ah ah ah ah, this is dw lie from berlin, ukraine's president vladimir zelinski addresses the world economic forum, and up he repeated his plea for more heavy weapons, saying that deliveries must arrive before the next russian attack. also on the program. i'm leaving because with such a privilege, ro,

comfortability responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not in a shock announcement, new zealand prime minister jacinta dern says she's stepping down early. almost a year before her term is due to end. ah, and it's been 40 years since floating balloons became a symbol for the madness of cold war and nuclear brinkman ship and launched one of the biggest hits in the german language. we looked back at the phenomenon that was not at all. and so look ah, i'm glad else as well come to the program. ukraine's press. vladimir zelinski has

a made an impassioned address to the world economic forum. in davos, he called on western partners to speed up military aid to ukraine. zelinski also paid tribute to the victims of a helicopter crash near keith that claimed the lives of at least 14 people, including the countries, interior minister and several children. he won't, that tragedies are out pacing life in ukraine and urged western countries to deliver military supplies before the next russian attacks. at the annual gathering of world leaders and divorce, one issue was always going to dominate the agenda. delivering his speech by a video, link, ukrainian, president floaty. may zalinski found a poignant way to remind the audience the victims of rushes invasion to enjoy the memory of every cars law when eminent.

he then wasted little time urging the world community to speed up the supply of weapons to ukraine. didn't ha, no free will. he was to see is used by they turn to kill oh piece, next newsroom organization. all our enjoying and the supply you with your defense systems. my out please running. miss allen says this applies always. some tanks must out be another invasion. rat, with russian forces still deep in ukrainian territory to lands these desperate for western main battle tanks to help push out the invaders. keith is especially keen on the german made leopard to a powerful tank in use and over 20 countries. life international pressure has been

growing on berlin to drop its re export veto, and to donate some tanks itself. german chance lo love, shouts reiterated his country. support for ukraine at the world economic forum. in order for the war to ent rush, us aggression must fail. that is why we are continuously supplying ukraine with large quantities of arms in close consultation with our partners. we are not just support, he stayed clear of making any commitments on tanks. but all, many observers believe that shots will finally drop his objections at the meeting of ukraine's main backers at the ramstein air base in germany on friday night states are. and for more this, let's crossover to nina, has any ws chief political correspondent, nina, no commitment thereby bird german chancellor, all of shows on the delivery of the german leopard main battle tank to ukraine until now, albert report suggests that he is now setting

a new condition tell us more about that. a well all of such the german chancellor and you as president joe biden spoke on the phone on tuesday this week. and media now reporting that in that call shaws apparently showed himself open to leopard to deliveries, provided that the u. s. deliver their abrams tank. now we here in berlin, i've been speculating for a while about just why it will have started so hesitant in this issue. he absolutely wants to avoid being drawn into this conflict. he wants to keep a small door open just in case vladimir putin shows himself willing to de escalate . and of course all i've shown is under a lot of pressure from his own party. there is a strong anti weapons delivery group. there are the most convincing reasons seems to be that he only wants to take such a step together with us. but washington just doesn't seem to be willing to do that . apparently, that would be maintenance issues with the abrams tank long training, parents, etc. so from the s we're hearing that they don't want to give you kind of something

that doesn't really help them right now. nato chief installed backer also said the alliance would provide heavier and more modern weapons. how realistic is that? now on that issue, everybody, of course is having their eyes on the meeting of international defense ministers at cum stain, military base here in germany, tomorrow on friday, where ukraine's partners will coordinate military support of the country against russia's aggression. and we are expecting 2 things. one, there are hints at germany might that give its consent, at least so that other countries can deliver left to tanks. we just heard that poland, for example, as asked for that. but german export rules for war material. a very strict ebony has to give its green light for german made will material to be re exported to other countries. and so we might see some countries setting up a coalition to jointly deliver combat tanks. but it's not clear where the germany itself would deliver left today and then to the u. s. is reported to be finalizing

a huge military aid package for ukraine, where they were sent striker combat vehicles, but not tax. well, maybe we will learn more about those issues today when germany is new, defense minister boys to stories will receive his u. s. counterpart lloyd austin, 4 talks in berlin. what can we expect from this meeting? well, the 2 will be preparing tomorrow's meeting and you have to keep in my japanese defense minutes of his story is only starts his job to day after his predecessors step down this week because he just made too many mistakes. so he's had very little time to prepare, but he's not a newbie. he knows a security policy, hassam military experience. he is also a child's ally like his predecessor, but many here in berlin. and now hoping that his stories might be more outspoken when it comes to communicating germany strategy regarding military support for ukraine. because the chancellor himself is leaving most people, germany's partners,

and especially the public in the dark. a lot of the times about his reasons. and that, of course, risks undermining germany's own ambition to be considered a leading power internationally. to put it mildly, she stated the correspondent nina has of that. thank you, nina. and are let's go straight to here to our correspondent sonya veronica there in the ukrainian capital. sonya, how's this tank issue delivery issue rather viewed in ukraine when ukraine has been making a big push all this week to get its western allies really intensifier efforts to provide it with heavier, more powerful weapons. and that mainly includes these heavy battle tanks. and this comes as concerns are rising, cure in ukraine of you know, of the fact that it only probably has a short window now to prepare for an anticipated russian offensive in the coming months. now we don't know, of course, where this offensive might be. ukraine,

ukrainian defense officials have said that russia is building up its troops in eastern ukraine. there are also concerns that they could be a potential ground offensive from the not in belarus, which could include a 2nd attempt to seize cave. we don't know that of course, as yet, but you know, when it comes to these heavy battle tanks, ukraine has been asking for them. right, since the beginning of the war and, and let's say, you know, that they are really needed to supplement ukraine's on fleet off tanks, which are largely from the saga at our or russia made tags which are supplied by eastern european countries. they say many of these tanks and are really worn down by months of battle that badly need of repair and replacement. and you know, experts have also been seeing that these western tanks provided, of course, they are supplied to ukraine in significantly large numbers. they will help you crane kind of boost its own counter offensive operations and push back russian forces from a greater area in the east and really help change the tide in this conflict.

another quick look at the actual situation on the ground today. what's the latest on the ball? will ukraine is grappling with the aftermath of that deadly helicopter crash? yes, daniel keith, which killed 14 people, including a child and several high ranking officials of interior ministry. elsewhere we are getting reports of intense overnight fighting in the east and on bus region. the ukrainian military see it is repelling attacks from my russian forces on the, on the city of blackwood. this is where we have seen absolutely the bloodiest fighting in this war between ukraine and russia in recent months and in recent weeks wash. as when he stepped up its focus on mac unbuckled. it has claimed to take the thought, my new town of san adar on the northern outskirts of blackwood. but it's the claim that ukraine continues to deny seneca in the key of their st. thank you very much. sunny turner to have

a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world. the travel rush ahead of china's new year holiday has begun. millions of people are crisscrossing the country to spend the holidays with their families. it's the 1st time holiday travel has been allowed since to run of hours restrictions were lifted . that raised concern that the virus could spread further into the countryside. rescue as are scrambling to get to 6 people trapped under a collapse building in the dominican republic. cameras have been pushed into the rubble, one firefighters are in contact with those waiting to be rescued. several inhabitants were injured when the 4 story structure collapsed, but no deaths have been reported. police have fire tear gas at protesters taking part in an unauthorized demonstration in go my and he's them, congo. the group was condemning the president's the printing down early from her

post and shock announcement and said she is leaving because she quote, no longer has enough in the tank to do the job. she became the world's youngest female leader when she was elected 6 years ago. and so today i'm announcing that i will not be seeking re election. and then my tim as prime minister will conclude no later than the 7th of february. this has been the most fulfilling 5 and a half years of my life, but is also had its challenges. the decisions that have had to be made have been continual. and they have been whitey. but i am not leaving because it was had, had that been the case. i probably would have to pass it 2 months into the child. i am leaving because with such a privilege, ro comes responsibility. the responsibility to know when you are the right person

to lead in also, when you are not from on that story, when are joined by lauren cram. she's a journalist that radian is dillard based in wellington now does resignation announcement came brother out of the blue. why now? yada. hello? yes, it did, and it was a absolute shock to day on so many journalists, politicians, people out on the straight alike. why today? well, as we just heard from the prime minister, she said she simply doesn't have enough lift in the tank and that it's time to spend time with her family. but it's was nursing. there is also speculation that with labor falling in the polls, how they could be steering down an election to fate this year. so i do in may be calling time before that potentially happens. now, how a new zealand is reacting to this new she surely has a lot of supporters, but there are critics as well. right?

yes, absolutely. and so from paper away from speaking to community leaders, politicians are people out on the straits to day. they are speaking and who to send her audience, kindness, and empathy and strength in the face of a crisis. however, yet as you say, they are a, she does have some, some people who aren't who fans. and of course, a lot of that has been done to the pending and coded restriction. so there were some people outside are the beach. they were just under a doom was speaking that were clearly celebrating her resignation. but on the whole, i think the country is, is really feeling that this is going to be a big loss to tell us more about her leadership as a pm. yes, so i said earlier about kindness, empathy, and strength. and that's something that just sondra doing has been kindness specifically. she's been talking about bringing to the table since she 1st became

lita and prime minister just under i do in his head to face mini crisis during her tenure. we've had the devastating cross church moscow taken 2019. the volcanic corruption after cardi white island lighted that year. the pandemic. and then of course, the parliament protest this year as a leader political scientist saying she has had to, with more than most, more than probably anyone, some leadership during willful toe, at least here and new zealand. and despite labor falling in, the polls currently, the fact that she was able to regain re election and 2020, and end role alone and speaks volumes. now, what's next for the, for new zealand leadership of any i'm, i do could replace. yeah, well it's all moving quite quickly here. we could have a new prime minister as early as next week. corpus is going to vote on sunday to

decide if there's anything anyone sorry, within the ranks. and that should be the leader. and if they come to that decision, the net just under our dins resignation will be effective. now, who can they will notably at deputy prime minister grant. robertson has wrote himself out. he's consistently seed. he does not want the job, nor does the labor party leader calvin calvin davis, but some top min steer. ministers names are being thrown around. chris hopkins minister megan woods and michael wood as well as lower lower ranked but rising ministers like kidney. happy ellen. so really it's anyone's game at the stage. ah, we, we wouldn't say there's a particular front runner, long crypto to elicit radio, new zealand based on wellington. thank you very much. the european parliament has called for the e. u to list iran's revolutionary guard as

a terrorist organization because of its role in the suppression of anti government protesters. as well as backing sanctions. european politicians have also begun sponsoring iranian political prisoners by communicating with ambassador as other polluted petitions and human rights organizations to draw attention to individual prisoners. they hope to prevent iranian judges from handing down harsh sentences, including the death penalty. he wanted to teach more young boys about con food for free. that was how much he had mohammed who seine loved the sport, but his dream was cut shut just a few days into the new year. they just killed her like suddenly after one months of age and a young man of 39 years old with a lot of dream. hussein eat was one of hundreds of iranians, arrested, and tried for taking part in the protest that broke out last september,

following the death of gina masa armine in police custody darya, sci fi and activists and member of par, yeoman's in belgium, has followed hussein his case closely can you imagine you are living? and one thing they say, you don't have the right to live any more because you protested for a girl who was innocent and must kill johnny. so if i is one of more than 250 parliamentarians across europe, who are directly raised in the flights of the detained, protested thorny, thousands of people demonstrated against the heavy crackdowns at a rally in the french teepee of strasburg. this week, legislators say their aim is to put the regime of iran supreme leader ali her many on the pressure to respond. the personal doctor was abram riv. but, you know, he was released on bail rides, the ambassadors, and about the walner and the other, and report social media, persia. so the regime knows that we are watching just person of the whole time.

political sponsorships are not new, yet this movement coordinated by iranian activists. is international and has been widely adopted by legislators in the u and in countries like australia and canada. but it's not a guarantee that protesters will be free to that as mohammed hussein his case shows . already 3 other young men arrested in the re sent protests, have been executed. and just this week, a former top iranian intelligence officer joined the list, the people here and say, then they're tired of the regimes mentality. and they're calling on the european union to do something about that right now. they want the notorious edits on the units, the islamic revolutionary, god cor, listed as a terror organization. that's the politicians and activist hope. more for stay, ron, to hold the deadly crackdowns. one that we are now joined by marian clara

news, one of the activists in germany promoting sponsorships for political prisoners in iran. murray about 300 parliamentarians from germany and other countries have taken up sponsorships for specific political prisoners in iran. why is that? good morning and you know, as a daughter of a political prisoner, my mother night tech, avi is detained in iran and just me. and i know that publicity and speaking out about the prisoners is the only way to protect them for the nurse. so after that brutal crack down on the protesters after the death of that message, you know, i, me and activists and germany came together and restock. how can we help the ad for the nurse? and we started to this initiative and started recruiting and piece to take that sponsorship up to prisoners to speak out about the prisoners too

closely watched the cases of the prisoners to talk to media, but also put political pressure on authorities like the ambassador of this nomic republic in iran, in germany. do you think that the sponsorship of ships of political prisoners come actually prevent further executions? this is a very difficult question because the and the regime is very unpredictable and we saw recently that they executed far protesters, 2 of them had political sponsorships, but i think what is very important is that and there is, she knows and recognize that the word is watching and political persons in germany and all of that word i'm watching so and it prevents it very difficult to say will there be no executions and m r. i doubt it because we are talking about the brutal regime who is and since 43 years and putting repression on the

people correct on is either. but i think with the political sponsorships and why the word is watching the price for doing this, human rights violation is getting very high for the regime now. the european parliament is currently discussing further sanctions against iraq. do you think that sanctions are useful way to put pressure on the regime and are more sanctions needed? and the discussion of sanction is very complex in i myself believe that individual sanctions on persons who are responsible for the crackdown human rights violation is either a good way to put pressure on the regime. and i think sanctions which harm the population of iraq. i'm not a good idea for example and sanctions which i know it very well because we can't

for example, and bring medicine into iran because of the sanction or i cannot send anything to my mother who is in for then. but i think individual sanctions, and especially on the authorities above from the revolutionary guard course, is very important to put pressure on the regime. now, i'm sorry that iran human rights activist here in germany. thank you very much for your time. and it's time to have a look at some of the other stories making headlines. microsoft says it will be cutting $10000.00 jobs by the end of the 3rd quarter. the software john says the jobs represent less than 5 percent of its workforce. it's the latest sign that layoffs accelerating in the u. s. technology sector as companies brace for an economic downturn train has the rails in southern slovenia entering 5

passengers. no one died in the accident which happened near the town of noble mess . still, re officials blame the incident on the trees falling on to the tracks after recent snowfall. european lawmakers have elected replacement for a vice president who is facing corruption charges mark on the cell phone luxembourg and is a member of a, a parliament left of center socialist democrats. he was also backed by the parliament to other largest groups and also a song made in germany that became a global hit at a time of nuclear anxiety. it's been 40 years since the release of non an on c look bellow spine, nina. the cold war era, single was one of the biggest german language hits ever, also recorded in english as 99 red balloons is captured the hearts of generations of music lovers and its anti war message. and us today,

ah, it was a song that conquered the world and propelled a totally unknown german singer to the top of the charts. since his release 40 years ago. $99.00 red balloons by nina has been hailed as a classic anti war anthem coming out to visually and german in 1983 and a year later in english, the song hit the airwaves at the height of the cold war. with the threat of nuclear strikes was always in the background. in germany, the 1979 decision to allow the us to deploy. pershing to myself and german grounds, brought that threat even closer to home. but amongst the demon, gloom came this colorful counterbalance. isn't amazing that this was the time and the big question of whether nuclear weapons should be stationed in germany was the for a question that didn't only interest young people in germany. nina, and he was young, 99 red balloons, who wasn't ear warm for many,

all around the world. the theda attentional him. why? the idea for the song came in 1982 and the rolling stones concert in berlin. and a moment of inspiration for guitarist carlo cargurus, he watched on as balloons ascended into the sky at the end of the gig, and wondered, what would happen if they crossed over the border into east berlin? would they be mistaken for jack fighters? ah, the song went on to become a global hit, stopping the charts in germany on new zealand, even reaching number 2 with the us. and it's the german version that is endured in the hearts and minds of fans. and now to day 40 years on songs, message and relevance were made as strong as ever. mm. me it was saying the w

news is a reminder of all top stories. ah, granny president vladimir zalinski has delivered a virtual address to the well, the economic forum in davos, the cold on western partners to move with speed and delivering military aid to you . and that's it for me. thanks. ah, with

who i norway is also vulnerable to attacks. since the started the learn you great. this scandinavian country has become europe largest gas supplier and also making it a potential target for act. sabotaged. armed forces are on high alert with focus on europe. next on d w. conflict with tim sebastian,

it's almost 3 years since russia invaded ukraine with no fees talk. so cease fire of any kind in prospect. my guess is we must go to meet with former army officer and former director of the carnegie moscow center, which was shut down las vegas. why did moscow go to war? just as the west could begun the dialogue to tin demanding with a 60 minute dw, with leonardo da vinci's mysterious masterpiece. this perhaps the greatest leonardo masterpiece in the collection of the louvre. and no, it is not the mona lisa. it is the virgin of the rocks,

2 versions, multiple copies, and a hidden drawing. was there another symbolic meaning to this beautiful painting that perhaps we just don't understand today? search for answers start to february 10th on d, w mm . this is focus on europe. i'm labriola, welcome. russia's war and ukraine has severely impacted europe's energy supply.