oh, oh yeah, yeah, yeah. let me talk to me in our crew reports from the front line of the service done. yep. chemical plant and logan square public were for and for scenarios find themselves trapped alongside thousands of soldiers. big oil companies blamed by us president for an action push back against the call to ramp up production, saying that he himself had previously encouraged a shift from fossil fuels and our goods, our rules. that's the message from gas problems and ceo at st. petersburg international economic forum who says the western dominated economic system is undergoing drastic changes and the us dollar is weakening.

the broadcasting live direct from our studios in moscow. this is our international. i'm john thomas. certainly glad to have you with us. now we start with the lugens republic city of $71.00. you ask, where foreign mercenaries are believed to be trapped in a local chemical plant, alongside ukrainian soldiers. according to various estimates, up to 2 and a half 1000 troops are stuck in the industrial zone. russian and allied forces say that they have taken control of all the city except the plant as ought where give forces previously blew up a container, ladened with chemicals at the end of may. now move local officials have called a provocation and crime against civilians. it was done of comments from the front line behind me you can see the black plumes of smoke, they are rising from the azores plant. there's about $800.00 may be meters to the positions of the ukrainian forces. in fact,

were the only news crew to go this far deep into the territory of the town of several. the nets, in fact, may be only about 7 to 8 days ago. here were the ukrainian positions, but they had to fall back. now it's under the control of the russian forces, but you can clearly hear by the ambience, if i may say so, the fighting is very much intense. mm. yesterday we agreed on a cease fire, the chemical plant. we went to hell rescue civilians and then the ukrainians took out a tank and started shooting at us. and a fight again broke out. when i was there yesterday, ukraine didn't want stop firing mortars. i spoke it, fight is anal panicking. you can hear so on the walkie talkies. they want the vital to and we can hear it in their voices perform with from 80 and they fired to their own troops. and then a tank moved to shell our positions. it was a typical scenario. ukraine moving to

a subject place to make it look like we were doing the shooting, but we were actually standing there with white flags when the i lot of mercer's there. the most that british, i'm much of the food and dry ration is from britain and poland amid all this may. hm. hundreds of civilians are scattered around the towns basements and shelters. this one harbours around 20 people whose neighboring houses were destroyed by the ukrainians. they say, look, still, i go. it looked in below, the e e o by me. in o, leaky does. he show jill is freshening 8th, he select plus a, b, e, e, gotten ne growth in lea a unique each year. they were id number

ga, sticky stuff. it and this used to be a music academy over several minutes, used to be what it used to be to was renovated and you can still see in the details the amount of money and effort put into this place. but it is no more the ukrainians. sheltered burning at andrews effectively rendering useless when they did so. up to 60 civilians were sheltering here from the bombardments lunch to reform it. when russia special operations began, ukrainian troops immediately entered our city. they placed their arm and vehicles in residential areas, drove round and started firing the sales, and our soldiers came in, the crane ins retreated to and then the bombed us smashed us from our basements. we could see crane and tank shooting at our houses. these people beg of one thing to

help them escape this hail. in the end, we'll leave with a ward of handwritten notes. it's phone numbers and messages they'd like us to pass to their loved ones in russia. i'm a good done of reporting from several, the netscape r c. in the daniel republic, the capital is now suffering a 10th day of continuous ukrainian artillery, showing with official sang western made howitzers were used to bombard schools, hospitals and residential areas. and as howitzers, rage on more and more lives are being lost. danielle screw, public officials say more than 100 civilians have died and almost a 1000 have been wounded in the last 4 bloody months in the republic. among them, a 7 year old girl who died in a shelling almost 2 months ago. ah

for them open it up. here it is. the sport, the rocket landed. these are the cassettes that were filled with all sorts of fragments, but there were 2 cars parked here and the explosions, right. between numbers there. and she was at the epicenter right in front of the east to cause i looked out from the steps and she was just lying that i pulled to, i thought maybe she lost consciousness from the blow boxes. and at the last moment she moved her leg. i thought she was alive. fuel began to flow from the cause towards her legs and everything began to bon yup. and i yelled from and to bon yeah, i yelled for my husband and ran out, picked her up by her jacket and quickly ran with her twice entrance in that in the entrance. she took 2 breath and then she was gone. ah, she was of i cheerful and kind gone. she many friends in kindergarten, children still ask about her. my youngest will change, generally afraid to will come yard. we go for a walk, so my,

so as not to see at all with his goal was our son. i saw him. it's very hard to live with allies to hold a i see. neither she nor she nash said, boy need see a me no, you promises more legal arms to ukraine. frances leader pledges to deliver 6 more howitzers during a meeting between the french, german, italian and romanian. leaders with president one sky and give new policy. we will continue to deliver military equipment in particular fees or artillery can in trucks which will enable ukrainian soldiers to defend themselves more effectively

against attacks by the russian army on ukrainian soil. such deliveries are seen as not as significant as a new 1000000000 dollar package of weapons from the us that was approved earlier this week and promises to deliver guided missiles for the high mars rocket launchers. so far at least $28.00 countries. nato members mainly are engaged in sending military supplies to ukraine, which includes sophisticated and conventional arms such as artillery, anti aircraft, and anti tank weapons armored vehicles, helicopters and more. one of those countries, greece, provides the soviet era tanks of the greek community and the city of my uncle openly asked athens not to provide ukraine with any weapons move, most excited. can you imagine how we felt sitting and seeing their own supposed defend treatise? i hate them, i'm sure they bombed our greek settlement. one of them was showing a video and he stone, boasting, look bombs,

your village. i would very much like perhaps with your help to appeal to the greek people, the government and peace ministers to everyone. so that the hero, we don't want war for, we want peace. we want greece to hear us not help the american send weapons to ukraine, because with these weapon, the kill great people here, greece couldn't get us out, but at least they could stop supplying people with the arms that are killing us. just meanwhile, ukraine's representatives are still vowing to fight until the victorious end of raising concerns from both you and american politicians with white house official saying that the conflict should have a diplomatic solution. presidential biden has also urged his subordinates to tone their desire to weaken russia and see its defeat, fearing it has increased the risk of direct confrontation with moscow. earlier, we spoke to russian deputy ambassador to the united nations dmitri pollyanna. he believes the delegation here was also seeking a resumption of peace talk submitted,

growing demand within the block. there was a lot of love of food show for them to go for these leaders. they were very much expected in here, and they are expected also exercise some influence on non presidents landscape. not only to provide arms to this country, but also to help you to engage in meaningful consultations, new countries, including those of their leaders to keep all the local it will be controversial statements. again, they're very pretty from the leader and statements. we can some of them the other hand there is bigger and bigger demands in these countries in the countries from the population of their rulers who am this turmoil the comics? so moral that isn't braces, european countries more and more and 2 solutions. so these are a crisis which is becoming a given security crisis,

and it's quite clear that says all the, all the 3 of these crisis. so i think that the leaders came to bear in mind. the moods in the capitals are quite different and there is more and more demands for finding a peaceful solution. for this crisis, one of the world's biggest and most important business events, the st. petersburg international economic form has entered its 3rd day in russia's northern capital. russian president vladimir putin will speak at the plenary session of the forum today speech archie will be covering live, of course, and this year the form is held under the slogan, new opportunities in a new world. ah, really, patricia joins me now from the forum venue with constantino cars such off the

senator and russian federation council, deputy chairman. take it away. ah, john, hello there. you're absolutely right to day 3 is in full swing and we are expecting the number one event of the form, which is the plenary session. this is where the russian president, vladimir putin is expected to weigh in on everything that's happening around the world. and in russia, everything that's been happening in the last 4 months, actually last night. there was a very important speech by the heads of gas from russia's energy jain, alexis miller, who didn't miss his words. when criticizing european policy makers for a lack of common sense when making their decisions and the energy sector. so of course, we're expecting more discussions on that on day 3,

but let's all wait for that before it was, like you said, i'm joined by constantine casa job, who was the deputy speaker of the russian federation council. hello, welcome to our t. thank you. hello, mr. costa charles, this is by far not your 1st st. petersburg form, of course, but this time, of course, it's happening during very turbulent times. and we understand that when it comes to the western community, pretty much the goal of everyone is to isolate russia in every possible way. so is it worth hosting such an event during these times? as the sun peters will come on, mac forum is an international event and it's not about the west. it's about russia and the global world. and or even if some participants from the west have no to fear this time,

it does not change the form of the forum and it does not change the sense of what's going on. we still do have many foreign gifts. i have heard that some 694 in county have registered for yesterday more than 44 and delegations have come to do some peter works. it's well enough. the form is still international and if certain countries from the west do not at the are here this time, they just lose a very good opportunity to find come from my system. is russia to understand better what she's doing and to try to get out of this crisis, not by force, not by trying to force russia to change a policy to destroy the russian economy, but to do something together in order to get out of the crisis as number one,

and to prevent happening. keith again, number 2, package number 6, i'm talking about the european sanctions. it was making headlines for a very long time because the, the countries could reach a compromise. now they are discussing package number 7. what do you expect of that? and is russia ready for stricter measures? well, number one, i expect even stronger come to versus between the can to solve the lift because each and every package appearing does create more and more problems for the rest itself. not for russia. russia has managed to overcome the previous sanction at packages and the russian economy is not here. didn't torn into pieces. of course, we are still going strong. no doubt about that. and the resources of the russian

economy are still good in, in order to not to be afraid of any. so the developments on that side, on the other side, the ethics of that thanks and policy, heat the rest and economists more and more so i am not sure that the 7th package will ever appear at all. and it appears it will not rate any unbearable consequences for the russian economy. and it will probably create certain problems. but again, we are not afraid. and we will proceed with our plans for your grade for the western europe, for the global world, the receipt and the way we believe it's the best ever solution for everyone. well, mister cost of you are among the russian officials. was saying that the economy is

standing strong, it's withstanding the pressure, but you do understand that sanctions are always about long term effects. definitely, if no doubt that we will face further further difficulties in our economic development. no one hides the fact that difficulties are there. but they are so to see if fordable affordable, because in case russia had not reactive, it reacted the consequences in 5 years time, in 10 years time and 20 years time would have been much worse for the russian economy for the russian security or whatsoever you, you tell so we are now in a difficult period of time, but for the russian economy, it's also a good time for new solutions, new developments, the understand better now that we need to grant the sustainability of the

russian economy. we will not isolate our country, our economy, our society, from, for, from any other parts of the world, not at all. we do not self isolate russia, definitely, but now them to stem better that we were in a risky area while getting so much dependent on our cooperation with the west on the, posing our finances in the west on importing so crucial parts for certain production. a change to changes, we have now been cut off and this is a very good lesson for us. and i believe that in 5 or 10 years time, we will be a different country. and we will definitely be very attractive economic modal attractive for our partners all over the world. let me just go back to something you said just a few minutes ago. you said that nobody is going to stop rush from fulfilling the

goals and plans when it comes to you. great. you know, i've met quite a few western journalists here and they keep asking the same question. what is washes, plan for ukraine will be russian plan for ukraine, have been very clearly described by, by the president, by mr. fortune. we want to have ukraine as a friendly country, a neutral counting country where all people, whether they are ukrainians, russians, hungarians, jews, or anything, leave comfortably reach each other the way people in russia live comfortably with each other. we do not depend from ukraine, anything more than we do in our own country. we need to have ukraine as a civilized country with human rights, protected with

a solution within the security area which do not threaten my country. and i believe that all these goals are quite realistic and they will be reached. how appropriate is the call by some countries to refuse to buy russian grain exported from ukraine in the context of a global food crisis? will you put it mildly because i can't just believe russia for stealing green from ukraine, and this is a this is a light. we do not steal drain from ukraine. we do not exports drain from ukraine. beyond the previous contract, we have been made between our 2 countries and definitely we are ready to export the russian drain. there are some harvest the way we did the may be the before,

the harvest of this year will be record tight. and we are ready to propose to our partners and yeah, in my own. so for any volume, so green the, the wish to, to see and read or read it to, to, if you create the sport its own grade, the read happened before a by the we do not have any obligations to cease to rush to, to assist you. create on there, but we are definitely ready to do that when it comes to gas supplies. that's of course an issue that's why be discussed here at the form previously. we heard, for example, from the hon, gary and foreign minister, who said that definitely in the near future the you will not be able to ban wash and gas of why he's confident about that. at the same time,

other european politicians and leaders are saying that they to abandon gas dependents in the next few years. how realistic is that? and if europe any close to reach and compromise in that regard. well, to start somewhere gas, natural gas, is the best solution for a sustainable economic development. it's a cheap source of energy. it's environmentally friendly. and russia is a very polite, sustainable partner in national guess, deliveries the prices on guess started to grow long before the cranium crisis happened. and the reasons for these problems are of the wrong

solutions taken by, by certain invest in countries trying to to get read off other sources of energy like nuclear energy, trying to put impact on renewable sources, which are much more expensive. and now we are in a position where give you few on replaceable, i'm absolutely sure about that for any economy the western economy specifically. so i do not believe that the western countries will be able to cut off persia to purchase this over natural gas from russia. it's absolutely unrealistic. and to put it absolutely, clearly, rosser is still radiant. tow caberry with western countries on gas delivery. and we

will do to so what so ever happens in the crate mister casa, john will have to leave it there. thank you very much for speaking to us, shawn, we've been speaking to cause dean casa job, who was the deputy speaker of the russian senate john back to moscow. certainly, an interesting conversation been following it very closely here. appreciate that. right now, the south african energy mister minister says that the country is considering importing oil from russia to mitigate surging fuel prices. there, skyrocketing energy costs have hit the economy hard and the countries minister of minerals and energy now says that buying russian crude could provide a lasting solution. speaking to the countries parliament, he blamed anti russian sanctions for the global increase in energy prices. similar things. so russians do not last now was then kind as should be reminded that

economy of war dia, unleashed disproportionately beveled over and condors, lego us. and then women respond to that as their candor. will masters want to that is or can not be emotional if need be. if need be talking to deborah one of the portfolio co directly we should consider important included from leisure at a low price. now despite being pressured by the west, to sign up to the sanction, most african nations remain unwilling to give moscow the cold shoulder. south africa also abstain from voting for a un resolution. contending russia's military operation in ukraine and the country has continued strong economic cooperation with moscow. the director general of the south african institute of economic research in innovation told r t, from the sidelines of the forum that working with russia is his country's best option. currently, south africa was confronted accelerating rate of inflation driving the prices

higher is a big, big component of that is the cost of fuel for commonly known facts. south africa has no real oil resources itself. so to that extent, it is dependent on employees. we also have challenges with electricity, majestic cetera, but they all resolve around the natural resources that are not available to that extent south africa has to divest, if they cannot remain only dependent on the transnational corporations that guarantee supply that has to act on behalf of the people, not in terms of the interest of the owners of those companies. it's also important to realize south africa is also investing in renewable energy in alternatives. but those have not come on line into the extensive wellness, very good south africa to utilize fuel. it has to look at how best it can receive and working woodthrush and others make sense. for $1000000.00 deals to chance

meetings on the sidelines, we will make sure that you don't miss the moments that matter at the st. petersburg international economic form. all week long the the us president has been accused of playing blame games when it comes to us energy prices with florida governor rhonda santa stressing that he needs to take responsibility for his incompetence. he needs to take responsibility or was trying to blame other people. he's always trying to create a scapegoat in the last week. biden has also been slammed by big oil companies after he requested they ramp up production to tackle gasoline prices that have almost doubled since last year. but the industry's response wasn't exactly what the white house wanted to hear. while we appreciate the opportunity to open increased dialogue with the white house, the administration's misguided policy agenda,

shifting away from domestic oil and natural gas, has compounded inflationary pressures and added headwinds to companies. daily efforts to meet growing energy needs while reducing emissions. longer term government can promote investment through clear and consistent policy that supports us resource development, such as regular and predictable. li sales, as well as streamlined regulatory approval and support for infrastructure such as pipelines. earlier by and said big oil in action had nullified his administration's efforts to soften inflation. but the company's claim, it is the u. s. president himself, who has radically shifted focus from oil production to green energy, yet now tries to move the blame it to them. record rising inflation has coincided with a rise and distrust in fighting with his approval rating. falling to record lows over the last 3 weeks or 2 correspondent kill him up and comments. working families across america are feeling the crunch of the rising energy costs,

the high gas prices. so now we have the white out coming forward with a letter directed at oil companies in america, urging them to an oil production in order to drive the prices down and take the burden of the high costs off of americans that are frustrated with the rising costs . here is what the white house said in their letter. the crunch at families are facing, deserves immediate action. your company's need to work with my administration to bring forward concrete, near term solutions that address the crisis and respect the critical equities of energy workers and fence line communities at a time of war. historically high refinery profit margins being passed directly onto american families are not acceptable. now, oil companies would come forward and said the white house simply does not understand the industry. and they can't simply increase the amount of output this easily. it's not a matter of simply pushing a button or, or pulling a knob that there are complex issues in arranging how much oil production is amped

up or slow down. now many have also taken note of some statements made by the white house press secretary. she came forward and said that it is the patriotic duty of companies to amp up production. this is what she said will companies, they have oil refineries, they have responsibility to what they have been doing is taking advantage of the war. and as i showed earlier, they have tripled. triple their, their, their income time to act, we have done our part with the strategic petroleum reserve, the one, the 1000000 a day for the next 6 months. and so we need them to act oil companies find the statement to be particularly ironic as the policy of the white house has been pretty clearly to phase out the fuel. they are taking the opportunity of the high energy costs to push electric cars and new energy vehicles and other other.