♪♪ good morning, everybody. it's 8:00. you're watching the sky news breakfast program. you're invited to join us wherever you're watching us around the world. the government working very hard to secure the release of three nationals. she's apparently given her british passport back. and tweeted that within a few minutes. it's wednesday, the 16th of

march. >> working hard for her release, the government is going to free nationals held in iran. >> we have been having discussions. i meet my counterpart back in september. we've been in regular touch since. we do have a team in tehran. explosions in kyiv this morning. and reports 400 people inside a hospital in mariupol are being held against their will. ♪♪ ministers meet in brussels this morning as the ukrainian president offers a potential olive branch to russia about his country not joining nato. russian oil, the prime minister arrives in the gulf after being severely criticized

where saudi arabia executed 81 people in a single day. >> it's all in gas. we can see what a mistake that was. because he's been able to blackmail the west to hold western economies to ransom, we need independence. he's apologized after a report finds race. was likely to be a factor on a young school girl being strip-searched. also this morning, we're speaking about the british academy imprisoned in the ue and released in 2018. we'll hear his story. and the dance for ukraine, we'll speak to a ukrainian ballet dancer about the gala taking place in london this weekend to raise funds for those impacted by the war.

and i'll tell you a little bit more about what's happening in ukraine. we believe that -- we're being told that ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in several operational areas. they say, this is from the president's office, radically changing the situation. that, according, to the ukrainian presidential adviser. so, in other words, the ukrainians are fighting back against the russian invaders, that, according to the ukrainian presidential adviser, although we are still seeing attacking at least on the capital kyiv. this happened overnight. we can't say at this stage what has happened. but we can obviously see that it was a russian missile attack on a building in kyiv. five people killed yesterday in

central kyiv. when apartment buildings were targeted. we'll find out more about this building that has been hit. we'll update you as soon as we have more. meantime, radcliffe getting closer to coming home. within the last hour, the prime minister said negotiations with iran are going right to the wire. the foreign secretary has told this program they're working very hard to secure the release of three nationals being detained in tehran and have a team in tehran in iran. what has led to nazanin getting detain she was first detained in iran since april 2016 and imprisoned. her family says it it's long rile with the uk, 400 million debt britain owes iran for shipment of tanks that have never been delivered.

and in november 2017, the then foreign secretary boris johnson telling that she's teaching journalist and had government links and training bbc journalists. five years on, this is what the current secretary liz truss told us this morning. >> we're working very hard, i've made a priority as a foreign secretary to secure the releez of nazanin, all of whom were detained in iran. we've also made it a priority to pay the debt that we owe to iran. but i can't say anything more than that, i'm afraid. >> tell us more about the debt. 400 million quid as a result of tanks paid for but never delivered. where are we with that? >> we are being clear. this is a legitimate debt we do with iran and we're seeking ways to pay it. >> how can we pay it if they're sanctioned and we can't get the

money? >> well, i can't go into details, i'm afraid. but we are looking for ways to pay it. and we have been very clear it is a legitimate debt that united kingdom owes iran. >> every excited with the prospect of these three nationals coming home. has it moved at all in the last few days? >> as i said, we have had discussions, i've met my counterpart the foreign minister back in december. we do have a team in tehran but i absolutely can't say anything at this stage. >> do you know when you might be able to say more? >> no, i don't. >> prime minister said things are going down to the wire. >> we're negotiating for the release of nationals in tehran. sad cases including nazanin, i don't think i should say more.

i really shouldn't say much more right now just because the negotiations continue to be under way and we're going right up to the wire. >> let's know that nazanin got her passport back. what else can you tell me? >> if she said -- >> as you can imagine, she was quite presencive, wasn't sure what to expect. she went into questioning. there was a long discussion scare tactics from what i believe. >> what do you mean? >> about her family. so they gave her british passport. bear in mind, kay, she hasn't seen her british passport since the 3rd of april 2016. six years ago. she was astonished. when she was leaving they said,

don't book a flight, we'll sort out your travel arrangements, essentially. she left, she's now back at home at her parents' house under arrest. she was because of covid in the house, wearing an ankle tie. i think she could wear walk down one street and that was it. that eventually came out because she served her sentence. now, on a travel ban, the fact that they've given her british passport back means there's some light at the end of the tunnel. >> what can we read from the fact that the british team are in iran negotiating? >> i think they wouldn't be in tehran negotiating if there hadn't been some movement on the 400 million bound debt which is what nazanin's case has been tangled up. richard radcliffe, as you know,

has maintained his wife is a pawn caught between the two countries. >> which will, they disagree? >> they do disagree, she was told herself that the reason she's being held is because of our failure to pay the debt. i don't think there would be a british negotiating team in tehran if there hadn't been some movement on the debt. >> she's got her passport, she went back home, what happened? >> she's anxiously awaiting. i haven't been on touch with her on whatsapp, she said she's anxiously waiting. all she does is talk about her daughter. she said she's missed her early childhood. she's talked constantly about having another child. all she wants is a knock on the door to say we are getting you out of the country. presidents have gone to a third

country that have handed over prisoners, for example, omar or other countries. i think they're thinking that's what will happen with her. >> do you think the british government -- >> the british government will play a big part. now with five foreign secretaries, liz truss did say, being a labor mp, liz truss said it was a number one priority to pay this debt and bring nazanin home. she's done a good job, although we can finally congratulate her when she is back on british soil in her house. >> we don't know if the debt has been paid yet. or what form they've been paid, because of the sanctions. >> well, it's a bit more complex than that. >> okay. >> they have said to us before that they will accept humanitarian aid. or vaccines during the height of

the pandemic. you're right to say, we don't know that the 400 million pounds have been paid. what form they've been paid but like you said, i do feel there's probably some movement because of the british passport. they've had a british negotiating team in tehran, there seems like some sort of movement. >> you're speaking to her all the time. how is she filling her days? >> the same way she says she's been filling them all the time. reading the news all the time. in fact, the front pages of all of the iranian newspapers has said she's been released. you can imagine, people saying are you going home and she says i don't know yet. the front pages say that essentially she's no longer a prisoner, she's free to return after six years. >> and she doesn't know, the national guard didn't tell her when she might be able to head home? >> all they said to her, please

don't -- i don't think they said please. they said don't book a flight yourself. we will arrange that for you. or that will be arranged for. because she did ask. she would ask. but she didn't get any clarification on how she would come back to the uk. but it was very much implied she would be able to leave. >> before the end of the week? >> i mean, i wish i could say that i don't know for sure. i'm hoping if moves it's also a new year. >> has she had her bags packed? >> i think she's had her bags packed for six years, kay. every time she messages, she just says the levels of stress in my life are quite high. i think it's fair for her to say that. >> she's had challenges, of course, hasn't she? she's been very low in times in prison? >> she's been suicidal,

isolation, solitary confinement at that point. she was suicidal as you said. she had physical challenges. she had lumps on her breasts. she was denied a medical examination which she finally got. i would say one of the things that did accelerate this process, initially, nazanin was caught up in damage in the iranian deal that fell apart. when that did, richard ratcliff's lawyers have written a stern letter to the government what's plan "b," how are you going to get nazanin out. what's the plan? also the fact that richard went on hunger strike and wasn't taking any more. the last hunger strike out in the cold was desperate to watch. i think it really demonstrates how relentless he's been campaigning for his wife. >> how is he? >> he's the calmest man to you

is what i've said to you. >> has he had many storms before? >> he has. he has. he can't start celebrating already. she has said to me she feels more hopeful than he has in the past. i saw him yesterday. >> still in the uk? >> still in the uk. still at my contingency. when we left, i said, richard, i hope this is the last meeting we should have. that's what we're hoping. >> what about that little one? she's loving it now, doesn't she? did she know? >> she does. she actually came along and she was chipping into the conversation as well. it's as you top initialling to think this 7 yearly girl knows everything about the politics in the iranian regime, the iranian revolution guards. what prison is like. she's lived through a lot.

this young girl. one of the reasons i've been campaigning so much is because, at the heart of this hopeless situation is a very sad story about a young girl who's essentially grown up without both of her parents. >> she has, that's true? >> what about nazanin's family, is she concerned? are they coming it as well. >> they're coming as well. her parents are there and her parents as well. when she gave her a passport, she said don't book a flight. when she had the ankle tie she didn't go very far. she's actually been very compliant. one of the reasons for that they keep saying harm your family -- they haven't said harm your family, this will affect your family. she was told in furlough, the

first year in prison sentence if she wasn't anywhere near the british embassy that harm would come to her family. she's been conscious of the fact she has family and friends there. she's got to protect them. she needs to look after them. i think she's been very good in following the rules. when she comes back, and the other two nationals do you know anything about them? >> sherry is still in prison. i've been told she's been moved to the part of the prison he's in, not to his mother's house. interesting the third one is being treated by as an american. at the time of his arrest, he was in america which is why he's being treated as an american citizen. it all of the conversations sheri is being mentioned and

nazanin. i haven't heard about mirage. that's because he's treated as an american citizen. i have raised his case with the foreign secretary as well. all i can hopeful that all come back. >> as do we. i know you've been to it every 15 minute, haven't you? tell them that we're thinking about. and that we've been united. >> thank you, kay, you've been supportive. thank you. >> if there's anything else we can do, lift the phone. quick look at the papers for you. delly graph splashing with ukraine, i will never join nato following president zelenskyy's statement yesterday. and the guardian looking at this story as president zelenskyy acknowledges that ukraine will not become a member of nato. the "times" leads with those comments and the front examines boris johnson's trip to saudi

arabia to take some oil and energy back with him. and in the last few moments the ukrainian presidential adviser has said the military is launching a counteroffensive in several operational areas radically changing the situation. that comes after the president said there is definitely room for compromise in peace talks for russia, suggesting that ukraine could drop its ambition to drop nato. talks between ukraine and russia will resume this morning with president zelenskyy describing negotiations as more realistic. comes after the ukrainian leader admitted there's no chance his country will join nato. according to the latest intelligence update from the uk's ministry of defense, russia is struggling to conduct offensive operations in the face of sustained ukrainian resistance. 36-hour curfew has begun in the capital of kyiv, after redial buildings were hit by heavy

shelling which killed five people on tuesday. explosions have been heard this morning. local authorities say around 2,000 cars were able to leave the besieged city of mariupol where russian forces are reported to have taken 400 patients and medical staff at a hospital as hostages. nearly three weeks into the conflict ukrainian cities continue to be bombarded by russian forces. these are the latest pictures from the capital this morning. and they've verified the essential kyiv location. hi, alex, standing by this morning. in kyiv. tell us the latest. >> reporter: well, an early morning call this morning at

6:00, when some artillery noises were heard here in the center. we know there's been shelling wider field, probably about 10 kilometers away from where we are now. an area that we went to yesterday. as well as a lot of explosions and what appears to be fighting around the suburbs, primarily of those areas, bucha and others we've seen so much of the past few days. because of the curfew, the outside here in the streets near the capital are absolutely deadly quiet. if you come a bit closer, i will show you what the streets look like. you can see there's no one moving at all at the moment. we're told by the mayor that one of the reasons for this very strict and dramatic curfew, those vehicles that you see will be possibly unmarked or emergency, or unmarked security vehicles. we're told by the mayor this

very strict curfew is because they anticipated so much more activity from the russians. in particular, they worried about russian about is tou saote their way into the outskirts or capital. we spoke to a female commander of one of these units trying to track down the russian saboteurs. she was saying their modus operandi is making marks around the city which they believe was being used to guide the russian attackers, air strikes, and explosions to certain targets. they were also leaving identification marks around the city for then the saboteurs to be picked up, they were finding this as they were tracking down the russian saboteurs. but the mayor was very concerned about this being a pivotal moment. a dangerous moment.

and he very much appealed to kyiv residents to take cover. to take shelter. those who have already been hit over the past 48 hours, the ones that we spoke to, anyway, were not just shocked, there was a growing anger and a real determination to hold out. we know having spoken to the president's chief of staff that while negotiations seem to be make something headway with the president hinting that there may be room for negotiations on both sides, with him saying that the russians seem to be more realistic in their demands, we've spoken to the president's chief of staff before the curfew, and he very much said there were red lines that they would not be prepared to cross. and that was, they were wanting to defend every bit of territory, including those that had already been taken over by the russians over the past eight years, kay. >> okay. alex, thank you, thanks very much. nick martin is until odesa

for us this morning. hi, nick, we were talking yesterday, weren't we, how it's strategically important that port city is? >> reporter: that's right, kay. you know, overnight there were some intelligence reports to suggest that there is now a buildup of russian navy in the black sea. the sea, the coastline here it's just beyond those trees where i am. a long beach coastline then leads to the port and harbor her odesa. it's a big port strategically, important, in peace time, goods come and go and it's economically thriving. and the town itself full of cafes and restaurants. i have to say it was quite busy yesterday but they are hunkering down here but isolated intelligence reports that suggest that the russian navy is nearing this coast. that could be a sign that they're planning to invade from the coastline. from the beaches. not far from where we are.

and that is, you know, a worrying prospect for the people of this city. further up in mykolaiv, there's already been quite a bit of shelling there. half the city's population has evacuated. and in this region yesterday there were reports of some shelling. but we've not been able to confirm them. so, people are preparing here, especially with these new reports that the navy are sort of building up their presence in the black sea. if the russians were able to take ports like this, it would effectively create a land corridor right through the south of ukraine. if they're able to take mykolaiv as well a few miles east of here. but also it's trying to focus on getting the humanitarian aid into those cities that need it. and be able to get the civilians out. cities like mariupol which has

been absolutely pound said now a city completely under siege. yesterday saw the biggest amount of evacuations yesterday. at 20,000 civilians, on hundreds of buss were able to get out of that city which is being shelled almost around the clock now. dismantled piece by piece. and reports from people we spoke to yesterday, on sky news suggesting that many more are still trapped inside. so, as well as the diplomacy, and we saw the ukraine president volodymyr zelenskyy in that remarkable meeting yesterday. historic meeting with the leaders of poland, slovenia and the czech republic who came to kyiv. remember, kyiv is a city under curfew. they came to visit him in an enormous show of solidarity for their troubled neighbor. as well as the diplomatic measures, they are trying to make sure that residents who want to leave can get out of

cities before they're pounded by the russian military even more. >> thanks a lot. meantime, the general is joining us now to give us his analysis. hello, thank you for joining us on the program. we see that the pounding is continuing in various parts, strategic parts of ukraine. we have been hearing from the presidential adviser that the ukrainians are making ground in pushing back. what's your view in what's happening? >> i think the fact it's quite compoused. the rushes have had a time struggled and getting their forcesard kyiv. and they're struggling with people and logistics and command and control and they know the resistance will be really stiff. i think they doubt their ability to fight in kyiv, other than demolishing it. and the ukrainians know they're doing very well but they don't

have the capability to remove the russians from ukraine. they'll see some of the major equipment being defeated now. the counterattacks will be quite local. >> how do you expect the situation to develop? >> well, i think the conversation about peace talks has some way to go. but both sides are beginning to see they have less to gain by fighting. and for all that there there will be major and political and practical issues to come to coming towards some cease-fire or peace settlement. but i expect to see the russians making a bigger attempt on kyiv. probably quite narrowly focused, probably, really, very destructive. and i'm pretty sure they'll continue to battle mariupol and close that land bridge. >> in fact people are held against their will in hospitals there. meantime, we've seen a direct strike, haven't we, on the

maternity hospital in mariupol as well. would you describe these as war crimes? >> yes, i would, unequivocally, i think what we're beginning to see on the russian all the time on the occupation of target they target force directly on the civil population. because that's one way of getting the government to reconnect itself. it's making most ukrainians angrier and driving up the resistance. we should be clear that violence will be directed directly at the civil population. >> we must leave it there, general. the secretary-general has just begun speaking. we're going to be hearing from him in just a second. here we go. >> -- strengthen our collective defense. more u.s. troops in europe is a strong message of transatlantic

unity. and we are extremely grateful for your support what we do together in eastern part of the alliance. i met u.s. troops the last couple weeks in estonia, latvia, poland and romania. and i'm struck by their commitment, by their professionalism of u.s. men and women in uniform. and there's no -- there's a stronger message of transatlantic unity than having forces from north america serving in europe. at the meeting today, we will also not only address the immediate consequences of russia's invasion of ukraine. but we'll also address the more long-term possibilities. the long-term rotational alliance, to help to further strengthen our returns on defense. and to remove any room for miscalculation or

misunderstanding about the intent to protect all allies. nato has a responsibility to ensure that these crisis do not escalate beyond ukraine. that's also why we've increased the presence in the eastern pat of the alliance. once again, the comments to have you here and look forward to the meeting to start soon. >> mr. secretary-general, it's great to be back in brussels. and let me thank you up front for your continued steady leadership, especially, we tral that leadership, especially at a time like this. i think based upon that leadership, we've been able to make some very quick decisions that were very well thought out and act upon those decisions. so, i think our presence here sends a signal to the world that

we remain united in our support of ukraine. and we condemn russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion into ukraine. and so, ukraine is -- has a legitimate and sovereign government. and certainly, we support their ability to defend themselves. and we'll continue to support them going forward. we've been clear throughout that we believe that our commitment to nato, our article 5 commitment is ironclad. and you can expect, as the president has said, a number of times, we will abide by that commitment. and so, jens, it's great to be back here again. i look forward to a good day of discussions. and again, thank you for your

leadership. and thanks to all of my colleagues for what they continue to do to remain united in support of ukraine. again, i look forwarded to a great day. >> thank you. >> okay. the latest on the situation in ukraine, brussels, of course, that will develop further as the day progresses. we're hearing actually from the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov saying the current crisis is an important moment. and it will define the world order. and the u.s. defense secretary, you heard there, saying we remain united in our support of ukraine. we also from the secretary-general of nato as well, offering his support, continuing support for the people of ukraine. tamara is with us.

talk to me about your interpretation of what's happening? >> so, meeting going on in brussels, we heard lloyd austin, the secretary talking about the support to ukraine. and on oil and gas, boris johnson is focused on and arrived in abu dhabi, to meet crown prince mohammed bin salman, in the investigation of the u.s.-based investigation of jamal khashoggi and human rights say it's gotten worse under his rule. but times are as they are. and it puts to me that saudi and uae are the world's biggest oil exporters. and that means pumping down oil to bring down global prices. that's going to have an effect not just on the petrol in your

car, but of course, the prices of food, the prices of everything are determined by the oil crisis. when you put it to liz truss that is making unpalatable alliances, this is what she said. >> i do not agree with all of the policies of the saudi government, of course, i do not. but the reality is that we are facing an aggressor in vladimir putin. he's wantonly destroying a neighboring sovereign nation. we do need to work with countries across the world to find alternative sources of oil and gas. and russia is a threat, not just to regional security, but global security. we have to work with all of our allies around the world including saudi arabia to find alternative sources.

saudi arabia is not a global security threat in the way that russia is. >> but it's -- >> i'm not condoning the policies of saudi arabia, what i'm saying is we are in an existential threat about european security. >> and as far as boris johnson is concerned, you're saying he's in the region, isn't he, to try to negotiate to bring oil and gas back to the uk? >> that's right. so, the press release talks about discussions about energy security. the message is bluntly to the saudis and to abu dhabi, when you pump more oil to bring global oil prices down. boris johnson has been tweeting in the last few minutes the fact that the saudis are investing a billion pounds in the northeast, talking about the hundreds of jobs that will create. and he's chris sided as he puts dictator after dictator.

but this is the reality, this is who we have to deal with. also saying, look, people were benefit in terms of jobs and living standards. they're defending the trip. this is what boris johnson said speaking from abu dhabi this morning. >> when you look at the dependency that the west in particular has built on putin's hydrocarbons, and oil and gas, we can see what a mistake, he's been able to blackmail to ransom. we need independence. we have long-standing relationships with this part of the world. we need to recognize the very important relationship we have, and the strength of that relationship, not just in hydrocarbon. this about is investment in the uk over the long term. generally, you should look at some of the things, i mean, you talk about saudi arabia, they're announcing a 1 billion pound

investment in tee side, in aviation fuel in green aviation fuel, i should say. and that is the kind of thing we want to encourage. >> i'm pleased to say that we're joined by the ambassador to the uk from estonia. and thank you for joining us. how anxious are your people about what's happening in ukraine at the moment? >> i think everybody is very anxious in this part of europe. and the secretary of labor is now in the neighboring country. we are anxious. we are anxious, because we people don't believe that in the 21st century, we'd see this sort of thing. >> what are you anxious about, we're anxious why it was made another country, how will russia gain from it. we understand how putin gains from more power.

but he's ruining his country's occupation and economy. this kind of rationality is the biggest concern, not only in the estonia or the baltic states finland they've for many, many years been there alone, let's say, confident that they can have anything. now in less than three weeks, the support in finland has decreased to 62%. people understand we should be anxious or worried about what are our eastern neighbors doing. >> and of course, you're protected by the cloak of nation. >> yes. >> that is a big difference between your country and what's happening in ukraine? >> yes. also for finland. finland is not part of nato, but they believe because the support of being part of nato would help them, defend them, and i agree. >> given that you're a member of nato, the likelihood of any

incursion to the country is minute. but you think anything could happen? >> i think what we've seen over these three weeks now putin doesn't respect the west but he got exactly the opposite. the russians are extremely united. everybody is understanding it's an attack against all the values we find important. democracy, human rights. you know, values, and russia tries to destroy it. everybody understands that ukraine also fighting with those. they want to be diplomatic. they want to be free and independent. and russia thinks he can change that. i think everybody understands this is not the way things should be handled in 21st century and we're protecting all. >> what is the feeling on the

no-fly zone over ukraine? >> our parliament just two days ago agreed there should be no-fly zone to help ukraine. >> how would that work in practice? because, of course, if russia flighted the no-fly zone, then that plane would have to be shot down. if that plane were shot down by a nato force or estonia aircraft or whatever, then suddenly the situation escalates significantly? >> this is a good question. i think it's nato people to figure this out. and there are also many, many possibilities. it just can't be it concerns mostly human corridors or airspace. but mostly, estonia, we cannot implement a no-fly zone, but our positions in parliament send a clear message that we think we have to do our utmost to help ukraine. >> do you think that president

zelenskyy is doing the right thing, remaining in his capital city, despite the russians moving ever close? or do you think he would be more effective moving out of the country so he could still have a voice? >> it seems to me that his decision to stay in ukraine has increased the morale of ukrainian people tremendously. it's very, very important. he has become more hero. and ukraine is fighting for the country. i think there's a big difference. although i've heard from the russian soldiers captured in ukraine, many of them have no idea why they are in ukraine. but i think that ukrainian people know exactly what they're fighting for. and the president said that. >> but his situation should remain fluid, i'm guessing, because if russia does move on kyiv, he has a voice? >> yes. not only his security, but security of any ukraine

individual. because we see how russia isn't discriminating, they're just killing civilians. and they need to be stopped quickly. >> how concerned are you with the country what's happening in chernihiv? >> i think everyone is responsible. you can claim it's an accident, evidence seems to show it wasn't an accident. but many other acts followed since then. so, i think everybody should be concerned. because we, all the members and being the sort of people that isn't the members, it happened in 1986, in the amendment to clean up that it didn't happen. if you heard the news. >> yes, yes, i believe that could be the case. just before i let you go, how confident are you that peace

talks are going on at the moment, or not? >> i really don't know. i think this is up to ukrainians because we are supporting ukraine fully. and we just -- they need to be confident themselves. orthy should feel comfortable about the deterrence of the peace talks, so that they really hope that peace talks may succeed. but the terms have to be decided by ukrainians. >> and you must take comfort in the fact that british and nato troops are in your country at the moment? >> we are extremely pleased that we have such a great partnership with uk. the uk had foresight to pick up the troops even before the invasion. so that everybody understands the risk that russia is threatening not only estonia, but the uk, our values. i think you, for having your troops in estonia, you help us, but you also help yourself.

we're very thankful. >> thank you for joining us. >> thank you. let's take you to nato and the meeting in brussels this morning of the defense ministers. laura is there for us. hi, laura, how is it going? >> reporter: we just heard from nato secretary-general jens stoltenberg. he spoke with the u.s. defense secretary lloyd austin. interesting minutes from mr. stoltenberg that says what has happened in europe will change the long lasting consequences. he spoke of the new lines to adapt and reposition itself. there was a movement to reset and further threaten the alliance, particularly along the eastern flank. the u.s. defense secretary said and reaffirmed article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all. and it's ironclad and will abide

by that commitment. the question is what nato does next, how does it further strengthen its positions particularly along the eastern allies. i think we will see a national increase in troops decided by military commanders but a strengthening of air defense systems in recent day. there are allegations that there have been russian drone incursions into nato-allied countries. this is a very serious moment. nato knows even if these incidents are accidental, it could lead to situations on the ground spiraling out of control quickly. that's the need for the air defense systems, ben wallace, u.s.'s defense secretary said the uk is providing those weapons as well. and in poland, with the peacekeeping mission, that will be discussed as well, kay. >> thank you so much. with us now, leader of the liberal democrats, of course, he's headed to the polish border

to see for himself what has happened. good morning, sir. thanks for joining us. what did you learn? >> well, i was on the ukraine/polish border yesterday, the crossing point of medyka, i witnessed huge numbers of ukrainian refugees, mothers, grandmothers, children coming across. i speak to a few, they were exhausted, some ways traumatized. talking about how their homes have been bombed. mainly from car kyiv, with their homes shattered saying that their city is flattened. and they were greeted at the border by many people agreeing to help them. they've been taken on to humanitarian aid centers. i was in an old supermarket and seeing the people trying to help them. there were many countries, i

counted 19 countries there. germany, france, italy, norway, switzerland and others. i regret to say the british government and representatives were not there. and that's a shame because the number of ukraine refugees who would like to come to our country. >> and, certainly, the british people are opening their arms at their doors to welcome more than 100,000 people who signed up for the government scheme. where are you with the government scheme, do they need to make it easier or are we heading in the right direction? >> first of all, i want to pay tribute to so many british people who are being generous, compassionate. want to help and open their doors and windows and homes to ukrainian families but the government scheme doesn't go just far enough. yes, it's going to enable people to offer their homes that's fantastic but the british government isn't here in numbers

like other countries are. and if ukraine refugees can't be told how to get to the uk, that compassion, generosity of british people won't be meet with ukrainian refugees coming to this country. what i think should happen, there should be british volunteers welcoming them, explaining how that can be done. actuallychartering flights from airports at krakow, to bring them here safely. and get them looked after. and it's that bit that i am really worried. i think the uk government seemed frankly competent in that area. i've spoken to aid workers in britain who are providing soup and food and packages for kids at the border. they've gone all the way down from the ukrainian border and can't see the british government or supporting larger aid agencies to provide help for

ukraine refugees who want to come to the uk. that's a real mistake by the government. >> while we have you, i'm sure you've been following developments as far as nazanin and the two nationals. >> i was thinking of richard and gabriela and nazanin. we just want her back in her country. i think the whole country would be enriched if nazanin and richard can be back together again. it's gone on so long, you know, the foreign secretary at the time actually boris johnson made a real hash at it years ago. and my heart is at her. i just hope we may be nearing the end. we may have a happy ending.

let's hope and pray for that. >> thank you for joining us on the program. safe journey back home. thank you. >> thank you. within a day of the government's home going ukraine's home going live, 100 brits signed. you the online registration crashed as 44,000 offers were received with families that have six rooms. we have you both, thank you for joining us on the program. first, i'll go to nannier, what made you decide this is what you wanted to do? >> it's the right thing. and we have a couple spare rooms so, you know, we wanted to reach out and help, really, because that seemed the decent thing to do. we sort of believe in helping out people who seek asylum and

refugee. and we are very welcomed to rhian, a wonderful person. >> there she is, hi, good to see you. thanks for joining us. what difference did that generosity make to your life? >> i mean, i mean, i was provided with a home so that by itself is a great thing. and because i am also going through my studying. so, i needed like -- like somewhere safe and i needed to have some stability, so i brought stability and safety to my life and i could concentrate on my studies. i felt part of a family. so it was a great experience being there. >> and what happened to you since? >> i go to --

>> amazing. amazing. my lord, tell me what advice you would give to people thinking about hosting a ukrainian refugee family at the moment. >> well, if you have the space if you can afford to do it that you can give it some time. and make sure that the person that comes to you likes cats. rhian likes cats. >> yes. >> and you know, you obviously got to talk to each other and work out, sort of manage being in your home. but it was a brilliant thing to do. we loved having rhian with us. i would really encourage helping to do it. i'm proud of people in britain who have registered. we've registered again to try to help out. we hope we can be of service to

someone. >> what are the downsides? are there any downsides, my lord? >> i don't think so. i mean, we felt we were enriched by the experience. actually by getting to know rhian. and move out of that country and brought her to england. and i think it was just all around a very positive thing, actually. >> rhian, how did you get around the problem with the cats? >> well, actually, i can tell you she got around them really well. >> you would say that, let's say what rhian has to say about that what did you think? >> i became friends with them. the first two days i was a bit scared. i never lived in a house where there were cats. a few days later, they were in my room. i liked them. >> and rhian, what advice would you give to refugees who are coming to this country and going to live in the home of somebody that they've never met before?

>> make use of this experience to learn about people you're living with. and also life. because it introduces something about the society you're living in because you might be living there for a while. for me, i've been here now seven years. that was a great experience. an exposure to see a different way of life and learn about, because jill and steve were very welcoming. and they were also -- we had like great conversations about society. about my studies. so make use of this opportunity and also like, if you can look for this kind of opportunities, look for them. for me, i found this -- i looked online to charities and that's how i found jill and steve. >> and my lord, just before i

let you negotiation how much did you miss her when she left? >> actually, she's left a big hole until our life. we still keep in touch. and, yeah, we like catching up with her. so, you know, i'm sure that rhian will be a life long friend. >> that's lovely. you're opening up your doors again for the next batch round of refugees who are hopefully arriving in the uk before too long. thank you both for sharing on the program we do appreciate it. thank you. >> thank you. >> thank you. 100,000 people so far have registered for the government scheme to offer a home to the ukrainian refugees who are heading to the united kingdom. and hopefully before too long, visa waivers permitting. we'll have more on that coming up. and also what's next for nazanin ratcliff in iran, after they tell us the government are working very hard to secure the

release of three jewel nationals. we'll have that coming up in just a moment. expecting an announcement with what's happening with nazanin shortly.

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♪♪ ♪♪ ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy is set to make a rare virtual address to congress this morning, as the fighting rages on and the attacks in kyiv intensify. more help is also headed ukraine's way. president biden is expected to announce a fresh round of military aid later today. and nato defense ministers are set to meet to discuss and, quote, substantially more forces to its eastern flank. and a daring show of moral support yesterday, as three eastern european prime ministers visited the ukrainian president in kyiv,