the, the, we must start by recognizing that returning to ukraine's pre 2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. and this person to be staying with nato member nations. the us defense secretary rebuffs the idea that 2 trains pre 2014 quarters have numerous and present russians to this in alexander finnic will be released from the u. s. jail. his attorney tells r t t. the news follows most of freeing a former us and se employee convicted of the drug traffic. donald trump head scope the swamp could set the stage for negotiations on i think this could be the very important element. it could be a big part of it, actually, because it could be a big, important part of getting the war over with you. great. the

also a head this all or the russian m. o. d confirms striking ukrainian military drew production plan's sound, a temporary deployment site for foreign mercenaries, as most of the day is one minutes past 8 pm and mon bosses and this the bowl in here in moscow. welcome to r t and the international news. we begin with breaking news. the us defense department chief has a 9 step, restoring ukraine to its pre 2014 borders as a number starter. as regards the conflicts piece process, we must start by recognizing that returning to ukraine's pre 2014 borders is an unrealistic objective, is chasing this. illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering. finally, we hear from a top us official, the us secretary of defense,

that this is just a pipe dream. this idea that ukraine is going to get its hands on cry me a, and this is after 11 years since 2014 of us officials saying over and over that they're not gonna recognize you crimea as a russian territory that it's occupied by russia. and that the peninsula just belongs to ukraine. i said, very early on, that should russia do so? there would be consequences for not recognizing what has happened and crime is together. we have rejected any notion that there is any legality in russia's efforts to annex crimea. we do not recognize russia's attempt to annex crimea. we agree to disagree with russia on that front. and our crimea sanctions against russia will remain in place until rusher, returns the peninsula to the correct in moscow, eventually has to end its occupation of ukraine's sovereign territory. crime may

is still sovereign territory of ukraine, even on the state department website. you can still find this wild claim that just doesn't correspond to reality, that the u. s. is, does not and will not recognize, cry me a crime is democratic decision to become part of russia, which the website calls an annexation. right? but there's also another big take away from what the us secretary of defense said, because this also ties into another thing that the us said that the or, or rather that russia is that it was one of its goals in the military operation to prevent ukraine from being becoming part of nato and the secretary defense just said that this idea that ukraine might get nato membership is not going to be on the table for any sort of peace negotiation. the united states does not believe that nato membership for ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement. instead,

any security guarantee must be backed by capable european and non european troops. if these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to ukraine, at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non need omission. and they should not be covered under article 5. there also must be robust international oversight of the line of contact to be clear as part of any security guarantee. there will not be us troops deployed to ukraine. this all comes submit a prisoner swap between washington and moscow. what more can you tell us about that? that's right, well although trump hasn't yet been able to broker any sort of peace deal like he promised on the campaign trail, he has been able to negotiate with the russian authorities that negotiate this a prisoner swap that has seen the former school teacher, mark fogel returned to the united states, and this deal really looks like it's

a chief more progress towards any sort of piece deal being cut between the united states and russia than anything we've seen over the past 4 years. because you've been, trump said, i mean this is a moments that is going to perhaps present the 1st step into building that sort of report between the united states and russia. it's going to be needed to cut any sort of peace deal. very fair, very, very fair, very risk not like deals you've seen over the years. they were very fair. that's going to lead and would have somebody else is being released tomorrow that you will know. but we wanted to get this done very important and see what it actually fly over and get mark and get them on properly because that could be a pretty tough trip. goodwill. in terms of the work, i think this could be the very important element. you could be

a big part of it actually because it could be a big, important part of getting the water over with you grand. and we appreciate present inputs and was what he, what he did, he was able to pull it off for you, right. he was able to pull it up, we think, and you're here. so it was great. will to a little bit more about it tomorrow, but i think we made great progress. progress on the war. also getting the worst i want to get the war ended. just as evening is a very important evening for ending that was and i think they all want to see a dentist. now the kremlin spokesman dimitry pest golf, also commented on this exchange. and what he said, a lot of what he said actually echoed what we just heard from trump piece that essentially that this deal could perhaps begin to sort of improvements in the currently low level of trust between russia and the united states to a good starting point. and you also said that a russian will be exchanged,

the russian citizen currently being held in the united states will be exchanged for mark fogel. and that this deal was the result of very intensive negotiations. as we stated earlier, work through the relevant departments has intensified. there were contacts and the result of these contacts was the release of fogel, as well as one of the russian citizens who is currently being held in prison in the united states. so, but this russian citizen will be returned back to russian in the upcoming days. naturally, any agreements on the release of citizens are proceeded by very, very meticulous negotiations configured our family's lives are certainly a positive sign of potential song and relations. what's the likelihood we can see more positive developments? well, according to russian foreign minister, circ, a live rob that we heard from today, also commenting on this, this deal that was cut and the potential for future peace negotiations. i mean, he said that there are some 3rd parties that might feel sort of left out of

a piece deal that's cut between the us and russia. specifically, the european union utilize it, but it was more than it was due to the world awaits a possible meeting between president putin and trump a category she could this meeting help improve relations between the 2 countries and lead to an agreement on resolving the ukrainian crisis. 3rd, sure, this new to us of the do you think the whole world is waiting? i don't think it is. as you still, there are those who believe that any contacts between moscow and washington seem to infringe upon the interest of europe has begun to use the mouth of ty tell us if we could declare that without europe, nothing can be discussed. the tools, it seems they have felt the place in the world hierarchy to which they have relegated themselves, but it will not be so easy to get out of it. as for the direct issue of contacts, president trump has repeatedly said that he is ready and willing to make phone calls and is ready to meeting pass a mr. president putin has said that he's ready for that as well. the decision you

understand will be made directly by the president, sort of and i have no doubt to present relevant information will be provided also. now and all of this, obviously it's also important to understand who crane's position and all this because according to ukrainian media reports key of is becoming increasingly concerned that the west is just going to leave its proxy state out of negotiations altogether, especially because russia has made it clear, it doesn't really see a lot. and there's the lensky as having the authority to sign off on any sort of legitimate piece deal, especially because she is in power way past as presidential term pretty much just through the barrel of a gun. and ukraine has a lot of other problems. of course, i mean, they're facing some serious depletion of manpower. that's actually forcing them to really campaign hards to get 18 year olds to sign up for military contracts. and with this depletion of resources and ukraine's de dependents on the west for pretty much everything at this point. i mean, we're looking at a situation where ukraine may very soon stop trying to entice 18 year olds to join

this me grinder and start forcing them of the and yet more breaking news to bring you on the program. the russian presidential spokes person has confirmed that not them are put in has held a phone call with us president donald trump. the call lasted on our and a half the leaders discussed prisoner exchanges between russia and the united states. as well as the resolution of the ukraine conflict, trump, i'm not saying that he favors a speedy at csw far. a lot of them are putting, also speaking in favor of a piece of. busy settlement the iranian nuclear program, the middle east conflict, also at touched upon in the 90 minute at telephone call as well. the russian leader also invited donald trump to moscow with the leaders agreeing to continue

paving the way for future talks. it is the 1st time they have spoken since the us president entered, doable office for the 2nd time will bring you more updates on this uh, pretty seismic, uh, development as it comes all rights more big news emerging, the us is set to release russian citizen, alexander, vinegar and exchange fraud ready, fried former u. s embassy employee mark forego. we've been sentenced the 14 years for drug smuggling, not as lead to be part of the telephone conversation at between at put in um from earlier at today. mr. vicks attorney confirmed the swap to r t. now the computer programmer was arrested in greece in 2017 on washington's request. he was charged with money laundering through illegal crypto currency schemes. while i'm delighted to say that we can cross live now to parse and speak

to alexander phoenix, attorney frederick below. thank you so much for your time and what must be very busy day for you on a happy one as well. i imagine the prisoners swap has come out of the blue for us, at least. can you tell us just how it came to be? well, and we are indeed very, very happy if that's in use that who weighs big things while we're really expecting for very long time. so we are, yesterday are very meaningful. the information, you know, there is that there's definitely, yeah, was really easy. and so on radio and i would save and cost and to the end relations with mr. forget that tony sucks activities and the run the big man as a call yesterday getting these up and stuff will be on was on board. so we are expecting very much to have the good news assume you don't use today or was a arctic sound of you need and need to turn that was that mr. you need we'd be

a chance reset with mr. field. yeah. and so we are very, very happy or such, and he was absolutely which side if you can tell us, was 1st to initiate negotiations about this one as well as the cities that when you start slow, i was not i bought those as well as these last summer uh, forgive me the was very much disappointed and the contacts the, the media and tried, you know, to, to attracts attention off because the us people of the american people about the forget a situation, the restaurant. so on my side and i decided to visit the arctic sound of vintage and some guy that jail it's concept that leads uh, one of our driving from san francisco. so we had a non contact meeting and i visited him and i saw that it was very much depressed by the situation that was really bad for him. uh, yeah, the issue is we, we need something. uh yes, the issue is a site because he bought an issue and he was pretty much depressed. but i mean,

can you contact with the spinning of whether you could visit with him and frost was the nasal nation as you know. and it was almost a st. jude just the distance between the 34 and united russia. so no relation with his family. and so i decided, you know, to, to try something on my side. i met as many people as possible to push on the needs case. and i find the b a i in many ways that assess subsidies under warranty reg, man authorities or full deals. and we decided to set something to see if we could push in for direction to, to uh our clients. really ease them to be part of the next while and uh its or to, to, to be the case. so we are very, very happy off of corporation. and we are a very resourceful and to the representatives that us so so it is a fall to make the swear. i've been on the work that you put in the travel they

then meeting with officials. can you give us a, a time from how long does that take, how difficult was the, the negotiation process for you? well, 1st, i mean, as you know, i tried to fix it, gets attention officer russian authorities. i wrote it to the prosecute the office of law school and rhodes, who's a bunch of out of these and all of them responding to me and they told me, is that they were very much paying attention about at least the village situation. as you know, he lost his wife, was a very strong and very concerned, you know, and he could not do anything. he wasn't young for us and could not visit need or, and he had 2 kids, he's most ice white ford. so everybody was very much moved by, by this time anybody hear me, you might be there, we got a situation. so we'd find that you know, to catch the attention of us society. so i rode several times as

a special invoice for hostages to the us president. and i tried to, to met people today in the us send it to to, to make, i mean, i would say, and that's nice. you know it too. it's why mr. levine, age, i seen oscar potential candidates for for, for a slap. so getting closer to genetic, he's getting closer to the, to our tony's to us. so tony's a to former and 4 inches us presidential hostage. these people in charge of us securities and just to explain, but my clients, these in a sense that he has an over on hands. and it's at the very much these are to be, to be exchange and to be sent back home on the fritz without labor clear today. when did it become evident, that the, the swap of sorts would involve a former us embassy stuff or mark fogel as well. uh, well, you know, its,

we are not, we understood that the, the 6 you with these services i was discussing with, between themself as a tony is, you know, we, uh, we have external, you know, we don't pass the page. and so we only go stations, but any way we decide you know, to, to push, and we try to catch the attention of the decision makers to our clients on boards, and as that's why they need to have for also for my clients. and i know that's a mouthful goes, i tony's experience as much as include as well for, for their clients to be easy, sign boulevard, and a chance. and we, that was a russian citizen. you mentioned that there in, in quite the vivid detail, alexander phoenix, health and on how it's deteriorated during his time in, in prison. what does he like now? what's his condition indeed, when he find i thought he was going to be released. i imagined that help correctly

a well i think he's very, very happy. i think he's very much. we leave the because swap westfall game, you know, the best option. and he was risking to be in jail for 50 years meetings that he would never see her again. these are these countries that he wouldn't never see. again, he's finding the kids and you cannot tells them either when he was going back home . so from time to time, he was having some color with these kids and this keeps aware of the more every day, almost, you know, every time that works, okay. what would that be when you go back home? you know, when we have, we don't, when we are going to see you and you're going to say you cannot supply is that was really great thing for him. because he could not give a day to speak with notes as a deeper of the time where he wouldn't be going back home, you know, to see them at the entrance exam. and it's all again, you know, what was his lowest point? would you say?

i would say that when he was sent to g, g, u. s. he was very much scared or because he was so keen, not aware about what we go on there. so when he was a strategist perform false, it was on august the 4th, 2022, which was very thoroughly called for him. because we'd find, you know, as much as we could to, to block the stops, you know, is the 6 tradition. we managed once mine, but unfortunately these are sick on time every single as well called unique heat in a week. we could not formally go to point to a few moments. you destroy the point of view, you know, brought against expectations, a vanity. if we lost, you know, as a european, uh, sports for you mind rights to, to prevent from us from ex tried a junior team. unfortunately, you do not work. and we see that being to try on uh,

running before is that is your resolution. and for me towards a such a big disappointment, not to be protected, see the entropy signs for, for, for, for maybe a no, no return either way. and the reason seems to, which was us. so that's very, very scary and the proceeds to inform you anything more than good. what's your time? just one more on. know when he is released at on the he has had time to recuperate, spends time with his family. of course. do you know what he wants to do going forward or i seems that he just wants to be in peace with this. somebody just want to be with this kid. i say yes or lot of to a to, to tell them because they lost the most or, and you know, it was a, is it where it was of the father for so many years. so father was a kind of fun to me, you know for, for them. and you was, it was like a ghost. so it was a news actually was existing,

easy. we're contacting the discussing with the team training sometimes have some video with him, but he's gonna touch it. so i things are. so going to just spend really a lot of time all together. well, well don't to, to your team on for getting this through. it's a new start for alexander authentic, and we wait to see what he does. indeed in the future after you say he gets that rest and recuperation time and we've been speaking to friends attorney and mr. frederick belo. thank you sir. thank you. thank you. thank you. very much. all right, let's turn this developments into ukraine conflict. the russian defense ministry has confirmed a successful missile. i will strike on several of kids military drilling, production plans on a temporary deployment site for, for an mercenaries. ortiz role on cost rep can tell us more about what was it. the russian armed forces launched

a group this all attack against the ukrainian military industrial complex. according to the defense ministry rush just successfully struck factories producing unmanned aerial vehicles as well as f b. b, drones, apart from that group, missile attack, rushes aircraft, drones, missiles and artillery also damaged the infrastructure view, creating the mid 3 air field, the fuel storage facilities, and temporary deployment points for foreign mercenaries. now, russia's defense finished free states and that's large concentrations of crating on forces were struck in at least $139.00 various districts. meanwhile, the rush of former president and the car and the deputy head of the security council. the treatment that if issued a statement says, saying that's the concepts of peace, bruce frank sometimes works. peace through strength. you say sometimes that concept does look like when it expires. is the real balance of power? not some fantasy. take today and kia, for example,

after our missiles and drones arrived, even so such actions on to enough to knock sense into those can legitimate by food and safe shaking from fear and drunk withdrawal. bible nonsense on camera, about trading territories. the only cure for them is to feel russian again, just as the us president advised. meanwhile, here in gore left their retreating ukrainian army continues to fire indiscriminately targeting civilian population. at least 42 people have been wounded here since the beginning of february. apart from the drones that target civilian vehicles, public transport, and ambulances, ukrainian, the militants are also using cluster munitions in the residential areas is hoped that said, they advance some of the russian army at this particular front will soon put an end to the 11th to struggle with the locals, against the freight and aggression from on, call for archie, from the outskirts of goal of car in the people's republic. now,

when the american president insist the u. s. could take over guys, after locals are relocated, displace palestinians continue to return home. and the differential from us israel to 6 fire. this video footage shows the devastated part all the and they have virtually white dots in the it's really offensive. it's that tell, i'll how want neighborhood of kansas city where dozens of multi story buildings once the area has been reduced to rubble locking, washer electricity, those returning save up despite the overwhelming odds, they'll never again leave their homes who guides most up soon. everyone has pitched attendants on the ruins of their houses. this proves that we clean to our land and do not want to leave it. we will stay on our land and to feed our enemy, god willing totally. how can i tell how i used to be full of life and an attractive destination for people, but now it is destroyed and lifeless. it is not the same as before. we thought that when we returned home, we would rebuild our lives and our homes. unfortunately,

we found no life and no home. we feel that life is getting harder every day. and even those palestinians return home to ruins, there's really officials are insisting that a buffer zone be created in northern gals that move with car parts a near kilometer of land along the enclaves. entire border where a 3 meter high fence currently stands warmer is really national security minister then cuz here is a leader of the party behind the proposal. and since it's simply a security measures in recent days, these hands had been recorded roaming just 300 meters from the border fence near in the hall was right before the astonished eyes of the hall of residence. this is an in comprehensive well reality, especially after october 7th. we cannot return to the situation that existed before . however, in order to restore security, to the state of israel and to the gaza envelope, in particular, we must return to fighting and destroy from us or palestinian rights activists you

off the highway is of the due. the buffer zone is simply an excuse for pushing on with the id as offensive and gaza. you know, out of the government and the days e commerce news goes by dr. do you smoke on cell name? is that the same kind of sinking is no way to answer the answer right? how's reset drum code info, expansion of photos dependents being as forms of your guys up and the jewish home because folder united states to take ownership or for guys. oh. so he actually mall explains in ben green when he goes for expansion or for everybody built on this one of our bathrooms on integrate software names. i spoke to speak about about how long it's not that baffles on the know the social security isn't key legs on there as

a suggestion and can for the same. yeah, certainly like to have that. and then there is a kidding, so i mean it's so fully line it is a come on boxes to declare security area and toyota security as a know to, to create a multiple listing as soon as possible. so genocide, compare ok. let's return now to our breaking news. vladimir putin on us president donald trump, have spoken by phone for an hour and a half. the leaders discuss prisoner exchanges between the 2 countries on the resolution of the ukraine conflict with the iranian mutual our program and at least studies also on the agenda. the russian leader invited donald trump to moscow and both agree to continue paving the way for future thoughts and especially knew them as it gets to the telephone conversation between president pollutants and the president of the united states. donald trump has just ended, it was a very long telephone conversation. it lasted almost an hour and

a half. they discussed issues related to the exchange of russian and us citizens. the present of the united states assured that the american side would fulfill all the agreements reached the topic of a settlement, and ukraine was also discussed. president trump spoke in favor of an early into hostilities and a peaceful solution to the problem. president putin, for his part, mentioned the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict. and he agreed with trump that a long term settlement can be achieved through peaceful negotiations. during the conversation, they discussed the middle east regulation, the uranium nuclear program, as well as bilateral russian american relations. in the economics fear, the russian president invited the us president to visit moscow. they also agreed to continue personal contacts, including organizing a personal meeting. that's what i wanted to tell you, which i think that's quite a comprehensive update. well, let's welcome live onto the program like john couple lick senior research editor to come modeling analysis on trade relations expert as well. john,

thanks for your time. what does this signify? is the 1st contact the leaders of the 2 countries have had in, in years going back through by next cetera. and what does it indicate a there's an inevitability to what we've just heard the, you know, now a hour and a half. so we divide by half in terms of the interpretation in translation, but still a really remarkable moment coming on the release of the, of mr. vogul. but i think it's really critical for everyone to remember the donald trump is transactional, president pollutants transactional. in this particular case piece, where ukraine is a, is a multi chapter book, or present a problem. it's the 1st chapter that's most important then for him. that 1st chapter is all about the ceasefire. everything that comes after that comes after

that. so what you're going to see is president trump focusing like a laser on getting the fighting to stop and then everything else talking about a just peace and pro and territory trading of the rest of it. that's secondary right now. he's focused on one thing, getting both sides to stop shooting at one another, because then he can declare victory. he can say by stop the killing of the handsome man and women in russia and ukraine, and then we move forward. so i think it's really important that people not get too excited, that okay pieces there. we have to separate out the components of that piece. they're, they're very male may be opposition from, from t of, but regardless, nevertheless, do tops know around pop. they absolutely do. and you know that.