i'v e made me a better person because i've been able to learn about their culture and different religions and it's all a bit working together and supporting each other and having good workers. 50 supporting each other and having good women-— supporting each other and having good workm— supporting each other and having good workers. so it's that as well? the enrichment _ good workers. so it's that as well? the enrichment argument? - good workers. so it's that as well? - the enrichment argument? definitely, the end of the — the enrichment argument? definitely, the end of the day _ the enrichment argument? definitely, the end of the day it _ the enrichment argument? definitely, the end of the day it makes _ the enrichment argument? definitely, the end of the day it makes us - the end of the day it makes us understand what's going on around us. there's always plenty ofjobs, if people are looking for a job around ourarea, if people are looking for a job around our area, the company is always willing to take people on, it has posters outside, asking people to apply forjobs, giving phone numbers and there is plentyjobs for people. numbers and there is plenty “obs for --eole. ., numbers and there is plenty “obs for --eole. . ., numbers and there is plenty “obs for neale, ., ., y., i numbers and there is plenty “obs for| people.— i do people. helena, what you think? i do totally agree- — people. helena, what you think? i do totally agree. don't _ people. helena, what you think? i do totally agree. don't want _ people. helena, what you think? i do totally agree. don't want anyone - people. helena, what you think? i do totally agree. don't want anyone to l totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there _ totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there and — totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there and think _ totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there and think we _ totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there and think we should - totally agree. don't want anyone to sit there and think we should not. sit there and think we should not have _ sit there and think we should not have himm _

sit there and think we should not have him- - -_ have him... military aid for ukraine- — have him... military aid for ukraine. this _ have him. .. military aid for ukraine. this year- have him... military aid for ukraine. this year for - have him... military aid for| ukraine. this year for those have him... military aid for i ukraine. this year for those of have him... military aid for - ukraine. this year for those of you justjoining us, these are images of president zelensky�*s visit to the uk prime minister rishi sunak in the country residence chequers, around 40 country residence chequers, around a0 miles north of london and buckinghamshire. so that is what is expected to happen there, expected to discuss the option of military aid and support for ukraine. the prime minister rishi sunak has met with president zelensky in ukraine, he was there last november on his first visit as prime minister in the early two men met and discussed military aid, and earlier this year in february, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky visited the uk

and addressed parliament here. and in a tweet today, president zelensky described the prime minister as my friend and relations have been cordial between the two and this timing is quite key because this tour, culminating in this visit, this timing is ahead of what is expected to be a ukrainian counteroffensive, in the uk has already pledged hundreds of attack drones, that's come from downing street, which made an announcement a couple of days ago about what it would be to plan ukraine with, so on

thursday two to help fight the russian invasion. that they renew that pledge and said they have pledged hundreds of long range missiles dawn president zelensky has met the leaders of germany, italy and france in the last few days and secure promises of further support from them. there is still a lot we are yet to find out about what will be happening in this meeting between the two leaders, but what we do understand is that it is going to be a relatively brief discussion, so president zelensky is expected to spend no more than a couple of hours in his meeting with rishi sunak. the uk government has been quite keen to emphasise it is a courtesy and that is how it is characterised by the government, so these are the images

you're seeing from february and as i mentioned earlier, that that's when president zelensky visited the uk, and as you can see, met prime minister rishi sunak then, also addressed parliament at the time and this time the message from the government has been that it is a courtesy any catch up rather than a negotiation, and we were speaking to the political correspondent nick eardley earlier and he was saying that perhaps this distinction was in order to take care to not overpromise anything and to manage expectations in terms of the choice of wording of this, but in terms of what is likely to be promised, what has been said already is hundreds of air defence missiles and long—range attack drones are being pledged to help ukraine's efforts in fending

off the russian invasion. that has come from downing street. in terms of what the uk said, in terms of the british government, they said rishi sunak, the prime minister, would reiterate the importance of intimating a full package of support ukraine, and that's because one of the things the prime minister has emphasised is that it is in everyone's best interest to support ukraine's efforts and provide president zelensky with the support thatis president zelensky with the support that is needed. i'll give you a bit of an extract from what president zelensky said on twitter. he said the uk is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air and president zelensky went on to say in his tweet that this cooperation will continue today, i will meet my friend richey, we will conduct substantive

negotiations face—to—face and in delegations, so this was one of the messages he put on twitter. we'll just pause to say goodbye to our viewers on pbs but the rest of you stay with us on bbc news. the rest of you, thank you for saying what is on bbc news, what we've been showing you our live images from chequers, where president zelensky is meeting prime minister rishi sunak is the latest in his european tour, speaking to leaders in order to push for more military aid. he has already been to speak to the leaders in germany, france, this is his latest, his fourth stop, live images, the images she saw a moment ago were from the prime minister a's meeting with president zelensky, president zelensky�*s visit to the uk

backin president zelensky�*s visit to the uk back in february, but these are live images, these are recorded images from a little earlier. we are expecting to see images from chequers their cup with with the meeting between rishi sunak and president zelensky from ukraine. if you didn't quitejoin us president zelensky from ukraine. if you didn't quite join us at the beginning of a showing you those pictures are there, just to reiterate, what is expected to be the point of discussion in that meeting, it is military aid that is expected that president zelensky is pushing for a head of an expected ukrainian counteroffensive, and the uk announced it would supply long—range missiles to fight the invasion and pledged hundreds of air defence missiles and long—range attack drones, the latest from downing street. let's find out more

about that and go live to westminster and our political correspondent. talk us through some of the expectations in terms of what the prime minister, the uk government is likely to be able to agree to in terms of this meeting with president zelensky? this meetin: with president zelensky? this meeting coming _ with president zelensky? in 3 meeting coming largely is with president zelensky? in 1 meeting coming largely is quite a surprise, president zelensky tweeting this morning that he was going to meet with his friend, meet with the british prime minister rishi sunak at the premiership's countryside estate, president zelensky actually the first international leader that has been hosted there, and one consistent element of uk government policy that has gone from when borisjohnson was prime minister through until now, rishi sunak being prime minister, is the support from ukraine, the rhetoric very similar, the talk of putting a lot of faith and a lot of

hopein putting a lot of faith and a lot of hope in a ukrainian victory after the russian invasion is an element of policy that certainly hasn't really changed despite all the changes of prime minister we've had in recent times in the uk, and we saw last week the defence secretary announcing they would be more cruise missiles going to ukraine, we also understand there will be talk of more missiles today when rishi sunak and zelensky sit down with one another, and also talk of additional drones, attack drones that will be given to ukraine. rishi sunak has a lot of travelling coming up, it's going to the council of europe and iceland, has a meeting of the g7 advanced economies injapan shortly, and it seems like an advance of those meetings he is wanting to have this sit down with president zelensky, discuss what ukraine could need for this expected counteroffensive that could be coming shortly and he will be taking that message of ukrainian support to

cancel zero, to the g7 when he goes on these international trips in the coming days and weeks. aha, on these international trips in the coming days and weeks.- on these international trips in the coming days and weeks. a few moments auo we saw coming days and weeks. a few moments ago we saw live — coming days and weeks. a few moments ago we saw live images _ coming days and weeks. a few moments ago we saw live images of— coming days and weeks. a few moments ago we saw live images of the _ ago we saw live images of the helicopter landing at chequers and it's understood that is what was transporting president zelensky and we understand the two men have already gone inside to begin their talks. just tell us in terms of the importance of this, why now? of course i think there's a couple of things going on, firstly talk of the ukrainian counteroffensive. trying to push russian forces back and retake some of the initiative in the conflict itself. and also there is this fact that president zelensky found himself meeting other leaders in europe even though this visit was a surprise and we did not know what was coming, it makes sense if he is

visiting european capitals that he will come to the uk and meet with the uk prime minister because we know since the time borisjohnson was prime minister, there has been that emphasis within the uk government abroad agreement across all uk political parties of wanting to give ukraine as much support as possible. with rishi sunak, with a few important international visits coming up, iceland, japan for the g7, it is coming up, iceland, japanforthe g7, it is a coming up, iceland, japan for the g7, it is a good opportunity for him as prime minister to talk about recent meetings with president zelensky on what he thinks the uk should do and what other countries can do to rip out the russian invasion. rishi sunak saying in remarks released ahead of the meeting with president zelensky, we must not let them down, the front line of the aggression, the fault lines stretching all over the world so the message that rishi sunak will try and take that message with him

when he meets with other international leaders, but other countries must do as much as they can to help the ukrainian war effort. it will be interesting to look at this meeting between rishi sunak and presidents go president zelensky, one of the body talk about more missiles and drones. but last time president zelensky was in the uk he was asking a lot of questions about fighterjets and that uk he was asking a lot of questions about fighter jets and that was perhaps an area that the uk was not quite able to meet his expectations and what he was asking for so we need to keep an eye on the sort of dialogue that comes out from the meeting that they are having in chequers. meeting that they are having in che . uers. meeting that they are having in cheuuers. ., ~ ,. chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for — chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. _ chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. we _ chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. we can _ chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. we can go - chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. we can go live - chequers. david, thank you, we will leave it for now. we can go live to l leave it for now. we can go live to our correspondent in kyiv. you go, we have seen images of the helicopter landing at chequers and

we understand that men are beginning their talks but how key is it to the defence efforts of ukraine that president zelensky gets the support he is after? i president zelensky gets the support he is after? ~ , he is after? i think it is commercial. _ he is after? i think it is commercial. the - he is after? i think it is - commercial. the president has he is after? i think it is _ commercial. the president has said ukrainian military still does not have everything it needs to go ahead with this counteroffensive. we have been talking about this for a very long time. ukraine has been receiving weapons, equipment from western countries. thousands of ukrainian soldiers have been trained in nato countries and now they is the expectation the military will go ahead with this counteroffensive to try to take back territory that is now under occupation so again, the president today will have conversations with the prime minister rishi sunak, i think we have had a statement from downing

street giving some details of what is going to be announced by the prime minister later today in terms of extra military support from the uk to ukraine. that includes hundreds of air defence missiles and over the last few months we have seen the importance of these missiles in protecting towns and cities from russian air strikes. russia has been using missiles and attack drones to target cities and places away from the front line and these systems have been vital in protecting the civilian population and also key facilities from these air strikes. this is part of what will be announced later today. also new long—range attack drones so this is part of the extra military support that will be announced by the prime minister later and i think this comes days after the uk became the first country to provide ukraine

with longer range cruise missiles. this is a kind of weapon that the ukrainians have set for a long time that they needed to strike russian positions away from the front lines, deep inside russian —controlled territory. again, ithink deep inside russian —controlled territory. again, i think the visit today comes after president zelensky visited italy, germany where there was also the announcement of the massive military package and yesterday he was in france where he met with president emmanuel macron and today he is in london, the uk has been a key ally of ukraine in this role, providing military support for ukraine to fight back and to try to take back territory now in this war. again, i think the ukrainians know the next phase of this war will be crucial because they want to show all the military equipment and support that they have received from the west can result in

major gains in the battlefield. i think there is perhaps the fear here that any result that is seen as disappointing could result in pressure on the government here in kyiv to enter negotiations with the russians. ., ., ~ , ., ., russians. hugo, thank you, we are “ust russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing _ russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing an _ russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing an image _ russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing an image of _ russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing an image of a - russians. hugo, thank you, we are just showing an image of a tweet i just showing an image of a tweet that the prime minister rishi sunak is sent from his account in the past couple of minutes, an image of the two men embracing and you can see the helicopter behind. the british prime minister rishi sunak hugging the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky with rishi sunak tweeting welcome back to his account, a reference to the fact president zelensky was here in february as well. the two men met them. we showed images of that earlier, together in february. this is an

image that was taken a very short time ago that has been tweeted a couple of minutes ago by the prime minister. hugo, let me bring her back in. is there a concern, a sense of anxiety, that there is a finite amount of support, that there could be an end or a limitation to the desire or the ability of leaders to help? desire or the ability of leaders to hel ? , , ., ~' , desire or the ability of leaders to hel? , ~ , . desire or the ability of leaders to hel? , ~' , . help? this is a key concern. i spoke to president — help? this is a key concern. i spoke to president zelensky _ help? this is a key concern. i spoke to president zelensky last - help? this is a key concern. i spoke to president zelensky last weekend | to president zelensky last weekend and he told me he thought some people may be tired of the war and that could result in some pressure on western countries to perhaps try to put pressure on ukraine to enter negotiations with the russian authorities and again i think president zelensky warned of the risk of a frozen conflict. he said

this is perhaps what russia is trying to achieve in ukraine. trying to freeze the front lines. because this could perhaps result in pressure on the ukrainian authorities to negotiate with 0scar. if you look at the map, nearly one fifth of this country remains under occupation. the next phase of the war will probably be extremely difficult, we know russia has fortified positions across the front line so it will be extremely challenging for ukraine and over the last few weeks, i think there has been an effort by the ukrainian authorities to manage expectations ahead of the counteroffensive and what we are seeing is officials saying this is unlikely to be unique, major push, it will be a combination of different actions and attacks. and one official told me this is not likely to beat the silver bullet in this conflict so

again i think the ukrainians are talking to their western partners and manage expectations ahead of this much anticipated counteroffensive. ., ., ,, , ., counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, we will leave _ counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, we will leave it _ counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, we will leave it there _ counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, we will leave it there for _ counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, we will leave it there for a - counteroffensive. hugo, thank you, | we will leave it there for a moment. those images use sawjust seven seconds ago were from chequers, from if you minutes ago, the helicopter arriving and landing carrying president zelensky to the country residence of the prime minister in buckinghamshire. there you can see rishi sunak there, and president volodymyr zelensky arriving. the man walking side by side. ahead of the talks that they are having so these images have come in from the past few minutes, turning around and posing on the steps with a handshake and we showed you a little bit earlier tweet that the prime minister rishi sunak scent of the men hugging as soon as president

zelensky has stepped from the helicopter. that is the two of them heading into begin the discussions, this was from if you minutes ago and we understand the talks have started to push for more military aid for the ukrainian efforts to fend off the ukrainian efforts to fend off the russian invasion. we understand this is the first time that prime minister rishi sunak has had a world leader at chequers. let's listen in. i look forward to us to discussing what more we can do to support you and your country. first what more we can do to support you and your country-— and your country. first of all, thank you _ and your country. first of all, thank you very _ and your country. first of all, thank you very much. - and your country. first of all, thank you very much. your i and your country. first of all, - thank you very much. your support is already— thank you very much. your support is already a _ thank you very much. your support is already a lot — thank you very much. your support is already a lot for us and you have done _ already a lot for us and you have done a _ already a lot for us and you have done a lot— already a lot for us and you have done a lot for us, your government and his _ done a lot for us, your government and his majesty the king and your people _ and his majesty the king and your people and society. we are thankful for all— people and society. we are thankful for all our— people and society. we are thankful for all our hearts from ukrainians, from _ for all our hearts from ukrainians, from our— for all our hearts from ukrainians, from our soldiers and it is a privilege _ from our soldiers and it is a privilege to be here for the first

time _ privilege to be here for the first time because we hope it will not be the last _ time because we hope it will not be the last. , , ., ., , the last. definitely not the last. we will discuss _ the last. definitely not the last. we will discuss difficult - the last. definitely not the last. we will discuss difficult issues, | we will discuss difficult issues, urgent — we will discuss difficult issues, urgent issues, support for ukraine and i_ urgent issues, support for ukraine and i love — urgent issues, support for ukraine and i love europe so thank you, thank— and i love europe so thank you, thank you — and i love europe so thank you, thank you that you are hosting me. god is_ thank you that you are hosting me. god is great— thank you that you are hosting me. god is great to have you here my friend, it is great to have you here. thank you very much, everyone. studio: we werejust here. thank you very much, everyone. studio: we were just listening here. thank you very much, everyone. studio: we werejust listening into some words exchanged by the leaders. it was president volodymyr zelensky thanking prime minister rishi sunak sein thank you, you have done a lot, your government has done a lot, he mentioned king charles, the people and he said we are thankful from our hearts and one key thing that stood out was he said this is the first time here referring to the fact that this is his first visit to chequers

because of course he has been to the uk to meet rishi sunak a couple of times before last november and again in february and the two men met in ukraine last november. the first time in chequers but the key point was he set you said it is not the last and prime minister rishi sunak jumped in and said definitely not the last so an indication there will be further meetings between the man. that was just the images that have come from chequers for the men are meeting to discuss further aid from the uk to ukraine. this is the fourth stop in a two of other european leaders for president zelensky has already met to discuss further support for ukraine. for those of you justjoining us, to reiterate, those images we saw of president zelensky and prime

minister rishi sunak were from just an a few minutes ago but let's get more analysis from doctor patrick beery, a defence and security expert at the university of bath and a former nato analyst. tell us the significance of this fourth and latest meeting between president zelensky and a european leader. goad zelensky and a european leader. good morninu. it zelensky and a european leader. good morning- it is — zelensky and a european leader. good morning. it is part _ zelensky and a european leader. good morning. it is part of— zelensky and a european leader. good morning. it is part of a _ zelensky and a european leader. (13mm morning. it is part of a whirlwind tour essentially over the last week orso tour essentially over the last week or so with president zelensky going around and i think we're sharing western leaders on the one hand that preparations are being made and there is progress being made in the ukrainian counteroffensive and asking for more. i think asking for more maybe the s and i am the situation developing after the events have commenced where it may be going slow, it may not look like progress is being made. there may be questions beginning to appear about

should we keep supporting this? if you were president zelensky you will be going around and getting more support now to ensure you can maintain your military offensive evenifin maintain your military offensive even if in the early days it looks like progress is potentially slower than people expect and questions are being asked. that would be prudent. potentially he has realised that and is going for the next round of support. stillamerican is going for the next round of support. still american support coming so it's notjust europe and these powers but it seems to make sense from a longer term planning perspective that he gets out there now and lays the groundwork. i also think the uk hasjust pledged now and lays the groundwork. i also think the uk has just pledged today hundreds of longer range, perhaps 200 kilometres missiles, on top of the storm shadow missiles they pledged on thursday so there is a very practical element to this. fine

very practical element to this. one ofthe very practical element to this. one of the key points _ very practical element to this. one of the key points being emphasised ljy of the key points being emphasised by both sides is how important this is for the wider security of nato, that's something the prime minister rishi sunak and the government have alluded to earlier today and we saw images of the meant meeting for president zelensky said this is of course not only ukrainian security but for all our security. how much of a factor do you think that point will be in these discussions? aha, will be in these discussions? massive factor. strategic situation, nato has never been stronger as a result of the russian invasion, sweden looking tojoin, then result of the russian invasion, sweden looking to join, then land havejoined. massive increase in defence spending across europe especially in the east, poland now a major military power. basically the exact opposite of what vladimir putin would have wanted and it has galvanised the west and the us who look at this and i think they have

spent 5% of the defence budget destroying 50% of the russian army, a win for them as well. in terms of the wider security this is about not only values, democracy, international order but also about bolstering ground defences and inflicting losses on the russians as a cost of their invasion. that is the wider picture. then you have the message, what does this send to taiwan that ukrainian resistance? what does it send to china around abuses of the invading another country? there is a lot of messages going backwards and forwards at strategic levels.— going backwards and forwards at strategic levels. earlier we heard from our correspondent - strategic levels. earlier we heard from our correspondent hugo - strategic levels. earlier we heard from our correspondent hugo in | strategic levels. earlier we heard - from our correspondent hugo in kyiv who said there is perhaps a sense of uncertainty perhaps not anxiety

about the level of support continuing in the future in terms of whether these levels of support are finite, what the limit will be. and actually when the men met, rishi sunak and president zelensky met briefly we saw images of them, president zelensky saying this is my first time here, you have said it is not the last and rishi sunakjumping in and reiterating say definitely not the last. how important is that message as well to almost kind of a signpost to say there will be more of this to come? that signpost to say there will be more of this to come?— signpost to say there will be more of this to come? that is exactly at. not only is — of this to come? that is exactly at. not only is he _ of this to come? that is exactly at. not only is he looking _ of this to come? that is exactly at. not only is he looking for - of this to come? that is exactly at. | not only is he looking for continued support, he and the west are messaging to russia we are in this for the long run. if the attack bogs down and does not go as well as expected we are still behind the ukrainians. i think that is really important. i do think as hugo said,

a really good point, there is a management of expectations going on ljy management of expectations going on by ukraine to be aware. and look at the military problem they are faced with, this spring almost summer. they are attacking better defended lines the russians, if they are anywhere clever, have a good idea for it they may potentially attack so ukraine potentially has to find a way to probe and think and deceive and fix forces down before they unleash their counteroffensive and it could be any number of directions, who knows? the initial stages of this offensive will probably look much more like a shaping or probing operation where they try to find weak points and i expect slower progress at the stop at the final thing that may be decisive in all of this is morale. you can defend lines and both fortifications but at the soldiers

under bombardment are not really willing to fight and stick with it, the ukrainians are fighting for their homeland and still highly motivated, that may prove decisive. patrick, as always, thank you for sharing your thoughts. let's pick up on that last point that patrick made about the importance of this for morale. philip ingram, a former british military intelligence officer, thank you forjoining us. what role does this play in this counteroffensive in the progress of the war? it’s counteroffensive in the progress of the war? �* , , counteroffensive in the progress of the war? 3 , ., the war? it's extremely important and probably _ the war? it's extremely important and probably the _ the war? it's extremely important and probably the most _ the war? it's extremely important and probably the most importantl and probably the most important factor of the conflict. ukrainians are fighting for the protection and the safety of their homeland, families and their very existence and that gives them a much stronger moral element and moral component to theirfighting powerfor moral element and moral component to their fighting power for as the russians did not know, most of the

trips do not know why they are there and they are lacking motivation and training and everything else and thatis training and everything else and that is seen in the way you get this david versus goliath and goliath is losing in this operation and another for president zelensky is doing at the moment is reinforcing ukrainian morale and on morale with the announcement of a defence and longer range munitions. brute announcement of a defence and longer range munitions.— range munitions. we have heard about the ractical range munitions. we have heard about the practical pledge — range munitions. we have heard about the practical pledge of— range munitions. we have heard about the practical pledge of support - range munitions. we have heard about the practical pledge of support but - the practical pledge of support but what difference does the messaging make is a key thing we have seen with volodymyr zelensky referring to prime minister rishi sunak as my friend in a tweet and some moments ago, we saw the meeting between the men and we listened in and we heard rishi sunak reciprocate and refer to president zelensky as my friend as well. how much of a part does the messaging play? the well. how much of a part does the messaging play?— well. how much of a part does the messaging play? the messaging is critical and it _

messaging play? the messaging is critical and it has _ messaging play? the messaging is critical and it has been _ messaging play? the messaging is critical and it has been a _ messaging play? the messaging is critical and it has been a really - critical and it has been a really important part of the whole conflict. sending a very clear message to vladimir putin or whoever takes overfrom him if his message to vladimir putin or whoever takes over from him if his days are numbered that the west is completely behind president zelensky and will remain so until russia is pushed out, that messaging is happening at a strategic level and the announcement of the weapons going on is bringing messaging in at operational and tactical levels. we must remember only a few weeks ago when us top secret documents were released at were seeing the ukrainians would run out of air defence missiles quickly. look at the announcements coming from germany and from rishi sunak yesterday and today a lot of it is about a defence and missile profession and that again sends a clear message to the russians that no matter what you think may have happened, we are here to support ukraine. , �* , ., ~ happened, we are here to support ukraine. , �*, ., ,, ., ukraine. philip, let's talk about the practical — ukraine. philip, let's talk about the practical and _ ukraine. philip, let's talk about the practical and military- ukraine. philip, let's talk about i the practical and military support, the practical and military support,

the weapons promised. explain to people what difference that could make to the counteroffensive? it will make a huge difference. the storm shadow missiles that are being provided at the moment means russians command and control and logistics hubs anywhere inside occupied ukraine can be targeted and the ukrainians are proving that they are targeting, the russians thought they were safe and we have seen panic or they have been indications of panic in russian air systems for they shot down a couple of their own aircraft some days ago and now the announcement of long—range drones that could go out 200 kilometres. the storm shadow is 250 plus kilometres, this is all part of the shaping operation and means that whatever the russians have logistics hubs, whatever they are collecting trips and trying to bring together additional capability to defend against ukrainian counter attacks, they can be had and that will have a

massive psychological blow as well as providing the defence capability thatis as providing the defence capability that is there to stop the russian drones attacking ukraine and attacking into the ukrainian counterattacks. it's different layers of capability that's being provided and the other thing that president zelensky will be after it was to make sure it is sustainable so once he starts his counteroffensive he will continue a flow of weapons systems and so they can sustain the counteroffensive because of the russian defence collapse is quickly presidency landscape may have to make sure it is sustainable so once he starts his counteroffensive he will continue a flow of weapons systems and so they can sustain the counteroffensive because of the russian defence collapse as quickly presidency landscape may have to mess over quickly. landscape may have to mess over cuickl . , , ., , landscape may have to mess over cuickl. , , , quickly. philip, please stay with us because i want _ quickly. philip, please stay with us because i want to _ quickly. philip, please stay with us because i want to ask _ quickly. philip, please stay with us because i want to ask you - quickly. philip, please stay with us because i want to ask you more i quickly. philip, please stay with us i because i want to ask you more about theissue because i want to ask you more about the issue of sustainability but for viewers joining the issue of sustainability but for viewersjoining us, let me show the issue of sustainability but for viewers joining us, let me show you again the images from earlier between the prime minister rishi sunak and president volodymyr zelensky. we have a snippet of what they say to each other when they met. ., ., .. ., , ,

met. you are actually the first foreian met. you are actually the first foreign leader _ met. you are actually the first foreign leader that _ met. you are actually the first foreign leader that i _ met. you are actually the first foreign leader that i have - met. you are actually the first foreign leader that i have had| met. you are actually the first i foreign leader that i have had the privilege of welcoming here as prime minister and there's a lot of great history, this room that we are standing in winston churchill met many of his famous beaches in world war ii from the stream on the same way today your leadership and the bravery and fortitude of your country is an inspiration to us all and i look forward to discussing what more we can do to support you. first of all, thank you, you have supported — first of all, thank you, you have supported a lot for us. you did a lot, your— supported a lot for us. you did a lot, your government and his majesty the king. _ lot, your government and his majesty the king, and of course your people, your society, — the king, and of course your people, your society, we are thankful for all our— your society, we are thankful for all our hearts, from ukrainians, from _ all our hearts, from ukrainians, from our— all our hearts, from ukrainians, from our soldiers and it is a privilege _ from our soldiers and it is a privilege to be here. the first time, — privilege to be here. the first time, he _ privilege to be here. the first time, he said not the last! definitely not the last. we will discuss — definitely not the last. we will discuss very important issues and urgent _ discuss very important issues and urgent support for ukraine and security— urgent support for ukraine and security not only for ukraine but

all of _ security not only for ukraine but all of europe so thank you, thank you that — all of europe so thank you, thank you that you are hosting me and you invited _ you that you are hosting me and you invited me — you that you are hosting me and you invited me. it you that you are hosting me and you invited me. , you that you are hosting me and you invited me— invited me. it is great to have you here, my friend. _ invited me. it is great to have you here, my friend. thank _ invited me. it is great to have you here, my friend. thank you, i here, my friend. thank you, everyone. here, my friend. thank you, everyone-— here, my friend. thank you, eve one. . ., ., ., , everyone. that was to two leaders meetin: everyone. that was to two leaders meeting president _ everyone. that was to two leaders meeting president zelensky i everyone. that was to two leaders | meeting president zelensky saying that was his first time meeting president rishi sunak at chequers, because the men met when president zelensky visited in february. but if you listen carefully you would happily president zelensky saying this is the first time here but you set not the last time and rishi sunak saying definitely not. philip, this takes us back to the point be made on the issue of sustainability because that's the important question. what do you think that limit or level is? how sustainable is the supply of weapons and support? is the supply of weapons and su ort? ~ , ., is the supply of weapons and su . oft? . , ., . support? the weston defence industrial base _ support? the weston defence industrial base is _ support? the weston defence industrial base is huge - support? the weston defence i industrial base is huge compared to the russian defence industrial base so theoretically it is almost

infinitely sustainable providing countries want to continue to support politically and financially. but surely the financial support is not infinitely sustainable? it is. not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end _ not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of _ not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of it, _ not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of it, it _ not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of it, it is _ not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of it, it is going i not infinitely sustainable? it is, to the end of it, it is going to l to the end of it, it is going to have to be. if we do not enable ukrainians to defeat russia then that will mean there will have to be massive expenditure on military capability to defend against a growing russian threat and then the potential message that can give to other countries around the world that want to go and take over pieces of territory, for example china into taiwan. whilst it seems huge numbers at the moment and it is, eye watering a large, it is a small drop in the ocean compared to what it would be if the russians are not pushed out of ukraine and that sends the wrong message to other countries. the sustainability from an economic perspective is there, we have us elections and uk elections

coming up, the turkish elections are all at the moment and there will be elections across europe, it is the political piece that is difficult for presidents galinsky to get a clear understanding of how he will get political support if people do not suffer ukraine fatigue. that will happen before the economics dry up. will happen before the economics dry u . _ , ., will happen before the economics dry u -. , ., ., ., will happen before the economics dry up. philip ingram, got to speak to ou and up. philip ingram, got to speak to you and thank— up. philip ingram, got to speak to you and thank you _ up. philip ingram, got to speak to you and thank you for _ up. philip ingram, got to speak to you and thank you for waiting i up. philip ingram, got to speak to j you and thank you for waiting with us while we shared those pictures. philip ingram, a former british military intelligence officer. let's get more political analysis from david willis law court. we were hearing from philip ingram, the former british military intelligence officer, the importance of sustaining this financial and military support but it comes down to political well! what do you think the balance will be between those two here in the uk?— the balance will be between those two here in the uk? what has been interestin:

two here in the uk? what has been interesting is _ two here in the uk? what has been interesting is the _ two here in the uk? what has been interesting is the support _ two here in the uk? what has been interesting is the support for i interesting is the support for ukraine has been doing a lot of political turmoil in the uk and frequent changes of prime minister and the last 12 months has remained one of the few constants we have seen from boris johnson one of the few constants we have seen from borisjohnson through less trust in rishi sunak, all three of them including borisjohnson making sure support for ukraine is strong and they want to do as much as they believe they can in order to help ukraine see off the russian invasion and emerge victorious in that conflict. of course what is clear from the tweets we have seen from both volodymyr zelensky and rishi sunak who tweeted that picture of the men hugging then president zelensky arrived in chequers, there is a good personal relationship between the prime minister and the ukrainian president bob volodymyr zelensky described the talks today as negotiations. we assume it will be about what the uk can provide

ukraine, we heard in advance of the meeting rishi sunak talking about extra missiles going to ukraine, attack drones, but i suppose we wonder if volodymyr zelensky will ask for more than that and for the uk response will be?— ask for more than that and for the uk response will be? david, this is the fourth in _ uk response will be? david, this is the fourth in a _ uk response will be? david, this is the fourth in a series _ uk response will be? david, this is the fourth in a series of— uk response will be? david, this is the fourth in a series of visits i the fourth in a series of visits that the ukrainian president has been making. with european leaders. he has already spoken to leaders in germany, france and italy. how does the relationship between the uk prime minister and him compared with that because he has emphasised, hasn't he, he has described the uk as a main leader in providing support so what is the comparison between the uk leader and those of other countries? it between the uk leader and those of other countries?— other countries? it was interesting because we _ other countries? it was interesting because we know _ other countries? it was interesting because we know volodymyr i other countries? it was interesting i because we know volodymyr zelensky believes the uk was one of the first

nations to come to the aid of ukraine when the invasion happened. we know he is a world leader who likes to invoke winston churchill, the uk wartime prime minister, sometimes and i noticed in his welcome remarks rishi sunak mentioned the room they were in at chequers was one in which winston churchill made a number of wartime speeches so i am sure that comment was put in their particular for his guest. of course, for president zelensky may at some point have been worried about is the turmoil in uk politics, the changes in figures leading the country we have seen so frequently but it appears that that support for ukraine despite changing personalities has remained constant. interesting to note a domestic uk politics angle to this is that rishi sunak is coming off the back of some quite difficult local election results for his party. there is a

bit of disquiet among some of his mps about aspects of the conservative party programme at the moment. let's visit, the timing is coincidental, we know president zelensky was visiting other european capitals so he has not popped over to help rishi sunak domestically but i do not think it will hurt rishi sunak in terms of the optics of the message he is getting a course of getting on with the dayjob and leading the uk to have such an important world leader here today and the rapport between the men being quite strong, i am not saying thatis being quite strong, i am not saying that is the main aim of rishi sunak but i certainly think this is probably quite a good message for him to be able to get up to date party that he has bigger things to deal with than grumblings amongst mps about some of the issues falling out from the local election so perhaps a beneficial visit for both world leaders.

thank you for your analysis. if you arejustjoining us, the uk government says downing street has used a visit by the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky to announce increased military aid, including attack drones to help repel the russian invasion. mr zelensky has arrived at rishi sunak�*s country residence chequers for talks. sunak�*s country residence chequers fortalks. it's sunak�*s country residence chequers for talks. it's part of the european tour to bolster international support ahead of a planned spring offensive. the uk is the latest stop on president zelensky�*s tour of european countries that saw him visit italy, germany and france at the weekend. the idea is to boost western support and push for more weapons, and faster. ukrainian officials have frequently complained officials have frequently complained of delays and the arrival of promised aid while saying they still do not have everything they need for their much anticipated counteroffensive. let's go live to westminster where we can speak to tobias ellwood, conservative mp and chair of the defence select

committee. i will start with that comment, the concern from ukraine about the delay in aid arriving. why is that? what is your response to the fact they say it is not happening fast enough? the fact they say it is not ha enin: fast enou~h? , happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise — happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise this _ happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise this is _ happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise this is the _ happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise this is the biggest - happening fast enough? yes, we need to recognise this is the biggest war i to recognise this is the biggest war in europe since the second world war, what happens there affects us, fix our economy, the whole of europe, from gas, oil, food, so i'm not surprised to see president zelensky here following his trip to berlin and paris. all members of the g7, which are meeting next week, to bolster the support.— bolster the support. sorry to cut ou off bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but _ bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but i _ bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but i just _ bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but i just want _ bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but i just want to - bolster the support. sorry to cut you off but i just want to bring l bolster the support. sorry to cut l you off but i just want to bring you you off but ijust want to bring you back to my question, which is why is there a delay?— there a delay? there is a delay siml there a delay? there is a delay simply because _ there a delay? there is a delay simply because of— there a delay? there is a delay simply because of a _ there a delay? there is a delay simply because of a lack- there a delay? there is a delay simply because of a lack of i simply because of a lack of coordination right across europe to coordinate the weapon systems. britain has been at the forefront, giving anti—tank weapons, we move

the agenda they are, at wet soils were announced last week and attack drones —— long—range missiles. spooked by the rhetoric that comes out from britain to support ukraine against russia and i'm afraid... what do you mean by that? are you suggesting that the uk government is spooked by vladimir putin's rhetoric and that is what is behind the delay? and that is what is behind the dela ? ,, and that is what is behind the dela? , and that is what is behind the dela? delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. _ delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. as _ delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. as i _ delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. as i say, _ delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. as i say, take i delay? quite the opposite, is as at the forefront. as i say, take the i the forefront. as i say, take the tanks, we were the first nation to do so but it took us a year to get there. why did it take so long? we need to collectively stand together. frankly this could be nato's mission and it is not. nato has actually sat on its hands, bolstered its own capability within sight of the club but outside of that, which is still in the democracy of europe, it has done very little. and here we have

almost a bidding war between different nations to say i'm going to send us, and will descend that, and finally others then followed suit. if we are committed to supporting ukraine, this needs to be a collective agenda. britain has done more to try and rally that threw the ramstein talks and so forth to get other nations and so forth, working out what is required on the front line. in the counteroffensive that is imminent. instead what we are having is countries, individual political leaders having to step forward to say i will now announce a new package of measures and other nations then catch up. the meeting we listened — nations then catch up. the meeting we listened to _ nations then catch up. the meeting we listened to earlier _ nations then catch up. the meeting we listened to earlier between i nations then catch up. the meeting we listened to earlier between the | we listened to earlier between the two leaders, president zelensky said this would not be the last time he would be speaking to a prime minister rishi sunak and mr sunak also says definitely not the last time. how sustainable is it to continue providing a level of aid required by ukraine? ==

continue providing a level of aid required by ukraine? -- something the defence — required by ukraine? -- something the defence committee _ required by ukraine? -- something the defence committee has - required by ukraine? -- something the defence committee has been i the defence committee has been looking at very carefully, we had extra money to bolster our stockpiles, and ultimately the state of the world is getting more precarious, authoritarianism is on the rise, were going to spend more on defence ourselves, and the results of this bigger question about ukraine, we can keep gifting weapon systems forever. ukraine needs to be able to build its own weapon, have its own manufacturing capability. i've suggested we build these assembly lines in poland and slovakia and so forth on the neighbouring power inside the nato umbrella, for the temporary basis so ukraine can start to arm itself. but they need to look at how do you gain ukraine into the nato umbrella? joint expeditionary force, ten nations, which britain set up to look after the high north against russia, ukraine could easilyjoin that, so there are a number of

longer term strategic decisions that need to be addressed so we're not still having this debate next year in the year after about emptying our coverage of military hardware to give to ukraine but ukraine can start developing their own weapon systems. pare start developing their own weapon s stems. . , , ., start developing their own weapon sstems. , ., ,., systems. are supposed to question is, the expectation _ systems. are supposed to question is, the expectation of _ systems. are supposed to question is, the expectation of further i is, the expectation of further visits and support, and on the other hand, the reality that this cannot be an infinite supply. where do you think the balance lies?— think the balance lies? that's a really good _ think the balance lies? that's a really good question. _ think the balance lies? that's a really good question. this i think the balance lies? that's a really good question. this is i think the balance lies? that's a really good question. this is a l really good question. this is a coordinated effort. i can't stress, the effort, the commitment britain has actually shown in leading other nations, france, germany and other leading nato countries need to work together to provide ukraine with support. there is a sense, thing, a worrying sense this is actually a ukrainian issue, particularly with what is going on in the american elections, potentially donald trump coming back, he has no interest in

continuing that support for ukraine, so this is something that vladimir putin is actually playing on, he wants to drag this out into a frozen space, and trump would then turn around and say he is pulling his troops in his interests and his support out. but that has geopolitical consequences for security in europe. so it's in our interest as well as eastern europe's to make sure president zelensky is successful, russia is forced out of ukraine mainland and it has the necessary security so it can start to rebuild its own economy, knowing russia is not going to have a pause, regroup and do this all again as it has any steady drumbeat from georgia, the crimea, the donbas, this is what russia does and there is —— unless there is a stronger element of support that ukraine requires, and i can add moldova and the balkans, there is a whole area of concern there, and as i add, you got china increasingly supporting russia, watching very carefully what is going on at the moment because it

has its own... is going on at the moment because it has its own- - -— has its own... that actually brings us to a point _ has its own... that actually brings us to a point someone _ has its own... that actually brings us to a point someone made i has its own... that actually brings us to a point someone made a i has its own... that actually brings i us to a point someone made a little bit earlier on the programme, former british military intelligence officer saying actually the cause of the longer term consequence of not tackling the threat from russia and ukraine, it is actually inevitable or necessary that western leaders, western countries to continue to provide a source of military support, and he said actually it is unlimited, thisjust support, and he said actually it is unlimited, this just about the political will. what is your response?— political will. what is your resonse? ' i: in , response? 100%, it is the political will hear. response? 10096, it is the political will hear- we _ response? 10096, it is the political will hear. we could _ response? 10096, it is the political will hear. we could have _ response? 10096, it is the political will hear. we could have wrap i response? 10096, it is the political will hear. we could have wrap thisj will hear. we could have wrap this up will hear. we could have wrap this up months ago, and the political will been there, but from the very start, do remember the debates about whether weapon systems are offensive or defensive? we were spooked by the rhetoric that came out from president putin we talked about the

use of tactical low yield nuclear weapon systems. we need to rekindle our cold war statecraft skills to be able to look at our adversary in the eyes and stand up to them. we are starting to do that, getting much better, britain has been on the elite of that with the gifting of tanks and now the long—range missile systems, and other nations are following suit but it has come very late in the day. to following suit but it has come very late in the day-— late in the day. to clarify, the oint he late in the day. to clarify, the point he was _ late in the day. to clarify, the point he was making - late in the day. to clarify, the point he was making seems i late in the day. to clarify, the i point he was making seems counter late in the day. to clarify, the - point he was making seems counter to what you are making because he was saying there has to be in limited supply and support, both financial and military, as long as is necessary, to deal with the threat, but of course you talked about not wanting to empty our cupboards of hardware and not having an absolute unlimited endless supply financially, so is your response to the point he was making that if you don't provide unlimited resources, you will end up with a much bigger

problem further down the line if russia is not pushed back? yes. russia is not pushed back? yes, there is a _ russia is not pushed back? yes, there is a 1937 _ russia is not pushed back? yes, there is a 1937 fuel _ russia is not pushed back? yes, there is a 1937 fuel to _ russia is not pushed back? yes, there is a 1937 fuel to the i russia is not pushed back? 1e1 there is a 1937 fuel to the world right now and as i stress, the world is getting more dangerous, not less. look where things are today, does anyone think the world will be safer in five years? that is why all nations need to be spending more on defence. we have called for a increase on defence spending, but ultimately the battleground right now is ukraine, they are the ones that need your support and the long—term security which comes by joining the nato military family. all nations across nato are increasing their investments to provide security because of the greater threat that is now beginning to emerge. ultimately we need to design a package of measures that gives ukraine fallibility to have that long—term security.

how financially affordable is at the time in the uk when there are issues with affordability, with people struggling to be able to make ends meet? how important is it to keep spending money on defence? the two are not unrelated, _ spending money on defence? the two are not unrelated, you _ spending money on defence? the two are not unrelated, you get _ spending money on defence? the two are not unrelated, you get the - spending money on defence? the two are not unrelated, you get the green. are not unrelated, you get the green ships coming out of ukraine, the price of food in the uk will start to fall. the cost of living crisis will then be eased because only one fifth of the grain getting out. this also having consequences in africa where famine is now spreading as well, that's causing greater insecurity and breakdown governance. they are big consequences to what's going on in ukraine, which we are only now starting to appreciate. the quicker we put the spy row, the quicker we put the spy row, the quicker we put the spy row, the quicker we provide that support for ukraine, the quicker we stand up to russia, the quicker we are able to get back to some form of in europe. —— some form of normality in europe.

shortly after touching down at the prime minister's country residence chequers rishi sunak at these warm words to share with his ukrainian counterpart. words to share with his ukrainian counterpart-— counterpart. you are actually the first foreign _ counterpart. you are actually the first foreign leader _ counterpart. you are actually the first foreign leader i've _ counterpart. you are actually the first foreign leader i've had i counterpart. you are actually the first foreign leader i've had the l first foreign leader i've had the privilege of welcoming here as prime minister, and there is a lot of great history here. in fact, this room we are standing on, winston churchill made many of his famous speeches in world war ii from this room, and the same way today, your leadership, your country's bravery and fortitude are an inspiration to us all and i look forward to is discussing all we can do to support you new country. first discussing all we can do to support you new country-— discussing all we can do to support you new country. first of all, thank ou ve you new country. first of all, thank you very much- _ you new country. first of all, thank you very much. we _ you new country. first of all, thank you very much. we have _ you new country. first of all, thank you very much. we have supported already— you very much. we have supported already a _ you very much. we have supported already a lot for us. you did a lot, you, _ already a lot for us. you did a lot, you. your— already a lot for us. you did a lot, you, your government and his majesty the king _ you, your government and his majesty the king and of course your people, your society — the king and of course your people, your society. we are thankful from all our— your society. we are thankful from all our hearts for ukrainians, for our soldiers, and it is a privilege to be _ our soldiers, and it is a privilege to be here _ our soldiers, and it is a privilege to be here. the first time, you said not the _ to be here. the first time, you said not the last —

to be here. the first time, you said not the last-— not the last. definitely not the last. so not the last. definitely not the last- so of _ not the last. definitely not the last. so of we _ not the last. definitely not the last. so of we discuss - not the last. definitely not the i last. so of we discuss important issues, last. so of we discuss important issues. urgent _ last. so of we discuss important issues, urgent support - last. so of we discuss important issues, urgent support for i last. so of we discuss important i issues, urgent support for ukraine and security i think not only for ukraine, — and security i think not only for ukraine, it's important for all of europe, — ukraine, it's important for all of europe, so— ukraine, it's important for all of europe, so thank you for hosting the and inviting — europe, so thank you for hosting the and inviting me. it is europe, so thank you for hosting the and inviting me.— and inviting me. it is great to have ou here, and inviting me. it is great to have you here. my _ and inviting me. it is great to have you here, my friend. _ and inviting me. it is great to have you here, my friend. thanks i and inviting me. it is great to have you here, my friend. thanks for i you here, my friend. thanks for being here. thank you, everyone. those are images from a little earlier where president zelensky and prime minister rishi sunak met ahead of their discussions taking place at country residence chequers, so those where the initial words that they had with each other, which included president zelensky and prime minister rishi sunak agreeing that this is the first time they've met at the chequers residents but will not be the last. let's get more on this now from our corresponding in kyiv. we've been speaking to, a little bit about the fact that there is already the signposting that there will be more of this to come.

how important is it for ukraine that the door is left open for further military support down the line? well, it is extremely significant because we've been talking about this much anticipated counteroffensive in the ukrainians are in this position to be able to launch this counteroffensive because of the military support that has been provided by western countries. so the ukrainians know there is a lot of pressure now on the military to achieve major gains, think the ukrainians know that they want to show western countries that these military support that has been given to ukraine can translate into major results on the battlefield because perhaps if the military doesn't achieve major gains, ukrainians could be under pressure to enter negotiations with russia, and that's something that president zelensky

acknowledged when i interviewed him last week. i think this is the latest stop in the syrup into a web president zelensky, he was in italy at the weekend and then in germany where another major package of military assistance was announced, and in france last night he met president macron. today he is in the uk meeting the prime minister, rishi sunak, the uk has been a key ally of the ukrainians in this wire think what the president has been doing, president zelensky, he is obviously shared a familiar message now that ukrainians still need more help to be successful in this counteroffensive. he has been complaining that it's been taking a lot of time for the weapons to arrive and to be sent to the front lines where they are needed, and i think there is also a lot of frustration here in kyiv when it

comes to how these decisions are being made by western countries. and i remember that i interviewed a defence minister earlier this year and he said that for every major piece of weapon and equipment that western countries are provided to the ukrainians, they have to go through a very long process in which first there was denial, there was rejection, there were concerns about red lines been crossed, concerned that any kind of robust military support could be seen as an escalation by russia before finally a decision was made. that was the case when there was the debate about battle tanks, it was a very long debate in western countries before they finally decided to send battle thanks to ukraine. there was the same process when it came to air defence systems, and now it is the same thing with fighterjets. the ukrainians are saying they need fighterjets, there has been some reluctance from western countries to provide ukraine with fighterjets,

and they say they need these jets to carry out successful counteroffensive. the president is also very grateful for the helper has been provided by western nations, but seeing ukrainians still don't have they need to go ahead with this counteroffensive. {lit with this counteroffensive. of course, the amount of support given by european leaders pales in comparison to what is provided by the us, but there has been a lot of rhetoric about the uk being a real leader in terms of providing support, compared to other european leaders, and this is the fourth stop in president zelensky�*s to a meeting with other european leaders. how does the british government, how does the british government, how does the british government, how does the uk government support compared with the other european leaders? ~ ~' ,,

compared with the other european leaders? ~ ~ ,, ., , leaders? well, i think the us has been by far— leaders? well, i think the us has been by far the _ leaders? well, i think the us has been by far the main _ leaders? well, i think the us has been by far the main ally - leaders? well, i think the us has been by far the main ally of i leaders? well, i think the us has been by far the main ally of the l been by far the main ally of the military support has been provided to ukraine in this war, but remember the next year as an election year in america, so perhaps there are some concerns here that the focus is going to shift in 202a to domestic issues in america and perhaps a person could be elected with a very different agenda when it comes to you or here in ukraine. president biden has promised to keep supporting the ukrainians for as long as it takes, but you do have donald trump, who could be the republican candidate, and he has been a vocal critic of president biden's policy, and the level of support that america has been providing to you the ukrainians, and i think perhaps one of the goals of this european visit, and one of the goals of european countries is perhaps take a more leading position

in terms of the level of assistance thatis in terms of the level of assistance that is being provided to ukraine in this war. an example of that is the military support that was announced by germany on the weekend. something around £2.3 billion, nearly $3 billion in military assistance. the largest package that was announced by the germans in this conflict. so, again, ithink by the germans in this conflict. so, again, i think there has been a change, perhaps in some capitals in some countries, in terms of stepping up some countries, in terms of stepping up the military support that has been provided to ukraine so that they can go ahead and try to take back territory and push the russians out of this country. lets back territory and push the russians out of this country.— out of this country. lets look more into that. this — out of this country. lets look more into that. this visit _ out of this country. lets look more into that. this visit by _ out of this country. lets look more into that. this visit by mr- out of this country. lets look more into that. this visit by mr zelenskyj into that. this visit by mr zelensky is the latest stage of a tour of wester capitals to meet leaders that have been supporting his country —— western capitals. this is mr

zelensky�*s fourth stop on his tour of europe in the past couple of days. of europe in the past couple of da s. ., , , ., , days. indeed, he has been on this whirlwind few _ days. indeed, he has been on this whirlwind few days _ days. indeed, he has been on this whirlwind few days where - days. indeed, he has been on this whirlwind few days where he i days. indeed, he has been on this whirlwind few days where he has i days. indeed, he has been on this i whirlwind few days where he has met president macron, the pope, been to italy and now he is in the uk with prime minister rishi sunak at chequers. they refer to each other as friends. i think it speaks volumes of the relationship and how that has developed over the course of this conflict. we also saw president zelensky with chancellor shawls in germany and i know you heard from hugo there about that changing and evolving relationship across the conflict. above all == across the conflict. above all -- transition _ across the conflict. above all —— transition back above all i would like to— transition back above all i would like to thank you and the entire

german— like to thank you and the entire german people for every ukrainian life say~ _ german people for every ukrainian life say i— german people for every ukrainian life say. i would like to emphasise gerrnany's — life say. i would like to emphasise germany's help of protection of life, defence of the people who defend — life, defence of the people who defend what they have, with the help of the _ defend what they have, with the help of the air— defend what they have, with the help of the air defence, so that social life in_ of the air defence, so that social life in ukraine can continue. also your— life in ukraine can continue. also your financial help is very important. your financial help is very important-— your financial help is very im ortant. ., ., , important. you heard president zelensky they _ important. you heard president zelensky they are _ important. you heard president zelensky they are thanking i important. you heard president zelensky they are thanking the | zelensky they are thanking the germans for their support, support and financial aid, germans for their support, support and financialaid, and i germans for their support, support and financial aid, and i think that speaks of the breadth of support president zelensky is looking for. financial, military but also moral courage and heading into this spring offensive that we are expecting. we saw that in his meeting with the pope. it is moral courage as well as that financial and military aid, and that financial and military aid, and that changing position in berlin is a look to the tide in which we are seeing support coming from across europe, and we also have a clip from chancellor olaf scholz. translation:- chancellor olaf scholz. translation: , ., ' ., chancellor olaf scholz. translation: ' ., translation: this awful war has

severe geopolitical _ translation: this awful war has severe geopolitical consequences | translation: this awful war has i severe geopolitical consequences for everyone _ severe geopolitical consequences for everyone but — severe geopolitical consequences for everyone. but mostly— severe geopolitical consequences for everyone. but mostly for— severe geopolitical consequences for everyone. but mostly for the - severe geopolitical consequences for everyone. but mostly for the men. severe geopolitical consequences for. everyone. but mostly for the men and women _ everyone. but mostly for the men and women of— everyone. but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. _ everyone. but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. more _ everyone. but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. more than- everyone. but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. more than i - women of ukraine. more than! million — women of ukraine. more than! million of— women of ukraine. more than! million of them, _ women of ukraine. more than! million of them, women, i women of ukraine. more than ! i million of them, women, children women of ukraine. more than ! - million of them, women, children and older people — million of them, women, children and older people have _ million of them, women, children and older people have found _ million of them, women, children and older people have found protection i older people have found protection here in_ older people have found protection here in germany, _ older people have found protection here in germany, and _ older people have found protection here in germany, and our- older people have found protection here in germany, and our citizens. here in germany, and our citizens here _ here in germany, and our citizens here stand — here in germany, and our citizens here stand in— here in germany, and our citizens here stand in full— here in germany, and our citizens here stand in full solidarity - here in germany, and our citizens here stand in full solidarity to i here in germany, and our citizens here stand in full solidarity to the| here stand in full solidarity to the people _ here stand in full solidarity to the people who — here stand in full solidarity to the people who have _ here stand in full solidarity to the people who have fled _ here stand in full solidarity to the people who have fled from - here stand in full solidarity to the people who have fled from the i here stand in full solidarity to the i people who have fled from the brutal attacks _ people who have fled from the brutal attacks. ., , people who have fled from the brutal attacks. . , , ., attacks. there had been some perceived _ attacks. there had been some perceived hesitancy _ attacks. there had been some perceived hesitancy from i attacks. there had been some l perceived hesitancy from berlin attacks. there had been some - perceived hesitancy from berlin in the initial stages of the conflict, social president zelensky will be welcoming the support he getting from berlin and now we heard the statement from the government in the uk this morning about further military aid and it's likely we'll see more of that today. bud military aid and it's likely we'll see more of that today. and there has been a — see more of that today. and there has been a very — see more of that today. and there has been a very clear _ see more of that today. and there has been a very clear messaging, | see more of that today. and there | has been a very clear messaging, a really clear at the strength, a show of strength and the prime minister's tweet, and president zelensky�*s tweet, and president zelensky�*s tweet and in the way they address each other.

tweet and in the way they address each other-— tweet and in the way they address each other. absolutely. they refer to each other _ each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as _ each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as friends. - each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as friends. so - each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as friends. so it - each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as friends. so it is i each other. absolutely. they refer to each other as friends. so it is a| to each other as friends. so it is a strength notjust in the military capabilities and the support we are seeing through the arms are heading to kyiv, but also in the courage that he has been receiving through the support, notjust here in the uk, but from across europe. thank ou ve uk, but from across europe. thank you very much _ uk, but from across europe. thank you very much for _ uk, but from across europe. thank you very much for that. _ uk, but from across europe. thank you very much for that. if- uk, but from across europe. thank you very much for that. if you - uk, but from across europe. thank you very much for that. if you are l you very much for that. if you are justjoining us, this is the news that ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky is meeting british prime minister rishi sunak at the country residence chequers about a0 miles north—west of london, this is the latest as you've been hearing in president zelensky�*s tour of western european leaders. he has been in rome, berlin and paris and this is his fourth stop and he has been pushing for more military aid for ukraine ahead of a counteroffensive.

this is the second time in recent months he has been to the uk, he visited in february as well, and met rishi sunak then and address parliament then. this is first time at chequers, the prime minister prospect country residence, but both men emphasise that it would not be the last when they met earlier, in the last when they met earlier, in the middle discussions now, discussions that president zelensky has insinuated our negotiations, is a process negotiations, but downing street itself has been careful to describe as a catch up and a courtesy and this is of course the latest in his meetings there. it was a few hours ago that the helicopter touched down, carrying methods zelensky to chequers. this was a surprise visit, but perhaps not entirely unexpected given that he had already been meeting other western european leaders over the

past few days. the uk has already pledged hundreds of air defence missiles and long—range attack drones. that has come from downing street. as we've been hearing from various experts throughout the day, the support that has come from the uk is a lot smaller than what has come from the us. the us has been by far the biggest donor of military aid to ukraine. let me give you an idea, if ijust tell you some of the numbers that really illustrates it. the uk over the past year has provided $7.16 billion of support, the us has provided a6.7, just under $a6.7 of support, but the meeting between the men, we had a listening earlier in both men referred to as the first visit at chequers but

definitely not the last, so the door has been left open. since the military aid to come. have been speaking to military experts and the chair of the defence select committee, tobias ellwood, about that, and the idea is that actually there is a lot more support that is needed and there is a signposting of the fact there will be more support to come, but what has already been pledged as hundreds of air defence missiles and long—range attack drones. that's according to downing street. so that's what the discussions are dealing with at the moment. let's collide to kyiv where we are joined moment. let's collide to kyiv where we arejoined by moment. let's collide to kyiv where we are joined by a moment. let's collide to kyiv where we arejoined by a ukrainian member of parliament for the 0desa region. just tells about the significance of

this meeting with rishi sunak today. it is very important and i heard you spoke _ it is very important and i heard you spoke about numbers, yes, numbers are important but what is also very important — are important but what is also very important as leadership. i want to tell that _ important as leadership. i want to tell that the united kingdom from the beginning of russian full scale invasion_ the beginning of russian full scale invasion against ukraine is showing leadership— invasion against ukraine is showing leadership and we appreciate it enormously. and that was in the time of prime _ enormously. and that was in the time of prime ministerjohnson, that was in the _ of prime ministerjohnson, that was in the time — of prime ministerjohnson, that was in the time of prime minister liz truss_ in the time of prime minister liz truss and — in the time of prime minister liz truss and now that is in the time of prime _ truss and now that is in the time of prime minister rishi sunak in this continuity— prime minister rishi sunak in this continuity is very important for us. the uk _ continuity is very important for us. the uk was — continuity is very important for us. the uk was the first to provide ukraine — the uk was the first to provide ukraine with challenges, and after that lack— ukraine with challenges, and after that lack this was the beginning but it was— that lack this was the beginning but it was from — that lack this was the beginning but it was from the uk, and then the uk was the _ it was from the uk, and then the uk was the first — it was from the uk, and then the uk was the first to provide ukraine with long—range missiles, which is very important for us, and now again. — very important for us, and now again, leadership from the uk providing us with long—range attack drones— providing us with long—range attack drones and —

providing us with long—range attack drones and with the training for our pilots _ drones and with the training for our pilots on _ drones and with the training for our pilots on modern fighterjets, which is so important for us. so thank you very much, — is so important for us. so thank you very much, people of the united kingdom, — very much, people of the united kingdom, and to the country, for such— kingdom, and to the country, for such awesome support. and kingdom, and to the country, for such awesome support.— kingdom, and to the country, for such awesome support. and as you sa , a such awesome support. and as you say. a show — such awesome support. and as you say. a show of _ such awesome support. and as you say, a show of support _ such awesome support. and as you say, a show of support is _ such awesome support. and as you say, a show of support is a - such awesome support. and as you say, a show of support is a key - such awesome support. and as you| say, a show of support is a key part of it for morale, a show of solidarity, but in practical terms, how significant is the help being promised and more importantly, how much more help is needed for a counteroffensive?— much more help is needed for a counteroffensive? ., . ., counteroffensive? how much more we will see when — counteroffensive? how much more we will see when ukraine _ counteroffensive? how much more we will see when ukraine is _ counteroffensive? how much more we will see when ukraine is very - will see when ukraine is very successful on the battlefield. for the moment we need much more and thatis the moment we need much more and that is clear but why is it so important? challengers, the first chance, now, we need more but we have the possibility to counter

attack and we have already started very successfully. also missiles which were very important, storm shadow, to hit russian logistics far away from the front line to prepare the counteroffensive so that is absolutely vital for us but we need much more to finish the work as quickly as possible. if all countries would follow the uk example we could finish this and we could finish the work this year. i hope you can still hear me, we are having some issues with sound but i hope you can hear me, earlier we heard from the chairman of the defence select committee tobias ellwood and he said what would be useful in terms of the long—term future approach is not necessarily to continue providing endless amounts of hardware as he put it to

help support moving the operation so some of that can be produced and created there itself.— created there itself. what do you make of that? _ created there itself. what do you make of that? first _ created there itself. what do you make of that? first of _ created there itself. what do you make of that? first of all, - created there itself. what do you make of that? first of all, he - created there itself. what do you make of that? first of all, he is l make of that? first of all, he is absolutely right. it is windy here. apologies for the sound. but yes, thatis apologies for the sound. but yes, that is important. i know personally the prime minister is that i mentioned, really we need to make a base for ukraine to produce much more ourselves and we can have a lot of cooperation in the uk in this area. after the war i think together with the united kingdom and the united states, ukraine will be one of the strongholds of the free world in europe and we will produce weaponry together and our army as one of the strongest armies in the free world will be very important for our future cooperation and for

the future safety of the world. i know it is a little windy, we can still hear you although it is very beautiful there. one of the thing is the fear of ukraine fatigue when there is concern that the level of support will not necessarily continue to be endless. how much of a fear is that? indie continue to be endless. how much of a fear is that?— a fear is that? we do not see it. all this talk _ a fear is that? we do not see it. all this talk about _ a fear is that? we do not see it. all this talk about fatigue, - a fear is that? we do not see it. all this talk about fatigue, i - a fear is that? we do not see it. | all this talk about fatigue, i think it is more from russian propaganda because we see our allies are continuing to support ukraine on four ukrainians, will grow. this war is existential, to be or not to be. how can we be retired from this, we cannot? forthe how can we be retired from this, we cannot? for the whole free world it is existential, for ukraine to fill, which will never happen, i am sure, but if it did, the borrower will go

further, russia will attack the baltic states, poland, for american, british and german soldiers are already stationed stop getting involved in fighting with victims, casualties so i am sure in the free world everybody understands this is existential for the free world and we cannot lose this war to a russian dictator, that is all. that is why i did not think there is a real danger of fatigue. did not think there is a real danger of fatiaue. �* . ~ did not think there is a real danger of fatiaue. �* ., ~' ,, , of fatigue. aleksei, thank you very much for speaking _ of fatigue. aleksei, thank you very much for speaking to _ of fatigue. aleksei, thank you very much for speaking to us. - of fatigue. aleksei, thank you very much for speaking to us. thank i of fatigue. aleksei, thank you very | much for speaking to us. thank you so much. much for speaking to us. thank you so much- we _ much for speaking to us. thank you so much. we can _ much for speaking to us. thank you so much. we can go _ much for speaking to us. thank you so much. we can go live _ much for speaking to us. thank you so much. we can go live not - much for speaking to us. thank you so much. we can go live not to - so much. we can go live not to cornwall. _ so much. we can go live not to cornwall, the _ so much. we can go live not to cornwall, the former _ so much. we can go live not to cornwall, the former british i cornwall, the former british ambassador to the united states commit galach chances. he served a security adviser to david cameron when invaded crimea. tell us how

significant this meeting is at chequers today —— kim darroch. it comes after visits to france, germany and italy and it is a clear signal that the ukrainian counteroffensive is imminent. and that he is making a last—ditch effort to maximise ukrainian military supplies to ukraine before the offensive starts. it is not a question of getting everything ready for the first stage of the offensive, this thing will not be over quickly and it is a question of sustained support literally to come. but will be i think a bigger part of his bed, it is notjust getting equipment there for the first phase, it is the ammunition, the missiles, the shells that he will need in the

months to come.— the shells that he will need in the months to come. how easily do you think that can _ months to come. how easily do you think that can be _ months to come. how easily do you think that can be sustained? - months to come. how easily do you think that can be sustained? it - months to come. how easily do you think that can be sustained? it is i think that can be sustained? it is notjust political well but also financial backing? not just political well but also financial backing?— financial backing? very good question- — financial backing? very good question. one _ financial backing? very good question. one of— financial backing? very good question. one of the - financial backing? very good question. one of the things l financial backing? very good . question. one of the things that financial backing? very good - question. one of the things that is reported is that there is not actually the capacity across western countries supporting ukraine to supply the higher expectations of what ukraine will need for the next few months. so it's notjust about governments having the resources to buy the stuff or take it from their own stores to send to ukraine. it's potentially also about some of the factories across the west that produce this stuff popping the supplies and i cannot tell you whether that is planned or happening but i think it is likely to be necessary if as i expect, this counteroffensive unfolds over months rather than weeks.—

rather than weeks. some military exerts rather than weeks. some military exoerts we _ rather than weeks. some military experts we have _ rather than weeks. some military experts we have been _ rather than weeks. some military experts we have been speaking i rather than weeks. some military| experts we have been speaking to today have said regardless of what the capacity is it is actually imperative that there is an endless supply of both military and financial support because the consequence of failing to do so will be russia broadening its advances which would then lead to a far more expensive situation further down the line? �* , . . line? broadly i agree with that. the reali is line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in — line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in russia _ line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in russia there _ line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in russia there is - line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in russia there is a - line? broadly i agree with that. the reality is in russia there is a sort i reality is in russia there is a sort of russian offensive going on now and it does not look like it is succeeding so the russians have been pretty unsuccessful over the last 15 months in advance and significantly further into ukrainian territory. advancing kilometres rather than metres. but of course the risk is there. and of course the whole issue

here, what the west is trying to support its strategic importance because if russia succeeds in its objective, then countries around the world will feel unsafe if they are next to dictatorships or autocracies so there is a strategic message about the protection of national frontiers and western values involved in this war.- frontiers and western values involved in this war. there is a little bit of _ involved in this war. there is a little bit of political _ involved in this war. there is a little bit of political strategy i little bit of political strategy needed because here we are, a cost of living crisis, the government is always saying they have limited funds, there are issues with being able to fund everything that needs funding so how do you square that circle? i funding so how do you square that circle? ., ._ _,, , funding so how do you square that circle? ., . , ., circle? i would say the costs of failure ultimately _ circle? i would say the costs of failure ultimately if _ circle? i would say the costs of failure ultimately if ukraine - circle? i would say the costs of. failure ultimately if ukraine does fall to the russian invasion, will

be greater in the long term than the cost of support for ukraine. so far, we have given substantially more than other european countries. the costs of art military supplies are about 7 billion now, we are by far the biggest of the european contributors. a significant sum of money and i understand why people think it should be spent on hospitals or roads or whatever. but this is a strategic challenge for us and for our values and if we fail, then the cost in the long run will be much greater. i then the cost in the long run will be much greater.— be much greater. i suppose the argument _ be much greater. i suppose the argument is — be much greater. i suppose the argument is how _ be much greater. i suppose the argument is how can _ be much greater. i suppose the argument is how can prime - be much greater. i suppose the - argument is how can prime minister rishi sunak with an election year ahead, how does he make that argument to the public? yes. ahead, how does he make that argument to the public? yes, and in that sense. — argument to the public? yes, and in that sense, the _ argument to the public? yes, and in that sense, the visit _ argument to the public? yes, and in that sense, the visit of _ argument to the public? yes, and in that sense, the visit of president. that sense, the visit of president zelensky is important, a hero of the

western world back in the uk, making his case directly to the british government. there's about a dozen elections coming up around europe over the next 18 months so naturally there is a risk and as governments lead to a cost—of—living crisis, you have inflation high across europe, at poor economic growth, if we want at poor economic growth, if we want a way out of this, whether there is an end in sight to this war, the best chance for an end in sight is a successful ukrainian counteroffensive over the next few months. it is difficult but leaders and prime ministers across the western europe must be out there making the strategic case for this. yet what national security adviser to david cameron who was prime minister when russia invaded crimea so what would your advice be to the prime minister right now? i so what would your advice be to the prime minister right now?— prime minister right now? i think if we had reacted _ prime minister right now? i think if we had reacted more _ prime minister right now? i think if we had reacted more strongly - prime minister right now? i think if

we had reacted more strongly to i we had reacted more strongly to crimea at the time and i do not blame david cameron for this, he was one of those arguing for a stronger reaction. but it was basically a mix of sanctions and public condemnation. and of course russia was pushed out of what was then the gs but was pushed out of what was then the g8 but on the whole, i did nothing sanctions were effective or strong enough at that stage and western reaction was not strong enough and that gave putin the message that you can get away with going further, invading notjust crimea but the rest of ukraine. and look at where we are now on the consequences of war across europe, 7 million ukrainian refugees out of the country and in other european countries. and we see what happens if you do not take a strong enough stand at the right moment. so we were not tough enough in 201a and

now is the opportunity to push the russians back and to show the rest of the world including for example china, that this kind of aggression does not work.— china, that this kind of aggression does not work. don't you think the sanctions this _ does not work. don't you think the sanctions this time _ does not work. don't you think the sanctions this time round - does not work. don't you think the sanctions this time round were - does not work. don't you think the i sanctions this time round were tough enough? you mentioned back in 201a the sanctions were not pursued effectively enough? do you think going down that route could have been done more effectively this time around? i been done more effectively this time around? ~ �* ., been done more effectively this time around? ~' �* ., , around? i think we've done 'ust about as much i around? i think we've done 'ust about as much as i around? i think we've done 'ust about as much as she �* around? i think we've done just about as much as she could - around? i think we've done just about as much as she could do| around? i think we've done just i about as much as she could do in terms of sanctions as the west but the problem is there are some countries notably china which literally at reduced prices are continuing to buy russian energy and thatis continuing to buy russian energy and that is a big part of what is

supporting the russian war effort but if you look at the way that europe is disengaging from russian energy supplies, it is not complete yet but if you had told me five or ten years ago that europe would move to other energy sources other than russian, quite as fast and quite as much as it has over the last 12 months, i would much as it has over the last 12 months, iwould not much as it has over the last 12 months, i would not have believed you. actually that is one of the success stories. we you. actually that is one of the success stories.— you. actually that is one of the success stories. we have 'ust had a line success stories. we have 'ust had a the coming — success stories. we have 'ust had a line coming through _ success stories. we have just had a line coming through from _ success stories. we have just had a line coming through from the - success stories. we have just had a i line coming through from the kremlin in the past few minutes, saying british help will not affect the outcome of the russian special military operation as they are calling it in ukraine. what is your reaction? ~ , ., calling it in ukraine. what is your reaction? , ., . reaction? well they would say that, wouldn't they? _ reaction? well they would say that, wouldn't they? you _ reaction? well they would say that, wouldn't they? you had _ reaction? well they would say that, wouldn't they? you had a _ reaction? well they would say that, | wouldn't they? you had a succession of aggressive, threatening statements from russia really over

the past few months. as the war on the past few months. as the war on the ground goes badly for them. so it's to be expected. but let's be in no doubt. ukraine would not be in the position it is in had it not been for the massive western military support for them in which we have played a prominent part so it is making a difference, no question. it is making a difference, no question-— it is making a difference, no cuestion. ., . ~ question. lord kim darroch, thank ou so question. lord kim darroch, thank you so much _ question. lord kim darroch, thank you so much for— question. lord kim darroch, thank you so much for speaking - question. lord kim darroch, thank you so much for speaking to - question. lord kim darroch, thank you so much for speaking to us . you so much for speaking to us today. doctor patrick purely esa defence and security expert at the university of bath and a former nato analyst and i spoke to him earlier. it is part of a whirlwind tour essentially over the last week or so with president zelensky going around and i think reassuring western leaders on the one hand that preparations are being made and progress is being made with the ukrainian counteroffensive and asking for more. asking for more

maybe has an eye on the situation developing after an offensive has commenced. or it may be going slow, it may not look like progress is being made and their art may be questions beginning to appear about should we keep supporting this? if you were president zelensky you will be going around basically and getting more support to ensure you can maintain your military offensive evenifin can maintain your military offensive even if in the early days it looks like progress is potentially slower than most people expect and questions are asked. that would be prudent. i think potentially he has realised that and that is why he is going for the next round of support but they're still american support coming so it's notjust europe and these powers but seems to make sense from a longer term planning perspective that he gets out there now and lays the groundwork. i also think the uk hasjust pledged

now and lays the groundwork. i also think the uk has just pledged today hundreds of longer range missiles which will make their way to ukraine and that is on top of the storm shadow missiles they pledged on thursday so there is a very practical element to this. fine thursday so there is a very practical element to this. one of the key points — practical element to this. one of the key points emphasised - practical element to this. one of the key points emphasised by i practical element to this. one of i the key points emphasised by both sides is how important this is for the wider security of nato? something the prime minister rishi sunak and the government alluded to earlier today and just now we saw images of the men meeting were president zelensky said this is not only ukrainian security but for all our security. only ukrainian security but for all oursecurity. how only ukrainian security but for all our security. how much of a factor do you think that point will be in these discussions? aha, do you think that point will be in these discussions?— do you think that point will be in these discussions? a massive factor. look at these discussions? a massive factor. look at the — these discussions? a massive factor. look at the strategic _ these discussions? a massive factor. look at the strategic situation, - look at the strategic situation, firstly nato has never been stronger as a result of the russian invasion. sweden looking tojoin, as a result of the russian invasion. sweden looking to join, finland as a result of the russian invasion. sweden looking tojoin, finland have

joined, massive increase in defence spending across europe especially in east poland, now a major military power. basically the exact opposite of what vladimir putin wanted and it has galvanised the west and the us. the us looks at this, they have spent about 5% of their defence budget destroying 50% of the russian army, a win for them so in terms of the wider security environment, this is about values, democracy, international order but also about bolstering our ground defences and inflicting losses on the russians as a result of their invasion so that is the wider picture of what is going on and then you have the message of what this sends to taiwan, ukrainian resistance? what does it send to china about the uses of invading another country? there's a whole piece and a lot of messages

going back and forwards at strategic levels. indie going back and forwards at strategic levels. ~ . ., ., levels. we heard from our correspondent _ levels. we heard from our correspondent in - levels. we heard from our correspondent in kyiv, - levels. we heard from our i correspondent in kyiv, hugo, levels. we heard from our - correspondent in kyiv, hugo, who said there is perhaps a sense of uncertainty, not as far as anxiety perhaps about the level of support continuing in the future in terms of whether these levels of support are finite, what the limit will be? and when the two men met, went rishi sunak and volodymyr zelensky met briefly we saw images of president zelensky saying this is my first time here, you've said it is not the last and rishi sunak emphasising and jumping in and reiterating say yes, definitely not the last. how important is that message to almost kind of signpost to say they will be more of this to come? that kind of signpost to say they will be more of this to come?— more of this to come? that is exactly it- _ more of this to come? that is exactly it. not _ more of this to come? that is exactly it. not only _ more of this to come? that is exactly it. not only is - more of this to come? that is exactly it. not only is he - more of this to come? that is i

exactly it. not only is he looking for continued support but the west is messaging to russia that we are endless for the long run. if the attack bogs down are still behind the ukrainians. i think that's really important. i do think as hugo said and a really good point, to manage expectations by the ukrainians and look at the military problem they are facing this spring, almost summer, is that they are attacking better defended lines where the russians if they are anyway clever, have a good idea of where they may potentially attack so the ukrainians have to find a way to probe and deceive and fix forces down before they unleash their counteroffensive and it could be in a number of directions and on a number of axes, who knows? the initial stages of the offence it

will probably look more like a probe or shaping operation while they try to find weak points and i expect it to find weak points and i expect it to be slower at least at the start but the final thing that may be decisive in all of this is morale, you can still defend lines and built fortifications but at the soldiers under bombardment are not willing to stick with it and fight and the ukrainians are fighting for their homeland and still highly motivated, that may prove decisive. ii homeland and still highly motivated, that may prove decisive. if you homeland and still highly motivated, that may prove decisive.— that may prove decisive. if you are 'ust that may prove decisive. if you are justjoining — that may prove decisive. if you are justjoining us _ that may prove decisive. if you are just joining us let _ that may prove decisive. if you are just joining us let me _ that may prove decisive. if you are just joining us let me show - that may prove decisive. if you are just joining us let me show you - that may prove decisive. if you are i just joining us let me show you some justjoining us let me show you some live pictures of what we have been talking about for the past few hours. there is the meeting taking place there at chequers, what you are seeing is live pictures of the country residence of the british prime minister rishi sunak. he is currently in discussions with president volodymyr zelensky from ukraine. the ukrainian president made a surprise visit to the uk to meet the prime minister and the two

men exchanged a hack when president zelensky got off his helicopter and when he arrived and they tweeted messages of warmth and friendship. they preferred to each other as my friend and in the past few minutes downing street has released some pictures of the men meeting. this is the latest in the tour of president zelensky when he meets western european leaders. he has been to rome, berlin and paris and now meeting the british prime minister rishi sunak to push for more military aid. let's hear more now from david wallace lockhart in westminster. we've been hearing about the balance between making sure that there is more support headed to ukraine but also the political will really with elections

ahead for the prime minister. how do you think he will play that balance? broadly speaking the ukrainian issue is one where there is really mainstream and cross—party consensus that the uk should play a role in helping ukraine try and repel the russian invasion within the conservative party of rishi sunak. broadly in the party, there is consensus that everything possible should be done to aid ukraine that we have seen this play out before when they have been requests from ukraine that the uk government has felt it is not quite able to deliver on. last time president zelensky was in the uk there was requests for fighter jets in the uk there was requests for fighterjets for ukraine. for the uk went was training ukrainian pilots to fly certain fighter jets rather than giving such aeroplanes to

ukraine so they perhaps have been occasions for ukraine has asked for something in order to aid its fight and the uk government says here is what we can give you. we know already from a press release that came out shortly before president zelensky landed at chequers, basically saying the uk will get more missiles to ukraine, there will be more attack drones given to try and help them in a widely expected counteroffensive but when president zelensky tweeted about his upcoming visit, he said he was looking forward to seeing his friend rishi sunak but he talked about negotiations over what support the uk could give ukraine so i suppose what will be interesting as when both men emerged from the talks today, has ukraine asked for anything in particular and has the uk been able to deliver on that? i have no doubt they will come out

saying there is a good relationship there and that the uk is upping its support but i guess it's all a question of scale. fin support but i guess it's all a question of scale.— support but i guess it's all a ruestion of scale. . , ., question of scale. on that question of scale, question of scale. on that question of scale. of — question of scale. on that question of scale, of course _ question of scale. on that question of scale, of course the _ question of scale. on that question of scale, of course the biggest - of scale, of course the biggest donor of military aid to ukraine as the united states. we were talking about numbers earlier, the us providing in the past yearjust under £a7 billion in the uk are that time has provided just over 7 billion. how important is the support provided from europe and in particular the uk to ukraine? i suppose what this war has been in many ways is notjust about suppose what this war has been in many ways is not just about the obvious defiance of ukraine, a country that defined a lot of expectations on how effectively they had taken the fight to an invading russia but also about european and

western nations seeing this as a cause that although it was happening thousands, hundreds of miles from their borders, was one that that was important for them to get involved in and play a part in and what has been interesting in the uk is there has been huge political turmoil in the past 12 months. borisjohnson was prime minister, his own party turned on him and he resigned, liz truss came in for a9 days as prime minister, effectively was ousted by her own mps as well and now we have rishi sunak who appears to be in a more stable position and probably things have settled down a bit politically in terms of turmoil. what has been consistent throughout this period as the leader of the uk being quite vocal in their support for ukraine in terms of finances and while there have been debates rambling on about the level of

support that should be given, and like i said, there have been requests from ukraine like the requests from ukraine like the requests about fighter jets that have not been delivered on, there has been broadly speaking a high level of support and across mainstream uk political parties, a consensus that the support for ukraine is the right thing to do and that all political leaders and parties in the uk want to be seen as broadly supportive and broadly delivering on the sorts of things that zelensky is asking for. david, thank ou that zelensky is asking for. david, thank you for— that zelensky is asking for. david, thank you for that _ that zelensky is asking for. david, thank you for that analysis. - that zelensky is asking for. david, thank you for that analysis. those j thank you for that analysis. those images you are seeing are of chequers, president zelensky is currently in discussions with prime minister rishi sunak. pushing for more military aid and in the past few minutes we have had something coming in from reuters, the kremlin has said it takes an extremely negative view of the british

decision to supply long—range storm shadow cruise missiles and other military hardware. in the meantime prime minister rishi sunak and president zelensky addressing each other as friends. hello. after the weekend which brought us the warmest weather of the year, things feel cool and fresh today, a cold front moving through so not as one but there will be sunshine around, some showers p°pping sunshine around, some showers p°ppin9 up sunshine around, some showers popping up through the day but many of us for them especially in the south and west. the cold front clearing from the south—east, high pressure building from the atlantic, that will be largely in charge through much of the week. the today lots of dry weather especially wales, south—west england, through the midlands and southern england but showers cropping up for scotland, northern england and a couple for northern ireland, most of them hit and miss but the odd heavy

thundery showers could be possible especially in the pennines. temperatures 12—16 , about 5 degrees lower than yesterday. most of the showers in the east fade through this evening and overnight so largely dry and clear. another area of cloud and showers moving across north—west scotland but for much of the uk quite a fresh start here, four or 5 degrees even in urban areas. after the fresh start tomorrow promises blue sky and sun, club bubbling through the day, some isolated showers, more likely from the far north of england and into scotland, perhaps the old rogue showers for northern ireland. temperatures bubbling up, highest between 12 and 17 degrees. high pressure sitting across the uk for the middle part of the week, largely keeping weather fronts at bay. there will be rain approaching the western isles on wednesday, small chance of a rogue shower cropping up in east

anglia and the south—east but most places looking dry. not wall—to—wall sunshine but quite a bit of blue sky breaking and high clouds drifting around. temperature 16 or 17 degrees, cooler across scotland under the cloud but they seem to find a high pressure is with us. we may see the remnants of the cold front moving over the area of high pressure so some showers around, some dotted around in the forecast but generally the weather is dry and settled the week ahead, high pressure in charge and temperatures building again from the mid week onwards.

live from london, this is bbc news. our main story... ukraine's volodymyr zelensky makes a surprise visit to the uk, arriving for talks at prime minister rishi sunak�*s country residence. this is urgent support for ukraine and security, not only for ukraine, for all of europe. president zelensky�*s arrival at chequers is happening as britain announces it'll send long—range attack drones to help in kyiv�*s fight. the uk government has used a visit by the ukrainian president,

volodymyr zelenzky, to announce increased military aid, including attack drones — to help repel the russian invasion. this was mr zelensky arriving at rishi sunak�*s country residence, chequers, for talks. the uk is the latest stop on his tour of european countries to bolster international support ahead of a planned spring offensive. he travelled to italy, germany, and france over the weekend. the objective is to push for more weapons, and faster. ukrainian officials have frequently complained of delays in the arrival of promised aid. they also say they still don't have everything they need for ukraine's much—anticipated counter—offensive. well, shortly after touching down at chequers, rishi sunak had these warm words to share with the ukrainian leader: you are actually the first foreign leader that i've had the privilege of welcoming here as prime minister. and there's a lot of great history here. in fact, this room that we're

standing in, winston churchill made many of his famous speeches in world war two from this room. and in the same way today, your leadership, your country's bravery and fortitude, are an inspiration to us all. i look forward to us discussing what more we can do to support you and your country. first of all, thank you very much. your support is already a lot for us. you did a lot. you, your government and his majesty the king and of course, your people, your society, we're thankful from all our hearts, from ukrainians, from our soldiers, we are thankful and it's privilege to be here. yes. the first time you said, "not the last." definitely not the last! so, of course, we will discuss very important issues, urgent support for ukraine and security. i think not only for ukraine, it's important for all the europe. so thank you. thank you. that you're hosting me and invited me. well, it's great to have you here, my friend. thanks for being here. thank you, everyone.

those with a two leaders speaking early. let's go live to norfolk. what difference will be aid already promised gift? the what difference will be aid already promised gift?— promised gift? the aid promise is essential to _ promised gift? the aid promise is essential to ukraine's _ promised gift? the aid promise is essential to ukraine's capability i promised gift? the aid promise is| essential to ukraine's capability to launch an effective counter offensive. well done to president zelensky to travelling around the country is to increase support. he shouldn't be having to do it. we all recognise, and people had been saying since february last year that this is ukraine's fight, but it is ours as well. we need to make sure they have the equipment they need, they have the equipment they need, the training they require, the advice they need and the ammunition to make this counteroffensive successful, because this year is a critical year. successful, because this year is a

criticalyear. if successful, because this year is a critical year. if ukraine is not able to succeed this year, then president putin will start to get in the ascendance. well done, president zelensky. it is great the uk are supporting ukraine, but we must be forward leading in providing ukraine what it needs, because it is critical this offensive is launched soon unsuccessfully. pm? critical this offensive is launched soon unsuccessfully.— critical this offensive is launched soon unsuccessfully. why do you think that is _ soon unsuccessfully. why do you think that is not _ soon unsuccessfully. why do you think that is not happening? - soon unsuccessfully. why do you | think that is not happening? why soon unsuccessfully. why do you i think that is not happening? why is he having to go around and do these visits to ensure the aid is forthcoming?— visits to ensure the aid is forthcoming? visits to ensure the aid is forthcomin: ? , . , ., visits to ensure the aid is forthcomina? , . , ., . forthcoming? there is a bit of a west end desire _ forthcoming? there is a bit of a west end desire to _ forthcoming? there is a bit of a west end desire to manage - forthcoming? there is a bit of a - west end desire to manage ukraine's future. there is a concern, which i don't share, in that ukraine could be too successful, that the negative effect which will have on president putin and the kremlin. if we get to the situation, it can be managed then. the important thing is that

this year, ukraine has the capability to mount a successful counter offensive and try and achieve its objective to get russian soldiers out of ukraine territory, including crime year. that is the international legal position, their ambition, and quite rightly so we should be supporting them. then it is a question of what relationships in the future russia can help with the west. let's get the ukraine issue sorted unsorted this year. we will support them to the maximum degree possible. i5 will support them to the maximum degree possible. is it will support them to the maximum degree possible.— degree possible. is it more to do with financial _ degree possible. is it more to do with financial pressure _ degree possible. is it more to do with financial pressure rather - degree possible. is it more to do | with financial pressure rather than a concern that ukraine might do to well question isn't it more about money and finance resources? if that is the genuine _ money and finance resources? if that is the genuine reason _ money and finance resources? if that is the genuine reason for— money and finance resources? if that is the genuine reason for being - is the genuine reason for being half—hearted in the support the west is giving, that isn't acceptable. the price of freedom is hard to

calculate, and ukraine has had its sovereign territory violated, it is fighting for its rights, and we all though the wider threat that an unrestrained president putin will pose, and disposing, to the west. it would be unwise to be spendthrift at the moment, just because cash is tight. it is important ukraine get what it needs, in terms of all the elements of a systems to really get it territory back. and then we can think about setting, resetting a different relationship with russia. to be half—hearted about it, and i'm not being critical by saying that, but there have been success grounds were major countries have given some aid and then some more. frankly, dribbling it in is not the way to do it, there is a maximum that you

don't dribble. we need to help them this year and not durable in support, because that is the recipe for a war which will linger and go on forever, in putin's weber, which is at a disadvantage to the world. the uk support has been over $7 billion this year. what do you think they should be providing? indie they should be providing? - provided a lot of stuff, but we could provide more. there is a concern we are running our own capability down, but who do we think we are going to be fighting in the short—term? ukraine is conducting its fight on our behalf, and therefore it is reasonable we should give our stocks and equipment in order to give them to ukraine who

are fighting a third—party war on our behalf in the west. yes, we have given tanks. should we be giving them more? why not give our tanks to them? we have done well in this country. germany is coming up from behind, the united states have done magnificently. good to our leaders think we have done enough to help ukraine win the war? that should be the objective and the simple focus, otherwise the advantage will switch towards putin, we will have a lingering war and the threat from russia will challenge for many years to come. ~ . , russia will challenge for many years to come. ~ ., . ~ to come. with me as frank gardner. can i to come. with me as frank gardner. cani aet to come. with me as frank gardner. can i get your _ to come. with me as frank gardner. can i get your thoughts _ to come. with me as frank gardner. can i get your thoughts on _ to come. with me as frank gardner. can i get your thoughts on what - to come. with me as frank gardner. can i get your thoughts on what he i can i get your thoughts on what he was saying in terms of what the uk has given so far? i

was saying in terms of what the uk has given so far?— has given so far? i think it is important — has given so far? i think it is important to _ has given so far? i think it is important to put _ has given so far? i think it is important to put his - has given so far? i think it is important to put his words i has given so far? i think it is| important to put his words in perspective. he is speaking as a former head of the army from a western perspective. he added that the west, because this is viewed in the west, because this is viewed in the world as europe and the world's problem. even though the majority of votes have condemned russia, there is a feeling in africa, the middle east and asia and latin america that this is your�*s problem, not ours. there isn't a huge amount of sympathy. there isn't the same animosity towards president putin thatis animosity towards president putin that is felt in western capitals. the gulf arab states have good relationships with russia, saudi arabia have not forgotten at the 2018 gs arabia have not forgotten at the 2018 g8 summit, president putin gave him a high five, when all the other western leaders were ignoring him.

it is not a universal, global view. he is aware of it. what difference will it make? a great deal because of what is happening on the ground in ukraine is that russia is firing lots of missiles, drones at ukraine, and ukraine is trying not only to shoot them down, but to hit the places they are fired from. the longer range missiles ukraine gets, the more russia has to move its launch point further back. now they are getting the storm shadow missiles with a large range, more than two kilometres. ukraine has promised not to allow these to be used to attack russia, but russian bases firing into ukraine. the challenge for nato is to give ukraine as much support as it tears without getting sucked into the conflict. the kremlin says that is

happening, we are fighting nato's war, and they are using ukraine as a proxy. those are their words. the kremlin gave _ proxy. those are their words. the kremlin gave a — proxy. those are their words. the kremlin gave a statement saying russia takes a negative view of britain's decision to supply cruise missiles and other hardware, and it does not believe it will change the conflict�*s outcome. that has come from the kremlin. you might say the kremlin would say that. how important is the show of support as well as the actual military hardware? mi well as the actual military hardware?— well as the actual military hardware? �* ~ . , . , hardware? all ukraine cares about is sto -|n~ hardware? all ukraine cares about is stopping the — hardware? all ukraine cares about is stopping the constant _ hardware? all ukraine cares about is stopping the constant bombardment| hardware? all ukraine cares about is i stopping the constant bombardment of attack drones and missiles bombarding their cities and killing notjust bombarding their cities and killing not just soldiers, bombarding their cities and killing notjust soldiers, but bombarding their cities and killing not just soldiers, but a bombarding their cities and killing notjust soldiers, but a lot of civilians. president zelensky has got himself in a tight corner because earlier he talked about pushing the russians back to where

they were, but since then he's talked about pushing them out of crimea. that will be a tough fight. lots of people see crimea as part of russia, and the majority of people in crimea are quite happy to be russian. this will be a tough fight, it may be historically in ukraine's eyes, but the russians have put defences in there. ukraine are trying to degrade russia's logistics by launching surprise attacks, seaborne vehicles, to make it so russia destroys their rear echelon, making it hard for them to fight the fight they need to. this year will because your for ukraine. if they

can't make progress on the battlefield, then western support may not sustain at the level it has. you got russian presidential elections are. if putin can survive, a stalemate will work in his favour. thank you, frank. we have a military analyst. thank you joining us. i want to pick on the point. how pivotal will this year be for ukraine? i pivotal will this year be for ukraine?— pivotal will this year be for ukraine? ., . ~ pivotal will this year be for ukraine? . . ~ ~ ukraine? i agree with frank. whether this is the year _ ukraine? i agree with frank. whether this is the year at _ ukraine? i agree with frank. whether this is the year at the _ ukraine? i agree with frank. whether this is the year at the war _ ukraine? i agree with frank. whether this is the year at the war ends, - this is the year at the war ends, and how successful ukraine is, it remains up in the air. they've got to show progress. i don't think they will achieve everything, but they need to show they are in it for the long—term and they can be effective and push the russians back and

prevent this being a long—term conflict where there is the risk of western support being pulled away. that is one of the reasons president zelensky is here today, to keep the momentum going, keep the commitment to the fight. no military leader ever thinks they got enough equipment and support. they would be wise to assume they don't. there is this awareness that this summer is important. ukraine doesn't have to win it, but need to look like it can't win. ukrainians believe they can't win. ukrainians believe they can and well, as long as the port —— the support comes. haifa can and well, as long as the port -- the support comes.— can and well, as long as the port -- the support comes. how important is this visit? people _ the support comes. how important is this visit? people say _ the support comes. how important is this visit? people say he _ the support comes. how important is this visit? people say he shouldn't i this visit? people say he shouldn't have to do it, and the support should be forthcoming. how significant do you think this is? i

agree with the tone of what he is saying, we should be doing more, we should be on the front foot. we have seen the storm shadow development, it was known we would supply the missile. a lot of work has been done. in defence of some of the delays, there are a few factors, such as russia's status as a nuclear power. it is not the same as saddam hussein in 1991. also the level of misinformation, which is designed to muddy the political waters to challenge our support. of course the third part is we can give ukraine tens of thousands of tanks but there

wouldn't be people to equip them. people wouldn't be trained, people won't understand the concept of using them to a higher level. giving them things is not as simple as saying get on with it. all the logistics, beautifully for complicated weapon systems, to pose challenges. usability is capability. there is no point having this equipment are not being able to use it. just ask the russians how that has gone. it is not about quantity, it is the underlying equipment, the training in the uk, and zelensky visited here last. they are preparing for operations. these are symbolic things uk has done. the less heralded things can be more

effective than the equipment donations. the uk has led the trend, 1a challenges might not be a lot. nonetheless, it open the door for other tank donations. we broke through, we have broken the stigma of long range weapons. russia has said they have the right to attack us. that is a limit in what they can do. that shows other nations but you can make these donations safely. in the context of that, we should be pleased about what we have done. we can do more, but there was a real risk at the start of it going a different way. people should be congratulated for what they have done. . ~ i. ., congratulated for what they have done. . ~ ., ,, .~ congratulated for what they have done. . ~ ., , , .~ ., congratulated for what they have done. . ., ,, ., , done. thank you for speaking to us.

let's done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak — done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak to _ done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak to our _ done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak to our reporter - done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak to our reporter in - done. thank you for speaking to us. let's speak to our reporter in kyiv. l let's speak to our reporter in kyiv. we were hearing from frank gardner about how this is potentially a pivotal year for ukraine in terms of that balance between fending off the russian invasion with a counterattack and also sustaining the level of support from other nations it needs.— nations it needs. exactly. the ukrainians — nations it needs. exactly. the ukrainians know _ nations it needs. exactly. the ukrainians know they - nations it needs. exactly. the ukrainians know they need i nations it needs. exactly. the ukrainians know they need to j nations it needs. exactly. the - ukrainians know they need to achieve major gains with this counter offensive. they want to show western countries all the equipment and weapons they have received can result in the major games on the battlefield. it will be crucial, not only in terms of what happens on the battlefield, but also guaranteeing this vital western military support. again, ithink this vital western military support. again, i think there has been a concern here that there has been a delay in receiving these military support. that the weapons are not

getting to the front lines quickly enough. that is something president zelensky has talked about in his european tour. he has also been warning about the risk of a frozen conflict, as frank was saying. next year is an election year in america, the us has been the main ally in this war in terms of military assistance. obviously, the attention will shift to domestic politics. there will be a lot of debate about the level of assistance provided by president biden. president putin knows the situation may change. and the ukrainians know as well. they know this year will be crucial to show western powers that the ukrainians have the ability to take back territory and to achieve major success. i interviewed president zelensky last week, he talked about success and victory, but he also thoseit

success and victory, but he also those it will be extremely difficult. the next phase of the bore, this will be an extremely difficult chapter of the war. the russians have fortified their positions across the front line. and again, the ukrainians are saying they don't have all the equipment, all the weapons they need to go ahead with this counteroffensive. i think there's been a lot of frustration, not only in delays of getting the weapons to the front line, but in terms of the decision—making process in some western countries. in any this year, the defence minister here told me it seems for every major decision in western countries, there is a very long process in terms of first, there is the denial and then debate about whether this will cross a red line. whether it will be seen as an escalation by russia, and then a decision is taken. we saw it over

battle tanks and battle tanks and their debate, around aired defence systems. now it seems it is the same process in terms of fighterjets. ukrainians say they need them, this is a message president zelensky has been sharing in his visit, because they say they need it to launch a counter offensive, a successful one. the message here is that the ukrainians need more help, more military assistance for this counteroffensive. indie military assistance for this counteroffensive.- military assistance for this counteroffensive. ~ , ~ , counteroffensive. we will be keeping ou on counteroffensive. we will be keeping you on those — counteroffensive. we will be keeping you on those live _ counteroffensive. we will be keeping you on those live images _ counteroffensive. we will be keeping you on those live images from i you on those live images from checkers and we will come to them as soon as president zelensky and rishi sunak emerged from the discussions. around the world and the uk, this is bbc news. on a busy a1 in north yorkshire this year, police cameras

record jason ryder driving in bad conditions at speeds of 1a0 mph. the police pursuit lasted 70 minutes, and ended near gately when police deployed a stinger device to stop the speeding car. vehicle stone, vehicle stone. york crown court heard howjason ryder had committed the offence on the same day he had been disqualified from driving. it appeared before magistrates in connection of a previous driving offence, but instead of surrendering his licence, he left because i got straight into his car. he was sentenced to ten months in prison and again disqualified from driving for 22 months. thejudge described his driving is appalling and said it was extraordinary nobody was killed. you are live with bbc news.

with almost all ballots counted in turkey's crucial general election, president recep tayyip erdogan has said he would accept a run—off vote. official figures give mr erdogan a9.a percent of the counted ballots. his secular opposition rival, kemal kilitchdarolu , is on around a5 percent. if confirmed, it will be the first time a challenger has taken mr erdogan to a second round in a presidential contest. the conservative leader, who has dominated turkish politics for two decades, told supporters in ankara that he was confident he'd still be president in two weeks' time. mr kilitchdarolu, who has garnered support from secular turks and the young has vowed to win the election in a second round, saying his rival failed to get a vote of confidence from the people. our correspondent in istanbul, silin girit, has been giving us the latest. the opinion poll suggested that kemal kilicdaroglu would be able to secure more than 50% of the votes

and secure the presidency in the first round. two posters that came out on the last day said he would become the next president of turkey. that gave the opposition supporters that energy, they were so energised when they were voting. they felt the power was in their grasp for the first time. president erdogan has beenin first time. president erdogan has been in powerfor two decades, since 2003. he was seen as this powerful, invincible figure. the first time, the opposition for pay could actually win this election. their candidate could become the next president of turkey. however, that didn't happen to be the case. maybe the opinion polls were wrong, they were wrong, obviously, but maybe theyjust were wrong, obviously, but maybe they just couldn't were wrong, obviously, but maybe theyjust couldn't hold the

nation's... they weren't theyjust couldn't hold the nation's. .. they weren't truthful to their beliefs. we have been talking about two very different candidates, kemal kilicdaroglu on one side, president erdogan on the other, they are total opposites. not only their characters, their personalities are different, and their visions. apparently, half of the nation still trusts in president erdogan's vision of turkey. i trusts in president erdogan's vision of turke . . ~ , ., ., trusts in president erdogan's vision of turke . . ~ ., of turkey. i will take you to some live pictures _ of turkey. i will take you to some live pictures of _ of turkey. i will take you to some live pictures of the _ of turkey. i will take you to some live pictures of the prime - live pictures of the prime minister's residents, around a0 miles north of london, his country residence. but is aware the british prime minister and the ukrainian president are in discussions about the need for more military aid for ukraine. it was a surprise visit, but president zelensky arrived, and we can see a helicopter landing, so

we can see a helicopter landing, so we imagine it might be an indication their meeting is due to end, but we will keep you updated on any developments there as we get them. thank you forjoining those. you are seeing images of a helicopter landing at the british prime minister's country residence, nut is because rishi sunak is in talks with president zelensky of ukraine. it was a surprise visit by president

zelensky. the two men embraced earlier, possibly about a couple of hours ago, and he got out of his helicopter and hoped prime minister rishi sunak, and the two men refer to themselves as their fronts. this is the latest in a tour of western european countries that president zelensky has been making. they have been to rome, berlin and paris, speaking to leaders there to call for more military aid. this is his fourth stop. the uk has pledged hundreds of air defence missiles and long—range attack drones, coming from downing street. this is all to help ukraine's counteroffensive being planned against russian aggression, and the invasion. we have had a response from russia to this. i will give you that,

something which has come from the kremlin. what they have said in a statement is that they do not believe that the uk's aid will change the outcome of the war. it said the storm shadow missiles supplied to the kyiv regime by britain were used for the strike, contrary to london statements. that was on saturday, and today the crab and said the offer of military aid wouldn't make a difference —— today the kremlin. it takes a negative view of britain supplying those cruise missiles. not an unexpected response from moscow there. in the meantime, the interaction between zelensky and rishi sunak was cordial

and warm. they spoke of the importance of providing support. mr zelensky thanked rishi sunak and said your government has done a lot, your people have done a lot, and we are thankful from your people have done a lot, and we are thankfulfrom all our your people have done a lot, and we are thankful from all our hearts for all the support given. he said it was important notjust for ukraine, but all our security. that is a method we have been hearing from a lot of experts and analysts we have been speaking to, who have said this provision of military aid is really key, and it is important it is signposted this will continue because that is something which is important, notjust for ukraine's counter offensive, but nato security and a show of force against russia. on that note, the conversation between the two leaders mentioned this would not be the last time

president zelensky would meet with prime minister rishi sunak. mr zelensky said it was the first time but would not be the last, and that was reiterated by rishi sunak. stay with us on bbc news, and we are welcoming viewers around the world. we will listen to some of the conversation that rishi sunak and mr zelensky had, speaking to cameras. we remain steadfast in wanting to defend ukraine, notjust to reclaim its rightful territory, but to ensure ukraine has the means to defend itself into the future as well stop that is another topic of conversation that we have had today, about the security arrangements that we should put in place amongst allied countries for ukraine, for the long term, to ensure it can defend itself and provide effective deterrents against future russian