ah, ah ah, this is dw news lie from berlin. western leaders gather for crisis talks as of warn ukraine enters its 2nd month. it was president joe biden, french president in my one, my call and nato chief in stoughton. burke are among the world leaders assembled in brussels there hoping to stop the conflict from spreading. we're waiting a press conference at any moment. ah.

i'm so me. some has gone to thank you for joining us. leaders of the western military alliance. nato have been holding an emergency summit in brussels to discuss their response to the war in ukraine. now we can show you some live pictures from brussels right now. we are waiting for nato secretary general to begin his press conference at the end. stoughton berg, the alliance is looking to double the number of battle groups in its eastern member states. one proposal also calls from making the deployments permanent that would anger russia, which says it is threatened by nato expansion. but the secretary general has repeated that nato will not send planes into ukraine, saying the alliance needs to prevent the conflict from spreading. and we can go to our correspondent alexander phenomena and she's standing by for us at nato headquarters there covering the latest from the site for us. hi, alexandra. so we are waiting for that press conference to begin. it has been delayed by a little more than an hour. now can you tell us why that is what,

what you make of that? will i ask, what is the reason and was just told that this is because said the meeting of the leaders was still going on by. we have to say, and i do cover nato a lot. that is, is highly unusual to wait for the secretary general's press conference for such a long time. normally, he is almost always on time. but we also have to stress that this is not a regular meeting or that has been prepared for many weeks or months. we talking here about an emergency meeting and there are a lot of difficult issues on the table. for instance, the question, what to do if russia decides to use chemical or biological weapons, or what to do if russia decides to use it to a limited scope, tactical nuclear weapons. so this is all that natal leaders want to speak about to be sure that the alliance is prepared for whatever scenario alexander,

let's talk about some of those topics on the agenda. you mentioned. first of all, before the sam again sultan berg announced that nato wants to double the number of battle groups on its eastern flank. tell us how significant this move. well, we are talking here about a massive reinforcement of for nato troops on the eastern flank. as you know, nato didn't have any battle groups there before the annexation of crimea, they decided to deploy for battle groups on the eastern flank in 2016 and now they are adding for more. and that means 40000 troops under direct nato command. and this is, of course, it difficult, and this is meant to, we're sure, a nato members, eastern europeans, 1st and foremost, that nato is ready to defend them. if russia decides to

a tech one of them. and we know that many are very un warrior lithuania as president told us that he thinks that no one is saved. now, not only in the baltic states or poland, but not even those members of the alliance who are far way, far away from borders with russia. as you've been speaking, alexander, we're just seeing those live pictures from that press conference room waiting for that press conference. as you said, quite unusual that it's been taking so long to begin. i want to touch on another thing that you mentioned a little bit earlier. these concerns about the use of chemical or nuclear weapons, even this is something we keep hearing from the u. s. administration from president joe biden, that this is a serious concern in the us and, and nato is also said there will be far reaching consequences if such weapons are used as center. we talked about the fact that natal does not want to use the word red lines, but how could that nato respond? what do you think we're going to see as, as a joint response here?

so some leaders told us before, at the meeting, started that nato allies could individually impose even more massive sanctions against russia. and many told us that are really very concerned about such a potential use of chemical or biological weapons. as you said, nobody here wants to talk about to read lines, but secretary general's tolten back said yesterday that any use of such weapons of mass destruction would change the nature of the conflict. and he also stressed once again that to russia will see a massive her far reaching consequences. then we should fail center. this comes against the backdrop of what is really a busy day in brussels. there's a meeting of the g 7 as well. and you leaders, summit happening later, all of this, which the u. s. president will be attending. what's your impression there in

brussels? i mean, how strongly united are you and nato members on how to respond to this conflict? well, we have seen an unbelievable and believable unity and long the allies. whether you are speaking about nato allies or the trans atlantic a unit c. a we see at that they together decide to impose sanctions against russia and that they are presenting a quite united front in dealing with russia when we speak about nato in particular . and the last week or so, we started seeing some cracks in this unity. when we speak about the question, whether and if yes, who could provide ukraine worth fighter jazz soviet made fighter jets that had something actually

a what president zalinski was speaking about in his address to nato allies, or when we speak about the proposal put forward by the polish government last week, they were suggesting to establish sort of peace keeping force on the ground in ukraine with the participation of nato. as many member members of nato were very quick to, to say this is not on the table. this is not going to happen. happen, so we see that they are some cracks in this unity, but that makes this meeting today, here at nato headquarters and later on, also with the european union. and it's member states. very important because i think that the main goal is to show that. so the allies are still united, that they are on the same page, and this is an important message they want to send. making clear data, letting me put in is hearing that europe and the u. s. and nato allies. they are

sending altogether accounts under we haven't seen all that much movement yet there on that a stage for that press conference of again. so we're going to let you go gather some more impressions and will bring you back a little bit later in the show. and we have our chief political correspondent, lender crane with us. so looking at the bigger picture here, melinda, as we're waiting for that press conference with the sultan burke to begin some of the issues that we just talked about with alexandra. this is a difficult position in a way for nato allies, for you, member states to find common ground on pushing back adequately against russia, but also not engaging in a direct direct conflict with russia. particularly in the face of appeals from president zalinski of ukraine, saying you haven't sent us fighter jets. you haven't sent us enough. anti tank weapons you haven't sent us of the weapons that we can use to repel attacks from ships at sea. so very,

very direct appeals to one nate or you member country after another. we saw one to germany as well this week on the subject of cutting off rush and gas supplies. so indeed that is, that is making it very difficult. and we seen a lot of discussion amongst the nato member states about which weapon systems could be considered legitimate, which might be to provocative offensive versus defensive weapons. that's why those soviet mig plains, the poland, wanted to transfer. why that so far hasn't been okayed. i think in fact yes, there is some difference of opinion. poland really would like to send those plans, but all in all, so far we are seeing the unity maintained. the big question will be what happens in the face of a further escalation, which would also include more direct attacks on civilians. that is one of the

reasons why we will here today announcements about tougher sanctions. the u. s. has made it clear that it is going to now be proposing additional sanctions and, and then that question that alexander talked about, what do we do if there is some kind of russian chemical weapons or tactical nuclear attack? let's talk more about this because this does seem to be something, as we mentioned, no, the washington has been really ringing the alarm bells on this topic. and there are grave concerns and we're hearing also some reports that some types of weapons have already been in use. and you can what more can you tell us about that refers to the use of white phosphorus bombs. and in fact, it has been reported by ukraine that those were used in the eastern city of crime, a torque. now, there's a sort of ambivalence about whether they actually are chemical weapons. they are not directly prohibited by the chemical weapons convention. however,

under customary international law, the, the there use in any densely populated area is viewed as a breach and the fact is white. phosphorus does have other uses, like illuminating a battle field. that's one of the reasons it is not directly prohibited, but certainly it's in a very shady, problematic area. the big question would be, if there were a chemical attack, possibly going beyond that, or if there were a tactical nuclear attack, would we see effects of that beyond ukraine itself if they were deployed in the territory of ukraine, would they nevertheless have whether it's a radioactive cloud, or whether it's a chemical cloud that that would go out to neighboring countries. because if that's the case, then we're starting to see a situation where either the united nations,

charter, or nato provisions could be triggered. that essentially allow neighboring countries to defend themselves. and that would be the key issue then for nato. indeed, these are some older pictures from earlier today that we're saying is we're waiting for that press conference to begin. there. we failed all the nato members, its leaders of join together. it really would be as gen, spartanburg said, a game changer, but what's not clear to us yet, melinda, is what type of response nato. and let's say you member states on a whole are crafting here. i mean, what type of response could you have to an escalation, a tactical nuclear attack? well, one thing we're told is that nato definitely plans to send to ukraine equipment that can be used in defense against chemical weapons and nuclear tactical nuclear attacks. hard to visualize exactly what that would be, but certainly that's one thing we will undoubtedly hear about. then we're also told that there are groups within the united nations national security council that have

been trying to devise scenarios for how the u. s. and its allies should and could react in the event of attacks escalated attacks with either of those 2 types of weapons. and that, that is one of the topics of discussion at nato today. so whether we'll see any announcements, i think probably it's more likely that data will continue to maintain what's known as a strategic vagueness and basically not lock itself into a position of red lines, but try to leave the issues open to, to essentially then way the circumstances we'll talk about the other an aspect to the response which is sanctions. we've seen unprecedented sanctions already from the west. so maybe you could take us through what is already in place and what we might see still considered. you mentioned that the bio ministration wants to push.

now, today the stay of diplomacy for tougher sanction or what, what might you see? that's right. and apparently the u. s. has mapped out a proposal to sanction members of the lower house of the russian parliament, the duma. and that is one of the things that will be a now. so there is the, the big elephant in the room is oil and gas. the u. s. is cut off its own imports of russian oil. the u. s. however, is far less dependent on russian oil than europe is on russian gas. the u depends for russia, for 40 percent of its gas, that would make a gas cut off extremely hard for europe to do the chancellor. yesterday, in his remarks before parliament looking at the budget, i spelled it out saying it would cost jobs. it would hurt our industries, it could plunge us and europe into a recession. nonetheless, we may now actually be seeing steps toward an embargo via the back door as it was

because russia has said that unfriendly countries, including germany, will need in future to pay for their gas deliveries with roubles. now the strange thing about that is that the west has sanctioned the russian central bank in order to get those roubles. the european countries would have to go to the russian central bank undermining their own sanctions. german politicians are already saying that is not going to happen. in other words, putting was trying to call their bluff. they are now trying to call his bluff saying that would be a breach of contract if, because we have contracts and we can play pan western currency. but if it came down to it, perhaps that is than the moment where europe would have to forego russian gas. and that is, it's a big matter of debate here about exactly how much economic pain it would cause. we've seen germany, climate and economics minister rushing off to the middle east to try to negotiate liquefied natural gas deliveries from them,

the to diversify germany sources. some of the other e. u. member states. not so happy about that, saying that you, you should work together on this problem. but in fact, that is certainly offset one of the topics on the agenda today. and just to, to follow up on that. sure, that the americans will also be discussing that. providing more gas to europe as well at lee, and i don't think we will see direct pressure applied by joe biden. he held off on applying pressure back in january when it came to the north stream to gas pipeline, that germany was still trying to bring into operation. he basically took a step back and let germany work it out. and indeed germany did suspend it, which of course is what the u. s. had wanted all along. he is likely, i think, to take the same kind of approach here. stepping back, he said in the past, i recognize that europe is far more dependent than the u. s on russian of fossil fuels and therefore waiting to see what, what year it comes up with. but he has made it clear the u. s. jake sullivan has

national security. advisor said that the us absolutely is planning to deliver a great deal more gas to europe in order to try to help the eve diversify. oh, if you're joining us, we are waiting for a press conference that is the scheduled to be and was actually scheduled to begin about an hour ago with nato secretary general again, sultan burge. we heard our correspondent at nato headquarters. alexandra say it's pretty unusual that day they are so delayed, but indeed all of the leaders of nato member countries are in hand, including us president joe biden. they are there in brussels and it looks like it looks like insulin berg is just arriving at the podium. so let's see if we can cut right into that press conference and listen in. good afternoon, we'll just finished an extraordinary summit. so overnight the leaders to address the biggest strengths, so 2 hours security in the generation person who turns war against the ukraine.

the people of ukraine are assisting with a coach on the termination fight thing for the freedom on for the future. we stand with them. first sensitive skin addressed us with an impassioned message, thanking nato allies for the significant support we are providing. on distressing the vital importance of even more military assistance to day natalee. this agreed that we must and will provide further support to ukraine. we will continue to impose unprecedented costs on russia and we will reinforce allied, the terrans and the films leaders approved our for new battle

groups in bulgaria, on hungary, romania and sl archer. these are, in addition to the, for older the, in the bold to countries and poland. so we have 8 multinational nato, about the groups, and now, from the baltic sea to the black sea. across europe, there are 100000 us troops are either supporting network for its on european allies on canada. have also stepped off. we have 40000 forces on the direct nato command, mostly in the eastern part of the alliance, backed by major air and naval power. including an unprecedented far that carriers start groups from the high north to the mediterranean. today nathan leaders agreed to reset our turns on the fence for the longer term to face and use security

reality. on line. we will have substantially more forces in the eastern part of the lawrence at high year readiness with more pre positioned equipment and supplies in the air. we will deploy more jets and strengthen our integrated air and me, son defends at c. b will have a carrier storage groups submarines on the significant numbers of combat shapes. on the persistent basis we will also strengthen our cyber defenses. on a hands are exercises focusing on collect the defense on interoperability. i expect to will decide on the details. i thought was next summit in madrid in june

to day i'll, our leaders also agreed to provide further support to ukraine, helping to uphold their from a month right to self defense, allies oral. so equipping ukraine with significant military supplies into the anted tank and a defend systems and drones, which are proving highly effective. as well as substantial financial on humanitarian aid. today we agreed to do more including cyber security assistance on the equipment to help ukraine protect against biological chemical. roger, roger, coal on nuclear fits. this could include detection protection on medical supplies as well as some training for the covenant decontamination and crisis management. we are determined to do all we

can to support ukraine, and i welcome the concrete offers of assistance made by allies to day. at the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure the conflict does not escalate further. because this would be even more dangerous. and more devastating allies agreed that we must also increase our support for all departments at risk from russia, and from that address from russian jets and interference, including georgia on both on had several of them working together. and with the european union, we must help them a pull their sovereignty and strengthen their resilience. we also addressed the badging sir old in the crisis. to day, allah need is cold on china, to refrain from supporting rochelle, war effort. china must not provide economic or military support for the russian

invasion. instead, bridging should use. it's significant infants on russia. i'm promotes an immediate peaceful resolution. i'll as also agree that the nurse must stop acting as an accomplice to putin's innovation. at today's meeting, leaders, re affirmed strong, our strong commitment to naples open door policy under article 10 or to washington treaty. nato enlargement has been an historic success spreading democracy, freedom and prosperity across europe. one month since this thought of russia invasion of ukraine, natal security environment hosp, an immensely changed for a long whole on we are responding. but the kids but security doesn't come for free and doing more will cost more. so nate to leaders agreed to read double

efforts to meet the fence investment pledge made in 2014 allies will submit additional plans on hall to meet the pledge in time for the madrid summit in june. and i welcome that the number of laws to day announced plans for significance increases in the fens spending of this dangers time, transit time figuring that on so load. they are vital europe or north america or standing and will continue to stand strong together in natal. and without somebody to think you're crushes cnn. hi, mr. secretary general. thank you. i'm president lensky in his address to nato, accused russia of deploying phosphorus, munitions. i'm wondering whether nato has seen evidence of that and what your response is or would be. and then i'm wondering, did you discuss during this meeting

a permanent basing of forces in any of these countries, such as the baltics and abandoning the nato russia founding act? so we are, lee said, think nathan, so turns and offense, florida long term with more troops or with the more air assets and more maritime capabilities. we have all of the increased our presence in the east, and today we decided on for new battle groups. and that the leaders agreed to task our mentor commanders to provide options of for a long term reset. though, our press and saw remitted their posture in the eastern part of the alliance and across the whole alliance. details will be then decided after our summit in june, but that comes on top of what's out all the dung. so this is a long term. we are prepared for the long haul of the call. so we can all that today say that that's the,

the irish invasion present purchase invasion of ukraine. i hoss changed our security environment or for the long term. it's a new reality. it's sir, it's a, it's a new normal. anita is a responding for a long term. we have seen on a very credit reports about the the, the use of a i saw you solvent, military force against the civilians. ah, though, of course is the read concern or for all, no dallas, and busy secretary gentle. thank you for taking my question. how do you believe nato will respond if china begins to support russia economically and perhaps with military supplies? and also do you believe that there is a role to play for nato when it comes to alleviating energy costs? and i'm talking about speaking directly to saudi arabia and other opec producers. thank you. made the allies are coordinating their efforts when it comes to also

energy security. and it was also dressed in the meeting today or to a step up surprised to diversify her sources of supply on the, on all sources to reduce depends on the supplies from, from russia. on the, on the later on today also participated the g 7 meeting and of course, in different framers g 7, working with the e, u. r. a. there are different formats where nato allies address the needs and to strengthen energy security. and that reduced depends on, on law, on the, on russian or, and gas, or message to china is that they should join the rest of the world and clearly calm them ah, the brutal war against the ukraine, and not support a russia and either or with her or whether economic support or of course not

with the military support. he will go to into fact ukraine, lady in the 2nd row. in general news agency inter fox ukraine. i would like to ask you if up bullish leadership would add to the table today for discussion as a proposal to send peacekeeping mission to ukraine. and if yes, oh, what kind of discussion it was, and that is a re some conclusion. thank you. as we discussed, a wide range of issues on the message is that we have to stand united and also that we need to provide support that ukraine. but at the same time, we have a responsibility thing and to ensure that this conflict do not become a full fledged war between nato and russia. on the on that sol, susan, why allies? i'm a decatur to, we will not deploy a troops on the ground in, in ukraine. nicole,

so the only way to do that is to be prepared to engage in full ah, a conflict of with a russian, a troops financial time. thank you very much sir. you gentle congratulations on your annual extension. and you said in the statement that allies agree to enhance preparedness and readiness for chemical, biological, radiological, and new killer threats. is that based on credible intelligence that those threats could be imminent? and how does the alliance strengthen its protection against those threats, thinking? so we are concerned, i'm part of because suite c directory. and we see that russia is said trying to create some kind of prefix accusing ukraine, united states. they do allies for preparing to use a chemical and biological weapons. and we have seen before that these, sir, a way of accusing alders is actually a way to try to get to p takes for do the same a themselves. and of course,

a concessions against that ukraine, an a doors are absolutely false. an an any use of chemical weapons wool totally changed in nature of the conflict. it will be at blatant violation of international law. ah, ah, it will have a wide spread consequences. and of course, be extremely dangerous, and it will affect the people in ukraine. but there's also a risk that will have a direct effect on people living in nato countries. because her, oh, we can see contamination. we can see the spreads of and chemical agents or biological weapons into our countries. and, and we also know that russia has used chemical.