a random message, i find out that bailey story info, migraines, reliable needs to migrate wherever they may be. ah, ah ah, this is d w. news. why? from berlin? protests in berlin ads. germany stalls on its decision over shedding tanks to ukraine. baltic countries are pleading with berlin to send weapons. now, as germany weighs up the pros and cons of allowing its advance leverage to vehicles

to be used in ukraine's fight against russia. and millions of people in china or returning home for the special festival to mark lunar new year. but with all the increased travel come fears of a covered search. ah, i'm michael ok. welcome. western military leaders meeting in germany have failed to reach agreement on allowing german made battle tanks to be sent to ukraine. going into the talks, keith was optimistic that berlin would give approval for its powerful leopard, 2 tanks to be delivered to the battlefield. but those hopes were dashed after the german defense minister said his country was still weighing the decision. the indecision sparked protests in berlin and please from other countries to provide the weaponry. the question of whether germany will send tanks to ukraine took sent

to state at ramstein abbeys. but instead of giving the green light, germany's new defense minister just said that it is up to the chancellor to make that call. but if i need to even and chime in the event of a negative decision, nothing needs to be done again by sunday. but in the event of a positive decision, we have to move quickly because it is then a matter of training, checking the leopard tanks and the like, my them all, that's what this morning i ordered my ministry to examined the stalks of the different types of leopard tanks, both in our own forces and in the industry in an agony. like captain i, it's all good, but i do feel a sense that has led to criticism, including from other partners who want to supply the same kind of battle thanks to ukraine. poland and finland, for example, are willing to send them to ukraine fast, but also need the green light from berlin. despite the dilemma of are tangs exports, us defense secretary lloyd austin had warm woods for germany. a country that he

called the reliable ally going forward, can do more. no germany has contributed a lot to this circuit his campaign. ah, you know, from the very beginning when we saw them cycle in defense capability or the get bards, ah, the patriots most recently, irish t, r. they stepped up and offered to provide martyrs, they will provide are those models and conduct the training on those platforms. but for many, including these protest us who gathered outside that chancellor relate friday. berlin is dragging its feet when it comes to sending tanks. and joining me in the studio now to get some german reaction, is d. w. political correspondent, benjamin alvarez. grouper benjamin all eyes on germany and yet still no decision about whether to dispatch the leopard to, to ukraine. what's been the reaction in berlin's political circles? i would say it's a mix of 2 things on once that disappointment from the position that said that the

german government is having an attitude of refusal to pretty strong words. they're one of the leading voices of the conservative cd. you pot even went further saying that the european credibility is dying out and we have this criticism not only from the position but also voices within the government. some of the a government parties, one of them is set that germany just fail. so we have the pressure not only coming from the position, but also within the government. some perspective here, why is germany dragging its feet? i think there are several reasons for that. one of them is that after the 2nd world war, germany has been really a comb. when it comes, it's a political culture of military caution. and if you look at recent polls also, that society is divided on if we should sent that. of course, germany has gone a long ways and structures invasion of ukraine. we have to remember, they 1st came up with 5000 helmets. then they started delivering weapons. and then have a way, vince as well, but with the leper tanks, all our faults has been really cautious not taking the decision yet the foreign

ministry in poland and you know, ukraine's neighbor and ally, of course, has been mon, the fact that this indecision is actually costing lives in ukraine. might this kind of rhetoric pressure the german chancellor from your vantage point to make a decision on this that much more quickly. so the pressure is definitely on, and that was also the surprise because many hope that yes, the day germany would give the green light not only if they sent their own tanks, but also for the country. so set that they will send the, let the tanks directly to ukraine. let's remember that other countries need the green light from berlin to send the tanks as well. they're all the foreign ministers. you also mentioned in the baltic states that, that the germany has a special responsibility in this regard saying that not sending these tangs of something that the polish foreign minister sat could cost more ukrainian life. so the pressure is definitely on from other allies that hope that germany would take the step would take the lead when it comes to sending a these leopard tanks. but the chancellor has been dodging the question and finally

it will be his coal to may. that's also something that we saw in the report. it will not be the new defense minister who has been only in office for 48 hours. it's up to the chancellor to decide that. and from now we expect the pressure to increase after the meeting in the defense ministers in dumpster and not only from allies of ukraine, but also from within the government. give the green light to the left to be sent to ukraine. as always, many thanks to u. d. w political corresponded benjamin alvarez grava d w. a correspondent sonya found a car in the ukrainian capital, told me earlier how germany's delay in sending tanks to the battle field is being received in ukraine. ah, well, michael, there's been a huge sense of disappointment and even frustration. sure. in keith that this meeting and rob shine yesterday, failed to produce a decision by germany to send in these leopard to combat tanks. that ukraine says it badly needs if it is to repel an anticipated russian offensive in the coming

months. not all this week, we've seen ukraine make a big diplomatic push to get more heavy heavy weaponry from the west. it has received a lot of pledges, but of course, you know, it's these combat tanks specifically the german weighed leopards that have been at the top of your cranes wishlist. and that's because ukraine says it badly needs them to kind of push back russian forces in the east where we're seeing some of the most intense fighting. and we're trench warfare really inflicted huge casualties on both sides. so i think there is a real sense of disappointment here. this news has really dominated coverage here, and many ordinary ukrainians also have been taken to social media to went to their frustration and anger and germany. in the meantime, what is the latest from the front lines? when there are the pots off the nude fighting in the eastern dawn, yet sweet? and we're hearing from a spokesman of the russian defense ministry. who says that russia has now taken control of a village called kish chief,

gotten this is 9 kilometers south of the town of buckler, mac moore. the 4th is a hotly contest, a town which seats on the most intense fighting and our fields. now that, you know, ukraine's hold on buck more might be threatened my, the loss of this village because it could potentially cut ukraine supply. totes to this minute i, ukraine hasn't reacted to this. russian claim. but concerns are mounting about, you know, ukraine's ability to hold on to bucket and muck worth. of course is usually significant as in this war, because russia has made it a centerpiece of its campaign to occupy the entire don muss region. and for you korean, you know, months of bloody fighting and mac mall turned it into something of a national symbol of resistance. that is, sonia found her card in keep many, many thanks a look now add some of the other stories making headlines around the world. washington will designate rushes, wagner paramilitary, a significant transnational criminal organization. the move allows the treasury to impose additional sanctions on the mercenary army owned by putin ally of gainey po,

creek ocean. the us estimates that the $50000.00 wagner personnel fighting in ukraine include around $40000.00 convent turkey has cancelled a plan visit by the swedish defense minister, adding further to doubts over anchor as support for sweden joining nato. the turkish defense minister sans to the move was in reaction to stock homes, granting permission to a far right danish activist to hold an anti turkish protest outside the turkish embassy on saturday. you zealand education minister chris hipkins is set to become prime minister, taking over from current pm cinder ardor who announced her surprised resignation. latrice on thursday and hipkins was the only candidate nominated to replace her. and also suggesting lawmakers wanted to avoid a drawn out in leadership continent. i was the only police and protesters have

clashed for a 2nd night on the streets of the peruvian capital. thousands flooded into lima to call for fresh elections. and the resignation of the country's president dina blue arctic. dozens of people have died after weeks of violent protests. chinese new year celebrations have kicked off around the globe and especially in china, the festivities usher in the year of the rabbit and hundreds of millions of people are marking the holiday. it's also one of the busiest days of travel on the planet . the travel surge in china to spend time with family comes after relaxation of covered restrictions. shine is night, sky light south has celebrations, kick off for the lunar new year. time for family, food, and bright beginnings. festivities have begun in cities across the country to mark

the year of the rabbits from lennon's to light shows and plenty of a rabbit themed products. what i want to buy was rubbish said pastry for my family. it's cute and also baggage. elario hartford. ah, some many chinese being with family hasn't been possible in recent years due to cause and restrictions. but with the rules relaxed, the holiday is expected to bring mass migration. the busiest annual travel day in the world with cove and still circulating and recent surges and cases, many people are willing to take the risk to see their loved ones. anyways, my earl young and they were the cause of coven 19. i wasn't able to come back for 2

years, so i can't wait to go home. it's very warm feeling. you know, to last time you have the whole family back together again, including my uncle, my grandmother and my grandfather will all be together and gather for a reunion to know for the chinese new year. that will be perfect. we'll start to this year and a good start to the next one of them. we got other chinese authorities expect double the number of trips made during the same period last year. despite the bounce back and travel, those figures are still only 70 percent of pre pandemic numbers. the real effect of the mass migration on covert figures will only be seen long after all the bunny cakes have been eaten. in a few weeks time corresponded far, been crush. moore has just come back from the airport in beijing. i asked him what the lunar new year looked like at the travel hobbs and out on the streets of the capital. yeah, i literally just landed in beijing

a couple of hours ago and the capital here is a very quiet at this point. why? because most people have already left there visiting their relatives in the provinces into west south or north. and so he, under capitol, it is much more calm than usual, but in the last days are basically all the train station work. really crowded. of course, also the, the airports and in are the ticket prices are searching. and this year is expected to drink to 40 day and travel a season. and the chinese people who will undertake roughly 2000000000 single trips . there is really a mess of a mount and almost 70 percent of pre pandemic levels. that means we're slowly getting back to normal him. i'm curious, how worried are people about the threat of yet another surge of coven 19 infections during this short travel season? actually most people, i mean that some are cautious, but m after basically 3 years of not being able to visit relatives in the family

and they still take the risk and you know, half of large gatherings this weekend. well, of course authorities are worried because especially in the provinces and the health systems not really wary. good and, and that it's basically a super spread. he went, but am, on the other hand in over. forty's are very and transparent to make it very difficult to really assess the situation here. and yet the her health commission has said that 60000 people that have died years since early december when china basically lifted 00 cobit restrictions. but experts say that this is really far too low, for example, on base affinity. that's a company which are basically irv, have, has a model to predict how many people have died. they say that 600000 f died. so that's really a big difference. but we don't know so much and also there's a lot of, you know, censorship, correct on going on. so am yet really hard to assess the situation, but it sounds like it is a risk that they are willing to take. that is

a fabi and crash more in beijing. many facts and we will have to end it there. if you're interested, you can always get d w news on the go. just download our app from google play or from the apple app store that will give you access to all the latest news from around the world as well as push notifications for any breaking news. you're up to date shift living in the digital age is up next with the low down on quantum computing a michael ok for me and the rest of the team here. thanks for watching for news at the top of the hour with ah.