we will get the thoughts tonight from capitol hill. also tonight, love him or loathe him, rupert murdoch unquestionably, was one of the most influential figures of the modern era. today he handed the reigns of his powerful companies today he handed the reins of his powerful companies to his eldest son. and another allegation is levelled against the actor and comedian russel brand, and comedian russell brand, this time in la. good evening, the ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky is in the white house this hour, at the end a busy day, in which he has been lobbying the us congrees for more american aid. his visit comes at a fraught time in washington. house republicans divided over spending, the us government hurtling towards a shutdown and the hardline conservatives deeply opposed to spending more on the war. the $24 billion of aid and further military spending the white house wants congress to approve has been

removed from the stop gap bill house speaker. kevin mccarthy agreed last night. look, what russia has done is wrong. and we have spent, when you look through history, trillions of dollars worried about, then, the soviet union, and now putin. we don't have any american men or women on the ground. we believe in standing up for democracy. and we will continue to do that. but the one thing i've always said in this job, no matter what the issue is, i always firmly believe you have to have accountability. these are hardworking taxpayer... these are hardworking taxpayer dollars. i want to make sure there's accountability where the resources are going. i want to see a plan of what we're looking for for victory. and i think members will sit and have their questions as well. for president zelensky that coincides with worrying developments back at home. russian forces fired 43 rockets at ukrainian cities last night, again targeting the energy infrastructure. mr zelensky has spoken this week of the urgent need for more air defence missiles; particularly

the patriot system supplied by the americans. these are live pictures from the white house. you'll see there helena humphreys is with us here at the white house, we'll show you some pictures from the front lawn where we are expecting president zelensky to appear. what can president biden give president, the patriot missile systems in the air defences? itrailiiile systems in the air defences? while christian, what _ systems in the air defences? while christian, what president _ systems in the air defences? “5m ie: christian, what president biden systems in the air defences? “em ie: christian, what president biden can give, what congress signs off on of course is a very different matter as you well know. the white house and the biden administration calling for $24 billion worth of aid in terms of weaponry and humanitarian aid to be signed off on, but of course president zelinski coming to this country at a very difficult time, finding a country which is mired in

its own debate about federal discs spending and exactly what will be signed off on, so president zelensky coming, making the case for more weaponry, more long—range missiles, in particular atacam missiles, which have a long range, more defence against russian positions in areas such as crimea, but it comes at a very difficult time, it remains to be seen if that will be signed off on. and this is a very different meeting, let“s on. and this is a very different meeting, let's take you back to nine months ago when we saw president zelensky, as you well remember christian, that standing ovation when he saw the joint address to congress, a hero's welcome, ukrainian flags unfurled. this is really the heart of the matter, questions being raised from speaker of the house kevin mccarthy about really what should be signed off on, and raising a spectre of questions about accountability for the money

that goes to ukraine. also saying that goes to ukraine. also saying that americans, hard—working that americans, ha rd—working taxpayers, that americans, hard—working taxpayers, will want to know ukraine's plan for victory and also raising questions about how potentially this kind of federal spending could be used on other matters. and in support of that, what we've seen is 29 republican lawmakers coming together to sign a letter saying that us congress should not be signing off on this 24 billion four ukraine, so the federal spending bill and the fate of ukraine in furtherfunding is spending bill and the fate of ukraine in further funding is very much tied together. but the core from president zelensky and from president biden remains, this isn't just about helping ukraine to defend itself, this is also about global security and that's something that we've seen throughout the course of the week of course it with president zelensky at the un security council as well. . , ., ., , , as well. the decision to strip the fundin: as well. the decision to strip the funding from _ as well. the decision to strip the funding from the _ as well. the decision to strip the funding from the spending - as well. the decision to strip the funding from the spending bill. as well. the decision to strip the - funding from the spending bill won't be universally popular in congress,

but it might be more cop popular in the country, because actually if you look at the bowling, american“s support for the war is starting to wane, 55% say no, congress should not authorise more funding for ukraine, that is 71% among republicans. so perhaps the speaker of the house is in line with the thinking and public opinion. it’s thinking and public opinion. it�*s important to take a careful look at those polls, as you say, christian. and what caught my eye was you drill down into those numbers as well, eight out of ten americans, republicans, and democrats, are expressing fatigue essentially now with this war. saying that they don't believe and they are concerned about how long this war is going on. we are now 90 months in and this is a critical moment in terms of support, so they are concerned about signing off on more weaponry. we are going into an election year, of course next year as well, inevitably domestic issues start to come to the

floor right now, but christian what i would say as a counterpoint as to what the ukrainian government will say and has long said, swift signing off on weaponry is also what is needed to turn the tide on russian aggression, whether that's on rocket launchers, whether it is on abram tanks, f—16 fighter launchers, whether it is on abram tanks, f—16fighterjets, that has been the argument that it's a grinding counteroffensive, could it have potentially been a quicker one had the military arsenal been more comprehensively stocked from the get—go. if} comprehensively stocked from the iiet-o_'11 ., comprehensively stocked from the net-o~.'ii ., ., �* comprehensively stocked from the iet-io.'ii ., ., �* get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the _ get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the war, _ get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the war, is it _ get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the war, is it a _ get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the war, is it a stark - get-go. 10 one, if we don't get it, we lose the war, is it a stark is . we lose the war, is it a stark is that? it we lose the war, is it a stark is that? ., , ., , , . ,, that? it was reiterated by chuck schumer as _ that? it was reiterated by chuck schumer as well, _ that? it was reiterated by chuck schumer as well, and _ that? it was reiterated by chuck schumer as well, and certainly. that? it was reiterated by chuck i schumer as well, and certainly the ukrainians need this weaponry, just think about what we are seeing as well in terms of poland and that diplomatic issue in regards to grain and pole and then saying that they

wouldn't be further supplying weapons although they continue that weaponry that they've artie continued to for the time being. certainly with this grinding counteroffensive now 90 months on, it would be hard to see how ukrainians would be able to turn the tide on russian aggression without more weapons. —— i9 tide on russian aggression without more weapons. —— 19 months aggression. it“s more weapons. —— 19 months aggression. it's best put compared to last year for example, for example in that counteroffensive where we sought to rapid successive gains in that counteroffensive, seeing that hero “s welcome for we need to remind the american public why this is so important in terms of defeating russia, this isn't why this is so important in terms of defeating russia, this isn“tjust about helping ukraine, this is about defeating russia which is president zelensky has put it itself, won“t zelensky has put it itself, won't just stop at ukraine's border, were

ukraine to fall in zelensky“s mind and many mines around the world, president putin would be looking beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have 'ust beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come _ beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come to _ beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come to the _ beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come to the fore - beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come to the fore in - beyond ukraine's borders. the flags have just come to the fore in the . have just come to the fore in the picture that we are looking out at the right hand side, and the photographers have got up, so it appears that in the next few minutes the two leaders are going to appear on the front lawn of the white house. just talk to me a little bit about the role that mitch mcconnell, the minority senate leader, plays in this. of course he is an institutionalist, he is very much in support of ukrainian aid, so what happens when that spending bill goes from the house to the senate without the ukrainian bill attached to it? that's an important question, whatever is hammered out in the republican party in the house, if it's not going to include that

provision for ukrainian aid by mitch mcconnell“s position, it likely won't pass in the won“t pass in the democratic—controlled senate. again whatever happens in the house, we find ourselves hurtling towards that deadline september 30, nine days away, with a potentialfor a government shutdown. mitch mcconnell as you pointed it out, he is an institutionalist, someone who has very cleared support for funding with ukraine and das, the senate for this part has artie hammond —— hammered out a new support bill. if wejust hammered out a new support bill. if we just focus christian also on the domestic politics in all of this, as a veteran politician, mitch mcconnell has said, we don't want to see a government shutdown. government shutdown very rarely produce any kind of positive change.

and his warning to the republican party in particular to that hardline flank, and those five members in the houseis flank, and those five members in the house is that this could actually end up backfiring against you when ultimately you are sending federal government workers home or even asking them to continue on the job without any pay. so his message is that too many people here stand to lose, and what we are saying is a federal government budget and funding for ukraine incredibly linked. , ., �* , linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian _ linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian aid _ linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian aid is _ linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian aid is caught - linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian aid is caught up - linked. yep. you're right, this ukrainian aid is caught up in l linked. yep. you're right, this l ukrainian aid is caught up in the machinations of washington politics, and we can't overlook the role that former president donald trump plays in that. there was a tweet that he sent, not a tweet but a post he put on truth social last night, which he said congress must defund all aspects of the crooked joe biden weapon eyes governments. that means

defunding the prosecutions against me and other patriots. there were 20 odd republicans that have written to the white house today acknowledging support of this aid, but the hard line is they are going to stick to their posts, aren“t line is they are going to stick to their posts, aren't they? presumably they are taking instructions from they are taking instructions from the former president.— they are taking instructions from the former president. indeed they are, and the former president. indeed they are. and this _ the former president. indeed they are, and this is _ the former president. indeed they are, and this is a _ the former president. indeed they are, and this is a former- the former president. indeed they| are, and this is a former president of course whose policy is well known as being more isolationist, make america great again, america first. and this is not necessary, necessarily a policy of course that would advocate for further spending as well for ukraine, so they are taking their cause from donald trump who still has that ability not only to influence those 29 with that letter, which you just alluded to, but those five hardliners who are making more ideological demands when it comes to the defence bill. at least in the house. and so that very

much is continuing, i think, to have a sway. and we do have to point out that of course kevin mccarthy, speaker of the house, is very cognizant of that as well in terms of his role and the role that the former president has and his fate and hisjob as former president has and his fate and his job as speaker of the house. we“ll leave you there for a moment, as with all best laid plans, the two leaders haven“tjust appeared as we expected. there is news tonight from warsaw that the government is looking to walk back earlier comments from the prime minister, that poland was ending its military aid to ukraine. the poles have of course been kyiv“s staunchest allies through this conflict but there is a tense stand off that has developed over ukrainian grain, which ordinarily would go via the black sea, but now goes overland through european markets. that is angering the polish farmers and at a particularly sensitive time. poland is in the run up to elections. tonight prime minister morawiecki“s office said his statement had been "misunderstood and wrongly

interpreted", and poland said a spokesman is continuing to "fulfil previously agreed supplies of ammunition and armaments". i“m joined by 0leksiy goncharenko, a member of the ukrainian parliament. perhaps while we're looking at these pictures of the white house, alexi, we could start with the polish issue. because even if aid was supplied, that aid has to come through the polish border, how concerned are you by the rhetoric and some of the threats that you've heard from the polish government? hello, first of all i'm sure that it's much more which unites ukraine and poland then divides us. i'm sure we will fix all these problems, we have a common enemy, we have a common european future, i don't think that we will have big problems with poland in our relationships. so

thatis with poland in our relationships. so that is more about polish elections and that's what i think, and i believe in the future of our relationships. and it's clear why. ukraine desperately need polish support because of aggression against us, but for poland, if ukraine, if ukraine would fail, that would mean that russia would go on the borders with poland and huge security challenges they will have. that's why i'm sure that in the best interests of poland and definitely if ukraine is to have as close relationships as possible and not to give any joy relationships as possible and not to give anyjoy to mr putin, joy of watching of any kind of conflicts between our countries.- between our countries. there is about 40 fighting _ between our countries. there is about 40 fighting days - between our countries. there is about 40 fighting days probably between our countries. there is - about 40 fighting days probably left before the winter months set in, until things get much more difficult. time is of the essence. it strikes me as we are given the

talks of poland on the election there and the ramifications of what's going on in the us congress right now, ukraine's war effort is being hampered by a awful lot of politics. it doesn't look very likely at the moment that the crucial aid thatjoe biden wants to send ukraine is going to be available anytime soon. yeah, i'm iuite available anytime soon. yeah, i'm quite disappointed _ available anytime soon. yeah, i'm quite disappointed for _ available anytime soon. yeah, i'm quite disappointed for the - available anytime soon. yeah, i'm| quite disappointed for the moment when i heard that the united states and administration of president biden has not made a decision to deliver to ukraine, us ballistic missiles, that we desperately need, thatis missiles, that we desperately need, that is disappointing. i don't agree with you that ukrainian counteroffensive will stop or in some close future role because of the change of weather, because today ukraine is more using infantry and our moving ahead. because of russian minefields and not having air

superiority, it means from one point of view that it is quite hard for us to make some kind of a quick move, but at the same time it means that we are not so much dependent from weather and we could continue and we can continue and i think we will continue our counteroffensive even in late autumn months and during the winter. we will continue to do our best. but definitely for us to have a real huge and serious success, we need more weaponry. because in the modern world, to attack without air superiority, to attack without advantage and number of artillery, in number of munition, it“s advantage and number of artillery, in number of munition, it's very hard. ukraine is doing this, russia has asked to keep the lines, have some gains, but will they have a breakthrough? it depends from the weaponry we will receive. and i understand that there is a lot of politics and out domestic politics in the united states and poland and other countries around this war, but

i think that everybody should remember one thing. if ukraine will restore its territorial integrity, russian invasion will be completely stopped, that would mean there is no international law in the world, there is no international quota in there is no international quota in the world, that will mean everybody on the planet are in danger. example, this message many people are going to use to what's going on, but in reality we are in very dangerous position, don“t but in reality we are in very dangerous position, don't forget about 1939 and how it was developing. about 1939 and how it was developing-_ about 1939 and how it was develo-iin. , ., ., �* developing. just on that point, i've been really — developing. just on that point, i've been really struck _ developing. just on that point, i've been really struck this _ developing. just on that point, i've been really struck this week, - developing. just on that point, i've| been really struck this week, alexi, buy some things that president's zelensky, what it's like to live daily under the bombardment and where the money is going on why the eight is so important. but the fact that he has to do that, does that in some respect speak to the failure on the part of the biden administration

to make a case for the war in the united states because mark i don't think that it is a failure, it is part natural process.- think that it is a failure, it is part natural process. they were shocked before, _ part natural process. they were shocked before, but _ part natural process. they were shocked before, but now- part natural process. they were shocked before, but now they l part natural process. they were l shocked before, but now they are part natural process. they were - shocked before, but now they are not used to this. but i think one of the reasons that ukraine is so reliant on the united states and other countries as it is also extremely successful investment to ukrainian army. just with several percent of us military budget, ukraine, ukrainian army destroyed at least 50% of conventional army potential. and russia is a second most dangerous rival for the and russia is a second most dangerous rivalfor the united dangerous rival for the united states dangerous rivalfor the united states after china and also for the whole nato. i think this is extremely successful investment, one of the best in the history of the united states. i think it is important to remind to people in the

united states of america, as well as people throughout the whole western world. , , . ., ., "~ world. irrespective of when that $24 billion materialises, _ world. irrespective of when that $24 billion materialises, it _ world. irrespective of when that $24 billion materialises, it stands - world. irrespective of when that $24 billion materialises, it stands to - billion materialises, it stands to reason that the ukrainians will continue to fight has bravely avs they have done over the last two years. i wonder how you view some of mr zelensky“s rhetoric, if we don't get this money, we lose the war. is it as dark as that? the get this money, we lose the war. is it as dark as that?— it as dark as that? the situation is difficult and _ it as dark as that? the situation is difficult and everyday _ it as dark as that? the situation is difficult and everyday fight - it as dark as that? the situation is difficult and everyday fight is - difficult and everyday fight is exhausting and very dangerous. and definitely without supply of weaponry from the united states, first of all, is the biggest rli as well as from other countries, the united kingdom which have shown many time leadership, we will be an extremely difficult situation. what extremely difficult situation. what does, what does _ extremely difficult situation. what does, what does that _ extremely difficult situation. what does, what does that mean alexi, in

terms of the air defences which the president has spoken of this week? we saw last night the bombardment in cities to the west and in kyiv, but then the targeting of energy installations, how concerned that thatis installations, how concerned that that is part of the russian strategy again? that is part of the russian strategy aiain? .,. , that is part of the russian strategy aiain? , ., , ,, ., ., again? exactly, that is russian war ila book, again? exactly, that is russian war playbook. that _ again? exactly, that is russian war playbook. that is — again? exactly, that is russian war playbook, that is russian - again? exactly, that is russian war playbook, that is russian style - again? exactly, that is russian war playbook, that is russian style of. playbook, that is russian style of warfare, causing suffering to as many civilians as possible. they are entering the winter soon, taking out energy production facilities and power grid, millions of ukrainians can be frozen to death. if the weather will be really harsh, in the winter will be really severe. so that's why i think air defence is something even not about military targets and aims, just about humanitarian things. also people including women and children are

dependent whether ukrainian sky will be defended or not. the only way to defend it is more air defence to ukraine, also including ammunition, on the systems, that's the only thing. also don't forget about economies, without power grid economics can“t economies, without power grid economics can't survive. ukraine is a crucial part of world's food security. it is also a challenge not just for our country but for 100 million people in the world are dependent on ukrainian crops. if russia will continue to attack and will disrupt our agricultural cycle and will not allow ukrainian grain to leave the country, that means these people will go to starvation, that will mean that prices will peak in rich countries, and that will mean that millions of people will be on the edge of life and death and that will mean the us of migrants and huge instability in the whole region of the world.—

region of the world. alexi, it's very good _ region of the world. alexi, it's very good to _ region of the world. alexi, it's very good to talk _ region of the world. alexi, it's very good to talk to _ region of the world. alexi, it's very good to talk to you, - region of the world. alexi, it's| very good to talk to you, thank region of the world. alexi, it's - very good to talk to you, thank for giving us the time this evening. let's bring back helena, who is at the white house this evening watching these pictures, i think we've had a two minute warning. we are soon going to appear. i listened to abigail stenberg, former cia officer, at the moment the united states is making day—to—day decisions on the united states strategic alliances because one guy wants to keep hisjob. he“s talking about the house speaker. is she right? is this all about the politics of one man? while the criticism here, _ politics of one man? while the criticism here, christian, - politics of one man? while the criticism here, christian, you l politics of one man? while the i criticism here, christian, youjust criticism here, christian, you just pointed to is very much about what kevin mccarthy, the speaker of the house,is kevin mccarthy, the speaker of the house, is prepared to do in an effort for self—preservation and an effort for self—preservation and an effort to keep his speakership. i think it's worthjust effort to keep his speakership. i think it's worth just zooming out here and reminding our viewers of all the context of this, because

when kevin mccarthy got his job as speaker of the house, it came after vote after vote after vote for that to be certified and to be agreed to and it came to caveats, concessions. and they've all linked to the budget and federal spending cuts. guess what, we are here. this is crunch time. kevin mccarthy has to come good on these promises. so essentially what you see is in the house, around five lawmakers, hardline lawmakers in the right of the republican party are starting to hold him to account on various different demands with regards to that and they are putting in pin a very difficult situation because looming over all of this is any kind of possibility to put forward a motion to abdicate, to oust him from thisjob, from his position. and

then suddenly you see something so huge and, something such as federal spending bill and how the government goes forward with its objectives, and funding for ukraine, tied to these demands and tied to this fight with a more small minority in the republican party. so i think there is probably some value in that criticism which you just alluded to there. if criticism which you 'ust alluded to there. , ., �* , criticism which you 'ust alluded to there. i. �* , ., , there. if you're 'ust “oining us here on such there. if you'rejust “oining us here on bbc news, _ there. if you'rejust joining us here on bbc news, you're - there. if you're just joining us - here on bbc news, you're watching pictures of the white house, where president's 10 one, very big day for president 10 one, no president's 10 one, very big day for president10 one, nojoint president's 10 one, very big day for president 10 one, nojoint session, no speech to a joint session of congress today, that was denied to

him by the republican leader kevin mccarthy but clearly for resident 10 one and for the ukrainian people and extraordinarily important day with $24 billion of military aid now hanging in the balance. we are going to say goodbye to our viewers on pbs news. but for everyone else who is staying with us, helena humphrey is with me at the white house, still no sign of the two leaders, these things do tend to run over sometimes suchis things do tend to run over sometimes such is world diplomacy i guess. helena, ijust want such is world diplomacy i guess. helena, i just want to talk about the week at large really, for president 10 one. he spoke to the general is ugly, he has spoken to but republican leaders, of course he has been in with president biden for the last few minutes. do you think he shifted the dial any? i the last few minutes. do you think he shifted the dial any?— he shifted the dial any? i think as ou sa he shifted the dial any? i think as you say christian, _ he shifted the dial any? i think as you say christian, that _ he shifted the dial any? i think as you say christian, that remains i you say christian, that remains to be seen in terms of that 24 billion

and whether congress eyes off on it. —— signs off on it. in wartime this is incredibly important for him and i can't be understated. russia even making the case in point, if you take a look at what happened overnight with those air strikes, the west really making the case with 43 missile strikes, why this weaponry is needed so whatever president 10 one comes away with will be very much needed. you mentioned the un security council there as well, christian, and the message that president zelensky had to deliver there, really calling for a reconfiguration as well for the un security council. specifically with russia being one of the permanent members and having the ability to veto any resolution said that's exactly what we've seen over the last 19 months, there have been two resolutions against russian aggression, what russia“s war on

ukraine, both times they have been vetoed by moscow. so the case therefrom president 10 one couldn't have been clear, it was one that was reiterated by president biden in new york as well but i think increasingly when you take a look at how that is playing out with the american electorate, the case is clear that they need to be reminded about exactly what the american engagement is and what this funding goes to, essentially, in terms of a defeat of russia so that it doesn't have ambitions beyond the borders of ukraine so that it doesn't become an even broader conflict. sergeant 10 one“s mission here is he needs to come away with whatever he can, whether that is around the 356 million aid which has been suggested, we haven't had confirmation of that, that has been one suggestion. that is a very small part about what exactly the ukrainian military needs right now, when you think about ammunition and

how quickly they are going through it, and the degree to which washington and the biden administration has increasingly signed off on more sophisticated weaponry throughout this conflict because the case has been clear whether that has been rocket launchers, the expensive patriot missile system, training which we are now seeing in arizona for the f-16 are now seeing in arizona for the f—16 militaryjets, and then that question of the missiles that zelensky has been really fighting for. the argument so far from the white house is we are not necessarily that will be useful or we whether we have enough in our own supplies to supply them. but we look at ukrainian stated ambitions in this war, to retake the entirety of the country including crimea, president 10 18 has been very clear, the missiles would be vital in that allowing his military to be able to

put penetrate positions including an crimea for example. that put penetrate positions including an crimea for example.— crimea for example. that has been one of the criticism _ crimea for example. that has been one of the criticism and _ crimea for example. that has been one of the criticism and still- one of the criticism and still is part of the criticism of the strategy that president biden has followed, because he has set down red lines throughout the conflict, there weren't going to be high bars, there weren't going to be high bars, there were going to be air defences, there were going to be air defences, there weren't going to be tanks, there weren't going to be tanks, there weren't going to be f—16, in every juncture there weren't going to be f—16, in everyjuncture he has crossed his own redlines. and he will come of the decision pending on the missiles, the long—range missiles that they need. nato countries need to decide whether they want ukraine to decide whether they want ukraine to win this war and if they do, they have to give them everything to be able to do that.— able to do that. yeah, that certainly — able to do that. yeah, that certainly would _ able to do that. yeah, that certainly would be - able to do that. yeah, that certainly would be the - able to do that. yeah, that - certainly would be the argument able to do that. yeah, that _ certainly would be the argument from zelinski“s war cabinet. of course the us is supplying a third of

weaponry to ukraine right now, but other nato countries, european allies for example, are actually supplying a higher proportion when it comes to the percentage of their gdp as well. i think that will exert some pressure on the united states as well, and essentially what zelinski has been saying from the beginning. remember he had asked for a no—fly zone from nato allies to establish that, nato allies decided that zele ns ky“s zelensky“s call was always defend our skies. zelensky“s call was always defend ourskies. "i“m zelensky“s call was always defend our skies. "i'm asking you to arm our skies. "i'm asking you to arm our soldiers so that your soldiers don“t our soldiers so that your soldiers don't have to be armed in this fight." that's it simply —— essentially what we're seeing. president biden goes past that red line in terms of that weaponry. we

did see president zelensky meeting