would have been unsinkable just days ago, germany will spend billions beefing up its military now and reduce its dependence on russian energy. german chancellor of shells is moving the country away from this traditional pacifists defense and security policy. to a tougher, more direct, one shackled bytes 1st and 2nd world war history. germany has been hesitant to involve itself in conflict. but shult says, this is a new era the quickest and the contest. this war is a catastrophe for ukraine. but this war will also turn out to be a catastrophe for russia. all russia has done the unthinkable bringing the most aggressive military assault to europe since world war 2 at the special session of the moon, the sword shall denounce germany ascending $1000.00 anti tank weapons and $500.00

surface to air missiles directly to ukraine. instead of using a 3rd party, it will also invest $100000000000.00 euros in a special military fund. and after years of pushing against cars from the us to invest more in nato shouts announce, that's happening too high to national defense spending to more than 2 percent of germany's economic output per year president put in president putin should not underestimate our determination to defend every square meter of our alliances territory together with our allies. if leyden, we are cutting off russian bangs and state companies from financing different, we are preventing the export of future technology to russia. we are focusing on the oligarchs and their assets in the u, as yet. germany and its allies hold to these tough multilateral sanctions. will

force russia to retreat and bring peace. that to you. me. join our by our chief political correspondent, melinda crane. a melinda, you've, we're following this all along over the weekend. a major turnaround in german, 4 and, and security policy. walk us through this. what changes are we looking at? well, 1st of all, concretely, we're going to see a germany, a break with the long standing prohibition on sending weapons to a conflict zoned. so very direct support now are for ukraine. secondly, harsh economic sanctions on russia, not only the exclusion of some russian banks from that swift payment transfer information system, but also freezing the reserves of the russian central bank a very big move indeed. and thirdly, a massive increase in defense spending,

something you and i have talked about for years, but that always looked like it was somewhere out there in the realm of hope, but wasn't going to happen. underlying all of that, this is the most important thing is indeed a tectonic shift in perspective, away from essentially a post world war 2 and post cold war consensus that saw germany tie its own hands militarily, absolutely prioritize diplomacy and dialogue. c, itself is surrounded by friends after $989.00 with the idea that maintaining good commercial relations with everybody would insure stability and moderation. and there's clear recognition now the chancellor said it, we live in a new world and we must defend our democracy. if we want to preserve it, no germany is going to ramp up its military capabilities in a way that we have never seen before in the post war period, a 100000000000 going as a special fund for the bonus for more than 2 percent spending on g d, p,

spending on the military moving forward. annual spending. melinda ramping up military capabilities is a slow process. what kind of time frame are we talking about here? and is it, can it make any difference to the current conflict? well, a 100000000000 is double the current defense budget. so we're looking at a massive increase just within this fiscal year that will begin to remedy some of the gaps and deficits in the bone despair. and the chancellor talked about gaps and deficits, basically in all areas, hardware skills and capabilities. technology meaning as cyber logistics, airplanes, boats, the name and basically everything. and that reflects the fact that germany essentially is an economic giant been a military midget. so no, that's not going to happen overnight and he and he absolutely acknowledged that and

said, that's why we will now be investing more than 2 percent. 2 percent is the nato target 2 percent of g d, p on defense spending. he said we will now be doing more than that now. currently it's 1.5 percent of yeah. yeah. way below. been promising to do it for years and years since 2014, every year germany makes his promise. it looks like now it actually might happen suddenly, overnight. i mean it's, it's quite a, quite a turnaround. there is a strong pacifist streak in germany, which is understandable in light of the 2nd world war in the 1st world war for that matter. so is that picked this is particularly true on the left, the left is well represented in the current government is germany jumping over its shadow now? is it putting its pacifist street behind it? yes, in fact, that's why i said, i think we're seeing a break with the post world war 2 consensus, a break with german thinking that's gone on for nearly 80 years. the idea being

that in some ways, germany learned the lessons of world war 2 to well as you know, that was a war of aggression instigated by germany itself. and coming out of that, there was a sense that the military is not a tool of policy, in other words, clause of its famous dictum. that military is a continuation of foreign policy by other means that was not part of the german thinking. and we have seen a change within the green party as well as you say, junior coalition partner, but they were the ones pushing this chancellor very hard to to go further on weapons exports to go further on vigilant sense spending. so i think now we're seeing also the social democrats who also have that pacifist tradition finally getting in touch with another side of their history and their routes. namely, how much met stationing of the pershing's? that was deterrence, that was not to say that was not ost politic. and i think now perhaps we're seeing

a very real shift on the left. not everybody is happy about this. i was at. i was down to town yesterday during the demonstration, seeing a lot of plaque cards that were also saying no rearmament in germany during the bonus talk session. when these huge investments in the bonus were, were announced, we saw particularly members of the left party not applauding for these how what support is there within the population. and in, within, the german political establishment for these are the boosting of germany's military . so the left party, as you say, cat calls booth real a lot of noise during that, especially me session of the bonus tag yesterday on the streets. my impression is that the, the wake up call definitely has been heard. but this is a very wrenching moment for many germans. and you could hear that in the speech is made yesterday by in fact all of the leader saying,

we know people are sitting around their kitchen tables. this is what the chancellor said. grandparents are saying, wait a minute, we thought we're in europe can't happen again. what is going on? and a clear recognition on the part, especially of chance, the shoulds that he needs to lead people on this journey. it's going to be a hard journey for many, many terms. and it's a, this comes of course, after tremendous pressure from germany's allies, particularly within nato, to, to finally step up to the plate as it were in boosting, germany's military capabilities monte crane are chief, political correspondent. thank you so much. hundreds of thousands of people have protested against the russian invasion in cities around the world. here in berlin, a huge rally took place at the landmark bradenberg gate. there were big demonstrations also in paris, madrid, and a string of other capitals. people have been attempting to protest in dozens of russian cities as well, but they've been met by

a police crackdown. a monitoring group says at least 2000 people were detained, standing up against vladimir putin war they were chanting no to war. in russia from st. petersburg to siberia, protesting their country's invasion of ukraine. and in so many places, the script was the same. ah! inspired chance, followed by action from security forces, often in riot gear. ah, what it can't be any worse. we're the aggressor state and people are dying because of us. i'm ashamed. i haven't been able to live normally for several days. i'm burning with shame. oh ukrainians. well away from russia where, meanwhile, burning with pride,

their national anthem played outside the russian embassy and berlin. and over at the brandenburg gate, police left more than $100000.00 people to chide vladimir putin and support ukrainians. it is our backyard. they are neighbors or brothers or cousins, or co workers. put in this bond in my country, which is the crane, is the killing people killing children. i wish i could do my, but coming in showing our solidarity, showing that we really want the people of ukraine to be saved. the attack on ukraine is an attack on us on all our ideas, just like the ukrainians have been piling us for the past 8 years. such support for ukraine was also found in cities as varied as paris. oh. her beal in kurdish, iraq, santiago, chile. oh and the lithuanian capital vilnius were

ex pat bella. russians protested their country support for the invasion also without police interference. but back inside russia, india, caterine berg, east of the euro, mountains the voices of protest quickly muffled. you are watching dw news coming to you live from berlin. this is it's special, extended coverage of the war in ukraine. if you're just joining us. here's a recap of our main story piece. talks between ukraine and russia are due to start within ours as russia's invasion of its neighbour enters its 5th day. but a roof is hosting the talks and location near the ukrainian border. it has published this picture showing the room where the discussions are supposedly taking place. ukraine's president bottom is lensky says he does not expect to break through, but is willing to send a delegation to try to end the war. ukraine has been forced to take shelter.

ukrainians have been worth take shelter. as the russian onslaught continues. crane says it's still in control of all major cities, but the pressure is growing on the strategic port. city of mario whole kia and car keys are also bracing for fresh attacks. several residential buildings have been hit and ukraine says over $350.00 civilians have been killed. so far. we have correspondence on the ground in ukraine. one of them is bonnie fortune. she's in western ukraine in the city of melanie etzky, penny. how has the situation developed in ukraine overnight as if people had a couple of hours of sleep without that sound of sirens or shelling in keith and in car here. but that started to change again, just before dawn when bo cities specifically also had a key for fighting is really a going on intensely where that shelling intensified. what we can see currently for

the current situation is, is a lot of conflicting information circling around here. one, a referring to a major, a very paul for nuclear plant. indeed, one of the most powerful nuclear plants for europe, which is located in the south east of ukraine. russia claims that they're controlling this power plant. ukraine says that's not the case. also, a russia is now saying that there is a passage, a safe way out out of keith. if people want to leave, where as ukraine says, people should stay at home. so as things start to escalate even further, so is the conflicting information between what is being controlled by which country people are really bracing here for more for an increase of attacks despite the announcement that today around 12 am local times at noon. look, a time at that ukrainian and russia and delegation is supposed to meet at the crania bordered by the roost and half talks. the question really is with what

result? and in fact, some people still doubt. here i am right now in the western part of ukraine, whether those talks are actually going to take place in new satellite images funny show a huge russian military convoy outside the ukrainian capital care that convoy is nearly 5 kilometers long. this suggests a major assault could be eminent. how is clear, preparing to defend itself. kiss is prepared in terms of they know that the bulk of the russian troops has been all around here for days. now the question really is, is it as russia claims that the 1st one to have every civilian outer as many civilians, l before they flatten these entire city and be that the major institutions that belong to the government? or is it that actually ukraine is trying everything still be the forces they have to repel the i russian aggression. we do not really know to be honest to tell you

for a fact what is going to happen to in key f. and in terms of the question, how prepared ukraine is, of course, if you look at the numbers, russia is much more prepared in terms of quantity, people on the ground military equipment and so on, bought ukraine, and she also see on the ground. do not underestimate the motivation of people regardless of age and gender, who are ready to stay here ready to fight. so that ball of rushing through that he's ready to actually invade and ed the entire city day and key f is confronted also with people who have taken up arms are ready to resist at any cause to defend their city, the capital city of ukraine. and i would say other cities as well, judging what unsafe behind you that appeal they appear to be sand bags in front of that in front of the building are correct me if i'm wrong. what about the humanitarian situation? funny, i'm seeing reports on social media, food shortages supermarkets with empty shells. what can you tell us?

the army, by the way, is a theater. that used to be a theater, a tour now into the hat, quarter for id piece, internally displaced people who are i fear from key for other parts of the country . even though i have to add load of people who stay here in canada ski are also trying to leave. nobody really feel safe, no matter where they are located in ukraine and those sandbags have been prepared for a if debris force basically from the sky. if a drone has begun been taken down by ukrainian forces, or if there's shelling, bye rushes to everybody here also here. 100 skipper, i am right now is bracing actually for roots development also for this part of the region as far as the food shortage. if you go to supermarket, you still find very basic things depending on where you are because in some parts of ukraine you may have may have only one supermarket for one town, meaning long lines of people trying to stalk up on the essentials. but as far as i can say, so far, the essential a providing essential is, is, is still a still,

they are also adding to that the people are donating a lot of food, for example, here to those who do not have anything. so it really depends a bit on the municipality held as being organized that people are receiving what they need right now, especially if they cannot leave ukraine for very practical reasons. no gasoline, no car, simply no way to leave. honey, you mentioned the piece talks in quotation marks that are supposed to take place today at the russian hill at the ukrainian or russian border of we don't know much about those. can you tell us anything about who is actually going to be representing ukraine? those talks, if they take place. and what the people of ukraine expect of those talks is not going to be the president of both countries, is not going to be as zalinski, president of ukraine and need a put in who attend this meeting for very obvious security reasons. there about

delegations of both countries, and apparently the russian delegation has arrived already. russia has also made clear that they want to make sure that these negotiations conclude in something that are in the interests of both countries. now that may actually indicate that who knows, maybe there is a way out of this at least to, to come to conclusion with a pause with a sci fi, at least if you ask people here on the ground is super skeptical. and they say this negotiation is not going to bring the country any food in terms of peace talks, because how is it possible you're having negotiation with the country? that at the same time, why negotiations are supposed to take place is bombing this country. people are very, very, very doubtful in terms of the outcome of this negotiation that he's supposed to start at new local time. here in ukraine, we've seen some strong signals of solidarity with ukrainian people coming out of europe over the weekend. and we've seen germany in the e u r, announcing that they will send weapons to ukraine. hundreds of thousands of

demonstrators have also taken to the street across europe, including over 100000 here in berlin, calling for an end to russian aggression. how are those signals being received in ukraine? funny people are just really thankful that they seem say, say that now and finally, actually one person i've just spoken to before said finally, the west has woken up and realizes this, this is not just about the ukraine. it's about the piece of the entire world about the security architecture that we've been basically used to for the past 3 decades . that is, as threatened right now with the implications for the entire world. but also i heard people saying it's a really strong signal, especially from the european union signaling for the very 1st time the ready to uh, to, to, to increase their defense budget. i mean, we're talking here about 500000000 euros in support here with weapon and said and

gear, whether the same. also people say, why don't europe troops come to ukraine? we all know, of course, that the consequences of a european troops need to troops by that the u. s. facing russian troops would be and even big escalation, ukraine. so again, other say no troops but at least send us more weapons, send us most support economically, militarily, stand with ukraine. funny, thank you very much. a reporter, funny patch, other in western ukraine. now the russian rouble has plunged to a record low dropping more than 30 percent against the us dollar. this comes after the u. s. and europe impose sanctions aimed at cutting the country off from the global financial system. long lines of russians scrambling to withdraw money from cash machines could be seen across the country. and attempt to prop up the rouble rushes central bank doubled its key interest rate to an unprecedented 20 percent

and ordered domestic export companies to sell foreign reserves. more enjoy. now by maria shanina, she's a senior fellow at the finish institute of international affairs and an expert on international sanctions with a focus on eastern europe. thanks for being with us. re at the rubel has plunged to understand by nearly 30 percent to day or a record low against the us dollar. is this a sign that the sanctions imposed on russia or having the desired effect? we are in a different reality that will what are 2 days ago. the west is why in financial warfare against the oceans atrocities in the ukraine. so the scope of sanctions is unprecedented way. we're not talking about switch sanctions or sanctions from central bank full block in sanctions on russia's majors bank a couple of days ago. now we moved weekly to a very different reality and the level of international support is also

unprecedented. as a result, there is an economy is reacting as you described. there we see the stock market is expected to blend their bill is collapsing and then brings a lot of memories from the ninety's, where a lot of ordinary russians has suffered. at this point, no surgical measures can change anything on the ground. so we are talking about very unprecedented measures that will have a devastating impact on the ocean economy. now, after some resistance from european countries, especially germany, other has now been a decision to cut off some russian banks, at least from the swift global payment system. what impact is that likely to hell? switched is often called as the nuclear measure, but that's probably not the most nuclear option here on the table. then cut off

from swift. and right now we're talking about the cut off of selected banks at banks that, that already on to full looking sanctions list. so this is a very narrow sanctions measure. this will not have the most devastating impact on the russian economy. if we compare it with other measures that though i didn't place sanction in the russian 2nd largest bank, v t v will have more effect. thanks, janine international reserves in the rush is central bank will have much more impact as well because there was fortress strategy will be commerce and costs. what effect will these sanctions have on ordinary people in russia? how much harder will life get for people in russia? unfortunately, there are no winners here in both countries for dinner, at the bow, for ordinary reasons, it's mainly on economic suffering. will really see long use of atm machines. we

know that russians mainly only 30 percent of russians have savings. they're a robot denominated salaries will be evaluated pretty quickly, and this is nearly economic cost that they will have to bear. but we have to also have in mind that the suffering on the ukrainian side has a much larger stake here. now the sanctions package a includes personal sanctions on vladimir putin on his foreign minister. how much pressure is that putting on putin and his government? it's unlikely to change his calculus. if this is what a you are referring to. here it's more a symbolic message for a long time. the west was very reluctant. lacy put in on sanctions list. i'm like the president on. melrose is already there for a long time. this is more a symbolic message that we are in a different reality. it's no longer business as usual,

beneficial ownership or beg structures will probably hide it through assets that he has. so did. the fact is probably not as devastating as maybe some people expect. as you mentioned russians or been lining up at cash machines, which saw some pictures about a moment ago, people trying to get their money out of rushes, central bank has, has urged people to stay calm, but, and it says it can maintain financial stability. but can it really maintain financial stability under these conditions? it will exceed the, the fact maybe not in the next 2 days, but in a couple of weeks that's for sure. the things is on central bank is your nuclear option. this is not swift. as many people refer it to you and buy sanction in international reserves as the russian government called. and they have a warrant chest ample, international reserves that government will have less of the 2 need to step into

smaller than the exchange rate to bay loan banks. and this will have a major impact how much they can alleviate the sanctions. maria, thank you very much re insights. that was maria chagrin from the finish institute of international affairs. thank you. international community is raising its voice against russia over its invasion of ukraine. the united nations security council is called a rare emergency meeting of the 193 member general assembly due to take place later today. 11 of the councils 15 members voted in favor of the resolution. russia voted against the move while china india and the united arab emirates, abstained. russia was unable to use its veto to blocker resolution, as the boat was procedural, the u. s. and its allies at the you and say russia is now becoming increasingly isolated, internationally told,

for an emergency special. the european union has decided to finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and equipment to ukraine. that is the 1st time the e. e was sending weapons to a country under attack. european commission president ursula founder lion says the block is also closing its aerospace to russian aircraft and will ban state owned media channels. russia to day and put the we are the she also announced new sanctions targeting the regime of beverage and leader, alexander, look a shank up port supporting rushes, invasion and 3rd, here's how funder line explained the significance of the developments as the war in ukraine rages on and ukrainian psych bravely for their country. european union steps up once more its support for ukraine and the sanctions against the aggression aggressor that is put in russia. for the 1st time ever. the european union will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to

a country that is under attack. this is a watershed moment. our corresponding christine when we're is in brussels, covering the story porous. christine, tell us more about how the e u is moving on ukraine. what to these later steps mean, terry, the significance of this really can't be understated for the 1st time in the european union's history. a is going to collectively supply a 3rd country or with lethal ammunition and what is called the european piece facility. the european union is setting aside some, 450000000 euros, are where it is going to procure and purchase. and it everything from an ammunition live ammunition air defense systems, anti tank systems that it is going to give to the ukranian armed forces as they battle at russian troops on the ground. now, leading up to the invasion in the weeks leading up to russia's invasion of ukraine,

we saw individual member states make our military donations, add it to ukraine. and, and what we've been told is that they will now be compensated are for that as part of this program where it was being announced, the use of foreign affairs chief, joseph burrell said the idea behind this was really to incentivize individual states to continue doing that at a bilateral level, but also to encourage others. but overall they said there was widespread support for this ad that this was unanimously agreed upon ad that the block should be taking this decision. so it is a see change in terms of european union traditional policy. and for the 1st time, the european union will be supplying lethal ammunition, add to a 3rd country that is at the ukranian armed forces. terry, the ukraine, as is aspiring to join the european union, that is part of the year. the conflict between ukraine and russia. russia simply

doesn't like this, or at least putins government. they're assuming that ukraine does retain its independence after this war. what are its prospects of becoming an u member? stay terry, in recent days are we have heard from the like so for the polish president or the the government in slovakia, am a publicly calling for ukraine to be granted a pathway for accession inside the european union. although i will point out that most member states have not officially or come out in support of that. they've not stated their support of it. and this is something that the ukrainians for their part, aspire to they, they applied for you pre k, e u membership in 2008 of course that application was unsuccessful and it doesn't appear that talks have opened up since then. there are currently no talks and.