ah ah ah ah, this is dw news alive from berlin, french president and manuel microns sits down from talk with russian president vladimir putin, across is aiming to find common ground and end fears of a russian invasion of ukraine. we'll go live to our correspondence in paris and give as those talks continue. meanwhile, germany's chancellor lands in washington or crisis talks on ukraine. offshore has

been criticized for not fully supporting allied efforts to counter rushes, free filled up on ukraine's borders. he's looking to reassure president biden of germany's resolve and that's as dw news visits, a frontline town in ukraine where residents who have seen armed conflict before are trying to keep hope alive. also on the show, chinese tennis star punctual gives an interview at the beijing olympics denying. she accused a communist party boss of sexual assaults, but didn't she speak under duress? ah hello em claire richards and thanks so much for joining us. a week of urgent diplomacy kicks off today as european leaders try to diffuse the crisis over ukraine, french president emanuel, my crime is currently meeting with russian president vladimir putin in moscow. the head of the my crone said he was reasonably optimistic that he would be able to de

escalate the crisis over ukraine. of the world is watching this meeting and other diplomatic efforts. while an estimated 100000 russian troops are stationed near the ukrainian border. which so the stakes are high for more on this. let's bring in a detail the is lisa lewis in paris. lisa, we know that macro and put in are currently meeting what more can you tell us? well, so far there have only been made a few comments by both leaders. the french president has said, you know, i'm here to de escalate the situation. the russian president has said we can see that there are common security concerns in russia and in europe. and we understand that france is really trying to de escalate the situation to find a solution to the current crisis here in ukraine and russia. now, the french president, in my, my call, is trying to take the leadership to be the voice of de escalation in the word in

europe as a pace to the tough stands represented by the united states. the elliot has been telling us over the past few days and weeks that, you know, one should not think that a russian invasion of ukraine is inevitable. because that could then become a self fulfilling prophecy. and my call is there now to talk to the russian president to try to convince him to withdraw some troops from the re crenan border of the 2 leaders are now behind closed doors. only the 2 of them and their translators, no members of their effective cabinets are present in the room so that they can have a really tete a tete. you know, talk just between the 2 of them. and before this meeting, nato had firmly rejected russian demands that ukraine never join nato. so what do we expect from a chronic could bring to the table to de escalate this? this situation? well,

he can of the not outright promise that ukraine will never join nato. but commentators are speculating that he might to, you know, offer some kind of a moratorium through the back door and say, you know, ukraine, you know, it would take years or decades actually for ukraine to join name to anyway. and also my, my call has been talking about a new security order in europe since it came to power in 2017 and such a new security order would obviously also include russia and my, my call wants to, you know, to beef up the european euro role when it comes to international security and create a new order as opposed to that bipolar that we know for now between russia and the u. s. correspondent lisa lewis. thank you so much for that update. and meanwhile, german chancellor, all our schultz is in washington seeking to reassure president joe biden,

that germany is a reliable ally. schultz has reiterated that military aggression against ukraine would have a high cost for russia. a germany is nato allies, including the u. s. are unhappy with berlin's refusal to provide ukraine with weapons. schultz stressed that decision is in line with longstanding german policy on arm sales. the bonus for guild upsets here for years. the german government has followed the clear course of not delivering to crisis owns on not delivering lethal weapon to ukraine from one to forget. that was my predecessors policy. it was right then and remains right. by the way, this is really important to me that the majority of german see it exactly as i do as the government does. and as my predecessor didn't exist either, but not everyone sees it that way and their voices are very loud at the moment of my. but my duty is to do what's in the interest of the german people from what in this case is also the view of the citizens of this country along those lines. let's get straight across tier dw political correspondent, nina hossa. nina, where at the start of an intense week of diplomacy over ukraine,

russia tensions the white house saying russia could attack ukraine any day. now, what's the german government's threat assessments? the german government is careful. in its wording. olaf shuts, the chancellor says that the situation is very serious. and demi's foreign minister on elena babylon has recently called the russian troops and the ukrainian border a threat. but the message that we're getting from the german government is still war, can still be avoided and should still be avoided. so demi is now throwing all its weight behind. this adds in crisis diplomacy. so these next couple of days are full with bilateral and multilateral meetings. including with russia at the negotiating table. despite that germany has drawn a lot of criticism from its allies for not taking a tougher line against russia. what are the chances for bite and, and a shorts. and they will find a joint solution for approaching this crisis. many people have criticized all

efforts the gemini chancellor to take too long to actually travel to washington because this is his inaugural visit. and it shows responded by saying that this meeting has been diligently prepared. so he probably does have something in the suitcase with him. what it is we'll find out later today, but choice will of course, underline that germany plays in t nato, so to speak. and president biden and electrodes will jointly reiterate that the response would be tough. a 1st of what a d to invade rec crane. and that will options would be on the table as far as sanctions would go, but gemini will not deliver lethal weapons to ukraine all our shows. reiterated that just before departure. but what biden angeles could perhaps announcing concrete terms, is that nato could continue increasing its true presence in the baltic states. germany at least seems ready to double it's true presence. in lithuania, we will of course, be following that meeting for you here on d. w. now, meanwhile, german foreign minister and alina bar balk, is joined by her check slovak and austrian counterparts in key of to day. what can

they offer ukraine? an alina babble is in caves to day and in easton ukraine, and on the front line to morrow. now she said before departure that ukraine sovereignty must absolutely not be violated, and that the response would be tough, much like love shots. and she is going to stress again that germany will continue its support of ukraine. now, what many people don't realize is that germany has been one of ukraine's biggest economic support is over recent years. if not, the biggest one is given almost 2000000000 euros to ukraine since 2014, to help the country develop economically. and in terms of democratic structures, that is something that the german government hasn't really put in the windows and very much. and they're trying to change that, that adopting a different strategy and boast a bit more if you will. and of course, by going together with her counterparts from other european countries on elena babylon, also wants to signal to ukrainian lead lead to the message, the west,

a standing united because of course, well i saw it also said before the passing to washington that all of germany's efforts a very closely coordinated with allies to make sure that the circle west does not give pu 10 even the remotest idea that the west can be divided. and that is of course, also true for the meeting between french president monroe, my conte, letting me putin that a, something that he close the coordinate it with the left shots are political correspondent, nina has. i thank you so much for that update. and he w corresponded much. his ballinger is covering the story for us from the region. he traveled to eastern ukraine, near areas controlled by russian back separatists. and he sent us this report from the village of greenwich. now, the village school of ranita, the last village here on ukrainian control territory, is close to the frontline. it has come under fire before. now the classrooms i m t not because of the war, but because of new coven restrictions,

the war is something. people have been living with for 8 years. they will not a border pushed on faculty. they, we go to work. most of the time the children go to school the, to the speech, but we don't know what will happen in 5 or 10 minutes. she or to morrow nice more. so more always worried, the always scared saperstein listed are just a few 100 meters down this road is the last ukrainian position with who is in the line. the fi of the opposite side. there is a heavy military presence immigrant. a ceasefire is in place, but shelling can sometimes be heard at night. moses i am could read for the extra saturday. we already know who shoots and when. so we just sit at home because it was worth a few years ago. we always hit in the cellar when there was fighting it. sure. but

that was then. the shalicia took the key to lovely. but with the latest russian build up, a bigger escalation is on the table again. discomfited on. so when things come down, we bought a house here. oh chest. but now we don't know what will happen. deduction. ukrainian control territory ends with the last houses of the village. behind a small river lies the demilitarized strip. the pedestrian bridge is the only link to the next village in the so called gray zone. the circle, the next village, is not small. people come here every day to work. and kids go to school. one of the people who crosses the border every day is teacher louis miller car truck. she is from across the river and does not want to give her you name because her life

depends on good relations with both sides. shelling is even more frequent in her villain. guerrero bought the yell was on that of my work is here. i come here every day. yes, it's hard. yes, it's dangerous, very dangerous. let me but i cannot just quit work and leave. i just can't leave her, don't look whom. she says she has not yet lost hope that somehow this conflict might come to an end peaceful. so let's cross a to our correspondent who filed that report much as a bullying and joins me now from the ukrainian capital k of martez and germany's foreign minister anna lena, bear walk in care for talks right now with efforts to de escalate attention with russia. what can we expect? well, we cannot expect a big breakthrough today because it is one of many trips that are german and other

countries count of us. we've mentioned some of them in this a program before are undertaking now and a there is of course a lot to do and, and, and, and, and the obstacles are high to and it's you any solution? um, the, i think it's an important signal. she's been here now for the 2nd time in, in less than 3 weeks, and that's an important signal off support that she's, she's sending there. people have been doubting germany. support here over this discussion about weaponry over not stream to and over her her over over the discussion about chancellor schroeder and some of the issue was there, those things the germ politicians have said. so today here she came at least with a clear message here for and of course a to a schroeder's are joining of the board of gas prong. let's take a listen to a clip from a foreign minister and elaine burbock now his in on

a venue and about so a to re, to young, integrated on to look on your teeth. we fully back ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty my so hard to hear. no, i my, i want to underline, i support for the sovereignty with my visit to day, duffy allister, and express our determination to prevent any further escalation. wilmot goods, the harbor death to this end. we have prepared a raft of sanctions against russia, who are diesel fight full of sanctions, are unprecedented, as well as coordinated and prepared with all partners on to for the like that. so the german foreign minister, they're offering plenty of support for ukraine, but clear no weapons. so what exactly can at germany offer to help in this conflict? what we're germany has done is that it has looked, offered a lot of diplomatic effort, and it can play a role. look, of course, as a broker has also become economically supported ukraine. it's one of the biggest

donna's to the country. i'm but what people hear a waiting for is a clear sign that germany is not trying to her. stay aside when it comes to any consequences and that germany is willing to also stand for ukraine or for and for the sovereignty of ukraine. if it costs something, so at least to what she has said to day is that germany would be willing to bet the cost of sanctions. the discussion in germany sometimes has been a not a, as much focused on what sanctions would be effective. but what sanctions would not cost germany a lot, at least that is the impression that people here have gained. and that is at least one step in this direction. but the, it's very clear that this discussion in germany about weapons has caused germany, a lot of sympathies here in ukraine, but as well, and with the view from t r a. thank you so much for that update. so let's take

a look now at some other stories that are making world news. warners in morocco are holding a funeral for ryan, a 5 year old boy who died after spending 4 days trapped. tony, well, france plight triggered a huge ascii rescue effort that had gripped the country and many around the world. but ended in tragedy deductible has risen to at least 20 people after a psych long hit se madagascar with 50000 others have been forced to leave their homes. the storm has brought wide spread flooding to the indian ocean island. and it is the 2nd storm to hit madagascar in recent weeks. australia has announced it is reopening to all fully vaccinated. international visitors, starting february 21st. the country shut its borders when the pandemic began nearly 2 years ago. and entry rules were only relaxed for skilled workers and students in november or canada's capital city has declared

a state of emergency. the mayor of ottawa says a blockade by truck drivers is threatening the safety and security of residents. their protests began after they were told they needed to get vaccinated to be able to cross the us border. but it has gathered wider support in a country where many are weary of corona virus restrictions. ah, making themselves heard in canada's capital. these protesters have paralyzed central ottawa and the cities met has declared a state of emergency. the so called freedom convoy started as a protest by truck is at a new coven. 19 vaccine mandate for crossing the border from the u. s. but it's growing into a rallying point against pen demik restrictions and the government people should be able to make their own choice to take a needle or not take the needle and not lose the job, not lose their house numbers or income. just for the vaccination. also,

as man said, the situation on the straits was out of control. as demonstrate as outnumbered police. there are reports of protesters displaying confederate and nazi symbols. we have a serious emergency where we have to put all options on the table and that may include some violence. we want to minimize that. but at the end of the day, people are not going to leave. we're going to have to be forced to leave plain and simple. this cannot go on for months and months is. this is causing such havoc and such grief. but the movement has gained international support and millions of dollars in donations through its gofundme page. the crowd funding site has now removed the page and said it will refund old donations many or to a residence have said members of the freedom convoy have harassed them and complained of non stop horn blaring. some have staged counter protests.

i just have to stand up, i was warned or thought through 3rd world war i heard this like not to be free and they are thing freedom there for even don't know what it is . not referring about 90 percent of cross border truckers and almost 80 percent of canada's population a fully vaccinated. but these loud minority say this, staying put into coven 19 restrictions, a lifted chinese tennis star punch. why seems to have retracted her sexual assault allegations in her 1st appearance in western media since she made the accusations in an interview published a day in french newspaper, their keep, she said, sexual assaults. i never said any one had sexually assaulted me in any way. the former doubles world number one had previously alleged in

a social media post. as she had been forced into sax by china's former vice premier . the host was swiftly deleted and pung than disappeared from public view for 3 weeks. it's working concerns for her safety. on that with the chief of the international olympic committee on saturday in beijing. so plenty of questions around this case to get some answers. let's bring in journalist fabi and crush mer in beijing up punch. why now? saying she never made any allegations, but we know such allegations it did appear on her social media accounts before being deleted. so what is going on here? it's quite strange and a kind of surreal plot twists happening here. am, in my opinion, the interview she gave to the french sport magazine doesn't really at much value, because 1st of all, she was accompanied by an official, the chief of staff of the national olympic committee. he also interpreted for her, even though, if you look on youtube in the archive, um,

she seems to speak quite some good english. so i mean, that gives us some idea. it's a little bit of a strange situation. but yet her message has basically nothing to see her, everything is normal and m a please don't or give me any attention. but am her social media post is say it's out there. she wrote it and she doesn't even doubt herself that am it's from her. so am yeah, i think we have to wait and pretty get an independent investigation in it. in the past, people under duress in china has been coerced into making false public statement. i think what everyone is wondering is, could this also be the case with a punch? why possibly? yes, but i think it's really important to am. stick to the fact. see, i think both cases are both scenarios will be possible on the one hand. yeah, we have to acknowledge those false confessions they exist, they're actually quite white spread and sometimes they're also and broadcast. and in the state tv, we know those cases are well documented. and, and of course she's under a lot of pressure. i mean,

this is all really effects. on the other hand, we know that she's quite a proud a petri. she is proud of her government, it's what she posts in the past on her way, bill account, et cetera. so there would be the person every also that maybe she realised that she humped the reputation of her home country and now she wants to retract from it. we simply don't know and i think it's not good to speculate too much. we really need an investigation upon just met with the chief of the international olympic committee tossed back. what role is the io see playing in getting to the bottom of this yet, really not a very helpful rule. i would argue, i mean thomas back was the 1st one who had a video call with punch. why? and then basically said everything is fine. and i mean, there was a big mistake. he was basically facilitating the propaganda apparatus. and um, i mean, he never really very critical towards the chinese government. i mean, he's not really a credible voice when it comes to neutrality and also independence. i'm so my

advice would be that he should not make any interpretations regarding her case. i mean, i think that there someone else needed another institution would who would be a better judge. thank you very much for being crash, mark, journalist and beijing. and let's get more from the beijing winter olympics now where day for saw athletes break records, beat the odds and make history on the snow and on the ice. let's take a quick look at some of the stand out performances. in snowboarding, canadian max pero soar to canada's 1st gold of the games, capturing the top prize in the men slope style pero who was diagnosed with cancer after winning the silver metal in 2018. kept off his emotional olympic come back by winning his 1st winter games gold. in alpine skiing, one of the biggest winter olympic events, switzerland's viet voids, flew to gold in a dramatic race which was delayed from sunday due to high winds. voice narrowly

edged out frenchman johan clary, by just 110th of a 2nd to win his 1st olympic gord. 15 year old russian kamilah val ye. yvonne made history by becoming the 1st fema figure skater to land of quadruple jump at the games. she landed 2 and stumbled a 3rd, but the russians still won a team. gold and in football, senegal have won the africa cup of nations for the 1st time ever after they beat 7 time champions, egypt in sundays final. in yonder, a result that had fans in their home country celebrating throughout the night. elation in decor off the senate goals 1st. ever africa coupled nations when but the party atmosphere was also mixed with a sense of relief after a tricky stop to the final against egypt in the 7th minute stop play assario manet mister penalty, but recovered from the setback with the help of his teammates. oh,

it was obvious, a careful additional, you know, what made the difference when i miss the 1st penalty group in all my teammates came to me and told me mc with audio. and if you missed but hook as we are a team, we went together and we lived together some nicky and gun else on on pedal. someone got them off to regardless 120 minutes money became the hero with a winning penalty in the shootout. and despite winning the champions league and premier league with liverpool, this title ranks higher. absolutely. just people who the most the best day of my life a little thing. i think it's the most important trophy of my life to home school today. i continue to live a dream. i can't even believe it is another move away. it was long. but finally we did it on the left and we're all happy. and prior to when they say trophy thea, with the reaction to the victory so firm celebrate wildly and dare to dream of winning even more titles i look, we're very happy about the scope. we knew that synagogue would win the trophy that

we've been waiting a long time to get his title. it's about time. now we're going to win the world co hope that i know to reach that upcoming world cup and consume synagogue. we'll have to again beat egypt over 2 legs in march, his final qualification round the task that now may feel more than achievable to these delighted supporters. i am before we go, let's get a reminder of the top story. we're following for you. french president and manuel mcroy is meeting with russian president vladimir putin in moscow. head of the meeting, mike, ron said he was reasonably optimistic. he could help de escalate the ukraine crisis . more than 100000 russian troops are currently stationed near ukrainian border update at this hour coming up next in dw news, asia. more on chinese tennis star punch, wide denying,

sexual assault claims where they really just a huge misunderstanding as she now claims and a special report from india as a nation, warns one of its most beloved pictures and stories and more coming up next india, the asia with my colleague melissa champ and fair richardson in berlin from the team. thanks much for watching. ah, ah, ah, with

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from people in tune with our 21. in 60 minutes on d, w, and we're interested in the global economy, our portfolio d w business. be on a closer look at the project. our mission. to analyze the fight for market dominance. east this is wes. good. a step ahead with the business beyond on you to ah, william, how to think on it as well. i, you know, if i had known that the boat would be that small, i never would have gone on the trail. i would not to put myself and my parents in that danger. god, it's a theme of the akita slater,

who love on center. they've had that one. the liberty to give them. i had a serious problems on a personal level, and i was unable to live there with you want to know their story info, migrant, verified and reliable information. for migrant you're watching d. w in is asia, it's coming up today more controversy at the beijing olympics. this time over chinese tennis star, punish. why is he or isn't she speaking under coercion? we take a closer look at her comment and her big career announcement. and in india, a legend has passed away. millions more. the death of hollywood singer a lot on the guest car

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