone, a lot of guts, and i'm sure you are observing it. and i don't _ sure you are observing it. and i don'tjust— sure you are observing it. and i don'tjust mean the military sure you are observing it. and i don't just mean the military which we have _ don't just mean the military which we have been training since back when _ we have been training since back

when russia moved in to south—east ukraine. _ when russia moved in to south—east ukraine. but— when russia moved in to south—east ukraine, but also the average citizen — ukraine, but also the average citizen. look at how they are stepping _ citizen. look at how they are stepping up. look at how they are stepping _ stepping up. look at how they are stepping up. look at how they are stepping up. and you are going to see when— stepping up. and you are going to see when you are there, you are going _ see when you are there, you are going to — see when you are there, you are going to see women, young people standing _ going to see women, young people standing in front of a tank, just saying — standing in front of a tank, just saying "in _ standing in front of a tank, just saying "i'm not leaving, i'm holding my ground" — saying "i'm not leaving, i'm holding my ground." they are incredible. they— my ground." they are incredible. they take — my ground." they are incredible. they take a — my ground." they are incredible. they take a lot of inspiration from us. they take a lot of inspiration from us you _ they take a lot of inspiration from us. you know, the secretary of state used to— us. you know, the secretary of state used to have — us. you know, the secretary of state used to have an expression, we are the central— used to have an expression, we are the central nation. it sounds like hyperbole, but you are the organising principle around which the rest — organising principle around which the rest of— organising principle around which the rest of the free world is moving _ the rest of the free world is moving i_ the rest of the free world is moving. i don't want to sound too philosophical, but we are in the midst— philosophical, but we are in the midst of— philosophical, but we are in the midst of a — philosophical, but we are in the midst of a fight between democracies and oligarchs. xi jinping, which i

spent _ and oligarchs. xi jinping, which i spent more time with than any world leader. _ spent more time with than any world leader, points out to me that democracies cannot succeed in the 21st—century. the reason is things are moving — 21st—century. the reason is things are moving so fast, change is happening so quickly, democracies reguire _ happening so quickly, democracies require consensus and we can't put together— require consensus and we can't put together a — require consensus and we can't put together a consensus as quickly as autocrats — together a consensus as quickly as autocrats can. so what is at stake, not just _ autocrats can. so what is at stake, not just here — autocrats can. so what is at stake, notjust here in ukraine trying to help the — notjust here in ukraine trying to help the ukrainian people and stop the massacre from continuing, beyond that what— the massacre from continuing, beyond that what is— the massacre from continuing, beyond that what is at stake is what your kids and — that what is at stake is what your kids and grandkids are going to look like in _ kids and grandkids are going to look like in terms of their freedom. the last ten— like in terms of their freedom. the last ten years, fewer democracies have _ last ten years, fewer democracies have been— last ten years, fewer democracies have been formed then we have lost in the _ have been formed then we have lost in the world. so what you are engaged _ in the world. so what you are engaged in is much more than whether or not— engaged in is much more than whether or not you _ engaged in is much more than whether or not you can alleviate the pain and suffering of the people of ukraine _ and suffering of the people of ukraine. we are in a new phase. we are at— ukraine. we are in a new phase. we are atan— ukraine. we are in a new phase. we are at an inflection point, about every— are at an inflection point, about every four— are at an inflection point, about every four or five generations it

comes— every four or five generations it comes along and fundamental change takes place. not going to be the same _ takes place. not going to be the same 10—15 years from now. and the same10—15 years from now. and the question— same 10—15 years from now. and the question is. — same 10—15 years from now. and the question is, are we going to prevail? _ question is, are we going to prevail? 0ur democracy is going to prevail. _ prevail? 0ur democracy is going to prevail. and — prevail? 0ur democracy is going to prevail, and the values that we share? — prevail, and the values that we share? 0r— prevail, and the values that we share? 0rare prevail, and the values that we share? or are autocracies going to prevail? _ share? or are autocracies going to prevail? what you are doing is consequential, really consequential. and as _ consequential, really consequential. and as i _ consequential, really consequential. and as i said, the fact of the matter— and as i said, the fact of the matter is— and as i said, the fact of the matter is that you are the finest... this is— matter is that you are the finest... this is not— matter is that you are the finest... this is not hyperbole. you are the finest _ this is not hyperbole. you are the finest fighting force in the history of the _ finest fighting force in the history of the world. let me say it again, the finest— of the world. let me say it again, the finest fighting force in the history— the finest fighting force in the history of the world. part of the reason — history of the world. part of the reason is — history of the world. part of the reason is you have had to fight so much _ reason is you have had to fight so much over— reason is you have had to fight so much over the past 20 years. not many— much over the past 20 years. not many generations. the greatest generation was the world war ii

generation. but no other generation has had _ generation. but no other generation has had to— generation. but no other generation has had to be in a battle, everybody blowing _ has had to be in a battle, everybody blowing up. — has had to be in a battle, everybody blowing up, wipe the blood of the humvee _ blowing up, wipe the blood of the humvee and go for another six months — humvee and go for another six months. i'm in and out of iraq and afghanistan — months. i'm in and out of iraq and afghanistan 38 times, and every time i afghanistan 38 times, and every time | -o afghanistan 38 times, and every time i go in _ afghanistan 38 times, and every time i go in i _ afghanistan 38 times, and every time i go in i see. — afghanistan 38 times, and every time i go in i see, like the last time i flew— i go in i see, like the last time i flew in. — i go in i see, like the last time i flew in. i— i go in i see, like the last time i flew in, i opened the cockpit when i was landing — flew in, i opened the cockpit when i was landing and six people came up~~~ _ was landing and six people came u - . .. . . was landing and six people came u . _ _ _ ., , , �* up... that is president biden talkint up... that is president biden talking to — up... that is president biden talking to troops _ up... that is president biden talking to troops stationed i up... that is president bidenj talking to troops stationed in rzeszow. he talked about the fight between democracy and autocracy, and which one would prevail. he also called the us troops the finest fighting force in the history of the world. let's bring our guest back. thank you for staying with us. i wanted to ask you, president biden's

trip to poland is significant in terms of bringing the two countries closer together, terms of bringing the two countries closertogether, isn't terms of bringing the two countries closer together, isn't it? what is their relationship been up until now? it their relationship been up until now? . . their relationship been up until now? , ., . . ., their relationship been up until now? , ,, now? it is a crucial visit. this is president _ now? it is a crucial visit. this is president biden's _ now? it is a crucial visit. this is president biden's third - now? it is a crucial visit. this is president biden's third trip - now? it is a crucial visit. this is president biden's third trip to l president biden's third trip to europe, but only his first trip to poland. at the same time, poland is the only country that i can think of that was visited by all the key us national officials. the president, earlier vice president, secretary of state. the visit is so important precisely because of what president biden is talking about right now. the war in ukraine is not a regional war, not a proxy war, it is a fight between democracies on one hand. just this time, we are the real

front line. for poland, this is a war next door, but it is also existential for us. war next door, but it is also existentialfor us. ukrainians war next door, but it is also existential for us. ukrainians are our dear friends, existential for us. ukrainians are our dearfriends, but we existential for us. ukrainians are our dear friends, but we also know that if put putin is not stopped in ukraine, he will go further. therefore, we all absolutely have... it is the highest stakes, to make sure that he failed in ukraine and does not pose a threat either to ukraine or to article five territory within nato. d0 ukraine or to article five territory within nate— ukraine or to article five territory within nato. , ., ~ ., within nato. do you think that there is enou:h within nato. do you think that there is enough sopport — within nato. do you think that there is enough support there _ within nato. do you think that there is enough support there for - is enough support there for countries like poland, who are bearing the brunt very much of what is happening? brute bearing the brunt very much of what is happening?— is happening? we are still in the bettinnin is happening? we are still in the beginning of— is happening? we are still in the beginning of the _ is happening? we are still in the beginning of the process. - is happening? we are still in the beginning of the process. so - is happening? we are still in the beginning of the process. so myj beginning of the process. so my answer to you right now is not yet. the us and the alliance is moving very fast. i'm sure that you talk about it on the programme that there are 10,000 us troops already in

poland. but we are facing totalitarian, semi—fascist russia. i'm not even sure about these semi any more. what we need to see is really a change in the force structure of the alliance. nato needs to bring much more forces to the border, as well as missile defence. because right now russia unfortunately, with their war in ukraine, is a very powerful and dangerous actor in our region. fiiq dangerous actor in our region. 0k, director of — dangerous actor in our region. 0k, director of the _ dangerous actor in our region. 0k, director of the warsaw office of the german marshall fund, it has been really interesting getting your point of view and your insights. thank you very much. and we will bring you more from that visit on bbc news, but for now we will talk about ukrainian forces.

the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilmoetres east of the city. in other words, as we've known for a while now, the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. but the humanitarian situation in some cities under russian attack is dire. in mariupol especially, where ukrainian officials now say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week where civilians were taking shelter. that number can't be independently verified. the russians have even more devastating weapons in their arsenal — which is why president biden has warned the kremlin not to use chemical weapons in this conflict. if it does, he says nato will respond. from ukraine, jonah fisher has this report. more than a week after it happened, footage has emerged from inside mariupol�*s theatre — of the terrifying moments just

after it was destroyed. "a missile hit the theatre right in the centre," the voice says, as people tried to escape the building they'd come to for shelter. fighting has made it hard to verify exactly how many died under the rubble. local officials today said it could be several hundred. what is clear is that the theatre was marked with the russian word deti, or children, and was targeted all the same. while in mariupol the russians are still making slow progress, elsewhere they've largely ground to a halt. indeed, there have been some indications, particularly around kyiv, that the ukrainian army is forcing the russians back. the now ruined town of makariv, 40 miles to the west of kyiv, was recaptured this week. and yesterday, a large russian

warship in the captured ukrainian port of berdyansk, was sunk and several other ships damaged. to the south, mykolaiv is another city that has defied the russian ground advance — and is now being targeted by artillery. on tuesday night, a russian shell hit tatiana's apartment building, killing two of her neighbours and badly damaging her home. a quarter of all ukrainians have been forced out of where they live, but tatiana says she won't be going. "we will fight until the end as best we can," she says, "some with weapons and some will help with moral support and by giving money to the army." a month into this war, ukraine's president is still looking for a way out. translation: the country must move towards peace, move forward. - with each day of our defence, we are bringing the peace we need so much closer.

we're bringing victory closer. because in this war, it is simply impossible for us not to win. ukraine is stopping russia winning, but there's no sign yet that moscow is ready for peace. jonah fisher, bbc news, lviv. for children in ukraine with serious health problems, the impact of war on their lives is especially agonizing. as part of a major international push to offer life—saving treatment, ukrainian children with cancer are being transported to six countries. sophie hutchinson reports from poland. they have cancer, they are catastrophically ill. unless treated, cancer is fatal, so they could all die with the interruption of treatment. lviv is where theirjourney begins. all these families are used to the stress, but now they have like two wars,

one against cancer and the other against russia. this doctor has spearheaded the mission, gathering together young cancer patients from hospitals all over ukraine, and organising their onward journey to safety. hundreds of patients with cancer, children, being evacuated in convoys from one country to another. this is something exceptional. this was the sixth major convoy of ambulances carrying 40 sick children and their families. the aim was to get out as quickly as possible before any russian attack. ifeelangry and mad. they will pay for this, in my opinion. ten hours later, they arrived in the middle of poland, and into the arms of the emergency services, doctors and volunteers. then, onto a modest roadside hotel, transformed into an international medical triage centre, a ray of hope for these children. translation: it feels very tough. my husband is fighting.

we met lecia and her 18—month—old son, pavlo, after theirfirst good night's sleep. he has a very rare bone cancer, but treatment in ukraine was hard, after they had to move to an air raid shelter. translation: because of air raids, we were running down _ to the shelter night and day. the chemo, the drips — there was no rest. it was a great stress for my boy. at night, he was scared. i would take him asleep in my arms and run down the stairs. he simply wakes up and cries several times at night. without treatment, childhood cancer is fatal. but with the right care, there's an 80% chance of being cured. these children have already faced the threat of cancer in their young lives. add to that a war, and the threat of life—saving medicines and treatments being cut off, it's hard to overstate

the importance to them of this rescue mission. natalia's son has a brain tumor. he was diagnosed just four days before the war, and was preparing for surgery as the bombing started. translation: we had an operation scheduled for that day. _ we were already at the hospital with my boy, and my husband called me in the morning and said the war has started, that dnipro, in the city where we live, and the airport, was being bombed. his older brother has travelled with him, but the rest of theirfamily is back in ukraine. natalia says she can't believe what has happened to them. translation: it simply doesn't stack up. - it doesn't sit right in my head. it's like some nightmare. in the weeks since the war started, around 600 young patients have been assessed here, and within just a couple of days, matched with hospitals in europe and north america.

the uk has taken in 21. i can understand their pain. ina, who is herself a ukrainian refugee, has been working to support the children and is in touch with some in the uk. they sent me different short movies, constantly, where they stay. i can't imagine that in this dark, terrifying war, there is a light that our ukrainian kids have a chance to have treatment in such a nice place. this extraordinary rescue mission will continue. there are several thousand children with cancer in ukraine and, of course, countless others in need of hospital care in a place of safety. sophie hutchinson, bbc news, poland. before we go, let's show you pictures that we took earlier into our newsroom of the us president

arriving in poland for the first day of his two—day trip to the country. this is the end of his european tour. he is in the country to talk tour. he is in the country to talk to president duda of poland about various issues pertaining to the russian invasion of ukraine and its impact on poland, but also during his visit he is going to be meeting with leaders of the humanitarian effort to help with refugees, and he has been meeting some of the 9000 us troops who are stationed in and around rzeszow, which is 80 kilometres, about one hour, from the ukrainian border. earlier, he talked to the soldiers and give them a pep talk, talking about the fight between democracy and autocracy and the importance of democracy prevailing in that fight. i'm back injust a few prevailing in that fight. i'm back in just a few minutes' time with more news.

you can reach me on twitter — i'm @bbcmaryam. do stay with us on bbc news. good afternoon. we really are being spoiled with our weather at the moment, aren't we? plenty of spring sunshine out there once again. take a look at this weather watcher picture in suffolk. i hope you can get out and enjoy it. there could be a little more cloud across the east coast of england as we go into the weekend. there is a little bit more cloud across the far north, as well. could produce showers into the northern isles. a sunny day generally through scotland. take a look at highland, more sunshine around your over the last few hours in comparison to yesterday.

similar story for northern ireland and north—west england, as well. for the remainder of the afternoon, we will keep light winds, plenty of sunshine coming through, may be just an outside chance of one or two isolated showers if you get some cloud bubbling up. top temperatures, again, mid to high teens, could be 20 in eastern scotland somewhere this afternoon. as we go through the evening and overnight, more cloud filtering and across the western isles and still through the northern isles. where we have those clear skies, low single figures not out of the question once again. early light frost is possible, maybe some mistiness, as well. it is going to be another glorious day. we keep this low cloud for a time through the western isles, but that should improve a little and the northern isles in far north of scotland may be a little more overcast. lots of sunshine coming through. a bit more of a breeze on saturday. as a consequence, coming in off that chilly north sea, it will not be quite as warm on those exposed east coast. around 15—16 here. we should see 18—19 perhaps further west with a little more shelter. do not forget, if you're heading to bed saturday into sunday morning, the clocks go forward. it's the start of

british summer time. what a surprise, for the start of summer time, we could see a little more cloud and a cooler feel for england and wales, circulating and often i see you around at high pressure. here it could stay a little murky throughout mothering sunday. further north, we will keep lots of sunshine and that is where the highest temperatures are likely to be, with 17 degrees. underneath the cloud, stubbornly sits through the day, 13—14 and one or two spots. but the colder air looks set to return as we go through our week ahead. a northerly flow will start to drag that cooler story further south. it will take its time in arriving, so we start off the beginning of the week relatively mild. noticeably cooler by the end of the week.

this is bbc news. our top stories. president biden is now in poland to see for himself the humanitarian crisis ignited by the war in ukraine the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. ukrainian officials say they fear around 300 people may have died in a russian bomb attack on a theatre in the besieged

city of mariupol. covid—19 infections are continuing to rise across england, scotland and wales, with just a small decrease in northern ireland. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. let's begin with cricket in grenada, where england were looking for an early breakthrough on the second day of the decisive test against west indies. tail—enders jack leach and saqib mahmood shared 90 for last—wicket stand on day one and got endland to 204 after the top order had collapsed earlier

in the day on a lively pitch which suited the west indies attack. the windies have begun their reply, were solid for the first hour, but have just lost the wicket of craig brathwaite and 50 for one. wales captain gareth bale has said his critics in spain are "disgusting" for suggesting that he had overplayed the injuries that have kept him out of action for much of his time with real madrid this season. bale led his side to a world cup play—off final last night, scoring both goals in their 2—1 win over austria in cardiff. and at the age of 32, he knows this could be his last chance to reach a world cup. if they make qatar, it would be their first appearance in the finals since 1958. they have one more hurdle to overcome — an eliminator against scotland or ukraine. italy have failed to qualify for the second world cup in a row after defeat in the play—off semifinal last night. just eight months after winning the european championship, they were beaten by north macedonia i-o. afterwards italy manager

roberto mancini was reluctant to discuss his future after saying failure to qualify for this year's world cup was the biggest disappointment of his career. england manager gareth southgate says he doesn't see the benefit of boycotting this year's world cup in qatar. the coutries human rights record has provoked some players and teams to speak out in the build up to the tournament and this week, the england team, along with southgate have been having their own conversations in camp about what they can do. there is power in us being able to do something together some other european nations whatever that might look like so there are conversations going on all the time in the background and it would be wrong to sayjust pushing things to one side. we are talking more about it than many other things so... that i agree. i think the players have got agree. i think the players have got a good voice. we should allow them to come up with their ideas if we

can support that and help shape that then we also want to do that. the football association will be laying on 100 free buses for liverpool and manchester city fans going to the fa cup semifinal at wembley on the 16th of april. they will carry up to 5—thousand supporters, who are struggling to make the trip to london, with no trains running from the north—west. highways england have also agreed to put roadworks on hold. there had been pleas for the match to be moved to a more accessible ground, but the fa confirmed today that the game would kick off as planned at wembley stadium at 3.30. sebastian vettel will miss sunday's saudi arabian, grand prix — he's failed to recover from covid—19 in time. he missed the season—opener in bahrain last weekend, but his aston martin team, expect him to be fit, for round three in australia next month. he'll again be replaced by reserve driver, nico hulken—berg injeddah.

and on the website you can find website news of lewis hamilton, who has called on saudi arabia to improve it's human rights record. with practice under way for the formula one grand prix that is taking place there this weekend. as you heard earlier, in a show of strength and unity between nato members, president biden has arrived for talks in poland. the president landed in the town of rzeszow in the south—east of the country — around an hourfrom the border with ukraine. he was greeted by the polish defence minister and the us ambassador to poland mr biden has also been meeting us troops stationed in the area.

he's due to hold talks with the polish president andrezj duda later today. ukrainian forces are continuing to counter attack and sieze back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilmoetres east of the city — in other words — as we've known for a while now — the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. but the humanitarian situation in some cities under russian attack is dire: in mariupol especially, where ukrainian officials now say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week where civilians were taking shelter , that number can't be independently verified of course. earlier we heard from 0lha stefanishna ukraine's deputy prime minister for european and euro—atlantic integration. she told us members of the ukrainian armed forces have had success in pushing back russian forces in some areas — but there are still issues surrounding the humanitarian corridors. it isa it is a couple of days starting from

the 20th to reshuffle and regroup russian forces and military activity is being continued in almost all the regions covered by military aggression to the east and south of ukraine including here. our aggression to the east and south of ukraine including here. 0urarmed forces have been successful in not only deterring by pushing back russian voices from the areas near kyiv and other regions are no major developments and progress in issues related to humanitarian corridors and ensuring a guarantee from the russian federation for the evacuation of the ukrainian people.

the russian armed forces continue aggressive military activity against civilian population to force people to lead to the territory of the russian federation. this has become a massive process. russians do not care about any kind of lives of security and they ensure the forceful evacuation to the territory of the russian federation. the guarantor of the humanitarian law in times of war, which is a very direct reach of all the geneva principles of the humanitarian law and basically a war crime related to the forcible displacement of the civil population. although it helps little to, i mean, they litter to avoid

civilian casualties which are basically the principal target of the russian federation and the amount of victims, those who died or were wounded is very, very high in ukraine and basically it is now very clear that it is a war against ukrainian people. it is a targeted and clear genocide with no logic etc. so little progress in humanitarian corridors although very good dynamics of humanitarian aid and ensuring that the most vulnerable regions of ukraine are insured with necessary elements of humanitarian aid and food products well in the areas where the agreement should be reached there is no progress. what about the reasons behind russia moving people from

those areas into russia itself. why are they wanting to do that? there is basically part — are they wanting to do that? there is basically part of— are they wanting to do that? there is basically part of the _ are they wanting to do that? there is basically part of the general- is basically part of the general narratives of this war. the russian federation and kremlin and putin are trying to put more legitimacy into this military activity in massive protests inside the russian federation are taking place with a plea to stop the war and withdraw russian troops. this shows a picture inside the russian federation that people in ukraine are willing to move there without any information. let me just remind that for russia was a military activities sort of normality so they do not care about issues related to peoples lives and based on the bilateral negotiations and various humanitarian issues they

never outdid the prison of humanitarian needs and humanity. the act in their own interest and putting in the use of the russian people the right narrative is something that they are targeting to do. we've seen a meeting of eu and nato leaders of past 24 hours and present biden having landed in poland. what you think about what has been said over the last 24—hour is? it was extremely important. the discussions which were taking place yesterday over the eu summit in the g7 group of leaders meeting because it was a good opportunity to physically coordinate efforts towards the further elements of pressure which could be taking towards russian federation through sanctions, through supporting european union in taking complicated decisions as refusal from the russian gas and oil in a close time

and the us has played its role and it is also a very important element of solidarity that shows for nato not for ukraine that the biggest nato players stand by article five in the southern and eastern flanks of nato by military aid and also by all other means. for as the number taken, ukraine has applied for membership of the european union and this process is started. some of the issues were discussed and accepted also as the establishment of the solidarity trust fund for ukraine which also serves the interest of ukraine both to ensure the financial stability of our country throughout the period of war but also smooth

recovery. the period of war but also smooth recove . ~ . the period of war but also smooth recove . ~ , ., ~ ., recovery. prime minister of ukraine there. it's now a month since the world changed when russia invaded ukraine. thousands of russian and ukrainian troops have been killed, as well a huge number of civilians. around 3.5 million people have been forced to flee from ukraine. the city of kharkiv, in the east of the country — less than 25 miles from the russian border — has faced relentless russian missile strikes and shelling. 0ur correspondent quentin sommerville and cameraman darren conway have spent time with two fighters who have been on the frontline in kharkiv from 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 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. the first three days were the hardest when they drove the russians out. but now their duties at this small base have fallen into a pattern. 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 when you are speaking to your mother or to your girlfriends, what do you tell them? translation: mainly we discuss the time when all of it will end. i when we will come back to normal life. when everything will be good. and it will not be dangerous to go outside and have a walk.

what do you want to tell the russian soldiers that 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. go back home while you're 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 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 are spotted. gunfire 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 is time to seek better cover. what is it like spending day and night out in those tiny, tiny little trenches? translation: the shifts| are longer during the day, but at night, when it's cold, we swap often.

translation: it's ok, we are used to it. - humans can adapt anything. explosions what is going on right now? translation: they are targeting our position. l explosions the shells begin to land all around us only metres away. 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.

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 we've been expecting and training for four 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. here, some sanctuary and a brief moment of respite for vlad and mark amid this unending chaos. a month into this war, ukrainian confidence is growing, not weakening.

while russia stumbles, ukraine stands firm. 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. 0ur loved ones have got our backs. they will not get through here. they both lament the colleagues lost and another has just been injured. russia is not done here yet, but neither are these men and neither is ukraine. quentin somerville, bbc news, kharkiv. live to pose into their present biden is visiting the country. let's

have a listen.— have a listen. children, looking at mothers, have a listen. children, looking at mothers. you _ have a listen. children, looking at mothers, you don't _ have a listen. children, looking at mothers, you don't have - have a listen. children, looking at mothers, you don't have to - mothers, you don't have to understand the language they speak. you see in their eyes pain them in the chilly pain, watching the children. i don't think there's anything worse for a parent than to see a child suffering, their child suffering. i mean that sincerely. it is not hyperbole. a minute from the bottom of my heart and so what you, the humanitarian community are doing is such an enormous consequence. this is what we say we are about. this is what we say we are about. this is what we say our obligations are. . �* are. president biden meeting humanitarian _ are. president biden meeting humanitarian leaders. - are. president biden meeting humanitarian leaders. poland are. president biden meeting - humanitarian leaders. poland has taken on over 2.2 million refugees from ukraine as part from the visit, he is meeting those at the front line, so to speak of the

humanitarian effort. it will be more on his visit to poland here on bbc news but for now let's talk about those more than 3 million people who have left ukraine since the war began and of course millions more have been uprooted from their homes. for many, it's ukraine's trains that have delivered them from terrifying conditions, to safety. our special correspondent fergal keane along with camera journalist nik millard have been travelling with some of the railway workers, and their report begins here, in the city of lviv. train horn honks. it's the sound of reassurance in a world of chaos. horn honks. the rescue express... horn honks. ..rolling through the night... ..and the day, from lviv to the war zones of the east and back. keeping these trains running, running on time as they do, takes the work of so many people at all different levels

on the railways. without them, it simply wouldn't have been possible to evacuate millions of people from the danger zone. many are railway veterans who started work in soviet times and are now rescuing people from their own hometowns. translation: it is really terrifying. i i'm from kharkiv, and my native city is being bombed. i can't feel it and i can see yet, but i cannot believe it. this is what people are fleeing. explosion. home is no longer safe. the war has displaced over 10 million... military band plays. ..and sent many fleeing onto trains heading west.

dawn, and arrival at kyiv. this family are heading to lviv. translation: my heart is bleeding. i don't want to leave my home, but it is my duty to keep my children safe. when we will win the war, i'll take them back home. grandad hugs his wife, but he must stay behind to care for an elderly relative. the women carry the burdens of exile. train whistle blows.

the family reached lviv eight hours later. but they have already caught another rescue train, west to peace and exile. fergal keane, bbc news, lviv. present biden is continuing to speak to the press. i present biden is continuing to speak to the press-— to the press. i am note the president _ to the press. i am note the president is _ to the press. i am note the president is here _ to the press. i am note the president is here today - to the press. i am note the| president is here today and to the press. i am note the - president is here today and i'm joined by secretary blinking and others. whatever i say she says it is not enough. it is not enough. i

don't get to do more. and this is... but i'm going to turn it back to her thank you so much. thank you mr president. i would love it if you'd like to say a few words and before you do think on behalf the entire humanitarian community we just want to extend our thanks to you for the way that you and the polish people have opened your borders, your hearts, your homes, the generosity on a show of solidarity has been breathtaking. thank you so much, sir. 0verto breathtaking. thank you so much, sir. over to you.— sir. over to you. thank you. expensive- _ sir. over to you. thank you. expensive. mr _ sir. over to you. thank you. expensive. mr president. i. sir. over to you. thank you. i expensive. mr president. i am sir. over to you. thank you. - expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going — expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going to _ expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going to have _ expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going to have to _ expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going to have to leave - expensive. mr president. i am afraid we are going to have to leave it - we are going to have to leave it there. they are continuing their meeting in poland. we will have more coverage of this on bbc news in the next few minutes. don't go anywhere. stay with us. goodbye.

good afternoon. we really are being spoiled with our weather at the moment, aren't we? plenty of spring sunshine out there once again. take a look at this weather watcher picture in suffolk. i hope you can get out and enjoy it. there could be a little more cloud across the east coast of england as we go into the weekend. there is a little bit more cloud across the far north, as well. could produce showers into the northern isles. a sunny day generally through scotland. take a look at highland, more sunshine around your over the last few hours in comparison to yesterday. similar story for northern ireland and north—west england, as well. for the remainder of the afternoon, we will keep light winds, plenty of sunshine coming through, may be just an outside chance of one or two isolated showers if you get some cloud bubbling up. top temperatures, again, mid to high teens, could be 20 in eastern scotland somewhere this afternoon. as we go through the evening and overnight, more cloud filtering

and across the western isles and still through the northern isles. where we have those clear skies, low single figures not out of the question once again. early light frost is possible, maybe some mistiness, as well. it is going to be another glorious day. we keep this low cloud for a time through the western isles, but that should improve a little and the northern isles in far north of scotland may be a little more overcast. lots of sunshine coming through. a bit more of a breeze on saturday. as a consequence, coming in off that chilly north sea, it will not be quite as warm on those exposed east coast. around 15—16 here. we should see 18—19 perhaps further west with a little more shelter. do not forget, if you're heading to bed saturday into sunday morning, the clocks go forward. it's the start of british summer time. what a surprise, for the start of summer time, we could see a little more cloud and a cooler feel for england and wales, circulating and often i see you around at high pressure. here it could stay a little murky throughout mothering sunday.

further north, we will keep lots of sunshine and that is where the highest temperatures are likely to be, with 17 degrees. underneath the cloud, stubbornly sits through the day, 13—14 and one or two spots. but the colder air looks set to return as we go through our week ahead. a northerly flow will start to drag that cooler story further south. it will take its time in arriving, so we start off the beginning of the week relatively mild. noticeably cooler by the end of the week.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... president biden touches down in poland — he's been telling us troops that they're fighting for the freedom of generations still to come. what's at stake is what are your kids and grandkids going to look like in terms of their freedom? his visit comes as new military analysis suggests ukraine has re—taken some areas, from the russian military. but in the besieged city of mariupol, it's feared that around 300 people may have died in last week's russian bomb attack on a theatre where civilians were sheltering. also on the programme — could landmines and unexploded

leave ukraine with a deadly legacy? i'll be talking to the head of a landmines charity. hello, thanks for joining hello, thanks forjoining us. in a show of strength and unity between nato members, president biden has arrived for talks in poland. the president landed in the town of rzeszow in the south—east of the country — around an hourfrom the border with ukraine. he was greeted by the polish defence minister and the us ambassador to poland. he's also been holding talks with the polish president, andrezj duda. earlier, mr biden met us troops stationed in the area —

and addressing them in the last hour he said the war in ukraine was a battle between democracy and autocracy. you're in the midst of a fight between democracies and oligarchs. xijinping — who i've spent more time with, they tell me, than any other world leader — points out to me he believes in china that democracies can't succeed in the 21st century. the reason is, things are moving so fast, change is happening so quickly that democracies require consensus and we can't put together consensus as quickly as autocrats can. so what's at stake, notjust in what we're doing here in ukraine, which is to try and help the ukrainian people and keep the massacre from continuing, but beyond that what's at stake is what are your kids and grandkids going to look like in terms of their freedom. that visit is continuing. that is just to show you the live pictures. president biden is sitting there with the polish president, president duda. i think the president is speaking polish at the moment. we have been trying to give you as much

of a flavour of that very important visit, the closest the us president has come to ukrainian territory. just near the border there. on the polish side, of course. let's go to rzeszow and speak to our correspondent, danjohnson. in terms of the political significance of this visit, we know that president biden is delivering key messages for a domestic audience and an international audience, but it is very significant that he is in poland today. it is very significant that he is in poland today-— it is very significant that he is in polandtoda . ~ , , , poland today. absolutely, yes. the s mbolism poland today. absolutely, yes. the symbolism could _ poland today. absolutely, yes. the symbolism could hardly _ poland today. absolutely, yes. the symbolism could hardly be - poland today. absolutely, yes. the symbolism could hardly be more i poland today. absolutely, yes. the i symbolism could hardly be more stark than air force one with the american flag sitting on the flag so close to the ukrainian border, a show of support from the us visitor for the polish people, for all of eastern europe that have been concerned about the russian aggression in ukraine, what it could potentially mean for them, notjust in terms of

the conflict, potentially spilling over borders, but also in terms of the refugee and humanitarian effort. poland has taken more than 2.2 million people from ukraine in the last month. that is more than any other country. it has been a very warm, generous, open—hearted welcome, but they warning has been that this country, the city is on the eastern edge of poland, simply cannot continue absorbing those numbers of people. it is also a sign of reassurance, i think, from the us president, that the united states and that nato will stand firm with countries like poland. we have seen the government hear increasing defence spending from 2.2% to 3% of gdp. we have seen announcements that they may amend the constitution if they may amend the constitution if they think they need to extend that spending even further and get the country into even more debt. we have also seen announcements on reducing

russia's influence on the economy here, all things that have brought condemnation from the russian former president who spoke this week, launched an attack on the government here. the us president has met us service personnel who are in poland as well, around 10,000 of them now serving here. so rallying support amongst his own troops but showing support for the people of poland and for eastern europe, who are notjust on the front line of absorbing the refugee crisis that has resulted from this conflict but also feeling increasingly concerned about their own safety, too. the increasingly concerned about their own safety, too.— own safety, too. the question for man is own safety, too. the question for many is how _ own safety, too. the question for many is how far _ own safety, too. the question for many is how far the _ own safety, too. the question for many is how far the us _ own safety, too. the question for many is how far the us will - own safety, too. the question for many is how far the us will go, i many is how far the us will go, depending on russian actions. we saw president biden saying that nato would respond in kind, was the phrase that he used, if chemical weapons were used. 0bviously chemical weapons are banned internationally. but biden has not spelt out, i'm sure deliberately,

exactly what response the americans or nato would give if things escalate. or nato would give if things escalate-— or nato would give if things escalate. , , , , , or nato would give if things escalate. , , , , escalate. exactly, yes. this is a very tricky _ escalate. exactly, yes. this is a very tricky issue. _ escalate. exactly, yes. this is a very tricky issue. there - escalate. exactly, yes. this is a very tricky issue. there is - escalate. exactly, yes. this is a very tricky issue. there is no i escalate. exactly, yes. this is a i very tricky issue. there is no way that any western nato country, the united states, is going to use chemical weapons, united states, is going to use chemicalweapons, but united states, is going to use chemical weapons, but they clearly are concerned about the potential for vladimir putin to do that sort of thing. it is something that he has talked about, that he has potentially threatened. we know it as happened in syria before, we know it is something they are seriously concerned about. we know nato would never go that far, they are definitely involved in supplying weapons notjust you countries like poland. this airport has become a major logistics military supply base. we have seen more weapons being sent to the ukrainian military. so the west and nato is stepping up, is taking part in resupplying the ukrainians and the countries of eastern europe, to try

to reassure them, to try to age the ukrainian resistance, and as well to try to deal with the numbers of people who are fleeing from the war in ukraine, so i think the president's visit here today is a major symbolic moment. president duda has been taking his own steps to try to reassure his people. he was actually late for the meeting here today because of a issue with his own plane, but they have rejigged the itinerary to make sure that the two presidents can have face—to—face time together before president biden flies on to warsaw before going home. i really important significant talks, and a really important moment that the us president is seen to be here, so close to the ukrainian border. thank ou ve close to the ukrainian border. thank you very much _ close to the ukrainian border. thank you very much indeed. _ ukrainian forces are continuing to counter attack and sieze back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35

kilmoetres east of the city. in other words, as we've known for a while now, the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. but the humanitarian situation in some cities under russian attack is dire. in mariupol especially, where ukrainian officials now say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week where civilians were taking shelter, that number can't be independently verified, of course. the russians have even more devastating weapons in their arsenal — which is why president biden has warned the kremlin not to use chemical weapons in this conflict. if it does, he says nato will respond. from ukraine, jonah fisher report. more than a week after it happened, footage has emerged from inside mariupol�*s theatre — of the terrifying moments just after it was destroyed. "a missile hit the theatre right in the centre," the voice says, as people tried to escape the building they'd come to for shelter. fighting has made it hard to verify exactly how many died under the rubble.

local officials today said it could be several hundred. what is clear is that the theatre was marked with the russian word deti, or children, and was targeted all the same. while in mariupol the russians are still making slow progress, elsewhere they've largely ground to a halt. indeed, there have been some indications, particularly around kyiv, that the ukrainian army is forcing the russians back. the now ruined town of makariv, 40 miles to the west of kyiv, was recaptured this week. and yesterday, a large russian warship in the captured ukrainian port of berdyansk, was sunk and several other ships damaged. to the south, mykolaiv is another city that has defied the russian ground advance — and is now being targeted by artillery.

on tuesday night, a russian shell hit tatiana's apartment building, killing two of her neighbours and badly damaging her home. a quarter of all ukrainians have been forced out of where they live, but tatiana says she won't be going. "we will fight until the end as best we can," she says, "some with weapons and some will help with moral support and by giving money to the army." a month into this war, ukraine's president is still looking for a way out. translation: the country must move towards peace, move forward. - with each day of our defence, we are bringing the peace we need so much closer. we're bringing victory closer. because in this war, it is simply impossible for us not to win. ukraine is stopping russia winning, but there's no sign yet that moscow is ready for peace. jonah fisher, bbc news, lviv.

ukraine could face decades of landmine tragedies as a result of unexploded munitions left behind by the russian invasion — that's according to the landmine removal charity — the halo trust. let's speak with james cowan, chief executive the halo trust. thank you very much forjoining us today. how many landmines are being planted in ukraine? because both sides are involved in that, aren't they? sides are involved in that, aren't the ? ~ �* ., sides are involved in that, aren't the 7~ �* ., ;;:: sides are involved in that, aren't the ?~ �* ., ;;:: , sides are involved in that, aren't the 7~ �* ., ;;:: , ., sides are involved in that, aren't the ?~ �* ., ;;:: , .,., they? we've got 430 staff who are workin: on they? we've got 430 staff who are working on the _ they? we've got 430 staff who are working on the east _ they? we've got 430 staff who are working on the east of— they? we've got 430 staff who are working on the east of the - they? we've got 430 staff who are working on the east of the country| working on the east of the country clearing mines from that period, and they were laid down in prolific numbers. we can't know how many landmines are being laid now, but actually our work is much broader thanjust actually our work is much broader than just landmines. actually our work is much broader thanjust landmines. we actually our work is much broader than just landmines. we are clearing all kinds of ordinance, and this is all kinds of ordinance, and this is a war that will be remembered for the indiscriminate use of rockets, artillery and other forms of

violence on the cities of ukraine. the role of the halo trust after this conflict is going to be very important indeed. flan this conflict is going to be very important indeed.— this conflict is going to be very important indeed. can you tell me a bit about how _ important indeed. can you tell me a bit about how you _ important indeed. can you tell me a bit about how you are _ important indeed. can you tell me a bit about how you are working - important indeed. can you tell me a bit about how you are working at i important indeed. can you tell me a| bit about how you are working at the moment, given all of the dangers that on the ground? are you clearing away missiles and artillery shells that are being used in this current conflict? it that are being used in this current conflict? . . , that are being used in this current conflict? , ., , , . ., conflict? it is really difficult for us. our programme _ conflict? it is really difficult for us. our programme is - conflict? it is really difficult for us. our programme is in - conflict? it is really difficult for us. our programme is in the i conflict? it is really difficult for i us. our programme is in the east conflict? it is really difficult for - us. our programme is in the east of the country. 21 of my staff have been trapped in mariupol. few have got out. you can imagine, it is really not possible to do anything in a humanitarian sense in that city. my plan is actually to move them westwards and to re—establish them westwards and to re—establish the programme there. we have had fantastic generosity from the british public and from donors so we are beginning to raise the money to build a much larger programme in the west, but we are getting on with stuff. we are reaching millions of

ukrainian children, giving them risk education. we can do surveys for humanitarian corridors, we can prune roots, most of my staff are paramedic lee trained, so we can administerfirst aid to paramedic lee trained, so we can administer first aid to the wounded, and ultimately we want to get on with our primary role, exposing ordnance disposal. and it is a task of truly monumental scale. if you can imagine that ukraine is the fifth largest wheat producer in the world, you imagine if landmines are laid in the countryside and this year's crop is not planted, they will be no harvest. and all that wheat will not reach either ukraine or the global market. yes. wheat will not reach either ukraine or the global market.— or the global market. yes, i read traticall or the global market. yes, i read tragically that — or the global market. yes, i read tragically that even _ or the global market. yes, i read tragically that even the _ or the global market. yes, i read | tragically that even the ukrainians are planting wheat fields with landmines, and we know that that is going to have a global impact in parts of the world many, many miles away. can you just explain that for us?

away. can you 'ust explain that for us? ~ ~' ., away. can you 'ust explain that for us? . ~' ., ., away. can you 'ust explain that for us? «a, .,, ., ., us? we know from previous conflicts. we are still— us? we know from previous conflicts. we are still working _ us? we know from previous conflicts. we are still working in _ us? we know from previous conflicts. we are still working in angola. - we are still working in angola. angola still has 1200 minefields from its work, which are still not clear to 30 years after the war ended. and this in ukraine is a much larger war. ended. and this in ukraine is a much largerwar. i ended. and this in ukraine is a much larger war. i want to give a sense of scale here and they truly enormous effect that this expose of oman and ordinance will have, not just on human beings but on the global economy.— just on human beings but on the global economy. when you say that ou are global economy. when you say that you are trying _ global economy. when you say that you are trying to — global economy. when you say that you are trying to educate _ global economy. when you say that you are trying to educate children i you are trying to educate children about the risks, and clearing the way this ordinance is extremely dangerous. can you explain what your people are doing on the ground, how they work? tbs, people are doing on the ground, how the work? �* ., ., , people are doing on the ground, how the work? ., ., , they work? a lot of this can be delivered _ they work? a lot of this can be delivered online, _ they work? a lot of this can be delivered online, but - they work? a lot of this can be delivered online, but it - they work? a lot of this can be delivered online, but it is - they work? a lot of this can be delivered online, but it is also| they work? a lot of this can be i delivered online, but it is also is delivered online, but it is also is delivered by getting to school. with many years of doing this in countries like afghanistan. but many of the munition is delivered from the air, scatter rebel munitions, come with a little red ribbon on them. they are quite attractive

—looking objects, and for a child they look like a toy. many children are killed and maimed by the simple innocence business of picking up something that looks good to play with. it something that looks good to play with. . . , something that looks good to play with. , ., , ., . something that looks good to play with. , ., .�* with. it is really horrific. i'm sure many _ with. it is really horrific. i'm sure many people _ with. it is really horrific. i'm sure many people will - with. it is really horrific. i'm sure many people will want| with. it is really horrific. i'm i sure many people will want to support your work. we will have to leave it there, but thank you very much for your time today.- leave it there, but thank you very much for your time today. a month into the invasion, how much ground have russian troops actually ta ken? let's hear from our security correspondent, frank gardner. well, we're now into the second month of this russian invasion of ukraine and much of the battle picture hasn't really changed that much — but the majority of the fighting is taking place in the east of the country, around here — lu ha nsk and donetsk. and this is where russian forces are making some progress. they're pushing back the regular ukrainian army units. we don't hear very much about that part of the war. there isn't a lot of

reporting coming from it. a lot of the destruction has been around the port of mariupol here. russian forces have now reached the centre of that city, but there are around 100,000—plus civilians still trapped in it. and some of the defenders there are some of the most die—hard ukrainian defenders who are going to fight right till the end — as many ukrainians are. they're refusing to surrender, they're not prepared to be captured and they're going to fight to the death. the reason why that's so important is for russia to link up its forces from crimea here all the way through to their pro—kremlin separatist republic allies in the east, which would give them a land corridor. what they also want to do is try to take the port of 0desa over there, and that's why they're moving westwards towards the port, towards the town of mykolaiv. now, 0desa is busy defending itself. it's tying down quite a large number

of ukrainian troops in preparation for any kind of russian assault. finally, in the north, up here, kyiv is pretty much a stalemate. the ukrainians have managed to retake some small areas such as the town of makariv where the ukrainian flag has been seen flying there. and they've been able to push back russian artillery at least 15, 20, in some cases 35 kilometres from the city. otherwise, the picture hasn't changed a great deal from a week ago. so the big question is where does all of this leave president putin, because this is very much his war. he didn't even share the intimate plans of it with many of his associates. those plans included capturing the capital kyiv early on, forcing the resignation of the government and putting in place a new government that would be sympathetic to moscow. that clearly hasn't happened. ukrain has defied the odds. it's held on. now there's a fear in western capitals that, in order to break the stalemate that much of this invasion has ground down to, that russia is going to try something really dramatic and escalatory — such as using

chemical or biological weapons. there's no proof so far that russia is planning to do it but that's the fear in the west. as we've been reporting, the city of mykolaiv in the south has seen intense clashes. the city is considered strategically significant because of its links to the major seaport of 0desa and the black sea. to find out what life is like there now, i'm joined now by local resident taisia — an it consultant living in mykolaiv. life is the bombing, shelling, most of the time, especially at night. sleepless nights and broken lives, i would say. sleepless nights and broken lives, i would sa . ~ . . sleepless nights and broken lives, i would sa .~ ., , sleepless nights and broken lives, i wouldsa .~ ., , would say. what is your 'ob normally? d would say. what is your 'ob normally? normally �* would say. what is your 'ob normally? normally i i would say. what is yourjob normally? normally i sit i would say. what is yourjob normally? normally i sit in | would say. what is yourjob - normally? normally i sit in front of my computer _

normally? normally i sit in front of my computer and _ normally? normally i sit in front of my computer and work— normally? normally i sit in front of my computer and work as - normally? normally i sit in front of my computer and work as an - normally? normally i sit in front of- my computer and work as an operator, so that is what i do. pare my computer and work as an operator, so that is what i do.— so that is what i do. are you living with our so that is what i do. are you living with your family _ so that is what i do. are you living with your family or _ so that is what i do. are you living with your family or with _ so that is what i do. are you living with your family or with friends, i so that is what i do. are you living | with your family or with friends, or are you on your own? i with your family or with friends, or are you on your own?— with your family or with friends, or are you on your own? i live with my trandma are you on your own? i live with my grandma and _ are you on your own? i live with my grandma and my — are you on your own? i live with my grandma and my brother. _ are you on your own? i live with my grandma and my brother. that - are you on your own? i live with my grandma and my brother. that is i are you on your own? i live with my. grandma and my brother. that is all. and how difficult _ grandma and my brother. that is all. and how difficult is _ grandma and my brother. that is all. and how difficult is it _ grandma and my brother. that is all. and how difficult is it for _ grandma and my brother. that is all. and how difficult is it for everyone i and how difficult is it for everyone around you on a day—to—day basis? so, on a daily basis, it is not that difficult because when i remember about people in mariupol and other cities, i cannot complain because it is a lot worse there. so it is not the best, we could leave right now, but is not the worst we have here. and that is what we have. in terms of ttettin and that is what we have. in terms of getting hold _ and that is what we have. in terms of getting hold of _ and that is what we have. in terms of getting hold of basic— and that is what we have. in terms of getting hold of basic provisions l of getting hold of basic provisions like food, any other basic needs, are you still able to go out and do

that? , ., , ., , ., ., that? yes, we are still able to go out and do _ that? yes, we are still able to go out and do that. _ that? yes, we are still able to go out and do that. we _ that? yes, we are still able to go out and do that. we are - that? yes, we are still able to go out and do that. we are able - that? yes, we are still able to go out and do that. we are able to i that? yes, we are still able to go i out and do that. we are able to get some basic stuff. but the medicine is a problem. the pharmacies don't have that much of things to offer and that is a big problem for many people. and i know it is a catastrophe in the mykolaiv region. 0ut catastrophe in the mykolaiv region. out of the city, it is a lot worse. when the shelling starts, what is that like? how close is that? it’s that like? how close is that? it's that like? how close is that? it's that close _ that like? how close is that? it�*s that close that everything is shaking and it is very loud. it feels like it is somewhere two metres from where you are standing. how does it make you feel? hagar metres from where you are standing. how does it make you feel? how does it make me feel? _ how does it make you feel? how does

it make me feel? yes. _ how does it make you feel? how does it make me feel? yes. how— how does it make you feel? how does it make me feel? yes. how can - how does it make you feel? how does it make me feel? yes. how can it - it make me feel? yes. how can it make me — it make me feel? yes. how can it make me feel? _ it make me feel? yes. how can it make me feel? of— it make me feel? yes. how can it make me feel? of course, it is not something surprising. it is something surprising. it is something i would never want anyone to experience. everything is... i'm sorry, i'm nervous. i’m to experience. everything is... i'm sorry. i'm nervous-— sorry, i'm nervous. i'm sorry, we are all trying — sorry, i'm nervous. i'm sorry, we are all trying to _ sorry, i'm nervous. i'm sorry, we are all trying to understand - sorry, i'm nervous. i'm sorry, we are all trying to understand as i sorry, i'm nervous. i'm sorry, we| are all trying to understand as we watch you around the world, what you are going through. because everyone's sympathies are with all those innocent victims of this war. i know that you are in the city, you must be fearing that it is going to get worse, that the war is going to come closer. are you tempted to try to leave? ., , ., ., come closer. are you tempted to try to leave? ., , ., ._ ., to leave? no, there is no way i am ttoin to leave? no, there is no way i am totin to to leave? no, there is no way i am going to leave- _ to leave? no, there is no way i am going to leave. that _ to leave? no, there is no way i am going to leave. that is _ which i love very much and that is my home, and there is no way they will make me leave. there is no way.

evenif will make me leave. there is no way. even if the fighting comes very close? . ., , close? even if the fighting comes very close. _ close? even if the fighting comes very close. i _ close? even if the fighting comes very close, i make _ close? even if the fighting comes very close, i make my _ close? even if the fighting comes very close, i make my molotov i very close, i make my molotov cocktail and do my best. you are ount , cocktail and do my best. you are young. you _ cocktail and do my best. you are young. you are _ cocktail and do my best. you are young, you are willing _ cocktail and do my best. you are young, you are willing to - cocktail and do my best. you are | young, you are willing to sacrifice your own life for this work? if young, you are willing to sacrifice your own life for this work? ii it your own life for this work? if it makes better _ your own life for this work? if it makes better for _ your own life for this work? if it makes better for my country, of course i do. makes better for my country, of course i do-_ makes better for my country, of course i do. and your family that ou are course i do. and your family that you are with. _ course i do. and your family that you are with, they _ course i do. and your family that you are with, they all _ course i do. and your family that you are with, they all feel- course i do. and your family that you are with, they all feel the i you are with, they all feel the same? . you are with, they all feel the same? , ., , , ., , same? yes, of course it is nervous for everyone- _ same? yes, of course it is nervous for everyone- i _ same? yes, of course it is nervous for everyone. i cannot _ same? yes, of course it is nervous for everyone. i cannot explain - same? yes, of course it is nervous for everyone. i cannot explain the | for everyone. i cannot explain the extent of how nervous it is. that's all i can say. so everyone doesn't feel good. all i can say. so everyone doesn't feel good-— all i can say. so everyone doesn't feel tood. �* ., ., feel good. and if you have a message to tteole feel good. and if you have a message to people watching, _

feel good. and if you have a message to people watching, to _ feel good. and if you have a message to people watching, to governments. to people watching, to governments watching, what would you say that you, your people, yourfamilies, what do you want the outside world to do? . what do you want the outside world to do? , ., ., ., ., to do? first of all, i have an opportunity _ to do? first of all, i have an opportunity to _ to do? first of all, i have an opportunity to say _ to do? first of all, i have an opportunity to say a - to do? first of all, i have an opportunity to say a big - to do? first of all, i have an i opportunity to say a big thank to do? first of all, i have an - opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who helped ukraine, who helped people who leave, sley, and i see a lot of support from the uk, from poland and other countries. all countries. we all see that and we are very thankful for what everyone does. but i would say, i know political men do say something, i'm not sure if i can say something. of course, we need weapons, etc. i'm not sure if i can say things like that. ~ . .

not sure if i can say things like that. ~ , ., ,, ., , that. we understand. i know it must be ve , that. we understand. i know it must be very. very _ that. we understand. i know it must be very, very difficult. _ that. we understand. i know it must be very, very difficult. just - that. we understand. i know it must be very, very difficult. just in - be very, very difficult. just in terms of keeping yourself so strong and staying as positive as you can, how are you managing to keep your own spirits up? how are you managing to keep your own spirits up?— own spirits up? there is no staying tositive. own spirits up? there is no staying positive. there _ own spirits up? there is no staying positive. there are _ own spirits up? there is no staying positive. there are people - own spirits up? there is no staying positive. there are people dying i positive. there are people dying every day and every day people i know get their houses broken. so what kind of positivity do we have? none. so there is onlyjust hope that we get through this war as soon as possible and we are the winner of this war. there is no other way this war ends. ~ . ., this war. there is no other way this war ends. ~ .., ., war ends. well, we can hear the determination _ war ends. well, we can hear the determination and _ war ends. well, we can hear the determination and the _ war ends. well, we can hear the determination and the strengthl war ends. well, we can hear the i determination and the strength in your voice, and we wish you and your

family all the very best. thank you very much indeed for talking to us, and hopefully we can stay in touch with you. we hope that he will stay as safe as possible.— with you. we hope that he will stay as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank ou as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank you for— as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank you forjoining _ as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank you forjoining us. _ as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank you forjoining us. an - as safe as possible. yes, thank you. thank you forjoining us. an it - thank you forjoining us. an it consultant in normal peaceful times in mykolaiv. some other news now, and north korea has resumed long range missile tests, including the launch of its largest ever weapon — a huge new intercontinental ballistic missile — that was announced with an extraordinary video. this is the film north korean state television broadcast to promote the launch — with the country's leader, kim jong—un, front and centre. kim says the launch is intended to show the world the power of his country's armed forces. the giant missile, called hwasong—17, reached an altitude of 6,000 kilometres, it is the first intercontinental ballistic device to be tested by north korea for five years. south korea said it posed a serious

threat, and responded by carrying out its own missile tests. you were watching bbc news. the weather story has certainly been dominated by the beautiful spring sunshine and warmth, hasn't it? i have taken york as an example. you really will notice the difference, hopefully you can get out and enjoy the spring sunshine over the weekend. there will be plenty of it on saturday, as you can see. some of us will see sunshine from dawn till dusk, with some thicker cloud in the far north of scotland, maybe the odd spot of light rain into the northern isles. a bit more of the brisk

breeze in channel coasts, but also coming in off the north sea. temperatures a little subdued. sheltered western areas will see the best of the warmth. highs of 18 degrees. don't forget, when you're off to bed on saturday night, we put the clocks forward. yes, it is the star of british summer time on a sunday. we lose an hour in bed but hopefully we will gain some daylight hours. the high pressure is still with us. there could be a little bit of stavern cloud drifting in of the north sea on sunday, and that could be a bit of a nuisance across england and wales. a level of uncertainty how far west that cloud is going to fit in, but it could just suppress the temperature is a little bit. the best of warmth and sunshine further west. temperatures down a degree or so in comparison. high pressure stays with us. we have got this little front on monday starting to move in from the far north—east, and that is just going to enhance the risk of some showers.

first thing on monday there is a greater chance of seeing some low cloud, stubborn mist and fog in the morning, showers in north wales and england as well. to the north, it will turn cooler. 6—11 . the trend for this cooler feel arrives really from tuesday onwards as the wind direction changes and it drives that colder air a little bit further south. as you can see, from tuesday into wednesday, noticeably cooler and some outbreaks of rain at times. take care.

this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm geeta guru—murthy, our top stories president bidens is now in poland to see for himself the humanitarian crisis ignited by the war in ukraine the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. and canada's energy minister tells the bbc about his country hopes to help the world wean itself of russian supplies of gas and oil.

the british prime minister boris johnson has had a "frank and candid discussion" with china's president xi jinping about the situation in ukraine, according to downing street. the call came after nato leaders urged beijing to "abstain" from supporting russia's war effort and to refrain from any actions that would help it circumvent sanctions. let's talk to our political orrespondent helen catt. when did this conversation take place and is there anything more we know about it? in the make it happen this morning. it is time since november that the two men have spoken. some reports it lasted 50 minutes, there is an hour so around that sort of length of time. as we are told, downing street, it was a frank and candid conversation. we do

know they spoke about, the prime minister expressed his sympathy with the victims of the flight that crashed in china last week. the president asked the prime minister to convey his best wishes to the queen on herjubilee and we are told they discussed a range of issues of mutual interest which did include the situation in ukraine. as if they were discussing the possibility of sanctions if russia was helped by china that was not planned to be in the conversation but the prime minister put forward the uk's position on ukraine and his belief that pressure should be put on president putin to withdraw his troops. it has been a very busy couple of days on the diplomatic front. borisjohnson meeting other eu leaders and present biden but then excluded from that final meeting, it seems. there's been a lot of concern about any sort of

chemical weapon use. has there been some briefing on those concerns? we know some briefing on those concerns? - know diplomatic efforts continue throughout this. boris johnson know diplomatic efforts continue throughout this. borisjohnson said what they want is to isolate version we've seen him upping the pressure in recent days. 0ther we've seen him upping the pressure in recent days. other leaders of done that too. at the weekend boris johnson spoke about it being a considerable dilemma for countries wanted to need to stand apart from this and he specifically reference china saying a thing in beijing you can see some second thoughts. that is really what western leaders want is really what western leaders want is for china not to stay neutral but to come out and criticise present for department actions.- to come out and criticise present for department actions. thank you ve much for department actions. thank you very much indeed. _ thank you very much indeed. covid19 infections are continuing to rise across england, scotland and wales; though there's been a small decrease in northern ireland.

new figures from the office for national statistics suggest 1 in 16 people in england and wales have coronavirus — in scotland it's as high as1 in 11. 0ur medical editor fergus walsh explained more: no sign of this covid wave abating yet. last week it was estimated 4.3 million people had covid across the uk at1,000,00i million people had covid across the uk at 1,000,001 week. a near—record number. 0ne uk at 1,000,001 week. a near—record number. one in 16 in england and wales, one in 11 in scotland, down slightly in northern ireland. 0ne wales, one in 11 in scotland, down slightly in northern ireland. one in 17. being driven by the small infections sub variant plus the lifting of restrictions, less working from home is in more chances for the virus to spread. most people will have a mild illness but the numbers in hospital are going up, too. around 17,000 covid patients are now in hospital although herfor slightly more than half of those would have been admitted with

something else. fortunately the numbers in intensive care remain low. just about 300 covid patients on ventilators. testament to treatment but the vaccines. we have got more than 7 million people eligible this spring for a covid booster. fergus walsh, our medical editor. fergus walsh, our medical editor. the man accused of murdering the british mp sir david amess told police only hours afterwards that it was a terrorist attack, a court has heard. sir david, the mp for southend west, died after he was stabbed more than 20 times during a constituency surgery in leigh—on—sea, essex last october. 26—year—old ali harbi ali, denies charges of murder and preparing acts of terrorism. let's talk to our correspondent helena wilkinson who's covering the trial at the old bailey. tell us more about what has happened in court. it tell us more about what has happened in court. . tell us more about what has happened in court. , ._ ., in court. it is the fifth day of the trial. we had _

in court. it is the fifth day of the trial. we had police _ in court. it is the fifth day of the trial. we had police interviews i in court. it is the fifth day of the i trial. we had police interviews with ali harbi ali in the hours and days after sir david amess was attacked and the first interview, one of the officers asked ali harbi ali, is this a terrorist attack, to which he replied i guess, yeah. i killed an mp. i done it, yeah. some of those interviews were played to the jury. in the second interview that police carried out ali harbi ali then tells officers who are self radicalised and had wanted to go abroad to fight but he did not do that and it was by 2021 he told officers that he decided, he said committed consider options and think about targets and in one of the interviews to police he said i thought one of the most just targets from my perspective would probably be may be the npc carried out a vote to carry out air

strikes in syria. thejury carried out a vote to carry out air strikes in syria. the jury also heard he went to michael gove's house and went outside the houses of parliament. he said he bottled it on a number of previous occasions in terms of carrying out an attack. he was also asked in his police interview is why he chose sir david amess as his target. he said to police he looked up on twitter mps surgeries, constituency surgeries and he tweeted sir david amess about and he tweeted sir david amess about a recent surgery and there was a phone number and ali harbi ali said he was the easiest. i settled on him. he also spoke about the attack on sir david amess. he said he was still surprised in his words, ali harbi ali's words, and how it down. he said at the end of the day, i carried out what i felt was an obligation on me. we told officers he did not carry out an attack for so long because the concept of

killing someone was strange to him. the trial he continues. ali harbi ali denies murder and denies preparing terrorist acts. thank you ve much preparing terrorist acts. thank you very much indeed. _ thank you very much indeed. let's get more on this important gas agreement that's been announced between the us and eu — ramzan is here. president biden has announced a major deal with the eu to reduce europe's reliance on russian gas. mr biden said the us would step up its own supplies of liquified natural gas to the eu this year, sending an additional 15 billion cubic metres. he said europe and the us would also accelerate efforts to reduce demand for gas overall and switch to renewable energy. for more on this i'm joined now from new york by our correspondent michelle fleury. how significant is this, really? we know how significant is this, really? - know that the europeans are under pressure to try to reduce their reliance and they've given themselves into the end of the year

to try to reduce their reliance on russian natural gas imports by about two thirds. that means they have to look at different sources of getting this. and what you are seeing here with this deal with the americans is an attempt to try to help them achieve that. there have been talks with qatar and other countries, trying to figure out how can you get more supply? a renewed focus on a iran nuclear deal to bring evade immune oil back to the market. and here, you have this concrete news about the us supply, more liquefied natural gas to europe. he was the thing. if you look at this, the reason the europeans are so reliant on russia is because it is a cheaper source. it comes from the united states has to be chilled and cooled and turn into liquid so it can be shipped and transported to europe where it then has to be transported and into natural gas. the us is

already exporting the maximum amount that it can at the moment and to increase that a number of things have to happen including building infrastructure. that is something that does not happen overnight. there are more terminals in the works, more projects to build these. these are not things that take weeks or months, they take years. to change this picture, i think that is the real challenge and that is why you have seen this hesitancy of imposing the type of energy sanctions the us has done in russia on the part of the europeans. the infrastructure _ on the part of the europeans. the infrastructure is _ on the part of the europeans. the infrastructure isjust not there, is infrastructure is just not there, is it, really? what is the appetite with producers in the states to get that infrastructure up and running? do they have that appetite to say, yeah, we will step in? i do they have that appetite to say, yeah, we will step in?— do they have that appetite to say, yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss — yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss of— yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss of egt, _ yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss of egt, the _ yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss of egt, the company i yeah, we will step in? i was talking to the boss of egt, the company inj

to the boss of egt, the company in america sitting on the biggest reserves of natural gas in america at the moment. he was saying to me his big problem is pipelines. we cannot get it out of the north—east of the united states towards the ports where it needs to get to letter them to other parts of the united states. that is the pipelines and then there are terminals. there are eight working and pretty much at full capacity already. so these things take time to address. the other thing to bear in mind is that none a lot of these companies had a very difficult time in recent years. we had the boom and bust during recent years which so many of these firms go bankrupt and they are hesitant to commit to drilling and extracting more natural gas from the ground unless they know there is a firm commitment. what you are seeing here is the start of that firm commitment to encourage them to make the investments necessary and in the meantime, what you are seeing happen

is that the supply that is already contracted is being diverted towards the europeans. and that should take a little bit of pressure but for the next few years at least there are going to be higher prices to be paid. going to be higher prices to be aid. , ., going to be higher prices to be aid, , ., ., ,., one big energy provider that says it too will increase its gas production to help the world cope with less supplies from russia is canada. its natural resources minister jonathan wilkinson spoke to my colleague aaron heslehurst — he began by asking if there was a consensus amongst energy ministers around the world about weaning themselves off russian energy. i think there is a consensus. the only differences are around how fast you can get away from it. i think everybody is committed to doing that and many others are committing to try to help as much as we can in terms of displacing russian oil and gas but the results of a consensus

about the need to advance the energy transition and driving renewables and hydrogen. lets talk about canada. the fourth biggest oil producer on the planet. can you and are you going to help the worlds be less dependent on russian energy? we less dependent on russian energy? - are and we are going to do that in the short term and try to do it in the short term and try to do it in the long term. will be increasing our production floated pipelines. 200,000 extra. in line with what the americans are doing and the brazilians have also announced. we're also looking at the potential for a couple of smaller energy facilities and east coast that might be able to supply some demand for natural gas but it will be in context of how do you transition to something more sustainable. any facility but we need to be cable converting hydrogen. we need to use electric drive technologies. so that

you are not increasing domestic emissions. you are not increasing domestic emissions-— you are not increasing domestic emissions. ., ., , ., . ., emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they — emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they are _ emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they are not _ emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they are not quite _ emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they are not quite full- emissions. how do you produce extra barrels? they are not quite full and i barrels? they are not quite full and that is the exercise _ barrels? they are not quite full and that is the exercise we _ barrels? they are not quite full and that is the exercise we have - barrels? they are not quite full and that is the exercise we have gone i that is the exercise we have gone through the pipeline companies. we are federation in canada. want to identify much capacity was there and there is about 300,000 barrels per day, 200,000 barrels of oil and 100,000 of natural gas. we believe we can actually float down to the united states which has the takeaway capacity to take it to the gulf coast and exported as crude or refine it and exported as a finished product. let me say that the long—term answer is not significant increases in oil production. we all know that oil has to go down. consumption needs to go down further to meet our goals. haifa consumption needs to go down further to meet our goals.— to meet our goals. how quickly can ou tet to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the — to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the oil— to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the oil out? _ to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the oil out? we _ to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the oil out? we will- to meet our goals. how quickly can you get the oil out? we will ramp i to meet our goals. how quickly can | you get the oil out? we will ramp it up you get the oil out? we will ramp it up over the next few months. we expect that by the end of the year will be fully up to 300,000 barrels. is it possible to ship this oil and

products to europe in oil is at this price? it is not viable, right? surely it is back down to normal levels? i think it is. it is pulling forward production levels that producers had intended to move towards over the coming couple of years. to be honest with you the price is right now such that oil companies around the world are actually making pretty healthy profits. the operating cost of the facilities in canada are actually relatively though and even if you are back to normal levels that would not be a problem. at the end of the day we'll know that demand for oil has to go down. day we'll know that demand for oil has to go down-— day we'll know that demand for oil has to go down. viewers on bbc one can see more — has to go down. viewers on bbc one can see more of _ has to go down. viewers on bbc one can see more of that _ has to go down. viewers on bbc one can see more of that interview - has to go down. viewers on bbc one can see more of that interview on i can see more of that interview on talking business this weekend.

the ripple effects of the war in ukraine are being felt across the food industry. britain's biggest dairy company, arla, says the cost of producing milk is increasing like never before. arla is a co—operative with more than 2000 uk dairy farmers. its managing director, ash amir—ah—madi, is warning that unless its farmers are paid more, milk supplies could be under threat. he's been talking to our business correspondent, emma simpson, who began by asking him about the cost increases being seen. costs have been rising since last summer. feed, fertiliser and fuel and we have been paying ourfarmers more money to cover that. unfortunately, the costs of the farming has increased so much because of the ukraine crisis that the cash flow and fire ms negative environment as a result are producing less milk. ifarmers break even? producing less milk. i farmers break even? , ., ., ,, producing less milk. i farmers break even? , ., ., , ., even? they not make money the moment and are having — even? they not make money the moment and are having to — even? they not make money the moment and are having to make _ even? they not make money the moment and are having to make some _ even? they not make money the moment and are having to make some very - and are having to make some very important decisions on how much feed they buy, how much fertiliser they buy to grow the feed for the future.

how big is this drop in production? uk farmers up and growing production, producing more for the last seven or eight years but in the last seven or eight years but in the last six months that has gone the other way. last six months that has gone the otherway. in last six months that has gone the other way. in february, farmers produce 2% less and in march it is 4% less. the direction of travel is going the wrong way. what are the implications? a milk? we need to make sure farmers costs are covered but we also need to make sure that we are giving farmers the confidence to invest and continue to produce milk and avoid any chance of any shortfall of the flow of milk. they could be the chance of a shortfall? that is what trying to avoid and clear message that getting to our customers. clear message that getting to our customers-— clear message that getting to our customers. , , ., ~ , customers. racing supermarkets will have to -a customers. racing supermarkets will have to pay more _ customers. racing supermarkets will have to pay more so _ customers. racing supermarkets will have to pay more so that _ customers. racing supermarkets will have to pay more so that farmers - customers. racing supermarkets will| have to pay more so that farmers can recover the costs? we have to pay more so that farmers can recover the costs?— recover the costs? we are working with our customers _ recover the costs? we are working with our customers who _ recover the costs? we are working with our customers who have - recover the costs? we are working i with our customers who have helped

us all through the previous resilience challenges and working with them to ensure that we have got her arm around ourfarmers and payor firm is more to cover costs to make sure the milk is flowing. you're also going to go for exports now, haven't you? globally the international price for milk is better than the price that you can get in the uk. 0ver better than the price that you can get in the uk. over the next five years the shape of our business is likely to change where we will sell more products into export markets. not all of our milk will go there. a proportion of our business. the community of farmers and the british dairy industry is that the opportunities of exports give farmers more options and therefore means that the whole of the uk dairy industry should get a lift as a result of these markets. i5 industry should get a lift as a result of these markets. is our milk... result of these markets. is our milk- -- we _ result of these markets. is our milk... we are _ result of these markets. is our milk... we are paying - result of these markets. is our

milk... we are paying less - result of these markets. is our| milk... we are paying less than result of these markets. is our- milk... we are paying less than we were ten years _ milk... we are paying less than we were ten years ago. _ milk... we are paying less than we were ten years ago. we _ milk... we are paying less than we were ten years ago. we pay - milk... we are paying less than we were ten years ago. we pay 26% i milk... we are paying less than we - were ten years ago. we pay 26% more when you could all products are there some way to go before milk is really valued by consumers. i5 there some way to go before milk is really valued by consumers.- really valued by consumers. is milk to cheat? what _ really valued by consumers. is milk to cheat? what consumers - really valued by consumers. is milk to cheat? what consumers pay - really valued by consumers. is milk to cheat? what consumers pay is i to cheat? what consumers pay is ultimately the _ to cheat? what consumers pay is ultimately the decision _ to cheat? what consumers pay is ultimately the decision of - to cheat? what consumers pay is ultimately the decision of our - ultimately the decision of our customers but i suspect people will start having to pay more.— start having to pay more. breaking news. start having to pay more. breaking news- spot — start having to pay more. breaking news- spot a _ start having to pay more. breaking news. spot a fire _ start having to pay more. breaking news. spot a fire saying _ start having to pay more. breaking news. spot a fire saying they - start having to pay more. breaking news. spot a fire saying they are i news. spot a fire saying they are suspending service in russia. we will have more in the hours to come. we will get reaction in just a moment with our next guest butjust to introduced him because... just to introduced him because... non—fungible tokens or nfts are a technology that allows for proof of ownership of digital assets. this can come in the form of digital art or concert tickets. earlier this month ukraine announced it will issue it's own collection

of non—fungible tokens to fund armed forces against russia. ukraine's deputy minister of digital transformation, 0leksandr bornyakov joins us now if they can start off with his knees that we are getting in that spot if i i pulling out of russia. it is part of many other companies digital and otherwise putting pressure on russia. you have any reaction to that? are those sorts of moves really going to make it a political difference, do you think? hi. indeed, once _ difference, do you think? h. indeed, once the war started we completely changed the focus and started to do what we call digital diplomacy. me personally and the whole team is working with tech giants, all the companies from the

ten sector in order to make them stop business with russia and spot if i was amongst them. we had a conversation with them and i also heard sitting here, i have seen the confirmation but that is a great sign, that is great news.- sign, that is great news. what difference _ sign, that is great news. what difference will _ sign, that is great news. what difference will it _ sign, that is great news. what difference will it make, - sign, that is great news. what difference will it make, do - sign, that is great news. whati difference will it make, do you hope? difference will it make, do you ho te? ~ difference will it make, do you hoe? ~ . . difference will it make, do you hoe? ~ , ., ,, ., hope? we believe that the russian economy has _ hope? we believe that the russian economy has to — hope? we believe that the russian economy has to stop _ hope? we believe that the russian economy has to stop because - hope? we believe that the russian i economy has to stop because they're not using their money, the taxpayers money to build infrastructure, homes, hospitals, but they built tanks, rockets, bombs and then they are invading their neighbours, killing civilians, shelling cities and recently i saw 75% of russian support invasion to poland so we have two united and stop feeling

money to this war machine. you are the person — money to this war machine. you are the person who _ money to this war machine. you are the person who is _ money to this war machine. you are the person who is active _ money to this war machine. you are the person who is active the - money to this war machine. you are the person who is active the putting i the person who is active the putting pressure on tech giants and you also leading this move to try to raise money to these. how's that working on how much you trying to raise? during the first day of war we created something and this is a private public partnership and so far we have managed to raise $65 million which goes to the needs of our militaries and humanitarian. a couple weeks ago we came up with the idea to create this collection which is basically an cold never forget it. and we plan to use this money for humanitarian needs. haifa

it. and we plan to use this money for humanitarian needs.— it. and we plan to use this money for humanitarian needs. how are you channellint for humanitarian needs. how are you channelling the _ for humanitarian needs. how are you channelling the funds _ for humanitarian needs. how are you channelling the funds because - for humanitarian needs. how are you channelling the funds because if- for humanitarian needs. how are you channelling the funds because if it i channelling the funds because if it comes, does it come to crypto currency? does that make it difficult to tap into other parts of the economy there? at difficult to tap into other parts of the economy there?— difficult to tap into other parts of the economy there? at the beginning there were just _ the economy there? at the beginning there were just a _ the economy there? at the beginning there were just a few _ the economy there? at the beginning there were just a few but _ the economy there? at the beginning there were just a few but now- the economy there? at the beginning there were just a few but now on - the economy there? at the beginning there were just a few but now on the | there were just a few but now on the website you can find a lot of tokens. many have donated. we get all these donations in crypto but that together with the ministry of defence, with our ministry, we got the requirements, what is really needed, the top priority. with the help of that we look for suppliers so some of them agreed to get money

in crypto. some of them want to work in crypto. some of them want to work in an old—fashioned way but they had to convert crypto and were able to pay in other currencies. we have just seen pictures of president biden boarding the plane to leave poland only wanted to get this pictures to all of you. it has been brilliant to talk to you. on a wider fund, if i can, we are hearing reports, i don't know if you've seen those today, that russia saying they want to focus on the east of the country and i wondered in terms of your wider government role and the information you're getting is a minister, what does your sense of the military progress of both sides, what is your responsibility to the fact that russia might be focusing on the east of ukraine? think they are lying, usually do. i think ukraine is a sense that they don't

just want the eastern part. they want to destroy all of us and the confirmation and the proof that attacking year than they were sending groups of people and talking about change in government. also the attackers from south. they're trying to cut us off from poland, because they understand that is very get supplies from so this is notjust about the east. i will be happy to know that war is over and this is what we'll want. we did not start this war. . , ., what we'll want. we did not start this war. ., , ., , ., , this war. can you give us any information _ this war. can you give us any information on _ this war. can you give us any information on the _ this war. can you give us any - information on the negotiations, if they are still ongoing, whether there is any of progress there, in your view?— there is any of progress there, in our view? ., ., , ., your view? unfortunately i cannot. i am in the domain _ your view? unfortunately i cannot. i am in the domain of _ your view? unfortunately i cannot. i am in the domain of digital - am in the domain of digital transformation. and things related to it. ifate

transformation. and things related to it. ~ . ., transformation. and things related toit. , , to it. we understand completely. thank ou to it. we understand completely. thank you very — to it. we understand completely. thank you very much _ to it. we understand completely. thank you very much for - to it. we understand completely. thank you very much for your - to it. we understand completely. i thank you very much for your time. we much appreciated. thank you so much. let me be summer breaking news. rebels in yemen have launched a series of drone and rocket attacks in saudi arabia. reports from a city safe and oilfacility in saudi arabia. reports from a city safe and oil facility has been in saudi arabia. reports from a city safe and oilfacility has been hit. a video posted on social media shows flames in a large plume of black smoke billowing you can see here. a military spokesperson said... more coming up shortly. the weather story has certainly been dominated by the beautiful spring sunshine and warmth, hasn't it? i have taken york as an example. you really will notice the difference, hopefully you can get out and enjoy the spring sunshine over the weekend.

there will be plenty of it on saturday, as you can see. some of us will see sunshine from dawn till dusk, with some thicker cloud in the far north of scotland, maybe the odd spot of light rain into the northern isles. a bit more of the brisk breeze in channel coasts, but also coming in off the north sea. temperatures a little subdued. sheltered western areas will see the best of the warmth. highs of 18 degrees. don't forget, when you're off to bed on saturday night, we put the clocks forward. yes, it is the star of british summer time on a sunday. we lose an hour in bed but hopefully we will gain some daylight hours. the high pressure is still with us. there could be a little bit of stavern cloud drifting in of the north sea on sunday, and that could be a bit of a nuisance across england and wales.

a level of uncertainty how far west that cloud is going to fit in, but it could just suppress the temperature is a little bit. the best of warmth and sunshine further west. temperatures down a degree or so in comparison. high pressure stays with us. we have got this little front on monday starting to move in from the far north—east, and that is just going to enhance the risk of some showers. first thing on monday there is a greater chance of seeing some low cloud, stubborn mist and fog in the morning, showers in north wales and england as well. to the north, it will turn cooler. 6-11 . the trend for this cooler feel arrives really from tuesday onwards as the wind direction changes and it drives that colder air a little bit further south. as you can see, from tuesday into wednesday, noticeably cooler and some outbreaks of rain at times. take care.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown live in lviv as ukraine is re—occupying some towns east of the capital according to the uk's ministry of defence. president biden has arrived in poland — he's been telling us troops that they're fighting for the freedom of generations still to come. what's at stake is what are your kids and grandkids going to look like in terms of their freedom? his visit comes as a senior russian defence official signals what could be a major shift in its military focus east towards the disputed donbas region.