i first met volodymyr zelensky in january of 2019. he was just a comedian and an actor, a jokey, fun guy, a celebrity, of course, and a real star here in ukraine. it was the start of his political journey and, for me, as the bbc�*s correspondent here in ukraine, a fascinating time. i've had a front row seat as zelensky has gone from a political novice to leading ukraine's fight for survival against russia. happy birthday. thank you. do you know we are almost the same age? i am about to be 41 as well, unfortunately i am not running for president. laughs who knows? nobody knows. 25th of january, 2019, volodymyr zelensky turns a1. it is also the birthday of one of the most extraordinary stories in modern politics. in the centre of kyiv, ukraine's most famous comedian and actor is signing papers to officially become a candid for presidency. none of us in the press pack outside are quite sure whether we're part of a joke that we've not been let into or whether it is something more sincere. as it turns out, for perhaps the first time in h

zelensky turns 41. it is also the birthday of one of the most extraordinary stories in modern politics. in the centre of kyiv, the most famous comedian and actor is assigning papers to officially become a candid to officially become a candid to become president. none of us in the press pack outside are quite sure whether we are part of a joke that we have not been let into or whether it is something more sincere. as it turns out, for perhaps the first time in his life, falinski was being serious. but, asked to spell out his policies, it all seems a bit bag. 0n ukraine's existential issue, russia, for example, he seemed to think that foreign investors might deter an attack. the campaign was now on, but zelensky was still making tv shows. laughs. we were invited back to the offices of his production company in 1995 for a look behind the scenes. this is where you film your comedy show? you make yes, yes, not only comedy shows, everything only comedy shows, everything on tv. we have documentary, drama, movi

president zelensky thinks exactly the _ time. president zelensky thinks exactly the opposite, _ time. president zelensky thinks exactly the opposite, why - time. president zelensky thinks exactly the opposite, why don't| exactly the opposite, why don't theyjust kick russia out? i know they cannot but russia has broken plenty of international laws and rules in recent weeks, why cannot the un throughout it's own rules and kick russia out? , ., . ., , , out? they would certainly be well deserved _ out? they would certainly be well deserved to _ out? they would certainly be well deserved to do - out? they would certainly be well deserved to do so - out? they would certainly be well deserved to do so but . well deserved to do so but there is no mechanism to expel russia from the security council, it is called a permanent seat for a reason and there needs to be a longer—term conversation about reforming the security council itself but in the meantime there lots of the mechanisms available through the international system to take acti

and international supported to what president volodymyr zelensky is trying to do and keep his nation and get his nation free again. shannon: they talk about this latest situation the carnage going on there and said that this is the group legacy of vladimir putin invasion that the world will have to consider as part of the calculation and is is more intended conflict continues goes on to say that if vladimir putin cases from this work of the will be more invasions and were crimes and more traffic is scenes like those in the future and so hello you watch we see this clearly not playing but no rules in the estimation and knowing that if he has not stopping here, he will only if he wins against some way from this encouragement which is now full on war, does he tend to go further into ukraine or beyond the borders. guest: poet you really are saying is that the strategic applications w of what president vladimir putin doing with respect to refrain have worldwide ramifications and is not going to be just within ukraine, because if we do not push vladimir putin back to the borders of ukraine

zelensky is there and he's fighting and he's inspiring people around the world. it's one of the reasons why shone in my politics couldn't be more different. weif are good friends and that's great for america. he used to be wheeled grew up with friends and neighbors who were democrats and republicans. we are all americans and we were trying to do the right thing for our country and for freedom and that's the kind of friendship that sean and i have.se what's interesting in this crisis bret i a lot of time on the stump so to speak for congressional candidates. if we want to take back the house in the fall that somethint sean doesn't want to have happen. i go to these events and everybody is inspired for the ukrainians. they want to supply them with the tools in the arsenal for democracy and help the creating people and shone as stated on the progressive side on the democratic side. the american people are watching folks just like us fighting for their lives and fighting for the kids and fighting for freedom. dothere is some really bad that there's. because they have

, we asked president zelensky. "ukraine deserves peace, we can't live with war. "every day our army is fighting, but we don't want the lives "of millions to be lost," he said. "that's why dialogue is necessary." yogita limaye, bbc news, bucha. russia's response to the global outpouring of anger and condemnation has been to deny any involvement, accusing the world's media of making it all up. the shocking images of bodies in the streets of bucha were staged, they said, and talk of war crimes and genocide was fake news. russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov has led the kremlin�*s response to the fury of the international community, as our russia editor steve rosenberg reports. this is how russia wants its soldiers in ukraine to be seen, as heroes and humanitarian workers, a caring, sharing army, spreading goodness and light to those it claims to be liberating. but moscow knows the international community doesn't believe that. mr lavrov, the us president has called your president a war criminal and said he must be held accountable. what does that tell us about r

that is interesting i because when president zelensky peace talks. that is interesting - because when president zelensky was in bucha yesterday he was asked by a representative of the bbc who was there what this would due to ongoing peace talks and in fact he said that peace talks and in fact he said that peace talks and in fact he said that peace talks would continue. he said that militarily but also diplomatically those ties will continue, the talks would continue. they are happening online at the moment by a video link so on a smaller scale. moment by a video link so on a smallerscale. i moment by a video link so on a smaller scale. i think people will be waiting for the next set of face—to—face talks. but president zelensky was clear yesterday that these potential war crimes do not rule out a potential talking solution to this.— rule out a potential talking solution to this. . ~ ., , ., solution to this. talk to us about where you _ solution to this. talk to us about where you are — solution to this. talk to us about where you are in _ so

president volodymyr zelensky giving a lengthy and - zelensky giving a lengthy and wide—ranging press conference there. he did call for a meeting with vladimir putin to enter the war, but he also warned that talks with moscow would be abandoned if the ukrainian forces still are many people are killed. —— still invaluable. to france, where campaigning has ended in the presidential elections. on sunday, the current president emmanuel macron will face off against far—right rival, marine le pen. the pair have gone head to head before — and while opinion polls suggest that macon is in the lead, the gap between the two candidates appears much smaller this time round. my colleague reeta chakrabarti has been following the final days of the election from paris. i'm joined now by christophe bertossi from the institute for democracy to talk about the issues at hand. christophe, when emmanuel macron was elected five years ago, he campaigned as a centrist, attracted support from left and right, and yet today this feels like a more polarised electorate than before. you're right. and i think

zelensky like a lot of people until the infamous phone call. i still to this day think there's nothing to the phone call. separate issue. be had taken georgia in 08. he annexed crimea in 2014. he has shown a willingness to annex, take over land, showing his territorial ambitions. so you get there. you're interviewing zelensky at this time. did he see this coming? did he believe that this was real? >> well, it's interesting. we had met initially on a zoom call. >> sean: did you trust him? >> i was really interested to see who he was. >> sean: easy. >> i didn't have a baggage with him that i have with you. >> sean: what is the baggage? we never met before. >> it was a badge of honor in my house. i have the full screen that i dominated an enemy of the state with you. >> sean: i don't remember. >> it's the truth. but here's what happened. because of covid, once we had gotten -- i sensed that he was very much considering giving us some kind of access and spending some time with us, we were delayed. we were delayed. so then we went back. we started s

we know the frustration of president zelensky, we have just frustration of president zelensky, we havejust been hearing about his frustration at the united nations. we have also heard in some of his addresses, frustration at the west and have our countries like the united states are prepared to go. but i am not hearing at least in this country, any indication that the us is prepared to go further than the serious financial sanctions that are being imposed and will continue to be imposed later on wednesday and the military assistance in terms of weaponry thatis assistance in terms of weaponry that is being supplied to ukraine but if there is a redline, it is one certainty president biden is not prepared to cross in terms of military intervention that he has said before would be seen as world war iii. ., ,. ., before would be seen as world wariii. ., before would be seen as world wariii. . ., war iii. fascinating as always. peter, thank _ war iii. fascinating as always. peter, thank you. _ you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... we look at accusations that rape

has just been released president zelensky, this is the that hasjust been released in president zelensky, this is the that has just been released in the last few minutes, this meeting taking place as you are just hearing, as that global pledging event culminates in warsaw, in poland, and we've been hearing pledges from a number of world leaders to the continuing campaign in ukraine, specifically in the event to help refugees displaced within ukraine but governments in a number of countries, including the uk continuing to offer military aid as well, no doubt on the agenda there for the conversation between president zelensky and prime ministerjohnson. so borisjohnson ministerjohnson. so boris johnson in ministerjohnson. so borisjohnson in the ukrainian capital to meet the ukrainian president. after more than a month of occupation by russian soldiers, you afte soldiers, you r more than a month of occupation by russian solders, ukraininan forces reclaimed the city of chernihiv and uncovered scenes of devastation left behind. the city sits to the north of the ukrainian capital, kyiv. its may

and president zelensky are keen to say that ukraine is on the front foot. what would your assessment be? i think they are absolutely right. put in's huge offensive from february 2a to see the capital kyiv has failed. the number of russian deaths may be as high as 15,000 out of a force of 200,000, that is enormous and they have retreated from kyiv, retreated in the north and they are trying to resupply their forces in the east. trying to resupply their forces in the east-— in the east. but, they are still there, _ in the east. but, they are still there, still— in the east. but, they are still there, still attacking | still there, still attacking areas in ukraine. we keep hearing president zelensky asking for more and more supplies, despite the promises that we have heard today and in recent days. what would be enough for him to be able to push russia are completely? we need to push russia are completely? - need to supply steadily all the equipment he is asking for. that means javelin is to kill tanks, stingers to take out helicopters, high altitude anti

i give zelensky a lot of credit here. he started out knowing full well i don't want to bite the hand feeding me. that's why he was being very condescending to the president of the united states but then he explains his real problem. he doesn't have the weapons to win. too slow in getting them. he doesn't feel there's a commitment to him. he doesn't want to believe the people are playing games with him. not giving him the weapons because they really -- they want to war to end and a deal being made even though that deal likely if it ended now would be very unfavorable to the ukrainians. yeah that is a heck of an interview that bret did with him. glad to see president zelensky come forward like that. my admiration just continues to grow for him. really quite extraordinary leader here. >> neil: amazing. general jack keane following these fast-moving developments. you can catch the full interview with bret less than two hours from now. we talked about what's going on in that neck of the woods and the plight of refugees, bitter

mr zelensky urged other western allies to intensify the pressure on moscow. campaigning has ended in the first round of france's presidential election. president emmanuel macron's lead over his main challenger, the far—right leader marine le pen has fallen dramatically in recent weeks. the polls are due to open in a few hours' time.

you want to survive" — russia issues an ultimatum to ukrainian soldiers in mariupol — but president zelensky warns there will be consequences if russia takes action against the remaining troops in the city. translation: the elimination of our troops, of our men in mariupol will put an end to any negotiations. the death toll rises in south africa following heavy flooding — with a warning more rain may be on the way. the archbishop of canterbury, the most senior cleric in the anglican church, condemns plans by the uk government to send asylum seekers to rwanda. the comments come on easter sunday. this is the scene live in st peter's square in vatican city — where pope francis has been celebrating easter sunday mass. hello and welcome to bbc news. russia has urged the last ukrainian forces defending the besieged port of mariupol to surrender in order to save their lives — with the deadline just one hour away. the city has been under siege for weeks. moscow says its troops have cleared resistance from the entire city, apart from a sprawling steelworks. ukraine says its naval units are prep

president zelensky says russia is committing war crimes. at the united nations, president zelensky alleges the worst war crimes since world war ii have been committed. russia denies it. translation: the massacre in our city of bucha is only i one, unfortunately only one of many examples of what the occupiers have been doing on our land. translation: during the time that the town was under - the control of russian armed forces, not a single - civilian suffered from any kind of violence. | live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. it's 7am in the morning in singapore and 2am in the morning in ukraine, where president volodymyr zelensky has accused russia of committing the most terrible war crimes since the second world war. in an address to the un, he accused vladimir putin's forces of creating "mass starvation" and shooting and raping civilians. it comes as images emerge from the town of bucha after the russians retreat, showing the bodies of

the un needs to act immediately, president zelensky demanded. if it can't do anything beyond talking about the war in ukraine, he told them, then it might as well close down. sarah smith, bbc news, washington. 0ur correspondent in moscow steve rosenberg sent this update on how russia is reacting. russian tv has been showing graphic video from bucha of bodies scattered along a road, but because the kremlin controls completely television here, it controls the messaging. and it's been using these images to paint a very different picture for the russian public. so, for example, when i watched the main political talk show today on russian state tv, it did run the bucha pictures, but with the word "fake" in big red letters plastered across the screen to try to convince the viewers that these claims of russian war crimes were simply an invention. in the same way that the kremlin uses television to try to persuade russians that there is no war going on in ukraine, it's simply a special military operation and that russia is not the aggressor, it's acting

mr zelensky urged other western allies to intensify the pressure on moscow. campaigning has ended in the first round of france's presidential election. president emmanuel macron�*s lead over his main challenger,

zelensky? i think probably even more s0- although — zelensky? i think probably even more so. although antonio _ zelensky? i think probably even more so. although antonio guterres - zelensky? i think probably even more so. although antonio guterres is - so. although antonio guterres is probably the world's most senior diplomats, un, going to be seen both presidents, but you have two side so vastly, vastly different and what they want and could expect to get on behalf of their populations, how he is going to find common ground there i don't know. there will be other gains to be made, i'm sure. some talk of drawing down, the beginning of a process may be, when you have a situation where one side potentially wants to take over large amounts of the territory of the other how we can find a compromise there is quite difficult to know. ice can find a compromise there is quite difficult to know.— difficult to know. joe inward reporting — joe inwood reporting from kyiv. comments by a russian major general saying control of southern ukraine would give russian forces access to the tr

president zelensky speaking to clive my ring. russia's ministry of defence says that the flagship of its black sea fleet, the moskva, has sunk while being towed back to port in stormy weather. the warship had been badly damaged by a fire and explosion, according to officials. they said ammunition on board exploded in an unexplained fire on wednesday. ukraine says it struck the moskva with cruise missiles fired from the coast — a claim moscow denies. the sio—crew vessel has led russia's naval assault on ukraine, making it an important symbolic and military target. so, what are the russians saying about this? our correspondent steve rosenberg gave us this update from moscow. the symbol of russia's black sea fleet, the moskva, was an enormous symbol, a symbol of russia's military might. and the fact that this symbol has been engulfed in fire, has been put out of action, has now sunk while being towed back to harbour — that, i think, is a major blow to the prestige of the russian armed forces. and it kind of goes against what p

the un needs to act immediately, president zelensky demanded. if it can't do anything beyond talking about the war in ukraine, he told them, then it might as well close down. sarah smith, bbc news, washington. marti flacks is a former director at the national security council and is now with the center for strategic and international studies. she gave us her assessment of the un's role in ukraine. this is as you said not the first time we have faced fundamental threats to our international legal order. this situation is unique because of the perpetration of these crimes by a permanent member of the un security council and so it is certainly understandable to call attention to both the russian presence on the security council and the veto power that russia has, but frankly in my view, focusing on the role of the security council and its constraints are not the thing that will help ukraine at this time the most... president zelensky thinks exactly the opposite, why don't theyjust kick russia out? i know they cannot but russia has broken plenty of

and president zelensky is entirely correct in raising the matter. does it appear to you that there is potential evidence to back up these allegations by president zelensky? i'm sure there is you just sit in your previous question, there's no need to overfocus on it. what is really important to bear in mind in a really fast moving situation is the international court ofjustice which is the worlds highest court, is dealing with a genocide allegation concerning both ukraine and russia. ukraine took the matter and russia. ukraine took the matter and a couple of weeks ago, or three weeks ago, and the court is made a decision on the basics not of ukraine's allegations against russia, but russia's allegations against the ukraine and it is said in paragraph 59, that the court is not in possession of evidence, substantiating the allegations of the russian federation, the genocide has been committed on ukrainian territory. it goes on to say it very little prospect of russia justifying its invasion on the basis of its allegations of genocide by ukrainians but

the un needs to act immediately, president zelensky demanded. if it can't do anything beyond talking about the war in ukraine, he told them, then it might as well close down. sarah smith, bbc news, washington. the white house has given more details of new sanctions it will impose against russia on wednesday. it said the us, european union and the g7 group of the most industrialised nations had worked together on the package. they will target russian government officials, their family members, russian owned financial institutions, state—owned enterprises, it is part of a continuation of efforts to put consequences in place and hold russian officials accountable. let's get more on this from our north america correspondent peter bowes. they will hurt ultimately the russian people but i think it's also hoped that they will hurt those in the higher echelons of russian government and business as well with an immediate impact. there is a huge sense of urgency i think about this latest raft of sanctions that will be announced, a coordinated effort bet

so far, that hasn't been enough to change putin's calculation or, frankly, meet president zelensky's pleas for assistance. what else should the white house be doing that might change the ajectory of this conflict? >> well, i understand, from the readout of president biden's call this week with other leaders in the alliance, that more sanctions are going to be coming down the path, and i think there's probably going to be additional security assistance, as well. and i think, right now, it's down to timing, because, you know, we could have the perfect assistance package, security assistance package, and it gets there in three months. it needs to be there now. >> throughout the buildup of the invasion, the biden administration was clear that it was not going to consider direct military intervention. now, you have warned that taking options off the table could be interpreted as a sign of weakness by putin. would it have been better to leave some ambiguity about the united states as possible response to a russian invasion of ukraine? >> i'm not sure to what extent putin is looking at us a

zelensky will be addressing the un. -- bucha. ., , zelensky will be addressing the un. -- bucha. . , ., -- bucha. that is right, the footage and images — -- bucha. that is right, the footage and images coming _ -- bucha. that is right, the footage and images coming from _ -- bucha. that is right, the footage and images coming from bucha - -- bucha. that is right, the footage and images coming from bucha has| and images coming from bucha has sparked outrage from world leaders, condemnation around the world, it is having a real impact and the ukrainian president really has the attention of the world, he will be addressing the un security council and will be calling for help from the international community to help document and build the evidence on the ground to support his claims of these alleged war crimes being carried out by russian forces and the picture is still emerging hour by hour as journalists gain access to different parts of towns and cities were russian forces are now withdrawing from an president zelensky has called out for help from experts, from war crimes deems to b

in terms of consequences, we heard president zelensky last night l heard president zelensky last night say that should, should russia kill those remaining ukrainian troops, there would be consequences. first off, what do you understand president zelensky meant by that and secondly, would it really be move for peace talks to be called off? we are not for peace talks to be called off? - are not calling off peace talks but where are the results of these peace talks? it is 52 days of war already, the big full—scale war. it is a war against ukraine but it is the third day of it being a full—scale war against our country and all these oh so potent, they gave no result. i think the president was meaning that, certainly, they willjust kill ukrainian soldiers and finish their destroying of mariupol, that would be much harderfor us to have any peace talks with russia. and certainly we will try to take revenge on them. and we are quite effective in this. the crew of the ship. to show that we are absolutely capable to win over russians. and we can do this. certainly, we want to save the lives

it is one thing a . reeinu president zelensky. it is one thing agreeing to _ president zelensky. it is one thing agreeing to be _ president zelensky. it is one thing agreeing to be supplies _ president zelensky. it is one thing agreeing to be supplies of - president zelensky. it is one thing l agreeing to be supplies of weapons, another to get them getting to where it is needed, how difficult is that proving to be? i it is needed, how difficult is that proving to be?— proving to be? i think what the strike we saw _ proving to be? i think what the strike we saw in _ proving to be? i think what the strike we saw in 0desa - proving to be? i think what the strike we saw in 0desa we i proving to be? i think what the strike we saw in 0desa we saw| strike we saw in 0desa we saw yesterday is the sort of thing that makes it even more difficult. the russians have said that some of the targets of those attacks are the weapons that are coming in, the ammunition being supplied. the ukrainians will not give us more details on this, they say they are attacks to sow terror into the hearts of p

zelensky has been consistent in that viewpoint. i think we're getting to the point where nato is trying to get all in now and not just defensive weapons so to speak but giving him the heavy weapons and the advanced weapons that he needs. it's a challenge. the russian heavy advance weapons that nato countries have because they're former soviet republics is running out. we're going to have to give them nato weapons. they may have to be involved with some training with that. we're giving them 155 artillery pieces. the ukrainians use 152. that is the different. the britts are giving him challenger tanks, not russian tanks. may have to require some training. i'm not talking about weeks of training or anything. this could be done relatively quickly. something has to be done as opposed to just throwing the equipment at them. so it complicates the problem but nonetheless, we're moving in the right direction here in my judgment. >> neil: injury a straight shooter, you call it the way you see it. general jack keane, thanks very much. now bac

and zelensky, every— horror continues. and zelensky, every time — horror continues. and zelensky, every time he makes one of these rallying _ every time he makes one of these rallying speeches we are reminded of what an_ rallying speeches we are reminded of what an incredible leader he really is and _ what an incredible leader he really is and how— what an incredible leader he really is and how he has stepped up in this situation _ is and how he has stepped up in this situation that nobody could have imagined — situation that nobody could have imagined happening just a few months a-o. imagined happening just a few months ago. actually, ithink imagined happening just a few months ago. actually, i think is a real talisman i_ ago. actually, i think is a real talisman. i imagine forthe ago. actually, i think is a real talisman. i imagine for the people for ukraine, the death and destruction of their homes, just the outright— destruction of their homes, just the outright hell, frankly, that they are experiencing. they need to hear this, they— are experiencing. the

and volodymyr zelensky today spelling that out _ volodymyr zelensky today spelling that out. it has brought it evermore to people's — that out. it has brought it evermore to people's attention, but frankly i think— to people's attention, but frankly i think we _ to people's attention, but frankly i think we knew this was happening anyway, _ think we knew this was happening anyway, unfortunately, any question he posed _ anyway, unfortunately, any question he posed is, — anyway, unfortunately, any question he posed is, what is going to happen about— he posed is, what is going to happen about it? _ he posed is, what is going to happen about it? what can be done? as penny 'ust about it? what can be done? as penny just said. _ about it? what can be done? as penny just said, bringing someone to justice. — just said, bringing someone to justice, whether it's putin or the people _ justice, whether it's putin or the people directly responsible for these — people directly responsible for these crimes, it will take a very longtime _ these crimes, it will take a very long tim

, we asked president zelensky. "ukraine deserves peace, we can't live with war. "every day our army is fighting, but we don't want "the lives of millions to be lost," he said. "that's why dialogue is necessary." yogita limaye, bbc news, bucha. moscow's ambassador to the un says russia will present what he called "factual evidence" to the un security council demonstrating that western statements on events at bucha are lies that the shocking images of bodies in the streets of bucha were staged. foreign minister sergei lavrov has led the kremlin�*s response to the fury of the international community as our russia editor steve rosenberg reports. this is how russia wants its soldiers in ukraine to be seen, as heroes and humanitarian workers, a caring, sharing army, spreading goodness and light to those it claims to be liberating. but moscow knows the international community doesn't believe that. mr lavrov, the us president has called your president a war criminal and said he must be held accountable. what does that tell us about russia's international reputation rig

mr zelensky expressed his gratitude to the us for its provision of weapons. voting has begun in some french overseas territories in the second round of the presidential election. the polls will open in france itself in a few hours' time. the incumbent, emmanuel macron, is going head to head with the far—right candidate, marine le pen.

president zelensky warns if his remaining troops are killed, peace negotations with moscow will be over. the mayor of kyiv urges people to stay away from the capital, as further missile attacks could take place. the death toll rises in south africa following heavy flooding, with a warning more rain may be on the way. and shaken and stirred — the orchestra trying to raise spirits on the street sof ukraine. president zelensky says peace talks with russia will come to a halt if russian forces kill all of the ukrainian troops defending mariupol. russia now claims to have cleared the whole urban area of the besieged city, with the exception of the azovstal metal works adjoining the port. meanwhile, the mayor of kyiv is warning residents not to return, following another missile attack on saturday. from there, our correspondent, mark lowen, reports. russian revenge. an early morning strike on a military factory in kyiv by long—range missiles. a message from moscow that russian troops may have retreated from the capital, but they can still hit hard. it came after ukraine says it struck and

he has proved as volodymyr zelensky said himself, one of the _ volodymyr zelensky said himself, one of the most _ volodymyr zelensky said himself, one of the most principled leaders in the west— of the most principled leaders in the west providing a lot of military hardware. — the west providing a lot of military hardware, 120 more armoured vehicles, _ hardware, 120 more armoured vehicles, anti ship missiles provided _ vehicles, anti ship missiles provided to ukraine, and i take my hat off— provided to ukraine, and i take my hat off to— provided to ukraine, and i take my hat off to him but i think if you say everything is political and everything is partly for domestic consumption, it is brilliant but his profile, _ consumption, it is brilliant but his profile, as — consumption, it is brilliant but his profile, as his chief rover mac rival— profile, as his chief rover mac rivat is — profile, as his chief rover mac rivat is on _ profile, as his chief rover mac rival is on the ropes, he is having his hands— rival is on the ropes, he is having his hands raised as the great

a meeting earlierfor president zelensky. yes, borisjohnson appearing on kyivjust one day after the eu commission president ursula von der leyen was there yesterday with the slovakian prime minister so president zelensky having a few face—to—face meetings but this will not be announced, we did not know borisjohnson will appear but boris johnson will appear but downing borisjohnson will appear but downing street confirmed he has been to give today, saying he travel meet president zelensky in person. the statement says it will discuss the long—term support to ukraine and the pmo set out a new package of financial and military aid and we knowjosh yesterday uk government announced £100 million package of anti—tank weapons and air defence systems to be shipped to ukraine, and the eu also announcing more support today, 1 million euros —— 1 billion euros being announced in the last half hour or so. it appears that president zelensky was like a fuel source of water having an effect with european leaders coming to see him

was of this morning from | president zelensky that in his view this isjust president zelensky that in his view this is just the president zelensky that in his view this isjust the beginning of russia's aims and ambitions and other countries could feel the brunt of russian aggression as well before long? he of russian aggression as well before lona ? , , , ., of russian aggression as well before lonu ? , , , ., ~' ., long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much — long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much a _ long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much a test _ long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much a test bed _ long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much a test bed for - long? he is suggesting that ukraine is very much a test bed for the - is very much a test bed for the russian military ambition, that they will see what happens here and if successful they will just continue that mission creep and continue to try and gain more and more land. you have to as well bear in mind at this point that the early russian ambition for this war and even then we talk

lord amir zelensky has praised the effective defence that ukraine has put up so far. —— volodymyr zelensky. ukraine has put up so far. —— volodymyrzelensky. but ukraine has put up so far. —— volodymyr zelensky. but he has emphasised again and again that they need weapons so this defence can continue. everybody expects the intensity of the conflict are heightened in the east which is why the president says he needs international support and the weapons to come in, the very sort of thing vladimir putin claims will escalate the conflict further. thank ou ve escalate the conflict further. thank you very much. _ escalate the conflict further. thank you very much, dan _ escalate the conflict further. thank you very much, dan johnson. - michael hopkins is an expert in in american foreign policy at the university of liverpool, hejoins me from bradford. thank you forjoining us. can we start off with the latest development concerning the politicians here in the uk and that move by russia to ban the prime minister, the foreign secretary and the defence secretary, is it significant or unexpect

mr zelensky accused russian forces of committing genocide. (tx as russian troops withdraw from bucha — which is just to the north—west of the capital kyiv — the extent of the brutality is becoming ever more clear. russia is still denying any involvement in the mutilation and murder of hundreds of civilians. it says the images shown by the world's media are staged and fake. our correspondent yogita limaye was one of the journalists who travelled to bucha with president zelensky and i want to warn you, her report contains some distressing images. the place where ukraine's pushback against russia is most clearly visible. this street in the town of bucha, just outside of kyiv, lined with blown—up tanks and armoured vehicles. today, ukrainian�*s president, volodymyr zelensky, visited the town, drawing attention to the brutality that unfolded here. "i believe these are definitely war crimes, i believe it's "genocide in its purest sense, because children have "been killed, women have been raped and civilians "executed," he said. through th

the reason you the reason you were there was to interview president zelensky. do you thank you got that opportunity because of your senior position within the western media? do you thank you got access to this key figure in this story because you weren't ukrainian? i think it was a combination of factors, i think my colleague arkady 0strovsky, who is our russia editor, has interviewed president zelensky before, has very good contacts, knows a lot of people in the government in kyiv and had been in touch with them. and there was sort of talk of him going to do an interview. and then when i said that i wanted to come too, it it happened reasonably quickly. we are a global platform. we get the word out to a lot of people. so i suspect that helped too. and before we talk about it any further, let'sjust hear a little of what you recorded when you were there. did you know you had this inside you, to be so brave? it's not about i'm bravel or not, but you can't say that if i would be the president of ukraine, i would _ do this way. i understood what's going on, so i un

bret baier just finished speaking with president zelensky. we'll have new sound for that fascinating interview this hour as well. we've got congressman dan crenshaw joining us in just a moment. first to steve harrigan. good afternoon, steve. >> hi, martha. what's going on now in large parts of ukraine is siege warfare. it's out of the middle ages. this is not russia's plan a. the plan was lightning raids. that didn't work. now they're going to plan b, which is bomb and starve city into submission to bend them to russia's will, a siege has been going on in mariupol for two weeks. 100,000 civilians are in that city. alina is one of those that escaped. >> there's no gas, no electricity no, heating, no cell phone service. we melt know to have something to drink. a lot of people are just i think starving to death in their apartments right now with no help. >> modern urban sieges don't work that well. they're not effective. they tie up a lot of troops. they can last for weeks or months. when the final fight comes, there's a real advantage to the de

president zelensky has visited bucha and spoke to the bbc. you can see around what was done to this modern town. that is the characteristic of russian soldiers that treat people worse than animals. that is real genocide which you have seen here today, which you can see what happened when thousands of people that were tortured and killed and cut off hands and legs, extremities and what they did to the women. and i would say that the longer the russian federation will drag out the process, the worse will be for them and in principle, for the situation for this war because with every day, when our army is moving and to the territory, you can see what is happening. it is very difficult to talk when you see what they have done here. and as ukraine takes back territory — more horrific stories emerge. this woman's son was was killed by russian soldiers close to kyiv. she spoke to the bbc�*sjeremy bowen. she wanted to talk about the 10th of march, the day the russians killed her only son. the two lived here just 500 metres from his job changing t

he came here to talk to president zelensky. there were initially hopes he might be able to arrange some sort of cease but it seems what he is trying to do as a minimum is to get those humanitarian corduroys for civilians trapped and he says intensive discussions are under way on that. he does not want to go into any details because he says that could ruin the united nations plans. he saw those pictures of him going around those towns north of here. it's sad to say and it was clear from the secretary—general�*s face and the tone of what he said that he was hugely moved and shocked by what he saw there and what he heard from eyewitnesses to the alleged russian war crimes in those places. he went to a mass grave and he said the war is evil and he said it's an absurdity in the 21st century. he also said that his news conference here today that it's a source of great frustration and anger and disappointment he said to him that the un security council has not been able to stop this war are bring the fighting to an end. im’ith a