ok, james landale, thank you very much- just let _ moment. ok, james landale, thank you very much.ou very much. just let me bring _ moment. ok, james landale, thank you very much. just let me bring you - very much. just let me bring you up—to—date with a couple of lines of information we have had. we are hearing that the capital city, kyiv administration has said it is set aside to weak reserve of essential food items in case the city is blockaded by russian forces. they are saying the 2 million kyiv residents who have not left will not be without support if the situation worsens. it was also reported that the ukrainian foreign minister had said war criminals, as he put it, abducted another democratically elected mayor. he has tweeted saying getting zero local support and calling on all states and the international community to stop the russian advance. it looks like a second mayor who has been taken by the russian forces. let's get the latest on the ukrainian refugees who've headed for poland. 0ur correspondent, danjohnson, is in krakow he gave us this update from the city's main

and i think that is our cue to say thank you and goodbye to james landale. you to gabriel gatehouse and vitaly shevchenko. thank you. and thank you for all your questions from around the world. if you've enjoyed what you heard, please subscribe to the global news podcast and indeed to ukrainecast, which you will find on bbc sounds, or wherever you normally get your podcasts. thank you. bye — bye. hello there. cloud, wind, and rain moving in from the southwest will dominate over the next few hours. it's an area of low pressure that will gradually sit towards the west of northern ireland, that's where we will see the strongest of the winds and perhaps the heaviest of the rain throughout the day this sunday. elsewhere, there is a weak weather front which will produce some showery rain through central and eastern scotland and eastern england first thing. that will ease away, sunshine comes through and a scattering of showers across england and wales, some of them heavy and thundery. the sharper showers, the most frequent rain likely to be to the northwest, that'

james landale, bbc news.hawley is here. a dreadful ordealfor a dreadful ordeal for nazanin, a dreadful ordealfor nazanin, for herfamily and friends, a dreadful ordealfor nazanin, for her family and friends, but today a resolution that we can all rejoice in. resolution that we can all re'oice in. �* , ,., , ., , resolution that we can all re'oice in. absolutely. the families have said they were _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held as _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held as hostages| in. absolutely. the families have i said they were held as hostages as bargaining chips. this was the day that they daren't believe it would ever happen. it has finally happened, they are flying home. it has been an absolute roller—coaster for the families. their whole lives have been hijacked by this, they have been hijacked by this, they have been hijacked by this, they have been campaigning hard and there have been campaigning hard and

james landale, bbc news.ll meet in brussels later on wednesday to discuss their response to russia's invasion of ukraine — the first such meeting since the invasion began twenty days ago. the meeting comes ahead of an emergency summit of 30 nato leaders next week, which president biden will attend. but as the fighting in ukraine shows no sign of abating, what, ifanything, can the defence ministers hope to achieve with today's meeting? that's a question i put to kay bailey hutchison, a former us ambassador to nato. i think they are looking at every possible way to get more arms, more of the equipment that is needed to be able to shoot down these missiles that are being launched at the ukrainian people. i think more arms is probably the biggest thing that is being asked for and as you know, president zelenskiy is talking to our congress as he did to your parliament and was certainly so well received and everyone respects him so much and we are looking forward to that happening also on wednesday, but the defence

james landale, bbc news. 20 days now and plated mission who from president zelensky saying ukraine isato may understand that we have heard for years that the doors are open to assert that we could not join years that the doors are open to assert that we could notjoin it is a truth that must be recognised and the pressure is on even though we see resistance and solidarity from the ukrainian people, they continue to fight and take on the might of the russian army but as this work continues, the bombardment continues and we see them arrive in kyiv to show their solidarity and the community continues to show its support for the country and the citizens of the country. and as this peace talks continue, there has been no draught agreement as promised yesterday and they are still attempting to make sure that they can get civilians out of those risks affected areas in the northeast and so, how this moves and how it develops very closely and now, back to those you in the in russia, thejournalist who interrupted the tv news bulletin on monday to protest against the war in ukraine has been fined

james landale, bbc news. already in russian hands. one is in south—eastern ukraine. it's one of the largest plants in the world and it alone provides a quarter of ukraine's electricity. the defunct chernobyl site, which exploded in 1986, is also under russian control. so, how worried should the world be about russia's unprecedented take over of these sites? i've been speaking to associate professor tilman ruff from the university of melbourne. he gave me his assessment of the situation at the zaporizhzhia plant. well, the zaporizhzhia plant is under russian control. there are apparently 500 russian troops now controlling that plant. there is still unexploited ammunition from the attack on the 11th of march that is making the site very hazardous, and it's clearly very congested. clearly very contested. the russian nuclear organisation apparently attempted to take over the facilities a couple of days ago, but it's still apparently being run by the normal staff. but it has really been unprecedented being subject

james landale, bbc news, southern turkey.on the ground and at home — on bbc news online, bbc.co.uk/news, or on your mobile device with the bbc news app. the conflict in ukraine and the resulting impact on the world economy will have a direct impact on food supply chains and prices in the uk, according to the national farmers' union. it points out that russian gas, now being phased out by many countries, plays a critical role in food infrastructure, while supplies of grain and oilseed depend heavily on russian production and ukrainian workers have been making up a majority of seasonal workers since brexit. 0ur economics editor, faisal islam, examines the prospects ahead. in berkshire, british arable farmers are changing their plans on short notice, today deciding to sow more wheat to make up for supply disruptions from ukraine, where some of the world's most important wheat fields are now littered with russian tanks. well, given the current crisis in ukraine, the demand for food is ever increasing. there's going to be a shorta

james landale, bbc news. james landale, bbc news. talks continuing, but the country is still suffering from the russian assault. yes, day 20 of the invasion, this war intensifies. major cities across this country are now sounding to the air raid sirens, but diplomacy is intensifying as well in many capitals as the world watches in horror to see the scale of the destruction across this country and the depth of deprivation, human deprivation, terrifying were the words used by the european secretary—general who is more used to more restraint and diplomatic language. in this context it is important that ukrainian and russian negotiators are still talking and talking in positive language about their engagement. but those who speak to president putin more directly and the statements we hear from the kremlin to give less hope for optimism. could talking about talks be a tactic of war to sound constructive at the negotiating table while the destruction continues here on the ground? what is absolutely clear is the words about ending this war

here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale.six years since nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested at tehran airport. repeated attempts to secure her release failed, so why is she being freed now? ultimately, it's because iran's revolutionary guards and judges have decided they no longer need to keep her hostage to put diplomatic pressure on the uk. that's in part because the uk has paid iran a long—standing debt. britain owed iran money for tanks sold in the 1970s but never delivered after the revolution. the uk feared paying the debt would fund terrorism and breach sanctions. but in a deal finessed by the gulf state of oman, £393 million was finally transferred to iran today, money the government claims will be used for humanitarian purposes, thus avoiding the risk of sanctions. it's not a ransom, it's a debt, and the point about debt is, first of all, we're a country that pays our debts. and secondly, if you owe a debt, you have to pay to whoever you owe it to. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe has also been released because of diplomati

james landale, bbc news, antalya.nt, gordon corera, who's at the foreign office in london and to our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, who is in the capital of ukraine. but first to our russia editor, steve rosenberg, who's in moscow. steve, president putin today claimed that russia will emerge stronger from international sanctions, how does he reach that conclusion? to be honest, i think this is wishful thinking on vladimir putin's part because the tsunami of international sanctions hitting russia threatens to cripple the economy here. today, president putin said "we will adapt, we will overcome, we will take measures against those foreign companies pulling out of russia", raising fears of nationalisation and seizing of assets but is that really the solution to rush a's problem right now? one of the richest men in russia wrote today that those kind of measures would put russia back 100 years, back to 1917, at the time of the russian revolution. vladimir putin came to power more than 20 years ago and the

james landale, bbc news, brussels.president criticising the west for ruling out a no—fly zone over his country while russian attacks continue. translation: all nato | intelligence is well aware of the enemy's plans. they've also confirmed that russia wants to continue the offensive. how is that possible? for nine days, we have been seeing a fierce war. they are destroying our cities, shelling our people, our children, residential neighbourhoods, churches, schools. they are destroying everything that ensures a normal life, human life. and they want to continue it. knowing that new strikes and casualties are inevitable, nato deliberately decided not to close the sky over ukraine. russia has faced widespread international condemnation during an emergency session of the united nations security council after missiles targeted one of ukraine's nuclear power stations. the site at zaporizhzhia, in the south—east of the country, has been seized by russian forces. the missiles hit a nearby building, and there was no radiation le

james landale, bbc news.ernational correspondent lyse doucet, who is in kyiv. the russian assault today has meant four people losing their lives in the capital, and tonight, everyone is under curfew?— the capital, and tonight, everyone is under curfew? yes, four dead, and real worry tonight _ is under curfew? yes, four dead, and real worry tonight that _ is under curfew? yes, four dead, and real worry tonight that the _ real worry tonight that the number of dead and injured is set to get worse. four hours ago, when this curfew came into force, there were loud explosions here on the north—western edge of the capital. and there was explosions, louder, more constant, have continued, like rolling thunder, sustained artillery fire, even as the assessment of us officials that the russian advance on the ground continues to be stalled, largely because of the effective resistance by the ukrainian armed forces on the ground and the effectiveness of the hour defence system here. till, as we've been hearing, as this war

james landale, bbc news.oe biden, has signed a spending bill that includes over $13 billion in security assistance to ukraine. mr biden said president putin's attack on ukraine had united people across the world, and in america, including both democrats and republicans in congress. mr biden will head to europe next week to take part in an emergency nato summit. joining me now is anders ostlund, a resident of kyiv and a contributor at the center for european policy analysis. good morning. you are amidst the 35 hour curfew. talkers through how the night has been. good morning. the night has been cold where i am. it is always a challenge in the mornings, in kyiv, to figure out what happened during the night. now i saw there was a missile attack but i have not figured out where yet. that is a pretty normal morning in kyiv these days, and it is the second two nights curfew we have had. i'm not sure exactly the reasons for this long curfew. last time it was that they wanted to clean out saboteurs and this time i pr

james landale, bbc news. joined visa and mastercard in shutting down its operations in russia and belarus. netflix has also stopped its service in russia, and tiktok has suspended all new video uploads and livestreams there. the video—sharing app said in a statement �*it had no other choice', after russia introduced its new �*fake news' law, that's aimed at limiting information about its invasion of ukraine. let's cross live now to indiana, in the united states and speak to professor george lopez from the university of notre dame. thank you forjoining us. i suppose the question is, we hear these huge names whether it's netflix or tick—tock, the list is getting longer. how much impact are they likely to be having particularly in the short term? in be having particularly in the short term?— be having particularly in the short term? in the short term is more dynamic _ short term? in the short term is more dynamic than - short term? in the short term is more dynamic than i - short term? in the short term is more

james landale, bbc news.be willing to provide military assistance to russia. it comes after an intelligence report suggested russia had asked china support. china has called the claims fake news. from beijing, here's our correspondent stephen mcdonell. a new security partnership without limits, that is what the two leaders pledged to just six weeks ago, just before the opening ceremony of the winter olympics invasion. days after the game is finished, russia attacked ukraine. china hasn't condoned the war, but it also hasn't the invasion. now, american officials are claiming beijing has been asked by moscow for military support. a foreign ministry spokesperson said this information, spread by the us, is fake. yet china has been accused by the us of spreading misinformation regarding american bio weapons in ukraine. washington says it is helping with biosafety there. if washington says it is helping with biosafety there.— biosafety there. if bei'ing could brin: their biosafety there. if bei'ing could bring thei

james landale, bbc news, brussels.fall ruling out a no—fly zone of his country as russian attacks continue. translation: mil country as russian attacks continue. translation: all nato intelligence _ continue. translation: all nato intelligence is _ continue. translation: all nato intelligence is well _ continue. translation: all nato intelligence is well aware - continue. translation: all nato intelligence is well aware of - intelligence is well aware of the enemy's plans. they have also confirmed that russia wants to continue the offensive. how is that possible? for nine days we have been seeing a fierce war. they are destroying our cities, shelling our people, our children, residential neighbourhoods, churches, schools. they are destroying everything that ensures a normal life, human life. and they want to continue it, knowing that new strikes and casualties are inevitable. nato deliberately decided not to close the sky over ukraine. the united nations is now warning that on top of the 1 million refugees who have alr

from brussels, our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, reports.sion, a chance for western ministers to take stock, gathering at nato headquarters to assess what more can be done to support ukraine and put pressure on russia. and at the centre of it all, this man, america's top diplomat, who despite all the bloodshed was determined to remain positive when we sat down to talk. do you think ukraine's defeat is inevitable?— is inevitable? there is an old sa in: is inevitable? there is an old saying that _ is inevitable? there is an old saying that the _ is inevitable? there is an old saying that the only things . is inevitable? there is an old i saying that the only things that is inevitable? there is an old - saying that the only things that are inevitable in life are death and taxes, so i don't think anything is inevitable. ., ., taxes, so i don't think anything is inevitable-— taxes, so i don't think anything is inevitable. ., ., . , inevitable. you are convinced they can win? over— inevitable. you are convinced they can win? over time, _ inevitabl

james landale, bbc news.r correspondents nomia iqbal in washington and steve mcdonnel in beijing. but first, we can talk to our russia editor, steve rosenberg, who's in yaroslav, in the west of the country. steve, russia is denying it's asked for military help, but it has admitted the war isn't going to plan. the head of the russian national guard, a powerfigure, tell the head of the russian orthodox church not everything was going as fast as they would like it in ukraine. and when i was watching flagship news show on russian state tv i noticed this used used a phrase meaning, with great difficulty to describe how the russian offensive was going. meanwhile the authorities here continued to increase their control over information. instagram became inaccessible today in russia on twitter and facebook have already been blocked. and what of the public mood? we are on a road trip to gauge the mood outside the russian capital but from the conversations i've already had today it is clear although some people here ar

james landale, bbc news.interest to host ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. jayne mccubbin has been to visit the people of one scottish village that have made it their mission to take in as many of the displaced as they can. there is kindness here in the scottish highlanders. there's so many peeple _ scottish highlanders. there's so many people out - scottish highlanders. there's so many people out there - so many people out there want to help, have opened up their homes. ,, ~' to help, have opened up their homes. ,, ~ ., homes. shelter, ithink, would be the chosen _ homes. shelter, ithink, would be the chosen word, _ homes. shelter, ithink, would be the chosen word, and - homes. shelter, ithink, would be the chosen word, and a - homes. shelter, ithink, would be the chosen word, and a bit| be the chosen word, and a bit of passion. _ be the chosen word, and a bit of passion, a bit of love. an esca -e of passion, a bit of love. an escape from _ of passion, a bit of love. an escape from their war—torn country _

james landale, bbc news, antalya. there. you've been talking to some of the leaders on the way in. what have they been saying? that's right, their meeting has now just started, and despite the formality of the setting here in versailles palace, emotions are running really high. it's the scenes of death and devastation in ukraine, but also eu leaders worrying about the impact of this crisis on their own economy at home. for eu countries further east, they worry about their security and do not trust the intentions of vladimir putin. the host of this meeting, emmanuel macron, he spoke to mr putin a few hours before this summit started and mr macron said to me that although he wanted one, a ceasefire was not yet inside, but he insisted the lines of communication have to remain open. the debate tonight looks like it's going to be a heated one. eu was talking about boosting its own defence capabilities, though the dutch prime minister said to me it is too early to talk about an eu army. some are saying it is to long to slow

james landale, bbc news. before we go tonight, let's go back to our top story.s a �*dangerous moment�* and urged everyone to stay at home. 0vernight firefighters rescued people from the rubble after russia shelled a shopping centre in kyiv, killing eight people. today, president biden held a phone call with european allies ahead of the nato and eu summits this week in which they discussed and unjustified attack on ukraine". it�*s been a dry unsettled day for most of us. it�*s been one or two showers across the western areas. a bit of cloud at times with the majority plenty of sunshine. that is how it will remain for the rest of this week with high pressure dominating this event it�*s been dry with plenty of sunshine and the isolated showers are possible. you will notice to the week it will become warmer. during the warm air up from spain, france and from biscay and more moisture so we could see the child was pushing up from the south into england and wales during the period. clouds for the north with the are showers as well. a lot of places will stay dry with cl

james landale, bbc news.son which fell to russian troops earlier this week. his name — not his real name — is 0leg. we have hideen his face in order to protect his identity as he told me what was happening in the city right now. translation: this situation is even worse than you say, l because not only did they encircle the city and occupy it, and so we can see the russian armoured personnel carriers and russian soldiers patrolling the streets of the city, we also have a full blockade on any supply routes and any movement of civilians, which is now prohibited by russians. several supply convoys, already sent by volunteers, including the red cross as well as ukrainian government, are simply not being allowed into the city despite the agreement reached between russia and ukraine at the most recent high—level talks between the governments. so this city, albeit small, is on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe as the food supplies, medicine, bottled water, all is running scarce. you can see people queueing up on

james landale, bbc news. we are expecting to hear from the...o are gathered in brussels and they are discussing what further support nato can offer to ukraine. as long as jens stoltenberg starts to speak we will go live to that. in the meantime, we go to kyiv. we have been hearing about what is happening diplomatically, about the pressure on russia. what is the latest situation on the ground they are ukraine? ~ ., , situation on the ground they are ukraine? ~ . , , ukraine? well, we have 'ust seen smoke move * ukraine? well, we have 'ust seen smoke move up h ukraine? well, we have 'ust seen smoke move up from _ ukraine? well, we havejust seen smoke move up from the - smoke move up from the north—westerly direction of the city. we have been told by the ukrainian government that they are still waiting to hear from the russian side on whether more people can be evacuated today along the humanitarian corridors, these temporary ceasefires that have seen the first few thousand people from mariupol to the south—east get evacuated. these fourth round of

the diplomatic correspondent, james landale reports.free from russian attacks. and so now there's a plan for the west to give more jets to ukraine for its own pilots to fly. america's top diplomat was visiting moldova today where he confirmed poland might give some of its warplanes to ukraine and get some american fighterjets in return. we are looking actively now at the question of aeroplanes that poland may provide to ukraine. and looking at how we might be able to backfill, should poland decide to supply those planes. what ukraine says it really wants is a no—fly zone enforced by nato in an attempt to slow the russian onslaught on its cities but nato has said no, fearing it would trigger a wider european war. most of the the destruction is coming from artillery — it's not coming from russian aircraft. and then if we were to police a no—fly zone, it would mean we would probably have to take out russian defence systems she ends and then we would have nato aircraft in the air alongside russian aircraft, and then the potential of shootin

she's always strenuously denied the allegations. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports.chard ratcliffe has come to parliament to campaign for his wife but this was the first time she came too. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has long been a victim, a hostage, a cause, with family and supporters speaking on her behalf. but today she was welcomed to the house of commons by the speaker to do the one thing she had never been free to do before, to tell her own story in her own words, in her own time, in the parliament where so many had campaigned for her release. i am very grateful... she thanked herfriends, doctors and lawyers and above all the man sitting next to her. my amazing husband who has been tirelessly campaigning for me, so thank you so much, and my daughter for being very, very patient with mummy to be coming home. i am so grateful. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe and another british—iranian detainee, anoosheh ashoori, arrived back in britain last week after being released by the authorities after britain finally paid iran an historic debt — a debt she made clear the uk could and

our diplomatic correspondent james landale has more.an troops north—west of kyiv, slowing the advance of russian forces, hoping to save their capital, and perhaps focus minds in moscow. officials from both sides continue to talk, looking for negotiated settlement. the kremlin said the discussions were positive but neither side says where the progress is being made. today though, the ukrainian president addressed a gathering of northern european leaders in london and dropped a hint of what may be a part of any future negotiated settlement. translation: ~ ., , settlement. translation: «a, , ., ., translation: ukraine is not a member of— translation: ukraine is not a member of nato. _ translation: ukraine is not a member of nato. we _ translation: ukraine is not a member of nato. we have - translation: ukraine is not a | member of nato. we have heard for many years that the door is open but we also heard we could notjoin. it is a truth must be recognised. that hint of giving up recognised. that hint of giving up the idea ofjoining nato may

our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, has more.h—west of kyiv, slowing the advance of russian forces, hoping to save their capital and, perhaps, focus minds in moscow. officials from both sides continue to talk, looking for a negotiated settlement. the kremlin said the discussions were positive, but neither side says where progress has been made. today ukraine's president address talks with european union leaders and hinted at what may be part of a future settlement. translation: ~ ., , settlement. translation: «a, , ., ., translation: ukraine is not a member of— translation: ukraine is not a member of nato _ translation: ukraine is not a member of nato and _ translation: ukraine is not a member of nato and we - translation: ukraine is not a member of nato and we had i translation: ukraine is not a | member of nato and we had for many years the doors would be open but now we heard we could notjoin. it is a truth and should be recognised. not join. it is a truth and should be recognised. that hint of aaivin should be recognised. tha

our diplomatic correspondent james landale is there.his crisis?— to this crisis? there is a lot of diplomacy _ to this crisis? there is a lot of diplomacy but _ to this crisis? there is a lot of diplomacy but not a _ to this crisis? there is a lot of| diplomacy but not a great deal to this crisis? there is a lot of. diplomacy but not a great deal of hope at the moment. the focus of the foreign ministers tomorrow is to maintain western unity, to keep pressure on russia, to keep supporting ukraine. inevitably on the margins they will be discussions about whether it is possible to end this war by talking rather than fighting. that might seem a dim prospect at the moment but there is some dialogue going on, present macron talking to president putin, diplomats putting feelers out their russian counterparts, the talks taking place between russia and ukraine. the problem is that all that is a long way from the holy grail, what officials call the diplomatic off ramp, an american phrase for the exit off a motorway. is it possible some kind of ne

i asked the bbc�*s diplomatic correspondent james landale about any early signs of peace talks. some discussions between ukraine and russia, we've seen those initial talks. there's not a great sense that these are going to produce any kind of results, simply because talks like that have to happen after some kind of stability has been reached on the battlefield, either one side has gained on the other, and we're simply not at that stage at the moment. what might be the sort of shape of a final disengagement, and agreements? i mean, there will be something at some stage, won't there? even if it's a year or ten years down the line? yes, but as you say, it might take a long time, and there are an awful lot of variables that could happen in the short term that we simply don't know how it is going to pan out. how far does the russian invasion go? how much territory does it occupy? what happens to the current ukrainian government? does it involve death or does it involve exile? what, for zelensky. . . ? for zelensky and other leaders. we simply don't know what will happen in these circ

aas the bbc�*s diplomatic correspondent, james landale, about any early signs of peace talks.e discussions between ukraine and russia. we've seen those initial talks. there's not a great sense that these are going to produce any kind of result simply because talks like that have to happen after some kind of stability has been reached on the battlefield. either one side has gained on the other, and we're simply not at that stage at the moment. what might be the sort of shape of a final disengagement, an agreement? i mean, there will be something at some stage, even if it's a year or ten years down the line. but as you say, it might take a long time and there are an awful lot of variables that could happen in the short term, that we simply don't know how it's going to pan out. how far does the russian invasion go? how much territory does it occupy? what happens to the current ukrainian government? does it involve death or does it involve exile for zelensky, zelensky and other leaders? we simply don't know what what will happen in these circumstances. what happens to the ukrainia

and speaking only exclusively to james landale, antony blinken reaffirmed the us's stance to keep us _ us planes out of the sky. we are walking, working and talking _ are walking, working and talking to the government every single _ talking to the government every single day about the needs, what — single day about the needs, what we _ single day about the needs, what we can do that would be, help— what we can do that would be, help them be even more effective in defending ukraine against — effective in defending ukraine against against this russian onslaught. 0verthe against against this russian onslaught. over the last year, the united states, i will speak for the — the united states, i will speak for the united states, we have provided — for the united states, we have provided more than $1 billion in security assistance to ukraine, _ in security assistance to ukraine, more than any previous year. _ ukraine, more than any previous year. that— ukraine, more than any previous year, that continues as we speak _ year, that continues as we seak. �* ., ,., , speak. but not saving lives.

applies in even greater measure to the actions of the russian forces. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landalet the war in ukraine. just one of the many protests across the country. the authorities said 3,500 people were arrested. independent groups said it was more then for thousand. independent groups said it was more than 4,000. this is part of what's prompting their anger, the apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilians that america's top diplomat now says could constitute a war crime. antony blinken arrived in lithuania tonight on the latest stage of a european tour as he and allies consider more support for ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which are very actively under discussion it will be implemented in the coming days. as well as taking further steps to give the ukrainians what they need to defend themselves against the russian aggression. what ukraine wants are us jets like these keeping their skies safe from russian attacks. nato has ruled out a no—fly zone but poland might give some warplanes to ukraine and get some usjets in return. in the coming days, borisjohnson wi

our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, has more.ops north—west of kyiv, slowing the advance of russian forces, hoping to save their capital and, perhaps, focus minds in moscow. officials from both sides continue to talk, looking for a negotiated settlement. the kremlin said the discussions were positive, but neither side says where progress has been made. today ukraine's president address talks with european union leaders and hinted at what may be part of a future settlement. translation: ukraine is not| a member of nato and we had heard for many years the doors would be open but also heard we could notjoin. it is a truth and should be recognised. that hint of giving up the idea of joining nato may be seen by some as a concession to this man, russia's foreign minister, who today met his iranian counterpart, and set out some of moscow's demands. translation: the neutrality position of ukraine, - security guarantees of all participants, so that no threats to the russian federation ever come from its territory. the european leaders, ho

the attack on a military base on the polish border, let's hearfrom our diplomatic correspondent james landale shift west in this conflict. the primary concern would be a mistake, miscalculation. miles from the nato border then mistakes can happen and missiles can go awry. if one of those missiles lands in poland, and causes death and devastation, what does nato do then? that is the first concern. the second concern is, is russia going to escalate this substantially by deliberately targeting perhaps weapons convoys, weapons deliveries coming from the west through poland and into ukraine? if it targets those over the border inside poland than that would be considered attack on nato, the article five provision would be triggered, and that would warrant a nato military response and a then you would have a substantial escalation. we haven't got to that point yet. this threat that came from the russian deputy foreign minister saying these convoys of western arms that are coming into ukraine were legitimate targets, what he didn't say is whether they were legitimate targets in ukraine or outside. th

james landale, bbc news, brussels. let's go back to the subject of a no—fly zone.ling out the no—fly zone while russian attacks continue. they have confirmed russia wants to continue the offensive. how is that possible? we have been seeing a fierce war for possible? we have been seeing a fierce warfor nine possible? we have been seeing a fierce war for nine days. they are shelling people, children, residential neighbourhoods, churches, schools. they are destroying everything that ensures a normal life. human life stop and they want to continue it annoying that new strikes and casualties are inevitable. nato deliberately decided not to close the sky over ukraine.— decided not to close the sky over ukraine. the un is now warnin: over ukraine. the un is now warning that _ over ukraine. the un is now warning that there _ over ukraine. the un is now warning that there might - over ukraine. the un is now warning that there might be | warning that there might be more than a million refugees who have already fled and millions more mightily as well. lucy williamson reports

james landale, our diplomatic correspondent and friend of the podcast, is at some talks in turkey thatng on. james, i think it's in antalya. what's been happening there today and is there any sense of any glimmer of light, or are peoplejust talking round in circles? well, welcome to my glamorous workspace in the hotel. - |antalya, which is an extraordinary| resort city on the southern turkish coast, has a massive strip of very large hotels. - i have to say, an awful lot of russians have i come here in the past, - so there is an irony that this was the place chosen for a little bit of turkish diplomacy. - the really strange thing - was that we all piled into this big hotel where the talks were taking place, hundreds ofjournalists, i iall of us hanging on every word, | and yet the words that came out, particularly from the russian side and mr lavrov, - was this sort of torrent of, i you know, rambling thoughts and words, and it suddenly became very clear not just making - allegations, as gabriel said, i about no invasion taking place, but sort of random stuff about biological warfare bei

our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports.ting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. this was the moment nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was finally reunited with her seven—year—old daughter gabriella and husband richard. a family torn apart for six long years, a family once more complete. so too for anousheh ashoori stop the british—iranian businessman had also been freed. an emotional reunion his family, the relief and release after so many years of detention and separation. it was, said his daughter, happiness in one picture. the years of detention ended yesterday, when they were finally allowed to fly home, freed by the iranian authorities who had held them hostage at diplomatic pawns. they arrived at raf brize norton in oxfordshire in the early hours, in good spirits, as their families watched and waited. is hours, in good spirits, as their families watched and waited. is that mumm ? families watched and waited. is that mummy? is — families watched and waited. is that mummy? is that — families watched and waited. is that mumm

credible reports�* of deliberate russian attacks on ukrainian civilians. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landalet was more then for thousand. this is part of what�*s prompting their anger, the apparently indiscriminate attacks on civilians that america�*s top diplomat now says could constitute a war crime. anthony blinken arrived in lithuania tonight on the later stage of a european tour as he and allies consider more support for ukraine and... allies consider more support for ukraine and. . .— allies consider more support for ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which — ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which are _ ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which are very _ ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which are very actively - ukraine and... additional sanctions all of which are very actively under| all of which are very actively under discussion it will be implemented in the coming days. as well as taking further steps to give the ukrainians what they need to defend themselves against the russian aggression. what against the russian aggression. what ukraine wants

our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports.rs, richard ratcliffe has come to parliament to campaign for his wife. , . , , his wife. this was the first time she came _ his wife. this was the first time she came too. _ his wife. this was the first time she came too. nazanin - she came too. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has long been a victim, hostage, because with family and supporters speaking on her behalf. but today she was welcome to the house of commons by the speaker to do the one thing she had never been free to do before, to tell her own story in her own words, in her own story in her own words, in her own time. in the parliament were so many had campaigned for her release. i am very grateful... she many had campaigned for her release. i am very grateful. . ._ i am very grateful... she thanked her friends. _ i am very grateful... she thanked her friends, doctors _ i am very grateful... she thanked her friends, doctors and - i am very grateful... she thanked her friends, doctors and lawyers l i am very grateful... she thanked

here's james landale again.hink that is an argument and place where the british want to have some sort of discussion and say, "look, if you believe in territorial integrity and countries not invading one another, then you have an interest in supporting that principle elsewhere in the world." strengthening ties with india has been a priority for this uk government. this is liz truss' third visit there, in just over a year. the uk wants to increase cooperation in defence, cybersecurity — a new treaty on that was signed today, thursday. and of course, trade. there's a future uk—india trade deal on the cards, hailed as a post—brexit prize. this former british diplomat thinks that trade deal won't be enough. i'm doubtful about whether this prize is really available anyway. various british governments have tried to do free trade deals with india — the eu has tried to do one. none of them have succeeded, and here's why — we take a warm, nostalgic, and fuzzy view of relations with india. i think the indians are ruthless

james landale, bbc news. giving us a sense of the diplomacy behind the scenes. we can speak live now to correspondent in the south of the country. you will remember this city came under bombardment. as virtually flattened as people were fleeing for their lives. many were trapped in the actual fighting and seeking shelter underground and those underground bunkers stop you very much forjoining us in the programme. just tell the reviewers for his own safety, we will not disclose his name. the russian forces have surrounded the city and have full control.— have full control. hello. the situation — have full control. hello. the situation is _ have full control. hello. the situation is even _ have full control. hello. the situation is even worse - have full control. hello. the situation is even worse than j have full control. hello. the - situation is even worse than you say because not only did they encircle the city and occupy it, and so we can see the russian personnel carriers and russian soldiers patrolling th

james landale, bbc news.ays more than one— and— a— half— million ukrainians have now fled the war since it began. the high commissioner, filippo grandi, has called it the fastest growing refugee crisis in europe since the second world war. poland says record numbers of ukrainians continue to cross the border. 0ur correspondent kasia madera sent this update from the medyka border crossing point between ukraine and poland. amongst so much uncertainty and so much destruction that has happened in ukrainejust across the borderfrom me, one thing is constant — the flow of people coming through. these people have just crossed over the borderfrom ukraine. theirjourneys to get here have been long, they've been uncertain. we've been seeing the scenes back in lviv of what has been happening as the people have been crossing into trains, crossing through with their cars, leaving their cars, running out of fuel, crossing by foot like all of these people that have just literally crossed the border here into poland, theirfirs

james landale, bbc news.sing crowds from the vatican he countered russia's assertions that it is a military operation, saying it is a war leading to death, translation: in ukraine, rivers l of blood and tears are flowing. l this is notjust a military operation, but a war that sows death, destruction and misery. the victims are ever more numerous, as well as people fleeing, especially mothers and children. the need for emergency humanitarian assistance is growing dramatically hour by hour in that martyred country. i address a heartfelt appeal so humanitarian corridors are ensured, and access to aid in the areas under siege is guaranteed and facilitated to offer life—saving help to our brothers and sisters suffering under the bombs and from fear. i thank all those who are welcoming the refugees. above all, i plead for an end to the armed attacks and that negotiation prevails and common sense as well, and that international law must be restored. now on bbc news — we look back at the last week of events in ukrain

our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports.being very, very patient with mummy to be coming home. i am so grateful. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe and another british—iranian detainee, anoosheh ashoori, arrived back in britain last week after being released by the authorities after britain finally paid iran an historic debt — a debt she made clear the uk could and should have paid many years before. i have seen five foreign secretaries change over the course of six years. that is unprecedented given the politics of the uk. i love you, richard, i respect whatever you believe, but i was told many, many times that, "oh, we are going to get you home." that never happened. there was a time that i felt like, "you know what? i'm not even going to trust you," because i have been told many, many times i am going to be taken home but that never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come help? five? it should have been one of them eventually so now here we are, what has happened now should have happened six years ago.

northern city, more than a month after moscow invaded the country. 0ur diplomatic correspondent, james landale to? what will mean in practice, essentially _ responded to? what will mean in practice, essentially it _ responded to? what will mean in practice, essentially it will - responded to? what will mean in practice, essentially it will mean | practice, essentially it will mean that instead of pulling back from their operations, the be redeploying those troops elsewhere. the way this was couched by russian ministers made this announcement was to train foster and encourage mutual trust between both sides in the western response to that has been a huge scepticism. western officials see no seriousness of the russian side of negotiations and we think this is the tactical exercise playing for time. promising not to invade ukraine and not attack certain targets in the attack civilian targets. the prime minister says let'sjudge russia's targets. the prime minister says let's judge russia's actions targets. the prime minister says let'sjudge russia's actions not targets. the prime minister says let

morning as ms zaghari—ratcliffe was met by her husband and daughter. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. this was the moment nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was finally reunited with her seven—year—old daughter gabriella and husband richard. a family torn apart for six long years, a family once more complete. so too for anousheh ashoori, the british—iranian businessman had also been freed. an emotional reunion his family, the relief and release after so many anoosheh ashoori, who was detained in iran for 5 years, it was, said his daughter, happiness in one picture. the years of detention ended yesterday, when they were finally allowed to fly home, freed by the iranian authorities who had held them hostage at diplomatic pawns. they arrived at raf brize norton in 0xfordshire in the early hours, in good spirits, as theirfamilies watched and waited. is that mummy? is that mummy, gabriella asks. mummy! that's mummy. yes, it was. there with the families was the foreign secretary, whose diplomats and money had helped secure their release. i think it'

our diplomatic correspondent james landale was there and asked mr blinken whether he thought vladimirent to which virtually everything present putin over the years has said he wants to prevent, he has in fact precipitated by his actions. ouc knows the very alliance that he wants to try to blow apart, nato, coming together in ways that we haven't seen in years or even decades. the ukrainian people that he wants to subjugate united in their opposition to russia. in 201a, before russia first went into ukraine, the crimea, to the donbas, his attitude in ukraine was largely positive. now, roughly 90% of people in ukraine hate russia because what he has done. the united states secretary of state antony blinken. the uk says it will amend legislation so it can move faster with sanctions against oligarchs and businesses with links to president putin. it comes as the government faces criticism that it has taken too long to target people associated with the russian leader. i'm joined now by our political correspondent nick eardley. good to see you, nick. so is this going to allay some of those c

james landale, bbc news. we have got some breaking news to bring in now.united states has called russia a terrorist state and says that they should be treated as such. that is the ukrainian special envoy to the united states: russia eight have reversed satan said that they should be treated as such. he also said that they are open to negotiations and peace talks but he continued to say that russia, as far as they are concerned, cannot be trusted. that is the ukrainian envoy to the united states speaking and saying that russia is a terrorist state and that they be treated as such. he said we cannot trust russia even though we are willing and open to go into peace talks and negotiations. well, as we have been a reporting, united nations has said, over 1.5 million people have now fled ukraine and the fighting here in this country. tens of thousands of them have them passing through here in western ukraine and making their way to the various borders. ukraine has at least five different borders on the west and the south that people can flee to. rob has the late