[000:00:00;00] ah ah ah, this is dw news coming to live from berlin, finland officially joined nato. the alliance is welcoming the nordic nation as its newest member at a ceremony getting underway in brussels. the expansion doubles nato's border with russia in

a move. moscow was calling for the soap off. it's security. ah and it's good for nate to us. we're cutting straight over to brussels, where we have the ceremony welcoming highly finland into nato. the installed banquet, neither chief is speaking, national resilience and years or experience working side by side with natal. alice i'm deeply proud to welcome finland as a full fledged member of our lines on the look forward to all so welcoming sweden as soon as possible. at times like these friends and alice are more important than ever unfilled and now has the strongest strengths and

allies in the world. preston put in, wanted to slam nato's door shut. to day. we show the role that he failed, that the gression and intimidation do not work. instead, no less, ne thought he has achieved the opposite. more nato and our door remains firmly open. present thing is old as ali. thank you for your outstanding leadership and commitment. and for leading fin done into the most successful alliance in history. so welcome. let's get out here. welcome to the lines. thank you. it's great to be here. mr. secretary, general. dear. yes sir. i want to thank you. you have been with us all the way. i remember we discussed her quite deeply about natal earned phineas membership

already. 2021. when you proud your consul to finland air, i guess we have been talking after that term by phone or by meeting almost tense of times. so it is a great day for finland and her. i want to see that it is an important day for nato to security and stability. are those elements which we feel very strongly and turn? well, we can all think the ether people can leave the secured staple circumstances. that's the basic element, offer, happy lives her and to you. i guess know that things are very hot the already now

and i would also see that this is a processor from 30 to 31. and like you said, a very nearby future to 32. that is that the, the forest widest membership very hard. we have doing that together with them together with you and to that will continue from finish point or so swedish membership is most important. but once again, stability and security. i wish that we can keep our share of increasing that indeed differs sir alliance. we are we are fine for a few questions, please. oh, no, me from finland. mister president. how his story is this moment you was born

19. 48th. nato was esla established 1949. and, well, i will, i have my 75 years. this is to day and to nature come sir, next year at barton. surely we have seen many of you have described many moments of being historic in this process. i guess this is the day most his tory cur to our center 2. 0, are partners to gain if he left the lady just behind the microphone and so on? historic day, but without sweden, how can finland help sweeten to get into nato?

and how will nato proceed with the sweetest r at the sweden to be a light? and then one more question to any sinister, do you feel released? relieved and yes, surely from the results. but i want to tell you that the whole process, it hasn't been that tough in a way we have heard so good cooperation all the time and her full trust at least a we her the in feel and all the time it has been very clear that her in due time we will be members. so basically the process hasn't been that. oh, actually demanding. but surely in so relieve her. when we can, her repeat birds are security and at stability that is a release for all of us to sweden. we have are all the way been working together with

sweden. we continue helping them as much as possible. i have been discussing with the president dared on you have been discussing many times and her i think her at least i am. i have a very positive outlook for that. just to to concur with the president, nina. so we are both saying closer contractor with concord order with the rest into iran. i. i went to uncle and her few weeks ago, and that was where we agreed on the way forward or both when it comes to this. so find ratification over of fin, none. but also that we agree to re start the process in what to call that collateral permanent mechanism with finn and sweden and turkey her to follow up on the trial after all on memorandum all standing that was signed in madrid presenter installs. there we were,

i was there and the and the and now it's important to follow up and to insure that sir walden important element, which is actually to finalize the the membership process and not only for finance, but also for sweden, is fully implemented. and my message is and has been i also my meetings in on caught on that not only finan, but also sweden has delivered on their commitments they have made or under doubt that for a lateral agreement or soul. or nothing should do hinder or be an obstacle for also the final ratification over over also the sweden to become a member. this is a top priority for the alliance. this is so important for me personally and all i agree, ah, that sir, we should try to finalize. so the exception also sweden as soon as possible. so we will continue to work on this. and hopefully we can have sweden in

a soon and add one more thing, and that is that the finance didn't applied together. they did sold, it may last year, all the june, 1 month after all, allies also to cheer an invited financing to become members and her and, and so far, this has been the fastest succession forces in naples more than history. and i also says that that, that, of course, the most important thing is not that finn and, and sweden joints. exactly the same time. the most importing is that they join as soon as possible to day finance is joining. and then we will ensure that all sorts written can a joint as soon as possible. it will go to a lady. in russia always says that the large men of nato towards the east or the north, threatened russia. and what do you, are you afraid that they finish accessing this?

also a pretext for russia to yes, to see russia surrounded to be threatened by the west. actually, like you said to russia has been repeating that turned pretty to do booty. talk it up very clearly there in december 21. and that was one of the reasons why the discussion in finland rose. we don't want to p a who or we do not want that. others say, what we should do and what we can do. i had to fall, believe surely on nato, nate of old, close its doors, but nevertheless, and that for some russian see no way tried to create us fear around then and turn. well, we are not a sphere add new. all these,

sir. the result we see today lady over then. thank you, eat halleck on in from ilda sentiment. are this day means a big change for finland, security. how does or how, how big this change is, and what does it mean for us and for nato? well, like secretary general below ping, our capabilities are working together with nato. so the change is not that rowdy call it and it has serv actually taken place. year after year they have by asking, closer that so the se in fits with their sweden to surely the, you know, daily life. i do not believe that her people see very much changes. but like i started,

we there is that i'm sure that turn things feel them selves more secured, more feeling that we are living in a stable no, you are a per stable bird. and that is most important for us to day fin and will become a full member of the lines. and that means that the from to day on a finn and will participate in all nato, a structures. so military civilian activities are and also be at the table in all night to meet things and also have a vote on the pot or decision making within the alliance. ah, but of course, most importantly, what happened, so from to day on, is that to have been and will be covered by nato's iron clad security guarantees. our article 5 that says that's in the 2nd will not lie, will be to god us and tackle all one for all, all for one. and then the present is absolutely right when it says that this has

been the gradual development of finance and sweden have many years been medical's partners. and then off to we invite that finan those read in june last year they gotten older status invitees date. this was just a special status that actually triggered a process where we started to integrate finance really into our military and civilian structures. but of course it is a different thing to be close on the and then in by t and the to be a full member, which is the case of for finance from today. ok. thank you very much colleagues. this wraps up just press point, but we'll see you at the flag racing ceremony. thank you. thank you. you're just joining us. we've been following live coverage there from brussels of finland, succession to nato nato. as of today has 31 members the most recent being finland. having just joined to day, we've been following a press conference there with the villains president sally nick,

nick nick stow as well. as of course, you installed bag the secretary general of nato. they were both up there talking about finland, joining nato. we heard to, we heard from finland, president there saying it's a great day for finland. he said that fins now feel more secure in stoughton bag. the, the nato chief saying that nothing now should hinder sweden's accession. to nato. well, joining us sir, from from our brussels, the bureau is terry short. she's been following that suppressed press conference and joined us from just outside nato headquarters. terry, what did you make of those statements? we just heard from the nato chief n finland's president. well, terry, it was obvious that fir, finished president minister. this is truly a momentous day. in fact, he said it may be the most historic day in finnish history post world war 2. and that's a big statement because of course, this was

a country that never wanted to join the alliance. it had made clear that it thought that being not aligned was the safest position to be in. but russia's invasion of ukraine changed all of that. so you can probably hear the music starting behind me . dignitaries and press are starting to flow in for what is going to be really for for fins, a very emotional moment, and that is the raising of finland's flag here at nato headquarters making it the 31st ally. so indeed, a historic day for a for finland. but what about nato nato's border? terry has just double double border with russia. russia is just double. i think a villain has a 1300 kilometer border with russia. what does this development mean for nato? that's right. it's something that i of course, was widely discussed within the alliance, and there were to be fair, some allies who in the past said that it would be too big of a risk to add a border with russia that long. and the thins themself. thought that that, that,

that border would bring more risks then, then safety in joining nato. but again, that all went out the door when russia invaded ukraine i last year. and now the fins who have been defending the border by themselves and have one of the best equipped and, and a largest armies in europe per capita. they now feel that they also need the backup that if something were to happen, if russia were to dare to across that border, that there would be 30 other countries rushing to their defense. that it has also been for nato. they want to have this border defended by a country as a, as a competent as finland. i think that nato feel safer with finland inside. we heard that 2 from finland, president, they're saying that fins now feel more secure and it was interesting to hear you're in stoughton berg, emphasizing that from today on finland will be protected by nato's iron clad

security guarantee. so that's nato and finland. but what about russia on the other side of the border, terry, what is, how was russia reacting to this? so this has been a very interesting development. i mean, because again, a little over a year ago, finland wasn't thinking of joining nato and russia had always threatened that if the country dared to do so that there would be repercussions. and in fact, it tried to say that again, when finland's population started, started moving in the direction of joining nato, russia told it that would be a mistake. and in fact, that's where you really saw finished president sally. nina sto, change his mind. he got angry that russia would dare to tell finland what it could and couldn't do where it could and couldn't be. and that's where nina so started to come out for the 1st time, really strongly in favor of nato membership. he didn't like being told what to do. and so russia now is not in a good position to make any territorial threat to finland. and fact fins have tracked the armaments and, and the forces that would have been stationed,

somewhat close to the finished border. just traditionally now have to move into battle in ukraine. so right now, there's no way russia could come across the border and get finland. they feel a bit safer. right now, while russia is occupied in ukraine. and now if russia ends the war in ukraine somehow and, and moves to reinforce it side of the of that border, finland feels more secure because of course the nato allies would have its back. terry, thank you for now. there was our correspond, terry shoulds there just outside nato headquarters in brussels. terry, we'll be coming back to you later in the program for more on the ceremony with finland, joining nato today. now let's go to the u. s. and former us president donald trump is preparing to surrender to prosecutors in new york before an unprecedented court appearance. trump is the 1st sitting or former u. s. president to face criminal prosecution. he's accused of covering up payments

to adult film actor stormy daniels. the former reality tv stand president is the biggest story in town, again, arriving at trump tower, donald trump, heated quickly inside for more talks with his legal chain. his support has rallied loudly nearby, while others demanded justice, guiding him on off hooker's payment. 10 years ago or 7 years ago is a misdemeanor. and it should not be a felony case by alvin gregg, i don't think they have anything to lock them up for. i think this is just a political per excursion of somebody that they don't like. and on top of that, i think it's election interference. countries very divided at this point. so it's important that we understand that this is not a justice

a criminal case against trump would be unlike anything the u. s. has even experienced on choose day, his expected to serene himself at the district attorney's office before being arraigned at the criminal court with the charges will be read to him. authorities a bracing for protests. as always, we will not allow violence or vandalism of any kind. and if one is court participating in any act of violence, they would be arrested and held accountable, no matter who you are. while champ was the focus of attention in new york city, president joe biden was visiting a factory and minnesota. he has consistently refused to comment on the charges against trump. monday was no exception. or livermore, afterwards about the future of our country. just remember,

and it's just important. remember who we are. we're the united states of america. there is nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. trump has bound to continue with his 2024 presidential bid come what may, in this case is even seen a surge and his support among republicans. but opinion in the country remains deeply divided with more americans than not saying he should face charges over the stormy daniels case. l is cross straight over to new york city, where our chief u. s. correspond in his polo standing by force outside the court building in manhattan, where that arraignment of donald trump should be taking place. it is describe the scene for us there. snyder what is waiting her down, thomas expected in her on 5 hours to enter the court. i was right behind me at terry, you know, many expect quigley protests from both sides. supporters of donald trump and those who are in support of the indictment. but as for now,

it's still fairly calm here. they're probably 50 or so i protest her and probably 2 or $300.00. so i think it's fair to say that for every protest, so there's at least 3 media people and that actually might play into donald trump's table. why? because he, as always, is making the best of the attention he gets in is turning this into a money machine in his thanks for now, of course we'll be following this throughout the day. that was our correspond in his poll in new york city, just outside the courtroom were. donald trump is about to be ready to catch up on a few other stories making headlines around the world. today. russian authorities have charged the 26 year old woman with terrorism. she's accused of bombing a cafe in st. petersburg. the blast killed lovelyn, kirsty, and influential pro war blogger friendly claims ukraine was behind the incident.

but ukraine denies any involvement. at least one person was killed and 30 injured in the netherlands when a train crashed in the village of 4 shorten dutch authorities served the high speed night train derailed after hitting construction equipment that was left on the track dutch railways. nelson train cancellations on the busy link after the accident. australian has become the latest western country to band, the chinese owned up tick tock from government devices. intelligence services recommended the band because of fears beijing could be collecting user data. china has protested and called almost earlier to treat chinese businesses. fairly massive fire has engulfed a shopping complex in bangladesh. is capital doc on the blaze began in the early hours of tuesday in the bunker bazaar known for its cloth vendors and home to some

3000 shops, army units, or eating fire fighters in the effort to control the blaze, no immediate casualties were reported. ukraine says russian suicide drones have struck the city of odessa in an overnight attack. ukrainian defense forces say they shot down 14 of the 17 iranian made sash ed drones unleashed on the strategically important city on the black sea. according to local officials, one drone had a business in the region causing a fire, which has since been put out. there were no reports of human casualties. meanwhile, germany's vice chancellor has paid his 1st visit to ukraine since the russian invasion last year. well, that ha back rejoined president lansky on a visit to ukrainian village where russian forces allegedly carried out war crimes . a year ago, they visited a school basement where nearly $400.00 villagers were held captive for almost a month by russian troops. 11 people died during the ordeal in the village,

north of ki, leave. in discussions with ukrainian government officials, how back express regret that germany did not help arm ukraine before the russian invasion, a position that it took to long lake. no, i think not all of them could he would say the same, but i feel that is or to later part of my job for us in the last year to help you bring references off investment quote. and this is an ongoing homes. the german vice chancellor of course brought more than just apologies on his 1st visit to ukraine dw political correspondent, julius, shall deli told us more. yeah. well, he is germany's vice chancellor. but also the economy minister. and what he brought with him was a delegation of german industry business leaders. and that is because his plan with

this visit was to try to help ukraine rebuild after it has been consistently attacked by russia and help spur ukraine's economy. he said that he wants to focus on the infrastructure, the energy infrastructure, but also on rebuilding houses and roads. and that is something that he says, germany's government is committed to also because a german government says it will guarantee these investment by german companies. german companies will negotiate the deals themselves, but germany will provide a guarantee and that is something that germany doesn't normally do in war zones because the risk is so high. and it shows that in this case, the german government really is committed in trying to to help you crane rebuild nato. his officially welcomed finland as its 31st member at the alliance's headquarters in brussels to finish foreign minister peca visto signed the official

accession document and handed it to us. secretary of state anthony, blinking. lincoln says, the admission, the last is and nato's history is a historic moment resulting from the russian invasion of you crank oh, this ends finland's president. saudi minister says his country will work relentlessly to secure neighboring sweden's membership in nato. so now it's cross straight back over to our corresponding terry shoals. she's been standing by there today, just outside nato headquarters. following all the developments we can hear the music in the background terrier we we know that the finished flag is about to be raised in front of the headquarters a, a big moment for finland. that's right, and it's not just a big moment for finland. it's also a big moment for nato because finland is, is a country that the alliance actually wanted to join. it's

a very well equipped military and a very, i, a very more morally i, that the morale in the finish military is very high. these are people who are well trained to fight for their country if needed. and so do, you know, has always felt that actually it will be safer with finland and this 1300 kilometer border inside nato than outside of it. so you see a lot of very happy people around nato to day, both from the thinner side and from the nato side that this deal which a couple of years ago would never have happened is now going to be done today. and all of the things that i spoken with here are very emotional about their flag about to be raised here outside headquarters. and it must be said, terry. this has happened pretty quickly by nato standards. the expression period for finland was less than a year just filed his application last may, but the process of joining was not altogether smooth. was it?

that's right. and the reason why this was so quick was because finland already met or surpassed. basically all of the standards of nato, i mean they have also integrated some countries which i had nothing but old soviet era equipment. i mean finland is not one of those countries. so that's why it was so quick their laws, their rule of law, their democracy, all were of very high standard. the roadblocks came mostly because of sweden now be we've seen hungary and turkey still not willing to let sweet and into the alliance . and until very recently, the finished swedish bids were tandem and that's why i also finland was delayed a bit. i'm the unit. turkey has a lot of problems with sweet and it feels that it's too soft on kurdish groups, including the formal terrorist group, the p. k. k, and that's why turkey still has given no sign that it will let sweden into the alliance any time soon. and it decided to let finland go ahead. as you say, nato and finland have been cooperating very closely for years. but this still is quite

a watershed moment for finland. what will change for the country with this succession to nato. terry there's something about finland that goes back to the 2nd world war. when finland feels like it was left alone to fight against the soviet union and ended it one had to give up a little territory. but the fins felt in the winter war that nobody came to save them. that even though countries promised to come, they didn't send assistance fast enough and, and they had to fight alone. that is the feeling i can't tell you how strongly fins feel, they are still afraid of being left alone to fight their big neighbor. now with nato's article 5, covering them the promise that one for all and all for one,