a show of unity and mutual backing and mit fears in the west that moscow is preparing for military action against ukraine. so let's get more on this story from michael kim edge. he is a history professor at the catholic university of america and a former state department, russia, ukraine expert under president obama. i'm pleased to welcome him back on dw nose, and we've just heard about putin has secured china's backing in his stand off with the west over ukraine. so what will the practical implications of be of what they're calling this a strategic partnership? a little bit less than meets the eye. certainly if russia does engage in a wider war in ukraine, china is going to be nowhere near ukraine. china has its own economic interest, and ukraine is a little bit skeptical of a wider board there. i think what russia really wants is help with sanctions if that comes from the european union from the united states. and they're, it's not entirely clear that china will be fully behind russia as well. so it's important media display of unity there you cracked behind the following on from that w

a show of unity and mutual backing and mid fears in the west that moscow is preparing for military action against ukraine. earlier i spoke with journalist fabi on crunch more in beijing, and i asked him about china's stance in the ukraine conflict. it's quite ambivalent . so at china's official stands is that they support a peaceful m solution in the ukraine conflict. however, today, statement showed very clearly that the solidarity of begging is with moscow and m. how father will go. however, we're not sure. i mean, we know that a patient doesn't want any further military escalation during the winter games because that's the estate of presenting themselves and they don't want any interference. however, if, for example, russia would invade ukraine than it would also be technical knowledge for china itself. because they have that issue on their own, they have a conflict with taiwan. and even though the metters are slightly different and separate, there is some parallel. and if a china, for example, ceased at the west will not oppose strongly a possible invasion in ukraine, then maybe they

ideological approach to defense policy, a show of unity and mutual backing emit fears in the west that moscow is preparing for military action against ukraine. as get more now, man journalists have encroachment in beijing and moscow, and beijing, a calling. this is strategic partnership and one as without limits. what's meant by that yeah. when they say of without limits and of course it's rhetoric. i mean there are limits, for example, when it comes to military corporation. but even economically and their interests are not completely aligned, but yet the message was very strong and they want to signal that they are a united front against the west are specifically against washington. m. they stated that they see or the united states said main driving force em escalating tensions and are also they pledged legions. i mean, basically i'm showing solidarity for their security concerns are both in eastern europe, for example. they both oppose an expansion of the nato, but also he and the indoor pacific m. they are a poster, or course the trilateral, a military alliance between australia, the u. k,

a show of unity and mutual backing amid fears in the west that moscow is preparing for military actiongainst you rain. -- against ukraine. >> i spoke with a journalist earlier in beijing and asked about china's stance in the ukraine conflict. >> it is quite ambivalent. china's official stance is they support a peaceful solution in the ukraine conflict. however, today's statement showed clearly that the solidarity of beijing is with moscow and how far it will go we are not sure. we know that beijing does not want any further military escalation during the winter games because that is their stage of presenting themselves and they don' want terference. however, if russia wouldnvade ukraine, it would also be technical knowledge for china itself because they have an issue on their own, an issue with taiwan. even though it is different and separate, there are some parallels. if china, for example, sees the west will not stroly oppose a -- oppose an invasion in ukraine, they may feel more confident in containing taiwan. >> my first guest is a professor of global governance and director of the

that russia has recognized, celebrations. elsewhere in ukraine, and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly into easternaine. that the kremlin is set on a major escalation. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. >> steve rosenberg joins us now from moscow. given how forceful vladimir putin was in the speech, do you expect he will stop in that region? >> the problem throughout the whole crisis is that we don't know what his aim is. some people think that he could stop there. other people think he could go further. some believe that he is, his ultimate goal is to upturn the whole european security border. we don't know. interestingly, it was moscow that actually was behind the creation of these rebel publics in eastern ukraine around eight years ago, after they intervened militarily in eastern ukraine. president putin's official recognition of their independence really is a watershed moment i think because , first of all, it kills off, basically, the internationally recognized peace process in eastern ukraine that has been ongoing, hasn't got very far, but president putin himself recommitted himself to it jus

turn those apparatus into legitimate ukrainian politicians as a way for moscow to prevents ukraine moving too far west. so the idea that moscow would recognize them there by killing off that piece process, and the prospect of them being reintegrated into ukraine does seem like moscow has, you know, is willing to consider giving up on that piece poses and may be considering using for so other means to get its way rather than trying to force ukraine to implement those misquotes as that neck net calmly in q will dw chief political correspondent, belinda crane can tell us more about german diplomatic efforts in this crisis. welcome. belinda m chancellor. sholtes is due to call that the you, russian president vladimir putin, later on the face to face meeting in moscow last week. what does mister schultz hope to achieve? well, on saturday, at a major international security conference here in germany, in the city of munich, chancellor shorts described his aims in relations with russia as quote, as much diplomacy as possible without being naive. so specifically in this case, that means that after a long call yesterday with fre

, we, we've heard from a russian president, vladimir putin who repeated his monitor that the west is ignoring moscow's security concerns. interestingly, he also accused us of using ukraine to contain russia. give us a sense about how people feel in ukraine. do they feel like they're being used as a geopolitical pon? i think most ukrainians you speak to will say that is inevitable. ukraine is between on russia's borders on the borders of nato. it was always going to be that way. i think that is a given and nothing new for ukraine is they think they are clear that some can neutral status like finland may be. some have been between the blocks. it is not realistic, given ukraine size and its population. but i think the important thing for most, your great leaders and most even ordinary citizens here is that discussions about ukraine's phase status, about ukraine's future shouldn't be carried out without ukraine. the table we saw russia, sideline ukraine, ignoring diplomatic overtures here from cave, wanting to talk only with the americans, not even with the europeans in the e. u. a now and tempt by the ad

but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly into kremlin is set on a major escalation. ukraine's president zelenskiy summoned his cabinet on hearing mr putin's announcement. they discussed the situation. ukraine has consistently said it does not recognise what it considers to be the seizure of its territory around lu hanks and donetsk. this was watched around the world. yes, there was a domestic audience who saw the national security chief, intelligence chief trembling and stammering in front of president putin when he called them to ask for their opinions. and it was clear he only wanted to hear, what he already recognise the two rebel republics they described, we believe it was prerecorded in the fact that there was those translations. this was for the world to see and for the ukraine to see, as well. the only woman of the national security council talking about, very emotionally, perhaps she does believe that given what russia has been hearing on russian television, but the genocide in these areas, notjust to russian—speaking ukr

but it clearly german chancellor, ola saw it said we know what to do and it appears that moscow understands that the west has coordinates. it coordinated itself to a degree that there could be some swift responds because we're hearing that to vladimir putin and secular, off his foreign minister came out today and said that there may be a chance for further talk talks. and that's exactly what, what amusing lensky ukrainian present and german chancellor. so it's in this building behind me, the residence of the president. we're talking about today that there needs to be a diplomatic process that it's worth going the extra mile and continuing the talks . so some potential silver lining on the horizon that am making clear that everybody is on the same page when it comes to sanctions may pay off. at the same time, there were some mixed signals over nato membership after ukraine's ambassador had been misinterpreted as it is being said here, that ukraine may not insist on wanting to join nato, or that something that amused lensky said he definitely still wants to pursue that . and console f salt said, well that'

but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly intokraine, and that the kremlin is set on a major escalation. not long before the un security council started its session the ukrainian president gave an address to the nation. i asked our news reporter what his message was. he our news reporter what his message was-— our news reporter what his messaue was. . , ., message was. he hand his own security council _ message was. he hand his own security council meeting. - message was. he hand his own security council meeting. we i security council meeting. we saw president putin's wine industry's report. you spoke to president biden and the british prime minister and his key messages were, they are not going to give anything to anybody but they still want to seek a diplomatic solution throughout all of this. they expect a lot and clear and decisive action from their allies. interestingly he said we are not afraid. of course, this is something that the american said would happen. the american said would happen. the american said would lead to a

but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly intone, and that the kremlin is set on a major escalation. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. we can speak now to retired general philip breedlove who was nato supreme commander in 2014 when russia invaded crimea. thank you forjoining us. i wonder what you make of these moves by president putin in the last few hours. we have seen some pictures of armed vehicles in and around don bass, they are not marked, but it would make sense that it is following up on his promise to send peacekeeping troops. do you think he's made his move now or is this just the first step? now or is this 'ust the first ste - ? now or is this 'ust the first ste . ? ., ~' now or is this 'ust the first ste? ., ., step? david, thank you for havin: step? david, thank you for having me. _ step? david, thank you for having me, the _ step? david, thank you for having me, the first - step? david, thank you for having me, the first thing l step? david, thank you for i having me, the first thing we should be clear on as these a

but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly intoat the kremlin is set on a major escalation. let's get the words first. the ukrainian president has been speaking to the nation. what is his message? fix, speaking to the nation. what is his message?— speaking to the nation. what is his message? a busy evening for him. he his message? a busy evening for him- he had _ his message? a busy evening for him. he had his— his message? a busy evening for him. he had his own _ his message? a busy evening for him. he had his own security- him. he had his own security council meeting. we saw president putin there in the report. he spoke to british prime minister and to present biden and his key messages were, they are not going to give anything to anybody but they still want to seek a diplomatic solution throughout all of this. they expect a lot and clear and decisive action from their allies. he uses the phrase, we are not afraid. of course, this is something the american said would happen. the american said would happen. the american said would

that's more worst thing, though, west is not green till that. that's what moscow also says, the russian leadership rush or the western response is not adequate. and so that means there's going to be continued military and diplomatic pressure above. but that means also right now, i see indications that the russian military are beginning to step down from the present super high state of readiness. they're stepping down. it's not yet totally conclusive, but the parent we yes, so at the band will are going to had what we some the gratian, i believe the military. there's collation though the tension, the diplomatic tension, and naturally the threats will continue. hannah, as you heard pablo then, he was talking about the fact to one of the main demands from russia is that ukraine not ever join nato, this has been so much a part of this crisis. i want to ask you from your vantage point. what's the sentiment right now in ukraine with regards to you, ukraine, possibly joining nato in the future. is this something that's important to ukrainians or most of them up against t

but elsewhere in ukraine and in the west, deep concern that moscow may now move its forces openly intoficial recognition of their independence is a watershed moment. it basically kills off the internationally recognised peace process that mr putin himself recommitted himself to just a few days ago. it also raises fears of a major military escalation in eastern ukraine. and from the decree he signed, it is clear that vladimir putin is already sending troops into those rebel republics as the decree says, to keep the peace. steve, many thanks again for the latest in moscow, steve rosenberg. let�*s get more reaction on this. in a moment, we�*ll get the latest from our north america editor sarah smith outside the white house, but first, our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford is in kyiv. given what president putin has announced in these past few hours, where does that leave the government in ukraine? ~ ., _ in ukraine? well, i would say sombre. _ in ukraine? well, i would say sombre, worried _ in ukraine? well, i would say sombre, worried and - in ukraine? well, i would say sombre,

that's why i reached out to the brats. sure, sure. i mean, the biggest fear of, of the west obviously is, is bilateral talks and negotiation between kevin moscow that they cut out the middleman as it were you what, what else would you expect with to neighbor? so this is why the trying to basically inflate this as a sort of international crisis as an imminent war and imminent invasion by the russians to make it more of an international for could very easily be di fears. but that's not so simple as we know that the hand of the united states is so far into ukraine right now. and it has been for the last 7 years that i think it's almost inescapable that level of pressure and influence that every ukrainian leader is going to basically ex, experience. it's very difficult situation to decouple the west from, from ukraine on all those different levels. zalinski has an opportunity to do some great things in this situation and for his country and for the region, whether he actually takes that opportunity or not, you know, take a very brave leader to do that. and especially in the a fight in politics like himself. but back to the original point that my c

destabilize ukraine, ukraine multi, cancelled immediately, as a preemptive, sanctioned to moscow that the west means business will. berlin refuses to spell out in public. what exactly it would do if russia to invade berlin, called a tactical ambiguity, key of spect, germany of trying to salvage a lucrative business project. regardless of the security implications, with no sign for now, that germany is willing to give any ground either on weapons forum of pulling all stream to the left shoals. as his work cut out to convince his ukrainian host that he has their interests at heart. that they can trust him to negotiate away at this crisis when he goes to moscow. all right, let's bring into w correspondence. nick connelly, he will fall that revolt we just saw and he joins us now from the cranium, capital ne, curb. what can all of shaws really do to regain keeps trust? it's hard to see what he can do after though, basically ver, very difficult weeks of relations between berlin and k of. and as we saw there, germany, not in any mood, seemingly, to compromise on those 2 key ukrainian demands to put s

moments the to make sure that the west does not abandon uminski agreement and also to get these pan european security agreement, switch masika ones. so it keep in mind that moscow demand has demanded this pioneer p in security agreements. now, for 30 years and the west has been able to ignore russia because this week, and instead simply just expand nato, then that the expense of russian security. so the way russia is that they need to have some military strength behind this diplomacy. otherwise, the diplomacy will not go anywhere. all right, so apparently we're looking at a case of course of diplomacy right here. but at the same time, violence is still flaring in the don't bass region and the west is accusing moscow of implementing some type of false flag operation. now whether it was a false flag or not, does russian need a false flag as a pretext for an incursion? no, i don't think they would need a false flag. i mean the government, the key, they tend to show a don't boss quite frequently. so i don't think it would be necessary to stage anything. also, it sounds certain what, what, what the purpose will be for russia, the main objective it has is to deter 2

johnson dismissed concerns from moscow that the west was exaggerating the threat. >> it goes without saying that a further russian invasion of the ukraine would be a political disaster, humanitarian disaster. and for russia, the world, a military disaster as well. the potential invasion flies in the face of president putin's interest. >> 30 years ago, these three decades have been full of friendship, support and meaningful activities. today, our relationship is serving the cause of peace, preventing a new war. anchor: while boris johnson was in kiev, vladimir putin hosted hungary's prime minister in moscow. he pled's cooperation with putin in the wake of the ongoing crisis. putin meanwhile said it had been ignored by the west. >> here carefully analyzing the written responses we received on january 6. russian concerns have been ignored. anchor: the diplomatic effort to calm tensions continued tuesday. the u.s. secretary of state held a call with the russian foreign minister, antony blinken calling for russia to withdraw its troops. for more on this story, we go to our reporter standi

probably they've never been so high and we keep hearing these messages from the west and from moscow that the military build up will continue pretty much and it's not getting less troubling. day by day, the military build up on the part of nato. that's clear. the something that russia sees as a threat, that it's clearly something that the machine government is worried about. and that explains these latest words by vladimir putin, the who's talking about the deterred and forces being put on high alert. although he maintains that these actions are defensive. and they're being forced by the decisions that are being made by the natal commanders and the leaders of that western alliance. now, i want to take you back to the words of the nato secretary general. he and stolen berg, who referred to the statement by the russian president has something very dangerous . let's take a listen. this is dangerous rhetoric. that's the reason why we both provide support ukraine. but also why we did last week's a months. i have a significant increase the presence of nato in the eastern port lyons. now, while

is preemptive sanctioned sir. moscow that the west means business or berlin refuses to spell out in public. what exactly it would do if russia were to invade berlin, called a tactical ambiguity, key of spect, germany of trying to salvage a lucrative business project, regardless of the security implications. with no sign for now that germany is willing to give any ground either on weapons for a mock pulling all stream to olive shoals has his work cut out to convince his ukrainian host that he has their interests at heart, that they can trust him to negotiate away at this crisis when he goes to moscow, they w correspondent, nicolai file that report is joins us now from the ukrainian a capital. welcome, nick. so what can chancellor sholtes do to earn care or ukraine's trust again? well, i think it's going to be about cash. ukraine's economy is suffering right now already without a single bullet. having been fired and government basically unable to raise money on the settle debt markets. the currency under a lot of pressure. investors putting planned investments in ukraine on i said that money

ok, money happened all that moscow talk to a lot about threats from the west and i'm asking what kind of threats? because mr. boot has been telling the world for years that the west is in decline. it's decadent, it's weak liberalism, it's cor ideology is in his words obsolete. if the western that's much trouble, what kind of danger could it possibly pose to russia? the arguments don't that up, do they you know, this discussion about liberal is not liberal in this another. think i think it's a little bit more philosophical and when decisions about geopolitical most are being taken. the simpler than, than this very sophisticated argumentation. but the weakness. ok, the west is of course not as powerful as it used to be 25 years ago. no doubt about that but. busy the threats, the military danger or the general danger. again, i just come remind you that the miss a boot in and out the russian officials, they keep say they kept saying that since very, very long time. but no one at all, wanted to listen to that and they just said, oh, come on from the russian, russian problems we, we should

that the response from the west is not good enough. he is urging europe to act more quickly and imposing sanctions on moscow. he says that the west has been too slow to respond. what do you koreans want to see right now? what do they want to see immediately from the west? well, i should tell you that actually are we in ukraine are shocked because of the situation . because put in was lying to a crane and to the whole world. here and here is a close associates, a speaker, his minister for foreign affairs, said that they will not attack ukraine. they will not innovate. ukraine answer for the 2nd day in a row, the whole world sees it was a lie. yesterday i woke up in cave and i am in t at my home. i woke up at 5 am because of explosions in kia. and the situation is horrible. they are packing both military or objects, but also civilian objects. today are russians where attacking a c t called a car with the huge gun wally fire system. they bombed kindergarten and some children died severely and children and some adult died because of russian weapon. so what do we expect world to thanks are urgent and should be a s

as far as the west is concerned, this is part of russia generating a fulljustification the potential invasion. moscow has denied thatcow has denied that. once again, they have accused the west of hysteria. ukraine's government has denied planning such an attack. the security chief is heading to the region. security chief is heading to the reuion. ~ �* ., , ., region. we've had comments from president biden _ region. we've had comments from president biden about _ region. we've had comments from president biden about having - president biden about having significant intelligence that an attack could happen within days. but he is also saying, as is boris johnson who is talking in munich today, that there is room for diplomacy. there's still time to talk this through.— diplomacy. there's still time to talk this through. typically, if the president of _ talk this through. typically, if the president of the _ talk this through. typically, if the president of the united _ talk this through. typically, if the president of the united states . talk this through. typically, if the i president of the united states says he beli

that ukraine wanted peace but also had a wonderful and strong army. the u.s. announced they were moving their embassy staff away from the capital to the west of the country and have warned that moscowcreasing military deployments at the border. our eastern european correspondent is in kyiv. >> russia is still building up its forces, lining up their potential along the ukrainian border. western governments warning that an invasion could come any day now. volodymyr zelensky address to the nation, assuring ukrainians that the country is confident, stronger than ever. that russia is trying to scare them, but they will not succumb. the talks to diffuse the crisis have been intensifying. today it was theurn of the german chancellor, showing support for key have, looking for ways to get russia to call back its troops. he underlined that that will not be by dropping their right to join nato. >> i am making it clear once again that ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity are nonnegotiable for germany and we expect russia to take clear steps to de-escalate. >> in russia, the foreign minister was shown urging vladimir putin to keep talking to the west. they are all still sounding the

the west is waiting to discuss russia's security concerns. that is why moscowieves that coercive diplomacy is working. but what if diplomacy fails? america has sent these trips to poland to protect nato's eastern flank. and to signal trans atlantic salad airily -- solidarity, olaf scholz came to washington for talks on the crisis with president biden. >> if russia makes a choice to further invade ukraine, we are jointly ready and all of nato is ready. >> moscow insists it is the victim here. russia is a besieged fortress threatened by america, by nato, by ukraine hostile to moscow. what the west is struggling to work out is if diplomacy ends, what will russia do next? steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. first, our top story tonight. in afghanistan, up to 80 million people are at risk for starvation including one million children. the former head of britain's armed forces has told the bbc it is time to accept the world -- the war has been lost and to work with the new taliban leaders to protect the afghan people. reporting from afghanistan now. >> just under six

moscow insists that it is the victim here, that russia is a besieged fortress, threatened by america, by nato, by a ukraine hostile to moscow. what the westut is if diplomacy ends, what will russia do next? steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. britain's prime minister borisjohnson has condemned the harassment on monday of the labour leader sir keir starmer, near the houses of parliament. he was escorted to safety by police after shouts of �*traitor�* hurled at him, and someone can be heard shouting �*jimmy savile�* — taken to be a reference to the false accusation made by borisjohnson — that sir keir had failed to prosecute the late tv personality savile for child sex offences when he was director of public prosecutions. in his statement mrjohnson made no reference to the accusation despite calls from senior aides and party colleagues for him to withdraw it in full. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports. this is not normal rough—and—tumble, but abuse and untrue accusations being hurled at the leader of the accusation — one false claim that he protected the paedophile jimmy savile. all shouting. keir starmer bundled to a police car.

must take it to coach integral to the asian also that moscow did everything possible to reach a dialogue and a peaceful solution. also, one thing that the west must must keep in mind is the fact that russia is not asking for the withdrawal of both of those countries. i mean of potent czechoslovakia and the baltic states that are already in nato. they're just asking that they don't continue the expansion of nato into the former soviet republics. this is what and this is a big concession from the point of view of moscow, which the west is not taking into consideration. let's take a look at a way this is being viewed by both sides. because in his speech, president bruce mentioned western recognition of kosovo as a president to such actions the recognizing donates can look at republics the west saying that is our falsity. there is no parallels a fool and this is our rights propaganda. and do you see any parallels here between kosovo and the recognition of the don't bus? yes i do because while, while the west says ok. so what happened in kosovo was to save was to prevent genocide. same thing applies here on so which was, which was mentioned by pr

and that's to say that president putin wants russia to be centre stage again in world diplomacy, he wants the west's and washington's eyes upon moscow and the kremlin. that has self—evidently been happening to a greater extent than pretty much at any time since the collapse of the soviet union. as to whether this amassing of huge numbers of combat—ready troops does indeed mean there's an invasion afoot, the only thing that apparently is incontrovertible is that he has enough combat—ready troops to move pretty much at any moment if he so chooses. nabila, all nato members are obliged to protect one another if any of the members are attacked. ukraine is not a member. there is no obligation to defend it. is there a sense that if president putin isn't bluffing, european countries acknowledge that they really are powerless to stop him? in very simple terms, what lies behind this potential is the encirclement of a sovereign nation by a massive military machine. russia is clearly on a war footing and this is driven by intense nationalism within the kremlin. and by plenty of putin supporters across his vast country. now, putin is an imperial

moscow insists that it is the victim here, that russia is a besieged fortress, threatened by america, by nato, by a ukraine hostile to moscow. what the west out is if diplomacy ends, what will russia do next? steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. here's the bbc�*s north america correspondent, david willis, with more on those talks between biden and scholz. president biden went as far as to say if russia were to invade ukraine, there would be, as he put it, "no longer any nord stream 2 pipeline". america has been long opposed to the project, and this meeting at the white house today seems pretty crucial as far as establishing germany's position to the package of economic sanctions that the united states and europe are looking to unveil. today, 0laf scholz didn't go as far as mr biden in actually specifying what would happen to nord stream 2. he said he would put all options on the table, but he wouldn't get into specifics. when he was asked how he would actually bring an end to the nord stream 2 project in the event of a russian invasion, mr biden wouldn't go into specifics. but the german leader did express, however, germany's strong commitm

the perception in moscow is that the west is deliberately - that the west is deliberately portraying nsky is saying that this | middle of this? is president. zelensky is saying that this is middle of this? is president - zelensky is saying that this is not something new, there is not something new, there is not something new, there is not something new, this recent build—up, not something new that ukrainians will not sleep at night, we are not sleeping at night for seven and a half years already, so this build—up of 100,000 is still not enough of the formation which is going round the formation which is going round the papers everywhere that the attack is imminent, and it is making people nervous. klm have started cancelling flights. this is a problem for our economy, for our people. problem for our economy, for our --eole. . , problem for our economy, for our --eole. ., , ., ., people. finally, we have a photograph _ people. finally, we have a photograph or _ people. finally, we have a photograph or nearly - people. finally, we have a photograph or nearly all. people. finally, we hav