all the sanctions that are going to be impose on the russian economy. they're also gonna hit european economies to and some more than others for berlin and rural and perhaps there is self interest at play here for, for, for germany. it is, of course, as those are that, that dependence on russian gas a germany is a major russian gas importer for italy. it's those increasing business ties between italy and russia. the swift payment system is a messaging system between banks have been and cutting russia off of that would effectively make it impossible to send money at to russia and out of russia and force that makes doing business with russia difficult. germany and italy have been accused of pursuing self interest at a time where, you know, lives are at risk. in fact, the ukrainian a foreign minister. i was before that meeting anticipating that this would happen. say that anybody who wouldn't a dis, a vote to, to ban russia from sort effectively had the blood of ukrainians are on their hands . but there is also another argument to this been in that is that you've got to

keep some leverage. because if this goes into some kind of a protected war, you've got to be able to have some leverage to go to moscow and, and put something on the table for. so that as well is, is a factor that say european leaders, i did consider, i understand the argument on, on leverage or i don't wanna talk more about the, the business reasons behind this. but, but i mean, why hold back when russia really isn't? i mean, that's the strategy of futons to go when. um and, and am not hold back on. mean watching europe holding back here is, is, is really unsettling. i, i have to say a, but before i go on a route, let me just place you something the ukrainian president said, listening to this. yeah. give it as a most ordinary ha. and if in all the many conversations i've had with other leaders today, i've heard several things got the 1st one is that were supported and ungrateful to

every nation that helps ukraine in concrete ways. a li do. but there is a 2nd thing. we are alone and defending our nation in us into the door the way who is ready to fight with. i'm not. i don't see anybody jeff named like the key who is ready to give you crane a guarantee, a joining nato. everyone is afraid she is. she will yet a very good question. let me pose that one to you, christine, is ukraine alone in this fight against russia? we have to say, yes, i been. that is the reality. and when the nato secretary general in stoughton burg, brief the press yesterday, he confirmed that there were no combat troops and nato combat troops in ukraine and that there were no plans to send any to ukraine. i'm so this is certainly

a fight the ukrainians are going to have to take on on their own. we know that nato is making plans and it has warships and battleships on high alert. it's given special powers to its top commander. he can effectively deploy nature's response force without having to go through the procedure of consulting or the 30 allies. but this, these provisions been, have only been made for nato member states and not for ukraine will ukraine. it is the promise of more political support. our more military aid going over to ukraine, and indeed we have seen some initiation by some member states are opting to st. more military aid, as well as financial donations to help the ukranian army, but ukrainian soldiers will not be fighting alongside western soldiers in this fight. this will be their, their own fight. been christina, why for us, a brussels correspond great to have you on the show as well. the president of the

united states, dra biden, has also moved to punish russia with fresh sanctions, saying he's convinced putin wants to overthrow ukraine's democratically elected government in a premeditated attack. biden has ruled out military intervention in ukraine, but he did a further us commitment to defending its nato allies in eastern europe, prudent aggression against ukraine, one of course, in russia dearly, economically as strategically. we will make sure that hood will be a pariah leader, nation stage. any nation countenance rushes naked aggression against ukraine will be stained by association the history of this, or is written coon's choice to make it totally unjustifiable war on ukraine will of love russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger liberty, democracy, human dignity. these are the forces far more powerful than fear and oppression.

they can not be extinguished by tyrants, like putin and his armies. they cannot be erased by people from people's hearts, and hopes, by any amount of violence and intimidation they endure. let's bring in al correspondence in washington. stephanie simons, 7th. we had president biden talk about russia having to pay dearly for its aggression against ukraine, full president lensky. the sanctions are not going far enough. and as we heard germany in italy, have that business interests to think about. could the u. s. have done more? well, i think, ya, you heard a president actually who were trying to exert leadership here and who was kind of also desperate to keep the house of the west together. unity is a key word here. you know, if you leverage sanctions against or russia, now you need to do this unified and as soon as this unity shows cracks,

you will have a problem. and i think a u. s. administration. us diplomats as well as i think a european governments aren't realize that. so the president tried to exert leadership. ha, speaking of the sanctions and the swift program, you know, it's fairly easy for russia to get around the swift program. so the president actually alluded to this because the american say they had actually told all of the allies and partners that and also told and foreseen what will happen that russia will go for a big rap on ukraine, not just a don based region. now, i don't know if that's true, but that's at least what they claim. so, but i could have been done more to save your crane. i don't know. probably not. there is a lot of experts out there. lot of people are lot smarter than i am. who say and who have good reasons, good arguments for saying like it was an inevitable and they couldn't have done anything more sanctions leverage now against russia. they are not preventing

anything any more. they are punishment and, and they are leverage for future possible negotiations. i think it is that when we're just looking at live pictures of ukraine in a situation right now, which is very sad situation, a bombed out building that the u. s. is ruled out military intervention in ukraine, but what more can it offer in order to support the country with the war? yeah, troops on the ground to our boots on the ground. definitely not because ukraine is not a nato member. and of course, the united states wants to avoid and that is express is verb is also the president saying, as well as everybody else in his administration, that the of us does not want a war or a confrontation soldier against soldier with the russians. i'm the believe is he also that the russians don't want that either, and actually are a little bit afraid of that's gonna happen. so, but you have a horrible situation in ukraine and there is

really no clue offered by anybody. what the u. s. can do actually to actively help the ukraine now, definitely not militarily, more weapons to get more weapons, wrong, weaponry or weapon systems into the ukraine right now seems a little bit if he and best. i mean, if not even impossible. um, so a moral support and or maybe an increase in or a, a leveraging of more severe sanctions per, per step by step in the next coming days. but, but anyway, sending over more through here to neighboring nato members. we know that how, how is the american public feeling about that? yeah, we know that the american sent $7000.00 troops to germany, and from there, there will be sent to other nations to the eastern border of nato,

so to speak. i can't tell you how americans feel about this because it's a little bit too early. that was yesterday that the president said that i know as though that the american public now pays attention to what's going on your crane. but that's not necessarily because the united states says there 77000 troops. that's because the president said that every american will feel the pain. and that means that the gas station, the sticker shock is coming to america. and of course, mister barton realizes that this is not something which helps him politically and in the eyes of the american people. 7 simons, thank you very much for the analysis from washington. ukrainian foreign minister to vitro calistoga is pleading with the international community to tighten the screws on, put in a scathing tweet posted this morning because they wrote last time our capital experience. anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by nazi germany. ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. stop boot and isolate russia.

several ties cake russia out of every way. well, let's talk about the measures that some countries are taking against russia. we heard about some of the measures from al, corresponded in brussels, but richard woke is here to talk about it. how effective are the steps that have been taken and how long are they going to take to actually kick in? yeah, it's going to take some time to, to tell whether they are effective, but in a way they, they've already failed. and that is because in the lead up to this week in this, this decisive week in this crisis, the west has been trying to transmit and communicate to the russian side that they would be imposing drastic sanctions if the russians went ahead with some kind of military action against ukraine and the intention there was to, to, to deter him from doing so. the fact that he has gone ahead and not just gone ahead

with a modest military operation, but gone ahead with a full scale invasion. suggests that at least in that sense, the sanctions packages that we've seen today have already failed because the communication of them was insufficient to make putin choose a different course. but instead, and i think stefan said this is an element now to moving towards punishment to try to inflict pain on russia. and that is an incentive the hope will be for russia to change course. but what we do know from the last few years is vladimir putin has steered the economy in such a way that it has whether the long standing sanctions that already exist against against russia. that he's built up a very large war, chest of foreign exchange reserves. the kind of thing that can keep an economy, how for a stable during

a disruptive period. we've planned for this as an he's plan for this. russia also has very low sovereign debt compared to most western countries under 20 percent of its g d p. and that means that if it's cut off from foreign markets for, for, to try to raise money for doing its borrowing is not necessarily a huge problem, but is it steady? so? so, so pushes key insulated the russian economy recently. well, what the west will be hoping is that he's miscalculated, that these things are more serious than he was reckoning on, and the pain will start to, to pinch, but that is going to take time. and that's something that joe biden, his press conference said last night, that it, we're not going to know immediately if the sanctions have some effect. what happens if the tables turned out? what happens if russia decides to cut europe off from its oil and gas supply? well, this is another judgment that the west to having to make as they calibrate the sanctions

. because we've seen escalation on the military level or between what with russia escalating its military action against ukraine. escalation is also possible in this row. russia has various options that it could implement, of course, sort of some kind of energy embargo to europe. this would hurt russia as well because russia, obviously, economy is highly dependent on, on energy exports. but it may seek to try to divert more energy to china. china is already signal that it will lifted an existing band on wheat imports from russia. so, so softening the blow of any measures that may affect rushes, huge wheat expose. and another area in which russia can potentially retaliate for sanctions in cyber attacks. we've seen russia has very, very advanced cyber offensive capabilities. we've seen what is presumed to have

been a large number of russian cyber attacks against ukraine in recent weeks and for years . in fact, russian cyber attacks of also affected the west in the past already various types of cyber intrusions. that could be highly escalator if we're, if russia then starts mounting cyber attacks against western countries. how do the west then respond to that a matt cyber offensive against that? and then we enter a new phase of a conflict, which is then a cyber conflict between russian, the west. what i don't understand is that these, as you pointed out, that the sanctions are coming off of the invasion. i mean, we saw the biggest true build up in europe since the 2nd world war along the borders of ukraine. we saw satellite images from the us showing what was going on. why have europe's moves always been behind rushes? yeah, interesting and volume is lensky, the president, ukraine. when he was in munich at the weekend for the media security conference,

he had exactly that message. he said, you've got all of the sanctions ready put them on now. what are you waiting for? the logic is that the sanctions mainly intended as determined as we were just talking about and that the western powers will want to ensure that they always have a deterrent towards a further escalate re step. so that is the reason that they didn't want to impose the sanctions before the russians took any action, because if they impose them before and russia didn't change his behavior, then there is no father to turn whatsoever for russia to go further. and that is the reason that's being given why the west is not gone to some of the sort of, kind of, quote nuclear option sanctions, for instance, cutting russia from the swift into bank money transfer system, which would be a huge step for the germans in the italians in europe have been seen as the ones

kind of putting the brakes on that you're actually going economy. that's right. and that the public reasoning for this being that they want to keep some powder dry if there is even further escalation. and i think the same goes for sanctions targeting vladimir putin. this was a big discussion about what stage to employ sanctions like that. i don't know how much worse this can get. i mean, we're getting reports in, it keeps calling it re alerts after russian missile strikes in the capitol. we're not talking about a little insurgency in the east. the situation is extremely serious and you've got to also remember who you're dealing with here. we also heard recently from the foreman from the russian pm saying that is out of his mind. well, yes, there are concern certainly about vladimir putin, whether you have concerns about his stability. there are certainly concerns

that he's been in power for 20 plus years. he has so much power, centralized in his hands and has diminished those around him to such an extent. that as we saw in recent days, the scenes in the kremlin of him meeting with, with, with his kind of suppose it advises and asking each of them well should we recognize the independence of these easton breakaway regions. he reduced even his head to foreign intelligence, humiliated him as if he were a schoolboy who failed to do his homework. so what you see that it is in vladimir putin, somebody who has essentially no domestic checks on his power remaining. he's completely still position, as we heard there have been protests since this invasion began, which is quite striking, given the potential penalties for those taking part. maybe that is one of the few

things that could pose some kind of threat to him if there were a massive protest movement against him. but this stages to only save something like that might develop. but what are the other checks on pollutants power? well, there's really nothing then, of course, internationally. yeah, i mean these, the threats are sanctions of fail to deter his behavior. he's clearly willing to go into risk. so isn't very difficult situation. how do you try to influence vladimir putin? nobody's question. very good question. from our chief international editor, richard walker, thank you very much. it's unclear just how many ukrainians have managed to flee their home since the beginning of the russian invasion yesterday. traffic jams packed trains and bus stations suggest tens of thousands in neighboring poland. hundreds of you credit and spent the night sleeping in the train station just over the border from ukraine, some of residence in poland and were waiting for trains that would take them to their final destination. others were on route to seek refuge with family and

friends. it well, is europe prepared for the influx of refugees that might come the w if international editor richard walker is still with us richard? or do you think? yeah, well you have been saying that this is absolutely something that they are having to reckon with that they could be a large movement refugees. this is of course something that europe has dealt with on various occasions over the last decade or so. and something that can be quite politically challenging. the big picture is europe still, despite the fact that when the, the large number of refugees came from the syrian war many years ago in this angler macro made the decision to not close japanese borders. to enable these, these refugees to enter germany, for instance, a 1000000 plus those. since then, there's been ongoing debate in europe that needs to be a reform of how refugees dealt with how asylum is dealt with within the european

union to ensure that people who come seeking refuge, the european union distributed around the unit. it's failed to achieve that, that has not been achieved is too politically difficult, especially in eastern european countries that have the biggest kind of complaints about such an idea. obviously this is now originating in eastern europe. it's a slightly different situation. it's different enough to see germany open its arms and welcome these people. i mean, they did initially in the case of syria about, oh yeah i, i think that there is no question that you will have to be open to, to refugees. and the united states is also getting involved. it has a team now in poland who are looking at helping out with this if it does come to pass. but even right here in berlin, in the capital of germany, the mayor of berlin has been talking about this,

saying that they are now looking at the possibility of large numbers of refugees coming as part of their planning around this crisis. and this will be alongside increasing energy prices. this will be one of the most direct impacts the people here in germany. feel. so real concerns about that. absolutely critical to thank you very much. interesting developing story that europe is definitely going to have to prepare for. and is preparing for thank you very much. russia's invasion has been met with horror in many parts of the world. people have been gathering outside russian embassies to protest hooton's actions and express their support for you. great. but in russia, taking part in public demonstrations could result in immediate attention. despite that people talk to the streets in multiple russian cities to say no to war, risking arrest even prison time to show the world that russia is not united behind

president putin. thousands came out across the country, chanting no to war. they were flaunting a ban on demonstrations. police arrested over 1700 people, half of them in the capital. moscow. authorities warned they could be charged with a crime with, i don't want russia to attack to train like this. yeah. i had grandparents ups gradient. so when you find the boy that was what happened is a shame. like many of us have relatives and friends from ukraine, and this is a betrayal of them. e, with a free like, is go back a russian stage, perhaps the most daring display of opposition. but not the only one. demonstrations of solidarity sprung up in cities around the world times square and new york saw

a massive ukrainian flagon, frilled b. the brandenburg gate and berlin was also visited by a crowd of ukraine's yellow and blue national colors. as this passed, he had with many of us thought it was impossible, but it happened. i woke up this morning and it brought me to tears ah, never to mo touchless shouldn't rakish. i think it's appalling because it's an illegal war of aggression and it has to stop. it's important that there is peace in europe and this is a worst case scenario with the full assistance of us. it's a policy and quantum, a condemnation of prudence, war, and a message of solidarity with those and basements and bomb shelters across ukraine. journalists, natal, yes, audience, eva joins me from moscow. the russians have advanced now all the way to ukraine's capital. we hear president putin is looking to topple ukrainian president, florida miss landscape is the confirmation that that's the goal from russia's

leadership here on the official russian channels. we get to the updates about this military operation. so called military operation. this is the term officially used here in russia, and they say, how many non defense and what are the defendant advances and how many military ames have been captured or destroyed. but they don't really tell what's the goal of this operation. and what we hear from the official sources here, if it is still not an occupation or war or invasion. but this is aaron operation of that. if occasion of you grade, this is the official word used by both letterman and their criminal rescue. a secretary admitted bischoff, or furthermore, the history of when a ferris press secretary, mighty as how do i said that this is not the beginning of the war, but actually our attempt to prevent the war and the end of the war they've been going on there in ukraine for 8 years. this is what the official position on this,

on the russian televisions. it's interesting that the word defensive is used in advance as defensive advances. how are the russian media actually portraying this whole scenario? so to lou, to talk about the russian media will have to an actual look a little bit back. this has been a narrative that has been there for a month. and maybe even years of narrative is about the russian being the cause of the attacked by the west, by the later and or the russia in that sense, according to the official position is causing the defending itself rather than later advances. and this latest escalation in ukraine is the last step that which and said that he has had no other option. how to defend russian russian people. but to launch this military operation in ukraine it's, it's not the hates against the ukrainians, rather, the hate against the us,

isn't it? the e u. n. u. s. have imposed more sanctions on russia or are they already being felt in the country in any way? i think a little bit early to really feel this anxious. what's false? your is frustration and, and chalk and anger of what is happening and sanctions are obviously one of the biggest topics discussed on the state tv. and even more me, you what that was happening right now in ukraine because sir, it's still early in the morning. and now we will see that the sanctions is a big concern among russian population and among russian business circles. because yesterday, there was a meeting of her present, landra brewton with represented of russian business and industry. and he promised their support of russian state. and he said his sanction will be tough and the drug is prepared for those sanctions. and he asked them of their support in exchange, they were just watching a pictures of those protests and of some demonstrators being taken away. is there

opposition to hootin within, or how loud is the opposite from? would you say within russia when it comes to this invasion? well, i think the feeling yesterday in moscow and in russian seek is, was the feeling of shock. and people did not certainly expect this displayed so quickly. and as we see them there were, there have been people who went out to the streets to protest this despite this you as a consequence of their facing. because just going out, the massive protest in russia is illegal and it can end a by severe consequences. so that there is definitely in opposition and the voice of it is against it. but his heart estimate how many people actually do feel strongly about it because not every one went out to the streets. a lot of people who are posting stuff on social media, even a lot of prominent russian figures even represent just over there and state media

boasted something on their private twitter and instagram account condemning the invasion in ukraine. but so far it's hard to estimates and there haven't been any polls, and i think in the station they can be any polls because people are just so shocks . so shocked and devastated to waste their opinion on this journal is natalia wanted cba in moscow. thank you. very much and recapping the latest developments on russia's war on ukraine, ukraine's capital kiev has come under renewed attack as russia ramps up its invasion. now in its 2nd day. aaron's sirens have sounded in here this morning, and busts were heard. and the hours before dawn apartment building was hit hard by apparent shell fragments. ukraine has accused rosser of targeting residential areas . the ukranian army says it has been fine. russian forces outside the capital key f . just this morning. ukraine's president florida. miss lensky has addressed his

nation. he told ukrainians that they were also targets of rushes attacks through her most of the movie. it's the 2nd morning of a full scale war. at 4 am, the russian forces continued making rockets strikes on the ukrainian territories. they say civilian objects are not the target. it's a lie. the reality is they make no discrimination wherever they act. just like yesterday both military and civilians are under russian attack. the purpose of this attack is to pressure us to put pressure on you citizens of ukraine on our whole society. european union leaders have agreed to impose new sanctions on russia over its war on ukraine. but they held back from cutting russia from the global swift payment system. after resistance from some contracts, european commission president also lafond alliance says the agreed measures would have a major impact on russia's economy. we will hold the kremlin accountable. the package

of massive and targeted sanctions. european lead is approved to night, clearly demonstrates that it will have maximum impact on the russian economy and the political elite. and it is build a 5 pillars the 1st that the financial sector. second, the energy sector. the 3rd is the transport sector forth, our export controls and the ban of export financing. and finally, visa policy, christine boy, is in brussels for us to talk about these sanctions and other rounds. how far do they go though this time been the european council president shall. michelle said that these sanctions were massive and painful, and by all indications they will be been, they will be felt by ordinary russians as prices go up because of inflation. ordinary household items are going up in prices and we can.