ah ah ah ah, this is dw news coming to you live from berlin. russia prepares to stage the biggest military drills with neighboring bell ruse since the cold war. the exercise as calm as tensions continue to mount over ukraine with the u. s. accusing russia of once more, rationing up the crisis. moscow denies its planning and invasion. also coming up hong kong enters a strict new lockdown. the city implemented mainland china is 0 coven policy,

as it struggles to deal with soaring case numbers. and hopes are high that covered 19 won't steal the show as the belly annella film festival opens today in the german capital will have a rundown of the festivals most highly anticipated films. ah hello m terry martin. good to have you with us. russia is starting joint military drills with its neighbor belarus. today. nato says it's moscow's largest deployment to the former soviet countries since the cold war. the exercise as calm as tensions build over what some western countries fear are. russian plans to invade ukraine. us is calling the joint military drills, escal, atory, but russia claims the forces will return to their bases when the drills finish in 10 days time. u. s. is also deploying more troops to eastern europe,

but their presence is largely symbolic. diplomatic moves are also underway, more on those in a moment, but 1st, this report 0, bolstering nato's borders. on wednesday, u. s. troops arrived in south eastern poland. the united states has also begun moving its forces from germany to romania. around a 1000 nato troops are expected to follow in the coming days. denmark is also announced that it is enhancing its military preparedness, deploying fighter jets to the baltic sea killings. so what, but many western analysts do not see nato's actions in response to the more than 100000 russian troops, a mass near ukraine's borders as a direct defense of ukraine. now in terms of numbers, this is meant to be a symbolic show of resolve that the nato is united, and it will defend its members if attacked. for ukraine,

we've provided arms and training, but we're not providing any direct forces. nobody is further consignments of british weapons have arrived in ukraine. britain has said it only intense them to be used in self defense. speaking in berlin on wednesday, german chancellor will of shaw said a dual approach was needed. adding that while all diplomatic channels must be pursued allies must be prepared to act. a russian forces crossed these borders and enter ukraine. the latest hour joined by the w as german political correspondent, john julius held deli here in berlin and our correspondent and kia mathias boating . a mathias ukraine's foreign minister says diplomatic efforts are bearing fruit, but the pentagon says rushes troop build up on ukraine's border is continuing. is there any consensus in ukraine on the threat level at this point? yes, sir, there is a sense of there is a consensus. the consensus is that rushes to build up is manage thing and that

russia is preparing to launch an attack or is preparing in a way that they could be ready to launch an attack within a very short time. but that they are not at and seeing their last preparations that would be needed. ukraine is somewhat in a difficult position here because, or the threat is perceived as real and ukraine once the world to understand that and what they need, all these weapon deliveries that that's at least their assessment in order to maybe deter irrational attack or to counter somewhat counter it, of course the russian military is a superior to the ukrainian and they wouldn't have, it wouldn't be a fight on par. but at the same time, they do not want to spread panic. so they're situation, they're, they're there that the wording is always that russia might attack very soon, but they're not seeing any imminent preparations for attack. julio german

chancellor olive shots is continuing his diplomatic offensive by hosting multi party talks here in berlin. tell us about today's round of diplomacy to day on the schedule is the 2nd round of meetings of the so called norman div format . and that means there are policy advisers from germany, france, russia, and ukraine will meet in berlin after a 1st meeting that happened in paris at the end of january. the normandy format was established in 2014 to try to bring an end to the conflict in eastern ukraine. and that led to the so called minced minsk agreements of 2015, which are ukraine and russia accused themselves of not respecting and implementing this meeting today. or we don't have that many details. but what we've heard from a government spokesman is that they will try to push for further dialogue and

the escalation, but also to try to see these minsk agreements fully implemented. and judy, i understand that shots is also due to meet with the leaders of the baltic states, estonia, lafayette lithuania, which all border russia. are they likely to get the kind of support they're looking for from germany? because of the geographical position of these 3 countries. they are in a especially delicate situation. they border with russia. they border with bell roofs, where the military exercises with russia are currently taking place. and these countries don't see russia and russia attacking them as an immediate threat or possibility. but they are afraid that if that were to happen in ukraine, that they would be next. now the countries have ask especially lead to whit lithuania for an increased troop presence by germany in the country. germany leads

the natal battle group that is present in lithuania with around 550 soldiers. and germany's defense minister has promised this week that germany is prepared to send an additional $350.00 soldiers to lithuania, to try to reassure its partners. but whether that will be enough and whether the countries are going to be asking for more and whether germany is willing to give more, we will see this evening at this meeting. mathias, russia, and billers are entering the hot phase of huge wargames in bell ruse involving 200000 troops. how is this being seen in care of it's of course, seen as a maneuver of intimidation. it's a seen as, as a, as a preparation and other preparation to encircle ukraine. the russian troops are now in the, at the eastern border, the border between russia and ukraine on occupied on the occupied territory of

crimea. and now that in the northern part of the, the boat border between bella roost and ukraine. so of course, this is seen as part of this military build up, although russia denies it has anything to do with it, or tears bellinger and cheer. and julia saw deli in berlin, thanks to both of you very much. take a look now at some of the other stories making headlines around the world. boating has started in elections in several indian states, including its most populous talk per dash, their chief minister. you'll get on it young up is seeking re election for his indian nationalist b j. p party, which is also india's ruling party. at the national level victory there would boost the party ahead of national elections in 2024 canadian prime minister justin trudeau. has stood firm in supportive vaccine mandate says truckers blockaded

a major trade route through the u. s. for the 3rd day in a row. ambassador bridge carries 25 percent of all trade between the 2 countries. officials and both nations have express concerns about the economic effects. if the blockade continues. the president of mexico says he wants a pause in relations with spain. andres manuel lopez, oprah door says he deal says deals with spanish energy firms. by previous governments put mexico's state utility provider at a disadvantage. the president plans to strengthen state control of the mexican energy market, have raised concerns among foreign firms about protecting their investments and police. and their's elian's capital. wellington arrested more than 50 people as they sought to end a protest against corona virus mandates and restrictions. several 100 demonstrators had been camped out for 3 days in front of parliament, around 80 percent of new zealanders are fully vaccinated with jobs required for

some frontline staff. authorities in hong kong are imposing their toughest restrictions since the start of the pandemic. as infection numbers explode, most venues including schools, gems, churches of hair salons, must close cases have almost double to hit a new record high, hundreds q to get tested as hong kong prepared for some of its toughest covered restrictions. yet as many countries shift their approach to living with the virus, hong kong is pursuing a 0 covered strategy in line with the chinese mainland. but a sudden surgeon cases is complicating matters. the government responded by announcing tough new restrictions on tuesday here, closing hess alons and banning public gatherings of more than 2 people. at this moment, we still feel that this is

a best strategy for hong kong using all our capacity. and i'll means to ensure that we could to achieve the dynamic as 0 target. but the announcement of new restrictions and disruptions to inputs have caused food prices to skyrocket. as fee, as of a shortage grow residents of feeling the pressure. some have begun to question whether the cities 0 coven policy is worth the damage that it's causing. now, like all the bathrooms are closing everywhere, economic already getting, making i guess living with a call, that would be the best solution. and the easiest way. i definitely going to follow me last night because he doesn't have any other often. so i mean when one talk to you to look down them have to look down for now. there is little that hong kong 7500000 residents can do. but wait and hope that case numbers begin to full as

soon as possible. the berlin international film festival opens this week despite high numbers of corona virus cases here in the german capital with last year's festival happening mostly online screenings, this year are being attended in person. but seating capacity in bella cinemas will be limited to 50 percent. all parties and receptions have also been called all the red carpet is ready for the 72nd edition of the berlin international film festival . but unlike in past years and will be thronged with far fewer fans, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. it's just one of the measures men to allow the festival to take place despite pandemic restrictions. organizers are standing by their decision to hold an in person event. we don't want to make our festival up and, and put people in danger. that's something we really don't want,

so we follow an instructional will, will be given by the authority as long the instructional will match with our project. we will go hon. this year's jury for the main competition is headed by american director m. 9 shah milan. he says he's looking forward to taking on the new role. berlin for me is always kind a, had a right or wrong. it has this kind of, ah, iconoclast, quality. it has this kind of a, um, breaking breaking norms, a rebellion that those are the film makers that go to berlin. the festival kicks off with the latest work by french director of con, swell zone pdf on conte is based on the film, the bitter tears of pe tough on conned by late dyna. vanna fust binda attribute to the german director. it stars french actor is denny middle, she and isabella, jenny, a jenny colleague and compatriots, isabella bell is this year's recipient of the golden bear award for lifetime

achievement. the french actress will also be seen at the festival and her latest film about joan, alongside berlin. hometown favorite last, idaho. this is also generating buzz. is the thriller the outfit starring oscar winning british actor? mark rollins as a taylor gets mixed up with gangsters and 19 fifties. chicago going to be involved in whatever it is you. do you know exactly what it is we do? well, the outfit is just one of $256.00 movie screening at this highly unusual valley, not at the festival, is known to be the most political among the international film festivals. but this year, the overarching theme among the 18 movies vying to wind the golden bear. it's love . this whole event, as of course, overshadowed by germany staggering, coven 19 infection rates. and while much of the battered movie industry welcomed the decision to move ahead with a tone down version of the belly,

not many people here in berlin. fear that i'm across might turn the celebration into a super spreader event. you're watching d. w. news. a big come back for disney. chelsea delaney has the details in business after the break. i'm terry martin. thanks roger. with i honestly, ah listen carefully. don't know how to do good.