think there's the questions that i need to speak to my prime minister ukrainian president vladimir, is the lensky. he made it clear even before russia's offensive began. the key of was considering scrapping. the budapest memorandum that prevents ukraine from having nuclear weapons. all things considered the west seems to have its wires crossed when it comes to who is provoking a possible nuclear conflict. here mr. brewton has, doesn't want to unnecessarily escalate matters in nato knowing how paranoid native already is deployment of nuclear capable weapons is a signal that if nato wants to escalate that capability is there for mr. burton? i think that that's one of the things that kid could be discussed if, if the west and, and the russians can get together and talk. and, but the fact that nato countries, in fact do have nuclear weapons isn't, is, is another signal that it's not a defensive organization, that's not a defensive alliance. because when you have nuclear weapons, that's a, those are offensive. and i think that those and i think that, that undermines the argument by native itself, that

is capable of hitting russian soil from ukraine. he stirs the pot when he does that. that is not why he is doing it. i think he has recognized the same thing that vladimir is a lenskiecognized. they are in for a -- vladimir zielinski has realized. neither side seems to be interested at all in a cease-fire, let alone a diplomatic settlement to the fighting. lisa: the damage is escalating. there is an idea that russia is saying, we will allow some of this to export. we are -- 98% of the grain is imported. if you relieve some of the sanctions -- the western nations said, no chance. how do you deal with a nation willing to hold the world's food supply hostage. >> we will see how long they can stick with that position. just like the west, u.s., germany and france have to worry about internal divisions and how their interactions play, internationally. putin got hammered pretty good by african leaders, late last week, for holding up the grain shipments. it is not clear that he can sustain that for a long period of time himself. he is also focused on the court of international opinion. not a lot of countries have lined up behind the european democracies. he knows that and

the ukranian leader today? what would be satisfactory for vladimir is lensky was in the message that they are going to bring is, as it micron has already mentioned, is one of, of unity with ukraine. but it remains to be seen exactly what can be offered. it's important to also understand that both germany and france, i'm major players and major donors to what the europeans have already given her in terms of weaponry, which amounts to around 2000000000 euros worse. but sir, how long is a piece of string laudermill zalinski pretty much every day, or certainly ukrainian officials every day or calling for more heavy, more, more artillery, more weaponry, to, to push back this onslaught. but it seems to be happening in the east. so it remains to be seen exactly what kind of weapons they are going to agree to say. and i think it's highly unlikely that we will get a clear statement as to the type of weaponry from micron and, and schultz are but sir, yeah, that there are concerns here amongst ukrainians. that there is some sort of concession re movement that may be being put together and being led by france and germany,

aid wouldn't stop russian advances, saying it will only further prolong the wall is undeterred, ukraine's president vladimir lensky. hold for more weapons in a speech to luxembourg, parliament outlining the enormity of what ukraine has already lost. standing with it, wouldn't it be going to ruin mobile by herself today? the occupiers control almost 20 percent of our territory. my that's almost 125000 square kilometers. this is much larger than the area of all the ban alex countries combine and neutral rosalyn and almost 300000 square meters are contaminated with unexploded mines and ammunitions scenario them leaky mirrors involved russian forces are pushing forward towards ukrainian, held cities in the dumbass region the shelling here is relentless. russia now controls most of the city of soviet donetta, closing in on full control of the loo, hunt's grayson of the dumbass will. our correspondent, ne conley is in cave, and he told us more about the area. the cover is a 5th of ukraine, the president, zalinski asserts, is now under russian control. boeing suits crimea, and the areas in east and on best that russia co

is now into it's 4th month, which suggests that russian president vladimir putin underestimated badly. the resistance his forces would encounter. the kremlin is also up against a telegenic opponent, ukrainian president ballade, to meet the lensky whose team includes former tv producers, skilled in the battle for hearts and minds. on this special edition of our program . a listening post timeline, a chronology of our reports from the build up to the invasion right through the messaging and the global medias. news coverage. our starting point is 6 weeks before the war began. january 15th, 202-210-0000 russian troops amassed on or near the border with ukraine. moscow and washington, both sticking to their positions in negotiations over nato, expanding to the east. out of the west, headlights, reminding us the stakes are high. and russia state approved meetings, if not beating, at least tapping the drums of war on the surface, it all sounds very 2014, when russian forces invaded ukraine and annexed crimea. only a lot of things have changed since then. absolutely, you don't have the sort of war frenzied by that you did in 2014, one of the state, dd hosa really cropping at the mouth overview crime. and there are few reasons for that

several cities elsewhere in the country. president, ville autumn is a lensky, went to see the damage in one southern city for himself. a rare excursion outside of key for vladimir zalinski to make alive in southern ukraine, where the ukrainian leader, normally running operations from the capital. keith could witness at 1st hand the devastation wrought by russian artillery. his visit comes a day after a russian strike kill 2 people, an injured 20 in the city. it's been under constant barrage by russian forces since the invasion began on february 24th meek, alive lies on the way to the key strategic black sea port of odessa. the fiercest fighting is in the dumbass region to the east, which moscow's forces have been trying to seize for weeks. the russians have pounded the region with air raids, artillery and rockets, of thoroughly frightened rachelle and continues periodically every 10 minutes. and there's a pause for 20 to 30 minutes, and then again for 6 hours, during official, so better equipped, russian forces have made significant gains in both the loo, hans, and donnette screens that make up the dumbass 3rd through either way in dumbass, the focus of the inv

fighters on the pills have been shot 3 times, but he still continued the fight. ukrainian president vladimir lensky, have claimed that keel is being pushed towards unfavourable agreements with russia . stressing that the world is tired of the conflict. this comes as some western media outlets and politicians seem to be edging away from their previous victory for key of at all cost stance. questions have been raised that run against the narrative, ranging from whether ukraine should consider territorial concessions to reach peace . to pondering if the country can win at all. if cheers and moscow are headed for a multi year or even multi decade, frozen conflict, we will need to push ukraine towards its most realistic rather than its most ambitious military strategy. morale among the ukranian troops is reportedly suffering brushing command as a concentrating massive firepower on ukrainian positions. what has happened of the past several months is western politicians, western media, the mainstream media, which have complete dominance again many over the information's fear in the west. they, they built this, this bubble of unreal

the european union promise is progress on ukraine's bid to join the block. the commission chief ursula founder line makes a surprised trip to keep the president vladimir lensky warns he also needs progress on getting more ammunition to his troops. coming up later, marching to stop the slaughter. thousands joined, protest across the united states, demanding stricter gun controls and an end to mass shoot. and it's back to mass testing and lockouts for millions in china, restrictions are re imposed as new coven 19 cases emerge in shanghai and bay j. ah. i'm nick spicer. welcome to the program. the european union is promising a rapid assessment of ukraine's membership application commission. chief ursula founder line has made a surprise visit to keith. ukraine submitted its request to join back in march. brussels will say next week whether will be given candidate status. as to me, you are so welcome. lee with momentum seemingly shifting in moscow's favour. ukrainian president was clearly pleased to see ursula on the lion again top of their agenda, ukraine's e u membership bid. the european commission chief is promising progress soon. zalinski and the president o

he still continued to find the cranium. president vladimir lensky has claimed that gives being pushed towards unfavourable agreements with russia. stressing that the world is tiring of the conflict is comes as some western media outlets seemed to be edging away from their previous victory for kids at all costs. now, while questioning the ultimate goals which ukraine wants to achieve, if kids and moscow are headed for a multi year or even multi decade, frozen conflict, we will need to push ukraine towards its most realistic rather than its most ambitious military strategy. morale among the ukranian troops is reportedly suffering. russian command is a concentrating, massive fire power on ukrainian positions. western media also stresses that the conflict has left the us looking hawkish. that's as russian troops advance on the front lines. something that the media has been avoiding, reporting for quite some time and confidence among ukrainian soldiers declines earlier. i discussed the change of narrative with investigative journalist, edward's all libertarian national committee, vice chair ivan full fry, and former u. s. air force lieutenant colonel. karen kra

the program. if i am president vladimir lensky has pay to revisit the troops on the southern front line, as well as defending a russian onslaught in the don bastere credit army is successfully fighting off attempts by russia to seize the entire black seacoast, including the city of odessa. lou inspecting the devastation with his own eyes, ukraine's president followed amid zalinski on his 1st tour of the southern front. in the strategic port of odessa and the embattled city of mc alive, the president awarded metals to the soldiers and doctors defending the front lines . his visit comes only a day after a russian strike killed 2 people, an injured 20 in mc alive, despite constant russian shelling in ukraine south. the main conflict remains focused on the don best in the east. through i'd weary the focus of the invaders is now on the cities of seattle dynamics. combat moved to help to improve the tactical position. the enemy tried to conduct assault operations outside the city, gone, but was unsuccessful between them all. over the past few months, russia has taken control of almost all of the east and lou hunt's province, largely due to an overwhelming artillery a

let me, the lensky, the ukraine's president has throughout said he would sit down with vladimir putin, who would only want to send is foreign minister even if that bass, the status right now. one thing is pretty much common knowledge that the fighting will continue until both sides, including rushes, present value, me uprooting. feel that nothing more is to gain in the battle field, and that it's time to actually sit down and talk to w. c. that gladys, i'm sure you're lucky if not. thank you. michelle, you are cindy w still to come a controversial kiss. in the new movie about buzz lightyear has got the film land from more than a dozen countries will get more on why they've taken against one of pick sauce biggest money. but 1st, a few other stories related to the war in ukraine. european commission president, also a funder line is in israel for talks with prime minister natalie bennett. they hoped to step up energy corporation from the line said russia is black mailing europe over energy and the continent urgently needs alternative suppliers. israel is exploring several ways to transport gas will be the 2 europe ways

leaning into parliaments and combat fatigues, welcoming road leader is on the streets of war torn key ukraine, president vladimir lensky as a flare for public relations, winning the world's hearts and minds. one photo op. at a time. he was a comedian. he had never held political office before. 2019 didn't know anything about public policy, but he is indisputably the right man for the job because he knows how to communicate. and he knows how to communicate and brilliantly and russian which drives vladimir putin crazy. right. a photo genic president too by comparison, is making vladimir putin cpr game full flat. lacking the digital saving us or panache, putin has stuck to his old playbook media personalities. parroting is talking points alongside his own, turgid personal performances that would give even the best communications team, little to work with. that contrast, volota me or 2 point oh versus vladimir, one point o was o fool display in last week's victory day speeches. absolutely, you pretty young. lemme lemme for girls. but if you're you, boss, serious on the will not regret. president putin and his suit looked v

regular phone calls with russian president vladimir putin as well, where they, the ukranian president, viola, democracy, lensky. but both have stress several times is that they will not talk about the future of ukraine without ukraine. so that's very important for them and what micron just sat and mildly to several thinking in ukraine that this might be an idea of france of germany, of having something like a minced 3 agreement. and that something that a ukrainian presidential advisor told german media to day hoping that that will not be the case. but of course both of both of them want to go there. want to show that as a sign and that something had both sholtes and macro have stressed several times. while the german chancellor has phased heavy criticism for not visiting key of sooner, criticism has been coming from ukraine and also here in germany. why has he taken this long to pay the visit? we had the german for a minute son, alina bab, oak, she was in cave. she was also in butcher. what charles himself has dressed several times that he will not just go there for a photo opportunity and then go out as many western politicians have done. so this

the app. ah, ah, this is d w. news, and these are our top stories. the leaders of germany, france, italy, and romania have met with ye christ president vladimir lensky on their 1st visit to ukraine. since the russian invasion or for pledged their support for.

leaders have called the attack abominable and a war crime. president vladimir lensky says about 1000 people were in the building at the time of the attack. a tank of chlorine gas is fallen from a crane, the jordanian ports of africa. kelly, at least 12 people. and these 260 people were reported injured. that he's living near by were told to stay at home and keep their windows closed. police in india have arrested the co founder of the top a fact checking a website. old news mohammed zubair has been a vocal critic of the government in his cold out hate speech by hindu right wing groups on the internet. police accuse him of provoking religious outrage towards between the dorian government and indigenous leaders aimed at ending at 2 week long national strike set to restart on tuesday morning. 7 hours of talks on monday failed to reach an agreement. leaders want a bigger cut to fuel prices. the president is promising, as well as a halt to mining on indigenous lat, headlines, more news coming up right after the st. on counter the call, central banks take decisive action and bring in aggressive rate hikes to try and bring sore, and consumer prices under control. but wh

towards the european union for 8 years now, it had already been gradually moving closer to ours union, ukraine's president vladimir lensky, called it a historic achievement, was united his mikey isa is now we are only one step away from fully fledged integration into the you. we have a positive assessment from the european commission concerning candidate status for ukraine, and it is a historic achievement for all who work for our country. we just have to wait for the decision of the european council next week. i think ukraine made everything possible for this decision to be positive. so what about russia's precedence? well, he says it's ukraine's choice if it wants to join the e. u, but warns cave risks becoming what he called a semi colony. believe you skim blow comically certain us to pay them when we've seen the v. you is not a military alliance, unlike nato. but that's why we've always said our position here is consistent and clear, and we have nothing against that. it's a sovereign decision of any country to join an economic alliance or not. and it's up to this economic union to accept new member states or not. but anyway, all right, let's take a closer look at the process to

is a big attraction with carriages and platforms quickly overcrowded. ah, i'm anthony. how'd woken of the programs as he grinds president vladimir lensky was broadcasting news of a counter attack. success in the dawn. bass reports have been coming in of explosions in ukraine's capital. keep overnight. the news comes just the day after ukrainian troops had recaptured a large chunk of several done. okay, let's go straight to de w. corresponding job philip shots, who's standing by force in. keep you on philip or can you tell us about the explosions? heard in keith early this morning we were woken up by a raid alerts in the early morning hours. and so from what we know right now there have been some explosions in 2 districts in the eastern and north eastern part of a key. if several i witnesses say that, so they have, they saw smoke rising there and so that gives mayor vitale a glitch. go said that her services are already operating on the ground. so we don't know yet what has been hit exactly, but there is at least one person injured and sir treated in a hospital, according to local officials. yon phillip okay, in stay with us. we'll come back to you in a

he wants to talk to russian president vladimir putin, as well as with ukraine and president followed him. is he lensky? was all invited to the summit in a barley in november. and joe biden, the u. s. president said the russia should be excluded. out of that. you 20 of the german chancellor said that he's not sure whether he will go. so there is not a joint, a united response, whether they're west, whether g 7 should boycott this meeting of $5020.00 or not. but it is definitely pressure on indonesia to exclude our political correspondence. benjamin are as ruba reporting from the g 70 summit in m r. thank you very much. now our leaders will go straight from that g 7, gathering to another major meeting, tomato summit which starts later today. and madrid. members of the western military alliance will expand the number of troops available for rapid deployment. but as the w terry schultz reports, now, there are questions over whether the boost of capacity will be enough to counter the threat from russia. oh testers in madrid, demand no more nato. but this week summit will create more nato than even the alliance itself imagined in

the fact that there is still lines of communication with vladimir putin. and at the same time, a lot of conversations on the phone, but now also in person with european leaders between voting lensky. but he has criticized all assaults for what he's called a balancing act between ukraine and relations with russia. and i don't think that this visit will have completely dispersed that the, the latest chief, political editor mechanic of them. he had a thank you so very much for your insights. well, today's, the german government has indeed approved the delivery of around 350000000 euros worth of weapons to ukraine. here has been making urgent calls from war weaponry and such as hangs and rocket launch systems. but there have been accusations from the opposition here in berlin as well. that as we've been hearing, germany has dragged its heels when it comes to supplying those heavy weapons full of shows under pressure. wherever he goes, the german chancellor feels compelled to defend germany's record on military support for ukraine as a sort of thoughts on another vistas. germany is one of the main military supporters of ukraine. nobody delivers as much as us on the daughter understood

vladimir lensky has called on g 7 nations to maintain pressure on the kremlin. thrill anchor is sending government ministers to both russia and cut are to negotiate with fuel. as petrol pumps run dry. a few stations left with petra, now selling the last of their supplies through anchor is facing a serious lack of foreign reserves leading to shortages of food, fuel and medicine. and i'll found it as more from the capital. colombo people are milling about, obviously the shed in itself is close. there are a ticket tape across it that you can't have acres, but these are all more trees have been waiting for days and days in queues. ah, there was one taxi driver who told me that he had been parked for 3 days. or if you just look right across the far corner of the frame towards the back, or you will see the beginning of q is the diesel. now that particular bus is a bus is an out station bus are $45.00 eyes are playing 45 hours outside colombo, but obviously has come to the capital run out of fuel and needs to q. i could, old president has probably to cut fuel prices by $0.10 a gallon in respon

;00] ah, this is the of the news line from berlin. dozens of people are feared, dead and injured after a russian missile. tits shopping center in ukraine, against president vladimir lensky, has condemned the attack as yet another war crime. and issued yet another plea toward leaders for more weapons to fight the war against russia. also coming up ukraine, climate change and food shortage is all on the g 7 agenda as low income countries join at the summit, the southern german resort. and at least 12 people are dead and hundreds injured in jordan's port city. the arc above, after a tank filled with 30 tons of chlorine gas is drops during loading with ah, my book rock good to have you with us. start in ukraine and the russian missile that struck a shopping mall. at least 16 people were killed and dozens more wounded in the crowded center president le mars lensky has condemned the attack as yet another russian war cry ah, a shopping center engulfed in flames. ukraine's officials said the missile strike in the central city of kremlin joke are good when more than a 1000 people inside them on greens, defense ministry, the it was time to coincide with the mas busiest ours, and

vladimir lensky urges allies, the st. more heavy weapons faster. he wants that moscow is trying to destroy the don basses russian troops closing on key cities in the bridge. ah.

vladimir lensky. she says they are discussing ukraine's progress towards becoming a member of the european union. and bolivia is former entering president jeanine on years has been found guilty of planning a co in 2019 a court sentence her to 10 years in prison for orchestrating the removal of her predecessor evil morales. the former president says she is innocent, and those are the headlines coming up next on al jazeera, the bottom line is world news like we do. we revisit places to stay well deserve really invests in that. and that's a privilege. as a journalist. hi, i'm steve clements and i have a question. are the experiences of both the united states and russia in afghanistan, shaping the choices they're making today in ukraine? let's get to the bottom line. ah, it was a war that took countless lives and it costs the united states more than $2.00 trillion dollars, but it's also a war that most americans would really like to forget. in the aftermath of the attacks of 911, afghanistan was a 1st country targeted in the so called global war on terror. it was governed by the taliban, and the taliban had given s

vladimir lensky. keep hopes this type of weaponry will help it gain the upper hand criminal spokesperson. dmitri pascall said the move by the us is a deliberate escalation of the conflict in a speech to the german parliament. on wednesday, chancellor owner schultz followed him biden's footsteps. he announced that germany will be sending modern air defense systems to ukraine, as well as rocket launchers in coordination with united states near golden rule. in the coming weeks, we will also deliver further weapons on by, for example, your beat german government has just decided that we will supply the iris t system. the most modern air defense system that germany has. this will enable ukraine to protect an entire city from russian air strikes. that, too, is a decision by the federal government. ukraine's army chief has said that these rocket systems provided by the u. s. will be crucial encountering russian attacks in the long battle over ukraine's eastern territory as get more data because bonnet, mathias, bullying her a in the ukranian capital. welcome mathias, ukraine's been asking the west for heavier weapons for weeks and it lo

is a james, my life was there in madrid. james, thank you. well, the ukrainian president, us call for the united nations to expel russia. vladimir lensky. address the security council a day after russian missiles it a shopping center in the ukraine in city of credential killing 18 people lansky shed video, which he said shows the building was the intended target. moscow says it hit a near by weapons deeper, but a subsequent explosion triggered a fire at the mall. kristen salumi as more from the united nations, ukrainian president vladimir lansky, called russia a terrorist state, and demanded that the united nations expel it from the international body during an emergency meeting of the security council. in an emotional speech, he called for a moment of silence. after reciting the names of some of the civilians killed in recent days, including children and the elderly. i have a question for you ladies and gentlemen, who if you does not agree that this is terrorism. if any other parts of the world, any organization acted just like russia who is killing ukrainians, if they kill peaceful people, that would definitely be recognized as terror

vladimir putin says, threatens russia. or in other developments, and british prime minister has visited king for the 2nd time in just an a t man's eyes. johnson and present london is lensky rich, yet is a water in the city. ah grady. they greeted clouds and viewed an exhibit of damage, russian weapons and tanks. orest johnson's visit comes a day off to the leaders of france, germany, italy, and romania were in cave. president savanski praise the k for its resolute support and boys. johnson offered to launch a major training program for ukrainian soldiers. we will continue those we have from the beginning to provide military equipment. and of course, the training may be necessary to go with that with that new equipment. so that you, you credit people, you couldn't on horses or when to do what, why you couldn't use your to do that is to expel the aggressor grew growth or in development and inside ukraine there have been air strikes that have killed at least 4 people in the eastern city of lester chance governor is saying a building where civilians were taking shelter was hit, as well as several other sites. drone footage shows the extent of the damage local authority, say

vladimir zalinski. he says that european countries should be bracing for potentially hostile activity coming from russia. so lensky says that ukraine is facing a historic, weak as it awaits a landmark decision from the european union on its bid for candidate status. but he says that decision could prompt russia to intensify its aggression against ukraine and ukraine's western supporters. a russian mythical, plunged into ukrainian soil in the city of lucy chanced. no one is safe across the river. the city of federal on yet has been reduced to rubble by fierce fighting as rush as offensive in the dawn baths reading grinds on the fears, at least, he chanced, is next to that most residents have fled to them, but some are stuck near me. think of anything, but here we have nothing left, everything was burned down. the most important thing is to get my sick father out. that's all that matters to me. i don't know how long he can survive, but i don't think this war is going to and soon, you know, they live in celeste to increase that chances of survival. you know, you, the pricing for predicted escalation in rush has campaign of destruction or to linen on short of this week. we should expect greater hosted a

think there is support for that across the military alliance will have to wait to see as i say, what more they're going to do. and you, great. we know that the ukranian president vladimir lensky will be addressing the summit here in madrid via video link. now another issue, of course, a couple of countries wanting to join nato. turkey has been a thorn in the side of sweden and finland attempts to joined the club. do you think that will be on and out at the summit? well, it's already starting to be discussed. we know that the turkish president recipe heb edwin. the leaders of suite 2 leaders of finland and sweden and the natives extra jillions stocum burg. they are in a meeting trying to discuss this and trying to work if i worked at i fill in sweden applied just over a month ago to be nato members, with an eye, obviously on the invasion of ukraine by russia. they are concerned for their own security, but turkey accused is both countries of harbouring members of the p k. k which is a courtesy donnie separatist, kurdish separatist movement that they consider themselves that turkey considers itself of war with. and so they're concerned about that, and also fin and, and sweet, an

vladimir putin when unleashing this war. president the lenski -- president zelenskyy jumped on a call yesterday after the decision was announced. he thanked all the leaders, and as a very brief reminder, there is a big difference between being a candidacy country to the european union and a full member of the european union. sometimes this transition can take years. nonetheless, it is a political win for ukraine. manus: good to see you this morning. great interview, which i think we will see more of later. but a lot of challenges for the leaders at the summit on the economic front, on how to replace russian gas. we are entering this crisis zone, or we? -- aren't we? juliette: what a perfect -- maria: what a perfect storm that is about to hit. we heard from the german economy minister declaring a gas emergency in germany. yesterday was about the politics, as you say. today was about the economy. we are expected to hear from the head of the european central bank. there are serious concerns about the world prospects. there is concern about the gas flow through the winter. and the storage in the summer that you fill ahead of the winter months for the europeans. they were very much about russia, no

is didi used live from berlin. the european union promised his progress on ukraine's bid to join the e. u. commission chief ursula founded line makes a surprise trip to keith president vladimir lensky borns. he also needs progress on getting more.

ukrainian president vladimir zelensky makes a push for his country to be accepted into the european union. in a video address, the lenski called on the eu ise line. if the poll shows that 71% of you praying you europeans consider ukraine part of the european family. why are there still skeptical politicians who are has it into whether ukraine should be allowed to move to the european union. russian troops have shelled key cities in the donbass region as moscow pushes to gain complete control of ukraine's east. the ukrainian army has defended several positions in the region, inflicting huge losses on russian forces in recent days. despite this, russia says they are making progress as the u. s and its allies. scrambled to provide additional support to ukrainian troops. we remain fully available to cooperate. towards building anyway out. of the this episode that we, of course never wish had happened between ukraine and russia. meanwhile the eu is expected to unveil fresh new sanctions against russia. the financial and travel sanctions will directly target 100, individuals and entities and will exclude russian and belarusian banks from doing b

vladimir zelensky makes a push for his country to be accepted into the european union. in a video address, the lenski called on the eu to expedite the process, saying freedom is on the line. if the poll shows that 71% of you praying you europeans consider ukraine part of the european family. why are there still skeptical politicians who are has it into whether ukraine should be allowed to move to the european union. russian troops have shelled key cities in the donbass region as moscow pushes to gain complete control of ukraine's east. the ukrainian army has defended several positions in the region, inflicting huge losses on russian forces in recent days. despite this, russia says they are making progress as the u. s and its allies. scrambled to provide additional support to ukrainian troops. we remain fully available to cooperate. towards building anyway out. of the this episode that we, of course never wish had happened between ukraine and russia. meanwhile the eu is expected to unveil fresh new sanctions against russia. the financial and travel sanctions will directly target 100, individuals and entities and will exclude russian and belarusian banks from doing busines

vladimir lensky. it's her 2nd visit to the capital since russia invaded ukraine in february. she says the pair also spec, what working to get to the investment required to rebuild ukraine. the past is known. it is a merit based path forward. it is a path where i must say, i highly appreciate the enormous efforts and the determination of ukraine in this process. the people of ukraine have proven incredible strength and motivation and stamina. so i am deeply convinced that we will, together, you will overcome this horrible atrocious war. we will and you will rebuild this beautiful country and modernize the ukraine cross drop it all. correspondent, it's on standby in care for waiting to speak with charles. so what more did the commission president have to say? well, this, this meeting is all about getting an ukraine candidacy status for potentially eventual e u membership. what we know is that it is a very complex and long winded process. we also know that there is no consensus amongst the e u members as to whether in fact ukraine should be granted some sort of swifter mechanism for becoming eventually. and he, you remember, it's understood that there are states in central europe and