the consulate was a crisis appearing over ukraine, has been used by both parties, both by denied states nato on one side and by the russians as a convenient cover to hold talks, which otherwise would be politically unacceptable. for the west, russia, russia's concerns over its security. and securing, it's the architecture of europe in a way that is, ah, that brings in all parties and not just the nato allies. we heard from nato today that it's all about defense, the alliance. it's not a threat to russia, it's not aggressive. you mentioned there about the situation in ukraine at there is a lot being discussed about this at russian troop as being amassed on the border. but we don't have very much, at least in the western media from the other reports that ukraine is also amassing troops in the area. at the same time,

we know that there will be more joint operations between nato and ukraine this year . and we heard today a cool for that sort of military assistance to stop just in the last few years. the u. s. is plots more than $2500000000.00 worth of military assistance in to ukraine . that hardly sounds as if nato is offering an olive branch here. well, the position of russia and massing its troops at the ukrainian border was in response to their own intelligence. and which they concluded, this is going back to 3 months. that over half of all of ukrainian and military was now concentrated at the western border of the dawn boss. those 2 provinces of ukraine that are called a rebel provinces that have not accepted the 2014 q data inclusive. no, a half of those of their armed forces were concentrated next,

a dumbass and enjoying being equipped with some advanced military equipment provided by the knife states citizen that kingdom and other nato countries. on a bilateral basis, nato was such, did not provide it. but the in nato member countries did as of substantial amount of equipment, as you've mentioned. and the russians had good reason to believe that they'd be folly from, in, from the leadership and key of not necessarily mr. zelinski himself because his open question, who was really in charge of military affairs and keith, but that the hot heads in keith would use this equipment and with the belief and mistaken belief in western backing should they should they engage the russians in no turn, come back over don, boss, and that fee that they would be saved by western powers. what we've seen in the last several weeks that i can say one of the 1st achievements of the russians have, have made, are by raising the temperature by concentrating the troops was to flush out from

the united states and nato, exactly what their preferred are not prepared to do with respect to defense of ukraine, should they be foolish enough to take on the russian army. and we all heard that country after country started that states followed by, by france and others have said that they will not in any way single soldier to, to help the ukrainians if they engage themselves in a norm conflict with russia authority, great achievement. but it's only to start his down payment of further achievements with the russians hope to make and probably have a reasonable chance of making in the coming weeks, months that we know from russia. what are the big red lines here is the sanction of ukraine in georgia, former soviet union countries to the nato alliance. we've also had in the last few days that possibly finland and sweden are open. now to negotiations if joining also why is this such a red flag for russia?

now, the question of sweden and finland is not as stark as it might seem to have at 1st glance. in fact, both countries have memorandums of understanding with nato, which makes them a very close to natal members. they are prepared to provide their territory and their material and men in support of any activity that nato takes. ah, in the, in the theatre, meaning activity against russia. so the m, the formal accession of these countries to nato, would not change much in the military sense. and i'd say there's a parallel here between what's been discussed about about sweden and finland, and what is going on from the russian perspective on the territory of ukraine. and none of these countries is a member of nato. however, defacto, the nato has been seeking to obtain the um,

the military advantages by putting men and material and training in place in these countries. all with the intent of weakening rushes, strategic position relations between russia, the united states, other nato allies have been poor now for many years. why now, are we finally getting to a situation where people are around the table and why? what is pushed it to this particular points of the why no question is the elephant in the room as very regrettable that our media western media have not raised that question because they would be obliged to use their critical faculties and not merely pass along to their readers or listeners of the press briefings and the press releases they're receiving from the state department, the a. why now brings you back to 2007. and the landmark speech by

a legend putting at the munich security conference in february 2007. if you draw a line from his explanation of what was unacceptable in the unipolar world, that the knife states was very content with. and how this ran against russia, security interests, how russia had been abused in the ninety's up until this period of 2007. and you look at what he said, and you see everything is sketched out for the december 17th, draft treaties with united states and nato. the what happened? why was there this time gap between the russian perception, the things are not writing and acceptable in 2007, and they're presenting these documents. in 2021 are the differences. russia's economic and military situation. russia was still in 2007 quite weak economically and was out. and that was written militarily,

as professionals understood from its performance in the war against georgia, the following year, 2008, which was for the general public a, a washing victory. but for professionals in the military affairs demonstrated the rush or not made much progress from soviet times. in the intervening period, the russian government has invested enormous resources in brain power, in technical abilities and, and in and in money to improve its military in all dimensions. and the most recent, this isn't bragging but russians. russian, russian statesmen are saying, with some confidence that the russian armed forces are today the most modern in the world. and that is something which i think will appear in plan b. because right now it's jawboning right now. this is important to feed the fees. diplomats ah,

go through these procedures are that is clear that we are all civilized people and we respect the intelligence and arguments listen to the arguments of aside budget for in politics. that's not enough, even if mr. biden were persuaded that the russian arguments need for defense for security are reasonable. if he attempted to come anywhere near or giving them what they're asking for, he would face a hostile congress and a devastating electoral defeat or in the november elections of this year. actually, i wanted to ask you about that in a we've had so many threats, not just from nato. we had from installed in 3rd today saying very serious repercussions particularly crippling economic sanctions. if russia didn't, fate ukrainian or russian says not about to invade ukraine, but we've also heard that coming from the united states as well. how much of this is saber rattling and about insuring up support back at home for domestic policy.

it is an, an example of the echo chamber of you have statesman people in the state department ah, like victorian roland and the people around lincoln who are in an echo chamber. and they believe i've said old rule that you can fool the other side, but you shouldn't for yourselves. and unfortunately, they are full themselves. i think they're generally believe that they can impose crippling sanctions on the russians when i was just of cursory examination. of the facts on the ground of last impossible to be effective as these sanctions would have to be imposed. not only by the not states which has minimal trade with russia, minimal common economic interests because of the structures or to economies. but we're happy and have to be imposed by the member countries of the european union. and that is, at this stage, utterly impossible. impossible for the most,

ah co, evident reasons and also for some not so reference. most evident reasons. gosh, the european union imports are 40 percent of its supported gas comes from russia. 30 percent of all gas consumed in the european union comes from russian or for the european union to impose sanctions or from hell as, as victoria newland call them. and to cut the russia from swift and to not and to break are the, the currency exchange with russia would mean that russia is free, are contractually to stop delivers. and it would certainly exercise that freedom in europe would be brought to its knees, so that just doesn't work. well, thank you very much for those thoughts, sir gilbert. dr. of an expert in international relations digesting. the issues between russia and nato and its allies. of course, along that day of statements here in brussels, there is

a new meeting to attend on thursday in vienna. once again, these discussions will be re hashed vernon and whether we will find any concrete way forward is pretty much unlikely, at least that's how it seems at the moment. yeah, looks like it should have been ski with our extensive coverage there from brussels . thanks for going to bring our view is more recourse throughout the coming. i was just more reaction comes into the small some of the say disappointing, but frank exchange today are i shot to let you go for this is our international have a good evening still to come in? i will do today was me kevin, now in britain's prime minister finally apologizes. then for the day he's out today in parliament for attending a lockdown drinks party number 102020. he says he was just there for 20 minutes. it's gone down badly. totally more after the break with

with oh, when else seemed wrong, when all proof just don't hold me world yet to see out is the become the applicant an engagement?

it was the trail. when so many find themselves will depart. we choose to look for common ground. ah, again, where his prime minister barak johnson admitted that he did attend the downing street party in the back garden at the height of the 1st national coven lockdown in 2020. he apologized to britain, sir, at the time. not even allowed to go into one another's homes, so visit dying, relatives, et cetera, et cetera. while arguing, he thought it was a work event. i appreciate the point that he's making about the event that i attended. i want to, i want to repeat that. i think it was a, a work event is politicians form pops both sides of the aisle concern they'd like

to see not just an apology from bars, johnson but resignation as well. because this seems to be a common theme. now of course, because our minds back to roughly the spring of 2022 years ago now we had the whole country. in fact, most of the world looked down almost completely. and we've seen in the u. k. again and again, revelations of politicians, particularly conservative politicians, those close down the street having christmas boxes, for example, while people couldn't see that dying relative or in this case a garden party in may of 2020. when many people were, for example, not seen, relative things stuck away from loved ones who are suffering and other restrictions on their lives. now, the image that the country has is that those are the top, the elite don't seem to think rules apply to them. and for many politicians, the only way to regain public trust is if the man responsible for all of this,

the prime minister bars johnson finally resigns, his defense, his defense that he didn't realize he was at a party ha, that is so ridiculous that is actually offensive to the prayer with the whole country was locked down. he was posting boozy policies in town, expressed a see now going to to to a decent thing and resign mister speaker. it's up to the right honorable gentleman to choose how he conducts himself with me. now what we've also see in are repeated examples of bars. johnson previously pleading his innocence and saying that actually nothing had taken place . that was against the many rules that once again, the rest of the country through a number of messaging techniques and the some psychologists of put it. and other

medical professionals must formation consistently putting out messaging to the public to stick to the rules. the government, apparently seeing at the time anyway, many figures within the government that they themselves didn't have to stick to the rules. but in any case, we've seen nothing but denials up until this point they viewed was a party. thank you. it was against the rules. they knew they couldn't admit it, and they thought it was funny. prime minister has been called right handy. why? definitely envy investigation right now. but just admitting it, i been repeatedly assured, oh good isn't the 1st sign? well, the 1st revelation, of course, a big political fallout from the revelations of political parties taking place a christmas party taking place at downing street last christmas. and that led to the resignation of allegra stratton. she was a spokeswoman who was poor from camera for pretty much laughing about the situation she handed in her resignation. are perhaps a political sacrifice. of course,

johnson could keep his job, but as more and more of these revelations come out, there are few or fewer people who be willing to throw themselves on their swords. and eventually, the question will be will prime minister himself finally step down again that's been arsenal. east rally. they are reporting is still the u. k. for next story to bit of advice for british our souls struggling, they ate their homes this winter, and major energy firm is told customers to cuddle their patton through star jobs to stay warm. those are expected to double this year when it comes to a set. so of face a big squeeze. shadid was dusty next set us more on the advice that scope. customers really fired up. are you weighing up, eating all heating is tell the protector to sort a 2000 pounds a year will threaten no more. as one of britain's biggest energy suppliers has come up with no one idea. the 10 ways to save on heating cost. not only laira, but get the hot rate going with some starch. i'm. and if that doesn't work,

how about a cozy little cutter with a cat? okay, i don't have a cat, but i do have this guy. another central suggestion is to leave the oven door open after cooking, the capital of your kids love and eat a hearty bowl of porridge. and of course, make sure you have a decent pair of silks or slippers. apparently, all these are simple cost effective ways to keep warm this winter, but the company can't be serious, can it? i think they've completely lost the floss on that one. i have to say, don't close with. we're not stupid. i are, we are near today trying notes that i eating on. well, it's me phrasing in our, in house because we're trying to get the cost down. you just think my, what else was today if that's real advice and the i'd be slightly a salary by our i'm and i believe i know why with the event that i need to stop suddenly my energy done up for an extra jumper on seminar. so yeah,

i want to be in solid bio for any other company, but i wouldn't listen. so i was, i was, i got fixed on contract that would suit me. the advice sent to customers comes as many households are extremely worried about rising energy costs. and despite the company apologizing for the l, judge, suggestions, politicians have criticize the coal haunted approach. it is laughable and insulting . but then with this government lack of an energy strategy, you almost expected those comments will be right by people who have to choose between eating and heating it's. that's the state of the country. we're now and i find it quite depressing. being told to put on a instead of turning on your heating, if you can't afford it, at a time of such difficulty for so many families is plainly offensive. 2022 has already been given the total year of the squeeze of the one since the 2008 financial crash this year. wages will only grow one of the same time. bill jumped by 50 percent around 2000 pounds when britain's new energy price copies 2nd april.

this means in real time, people actually get a pay cut and the situation is being described as a cost of living catastrophe. i think the nation we had the way to use that you could possibly have in business like all support from the government. so being forced to close our doors, we're only we're trying to close our way back. so we're in a hotel and everything else. we use quite a lot of electricity and it's to fi and i am terrified of the impact of businesses in the country. not just me. i. when i mean small business is struggling. i just have to stop. we pay the funds back the government and suppose that they gave us, but we've got to pay them back. so all of a sudden, and i'm not going to do that, it's time to money. get anyway from the lock that i now they energy cost to sort of

both electricity and gas. louis, sorry, i don't know how we supposed to pay them because we have no income and he's not alone. in fact, one and 3 people are worried that bills will become totally on affordable this year . and i'm thinking the government to, for the bill. labor also piling on the pressure for the government to ditch tax hikes and scrap v a t on feel all together consent to ministers council, the 0 carbon homes program. they bond on show when development, they lost the eco installation program. they tore it up within one year, they were, you see, you case ga, storage capacity. and one particularly silly moment the current foreign secretary claim solar panels were risk to domestic food production or all of these decisions that have made this country more dependent on volatile wholesale energy prices than we otherwise would have been. right now we know this means as extremely situate,

extremely difficult situation to british household, but also risks making archways the bridge industry and competitive a talk, a combination of spiking prices, tax hikes, the looming entity, big bills and the government apparent reluctance to address these issues. may actually see ridiculous ideas like cuddling path, how people overcome this and the upcoming winters become a reality. shock. edwards dashti arti london may be see, is facing a fresh wave of concerns about pushing woke issues. one of the british broadcasts as long as serving presented, and it pulled the plug on his network radio show last month after $46.00, she is blaming an obsession with diversity. nigel reese told us he was too frustrated to remain with bbc's woke agenda. it was a difficult series to record because of what one could call b, b, c work. the b, b, c, suggested,

or phone quietly insist that we include certain types of guest, missy. we. they were very came that we should have a balance of men and women. and this has been the case for many, many years. that of course, reasons. one has had been under pressure or want to be persuaded that one must house persons of color or ethnic minorities. and this particular set is i was also told that we must have disabled people taking part them. so i went along with and i went along with the persons of color, etc. and i think they were all extremely good people to have all the programs that i have. so react against this prescription if you up. but we should have certain types of people on the program. my rule has always been that we should just have

people who are right for the program who are trying to do it. and never mind, that color is all that religion is or so that is the basis that have also been whistleblower obligations about a climate of fear that maybe sales are reporting on race and transgender issues to with one inside is saying that broadcast was employing overwhelming censorship. be beneficial, so on their side of repeatedly denied catering to political bias within the organization. but it failed to stop. so ms. ta faces leaving one of them political broadcasting heavyweight veteran andrew mar, who quit up to 21 years. said he wanted to be free to speak his views, while robin 8 can. another highly experienced journalist said he was fed up with a company's quote. institution lies left ism nigel rhys again claims the broadcast . it is putting pressure on reporters in various spheres. certainly in other areas and not this is in the entertainment area. so i'm, i'm, i was working and but obviously in this political field,

i'm sure that these precious do come up on hold time as to the people. that money's going to interview and the things that report isn't correspond since own concerns. so i think that is going on and there is also, so i mean, the media have changed out or exists since that since i stuck back in the 1960, i mean the tickler producer i was working for the last series. i was 50 years younger than me and she was very much into a watch michael, right on causes and so on. so inevitably she pushed those and i, i resisted that to a point, but so anyway, it's all over now. and it is for this bulletin to berlin for 4 minutes. i'll be back soon. see more of what we're talking about. stayed out. he don't come but to, for now that saw tintin, i stills world. busy news at 8 will these at 9 coming up shortly,

reporting for you, kevin o. july, an annual festival in st. petersburg dedicated to dust i epsky. ah, the great writer thinker and psychologist, people often turn to his work to understand russia and russians, perhaps even themselves. they put they sing on, laurie, it would be the matter vehicle of why the phoenix changing a rita transforming them as they read that's a dust i ask is unique ability to stay on ski wants to tell us you can better yourself. he makes you face your true self or we cooper beyond conventions. rules of schemes beyond the boundaries and time.

just a aski is a global brand whose classics. everyone knows. i'm never out of stuff with . oh, the russia us, fox and geneva were highly anticipated, but expectations of a positive outcome were low, very low rest. his chief negotiator says americans under estimate the gravity of the situation, these are ominous words. what will be the cost of this failure? yes, no, i didn't know if you will. i, lisa typical, there is only 9, but already diversity. students that away and rational effect everything. you

don't get to teams and you might want to let him live. you've got the glass stores to deal with them. he did not then know boucher able to call them but yeah, but that's a little only thing with yeah, just the he may come can no recalls. he needs just control center for a minute. now. bush night nebraska no porcelain will your stuff i will the yeah. my what i say the 1st way, not to get what sure at the fire that was to get the sham was and you mentioned in the something that evaluated for double use that it was, it was as much color. i knew it with soon lose with the to do to pretty good. when you most of judge that he be one, could you from his teacher or was or school reason is balise. we'll come with that . yes, your media a reflection of reality in

the world transformed what will make you feel safe? isolation, whole community? are you going the right way or are you being led somewhere? direct. what is true? what is faith? in the world corrupted, you need to descend. ah, so join us in the depths or remain in the shallows. now we have e cigarettes. i just heard that it was a healthy alternative to cigarettes. do we trust tobacco companies with their message that these new products are actually going to reduce? are these the sugar is making the tobacco tours?

ah, to die russia doesn't have tallman grad with mate. so any more. but from a press briefing, just happened after high stakes. talked earlier all day in brussels. cohen up to away from the british prime minister boris johnson. apologizes for attending a lockdown drinks party in the back garden of number 10 in 2028. previously denied taking pappano says he thought it was a work event and cuddle your pets and do star jobs. if you want to stay warm this winter, that's the message you k energy firm has put across. there's really felt the heat from customers over it. but given that advice as the cost of fuel source there, i think i've completely lost the floss on that one. i have to.