77 percent. now, every weekend on d w ah ah, this is d w. news coming to 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 further escalating the crisis. moscow denies its planning and invasion. also coming up hong kong imposes the strictest anti cove at measures since the start of the pandemic. we explain why authorities there are more worried than some other places

about the spread of only crop. ah. hello m terry martin. good. have you with us? russia is starting joint military drills with its neighbour bell roost to day. nato says it's moscow's largest to point to the before us soviet countries since the cold war. the exercise is calm as tensions billed over what some western countries fear are. russian plans to invade ukraine. the u. s. is calling the joint military drills. escal atory. he f says they are about psychological pressure, but russia claims the forces will return to their bases when the drills finish in 10 days time. the u. s. is also deploying more troops to eastern europe. meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are being stepped up more on that in a moment, but 1st, this report their bolstering nato's borders. on wednesday,

us troops arrived in southeastern 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 has also announced that its enhancing its military preparedness, deploying fighter jets to the baltic sea dealings with guns on water. but many western analysts do not see nato's actions in response to the more than 100000 russian troops, a mast near ukraine's borders as the direct defense of ukraine. now in terms of numbers, this is meant to be a symbolic show of resolved that the nato was 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, and ukraine. britain has said it only intends them to be used in self defense.

speaking in berlin. on wednesday, german chancellor will of shots that a dual approach was needed. adding that while all diplomatic channels must be pursued it, allies must be prepared to act. russian forces cross these borders and into ukraine . earlier i spoke to d. w. a political correspondent, julia sal deli here in berlin, and our correspondence in kiya mathias burling up. i asked mathias if there are there was any consensus in ukraine on russia's threat level at this point. yes, there is a sense. there is a consensus. the consensus is that rushes to build up is manny 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 a what they need, all these weapon deliveries at that 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 ukranian and they wouldn't have, it wouldn't be a fight on part. 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. julia 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 minsk minsk agreements of 2015, which are ukraine and russia accuse 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 it's partners. but whether that will be enough and whether the countries are going to be asking for more and whether german 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 rose involving 200000 troops. how is this being seen in care of it's of course, seen as a maneuver of intimidation. it's 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 occupied on the occupied territory of crimea. and now that in the northern part of the, the belt 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 spilling and cheer. and julia saw deli in berlin, thanks to both of you,

very much taking a look now at some of the other stories making headlines around the world. voting has started in elections in several indian states, including its most populous pradesh, their chief minister, you'll get the piano is seeking his re election for the hindu nationalist, b j. p party which is also in the 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 support of back seen mandates as truckers blockaded a major trade route to the u. s. for the 3rd day in a row in vassar bridge carries 25 percent of all trade between the 2 countries. officials and both nations have expressed concerns about the economic effects. blockade continues. police and new zealand capital. wellington arrested more than 50 people protesting against corona virus, mandates and restrictions. several 100 demonstrators have 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. the president of mexico says he wants a pause in relations with spain. andre manuel lopez open the door says, deals with spanish energy firms. by previous governments put mexico's state utility provider at a disadvantage. president's plan to strengthen state control of the energy of the mexican energy market, have raised concerns among foreign firms about protecting their investments their school and teach german. 4 minister only in the burbock has kicked off a 3 day trip to the middle east with a visit to the holocaust memorial yahveh, cham in jerusalem. germany's top diplomat lay the wreath at the eternal flame there to commemorate the 6000000 jews murdered by the nazis. later she is scheduled to meet israeli prime minister natalie bennett before traveling to ramallah in the west bank, where she will have talks with the palestinian present mahmoud abbas. it's bab box

1st visit to the region since taking office in december. c. w is tonya kramer in jerusalem is following the story for she gives us an outlook on bare box visit and summarizes the poor minister stance on reviving the middle east. peace process was quite interesting because in her statement again before leaving, she said she wants to talk or with her only to see if she's meeting about prospects or the future off a piece process. now we all know there has to be no peace frosted. as for many years and also of course, this current israeli government, or with israeli prime minister, natalia bennett, has said, you know, there will be no palestinian state under his watch. also the current government in israel. i will have some difficulties probably to come to a no common policy. it's a government out of writing center and left parties, but nevertheless,

she wants to talk about it. she also made a point to say that's why she always goes to jordan and eats it because they are stakeholders in the peace process and of course, meeting with palestinian leaders. now there have been some high level meetings between israeli politicians and the palestinian leadership. but at the moment, i would say it looks more that, you know, there is a sense that this is for containing the conflict rather than finding solutions here . authorities and hong cole are imposing their toughest restrictions since the start of the pandemic. as infection numbers, they're explode. most venues including schools, jims, churches, and hair salons, must close cases have almost doubled to hit a new record high hundreds q to get tested as hong kong prepares 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 light, all the restaurants are closing everywhere with economic already getting, making i guess living with

a call that will be the best solution. and the easiest way. i definitely it's going to follow mainland, right, because it doesn't have any other options. so it mean landline to to lockdown them. huh. has to lock down for now. there is little that hong kong 7500000 residents can do. but wait, and hope that case numbers begin to fall as soon as possible. is lucas mother developments in the crowd of iris pandemic. germany has recorded almost 120000 deaths from the corona virus. that's according to the latest figure from the countries by public health institute. it's reported nearly $12000000.00 infections in the course of the pandemic. anti virus measures and parts of japan have been extended until early march restrictions covering tow in 12 other administrative districts were due to lapse on sunday. and british prime minister boris johnson has said he's considering removing all correct. all remaining current of virus

restrictions a month early, including laws requiring people to self isolate. if they test positive, johnson said the move would be possible if current encouraging trends in the numbers continue. iranian l. pine skier hossein survey sham shock key has been suspended from competition at the winter olympics. after failing a drug test, thirties have confirmed that a sample collected from the iranian during a doping control tested positive for an anabolic steroids. he had been the only male athlete, representing a rent in beijing, but of a sham shock. he is now banned from competing. his is the 1st confirmed doping case at these games. you are watching d. w. news from berlin. just reminder of the top story. we're following for you at this hour. russia is starting joint military drills with its neighbour bell roost to day. nato says it's moscow's largest deployment to the former soviet country.

since the cold war. the exercises come as tensions build over what some western countries fear. our russian plans to invade ukraine. a backs. we've got a documentary, phil taking you on a journey through the sahara with camel herbs. i'm terry martin. thanks for watching. ah, i'm the green. you feel worried about the plan? me to i'm the old hosting the on the green fence post and to me it's clear we need to change. join me for a deep dive into the green transformation for me, for you, for the plans with.

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