citizens are tired of enlargement the same way the citizens in western balkans are tired of reforms in that sense perhaps it's realistic for serbia and montenegro to be members in twenty twenty five if we can include negotiations but other countries are not in that package perhaps not all of them will answer at the same time they call it the regards a principle. i have one last question about china if you don't mind that china has been heavily investing in serbia for the last couple of years and that makes the european union worried i think maybe that's why when they put forward a plan for the better west balkan states to become part of the e.u. in twenty twenty five but would you be willing to give up all those chinese contracts for your ego membership because they don't want conform you norms and standards. but some countries in the european union are jealous and opposed to the strengthening of our economic cooperation with china or russia for that matter but that does not mean that the same is true when they are involved with china look at it until a miracle goes to china and brings

citizens are tired of enlargement the same way the citizens in western balkans are tired of reforms in that sense perhaps it's realistic for serbia and montenegro to become e.u. members in twenty twenty five if we conclude negotiations about other countries are not in that package perhaps not all of them will answer at the same time. the regards a principle. i have one last question about china if you don't mind that china has been heavily investing in serbia for the last couple of years and that makes the european union worried i think maybe that's why when they put forward a plan for the better west balkan states to become part of the e.u. in twenty twenty five but would you be willing to give up all those chinese contracts for your ear membership because they don't want conform even norms and standards. but some countries in the european union are jealous and opposed to the strengthening of our economic cooperation with china or russia for that matter but that does not mean that the same is true when they are involved with china you look at it until america goes to china and brings

part of the pattern of russian at aggression against europe and its near neighbours from the western balkanshave to commemorate the anniversaries of terrorist attacks in westminster and brussels as we remember the victims of those attacks i will once again be stressing the united kingdom's unconditional commitment to the future security of europe and i believe that together we can work to ensure that we overcome the challenges that we all face. i am also, i will also of course be talking about brexit. i looking forward talking about brexit. we have made considerable progress through the agreement and the implementation period that will bring certainty to businesses and people and i look forward european council endorsing that agreement and moving swiftly to talk about the future partnership that will want to build together. what i will be talking about day is notjust what happened on the streets of salisbury but the fact that we do see this as pa rt but the fact that we do see this as part of the pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbours, as i said from the western

in the western balkans is and stressful travelling like this is something that we are quite used to be able to see out there is a days and seasons the end given if you know because the last stop in serbia is a meeting with prime minister and up on average well. it's scheduled. last an hour a relative luxury. but then it's on to the next stop want to nag grow another country hoping keenly for the green light. for commission president claude young. now europeans might be surprised to learn that spring has begun at least according to the calendar used by weather experts because the continent still remains in the grip of an icy front from siberia and although the sun is shining in some places looks out deceptive. the sun rises over renishaw in western germany the clear skies belie the freezing temperatures across the rest of the country. it may be meteorological spring but winter isn't going away without a fight like here on lake constance in southern germany where the beach is frozen solid. even the sun is no match for the so-called beast from the east the siberian cold front blanketing m

free was part of a passionate russian aggression against europe and its new neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east. and for more let's bring in our correspondent mattis who is covering that summit for us and joins us now from brussels welcome to you garrick thanks for being with us to reason may we just saw there looking for support from her colleagues at brussels today is she likely to get it. a shallow show of solitary t. here when leaders arrive for this summit a lot of expressions that they are fully on the side of the u.k. on that issue and if you look at the draft conclusions for this summit there is of course a condemnation of that attack in the u.k. no way endorsement of any finger pointing towards russia though so the e.u. here is a little more careful because they want to wait for the analysis of of international experts sourced but it is a stronger message than has been sent out by foreign ministers or at least that is expected in the conclusions at the end of what is going to be a long summit day absolutely because there are so many topics on the agenda because at th

that's bad not only for space it's bad for the balkans and it's bad for you know so the recent you western balkans strategy includes kosovo as a potential member but the cost of our president toci says terry's no clear path written out for his country does do you really want kosovo as a member. that's a very good question event much depends how you define the e.u. . the e.u. as a entity of twenty eight countries they don't have a consensual view on this question because as you know five member states have consistently their fuel to recognize the independence of kosovo and therefore they would hold if a membership of course or indeed of the union under the current going to sions and as you know at the moment only a hundred and sixteen countries member states of the united nations have agreed to the independence of kosovo and even that took almost any is for many years it was less than one and less than fifty percent of the membership of the un . so this is a major problem for corso and a future but it's also a problem for the utopian union european union should be honest and consistent and follow i

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica mocker raney is the high representative for foreign affairs for the a you that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands.

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east where we understand to reason may be calling on other nations to perhaps expel russian diplomats from their territory we know that she's just had a meeting with the baltic. scandinavian scandinavian nations as well as norway talking about doing just that no information as of yet of what happened what came out of that we also know teresa mayes penciled in for three party talks with angola merkel and president later on on thursday as well hoping to try and get their support now when it comes to those that have already pledged their support to two reason may and against russia we've heard from federico raney the e.u. high representative for foreign affairs she had this to say as she walked into the council meeting we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg as well as we have done already with the foreign ministers on monday expressing clear sort of narrative and decided to stay focused on that toget

that's bad not only for space it's bad for the balkans and it's bad for you know so the recent you western balkans strategy includes kosovo as a potential member but the cost of our president toci says terry's no clear path written out for his country this do you really want kosovo as a member. that's a very good question event much depends how you define the e.u. . the u.s. . entity of twenty eight countries they don't have a consensual view on this question because as you know five member states have consistently there for you to recognize the independence of kosovo and therefore they would hold if a membership of course or in the european union under the got it going to shouldn't and as you know at the moment only a hundred and sixteen countries member states of the united nations have agreed to the independence of kosovo and even that took almost ten years for many years it was less than one and less than fifty percent of the membership of the un . so this is a major problem focus away and a future but it's also a problem for the utopian union european union should be honest and consistent and

spree was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east donald tusk along with european commission president john quad younger gave a joint press conference and they struggled to answer questions on what action the e.u. might take against russia. blanche be all sort of always just i didn't come back to an issue in july. we decided to come back to shoot didn't october. and don't do we are never coming back were discussed. during. a couldn't in the brief come back to the question. you know across to labor rights lawyer down who is with us on this one so mixed signals coming from the e.u. merkel says europe should wait for the results of an o.p.c. w investigation but other leaders are saying the e.u. should act against russia. if you could look into the crystal ball what do you expect. well i mean we know that the u.s. and the u.k. are pressing very hard to go after russia but you know the evidence at this point is not there and russia has a point there under the chemical weapons convention it has a right to refuse to name

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica mocker raney is the high representative for foreign affairs for the e.u. that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands firmly in lockstep with london we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack insults bring the strongest political sign we can give its unity unity and unity but there are a number of other countries that are saying that if there to back more sanctions against russia are all there to take any further action or commit to a a unified harsh statement by the e.u. that they are going to need to see more evidence from the british side but when the european council president to skin the e.u. commission president claude good took to the stage to field questions from journalists they didn't really have maybe answers when it came to what type of action the e.u. would be taking against russia in march but also always just to come ba

saul's was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east. now among the measures that we understand to reason may is pitching to the other e.u. member states is that they expel russian diplomats from their embassies as the u.k. has done following the attempted murder of. his daughter yulia and their poisoning in salzburg now when it comes to a united state mint we have heard from federico more kareen you know she is the e.u. high representative for foreign affairs the closest thing that the has to a foreign minister here's what she has to say. we will also obviously a stress our strongest possible sort of doubt it is with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg as well as we have done already with the foreign ministers on monday expressing clear sort of narrative and decided to stay focused on that together because the strongest political sign we can give is unity unity and unity . but when it comes to a united statement from the e.u. london may find that that comes a lot more watered down than water did wanted becaus

and the mediterranean route has gained more importance over the last two years or so after the western balkans route where many people from syria fled through originally had been close so you had about one hundred nineteen thousand migrants making their way over the mediterranean route to italy last year which is a drop but on a high level so that's not the only reason why this is such an important topic of course the right wing parties are trying to make an important topic of it but you also had a public couple of high profile events terrible events happening in the last months in italy for example a drive by shooting by a right wing extremist of six african migrants and then there was also a gruesome killing of an italian girl where african migrants are being investigated so all this put the feeling the sentiment that was preval and in italy but on the back burner back on the front and of course the island of sicily where a capital palermo is located of course is very important in this whole thing because most migrants that come over the mediterranean from north africa at some point at least

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica maka raney is the high representative for foreign affairs for the you that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands firmly in lockstep with london we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg the strongest political sign we can give is unity unity and.

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica maka raney is the high representative for foreign affairs but the you that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands firmly in lockstep with london we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack insults bring the strongest political sign we can give its unity unity and unity but there are a number of other countries that are saying that if there to back more sanctions against russia are all there to take any further action or commit to a unified harsh statement by the e.u. that they are going to need to see more evidence from the british side but when the european council president told to get the e.u. commission president. lord good took to the stage the field questions from journalists they didn't really have maybe answers when it came to what type of action the e.u. would be taking against russia in march but also always to say i didn't

insoles brain was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east donald tusk and along with the european commission president john quote younger gave a joint press conference as they struggled to answer questions on what action the e.u. might take against russia blachford also folders just i think to come back to an issue in june i'm enjoying decided to come back to an issue didn't october. and then when we are never coming back were discussed so that the attack during follow it couldn't in the brief come back to the question. i that does it for me i'll be back in just under thirty three minutes with a full look at your news your watch our to international. well you know the hard thing we've kind of adopted because we're called pirates for so long. i've been there in the small ball next to the hardcore sheep and it's very . hard not to be. a little self to big talk fish already ninety percent of the dart gun and it won't recover. contributions to seventy five tonnes they do it several times a day with a big fleet now you get an i

salisbury was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbours from the western balkansddle east. persuasion is also about personal contact, persuasion is also about personal co nta ct, of persuasion is also about personal contact, of course. i'm gratefulfor the solidarity and support they've shown the united kingdom. thank you. she wants a firm finger of lame pointed at russia and other countries to crank up the attitude to putin —— to putin, perhaps following the uk's lead and kicking out spies. support, yes. estonia purley condones the attack —— condemned the attack and stamps with out condemned the attack and stamps with our friend and ally, the united kingdom. the strongest sign we can give is unity, unity and unity. but bu rley give is unity, unity and unity. but burley signed up? not quite. we have to do express our solidarity to the uk and the british people but at the same time, we need to investigate. we have all solidarity with the united kingdom. what happened in salisbury was reprehensible. assassination by emma cal attack is to be condemned whether it happe

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica mocker raney is the high representative for foreign affairs for the a you that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands firmly in lockstep with london we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg as well as we have done already with the foreign ministers on monday expressing clear sort of narrative and decided to stay focused on that together because the strongest political sign we can give is unity unity and unity but there are a number of other countries that are saying that if there to back more sanctions against russia are all there to take any further action or commit to a unified harsh statement by the e.u. that they are going to need to see more evidence from the british side understand the greek so all of those nations saying exactly that but when the european council president darrell to skin the e.u. commission pres

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east where we understand to reason may be calling on other nations to perhaps expel russian diplomats from their territory we know that she's just had a meeting with the baltic scandinavian nor we had a scandinavian nations as well as norway talking about doing just that no information as of yet of what happened what came out of that we also know teresa mayes penciled in for three party talks with angola merkel and president later on on thursday as well hoping to try and get their support now when it comes to those that have already pledged their support to to reason may and against russia we've heard from federico moscow raney the e.u. high representative for foreign affairs she had this to say as she walked into the council meeting we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg as well as we have done already with the foreign ministers on monday expressing clear sort of narrative and decided to stay foc

salisbury was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbours from the western balkanse middle east. persuasion is also about personal contact, of course. i'm grateful for the solidarity and support they've shown the united kingdom. thank you. she wants a firm finger of blame pointed at russia and other countries to crank up their attitude to putin. perhaps following the uk in kicking out suspected spies. support, yes. estonia fully condemns the attack — and stands with our friend and good ally, the united kingdom. and stands with our friend and good the strongest political sign we can give is unity, unity and unity. maybe not yet. in fact the greek leader had a phone conversation with the kremlin earlier. we had to express our solidarity to the uk, to the british people, but at the same time we need to investigate. yet france and germany have tonight said again only russia could be responsible for what happened in salisbury, but support for theresa may is not quite the same as following britain's precise example. do you agree with the british government's conclusion th

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stressed before and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i'm grateful for that for the solidarity and support that they've shown the united kingdom and on friday it will be brics it itself which is discussed here at the european council to reason may in britain don't take part in those discussions for once i don't think it will be terribly contentious here that has already been agreement reached on the transitional arrangements between britain and the e.u. that will cover a pair. two years off britain leaves the e.u. formally and that is due to happen in march of twenty nineteen. a cease fire has been agreed in principle for syria's eastern ghouta enclave and should officially come into effect later on the deal was made between the rebel groups in the united nations with the aim of stopping civilian suffering in the besieged. thousands of fighters and civilians were evacuated to the rebel held province of

part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its new neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stress for for and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i'm grateful for that for the solidarity and support that they've shown the united kingdom. as for bret's it itself florida normally the top of british preoccupations that will be discussed when the summit resumes tomorrow theresa may herself be party to those deliberations as the representative of the country which is. in the process of leaving me you want to be phillips thank you very much indeed. well prober exit activists in the u.k. a furious over revelations that the new british passports are to be manufactured by an e.u. company to reason may said in december that the current burgundy passports would switch to an older blue design seen here on the right which was used before the u.k. joined the e.u. but the six hundred ninety one million dollar contract to manufacture the passports has been won by a franker dutch company persons interior minis

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stress for for and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i'm grateful for that for the solidarity is for but they've shown the united kingdom. and as for bret's itself or on that will be on the agenda here in brussels tomorrow to raise to reason they won't take part in those in those specific talks she's representing the party which is trying to leave the e.u. and for once it doesn't look too problematic they'll be talking about the. an agreement about the transitional arrangement that will govern britain's relationship with the e.u. in the twenty one months between x. the day that's at the end of march twenty ninth to the end of twenty twenty when frankly not very much is going to change in terms of how britain and the e.u. interact except the very i suppose big technical formality that britain will no longer be an e.u. member to be phillips thank you very much indeed. a key personal lawyer to donald trum

insoles was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east federica maka raney is the high representative for foreign affairs for the e.u. that makes as close as the block has to a foreign minister she said on her way into the summit that she stands firmly in lockstep with london we will also obviously express our strongest possible solidarity with united kingdom after the attack in salzburg the strongest political sign we can give is unity unity and unity but there are a number of other countries that are saying that if there to back more sanctions against russia are all there to take any further action or commit to a a unified harsh statement by the e.u. that they are going to need to see more evidence from the british side but when the european council president donald to skin the e.u. commission president claude good took to the stage the field questions from journalists they didn't really hope maybe the un says when it came to what type of action to take against russia in march we're all sort of always deciding to come

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stress for for and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i'm grateful for that for the solidarity and support that they've shown the united kingdom. meanwhile city itself mario about that will be discussed tomorrow friday to reason they won't take part in those discussions and for once i don't think it's going to be a very contentious at this point at this point in time you might say that the difficult issues have been kicked down the road again but i think there is unanimity about the transitional arrangements between britain and the e.u. if you'll recall for that period over almost two years they will last after britain formally is due to leave the e.u. in march of twenty nineteen thanks very much from brussels barnaby fenix. now syrian opposition fighters have surrounded one of the last rebel and caves near the. apical damascus in an evacuation deal with the government thousands of fighters and civilian

of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbours, as i said from the western balkansject we have discussed before and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i am grateful for the solidarity and support they have shown the united kingdom. the tap on the shoulder during that interview wasjean—claude the shoulder during that interview was jean—claude juncker, the european commission president, some eyebrows raised in brussels about the message he sent to president vladimir putin offering his warm congratulations, he was asked about it, he said take a look at that statement you got from the german chancellor angela merkel who offered her a warm congratulations to the russian president. let's bring in nigel farage who has joined russian president. let's bring in nigel farage who hasjoined me, nice to see you, they've all gone in, she is looking for a statement of solidarity from the european leaders, she might be a little frustrated that the one person who is prevaricating is donald trump. you may say donald trump, you may sayjean—claude you

incident was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its near neighbors from the western balkansmiddle east. mark: french prosecutors have placed former president nicolas sarkozy under formal investigation for illegal campaign finance and corruption. the probe is linked to allegations that moammar gadhafi helped fund sarkozy's 2007 campaign. belgian held ceremony that belgium held ceremonies to mark two years since the deadly terror attacks -- belgium held ceremonies to mark two years since the deadly terror attacks today. global news, 24 hours a day powered by more than 2700 , journalists and analysts in over 120 countries. i'm mark crumpton. this is bloomberg. it is just after 5:30 p.m. here in new york, 8:30 friday morning in sydney. my colleague paul allen has a look at the markets. good morning. paul: it's going to be a pretty interesting day across the asia-pacific to end the week with the announcement of president trump's $50 billion in tariffs against china. we have the index off by more than 1% after the first 30 minutes of trading. this follows the dow, the s&p, and nas

salisbury was part of a pattern of russian aggression against and its near neighbours from the western balkansle east. relations with russia seemed to be worsening yesterday boris johnson russia seemed to be worsening yesterday borisjohnson compare president putin's is to the world cup to hitler hosting the 1936 olympics. yes, i think the comparison with the 1936 olympics is certainly right. today, the russian ambassador said that was irresponsible comment. the british government is free to make a decision about its participation in the world cup but nobody has the right to insult the russian people, who defeated nazism, and lost more than 25 million people, by comparing out than 25 million people, by comparing our country to nazi germany. it goes beyond common—sense and we do not think british war veterans, including those of the arctic convoys , including those of the arctic convoys, would share this opinion. britain has, without any evidence, blamed russia of poisoning of three people and continues to refuse to cooperate. we cannot accept that. but, borisjohnson, cooperate. we cannot accept

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stress to fore and i look forward to further discuss. with my european colleagues. i'm grateful for the support that they've shown the united kingdom and on friday it will be brics it itself which is discussed here at the european council but a reason may and britain don't take part in those discussions or wants i don't think it will be terribly contentious here that has already been an agreement reached on the transitional arrangements between britain and the e.u. that will cover a period of almost two years off britain leaves the e.u. formally and that is due to happen in march of twenty nineteen. it with the news out from london much more still ahead yemen central bank runs out of money after a deposit promised by saudi arabia is seized by its coalition partner the u.a.e. . i'll tell you why tunisia's revised inheritance laws is causing concern for women's rights activists. and then later in sport russian authorities stress that engli

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to scan spiritual leaders supported the finding that it is highly likely moscow with responsible for the attack on u.k. soil. the e.u. wants to show strength towards a russia and in dealing with the united states over a potential trade war the union has now bought itself a little bit more time. garrick mathis is following the summit for us in brussels good morning gary let's talk about the tariffs first step because this exemption for the e.u. extends to may our leaders they're optimistic that they'll find a more permanent solution i would say leaders know that they now have a little more time for very tough talks to come the european union is very much interested in avoiding a protectionist system coming into place they're very much interested in a system that drowns via the w t o that runs via international organizations and keeps trade fair total reciprocity will be very tough to achieve and from the e.u.'s perspective they don't see tha

as part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors as i said from the western balkans to the middle east this is a subject we have to stress before and i look forward to further discussions with my european colleagues and i'm grateful for that the solidarity and support that they've shown the united kingdom. for brics it itself that will be on the menu here in brussels tomorrow that's friday and for once it doesn't seem as if it will be the source of a great amount of discord the transitional arrangement which governs how britain and the e.u. will interact in a twenty one month period after britain has for me left the e.u. at the end of march twenty nine hundred right up to the end of twenty twenty that period that agreement was hammered out and the seems to be a degree of unity around it barnaby phillips thank you very much indeed russia's ambassador to the u.k. has dismissed accusations that russia was behind the poisoning of the former double agent and his daughter has just in the u.k. already had the nerve agent and its chemical weapon reserves is it going incidenc

we are strongly protective and defensive of what is happening in the western balkans.e minister has said, the uk remains unconditionally committed, irrespective of our relationship with the european union, to european security. would you consider hitting the russians when it hurts, for example with money? we live under the rule of low in this country. not up the rule of low in this country. not up to politicians to go after that person take their wealth away. that is how he tenderly behaves. that is a sort of thing you expect to see in russia. it's up to the national crime agency to identify people whose wealth may have been acquired through gross corruption, theft from the russian state agency, that could be taken away with unexplained wealth orders. the statute as they in our new lows we have in force. work is going on on that now. but i will stress one thing. i don't want to see a big outbreak of hatred of russia in this country. i don't want to see ordinary russians living and working here feeling they have unloved and unwelcome as a result of the very serious prob

in the western balkans, the balkans. we see what's been happening with the russians in syria. , is it --'s in the eu it's britain that has been most forthright and obstinate in sticking up for our values. i think that's probably the reason why it has decided to make the gesture in this country. why do you think they used this particular nerve agent, rather than something more easily concealed and contained? secretary johnson: obviously, we can only speculate on that mr. gates, but i thought it was -- king clark put his finger on it the other day when he said this is "a russian signature on the deed." by using a specific type of nerve agent known to be developed in the soviet union in no former russian agent was immune. arm.e can escape the long people, it has really become clearer and clearer how reckless attempt, the assassins were in their contentment, if you would like. hospital,fficer in two people injured. the public will be at serious risk of their health. fearter: why didn't they what our reaction would be? is it

we have seen it in the western balkans. we have seen it in the baltics. we have seen what has been happening with the connivance of the russians in syria. and whether it is in the eu or the u.n., or whatever, it is britain that has been most forthright and most obstinate in sticking up for our values. i think that is probably the reason why it was decided to make the gesture here in this country. mr. gapes: why do you think they used this particular nerve agent, rather than something more easily concealed and contained? mr. johnson: obviously we can only speculate about that, mr. gapes , but actually i thought it was the father of the house, ken clarke, who put his finger on it the other day when he said that this was really to put a russian signature on the deed, and by using a specific type of nerve agent that was known to have been developed in the soviet union, in russia, it was a sign that nobody-no former russian agent-was immune and no one could escape the long arm of russian revenge. i think as the story has unfolded it has really become clearer a

we agreed import tariffs on steel and aluminium and we also discussed turkey and the western balkans,e the foundation of the eu and nato. it is a clear violation of the chemical weapons convention and an unlawful use of force a clear breach of the un charter. it is part of a pattern of increasingly aggressive russian behaviour, but also represents a new and dangerous phase in russia's hostile activity against europe and our shared values and interests. i argued that there should be a reappraisal of how the collective assets best tackle the threat russia poses following president putin's re—election. in my meetings with emmanuel macron and angela merkel, we agreed on the importance of sending a strong message on russia's actions, notjust in solidarity with the uk, but recognising the threat posed to the national security of all eu countries. the council agreed immediate actions, including withdrawing the eu's ambassador from moscow. today, 18 countries have announced their intention to expel more than 100 russian intelligence office rs more than 100 russian intelligence officers from t

. - [narrator] the aspirations of integrating russia into western institutions would be quickly tested in the balkans. the u.s. and its nato allies organized airstrikes outside of the u.n. security council, knowing that russia would veto them, pushing moscow to the sidelines. - [lynch] a post-communist russia let by boris yeltsin committed to liberal democracy thought that russia's international interests basically were the same as those of the united states, and of the democratic world in general. very quickly they discovered that there were strict limits to that premise. and we saw that in the balkans, in bosnia and in kosovo, throughout the 1990s. (ominous music) - [yelchenko] when the kosovo crisis was on the agenda, russia step by step started to come back to their own understanding of the place which russia should have in the world. - it was rocky, frankly, because one of the reasons that we went to nato was it was very clear that the russians were going to veto any mandate that was coming through the security council. - [williams] there was a lot of concern and aggravation in the kremlin over

and spain that's is across the picture for thursday there's more running through the balkan states and into western turkey otherwise just bit of a breeze a fairly mild bit of rain maybe the north and a frost in the british isles in the day after temperatures rise even more as more significant rain for portugal i wouldn't have plus two in kiev but marna six in moscow so much of the action in second place really in europe and bits of metal tray that don't really affect north africa the street supplier to the certainly the potential for rain to come through morocco and focus all now geria this is come thursday to come friday even that's gone through and the sun returns. the weather sponsored by qatar and nice. the scene for us where on line what is american sign in yemen that peace is possible but it never happens not because the situation is calm but because no one cares or if you join us on sat there people that there are choosing between buying medication and eating they say is a dialogue i want to get in one more comment because this is someone who is an activist and just posted a story join the g

salzburg was part of a pattern of russian aggression against europe and its neighbors from the western balkans to the middle east now human rights lawyer dan quality told us that recalling diplomats at a time of extreme tension is potentially dangerous i think it would be very dangerous i think it would be a very bad move for countries in the e.u. to call their diplomatic representatives out of washington to shine a pardon like russia during these very. unstable tarbes i just feel is completely responsible it's very regrettable i think we need all the diplomatic tools we have to relate to russia and to talk to russia and of all diplomatic forces out of russia would be counterproductive and quite dangerous at this point. in the russian blame game has expanded into areas once considered beyond a political point scoring our london correspondent on us to see if you're going to find an educational project with an anti russian twist. what's better than helping the young to try to maneuver the ever tricky world of global current affairs. of the day is an online news service that is used by one in thr

balkans. catching some very cold air which is pouring out of western russia and that will head into our direction begin to head through the course of the weekend. notice the dark blue colours. into the low countries, denmark, scandinavia, and then to the uk, the easterly winds will be very brisk and cold and they could introduce snow so keep watching the weather forecast. this is bbc world news america. reporting from washington, i'm jane o'brien. president trump joins the international chorus in blaming moscow for the poisoning of a russian spy. he also has new problems from the mueller probe. a bridge collapses in miami killing several people at a local university. we'll have the latest from the scene. and, it's all smiles in finland. why the nordic nation is ranked the happiest country on earth. welcome to our viewers on public television here in america, and also around the globe. the us hasjoined france, germany and the uk in a joint statement demanding that russia explain the use of a military grade

and then we have got some wet weather pushing back into that western side if you're in some rather wet weather there across italy and the balkan some of that what's the weather will also just brushed the fog northwest of africa a little bit damp weather coming through hey see the clouds spinning across north america we're back to see some right on shoes day fun a trifle algeria's at this stage fog and dry further east and warm in colorado with the top temperature of twenty nine degrees. the weather sponsored by qatar and race. what makes this moment this era we live in for so unique this is really an attack on itself is a lot of misunderstanding the distortion is one of what free speech is supposed to be about the context is hugely important level wise to publish if you have a good cheat to be offensive or provocative whatever lies people do setting the stage for a serious debate. up front at this time on al-jazeera. let's have a look at the top stories here at al-jazeera a hung parliament is expected in italy following sunday's election with about half the votes counted the antiestablishment five star movement is the biggest

the mediterranean southern areas of italy and see where the balkans three grace still seeing some thunder still a few showers across the western side of the med this nasty little system here that continues spring some lively wanes and some heavy rain and we can see some of the choppy waters continuing around the bay of biscay that will eventually push its way through across the peyronie's into that western side of the matter try to central ira still looking disturbed greece still seeing some wet weather further north quiets and lossie dry ten celsius in vienna and in warsaw double figures here double figures two into that western side of here london then paris getting up to around twelve or thirteen degrees cloud of the ray will drive its way further east which is to go through what shoes day heavy downpours a possibility through the low countries across a good part of france warming up imitate you notice it around twenty degrees celsius nice and pleasant and warm sunshine eventually coming through not too woman algiers on monday forty degrees in the cloud and right it will mount the cheese day with a high of sixteen. the cons

balkans? curtis m. scaparotti: it is important we have a whole government approach. fair,atic engagement which we encourage from our allies, -- there, which we encourage from our allies, we need to build western democratic institutions. desire among the populations in the balkans to come west. we have to show them we are just as interested in back as they are. rep. thornberry: mr. scott. cott: it is nice to see you again, mr. general. i want to follow-up on a bite of questions that my colleague was asking. country of land mass. they border, dpeending -- them,ing on how you count over 12 countries, including north korea and china on the eastern side. then you come back to the part of the world you are in charge of. the border a number of countries in the european theater. my question is, are they engaging in a line of activities against all of them? and which countries are they not engaging in these activities against? curtis m. scaparotti: i have seen some activity in most countries. they don't have a focus on certain ones. you can see that activity in their media, because they are anti-western kinds of undercutting democratic countries and governments they are in. this focuses more particula