ah, ah ah ah, this is dw news live from berlin, russia stages, the biggest military drills with neighboring bella ro since the cold war. the exercise has come as tensions continue to mount over ukraine with the u. s. accusing russia, a further escalated, crisis, mosque out denies, it is planning an invasion. also coming up, germany's foreign minister analynn barrack visits the holocaust memorial, yada shame and jerusalem at the start of her 1st official visit to to regent. hong

kong imposes the strictest anti cobit measures. since the start of the pandemic, we explain why authorities there are more worried than some other places about the spread of on the front. and hopes are high that covered 19 won't steal the show as the belly. now the film festival opens today in the german capital, whatever run down at the festivals most anticipated film. ah, i'm simply so misconduct. glad you could join us. russia is starting joint military drills with its neighbor bellow roofs 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. diplomacy is continuing, but the u. s. has criticized the new joint military drills as escalate tori kev says they are about psychological pressure. russia claims the forces will return to

their bases when the drills finish in 10 days time. as us is also deploying more troops to eastern europe as a show of solidarity, there are bolstering nato's borders on wednesday, you, as troops arrived in southeastern poland, the united states has also begun move in 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 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 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 intense them to be used in self defense. speaking in berlin on wednesday, german chancellor will of shalt set a dual approach was needed. adding that while all diplomatic channels must be pursued at the allies must be prepared to act in russian forces cross these borders and into ukraine. for more perspective on the story, we can speak now to coll belt he is the co chair of the european council of foreign relations and former prime minister of sweet mister belt. welcome to the w. i want to start with a rushes military drills. russia says these drills are for its own security. ukraine says, this is psychological pressure. do you think that these drills are further escalation of the situation? they are clearly one part of the vein. major military build up that we've seen full garage inside during the last 2 months sentence the lawn going upon for these

maneuvers in better us. we have a significant concentration of russian forces. ready along the borders of ukraine and he's a law just saw to be enough omitted ever was is that we've seen in the, in europe for. ready decades, we have to go way back into the war to say the like. i want to ask you now about nato is response to all of this that we saw, the secretary generally and st oldenburg speaking at a news conference a short while ago. let so play, 1st of all what he said, men talk about it, let's listen him. this is a dangerous moment for european security. the number of russian forces is going up. the warning time for a possible attack is going down. nate was not a threat to russia, but you must be prepared for the worst. was remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution. mr. built it,

we her again. stilton bag said this is preparing for the worse from the perspective of nato. and you wrote recently on twitter, it is a good sign that germany, for example, upping its contribution to the nato battalion in lithuania because this is a reassurance in uncertain times. but still, these nato forces pale in comparison to what brush has been preparing. so does this really act as a deterrent to russia? i think the main deterred is a matter of fact, the preparations that are done for very significant sanctions by the you and by the this in case there's another rush innovation, ortho ukraine. those sanctions have been on does the long going process coordinator between washington, brussels and then coordinated between brussels and the different member states. and the way i understand it, they will be, would be very significant and have a very significant effect on the russian economy. and hopefully that will serve as a deterrent so that there is no further incursions in the nation. so if you great,

but we don't know. but there has been some disagreement among western allies of what those sanctions should be. do you think that europe's reliance on russian gas is serving as a liability? at this point, i think is clearly a problem. and i think there is an awareness of all over europe. i think even in germany, that long term that would be sort of indeed to reduce that reliance on russian gas because it provides russia with leverage input. it gives situations like this, then the replacement of that can't happen over night. but i think over the years, absolutely, i think that needs to be the re direction of entity dependence. i want to ask you about the west putting it's helps on the long stock min agreement. and that was 1st negotiate in 20142015. ukrainian official said that this p still itself is a weapon that moscow is using to try to destroy their country. what is your assessment? well, if you take the russian interpretation of it, absolutely,

then there are, i should have tried to use the beans agreement to that particular effect. that is not going to be accepted by a key. if obviously it is an agreement that isn't entirely clear, those are the dubious element of it. and there has been a significant disagreement between moscow key on the timing of the local elections, a specialist they decide who's going to control the borders. so it is a, by sort of this, it was a draft with too much of a just precision that are used by moscow very much in order to impose upon ukraine . a version of the means agreement that is clearly detrimental to the security interest of the country. that's were assisted by key of understand to be so i want to ask you last of all mr. bell about the fact that the german chancellor will actually says that he is hopeful that there can be good progress made particularly this week on finding

a diplomatic solution to this crisis. as things stand at the moment with these military drills taking place out from the russian side today, the response from ukraine. are you confident that there is still an avenue for a diplomatic solution? what a i would agree with john to live as one should be hopeful, but by brown. she was very realistic. i mean, he's good, that sort of burly in paris is now sort of accelerating efforts on don boss on the beans process. but we should understand that the russian game at the moment is much bigger. don barzyk sees a side show. i have to say, the russian gave me for listen to mister putin and see the documents that they put on the table is about ukraine's home. and he's about sort of changing the entire european security order, and that is a negotiation. they are thinking primarily with us and we need to. so that's the big game that we see at the moment. we'll have to leave it there called belt, the co chair of the european council foreign relations, former prime minister, as we can. thank you very much for joining us. thank you. but can take

a look out some other headlines from around the world. libya, the prime minister up $200.00 of the baby has survived an assassination attempt, according to reuters news agency. they reported that his car was reportedly struck with bullets. the incident comes amid a power struggle between the baby and the libyan parliament. lawmakers have just appointed a new interim premier to be by says he will not step to alban. indonesia has struck a deal to order 40 to refile, a fighter jets from france. frances defense minister made the announcement while on a visit to the southeast asian country, france is looking to strengthen ties in the region after last years. cancellation of a multi $1000000000.00 submarine deal with australia and voting started in elections and several indian states including a most populous with our for this, there, the chief minister yogi at the gen up is seeking reelection for his hindu 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 2022. an illegal blockade of one of the main border crossings between canada and the u. s. is starting to have an adverse effect on the economy. a small group of around $100.00 anti factual truckers preventing traffic including supply parts for moving across the key, bridge, the truck or say they will not move until the government scraps the mandate for them to be fully vaccinated to enter canada. more than 80 percent of canada's are canadians, rather our fax, unaided the investor bridge, would normally be humming with traffic that these protesters have brought that grinding to a halt for 3 days. now they've been blockading this keyboard crossing their part of the so called freedom convoys. that started in opposition to mandatory cobit vaccinations for truckers, but as since snowballed into a broader expression of anger with endemic restrictions and candidate government, the white house says the blockade is concerning. ambassador fridge is kenneth's

busiest link to the united states and accounts for about 25 per cent of trade between the 2 countries and said, the blockade poses arrest to supply chains. for now, many trucks being forced to detour nearly 2 hours to this alternative bridge. purchase as well. so paralyzed the heart of canada's capital for nearly 2 weeks. they say they won't leave until old pandemic restrictions scrapped. stand up for our freedom stand up for our children and our future. no mandates, no vaccines. unless people choose to take a box with more than 400 trucks blocking roads, most businesses in the area have been forced to close. prime minister justin trudeau said his government won't change course or cannot stop a pandemic with blockades. you cannot end a pandemic by decree. you can't end

a pandemic by legislation. you need to and to pandemic, by relying on science by public health measures and by vaccinations. and even as canadians are tired and impatient for at the end, we're going to continue to be there for them to support them through it, and to make sure we do everything necessary to and her this past, police have seized thousands of liters of fuel as part of efforts to break the blockades, but protest is appear determined and are settling in for the long haul. german foreign minister, analynn of apple has kicked off a 3 day trip to the middle east with a visit to the holocaust memorial yard. vesh him in jerusalem. germany's top diplomat laid a wreath at the eternal flame there to commemorate the 6000000 jews murdered by nazi germany in world war 2. bare bach later met with israel's foreign minister, gary lapierre, and a schedule to travel to ramallah in the west bank. the half talks with the

palestinian president, awkward, a bath as well. and during her visit at the holocaust memorial, she was visibly moved and called the documented atrocities there. a reminder not to fall silent. let's listen. it is. this one's will on meeting it is our absolute obligation, especially as a younger generation to keep the memory alive in space on especially than as there are fewer and fewer eye witnesses among us. some scent owned as this owns were found. it is our responsibility to raise our voice against anti semitism, against hatred and agitation, against exclusion and violence. so that such a crime against humanity never happens again. mia, we don't wait. and we'll go over to tel aviv, where did abuse tanya kramer standing by for she's been following this story for us . hi tanya. so the german foreign minister met with her is really counterpart, as we mentioned, what came out of that meeting while the bows center here in

a meeting a with a price that it was very cordial, a very warm meeting there, where they seemed very much at ease with each other and both highlighted know the main, talking points of their 1st meeting here together in tel aviv or foreign minister. it is ready for minister, your ill, a pita, that you barn is a very important topic right now for israel is very, very closely watching. what is happening in vienna, where well powers and iran are trying to revive the nuclear dia, the j c. p way. so that's a very important topic for the israelis both highlighted that it's important to fight growing onto semitism in germany, but also throughout the world with german foreign minister and, and in a bad look. again, also saying, are you talking about her experience this morning visiting yet for him and her how responsible you know, she feels to, to,

to always highlight also the responsibility of germany in relation to the holocaust . mrs. fabric also highlighted another topic or which is quite a new topic here on the foreign agenda, so to speak, as she was talking about the climate crisis. and she wants to talk more about this here with israelis, palestinians, but also to the in ins and later egyptian she's going to me because she things know this region is of course i had, there's a lot of impact of climate change already that it has been here on the region and she says, you know, this could also been used to build bridges. what is her stance on providing the middle east peace process? well, that's another huge topic or, or red line in a, in a way, or that we are seen here in this, during this visit. she already talked about before arriving here. now also doing that press conference, she said a status quo as it is now,

or will always lead to more of violence. and she reiterated actually also the stance and the position of previous german government saying that settlement expansion. she sees that critically. also that the way forward should be a 2 state solution. mature also acknowledged that she is not under any illusion that this isn't an easy task, but she said that's why it's important for as well to travel on to ramallah, to speak with the palestinian leadership and also then to jordan and egypt, a countries that are major stakeholders and the region and just quickly, what do you think we can expect from that meeting with palestinian representatives? well, she's going to meet a with the palestinian president mahmoud abbas and also the palestinian foreign minister. or this afternoon. and i think by going there she's already setting in a way her own agenda because we haven't seen a lot of german politicians and their visits. also always going to ramallah. and i

think what she wants to show ria, that she's also wanting to listen, what the palestinian aside has to say, and that's why she's spending the afternoon there, dw tanya kramer, reporting for us. thank you so much. 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, and hair salons must close cases have almost doubled to head a new record high hundred's queue 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 coven 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 at closing hess alons and banning public gatherings of more than 2 people. at this moment. we still feel that this is the best strategy for hong kong using all our capacity. and i'll means to ensure that we could 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 gro residents of feeling the pressure some have begun to question whether the cities 0 coven policy is worth the damage that it's causing. no late, all the russians are closing everywhere with the economy is already getting, making i guess, living with the cold, it will be the best solution in the easiest way. i definitely it's going to follow

mainland, right, because it doesn't have any other often. so it mean when one to continue to look down, then hong kong has to walk 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. that some other developments in the pandemic, germany has recorded almost a 120000 deaths from the corona virus. that's according to the latest numbers in the countries. public health institute is reported nearly 12000000 infections mc course of the pandemic. anti virus measures and parts of japan have been extended until early march restrictions covering tokyo and 12 other administrative districts were due to lapse on sunday. and britain's prince charles has tested positive for cove 19 for the 2nd time. his office says he is self isolating and has cancelled engagements planned for later today. to the winter olympics invasion where

a couple of americans have triumphed. 21 year old chloe kim has won gold in the women's snowboard, half pipe vent kim had already become the youngest woman to win a snowboard gold. when she won in 2018 at the age of 17. and with this performance, she becomes the 1st female snowboarder to win back to back gold medals in the half pike. she scored a whopping 94 out of a possible 100 points. and us figure skater, nathan shan tacoma, the 1st olympic gold medal. he delivered a rousing performance while skating to rocket man by elton john. he was able to land 5 quadruple jobs, living up to his nickname quad. the king. he went into thursday, thursday, speak with a world record score from the short program and t w's. sports correspondent jonathan crane is covering the games for us in beijing and joint aside jonathan. so you were on hand to see nathan chad dazel, the judges. and when that 1st gold metal and then figure skating, tell us what that was like. yeah,

i have to say it was an absolute privilege to watch them in figure skating today, especially someone of a nascent chen's character and caliber, 4 years ago and young shag, he buckled under the pressure, he didn't even come away with a meadow this time around here. and basing, he skated without a care in the world. he was just so effortless on the ice, as you said, he downs, to rocket man by alton john. and he really just blasted off leaving his driver with a trail of smoke. it was really super performance near flawless, and afterwards he finished with a smile. i'm light 4 years ago and p on chang when he was massively disappointed. you mentioned the few spectators present it was it felt like a procession to be honest. they were applauding every move, clapping along with him every magical moment here and basing something to watch for sure. and we saw that he wasn't the only american to win a gold medal. yeah, the usa where you to 5 days to get there,

1st go metal. now the can't seem to stop winning them. i clary kim in the snowboard hosp pipe, now you mentioned she became the youngest snowboard female gold medalist stuff. 4 years ago. param, chang. but after that she, she took 2 years out because she really didn't like the attention she was getting from winning that gold medal out so that she could come back and compete astronomy . and again, a dominant performance she finished. well, claire of the rest of the failed to call meadows now for her in the olympics. and johnson, i understand there's been a controversy over a metal ceremony that didn't take place. what can you tell us about that? yeah, that's a matter of ceremony for the figure skating team event. it's been delayed because of what the i see cause a legal problem now event with one by russia or the russian and then pick committee is that competing here. now we understand overnight and there's been so much speculation and confusion over this, but reports coming out of russia over night, suggesting that camilla valley, eva the teen sensation,

has failed. a drug test. now the russian state federation, the russian, i didn't pick committee rather, hasn't commented on this. i stopped by the office today. and they basically said to me, we don't have any information. say, they're not saying anything. the i o c says it can't comment the international staking union, which is the governing body for the state. you can disclose details about pain procedures and protocols, but the thing is come in the valley. eva trained as normal today. she also pos reported without commenting because she's gonna be competing in the individual event next week. she's the heavy favorite for that. but of course, there's so much uncertainty at the moment. can she compete? will that be an appeal? has she even failed? a drug test is, as is being reported, it's a very, very messy situation right here, right now d w, jonathan crane in beijing for a thank you for that update 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 and belly now the cinemas will be limited to 50 per cent. all parties and receptions have also been called off. 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 followed the instruction 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 sha 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 a kind of classed quality. it has this kind of a, um, breaking breaking norms, a rebellion that those are the filmmakers that go to berlin. the festival kicks off with the latest work by french director of fall swell was own peter on can't is based on the film, the bitter tears of pe tough on conned by late kind of ana fus binda attribute to the german director. it stars french actors, didn't ye men or she and isabella? jenny? a jenny colleague and compatriot, 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 remark, rollins as a tailor gets mixed up with gangsters and 19 fifties. chicago don't be involved in whatever it is you. do you know exactly what it is i went through. all the outfit is just one of 256 movie screening at this highly unusual valley, not of 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 is love. this whole event is 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. nicole foolish reporting for staff coming up next

on dw news, asia frontline health workers go on strike in delhi. we'll hear why they're demanding better protection and better pay and living with long cove it how india is handling what some called the parallel academic melissa china. so stories coming up next on d, w, 's, asia figured ah, with, ah, with

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for a longer, healthier and fuller life. one of the most insightful discoveries in the history of mankind down the hedge. more life starts february 16th on d. w. do you watch in d. w. news asia coming up today, an update on india's fight against cove. it 1st up under paid and under appreciated community health workers in the capital. go on strike for better working conditions and a living with the lingering effects of the corona virus. a special report on the impact of long coven. ah.