union, they see their security and the european union. and that is why most of these countries support i d e u. sanction sandra. and so i also would like to emphasize the case of soviet yeah, if you want to become a member of the european union unsafe your wants to become a member, it is central at times such as ours to also support to foreign policy and the sanctions of the european union via and beyond that to day that we have also talked leave yard of the vague about and touch goods on the global support tenant and how we can make sure neg dad energy security. how high it food security hack in mind is an issue that we don't lie soil in europe, but we look at the global scale and that's one of the central towns together with the united nations to work on implement security in these respects are stellar. oh, i also would like to speak to 2 minutes to say something about it and it should be goals. withdrawal from offers. analysts beagle has been through a very hard personally very difficult time. why do you do? is to day liters. so now pe

are taken altogether the toughest measures that the european union imposed against russia ever. so that is also something that we have to acknowledge . and to award cert was a la fund ally and didn't bring to care of was a concrete perspective, a concrete dade, for a potential you membership of ukraine. however, what he, what she brought and handed over to the lensky was a questioner. and so she said that the european commission is going to help ukraine, answer all the questions and then they will make a recommendation. and we can expect the european union to propose to accelerate the proceedings so that ukraine could become a candidate for e u membership. alexander a crucial vivid, but the war continues to rage. there was an attack on a train station to day. that station is part of a very known evacuation route in cramming taurus, thousands of people civilians where they are. russia repeatedly says it does not bomb civilians, but that's not what we're seeing. alexandra, that it's true. that is not what we are seeing, and that is, of course, what russia is saying of all the time

are taken altogether the toughest measures that the european union imposed against russia ever. so that is also something that we have to acknowledge . and what sir was a life on the lie and didn't bring to care of was a concrete perspective, a concrete stage for a potential you membership of ukraine. however, what he, what she brought and handed over to zalinski was a questioner and says, she said that the european commission is going to help ukraine. answer all the questions and then they will make a recommendation. and we can expect the european union to propose to accelerate the proceedings so that ukraine could become a candidate for e u. membership that was due to be corresponded. alexander and i'm reporting for us are from cliff. and here are some other headlines in the war and ukraine. lucky has donated its air defense systems, ukraine. soviet era, as 300 systems already in use by ukrainian forces, requiring no extra training, is greens, only defense against ballistic missiles. the u. s. as it's real quick in slovakia, the modern patriot missile defenses, the german gove

so this is a significant step forward for the european union, for the europe or european continent. speaking of the european continent, the european union, what stood out for me as well, is that both miss or rescue live for minister or of romanian. of course, prime minister. gov really are sort of reiterated the wish of a mold over to join the you. is that gonna be easy because you have to bring something to the table as well to join this club on you. well if you do, but i thing moldova and it has been l so loaded by another number above moldova has provided a lot of efforts and it also said, reiterated it's fam attachment to the european union in the words of her natalia gave really tell her to be part of what she called to free. well, just to or, you know, those are the words of you as president joe biden. as she also said that mil dover believed in the development based on democratic institutions on the rule of law. and she stated once again that moldova was ready to do his homework. and if we look at moldova where it is placed on a mark, of course it is next to award on country

and not only for ukraine, but also for european union. we supplied a lot of stuff to european union, especially in the cultural production. the war is ongoing. there's talk of a new campaign in the east about things getting worse. is it too early to talk about rebuilding and ukraine before the war? everybody give us 2 days that we will class of 2 days. now we are fighting for $8448.00 days against the biggest from guy, and we will win. so now is most, it is not only to start to think about recovery. we need to think about recovery right now to be prepared. what has to be done to my country? all right, to meet your loss is chairman of the board of the ukrainian business and trade association. we thank you very much for joining us here in studio. thank us my soon to really well, the world bank is also predicting major knock on effects for economies beyond russia and ukraine. it slashed its growth forecast for central europe this year, from over 6 percent to 3 and a half and ukraine's western neighbor, poland. it's lack of manpower that sitt

do you think that the european union just doesn't understand? you were an advisor to the equivalent of the you foreign minister, because at the same time as her, the rest of the world may be holds fast, learn waltz, maybe even ruler. and certainly boston are in brazil in south africa, all these countries in the global, south, defacto back russia as seen by nato. meanwhile, in europe, the war by russia is paid for by european union money, de facto $100000000000.00 fortune magazine, said, comes from the european union into russia to pay for gas oil and coal. at the same time, as you just said, they're in effect, sanctioning themselves. and berlin is telling its citizens to and perhaps rash and gas and they're all over western europe. they're talking about how some of them talk about mass, a fuel poverty. i think you raise a really important question because i don't see any sign that the europeans did any gave any thought to the strategic consequences of what they were doing. they were so caught up in the sort of sense of the struggle against russi

of european union that the wants to be. well, the son of the far right in europe and in europe, actually as a whole, faith, the fun nations of europe can save the order of europe. it's its influence so, so you know, a blow out a european values. if you look at the program of my lip and its soul about being anti immigration, she doesn't want, as i loom requests to be preceded in france, for example, this goes against the french constitution. this goes against european values. and this, you know, just different vision of europe. you mentioned also the eastern european countries money up and visited them during several years. and she also gets funded not least by, by russia. so you can see this learning between the size of the population in europe and alliances. today, more than ever are more than questionable, you know, the 5000000 live ended and can then open me vladimir putin. this time at this hour when we see what's happening in ukraine, probably also didn't bring her mo votes, more voters in her back to night. when mac h

it is swear your past towards europe and the european union begins. let me promise you for this question here that i will hand over to you in a moment. a question here of course, has to be answered. these are questions that then formally your opinion of the european union as a recommendation to the counselor. we stand ready 24 hours, 7 days a week, to support you in filling out this questionnaire. we know a lot about each other because we've been working together so intensively of the last years. so it will be not as usual, a matter of years to form this opinion. but i think a matter of weeks it would work closely together. so for you, there will not be dangerous on why i went with the question. yeah. we'll be ready with answers also let you know on the way. oh thank you. thank you president. don't, don't be afraid for the questionnaire. go to get her. her gem or the chair, we also have to fill in a lot of questions and sure it would be very important for you. thank you very much . i thank you bridges and from hearing me the floor a president. i am re

union governments of the european union leaders. and they are now sending out their messages on twitter. most of them in french congratulating mccoy on his victory. certainly this would have been a le pen victory, would have been a huge problem for the european union, a huge problem for nato. so the city of brussels is very relieved tonight and with micron and paula, what would this mean for the wider you project and the future of the european union? well, certainly amendment. emmanuel mccoy is, is a pro european and marine the pen is not. and as we've been hearing from, from max and, and our other team coverage tonight, the european union had a lot to worry about with the le pen victory. even though she said she would not be taking the country out of the block. she certainly wanted to change it from the inside and end to destabilize it. so certainly a mcluhan being such a pro european and, and openly wanting to continue franco, german leadership inside the european union is a very, very good, very good result for europe tonight. an

the rest of the european union as well. who just to give you a reminder, all of the projected results, micron has 58.5 percent of the votes. while his far right rival got a share of $41.00 and a half percent, these figures are an estimation based on early counting. le pen was very quick to concede. she said the result put her party in an excellent place for the upcoming legislative elections because of course, the winning the presidency is only the 1st hurdle of the next president, of course, will be instrumental in the formation of a new government with a whole range of new complications and challenges ahead of for francis, somewhat divide data electorates. many turning this time around in terms of giving their supports to the far right. others frame gotcha had to go over what a pretty much amounted to a process vote to my you my crohn, even though he may not have been the 1st choice, i switched and to mo and bizarre, he's helping us and pick up the friendship election mo and a lot of voters that we've been hearing comment

the unity is often an issue or within the european union. how unified are the 27 you remember states and dealing with rockville, terry, that the cracks are starting to appear and you can almost divide the block into into 3 categories. you've got those like the baltic states who feel vulnerable at a potential attack from russia. you have those that are economically dependent on, on russia, from in terms of the, the energy impulse. i'm talking about germany until about italy, countries axial vakio. and then you've got those that have close ties with, with, with, with the kremlin, like hungry, for example. so you can already see that as some core for increased pressure on moscow, others have self interest to consider as well as others having closer relations with the vladimir put, for example, the hungarian sir, who have said that they are prepared to pay for russian gas in rubles if moscow had asked for it that is taking a direct step away from the consolidated european response or of not doing so for example. so the divisions are certainly th

one of them is what ukraine is asking for from a european union. you can simply as saying that european union needs immediately caught it gas and oil imports from rush us way as in ask him whether there is any plan for us for, for such an act. he says that it wasn't on the table. however, on monday, europe in union is going to discuss that with with him, think that there is at this unity among the union to take such a step. however, one of the remarkable political highlight also was that he told me that the european delegation came with them, and they're going to stay in ukraine and been original in ukraine considering the ex, or the sort of the embassies, the, the political delegation representative of the international buddies going are moving out of 2 years that is quite significant day for ukraine and also as a side wizard. this like in prime minister also today has visited here just 2 days ago. the turkish meter embassy was reopened. sl awaken embassy is now reopened. we can see that off today, so this off at the embassies moon, after kia. now

was this in coordination with the european union? well, there was coordination, but the question is very relevant. i think we have spoken to some central european jump before the visit and they're very skeptical about, you know, the chocolate and the also just being able to achieve anything. last the, even the setting the scene for this is not looking good the place, the author and them to see where the chancellor or meet the press is a former guest house where your ribbon truck, hitler foreign minister was saying in august 1939 when germany concluded it's in intimacy back that starting, so i'm absolutely certain that in war so and in the baltic states and other central european countries, this will only breed irritation. although one have to say that chart for me, hama went to key. i haven't talked to the last people who i mean most going to talk to the boss. he said one thing which is very crucial and very important for ukrainians. he said that pretty much everything is on the table, but ostrich cannot allow itself to do to basical

and i'm here and kiff with you today to send a very strong message that the european union is by your side. we stand by your side . this is the message that you have. a lot of me i want to bring to you, but also to the ukrainian people for more were joined by d. w, corresponded alexandra phenomena who joins us from the ukranian capital. alexandra talk to us about the significance of this visit by top european union officials to ukraine. well, i think it was very significant to see the president of the european union and the ukranian president stand side by side during the joint press conference. it is, was important to hear those words from all the la funder lion, that the european union is standing by the side of ukraine. data, verify it is our fight. and to that, sir, and they you appear union acknowledge that they can never match the sacrifice of the ukrainian people. and i think the fact that she was here in keith was appreciated by the ukrainian government and the fact that she decided to visit boucher despite significant security risk. what's also appreciate it, but let's have a

our correspondent conley, they're in, keith. european union commission president ursula on a lion is to meet president zalinski in t f. in a show of solidarity from the block. the blocks top diplomat as joseph burrell, also attend the meeting under lions new sanctions on russia, including a battle importing coal vodka and timber were backed by the u member states. this week. the new coal band is estimated to be worth $4000000000.00 euros a year. but that is just a fraction of what is spent on russian oil and gas, and the ban isn't due to be implemented until august. our brussels correspond christine manuel is covering this story. christine, you, christian, president, toner, light and foreign policy chief, joseph burrell, are on their way to meet presidents lensky innkeeper. tell us about the significance of this trip. terry, it's, it's a gesture off solidarity i. it is the repeated affirmation to the ukrainians, that the european union stands with ukraine that will do whatever i can to support ukraine and defending itself against russia. but we've got to be honest about the fact that

do you think that the european union just doesn't understand? you were an advisor to the equivalent of the you foreign minister because at the same time as the rest of the world may be hold fast lula and bulls, maybe even ruler. and certainly boston are in brazil in south africa. all these countries in the global south, defacto back russia, as seen by nato. meanwhile, in europe, the war by russia is paid for by european union money, de facto $100000000000.00 fortune magazine said, comes from the europe, ian union into russia to pay for gas oil. and coal, at the same time, as you just had their in effect, sanctioning themselves. and berlin is telling its citizens to and perhaps rash and gas and all over western europe. they're talking about some of them talking about mass fuel poverty. i think you raise are really important question because i don't see any sign that the europeans did any gave any thought to the strategic consequences of what they were doing. they were so caught up in the sort of sense of the struggle against russia are, again, pu

so yes, i want to overhaul the european union from the inside. mr. macron, i didn't think that you would believe in a conspiracy theory. >> interesting thought from you. >> if i wish to exit the eu, i would say it. i don't. >> so 80% of your platform has changed. a good thing. 80% of your platform five years ago only applicable without a euro. changing the club by yourself, reducing your dues, well, at their everyone will chip in and follow or you just will go solo. it looks like you are suggesting going solo. also, according to your program, you still want lines with russia, interesting. you mentioned the chicken. can i mentioned that france did oppose an clash -- and clash, simply because of the merit clause? when we ask something of our farmers, we want something to be done by their own farmers. which is why we stalled the negotiations. there was no commitment to the paris commitment. to biodiversity. we managed to fight against imported deforestation. set about dropping production levels -- and they agree with what you said about dropping product

you would like to have a different european union. but as it stands, the whole project as it's evolved over decades. this is a good consolation for that project on an international stage. like we mentioned, he didn't say very much when it came to his agenda with foreign policy and the war ukraine. he did mention once what, what did you make that? but this i think, is quite simple actually, you know, this was just a happy man. remember when we talked about how he kind of lost this you for just being happy, a nice to few of her that, that, that's him that, that was there. i haven't seen that in a long, long time. and i think if we still, if we still have those live pictures, he's still hugging it out and for the eiffel tower, if we can take a look there. so he was very relieved you could tell he was have he wanted to keep it happy and of course to warn you. crane is nothing that is particularly happy or positive at the moment. and so he just mentioned it in passing. yes. to mention that because the biggest thing happening at the moment

at the european union imposed against russia ever. so that is also something that we have to acknowledge. and at what sir was a law on the lion didn't bring to key of was a concrete perspective, a concrete stage for a potential you membership of ukraine. however, what he, what she brought and handed over to zalinski was a questioner and says, she said that the european commission is going to help ukraine. answer all the questions and then they will make a recommendation. and we can expect the european union to propose to accelerate the proceedings so that ukraine could become a candidate for e u membership. that was did have you corresponded alexander from harmon, inclusive and here some other headlines on the war and ukraine. the lucky has donated his air defense systems, ukraine, the us, 300 dates back over 3 decades. and so we'd error that was designed to shut down air and aircraft and cruise missiles, the u. s. as it's and in slovakia, modern petri missile defense system the german government says 40 russian diplomats have left th

we supplied a lot of stuff to european union, especially in the cultural production. the war is ongoing. there's talk of a new campaign in the east about things getting worse. is it too early to talk about rebuilding and ukraine? ok before the war, everybody give us 2 days that we will class up to days. now if i do for $8448.00 days against the biggest one guy, and we will win. so now is most to in is not only to start to think about recovery, we need to think about recovery right now to be prepared. what has to be done to my country? to mature a loss from the ukrainian business and trade association. speaking to steven beslee that now since the war in ukraine began, global wheat prices have risen enormously. conflict in what sometimes go with the world's bread basket is having the biggest knock on effects for the developing countries who rely on ukrainian exports. and she nicea flower is now being russian . the queue is long. the bread baskets and the bakery almost empty. too. nicea normally gets the wheat it needs from ukraine, but supplies of dried up, leaving brea

the european union is sending weapons to your country. we have allocated almost 1000000000 euros from the european piece facility to supporter ukrainian armed forces and more will come later on. the high representative will present that with this, so porch to the brave ukrainian soldiers fighting for ukraine's freedom. we want to underline that you're fighting for all of us. the 3rd topic that we have been discussing was indeed strengthening our financial a support for ukraine. today we are delivering round about 1000000000 euros of support. this sam consists of 3 different pillars. it is as we speak of the transfer of 100 talk 20000000 years to budget support. we will on top wait, make available of 330000000 years from the emergency package now and we have discussed that the 3rd pillar is accelerating the 2nd half of the micro financial assistance with 600000000 euros. the 4th 4th topic that we have been discussing was the ukrainians refugees as they seek refuge within our borders. and i promise your vall, autumn year, we will take good

certainly in the european union where a descent is arguably band. we are told almost hourly, that putin invaded ukraine without provocation. oh no, it's very clear what we're dealing with israeli something and it's much broader than just ukraine. and both presidents pull in and she have both made said that this is a by reordering, if you like the security architecture of the, the global security architecture away from a simple rules based order that is set by the united states in order to give these other states see to the board of life to be able to have a discussion. there is really no communication. before that there was a very good analogy made by someone, but it was like a chessboard. and united states that at one end of the chessboard, and someone said, well to, to play this game of chess. and it was present sky back to pursue the sky had not to walk. there's no other at this game. we just simply turn the ball round and then we play from the other side. and that's been going on really the whole for a long time. and now russia and china won her

a start warning from the european union to china do not help russia in its war with ukraine. china says it will not be forced to take soft. and the drawl for this year's football world cup has concluded. whose country guitar in now hope the world detention moves away from its human rights record to the turn of it itself? ah, i bring golf, it's good to have you with us on this friday and we start in ukraine and those attempts to get civilians out of the besieged city of mario pulled to night. there are reports that a red cross convoy had to stop and turn around conditions on the ground, simply too dangerous. now the strategic port on ukraine's southern coast is essential for control and access to the sea of as odd. as you see right there, previous attempts to establish humanitarian corridors out of the city for about a 160000 civilians. have phil. but that appears to be changing across ukraine. more than 6000 people managed to get out via humanitarian corridors just to day and about half of those were evacuated from. are you pull hollow shells of buildings now were a vital port city once

he has reinvigorated the european union. i am perceived as a euro-phile in poland, but i never believed the russian president would revitalize the organization. he has moved to sweden and finland to nato. >> the law of unintended consequences, right? nobody else has been able to do that. israel, a democratic country, most would say, not everybody, but most, it is a country that you would think would land behind ukraine, but they did not. why? >> would like to stress one ring. for every polish diplomat to israel, a three year stint is like 30 in any other. i fell in love with the people, the country, their culture, with their remarkable past, which we partially share, as you perfectly know. it is a complex history. it was complicated for me is a polish diplomat to explain all those nuances of our bilateral relationship but also of our relations with russia. one telling example -- there -- every year, there is a veterans day celebrated in israel. basically, the israeli political class commemorates the sacrifice made by the red

a pack train station cream, condemns it as another russian war, crime, european union. chief ursula on the line tells president of a little dinner zalinski. she'll speed up ukraine's bid to join the block. she also sees for herself a mass grave which shocked the world. and frances presidential race heats up current leader, a manual mccall faces off against far right challenge money le pen contenders are tip to go through to the 2nd round. ah american tilton. welcome to the program. a russian missile attack on the train station in eastern ukraine has killed at least 50 people and wounded dozens more. authorities say rockets struck the crowded train station in the coma tourist. and rather in chrome, a tourist in the done that screeching hundreds of people were waiting there to board trains to safety. ukraine is calling it yet another russian war. crime. me while president older zalinski is demanding more weapons and a tough global response. the leaders of france and germany have condemned the attack while the white house has described it as a horrific atrocity. scenes of carnage and dest

it is not us campaigning for countries to join nato and european union. actually, many of them think that nato and the eu are too enlarged. it is because those countries requested membership and we handled that according to all of the well-known principles. host: the president announced earlier this week that diplomats will be returning to ukraine. his intention to nominate bridget brink, the current ambassador of slovakia, go to ukraine, what do you think of these efforts, as far as diplomatically? is it far past diplomatic efforts or still a possibility that diplomacy could work? guest: we should always keep diplomacy at hand, obviously. it is a very good signal to both ukraine and russia that diplomats are returning to kyiv. secretary blinken and secretary alston visited kyiv recently. it is a clear signal to russia that we are expecting the ukrainians to actually win this conflict. all those gestures, where european leaders have visited kyiv and met with president zelenskyy, are very important both to encourage the ukrainians and to discourage the rus

you see it as the representative of taipei in the european union. you know howjust reliant germany, for example, is on trade with china — to the tune of some 200 billion euros a year. you know that china's belt and road initiative now reaches into hungary, italy, greece, a host of european union member states. china has effectively ensured that the world can't afford to isolate china. yes, ithink, i mean, compared to russia, china is a much bigger economic power in the international arena and we may also need to look at this issue from a different angle. that is taiwan is also a powerhouse to semiconductors and ict products. if we just look at those at those chips, taiwan accounts for about 92% of the global production, so—called �*defence�* chips, which is under the 10mm... crosstalk. i know very well from a little bit of research that the taiwanese dominance of the semiconductor chip market is extraordinary. you have the power, whether it be from apple iphones to all of the computerisation of auto mobiles, you have the power to shut down v

do you think that the response of the european union is strong enough? well, the response sir, must be strong. and for the moment, as he 1st steps in a good direction, especially the big question of energy or embargo there we have, now's a decision on the coal and that is good butter. my group and i myself, i'm insisting also and abandon oil on because that will really hurt or putins power system much. and that's why we should go one step further to also exclude to all from importing to the european union. oil would really be the crucial point, because that is a large part of his income. he makes more money from oil than he really makes from gas. so why our country so reticent, all is replaceable from other sources. what's going on? well, you have to ask our council members, so member state level from an e p groups point of view from my political family. and also i think yesterday the european parliament will decide about coal and oil embargo towards russia. so there is a position of the parliamentarians and he insisted this must now him, do you think yo

if— european union. is he right? they are linked. if you _ european union. is he right? they are linked. if you ask— european union. is he right? tie are linked. if you ask marine le european union. is he right? tie1 are linked. if you ask marine le pen or emmanuel macron they will say, we don't want france to leave the eu but emmanuel macron will save more europe is the solution, and marine le pen will say less is the solution. inaudible voters who vote either way will feel that they are past the solution or not. so, both candidates have cast their votes. 0ur correspondent anna holligan is in the northern town of henin—beaumont — marine le pen's home territory: well, it's a lazy sunday afternoon here. this is actually one of the busiest places. but many people are hoping for a momentous evening as the results come in. and many people are optimistic that she could actually do it, marine le pen, even though the odds are against her. she was voting here earlier. here's an idea of what she was met with. marine, je t'aime! this is a flavour of the passion marine le pen

also coming up tonight, a start warning from the european union to china. do not help russia in its war against ukraine. the china sang it will not be forced to take soft. ah. i bring. gov is good to have you with us. we start tonight in ukraine and those attempts to get civilians out of the besieged city of mario pole. to night there are reports that a red cross convoy had to stop and turn around conditions on the ground. simply too dangerous of these strategic port on ukraine. southern coast is essential for the control of access to the sea of assaults. previous attempts to get people out of the city about a $160000.00 civilians where they fill, but that appears to be changing. across you crate were then 6000 people managed to get out via human humanitarian corridors. today, about half of those were evacuated from mario pope. hollow shells of buildings now were a vital port city. once stood, mario paused, still under bombardment, with tens of thousands trapped with those who made it out to areas of ukraine not controlled by russian forces. describe a harr

but albany looks at the european union at the global stage. and so some say he doesn't look enough for he didn't look enough at ecological policies, for example, at green policies and women's rights. and that's especially why young waters this time are, are disappointed in him or where disappointed him. marina strauss in central paris . thank you so much sir. victory for emmanuel crohn. the race was closer than 5 years ago when he was also up against marine the pen in the 2nd round . and he is facing a huge task to re unite a france. that is deeply divided. a paris correspondent lisa louis has this report emma, my car came to power in 2017, as the youngest president in french history, a strong pro european former banker and economics minister. the 39 year old promised to heal a country where the far right was on the rise is a fruit to, i'll do everything i can either coming 5 years so that there is no more reason to vote for extremist, because the ballistics claim. but very quickly, those in the left wing who had waited for marcal centrist pla

terry, when you think about the fact that the european union is still sending hundreds of millions of euro's every single day at sue russia, despite the fact that they're going to eventually van, our coal, you realize that this is not all that match. and the criticism here from many, many in the u, for example, is that the block is effectively continuing to fill and top up moscow's war chest with those energy payments that these energy payments are effectively undermining all these sanctions. add that have been put in place, which do show to be having some kind of an impact in russia, but clearly not enough to stop what we're seeing happening in ukraine short of an embargo on russian garson oil. christine, what leverage does that you have to persuade russia to get out of ukraine? not very much. sure. and this is why we are seeing efforts happening at all levels at political levels that the european union engaging a partner countries around the world to try and increase the sort of political isolation on moscow. we heard from the commission president was that if on the line that they w

but in the european union place, that is where we belong to, wouldn't exist on want to ask you about that alexander, because there was a, a very eye catching moment during the press conference. where the commission presenters of underlying handed over a folder to the ukranian president. can you tell us more about that? yes, it was quite an interesting moment because he would not assume that the president of the european commission would use this important press conference to hand over such a folder. it was a questioner in which are they hoped that you, the korean government is able to answer important questions about reforms in the country about the independence of the judiciary system. all this important things that are so important for a potential you membership. so it's a, i was asking myself in this moment, or is it really necessary? is it a strong signal that the ukrainian people were wake wait a waiting for? but then i thought that it's, it is a strong signal because the president of the, of the european commission came to key of to hand it over to make clear that she is suppor

and i think the feeling, especially in the european union. so she in here in brussels, is that the money needs to be there to support people. they're aware that if the humanitarians and the refugee side of things don't help them on fully supported and it can have a huge effect on european union citizens as well. you mentioned as well though this idea of what the priorities are. well, the question the ukrainian government is asking is the money is all well and good, but we saw demitrix labor for instance, the foreign minister attending a nato meeting here at brussels early this week. and he said, what they need are weapons at defense systems. i'm to tank systems to try and fight off the russian fonts. and he warned that if that didn't happen, then there would be a likelihood that the war in ukraine could spill over. i jam packed there for us in brussels. thanks very much. france, his presidential race is tightening just a day before the 1st round of voting. polls show far right challenger marine. the pen is gaining on the current leader. that'

we've heard this from the european union chief, was it on the line? we've also heard from joseph a boreal, who chaired today's meeting as we understand it, it is being reported and that the victor alba of russia i has said that he is not interested engaging in a conversation about oil at any other level. other than a council level that is effectively a meeting of european union heads of government. ah, there is no council scheduled until at least at the end of may somewhere in may and june. and it might be pushed at closer because of that. so we might see european has a state been quarter meeting a sometime in april. it was a meeting scheduled because of the pressure that the block is. and now the force, the fear is that if they fail to reach some kind of an agreement at that particular meeting, a special meeting, an emergency meeting. so to say that looks really bad for a unity on, on such a big stage. so it remains to be seen what, what is going to be the outcome of that. but already the room of neil is churning about that kind of meeting for, for t

but also all of us as european union can continue to help. the response was we need more help, more urgently. we need more arms, we need more military help, financial had been logistic ahead. so that is my next question. of course. does the european union do enough? saying no, we should do much more. how can this be brought about if we look at the next sanctions package, for instance, it seems we kesh, it's more a whimper than a bang. and so on that regard. it seems there's not enough unity but was giving i'm giving money and, and giving more factual help you think that could be done. i have it in the parliament where huge amount of members, unprecedented unity. in fact, among the members that have pushed from day one and that 2 steps that i thought this parliament would never achieve that welcoming the candidate status of ukraine as a, as a, as a candidate country of the little union. and calling for a sat a quicker and moving on to the router for a switzer over russia's innovation. we agreed that there must support older regional partners u

for instance, the european union feels that they are a bystander. they are, they're sitting here and they're watching and having to watch things unfolding in ukraine. so these visits are, is sort of says, are trying to give a sign. they can't really explored weapons themselves. that for up to the member states to do that because they don't have any, but they giving all the money they can for instance, that is not a question. and it's that supposed to give a sign that we are with you, we're watching over you. we're trying to help as much as we can and not being in military forrest of the european union. that's the best really it can do at this point in time. our course on a barbara vessel reporting from straw spoke last. thank you very much, barbara. we're still waiting for the joint press conference a to start with the french or german and romanian foreign minister under moldova. no president or that is happening here in berlin in just a few moments for arch before that. let's bring in our political correspondent, emerald chicago, who joins me in th