ah, ah ah, this is w news live from berlin, the u. s. warrens that russia could be just hours away from launching a full scale invasion of ukraine. senior u. s. defense official says russian forces massed along ukraine's borders are nearly completely prepared for an invasion. the warning comes after ukrainian president shed the future of you. perry, european security, was at stake in ukraine, also on the program. distinguished representatives. the beginning of

a large scale war in ukraine will be the end of the world border, as we know it. ukraine's foreign minister and makes an urgent appeal at the un calling on the international community to take swift action against russia. ah, i'm michael ok. welcome to the program. we begin with a stork warning from the united states defense officials. they're saying russian president vladimir putin is as ready as he can be to launch a full scale invasion of ukraine. that's based on assessments of trip positions along ukraine's border. for more, we want to go now straight to our corresponded oliver's salad in washington, dc. oliver give us some more detail on what the u. s. officials are saying

that my goal is to report your quoting there, often a defense official that wanted to stay anonymous 1st of all, but the u. s. according to this report, believes that the russian troops on already for that full scale invasion that the u . s. has been warning about for a several days and weeks now saying that near a 100 percent of the forces of russian forces are in place now a to move in a further beyond that separate is controlled area in the don bess. and that this could happen at any hour. now other reports say that this could take until 48 hours . now the big question of course, is we don't know what vladimir putin really wants to do. how far will he eventually go? will he really cross that line? and will he take the rest of those self declared states republics? lou hands can don't as only go even further either way. it's pretty certain that he might face very fierce resistance. there of the okay,

of the ukrainian troops always stay with me. uh for a moment the you and yet the un general assembly meant to day on ukraine. and there were some more stark warnings, including from the us. if russia continues down this path, it could, according to our estimates, create a new refugee crisis. one of the largest facing the world to day, with as many as 5000000 more people displaced by rushes, war of choice, and putting pressure on ukraine's neighbors. words of concern there oliver, but does the un have any power to influence this conflict one way or the other? well, certainly the power of the united nations there is quite limited because don't forget that it was shaped by and after the 2nd world war and it needs a resolution really to move forward. and only this, the united nations security council can reach

a binding resolution. here today was the meeting of the general assembly. and then the next problem is, of course, that russia is part of that conflict. and russia is not only cheering the security council, but it also holds a v to ride. china also holds a v to ride, which is more, a little bit more ambivalent than that conflict. but critics have been saying that the u. n. and especially in this conflict here is more of a toothless tiger. what does the ukraine want from the un? what would ideally want a resolution? but if not, then. 1 at least bring that topic to the world stage. and that's what we've seen here today. ukrainian foreign minister, cool labor at the united nations warned of an end of the international order as we know it. and then at the united nations security is a secretary general, excuse me. and tony, good terrorist, one of the devastating global consequences of a full scale invasion, really and seen in many years is what he said. but then again,

also we need to keep in mind that it needs a resolution here and one that we don't have and very unlikely that we're going to see one. and what is russia saying? while russia has delivered a very contentious appearance here today with the russian ambassador vasily in the bends. yeah, he called, or he talked about blatant genocide in the don best region. something that the german chancellor will have short a few days ago, already dubbed as nonsense. and you also accuse secretary general good tara's taking sides with ukraine. the west is standing united. we can see that right now of russia cannot be trusted as more or less. the general take the u. s. ambassador to the united nations today linda thomas greenfield. talked of unprovoked violations of the international law. it's a oliver's salad in washington, d. c. many things over the leaders of poland and

lithuania, se ukraine should be granted. european union candidate status because of the security challenges it faces from russia. the 3 leaders issued a joint declaration following talks and kia, they also called on the international community to impose robust sanctions against russia, including measures targeting the north stream to gas pipeline between russia and germany, which germany has now committed to whole ukrainian president vladimir zalinski warn that russia's actions in easton, ukraine will impact the whole of europe. dedira he lay request. we had substantial discussions on wishes, actions regarding security. and we are confident that the future of european security is being decided now. he, in ukraine unless we have coordinated our efforts on how to count to rach russia and how to deescalate the situation was living with them with switching and the

russian military build up. the long ukraine's borders appears to be continuing images from the u. s. satellite company are sad to show and a large base in southern beller. it's just a few 100 kilometers from the ukranian capital. keith fears are mounting that a full scale invasion could be imminent. russian troops on the move, the heading towards ukraine's eastern border as fighting between ukrainian and separatist forces continues. far away from the frontline, the upper house of the russian parliament voted to authorize the use of force outside russia's borders. they also approved vladimir putin's recognition of the don yeske and lou, hence people's republics as independent states. but the russian president didn't stop there. he later announced the borders of the 2 republics,

include the ukrainian held territories, not just the rebel held areas, nor was it, but his nell. we recognized that juliet's enhanced people's republics, which means we have recognized all the founding documents, including the constitution. and the constitution defines the board, us off the don yeske and hans regions at the time when they were part of ukraine. nobody mc ogden will have to throw grain. in response, u. s. president joe biden accused the russian leda of setting up a russian. now, to take mo territory by force. this is the beginning of a russian invasion of ukraine, as he indicated and asked permission to be able to do from his duma. so let began to. so i'm going to began to impose sanctions in response. far beyond the steps we and our allies and partners implemented in 2014 the us satellite company has

released new images that claim to show military vehicles messing in southern belarus. even as western nations coordinate a unified response, many fear a full scale attack on ukraine is still part of russia's plans. d, w. 's yo russian affairs analyst konstantin agger, joins us now. from lithuania, a constantino vladimir putin has recognized all of the nets and lawns as independent, even though ukraine still holds 2 thirds of that territory. where does this leave the ukrainian government? while it leaves it between the rock into heartless, because all as mr. put in flight yesterday, they will have to settle old scanning issues. i think that was put in the expression with the authorities of the software claim. republics which were recognized by a russian all they will face consequences on top of them all. did that ukraine

recognized as crime, the russian ocean denounces his dream. respiration can join nature in some form and demilitarize, which sounds to me like something straight out of the end of the 1st. first world war, you know, paris, peace treaties verify conference. how you're supposed to do that. it's not clear. but what is clear is that mr. bolton is lining up a demands which was, which are, which are completely unacceptable to any ukrainian government in order to create a pretext to say what you see these people who refused what we asked them to do. and now we have to protect the states that we recognize and with which we signed at a friendship and cooperation agreement. so i think this is creating a pretext for russian troops to roll into. these remaining territories won't be on the homeless, but that means base going to head to head confrontation with the ukrainian armed

forces that are holding the line there. i think it's safe to say that the perception outside russia is that mister putin has total control. there are there viable dissenting opinions to mr. putin's vision of greater russia? well, that's an interesting question, michael. because today, there were conflicting polls are published in russia regarding the russians. the russians attitude to what happened to the last few days. and it's interesting that a government control, post, or russian sense of a public opinion, said that $78.00, nearly 80 percent support everything that mr. put in did. while the independent live body center that was run rather the, for an agent by the rational thought of this, showed a completely different figure which stands more or less like 45 percent. so what the russians think about it is, it's not clear, but my personal opinion is that the, probably not all of them would like to have

a bloody war on their board. what is the clear to me now? is that probably there are no people inside mr. put his entourage to descent, which is amazing for did you rational security council being essentially lectured by mr. police? no. what. what has to be done of you who was like a teacher pupil asking them whether they support his actions or not. i think that if there is descent, we would know about it unless it gets out into the open. but before that, no, i suppose that missed wouldn't lead is well either with my the logically or is too afraid towards it isn't. let me ask you a question that we've been asking for days now, will surely ask in the future, what do you think vladimir putin is next move will be difficult to say. but i think that he is now prepared to launch at least

a limited military operation. all the territories that were not previously controlled either by him or by his pockets in zillow has connected with him. i suppose the keys may well be after this is kind of cause it will some ultimatum that i describe your 1st question. maybe it will be an operation to create a lead between the area, south western areas of russia and the crime in peninsula that he has to take the rest of the loo. how's going to have a blessed, as well as the port of mario which is very heavily dependent? another. another possibility i would say briefly is that mr puts in, will probably like someone from outside the you to mediate, at least to show that he was trying to make a last minute piece. or probably it will be president. everyone check it. although this is a very, very sleep jeff. ok, we will see watch this space. that's

a russian affairs analyst. konstantin, exit many thanks. thank you. earlier d w spoke with a lot for years. foreign minister edgar is rank of it and the ukrainian capital key, as we asked how threatened he feels given that lock for your share, is a border with russia and with bell ridge, where tens of thousands of russian troops are currently station we are part of night under your and i think that this makes a huge difference or incense. so if we talk about laterally or become peer laughter is great. but they also believe the decisions to add ons by president by then by prime minister tradeoff canada. last night about increasing the prison debility region. we have canadian lead nato troops. those are decisions. i think that we need to have those reinforcements. but of course, we do not expect any military attack. i think that russia understands what that means. however, i do believe also that he davies

a large scale military ration in your grade. not only last year, but also germany, also france re done many night on the country. it will be in fact in the kind of hybrid warfare minor cyber attacks. we are seeing that from time to time, this information, all the kind of, let's say, message is assigned to the baltic states the fall and the look of matter is weak. americans are big down not going to help you. those kinds of messages will be of course activated, but i have complete thrusting out allies. complete trusts will sort of really fit. so we are not afraid of such kind of what, so i search and we are ready. good will to those all, as far as us, as we speak, when she is foreign minister, edgar is wrinkled, which the un general assembly has been meeting to address the crisis. ukraine's foreign minister cold vladimir pollutants actions a threat to the world,

order and urge the international community to take action to deter russia, un secretary genuine toner, good terrorists, describe the situation as an extraordinary crisis. we meet in the face of the most serious global peace and security crisis in recent years. and certainly in my time of secretary general, all this facing a moment of perio. i truly hope it will not come in an act of solidarity with the people of ukraine. the brandenburg gate here in berlin has been lit up in the colors of the ukrainian flag, the city's mayor francisco, jiffy said the german capital is sending a clear message from a free city to a free and sovereign ukraine. other european cities, such as perish and london, or also taking part in the initiative. let's go straight to the brand burg gate. we're our political correspondent,

thomas sparrow, is standing by for us sir thomas. we can see the brandenburg gate lit up in the colors of ukraine's flag. tell us more about what's behind that move. well essentially you mentioned it already, but it's a sign of solidarity coming directly from berlin's mer, francisca giff, i in a sign of support towards ukraine at a very difficult time now. and whereas some people have welcomed this move, especially those who consider it an important signal in one of berlin's most important symbols. they have already been signs of criticism, as well. the most prominent criticism coming actually from ukraine's ambassador to germany, who called it a delayed symbolic gesture, unstressed that what actually you claim needed from germany is not necessarily signs like these, but defensive weapons, multi 1000000 aid, and also stronger sanctions on russia. so you can see that although this is such an

important gesture, it has not necessarily come down well among ukrainian officials, especially the ukrainian ambassador to germany. well, that leads to my 2nd question, which is, what is the german public generally saying about germany's actions in the face of this crisis? one thing that to probably ukraine's ambassador will not get is that those defensive weapons sent from germany to ukraine. not only has the german government, the german chancellor love shows the german 4 menace elena bow book time and time again rejected that idea. but one of the arguments that they have said to reject that idea is that in this particular point, they are supported by the german public. and that's something that you clearly see not only now in new polls, but also you have seen them in previous polls as well. so that one clear element and when germans are asked what exactly they want in the current situation around

43 percent stated, according to a new poll that they would like sanction, specifically, financial sanctions to be imposed on russia. what's interesting this, in this particular case is that a majority of german, when they asked about these financial sanction, said they didn't want to have to pay higher prices on goods because of those sanctions. so this clearly gives you an idea of what germans believe in the current situation. so again, a rejection of sending defensive weapons to ukraine, which has been a clear policy in germany for a very long time. and one supported by a majority of germans at the same time, 43 percent. stressing that they would like to see sanctions seminar to the ones that we have already seen put in place in particular, financial or economic sanctions. d w's, thomas sparrow. many thanks, thomas. this conflict has left relations between ukraine and russia at their lowest point in years kia has recalled it's ambassador

from moscow, and is considering cutting all diplomatic ties. it wasn't that long ago that ukraine had a pro russian president 8 years ago. vladimir putin had a friend in t f. president victor, yet coach, hadn't pro russia president, was very important for russia, man that one of the forms look installed. it meant that any union with the west would not be possible. and in 2013, when jani coverage refused to sign an association agreement for closer ties to the you, the people rebelled. scores died, hundreds were injured in the might on revolution. yona coverage was ousted and a new pro you government formed the kremlin, answered back with tanks and annexed ukraine's crimean peninsula. moscow also through its support behind separatists,

in the pro russia don baths region war broke out as the 2 eastern provinces don. yet, sc and nuanced declared independence. european leaders brought the 2 sites together for the men's peace accords. but the war ground to a stalemate. a development far from the battlefield, also spiked tensions. and june 2015. russia announced the nordstrom to gas pipeline . it's route under the baltic, c would bypass ukraine, meaning key f would lose billions in transit fees. another turning point in 2019 with blood em year zalinski as ukraine's president. he vowed to restore the don bath region and renewed calls for nato membership. he bought, read the many leaders hints slightly that ukraine shouldn't take the risk of talking constantly about membership of the alliance. because this rescued connect you to russia's reaction most of them. but that was a red line for moscow,

which it was on you when you no one thought that if you crane create such threats for russia, we create similar threats for herself. what at the, at the sure, what, but also concluded. it was one of proven justification for the russian to build up around ukraine's borders. but unlike 8 years ago, ukraine is a battle harden nation that's about to resist. now to some of the other stories making news around the world at this shower lebanese security forces, say they have worded a plan by the so called islamic state to carry out 3 suicide bombings in beirut, lebanon interior ministry said their targets were shy religious compounds with instructions for the attacks coming from an i, as operative, based in a palestinian refugee authorities in the west african nation of burkina. faso are

investigating a deadly explosion at an informal gold mining site. they say one person has been detained, the blast killed more than 60 people and brought down nearby homes. investigators his fact it happened at a market selling explosives and chemicals for minors. archeologists in jordan have discovered a nearly 9000 year old shrine at a remote neolithic campsite. it contains a model of a mass animal trap which would have been used to catch wild gazelles. experts say that discovery will reveal more about the spiritual life of stone age hunters. well, it's been a half a year since international troops pulled out of afghanistan and the taliban sees power. many afghans who worked for foreign forces are still trying to escape the new as wallace regime. germany has helped more than 10000 people leave, but thousands more remain. d, w has been talking to one afghan, who worked for

a german angio and is now living in fear a country road somewhere in afghanistan. we can't disclose where this man is staying tonight or his identity for his own protection. i was one of the former local african staff. we implemented projects for germany and afghan, a stand for many years since the collapse of afghanistan. we can't stay here anymore. we are threatened by the taliban and we are afraid of them. immediately after the taliban seized power in august, they came looking for him. i wasn't home at the time, but my father was. they beat my father badly, and they tortured him and asked him to find me. they gave him a date by which time he had to find me. the family has been on the move ever

since. the man worked on behalf of the german government at an n g o until 2014. he's hoping for a visa to germany. he wrote to his former supervisor, but says he's received no answer. i always ask myself why i helped the germans in afghanistan. why did i work with an organization that doesn't care about us that has forgotten us in the media. they always said the leaders of germany and other countries support those who helped us enough. ghana, stan, the german government says it has approved entry for more than 21000 people since may 2021. but only some have been able to leave afghanistan. thousands are still waiting. many in hiding. this man also worked for the german army, mostly as a subcontractor, which means he's not eligible for

a visa. he says the taliban are looking for him. how much was caught him under the hood? every day people who worked for foreigners are being murdered on remote dirt roads law. we have no idea what to do, the funky, what she brooklyn him. back in germany, refugee writes groups accused the german authorities of inaction. yes, holiday. we demand immediate action from the new german government. the sluggish bureaucracy needs to end with whoever needs protection must be allowed to leave the controls. highs due of the german government declined to comment on camera. this man will not be returning to his family home any time soon. he just hopes that the german government will finally help him. and a reminder of the top story we're following for you as senior u. s. defense official. as warned that russia has nearly 100 percent of the forces it needs in place, were full scale invasion of ukraine. it comes after ukrainian president involved to

me as the lensky said, that the future of european security is at stake in you. you watch and dw news up nets conflict zone share kelly interviews, all hus definition of ukrainian deputy prime minister for european and euro, atlantic integration. there's plenty more news and information on our website, d, w dot com a michael. ok, thanks for watching. ah ah, with

who enter the conflicts own with sarah kelley, russian, president burton has ordered troops into the ukrainian separatist regions of domestic and nuance. after recognizing them as independent. my guest this week is all hi stephanie tuna,

ukrainian deputy prime minister for european atlantic integration. is it too late for a diplomatic solution? well, conflict zone. next on d, w o . interest, the global economy, our portfolio, d w business beyond. here's a closer look at the project. our mission. to analyze the fight for market dominance. east versus west. get us ahead with the w business beyond on you. 2 dogs, far more intelligent than most people think. a psychology professor john

pillay has improved in hell us with scientific studies, of course, with the secret of a friendship with dogs and starts february 25th on d w. ah, russian president putin has ordered troops into the ukrainian separatist regions of don't desk and wants after recognizing them as independent. the move has been condemned as a violation of international law and ukraine's territorial integrity. and it's stoking fear that europe could be poised for the biggest military confrontation since world war 2. my guess this week is all. hi stephanie, tina ukrainian deputy prime minister for european and euro atlantic integration.

she joins me on line from p. f. you pregnancy rhetoric integrity in.