how's the aren't that different from crimea and done boss? they're both land grabs into their neighbors country. yes, i agree with you. syria and libya are different. but the point here is that these are relatively small operations going in to ukraine. is different. i'm with someone who did not think that cook was actually done to invade ukraine, because i thought it was such a miscalculation, such a dangerous and reckless move. and i think that book and really was delusional. he believed what he said. he believed that behind every ukrainian was a want to be russian and, and that the russian troops would go into ukraine and the russian of the ukrainian millet terry would collapse and everybody would say, oh, thank god the russians are here. that's, that's ukraine, that doesn't exist ever since 2014, including an eastern ukraine. ukrainians want nothing to do with rush. i would have thought that couldn't understood that. that's why his invasion has been such a miscalculation and has gone so poorly. he misunderstood ukraine. i think you're oper

stuff, the 2nd i'm has the aren't that different from crimea and done boss. they're both land grabs into their neighbors country. yes, i agree with you. syria and libya are different, but the point here is that these were relatively small operations going in to ukraine. is different. i'm some one who did not think that cook was actually done to invade ukraine, because i thought it was such a miscalculation, such a dangerous and reckless move. and i think that book and really was delusional. he believed what he said. he believed that behind every ukrainian was a want to be russia and, and that the russian troops would go into your brain. and the russian of the ukrainian military would collapse and everybody would say, oh, thank god the russians are here. that's, that's ukraine, that doesn't exist ever since 2014, including an eastern ukraine. ukrainians want nothing to do with russ. i would have thought that couldn't understood that. that's why his invasion has been such a miscalculation and has gone so poorly. he misunderstood ukraine. i think you're operatin

what lessons do we take from the fact perhaps not as strong in the face about 2014 takeover of crimea and what lessons should we draw for the parts of ukraine, donbas conversion has as we look ahead? >> you are right we were together during that moment, in ukraine a few months later with senator mccain, when they had ukraine together on the day of the referendum in crimea. i think you were right collectively as the transatlantic alliance we were not ready for 2014 but ukrainian military was not ready for 2014 so what we decided to do was get into the business of significant training which is what we have been doing. ukraine deserves 99% of the credit for the defense of the country but jointly with the united states has made a difference. i think it's hard and not helpful to get into all potential hypotheticals if ukraine and russia and a better negotiating table. the foundation for now is it's up to zelenskyy that we will support his decision to sit down at that table and support the decisions he makes but if he decides the price russia is asking him to pay in or the recognition of ru

that in the russian annexation of crimea and intervention in don boss, could just be the beginning of that. at some point, russia might try to create a land bridge between don boss and crimea, that seems to be what's happening as we speak. let's talk about that. what do you think is the reasoning for such dramatic action? because after the crimean operation, i fully agree with you. despite all the domestic support that had had to rush, i had to pay pretty substantial cost both in terms of sanctions, you know, diplomatic pressure loss, opportunities, etc. now what we're having in ukraine is a of much bigger scale human suffering, destruction, a huge cost economic costs to russia. and yes, i think you, you've studied russia for quite some time. you, i think know that fusion is a rational leader. why do you think he made the decision that he made? well, you know, i'm glad you, you raised this issue of clinton's rationality because i'm someone who did say guten as aggressive as difficult as expansionist. but as calculating as rationalist, he took risks, but they tended to be relatively sm

, which _ get out of ukraine but also crimea, which is _ get out of ukraine but also crimea, which is hot — get out of ukraine but also crimea, which is not even on the agenda. if you go— which is not even on the agenda. if you go hack— which is not even on the agenda. if you go back to february 24 when putirr— you go back to february 24 when putin invaded ukraine. the rhetoric has been _ putin invaded ukraine. the rhetoric has been ramped up in nashua is to ensure _ has been ramped up in nashua is to ensure that — has been ramped up in nashua is to ensure that moldova is protected and adequately armed to prevent any further— adequately armed to prevent any further incursions that might occur. ctearly— further incursions that might occur. clearly this— further incursions that might occur. clearly this has not gone to plan for putih~ — clearly this has not gone to plan for putin. and for land and potentially sweeten 12 join nato. for putin. and for land and potentially sweeten 12join nato. —— sweden _ potentially sweeten 12join nato. —— sweden and finland. i a

integrity with crimea because crimea is ukraine. i think again, should not even need to ask whether they share our view of victory. if you look at all friends and allies, they all said they respect our territory integrity and sovereignty were they all said they will never accept or recognize either in annexation of crimea with a brutal invasion, so i think we are all on the same page. again 41 countries that has condemned the un general assembly this aggression. also agreed that what russia is doing is a crime. so the victory in this situation should be a restoration of justice. now, how quickly we will get there and whether is it going to be right away? it is difficult to discuss when we are here and bombs are falling on the peaceful cities of ukraine as we speak. or mariupol is being destroyed and about people are being raped, and killed children have been tortured as we speak somewhere in ukraine. we do not know how quickly will get there but one thing we understand and we know, it is essential for us for the choice is very clear

saying that they saw on attack in crimea. and that troops in donbas are fighting for russian security. it is a glorification. the russian military has been accused of rape, murder, executions and wanton destruction of cities, towns and villages across ukraine. francine: let's get back to our european correspondent in brussels. what i european leaders, -- how are we european leaders thinking about what's next? maria: in a strange way, perhaps perverse, there is a feeling perhaps of relief. that speech by vladimir putin was very short. he focused exclusively on the donbas. he said this is a matter of the people in the donbas, and that is where the fight is focused. he did not mention anything about the war in ukraine. there had been perhaps suggestions he could announce that. he did not announce full conscription or mobilization for this. the term denazify was not really there either. this speech offers some relief as it was perhaps softer than expected in context of this terrible war, and after 70 days, vladimir putin repeatin

at some point, russia might try to create a land bridge between don boss and crimea. that seems to be what's happening as we speak. let's talk about that. what do you think is the reasoning for such a genetic.

and the south crimea was annexed by russia in 2014. and these are the places where fighting has been the heaviest. in the past 24 hours. shall stratford in port groves and donuts with the latest on the eastern, offensive, or more heavy fighting overnight and into this morning in various locations in the east of ukraine and both the donut screeching and the lucas screeching. yet again, we're hearing form the ukranian all sorties about heavy fighting in and around the town of papa's. now, now this has been contested for weeks. now we know that sir all evacuation efforts, those evacuation if it's being led by volunteers stopped a couple of days ago. we're also hearing from the regional military authorities of lou guns. they're saying that around $50000.00 civilians still trapped in towns like papa's anna and the surrounding villages. as a se, evacuation efforts pretty much stopped. we know that russian forces had been trying to push down south towards those cities of sla vianza and crematory square. of course, yesterday we saw the city re

but that being said, maria pull lies strategically between russian antics crimea, and the eastern parts, the parts that are held by snack separatists. and it's a straight from a strategic point of view, it's helpful for the russians to control this entire area and be able to create a land quarter, meaning that they can move troops and supplies freely from crimea to the east. in addition to that, it also deprives the ukrainians of access to the sea of herself. and most importantly, the defenders. and they also steal plants and got all the attention of russian forces of artillery of special forces, of, of tanks. and these troops now that were bound and kept busy, i can now regroup and be moved to other parts of the country and engage in the offensive there. max less than half a minute. what's the situation in the rest of done thus? right, so the situation there is intensifying and the russians are pushing forward with full force. and as i said, we're expecting that some of the, the russian forces that were bound in that in and around maria pull will actually engage in the fighting in the,

the problem is that it's between crimea and the donbas. it's very flat stuff. it's very difficult to defend. that was one of the reasons why ukraine struggled to defend it successfully in the early weeks of the invasion. but it also means that if there's sustained ukrainian offensive russia may have problems holding onto it. so it's very clear from what russia, russian officials have said, the head of putin's party, united sta they said there can be no return to the past. even if taking kherson, there isn't the kind of emotional attachment to the area in russia like there was with crimea, when that was very popular in russia to annex it. but they still have to have something to show for what they've done. and for putin, this is about going down in history, someone restoring what he calls russia's claims to its historical territories that it controlled in the 19th, 18th centuries. >> meanwhile, the sanctions against russia continue to bite and we saw that new sanctions were levied against members of putin's family and his inner circle. but you wrote a fascinatin

celebrate the return of crimea to russia. so these historical hinge points are quite important. and again, there he wanted to, of course cro about crimea as illegitimate return to russia. i think if he had that moment now he would have taken it. and the fact that he doesn't is very telling angelina, there was a respond to then just just a quick response to that. a lot of observers and experts have been expecting putting and maybe a president of belarus, lucas shank or to travel to crimea. she didn't do it, he's not traveling because he thinks he thinks that it is not safe for him to go over. i think he would like to, but it is not safe. so his, he, he has very much limited his travel plans, but i think we shouldn't overestimated until there is it. is it possible? is it right to say that there are the, in the west observers in the west of the journalists like us have misunderstood the situation among the russian people that they are. they are not as her downcast maybe about the prospects have now a long war taking place, becau

clearly it was a major objective to connect crimea, the russian-occupied peninsula of crimea to the parts of eastern ukraine that russian troops controlled and mariupol stood in the way, and it got down to just the azovstal steel plant, which is still untaken, so, it's a thorn in his side, it's preventing him from announcing this, at least partial victory in what has proved to be an incredibly difficult war compared to what he anticipated going in. >> and i remember asking some of my guests on set here, daniel, you know, several weeks ago, whether mariupol would be the win, the trophy that generals would probably be handing him. some of the times perhaps not, he wants the donbas, but he's really struggled on that front. do you believe, as we've been hearing from u.s. and western officials, as they have been suggesting, that putin will use this, perhaps, daniel, as an excuse to really -- to declare victory over the donbas or do you think it's going to be more a de-escalatory move from him, or will he double down? i mean what are the options here? >> i think he remains committed to taking,

to basically celebrate the return of crimea to russia. so these historical hinge points are quite important. and again, there he wanted to of course crow about crimea's illegitimate return to russia. um, i think if he had that moment now he would have taken it. and the fact that he doesn't is very telling angelina tre was an indicator may respond to them just just a quick response to that. um, a lot of observers and experts have been expecting putin and maybe the president of belarus lukashenko to travel to crimea. he didn't do it. he's not traveling because he thinks he thinks that it is not safe for him to go there i think he would like to, but it is not safe. so he has very much limited his travel plans but i think we shouldn't overestimate it, angelina, is it is it is it right to say that they're the but i think we shouldn't overestimate it, angelina, is it in the west observers in the west. the journalists like but i think we shouldn't overestimate it, angelina, is it us have misunderstood the situation among the russian people that

there on the offensive and east and south crimea was annexed by russia in 2014. and these are the places where fighting has been the heaviest in the past 24 hours or shortly will speak to hodder aderemi that she's been traveling along the southern front lines. our staff vastly standing by in berlin with the latest on the ease pushed to ban russian oil would begin there with charles stratford, who's in port ralph's in the eastern region of on the exc. and charles, what's the latest on the east and offensive? well, more heavy fighting overnight and into this morning in various locations in the east of ukraine in both the donnette screeching and the lou ganske region. yet again, we're hearing form the ukraine, all sorties about heavy fighting in and around the town of papa's. now, now this has been contested for weeks. now. we know that sir, all evacuation efforts, those evacuation of his being led by volunteers stopped a couple of days ago. we are hearing reports though, of one very brave 15 year old girl apparently who is reported to have basically driven herself

but the soldiers dispersed us instead of you on a corridor than go to crimea for what them would laugh. that's when people started finding other ways to reach to ukrainian side. what's the level of support the court will the forward to bill all gets it sooner shows as the warehouse where bikes, wheelchairs, primes, and even wheelbarrows are held. people used, whatever they had, she says. so the russians about 3 kilometers away from here, those coming down region crossed the lines and no land between the 2 armies and hope not to get in the crossfire. it's a treacherous passage, but is to only escape route to see about love to family. thank you guys, we're waiting for you. he says the armies holding is defensive position, but ukraine claims the russians are preparing for a major push here. and this fear that the soldiers could be out gun. while most of the western weapons had to dumb best region in the east of the country and what congress glare to feminine, we need heavy weapons artillery javelins, drones, because they have a lot of weapons. the russians don't care about saving their so

and the south crimea was annexed by russia in 2014. and these, the areas that show where fighting has been the heaviest to in the past 24 hours. ukraine says moscow wants to annex it's southern region, of course on that would create a land corridor between russia and crimea. hot abdul hamid travel to the villages along the southern front lines desperate to leave the russian occupation they cycle then walked for hours under cover of darkness is on us. we got up with you. going to kill me says this women suspicious as the ukrainian police register new arrivals . this was their 4th attempt to feed the kind of southern region where life had become unbearable, says vladimir yet his and i wanna go make no the air is different here. he says that what's a thumb below? sure, but we're bring it in to furnish another escalade to stay there was more dangerous . we decided to take the risk when there were attempts for humanitarian car doors and people went to the meeting point with white flags. but the soldiers dispersed us instead of you on a corr

it borders crimea, which russia annexed in 2014. the abdul hamid traveled to the villages along the southern front lines. desperate to leave the russian occupation they cycle then walked for hours under cover of darkness. but it is on us with a going to kill me, says this woman, suspicious as the ukrainian police register new arrivals. this was their 4th attempt to feed their her son region where life had become unbearable, says vladimir yet his and i wanted to move know the air is different here. he says there was a tumbler issue, but my bring a little finance another, discovered to stay there was more dangerous. we decided to take the risk, but there were attempts for humanitarian corridors and people went to the meeting point with white flags. but the soldiers dispersed us instead of you on a corridor, then go to crimea for what the would love. that's when people started finding other ways to reach the ukrainian side. what's the level of the padlock? what will the forward to build on get it sooner shows as the warehouse where bik

, and few successes on the front line. russian forces currently control the areas in red, including crimea, which was annexed in 2014. the kremlin is now pushing to take over ukraine's eastern industrial heart land known as the don bass, which includes the provinces of lou hanser and donetta. russian backed rebels have been fighting ukraine's military there for 8 years. the ocean courses are now focused on capturing the twin cities of several genetics, and as he chanced there among the last and new hunts sit still under ukrainian control. but russian troops are advancing from 3 sides in an all out assault to encircle them. the battle is seen as pivotal to the success or failure of moscow's campaign in the east corso travaras in moscow with more on the russian offensive. what is clear now is that there is a push to concentrate their operation in the eastern part of ukraine as well as the southern region. and not only is russia now looking to secure a victory in the dumbass region, we heard from the russian defense minister earlier this week, who said that they were in the last few days of s

, crimea, of course, what russia legally annexed in 2014. that control of mariupol and that whole stretch would also give putin control of a majority of ukraine's black sea coastline, crucial to the country's economy as a major world exporter of grain, in fact today, the u.n. said russia is preventing nearly 25 million tons of grain being exported by ukrainian so this all comes down to the steel plant and the battle is not over there yet. russia already seeking its claim elsewhere. it got the russian flag flying under the city hospital on the entrance to the city everything is in russian, adviser to the mariupol says russia is restoring soviet-era monuments across the city. sarah sidener "outfront" in kyiv tonight, what are you learning at the situation of that steel plant right now? >> reporter: you know, we are talking to some of the family members of those who have soldiers, one of whom who is inside that plant and they say it is a living hell there. however, they have been able to get out almost 50 people from that plant today, but as yo

they have submarines, they have force, long distance aviation, that's lucky to crimea. so snake island really doesn't change the picture much for them. i was very interesting. thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us . dmitri out petrovich, security expert the silverado policy accelerator. thank you. ah, donald says it is pulling out of russia for good. the u. s. fast food chain had previously announced the temporary closure of 850 outlets. ash, when moscow sent troops into you cried. now it says it's looking for a local buyer for all of its russian sites, which will no longer be able to use the mcdonald's name or menu, which i says its priority is ensuring the continued payment of 62000 employees until the sale goes through donald's 1st opened more in moscow more than 30 years ago, shortly before the soviet you on the day's almost done, but the conversation continues online. you'll find us on twitter. i've at a d w. so you follow me to feel gail. i'm a good day. ah with ah, ah, ruby is tied up in traffic jams. it's an ongoing problem in the canyon capital.

occupied crimea and to secure his grasp on a warm water port there, mary paul and the c a b. and the new york times has reported that the united states has supplied intelligence to the ukrainians, which has been used to target and kill russian generals. get your reaction to that, you know, in the early stages of the following rushes unprovoked invasion of ukraine, the united states was, was slow in providing intelligence to ukrainian forces for purposes of targeting, invading russian forces. i and others called for that. and i'm happy that over time, us has started to systematically provide just that in from intelligence can be used to target russian forces. now, given the problems that the russians have had with logistics and sustainment in combined arns operations. and frankly, the absence of a non commissioned officer corps like the ukranian tab, like americans have many russian generals and had had to come to the front lines. and when they've done that, they've often been using in secure communications, whether it be actually phones or radios. and so there are many of the

we have taken back crimea. it's a show of strength towards former soviet states demonstrating what happens if they turn against russia. orchestrated by moscow, the overwhelmingly ethnic russian population had already elected a separatist parliament. this led to the annexation of the territory by russia. what western europe saw as a flagrant breach of international law was presented by russia as a free decision by the majority of people in crimea. at the berlin, the stay a sheer, we bought a. this was a real election story i'd made. probably not, everything was carried out in line with international law problem, the past switches. so, but this was not a military occupational by in them. it was not an annexation law. it was a declaration of will by the people. a bull of will is uletha grass done in russia, it is hard to find any one who does not consider crimea to be a part of russian territory. a new russian patriotism has taken hold. 30 years after the fall of the soviet union. for some perhaps, or so encourage

even crimea stuck. yeah. if you had some was we have yes, i believe the return of our territories is possible. and i think we should not stop, i believe there should not be any negotiations about return into the same borders we have before the start of this war on, you know, we should get our citizen crimea back. this is our so in country and we should defended green there should not be any negotiations with the enemy. when you say that story. what these numbers i am happy, of course, i believe full stop. i hope that it will be this way. the truth is on our side, we are defending our land. we really want and hope for this to happen. yes, you probably need weapons and then our, our army will, will do everything and we will when i am not to i'm sure we will get to rectory and yes to be just weeks ago, independent square was under locked down and covered in snow. now people line up to buy stamps commemorating a moment in the early days of the war when ukraine, in no uncertain terms, told russia to leave its terr

and east and south crimea was annexed by russia in 2014. and these are the places where fighting has been the heaviest. in the past 24 hours on ukraine says moscow wants to annex it's southern regional hassan that would create a land corridor between russia and crimea. or the outdoor honeyed travel to the villages along the southern front lines. desperate to leave the russian occupation they cycle then walked for hours under cover of darkness. with the last we had gotten put in a going to kill me says this women suspicious as the ukrainian police register new arrivals. this was their 4th attempt to feed their her son region where life had become unbearable, says vladimir. yet his night when you're done with no, the air is different here. he says, there was a thumb below sure. but bring any referrals from other discovered to stay there was more dangerous. we decided to take the risk, but there were attempts for humanitarian corridors and people went to the meeting point with white flags. but the soldiers dispersed us instead of you on a corr

similar to crimea, u.s. officials believe that russia will soon host bass sham referendum in kherson, which has been occupied since the early days of the war. to the bottom of your map. pressure continues attacks on nearby nikolai of, a key strategic city which has been under siege since the start of the war, yet remains under ukrainian control. a u.s. official sideways that russian continues to pose no threat of a man of salt on odessa, by either land or sea. intense artillery fighting continues in the donbas, notably near the towns of severodonetsk and is ian. yet despite him with a monthlong campaign, russia has advanced since previously held territory which continues to be extremely slow with little success, according to u.s. officials. all the while suffering, quote, significantly high level of troop and equipment losses. according to uk ministry. it has been said that russia has lost one third of the combat force in under 90 days. the uk defense ministry knows that the remaining russian forces are oper

so keep us us close, secure the dumbass, maintain the land bridge to crimea, a rational leader would at that point, realize, you know, he can explain to his, to russian people, i've taken 20 percent more of ukraine. i've liberated, you know, and restored part of the former soviet empire and declare victory. but i just can't say that we have a rational actor in charge. mark briefly, if you could, are we seen russia make any changes to their whole military strategy? a lot more artillery, i think we're seeing quite a bit more tillery and, and, but the problem is it's still a challenge for them to seize and hold an urban environment. you saw that in the variable, but more explicitly we've, we've seen that in the, in the car keys and several dogs and other areas in the dom bass region. and so i think their strategy at this point is to heavily rely on artillery, keep their logistics lines very, very tight that keeps their command control lines tight. and you know, try to hold as much of the dos as possible. mark montgomery from the foundation for the defense of democracies. thank you for y