this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. israeli police have beaten mourners at the funeral of the aljazeera reporter shireen abu aqla. we speak to a journalist who was with her when she was killed. the us defense secretary calls for an immediate ceasefire in ukraine in his first conversation with his russian counterpart since the invasion. explosions. a bbc crew runs for cover as russian forces bombard an area near the south—eastern ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia. and drought and devasatation across east africa — the un says more must be done to save lives.

the world's attention is wholly focused on ukraine, which is a terrible crisis, but the suffering that we've seen here — and i've been in both places — has no equal. we're going to start injerusalem, where israeli police have hit mourners in clashes at the funeral of aljazeera reporter shireen abu aqla. her killing in the occupied west bank has caused a surge of anger. her coffin almost fell as police, some using batons, waded into a crowd of palestinians gathered around it. shireen abu aqla was shot dead in the occupied west bank on wednesday. richard galpin reports.

the violence broke out as shireen abu aqla's coffin was taken out from a hospital in eastjerusalem. her coffin jostled and almost pulled to the ground as israeli police and palestinians clashed. 51—year—old shireen abu aqla was a revered palestinian—american journalist who worked for aljazeera's arabic news channel. she spent 20 years reporting on the israeli—palestinian conflict. she was shot in the head while reporting on an israeli army raid in the occupied west bank on wednesday. she was wearing a flakjacket with "press" marked on it. translation: we arrived, and within seconds, - there was the first shot. i told them that we're being targeted, we're being shot at. i turned and found shireen on the ground. ifound shatha shielding herself by a tree and screaming. i turned and found

shireen on the ground in the first few seconds. witnesses have accused the army of killing her. aljazeera said she'd been shot in cold blood. israel says it's investigating the incident. translation: | therefore - reiterate my expectation of open and transparent cooperation with full findings, and i also expect the palestinian authority not to take any steps to disrupt the investigation or to disturb the investigation process in a way that will prevent us from reaching the truth. tensions have been building in recent weeks. israeli forces carrying out raids after a spate of gun attacks by palestinians in which at least 2a people have been killed. shireen has now been laid to rest in the mount zion cemetery alongside her parents. richard galpin, bbc news. our correspondent tom bateman was at the funeral and witnessed the events as they unfolded. a warning that his report contains images that some viewers may find distressing.

reporters, camera crews everywhere. this is exactly the kind of event that shireen would normally be at. today, they're saying goodbye. chanting. explosion. well, we just had to move back very quickly because the mourners were trying to carry the coffin through the gates out of the hospital. the border police are directly outside, and now we're seeing confrontations here. oh, my god! let the baby through! go! gunfire.

and this is now the finaljourney for shireen abu aqla. a journalist surrounded by her people injerusalem, to be buried beside her parents. applause. these now are the final moments they have to spend with shireen, and you can hear what they think. their storyteller, whose voice will be heard no longer. that was tom bateman there witnessing events at the funeral of shireen abu aqla. i am nowjoined by shatha hanaysheh. she is the journalist who was with shireen injenin when she died. thank you very much forjoining us and obviously i'm sure it's very difficult for you to speak to us given what has happened that we are

very grateful to you. can you talk us through what happens on that day? what happened that day that we were a group _ what happened that day that we were a group of— what happened that day that we were a group ofjournalists, for journalists, two cameramen, and we were going _ journalists, two cameramen, and we were going to do ourjob as a journalist _ were going to do ourjob as a journalist because that is where there _ journalist because that is where there were israeli troops and its soldiers — there were israeli troops and its soldiers around a house injenin soldiers around a house in jenin camp— soldiers around a house in jenin campto— soldiers around a house injenin camp to arrest guys from the camp and because we were journalists, we are journalists, we come to cover the work— are journalists, we come to cover the work of— are journalists, we come to cover the work of the israeli soldier so we can— the work of the israeli soldier so we can know what happened injenin

camo _ we can know what happened injenin camo and _ we can know what happened injenin camp. and we were in the beginning that if_ camp. and we were in the beginning that if there — camp. and we were in the beginning that if there was quiet, nothing is coming _ that if there was quiet, nothing is coming down, and this is going to make _ coming down, and this is going to make us— coming down, and this is going to make us feel comfortable. but there is nothing _ make us feel comfortable. but there is nothing to worry about. we were feeling safe. so we stand with the four of us, — feeling safe. so we stand with the four of us, me and shireen and two camerameh. — four of us, me and shireen and two cameramen, we stand in the front of that campm — cameramen, we stand in the front of that camp... so they could see us, our friends, — that camp... so they could see us, our friends, and they know that we are journalists. and we stand there for maybe — are journalists. and we stand there for maybe 5—10 minutes, and then we

'ust for maybe 5—10 minutes, and then we just go— for maybe 5—10 minutes, and then we just go to _ for maybe 5—10 minutes, and then we just go to another street that was in frorrt— just go to another street that was in front of— just go to another street that was in front of us, the israeli soldiers there. _ in front of us, the israeli soldiers there. and — in front of us, the israeli soldiers there, and when we go and walk and we arrived _ there, and when we go and walk and we arrived to — there, and when we go and walk and we arrived to area, it was very hard to come _ we arrived to area, it was very hard to come track— we arrived to area, it was very hard to come back from it. they started shooting _ to come back from it. they started shooting at — to come back from it. they started shooting at us. in the first, when we hear the _ shooting at us. in the first, when we hear the shootings, my immediate reaction _ we hear the shootings, my immediate reaction is _ we hear the shootings, my immediate reaction is to — we hear the shootings, my immediate reaction is to start screaming and jump— reaction is to start screaming and jump and — reaction is to start screaming and jump and told us come, come, they are shooting — jump and told us come, come, they are shooting us. i told her we cannot— are shooting us. i told her we cannot come because in that time, i thought— cannot come because in that time, i thought this — cannot come because in that time, i thought this was very long because i was wearing my best and i will not jump— was wearing my best and i will not jump for— was wearing my best and i will not jump for me and shireen. so we

returned back. when we started to turn back, — returned back. when we started to turn back, the shooting is still going. — turn back, the shooting is still going, they shoot i'll eat. and when they shot _ going, they shoot i'll eat. and when they shot ali and he fell on the ground, — they shot ali and he fell on the ground, shireen screamed that they shoot _ ground, shireen screamed that they shoot ollie, they shoot ollie and then he — shoot ollie, they shoot ollie and then he goes to the main street, to the one _ then he goes to the main street, to the one side — then he goes to the main street, to the one side of the main street where — the one side of the main street where the people on that street and they take _ where the people on that street and they take him to the hospital. in they take him to the hospital. in the tintes— they take him to the hospital. in the times that ollie was going to the minute street, then the shooting started _ the minute street, then the shooting started again. that is when shireen caught— started again. that is when shireen caught the — started again. that is when shireen caught the bullet. i was behind or next to— caught the bullet. i was behind or next to a — caught the bullet. i was behind or next to a tree. this is why the

bullets did _ next to a tree. this is why the bullets did not come to me and did not kitt— bullets did not come to me and did not kill me — bullets did not come to me and did not kill me or hit me. because the treat— not kill me or hit me. because the treat was— not kill me or hit me. because the treat was bigger and protected me. but shireen, she fell on the ground and in _ but shireen, she fell on the ground and in the first time i remember knowing— and in the first time i remember knowing what happened to shireen. me and shireen, we did not think they were _ and shireen, we did not think they were shooting at us because we are journatists — were shooting at us because we are journalists and we vests of journalists and we vests of journalists and we did not understand that. this is maybe why shireen _ understand that. this is maybe why shireen gets shot because she did not understand that they are shooting to us. so, what i sought shireen _ shooting to us. so, what i sought shireen on — shooting to us. so, what i sought shireen on the ground, and the first time, _ shireen on the ground, and the first time, i thought that she wasjust had fatten— time, i thought that she wasjust had fallen and i was trying to reach her and _ had fallen and i was trying to reach her and touch her, to wake her up, buti— her and touch her, to wake her up,

but i was— her and touch her, to wake her up, but i was looking and she was not breathing — but i was looking and she was not breathing. there was no up and down because _ breathing. there was no up and down because she — breathing. there was no up and down because she was on her face and this nrade _ because she was on her face and this made me nervous. i did not know what to do _ made me nervous. i did not know what to do and _ made me nervous. i did not know what to do. and every time, i was trying to do. and every time, i was trying to get shireen, there is shooting that is— to get shireen, there is shooting that is coming to me. and this is making _ that is coming to me. and this is making me — that is coming to me. and this is making me feel i did not have to... ijust— making me feel i did not have to... ijust touched shireen and her face in the _ ijust touched shireen and her face in the top — ijust touched shireen and her face in the top and lay her to her back and they— in the top and lay her to her back and they shoot her and this has made me more _ and they shoot her and this has made me more afraid of doing anything. and that _ me more afraid of doing anything. and that time, my friends, sorry, not my— and that time, my friends, sorry, not my friends, some of the guys on the streets _ not my friends, some of the guys on the streets in front of us try to come to— the streets in front of us try to come to us to help us, but i

screamed don't come, don't come because _ screamed don't come, don't come because i— screamed don't come, don't come because i saw the bullets and i hear the shootings and it's around me and around shireen and i did not know what _ around shireen and i did not know what to— around shireen and i did not know what to do — around shireen and i did not know what to do. i did not want them to come _ what to do. i did not want them to come and — what to do. i did not want them to come and die. so, the same guy who tried to _ come and die. so, the same guy who tried to come, he came from behind us and _ tried to come, he came from behind us and jumped the wall and came next to m3, _ us and jumped the wall and came next to me. me _ us and jumped the wall and came next to me, me and him tried to take shireen — to me, me and him tried to take shireen but _ to me, me and him tried to take shireen but they are still shooting us and _ shireen but they are still shooting us and next to me and the tree and then he _ us and next to me and the tree and then he said — us and next to me and the tree and then he said the two of us and this smatt— then he said the two of us and this small space will not help us, so he 'ust small space will not help us, so he just took my hand and took me out and then— just took my hand and took me out and then he — just took my hand and took me out and then he returned and got shareen _ and then he returned and got shareen. this is what happened. i cannot— shareen. this is what happened. i cannot believe what happened and i

don't understand why this happened to us _ don't understand why this happened to us i_ don't understand why this happened to us. i cannot even think about what _ to us. i cannot even think about what happened to me i am speaking with you, but i cannot even think because — with you, but i cannot even think because it's _ with you, but i cannot even think because it's so hard. until now i don't _ because it's so hard. until now i don't know— because it's so hard. until now i don't know why they are shooting us. but we _ don't know why they are shooting us. but we are _ don't know why they are shooting us. but we are journalists and this was so hard _ but we are journalists and this was so hard for— but we are journalists and this was so hard for us. and they did not stob _ so hard for us. and they did not stob this— so hard for us. and they did not stop. this has made me crazy because they did _ stop. this has made me crazy because they did not _ stop. this has made me crazy because they did not stop. in the first time when _ they did not stop. in the first time when they— they did not stop. in the first time when they shot ali and next they shoot _ when they shot ali and next they shoot shireen and when i was next and hiding — shoot shireen and when i was next and hiding behind the tree next to the street, they still were shooting at me _ the street, they still were shooting at me and — the street, they still were shooting at me. and they did not stop. we

have seen — at me. and they did not stop. - have seen that video, that footage on twitter and we see you standing next to shireen reaching out your hand. are you sure that the bullets came from israeli gunmen? because the israeli are saying the fatal shot should have come from fire from palestinian government or by a few bullets fired from a soldier at a terrorist firing at his vehicle and they are saying there will now be an investigation. i’m they are saying there will now be an investigation-— investigation. i'm very sure that the shooting — investigation. i'm very sure that the shooting and _ investigation. i'm very sure that the shooting and the _ investigation. i'm very sure that the shooting and the bullets - investigation. i'm very sure that i the shooting and the bullets come from the _ the shooting and the bullets come from the israeli soldiers because many— from the israeli soldiers because many reasons. first one, and the important — many reasons. first one, and the important one, we were running from them _ important one, we were running from them the _ important one, we were running from them. the shooting... we saw their cars and _ them. the shooting... we saw their cars and we — them. the shooting... we saw their cars and we saw them and we were

going _ cars and we saw them and we were going to _ cars and we saw them and we were going to take photos and videos and around _ going to take photos and videos and around the — going to take photos and videos and around the house, they wanted someone — around the house, they wanted someone from there and we were going there to _ someone from there and we were going there to next to them or near to them and — there to next to them or near to them and take photos and videos and we saw— them and take photos and videos and we saw them. and we saw the shooting was coming _ we saw them. and we saw the shooting was coming and what we would run from _ was coming and what we would run from the _ was coming and what we would run from the shooting if it comes from another— from the shooting if it comes from another place, to go back from where we were _ another place, to go back from where we were to _ another place, to go back from where we were to the place, to the main street _ we were to the place, to the main street this— we were to the place, to the main street. this is the first one was the second _ street. this is the first one was the second one, i told un the beginning that the area we were standing — beginning that the area we were standing in is very difficult to move — standing in is very difficult to move. because behind us, there is a wait _

move. because behind us, there is a wait and _ move. because behind us, there is a wait and in— move. because behind us, there is a wall. and in front of us there is backyard, — wall. and in front of us there is backyard, big backyards and big house — backyard, big backyards and big house. it's a high area next to us, so the _ house. it's a high area next to us, so the student would not come from the houses — so the student would not come from the houses or from the backyard because — the houses or from the backyard because the shooter, we saw the palestinian one who was shooting, and in _ palestinian one who was shooting, and in the — palestinian one who was shooting, and in the main street, it's the end of the _ and in the main street, it's the end of the jenin — and in the main street, it's the end of thejenin camp. and in the main street, it's the end of the jenin camp. next to the main street, _ of the jenin camp. next to the main street, there is a big field and this is— street, there is a big field and this is not— street, there is a big field and this is not a street for one who will shoot _ this is not a street for one who will shoot. it is not a safe area to come and — will shoot. it is not a safe area to come and shoot from there because the israeti _ come and shoot from there because the israeli soldiers would see him and kitt— the israeli soldiers would see him and kill him or arrest him or anything _ and kill him or arrest him or anything. the only place, our only

area that — anything. the only place, our only area that the bullets will come woutd — area that the bullets will come would come from the top, the place, the cars— would come from the top, the place, the cars of— would come from the top, the place, the cars of the israeli soldier standing _ the cars of the israeli soldier standing there. and we saw the soldiers — standing there. and we saw the soldiers. and if the palestinians were _ soldiers. and if the palestinians were shooting, when they thought that we _ were shooting, when they thought that we are journalists, wife they did not— that we are journalists, wife they did not stop because we are palestinian, too. why did they not stop? _ palestinian, too. why did they not stop? is _ palestinian, too. why did they not sto - ? , palestinian, too. why did they not sto . ? , ., , palestinian, too. why did they not sto? , ., , ., ., stop? is there any explanation thou:h stop? is there any explanation though as _ stop? is there any explanation though as to — stop? is there any explanation though as to why _ stop? is there any explanation though as to why the - stop? is there any explanation though as to why the israelis l though as to why the israelis would've shot even targeted you given you rectally marked as journalists? i given you rectally marked as journalists?— given you rectally marked as journalists? i think there is a message _ journalists? i think there is a message from _ journalists? i think there is a message from that. - journalists? i think there is a message from that. they - journalists? i think there is a l message from that. they don't journalists? i think there is a - message from that. they don't want us in _ message from that. they don't want us in the _ message from that. they don't want us in the last months, jenin camp was in _ us in the last months, jenin camp was in all news around the world, notjust_ was in all news around the world, notjust in— was in all news around the world, notjust in palestine because there

is a iot— notjust in palestine because there is a tot of— notjust in palestine because there is a lot of things happening there. the arresting of people, of guys and killing _ the arresting of people, of guys and killing guys, all the the journalists from all around the world — journalists from all around the world and _ journalists from all around the world and i saw them, notjust me, the palestinian, who lives injenin now but— the palestinian, who lives injenin now but in— the palestinian, who lives injenin now but injerusalem, from ramallah came _ now but injerusalem, from ramallah came to _ now but injerusalem, from ramallah came to camp and from other countries, _ came to camp and from other countries, they come tojenin came to camp and from other countries, they come to jenin to speak— countries, they come to jenin to speak about what happened in jenin. they sent _ speak about what happened in jenin. they sent they don't will us to speak— they sent they don't will us to speak and _ they sent they don't will us to speak and this was a message from them _ speak and this was a message from them. , . ~ , ., , them. the israeli prime minister has accused mr abbas _ them. the israeli prime minister has accused mr abbas of _ them. the israeli prime minister has accused mr abbas of doing _ them. the israeli prime minister has accused mr abbas of doing blame i accused mr abbas of doing blame israel without any basis but this will obviously be a wider area for investigation apple some ijust will obviously be a wider area for investigation apple some i just ask you finally and they did not go to the funeral today and wish there was more trouble, he went to the hospital to pay respects. how will you remember shireen and how are you

today? you remember shireen and how are you toda ? ,, ., , ., , ., today? shireen, when i was a young child, i today? shireen, when i was a young child. i saw— today? shireen, when i was a young child, i saw her— today? shireen, when i was a young child, i saw her on _ today? shireen, when i was a young child, i saw her on television - today? shireen, when i was a young child, i saw her on television and . child, i saw her on television and she was— child, i saw her on television and she was my— child, i saw her on television and she was my idol. i grew up and i'm thinking _ she was my idol. i grew up and i'm thinking that i will one day be a journatist — thinking that i will one day be a journalist like shireen. and this is the heartache that i remember the one who _ the heartache that i remember the one who was teaching us journalism, the one _ one who was teaching us journalism, the one who — one who was teaching us journalism, the one who was my idol, killed next to m3, _ the one who was my idol, killed next to me. it— the one who was my idol, killed next to me. it was— the one who was my idol, killed next to me, it was very hard. i cannot understand — to me, it was very hard. i cannot understand why all this happened. she was— understand why all this happened. she was very kind. i remember the first time _ she was very kind. i remember the first time i—

she was very kind. i remember the first time i met her in someplace that were — first time i met her in someplace that were going to work, to do our 'ob that were going to work, to do our job as _ that were going to work, to do our job asjournalists, and that were going to work, to do our job as journalists, and when that were going to work, to do our job asjournalists, and when i got to speak— job asjournalists, and when i got to speak with her, i thought i am young journalist and she is big journalist, how will she speak with me? _ journalist, how will she speak with me? and — journalist, how will she speak with me? and she was very kind with me. she smiled. — me? and she was very kind with me. she smiled, she stayed with me and she asked _ she smiled, she stayed with me and she asked me about myjob. she was very kind _ she asked me about myjob. she was very kind. and every time we met in events— very kind. and every time we met in events or— very kind. and every time we met in events or anything, she spoke with me and _ events or anything, she spoke with me and asked me about myself and for our tast— me and asked me about myself and for our last day— me and asked me about myself and for our last day out, the last moments, we sought— our last day out, the last moments, we sought shireen in the morning before _ we sought shireen in the morning before we — we sought shireen in the morning before we go to what happened, she was very— before we go to what happened, she was very happy. she told us good morning — was very happy. she told us good morning with a big smile. she was playing _ morning with a big smile. she was playing with her hair and she is someone — playing with her hair and she is someone who loved to live and the

killing _ someone who loved to live and the killing her. — someone who loved to live and the killing her, they end a beautiful and a _ killing her, they end a beautiful and a great person.— killing her, they end a beautiful and a great person. thank you very much indeed _ and a great person. thank you very much indeed for _ and a great person. thank you very much indeed for talking _ and a great person. thank you very much indeed for talking to - and a great person. thank you very much indeed for talking to us - and a great person. thank you veryl much indeed for talking to us today. we are obviously very sorry to see what has happened i know there will be a lot of investigation from all sides as to what has happened now but thank you very much for giving us your account of the events this week. thank you. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: the bbc crew runs for cover as russian forces bombard an area near the south—eastern ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia. the pope was shot, the pope will live — that's the essence of the appalling news from rome this afternoon, that, as an italian television commentator put it, "terrorism had come to the vatican." the man they called the butcher of lille, klaus barbie,

went on trial today in the french town where he was the gestapo chief in the second world war. winnie mandela never looked like a woman just sentenced to six years injail. the judge told mrs mandela there was no indication she felt even the slightest remorse. the chinese government has called for an all—out effort to help - the victims of a powerful. earthquake, the worst to hit the country in 30 years. the computer deep blue has tonight triumphed over the world chess champion, gary kasparov. it's the first time a machine has defeated a reigning world champion in a classical chess match. america's first legal same—sex marriages have been taking place in massachusetts. god bless america! cheering this is bbc news. the latest headlines — let's move to the situation

in ukraine now. 79 days into the war, and russian troops are intensifying their attacks in parts of the south—east, which are now seeing some of the heaviest fighting. with the port city of mariupol almost entirely under russian control, theirforces have been pushing north and west, zaporizhzhia, a city still in ukrainian hands, where many civilians have sought refuge. our correspondent laura bicker and camera journalistjulie ritson have been to the front line, arriving as russia attacked. it started with a low rumble and plumes of black smoke. we'd barely arrived when the barrage began. this small factory took the first hit. but the russians weren't done. explosions. get down! the thundering of shells is a new deadly dawn chorus

for this once sleepy hamlet. the children have mostly fled to safety. others, although shaken, are determined to hold on to what they know, even while their neighbours' house is burning. translation: i saw some smoke and decided to have a look. - yesterday evening, i came down and saw that one. two houses down, there's no roof there any more. and today, this one got hit. the rest of the villagers are along here, says the captain. with no electricity, meals are cooked outside when it's safe. but the blasts have forced them underground. however hard it may be to stay, their presence has become an act of defiance. translation: we're waiting for victory. i we want all our children, - our grandchildren, to come back home, and we want somewhere to come back to _ we want our home to stay . unscathed, and notjust ours, but for all the people that had to leave. _

i was told this building was intact this morning, which gives you an idea of kind of the intensity of shelling this village is facing. the ukrainians have built up their forces, taking forces from elsewhere in the country and put them here, to keep the russians at bay. when i asked how far the russians will come north, the answer i got was "as far as we let them". and this invasion is personal to the local ukrainian force. translation: in our battalions, there are many people _ whose homes and relatives are in the occupied territories. they are very determined, and all they're waiting for is an order to advance, to come back to their home villages, towns and districts. there are no military targets here in these tree—lined streets, just much—prized family homes. the volley of shells just missed this house. oh, yeah, that has been a direct hit. it's hard to comprehend just how close this war has come.

translation: i was under the shed there when i heard the shots - and ran into the cellar. even as thoughts of a clear—up begin, the bombardment continues, shattering lives one barrage at a time. laura bicker, bbc news, near zaporizhzhia. that is it for now. we are back with the headlines and of course much more on the news website and i am on twitter as well if you want to get in touch. thank you for being with us. hello. it was a bright and breezy day for most of us today. saturday's not looking bad at all, with more sunny spells in the forecast. however, there are thundery showers also predicted saturday night into sunday morning across southern parts of the country.

but in the short term, it's quiet. on the weather front, high pressure is building in from the south, but low pressure still fairly close to the north of the country. and you can see all of that thick cloud, so actually it wasn't that bright and breezy across scotland, it was actually really windy with occasional showers and quite cloudy conditions there in the western isles. but through the course of the night, i think it's a case of clear spells in eastern scotland, the south of scotland and everywhere south of that. just a bit of mist forming in the countryside early on saturday morning. the temperatures will range from a fairly chilly 6 degrees in newcastle to about 11, i think, in cardiff. so let's have a look at the weather map, then, for saturday. that high pressure centred across northern france, belgium and holland spreading northwards. hints of some showers. there already approaching us later on saturday, but let's concentrate on the early part of the day. again, beautifulstart with lots of sunny spells around, just scattered fair weather clouds in the afternoon. and a warm one across the bulk

of england, temperatures in the low 20s away from the coasts, and then elsewhere, i think we'll get at least the high teens. so on those thundery showers, we think the showers will reach the southwest first and then, through the course of saturday night, spread further north and east, and i think the risk of thunder and lightning is higher the further east you are. and then this is sunday morning. you can still see some showers around. they should be fading and then moving northwards, so for a time, i think, during sunday, could be cloudy and showery for at least one or two of us in the north of england and also wales. but that won't last for very long, that break, because further showers are expected late on sunday and into monday. and then we'll enter a fairly unsettled spell of weather as we head into next week. i think more northern and western areas are likely to catch some showers. further south, some showers, too, but it is going to stay on the warm side, even up to 25 by tuesday in london.

bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: israeli police have beaten mourners carrying the coffin of the aljazeera reporter shireen abu aqla, whose killing in the occupied west bank has caused a surge of anger. the russian and us defence

secretaries have spoken for the first time since moscow's invasion of ukraine in february.