that dynamic in the wider war? that depends on the russian response, will moscow divert resources away from its granting offensive in eastern ukraine? it also depends on how the key over western allies react, will be decisively back for what is�*s gamble or put caution first? my guess is the latvian defence minister andris spruds. with this faith rather, what can ukraine expect from its friends? andris spruds, welcome to hardtalk. thank you for having me. my

pleasure- — thank you for having me. my pleasure. you are the defence minister in a baltic nation which is one of ukraine's strongest supporters inside the eu and nato. what do you make of ukraine's risky gambit, the offensive inside russian territory? it offensive inside russian territory?— offensive inside russian territo ? , . , territory? it was 'ust recently in ukraine. h territory? it was 'ust recently in ukraine, and _ territory? it wasjust recently in ukraine, and what - territory? it wasjust recently in ukraine, and what i - territory? it wasjust recently in ukraine, and what i see i territory? it wasjust recently in ukraine, and what i see in| in ukraine, and what i see in ukraine, it is resolve, it is resilience, it is they're willing to take initiative and what we have seen right now is that ukraine is in a position to take this initiative, that it shows also the war is a war of will, the war of the mindset, and we can see that ukraine also shows inaudible. did you also get a sense of did ukrainian frustration with his allies? it has become clear in the last few weeks that ukraine did not feel able to share any

information about this surprise offensive with its closest allies. there was a sense in that ukraine but if they told people such as yourself inside dimitri, inside the eu, the advice might be do not do it, ukraine has essentially decided to go it alone.— to go it alone. ukraine has a stron: to go it alone. ukraine has a strong partnership _ to go it alone. ukraine has a strong partnership with - to go it alone. ukraine has a| strong partnership with nato and eu allies and we have a mutual support to each other in many ways. mutual support to each other in many ways-_ many ways. you clearly are not informed. _ many ways. you clearly are not informed. any _ many ways. you clearly are not informed, any of _ many ways. you clearly are not informed, any of your - many ways. you clearly are not| informed, any of your ministers informed, any of your ministers informed about what was forthcoming?— informed about what was forthcomina? . ., , forthcoming? some operations that should _ forthcoming? some operations that should be _ forthcoming? some operations that should be kept _ forthcoming? some operations that should be kept secret - forthcoming? some operations that should be kept secret but| that should be kept secret but again what we have seen this operation between us, there is appreciation from the ukrainian side, what we have done what we supply, side, what we have done what we supply, and at the same time things have gotten faster and on a larger scale, this is what latvia is advocating for. artistic for a moment longer

with this offensive, you say you are behind it and you supported but what is a strategy? what do you think the long—term plan is for this particular territorial incursion?- particular territorial incursion? . ., incursion? the war of will, the war of initiative, _ incursion? the war of will, the war of initiative, and - incursion? the war of will, the war of initiative, and also - incursion? the war of will, the war of initiative, and also as l war of initiative, and also as i said previously, war of initiative, and also as isaid previously, ukraine war of initiative, and also as i said previously, ukraine has proven it has capabilities because... proven it has capabilities because. . ._ proven it has capabilities because... ,, ,, ~ , , . because... crosstalk. russia has vulnerabilities. _ because... crosstalk. russia has vulnerabilities. taking - because... crosstalk. russia has vulnerabilities. taking the | has vulnerabilities. taking the initiative has happened, it clearly took the russians by surprise and clearly embarrassed vladimir putin. the question now is what happens now? the command of ukrainian forces so they now control more than 1300 square kilometres of russian territory and they have extended the thousand kilometre frontline even further and therefore stretched their own resources even further. do you believe ukraine intends to hold this territory? 1

believe ukraine intends to hold this territory?— this territory? i guess when we discuss these _ this territory? i guess when we discuss these operations - this territory? i guess when we discuss these operations it - this territory? i guess when we discuss these operations it is i discuss these operations it is not for public discussions, the specifics of the operation. what we have seen that the war has been brought in many ways back to the aggressor country, we also have to its lines and to defend and protect its border as well. ukraine has a full rated it because it is fighting a war of freedom and self—defence but that is bringing the war back to the aggressor country. it is taking initiative. there are specifics that are more operational to continue the whole operation but i assure you that ukrainians know how to do it once more. it is also about the mindset and showing what russians are in russians demonstrate a lot of vulnerability, political and military, and i think this is also the moralfailure military, and i think this is also the moral failure for russia in war in general.

inaudible in the kursk region. ukrainians claim there is evidence that troops are being diverted to kursk, independent analysts do not see that, do you? i analysts do not see that, do ou? ~ . , , . , you? i think that russia needs to somehow — you? i think that russia needs to somehow regain _ you? i think that russia needs to somehow regain those - to somehow regain those territories which means also they will have to have a resources and how to do that. you are a defence minister and privy to intelligence also do so that russia is diverting troops and resources from that front to kursk? i troops and resources from that front to kursk?— front to kursk? i will go into the intelligence _ front to kursk? i will go into the intelligence details - front to kursk? i will go into the intelligence details of i the intelligence details of what we can see is this area of trouble for russia, and every day is a decisive, every day is also challenging for the ukrainian side and the russian side and this has added additional dimensions and vulnerability and challenges to russian size, so they will certainly contemplate what to do with this and either divert on a wider scale or perhaps on another scale. on a wider scale or perhaps on anotherscale. in on a wider scale or perhaps on another scale.— another scale. in the last few da s another scale. in the last few

days you _ another scale. in the last few days you have _ another scale. in the last few days you have been - another scale. in the last few days you have been in - another scale. in the last few days you have been in kyiv i another scale. in the last few i days you have been in kyiv and had direct talks with the ukrainian defence minister. how do you explain to him that still key supporters of ukraine in the west led by the united states are putting constraints on the way their weapons are used by ukrainian military forces and particular long—range missiles which the americans and others as well will not allow to be used against targets deep inside russia? mil against targets deep inside russia? �* , ., russia? all i can see that the latvian is _ russia? all i can see that the latvian is very _ russia? all i can see that the latvian is very clear - russia? all i can see that the latvian is very clear that - latvian is very clear that ukrainians could and should use those weapons in a self—defence against the russians and in russian territory, the aggressor territory. latvia does not _ aggressor territory. latvia does not provide - aggressor territory. latvia does not provide the - aggressor territory. latvia . does not provide the missiles which could strike deep inside russia. we're talking about the and the british, the french, and the british, the french, and the british, the french, and the germans who will not

even give their tourists long—range missiles to the ukrainians. these key countries have not lifted constraints upon use of their long—range missiles. what do you say to the ukrainians when they see we have to get this authorisation? absolutely what we say to them is not only do we supply ukrainians with equipment and drones which have a reach as well and at the same time what well and at the same time what we see that we will do to convince our partners to advocate, all weaponry, all equipment could and should be using is the aggressor country in self—defence. fin using is the aggressor country in self-defence.— in self-defence. on that basis i have to _ in self-defence. on that basis i have to be — in self-defence. on that basis i have to be frank _ in self-defence. on that basis i have to be frank with - in self-defence. on that basis i have to be frank with you, i i have to be frank with you, you are failing, your persuasive efforts are not working with your allies and particularly the americans. minn; particularly the americans. why not? i do not — particularly the americans. why not? i do not think— particularly the americans. will not? i do not think we are failing, is a continuous process and we have to take into account domestic constraints at the same time if you look at what has been done so far, again, the glass is

half empty or half full, i was a powerful we advocate a more and faster and for countries which follow the latvian lead, the 25% of gdp are going to ukraine in military support, which means that each of the nato countries who provides that of the gdp means 135 billion euros a year of military support. so far we have provided around 120 billion euros for 2.5 years, so thatis billion euros for 2.5 years, so that is the financial resources that is the financial resources that are crucial but not only about the funding, it is also about the funding, it is also about the funding, it is also about the specific type of equipment we should be used and will will advocate for. i do not believe we are failing. it not believe we are failing. it is important it it is out with you because you are an insider in some of these key discussions inside nato in particular. help me, why is it for example that the us national security adviserjake

sullivan seems to be so preoccupied with the threat of escalation and a rushes read alliance? volodymyr zelenskyy after the kursk operation, he said this shows that russia's redlines are crumbling, but thatis redlines are crumbling, but that is not the way it is seen in washington. help me, why is that? �* , ,, ., , that? let's face it, the us has been indispensable _ that? let's face it, the us has been indispensable with - that? let's face it, the us has been indispensable with me i that? let's face it, the us has| been indispensable with me to in a strengthening security but also in supporting ukraine. without us support it will be much more difficult. crosstalk. wh is it much more difficult. crosstalk. why is it that _ much more difficult. crosstalk. why is it that ukraine _ much more difficult. crosstalk. why is it that ukraine has - why is it that ukraine has become more and more convinced that people like jake sullivan do not want ukraine to lose this war where they actually do not want ukraine to go out an outright win the war? {iii not want ukraine to go out an outright win the war? of course there are different _ outright win the war? of course there are different approaches, | there are different approaches, there are different approaches, there is again domestic debate but at the same time for latvia it is clear that we have to

support ukraine until the release inflicted strategic defeat on a rush to any agreement, that is again, yes, among ourselves, how things should be done, and we are doing all the best to convince our partners that weaponry must be provided and it can be used in the aggressor country. this will continue. _ in the aggressor country. this will continue. you _ in the aggressor country. this will continue. you know - in the aggressor country. this will continue. you know russia well and you are a neighbour of russia, you have a long history in the soviet union. when in the last couple of days, once again, there was a discussion ignited about the russian nuclear strategy by saying that in the light of ukraine pleading with western nations to allow it to use long—range missiles on targets deep inside russia, russia must again adapt and review the nuclear strategy, does that help you with a neighbour of russia deeply worried? irate with a neighbour of russia deeply worried?— with a neighbour of russia deeply worried? we have been livin: deeply worried? we have been living next _ deeply worried? we have been living next to _ deeply worried? we have been living next to russia _ deeply worried? we have been living next to russia for- living next to russia for decades if not centuries a

means that we been ready for a different kind of scenario and there is nothing new in black mailing from the russian inside. i do not think we should focus or overfocus on russian rhetoric and blackmail. we should speak from this position of strength and acts from strength and this is what latvia has been doing already for years and also during the last two years will stop there has been a change of mind there. �* , ., , there. but is an interesting -hrase. there. but is an interesting phrase. positions - there. but is an interesting phrase. positions of - there. but is an interesting l phrase. positions of strength amongst allies. the problem you haveis amongst allies. the problem you have is that your allies are divided. if you look inside veneto and inside the eu, there are deep divisions about strategy on the russia ukraine war. ., , strategy on the russia ukraine war. . , . , , . strategy on the russia ukraine war. . , . ,, . ., war. that is what russia would like to promote _ war. that is what russia would like to promote some - war. that is what russia would like to promote some of - war. that is what russia would like to promote some of the i like to promote some of the cracks. ., ., , ., , cracks. come on, it is not 'ust russia promoting it, itfi cracks. come on, it is not 'ust russia promoting it, it ish russia promoting it, it is basic facts. the president of the eu council says the warmer

stand and it is counter—productive, the ceasefire must happen on the current frontline and he says we must stop sending answer ukraine. ., we must stop sending answer ukraine. . ,., ukraine. there are some countries _ ukraine. there are some countries that _ ukraine. there are some countries that position i ukraine. there are some - countries that position might be critical that the same time if you look at the wider strategic perspective, there was clear threat assessment is shared, they have been included as a threat to nato and there has been a clear reputation of nato plans, and there was a clear understanding to support ukraine, so i think also within the european union, the sanctions are packages that have been adopted unanimously, so yes of course sometimes they differ on some of the details and yes, some countries might also be critical of, but the same time a strategic level we are certainly on the same page. are you? whenjoe biden et of nato membership recently, peace, when it comes to ukraine does not mean nato membership,

it means we will have a relationship with the ukrainians like we do with other countries where we supply weapons so they can defend themselves in the future but he said i do not quote the metallisation of ukraine. that could be a _ metallisation of ukraine. that could be a specific— metallisation of ukraine. that could be a specific time - metallisation of ukraine. t�*isgii could be a specific time and it was expressed in such a way but if you look at a long—term perspective, and also for us support, us support has been indispensable, and during the nato summit it was clearly that... ,, ,, �* nato summit it was clearly that- - -_ it - nato summit it was clearly that. . ._ it was | that... crosstalk. it was stated the _ that. . . crosstalk. it was stated the recent - that... crosstalk. it was i stated the recent washington summit, the leadership of president biden, that there is irreversible of the ukrainian inaudible to nato membership. there is no timeline.— there is no timeline. when it conditions — there is no timeline. when it conditions and _ there is no timeline. when it conditions and allies - there is no timeline. when it conditions and allies agree, i conditions and allies agree, the 32 members of nato, yes, on the 32 members of nato, yes, on

the debate as well but the words of being irreversible have been strengthened by specific practical action on establishing the security assistance of you've became and providing the measures to strengthen the ukrainian military, so they are practical steps on how we move forward and with allocating specific funding. and with allocating specific fundinu. �* , and with allocating specific fundinu. v ., ~ and with allocating specific fundinu. �*, . ~ , and with allocating specific fundinu. �*, .~ , ., funding. let's take this from the multilateral— funding. let's take this from the multilateral to _ funding. let's take this from the multilateral to the - the multilateral to the internal and domestic latvia now. is your country on a war footing as we speak today with regard to russia? we footing as we speak today with regard to russia?— regard to russia? we are defensively _ regard to russia? we are defensively ready - regard to russia? we are defensively ready for - regard to russia? we are defensively ready for all i regard to russia? we are - defensively ready for all kinds of scenarios. we are facing hybrid it worked it is right now and will be ready for both hybrid activities and at the same time we should be ready to defend our country today. 0nce defend our country today. once more i must remind ourselves that that beer is part of nato which means we also have the presence of nato military

forces in latvia so it is... i forces in latvia so it is... i understand i am interested in the psychology of your own nation. you are a people of 1.8 million, a relatively tiny nation compared to russia next door but doing extraordinary things. talk about developing a drone war between you and russia. you are literally digging anti—tank ditches and trenches along the border and talking about putting dragon �*s teeth on the border. you have, i am told, tell me if i am wrong, you told your own citizens to convert their basements into area shelters because a russian attack could come at any moment. what is this doing to the quality of your own people? i this doing to the quality of your own people?- this doing to the quality of your own people? i think we should not _ your own people? i think we should not panic. _ your own people? i think we should not panic. we - your own people? i think we should not panic. we should your own people? i think we i should not panic. we should be ready for all kinds of scenarios.— ready for all kinds of scenarios. , �* ., scenarios. isn't this a form of... scenarios. isn't this a form of- -- no- _ scenarios. isn't this a form of... no. it _ scenarios. isn't this a form of... no. it is _ scenarios. isn't this a form of... no. it is preparing i scenarios. isn't this a form of... no. it is preparing of| of... no. it is preparing of

ourselves— of... no. it is preparing of ourselves for— of... no. it is preparing of ourselves for the - of... no. it is preparing of ourselves for the worst i of... no. it is preparing of. ourselves for the worst case scenario and preparing ourselves mentally for the case scenario. we are precluding the kind of scenario. we show we are ready to invest strategically, politically and financially put it latvia is one of the countries that spans more than 3% of our gdp for the military expenditure. i must remind he was back in 1980s and the cold war years, the average expenditure in the nato alliance was 3.5%, now it is about 2%. there is a general increase among the eu partners european partners in the nato alliance and latvia understands being on the front line and we should so examples how to lead, how to also demonstrate, we are strengthening our border, mutualism and conscription, building a drone army, we are taking practices and experiences from our ukrainian

allies and partners and we realise we live next door... how long can latvia continue with this war footing and not damage your own economy, future investment plans and indeed the stress and strain you are putting on your own citizens? how long is it sustainable? it must be sustained for a long time because we are living next to russia which has proven to be an aggressor country. puts it in february _ be an aggressor country. puts it in february said _ be an aggressor country. puts it in february said he - be an aggressor country. puts it in february said he had no intention of sending any russian force to invade poland, the baltic states, he ordered and said it was ridiculous. is and said it was ridiculous. is at and said it was ridiculous. is at the same words at viewers before he invaded ukraine. that is why his words are not taken seriously. coming back to latvia, we%, this is important for that we should so this example and it is also, to implement these activities, we have to develop our defence

capability because investing in defence is investing in security and by investing in security and by investing in security it means it is also investing in a secure place also for investments and economy. coming back to the cold war years, more than 3%, that was the average, it was sustainable and proven economies can prosper and develop and we believe these things go hand—in—hand. in russia we must remind ourselves everything my change of five years but nothing changes in the coming years. it is imperialistic and proven itself regardless of what prison are saying. if regardless of what prison are sa inc. , ., ,., regardless of what prison are sa in. ., , saying. if you feel so strongly about that. — saying. if you feel so strongly about that, using _ saying. if you feel so strongly about that, using hybrid i about that, using hybrid warfare ordered underwear from the russian side, you state your entire country, society, people must be ready for what comes next. how dangerous is it that there are clearly divisions inside latvia, not least because almost 25% of your own people are ethnic

russians. there are clearly latvians that are not ethnic russians they regard the population of some sort of internal threat. it population of some sort of internal threat.— internalthreat. it is an ongoing _ internalthreat. it is an ongoing process, i internalthreat. it is an ongoing process, howl internal threat. it is an i ongoing process, how to internal threat. it is an - ongoing process, how to dress some of the challenges inside the countries. let some of the challenges inside the countries.— some of the challenges inside the countries. let me be blunt. there is a _ the countries. let me be blunt. there is a nationalist _ there is a nationalist politician in your parliament that describes much of the ethnic russian population in your country as a quote unquote fifth column.— fifth column. there are russian s-ueakin fifth column. there are russian speaking minorities _ fifth column. there are russian speaking minorities that - fifth column. there are russian speaking minorities that are i speaking minorities that are not a minority. there is a diversity of russians but a lot of patients, russians that know the language, russians fully integrated into society. that language. — integrated into society. that language. we _ integrated into society. that language, we know- integrated into society. that language, we know so i integrated into society. that language, we know so many ethnic russians moved into latvia during the period of soviet rule, they were sent there as workers. many have chosen to integrate but many still speak russian as their first language. you personally believe you have ethnic russian

fit: this inside your country? there are russians this 11 relatives of their past legacy and partly might even be mentally living in the past. mentally living in the past? some. i would say it is a minority among russian speaking population. then there are russians but i still also intoxicant russians but i still also intoxica nt of russians but i still also intoxicant of a russian gander. so the importance of hybrid warfare where you also protect your information space. hagar warfare where you also protect your information space. how far do ou your information space. how far do you go _ your information space. how far do you go in _ your information space. how far do you go in addressing - your information space. how far do you go in addressing this? i do you go in addressing this? if you are worried as you clearly are about the mindset of some of your own ethnic russian population inside latvia, how far would you go in addressing that, to go back to the nationalist, he says we can keep those who want to integrate but those that are waiting for the return of the

soviet union, they should leave. talk about some sort of deportation programme. there is a permanent _ deportation programme. there is a permanent dialogue _ deportation programme. there is a permanent dialogue with i a permanent dialogue with lapping society explaining what things should be done and why it stays and what government is doing it there is an absolute support for those activities. how we strengthen external security and eternal security. yes, there are people whose minds will be difficult to change... minds will be difficult to change- - -_ minds will be difficult to chance... , , change... russians, if they hear people _ change... russians, if they hear people like _ change... russians, if they hear people like you i change... russians, if they i hear people like you suggesting there is a problem with some of there is a problem with some of the ethnic russians on your territory, but for many people in moscow becomes a reason to contemplate intervention. i contemplate intervention. 1 don't think so. there contemplate intervention. i don't think so. there could be any reason to contemplate some kind of activities. there could be excuses for russian side and the bases and courses in prolific nation of russian

regime. that is why we should do our homework. the latvian government and latvia state has done a dialogue to integrate russian speaking society or russians begin minority minorities. 0f russians begin minority minorities. of course it means this is quite a long process and we are doing all the best majority russians fully integrated. some of those relics of the past, some legacies of the past remain and it means once more help when it is to have this information space kept secure and co—ordinated. aha, space kept secure and co-ordinated.- space kept secure and co-ordinated. �* . ., co-ordinated. a final thought, ou as co-ordinated. a final thought, you as defence _ co-ordinated. a final thought, you as defence minister- co-ordinated. a final thought, you as defence minister had i you as defence minister had many conversations with your american counterpart. in a deep uncertainty hangs at a washington politics right now. trumpet or harass, we don't know who will win the next election but if it is trump, given what he said about ukraine, given what his vice presidential pickjd vance set in 2022 where he said he doesn't care what happens to

ukraine one way or another, how worried are you about the prospect of donald trump back in the white house? the prospect of donald trump back in the white house?— in the white house? the us is indispensable _ in the white house? the us is indispensable for _ in the white house? the us is indispensable for nato - indispensable for nato solidarity and unity. the us is indispensable for security. we would be incorporating closely with us for years and highly appreciate the support. i can also underline we have been incorporating with different us administrations was of yes, some of those statements are concerning. they are worrying us but at the same time again, these are being expressed in these are being expressed in the context of a political dynamic in a political campaign. at the same time i think we have added to work with any administration and we have done at the past and it has been a very successful and we appreciate the mutual cooperation and support. we have to end _ cooperation and support. we have to end there. thank you forjoining me.— forjoining me. thank you for havin:

forjoining me. thank you for having me- _ forjoining me. thank you for having me. thank— forjoining me. thank you for having me. thank you - forjoining me. thank you for having me. thank you so i forjoining me. thank you for i having me. thank you so much. hello again. wednesday brought us some big contrasts in the weather across the uk. now, for the north and west of the country, we did have a lot of cloud, and that brought some outbreaks of rain at times. you can see that on the combined satellite and radar picture. some of the heaviest rain went into western scotland, where we also had some of the lowest temperatures. for example, in harris, we only had temperatures of 1a degrees. in sharp contrast to that, skipping across these various weather fronts, we actually had plenty of sunshine and quite hot weather across east anglia and south east england, with temperatures peaking at 30 degrees in cambridge. confirmation, then, that the weather did indeed look a lot cheerier for some. now, looking at the weather picture over the next few hours, we've got a cold front whizzing its way eastwards across the country. what that's essentially doing is it's bringing cooler and fresher air in across the uk, so it won't be so hot

across eastern areas of england as we look at the forecast in detail for thursday. and for many of us, it's going to be quite a fresh start to the day. temperatures even in single figures across parts of eastern scotland. now for scotland and northern ireland, this weather front will bring a zone of thicker cloud, outbreaks of rain for a time, followed by some showers into the afternoon. there could be a few showers at times across the northwest of england, maybe across parts of wales, but these few and far between, i think across the midlands, east anglia, southern england, it's a largely dry day. still warm in the sunshine, 23 degrees. not bad, but it's not going to be as hot as it was. we're not going to see temperatures of 30, for example. then for friday and the weekend, this area of high pressure is set to move across the uk. the other thing we've got to watch out for is the risk of a few showers coming up from france, but for the time being, it looks like they'll stay away. so friday, plenty of sunshine, just a few showers for 0rkney and shetland, where it will continue to be quite breezy. 0therwise, temperatures generally in the high teens to low 20s for scotland and northern ireland, and about 20 to 23 widely across england and wales. it then starts to get a bit warmer for scotland and northern ireland

as we start to get a southerly drift, so temperatures more widely will reach the 20s as we go through the weekend. there'll still be a lot of dry and sunny weather for england and wales. just an outside chance of a shower working in to the coast of southern england. 0ur temperatures, well, coming up to about 22 in glasgow, so feeling quite a bit warmer here. and a fine weekend, sunday looks good as well. could see 25 across parts of eastern england, but then some showers around next week.

live from london, this is bbc news. the paris 2024 paralympic games have begun with a spectacular opening ceremony last night, held once again outside ofa stadium. the first gold medals will be awarded in swimming, cycling and taekwondo later today. restrictions on outdoor smoking are being considered by uk ministers as part of a drive to phase out tobacco. the us national security advisor has met a senior chinese military figure in a rare one—on—one meeting during a visit to beijing.

hello, i'm vishala sri—pathma. it's the first day of the paralympics in paris, after a spectacular opening ceremony, which was, like with the olympic games, held outside of a stadium in the french capital. nearly 4,500 competitors from around the world will take part in the next 11 days of events. the head of the international paralympic committee, andrew parsons, told the crowd he wanted the games to be an "inclusion revolution". the games will begin this morning with badminton, and later the first gold medals will be awarded in swimming, cycling and taekwondo events. elizabeth wright is an abc sports reporter and a triple paralympic medallist for australia in swimming and joins me now.

thank you forjoining us.