suede because i'm responsible for the few shall fall country for the people who are behind the boss. sh. guardians of truth starts february 18th on d. w. ah, this is news line from berlin. the pentagon says it's detected a 2nd, suspected chinese surveillance balloon over latin america. the 1st one, floating above the u. s. heart land ignited a diplomatic storm that's kept the secretary of state from visiting china, plus for us military aid for ukraine. the latest package, nearly doubles teams,

striking range against russian forces which continue attacking in ukrainian stronghold. ah, i'm michael ok. welcome. the pentagon says another suspected chinese spy balloon has been discovered this time flying over latin america. that's after another such balloon were seen floating above the us heartland. the spotting has complicated washington invasions, already strained, relations and drawn americans attention to the sky. there is losing nearly 2 kilometers above the united states. this balloon is causing major diplomatic problems back on earth. and i have no idea what it is. first spotted over montana by curious residence. it's now believed to be a chinese espionage platform. china's decision to fly

a surveillance balloon over the continental united states is both acceptable and irresponsible. that's what this is about. this is a violation of our sovereignty. violation of international law. china rejects the spying claims and sees it's a, with the balloon that's be it. of course, the white house isn't convinced and a plan diplomatic trip to beijing has been abruptly cooled off. what this is done is created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip, including ongoing efforts to build a floor under the relationship and to address a broad range of issues that are of concern to the american people. i believe to the chinese people and certainly as well to people around the world. the trip was expected to be a significant step and improving ties between the 2 countries. that balloon deflating those hopes. while some americans are demanding it be shot down. these

balloons are so huge that even that kind of that number of, of munitions that, that amount of energy this is that towards, it is only going to cause a very, very slow leak. and it's not going to come down immediately. you can't just hot the balloon and it's going to go away. while the pentagon sees the balloon poses no physical threats, it's no doubt doing damage to us. china relations relations the u. s. is determined to strengthen amid rising global tensions. we asked our washington corresponded mikayla cliff know what more is known about that 2nd balloon. very the . so we only know what we've learned from the pentagon, that the pentagon says that it is in latin america won't go into the specifics of where exactly it is hovering above latin american. i think it's rather remarkable that we're learning this today. because along with that, citing here in the united states and actually officials here at now pointing

towards this balloon above us territory, which apparently joe biden, the u. s. president learned already on tuesday. we also learned at least one previous such incident was reported during the trumpet ministration. so these balloons seem to be something that has been present, that has been an issue much longer than is publicly known. so what are the likely repercussions of the balloon incident for the delicate relations between washington and beijing? he was d. w. e stager correspondent william. yes. i think the postponement of the visit reflects how much distrust there is between the 2 countries. because even a incident like this would have stopped a highly anticipated visit that has been prepped, prepared from both sides for months. and now there is also no immediate data to

restart this whole visit. because it's, it's clear that both sides are now taking a very defensive position over this very controversial chinese or surveillance balloon that is still flying through the air space in the united states. so right now, it's very clear that the united states thinks that it's not worth the political cause if they go ahead with the visit because they view the visit as not being able to really deliver large. so it's not really worth the domestic political pushback. now it bears repeating, ah, beijing immediately rejected the spy claims and insist it was an ordinary weather balloon. any other reaction since? yes, in their 2nd response, it's even leery by bizarre, that they said that the u. s. in a, china has never announced any kind of visit. so they even walked back the original

position that is being viewed as like trying not to let this balloon incident to overshadow the billing can visit. and now they are saying that any news that was released by the u. s. unilaterally, is in the u. s. interest, and they respect whatever news that the u. s. released. so immediately we can already see how they view this visit as a not viable at all after the u. s. response and the u. s. reaction. and now the chinese are taking a very defensive position compared to the original 1st in response that they have, which is a lot more apologetic. then the 2nd one. quickly, william, how is all this being received among china's neighbors? so in time one on the in foreign ministry, immediately released an incident, a statement basically that criticizing china's move and saying that china's move is creating on certain and t for regions. and also i the same thing of characterizing

it as an illegal move to violate another country sovereignty and also intruding another country's aerospace and calling on beijing to immediately stop such actions . again, that was a william yang in tie. pay many thanks, william. thank you. a brief look now at some of the other stories from around the world. ossie and foreign ministers meeting in jakarta have urged miramar to implement a peace plan agreed. 2 years ago, miramar was banned from attending the meeting of south east asian states and its seat left empty. mir more has been racked by violence since military over through the democratically elected government. 2 years ago. authorities in chile or struggling to contain deadly wildfires that are sweeping parts of the country so far at least 13 people have died and over a 140 square kilometers of land have been devastated in the blazes caused by heat

waves in the region. the recent memphis tennessee have dismissed another officer over the death of ty nichols. he died last month after a beating by 5 other officers who have been fired in charge with murder. 6, policemen is allegedly heard on video urging colleagues to quote stop the 29 year old black men. the united states has announced a new weapons package for ukraine worth $2200000000.00. it includes new longer range missiles which could double the distance ukraine can strike and put russia supply lines in eastern ukraine within reach more armoured vehicles and air defense systems are also being provided. you the latest package brings the total u. s. support for ukraine. since russia's invasion to more than $29000000000.00, this gives them the aid comes as keeps forces are struggling against an

intensifying russian assault on the city of buck, mood, ukrainian president. it's a lot of brazil. zalinski says his forces will hold buckman, quoting now, for as long as we can up until now the u. s. has declined to send ukraine longer range missiles for fear of provoking russia into escalating the conflict. so what exactly has changed? a question i put to d, w's russia analyst konstantin agger. well, i think that the decision by germany to send layer barb tanks and generally this new consensus among the allies that ukraine should be better supplied, definitely contributed to that. and i think also of the plans for washington and for the allies. now, if they do not include list yet of fruit victory for a crane and full recovery or a grand territory, there at least the idea that ukraine should be able to significantly push back

against the russian forces before any kind of, quote unquote piece talk start. i think is now a pretty firmly established both in washington and major european capitals. what's the response been from the kremlin? well 1st, michael, what kind of thing that could be done in, ah, with these weapons, i mean there's been shown this morning, russian telegram channels, and youtube are full of images from the belgrade region, which is bordering ukraine. where allegedly for an oil dep odds and a factory were hit by a, by a ukrainian hit with a know with wat allegedly missiles. and it's been confirmed by the local russian authorities. that's exactly what i think the russian expert thea. there was no response from the grubbing, but some military analysts already saying that the idea to supply ukraine with his

weapons means 1st and foremost of all. putting the crimea firmly within the range of ukrainian armed forces in essentially trying to destabilize rushes hold on the ass, off, see, are literal and basically breaking the land connection between russia and the crimea that put in managed to establish last year that seems to be warring at least the russian moves are experts quite a lot. as always and many thanks to our konstantin egg. european union leaders have stopped short of granting ukraine a fast fact. membership in the block. at summit with you leaders in key presidents lensky repeated his appeal to speed things up. he said ukraine deserved to begin negotiations on joining the union. this year. european officials pledged, enduring support for ukraine,

but said there are no shortcuts to you membership. this history making summits offered up a flurry of announcements amidst the wintry conditions in keith. it was also a chance for the ease top officials to demonstrate the growing ties between ukraine and the european union. the future of ukraine is within the european union, lucrative people, u. s. military of choice for freedom, for democracy, and hulu, and re you with or so may the clear decision your future use with our common european union. but in spite of all of them, is the lensky attempts at these talks to build a fast path into the e. that future still looks some way off, despite all the smiles on positive rhetoric around the table that i know which it

timelines. but their goal that you have to reach the forms, for example, to improve a situation in the canada country to then reach the accession negotiations and the session except itself. also discussed the war with russia and a promise of fresh e sanctions against moscow focused on trade and technology. but president zalinski wants more immediate help in the form of weapons to hold off a predicted russian search in the next few weeks. said that you more wiggly, these are conditions where the more long range weapons we have. the better equipped artillery is the sooner modern western tanks will start operating on the battlefield in ukraine will. okay, in the stronger our air defense will be size. the sooner brushes aggression will and not shop for a debris, dana and protection of european security and freedom. she, it, him will have more guarantees. he shingles,

europe wastefully misplaced. his voice beyond the pledge of new sanctions came details of more humanitarian help for the country, including 25000000000 euros to fund a de mining program seen as crucial in helping ukraine rebuild. ads in key hole pratt's collide for residents, millions of energy efficient l. e d light bulbs to help people reduce their own consumption and take the pressure of ukraine's crippled power grades based on the bible. and on a colorful note, singapore has held its annual parade, celebrating the lunar new year. some $3000.00 performers danced and sang in the event with thousands more watching the display. this year was special because the parade was held live again after a 2 year pause. due to pandemic event. showcase singapore diverse culture with performers from the chinese community. joining ethnic malays, indians, and europeans, and time for a quick recap of our top story, this, our,

the pentagon says it's detected a 2nd chinese by balloon over latin america. a day after another such object were spotted over montana. secretary of state antony blinkin has postponed a visit to beijing over the incident. china says it's an off force weather balloon . we will end it there. up next after a short break sports life and a blind man's bid to climb africa's 2nd highest peak. a michael oak, who in berlin for me in the team, thanks for watching. ah, leonardo da vinci's, mysterious masterpiece. that is perhaps the greatest leonardo masterpiece of the collection of the louvre. it is the virgin of the rocks. was there another symbolic meaning to this beautiful painting than.