Countries. But in the experience, would you say you have seen American Power and influence on the wane . I certainly hope not. Yes, i visited over 80 countries, for 30 years i have been in intelligence as a member, top Democratic Intelligence Committee as speaker and leader for 30 years been involved globally in terms of security, thatis globally in terms of security, that is an oath we take to protect an event. I think that the previous occupant of the white house was a setback for us in terms of. White house was a setback for us in terms of. Us in terms of. You mean donald us in terms of. You mean donald trump . Us in terms of. You mean donald trump . You us in terms of. You mean donald trump . You dont l us in terms of. You mean donald trump . You dont want to name him, is that it . For donald trump . You dont want to name him, is that it . Name him, is that it . For me, it is almost name him, is that it . For me, it is almost like name him, is that it . For me, it is almost like a name him, is that it . For me, it is almost like a curse name him, is that it . For me, it is almost like a curse word. | it is almost like a curse word. To be clear, you are saying. You are saying americas standing and its reach and influence has been affected by the trump. I influence has been affected by the trump the trump. I think there are certain questions the trump. I think there are certain questions that the trump. I think there are certain questions that arose l certain questions that arose when he was questioning our commitment to mutual security in nato and the rest, but not to be talking about him, we are very proud of our president , president biden, as to how he came into office. Again, we are back to nato full force in terms of our respect for the countries in nato, and then when the invasion of ukraine occurred, the president acted in a very respectful way to the other countries listening on how we came up with that approach, the timing, the scope of it and the rest. But approach, the timing, the scope of it and the rest. Of it and the rest. But isnt the truth of it and the rest. But isnt the truth that of it and the rest. But isnt the truth that if of it and the rest. But isnt the truth that if we are of it and the rest. But isnt the truth that if we are to l the truth that if we are to talk about the ark of putins career with his decisions over time, starting perhaps in 2008 in georgia, to use russian force, 2014 Annexation Of Crimea and then a pause in february 2022, the invasion, full scale invasion of ukraine, isnt the truth that the signals were sent by a Democratic White House to Vladimir Putin that he could get away with this . It was barack 0bama who basically looked at putin and said, i want to reset relations with this guy, i want to work with this guy, i want to work with this guy, i want to work with this guy despite what he had donein this guy despite what he had done in georgia, despite what he was doing in crimea . I think crimea, he was doing in crimea . I think crimea. The he was doing in crimea . I think crimea, the georgia he was doing in crimea . I think crimea, the Georgia Situation i crimea, the Georgia Situation is a little bit different in that the determination to fight, we are supporting the ukrainian peoples fight for their democracy, this is an absolute invasion. I myself thought that we should have all of us, notjust the United States, europe should have reacted differently to what happened in crimea. But the fact is the physical invasion, a violation of the border with the intention of taking over ukraine is something that has happened now, and the president of the United States listening in collaboration with our allies and europe and even beyond europe, even beyond europe, just talking about nato right now, i think nato has been strengthened when putin thought it would be weakened, it is enlarged but it has also intensified its commitment to democracy. So i dont think you should put the invasion of ukraine at the doorstep of barack 0bama. I think that it is, again, we are all in this together, and i think that we all should have done something differently in crimea. The all should have done something differently in crimea. Differently in crimea. The full on war in differently in crimea. The full on war in ukraine differently in crimea. The full on war in ukraine has differently in crimea. The full on war in ukraine has been. On war in ukraine has been raging for, what, 1. 5 years now. The ambassador who used to serve for the United States government in moscow says that joe biden and his team have been far too concerned about the threat of russian escalation, that because of that fear of russian escalation, the us hasnt given zelensky and the ukrainians all of the tools they need to re gain their lost territories. Yielding to the title of your programme, hardtalk, lets hardtalk about this. 0k . The fact is that, again, i will just put this in the context of my story. When i was a student, i was at the inaugural inauguration of President Kennedy, and in his speech that day, President Kennedy said to citizens of the world, ask not what america can do for you, but what we can do working together the freedom of mankind. That is what he said. And that is exactly Whatjoe Biden did, working together, not dictating, not condescension, but collaboration. And the fact is also that i have been a strong advocate since i was first to go. America leader to go to ukraine, come back with my delegation to the president to say we wanted more weapons at the time it was about distance and speed and the rest, and as you know, there are more things in terms of airpower and the rest that we like to say. From all of us, and some other countries are Going Forward and i dont think. Ithink Going Forward and i dont think. I think we do that again. I think. I think we do that again think. I think we do that again. Think. I think we do that aaain. ,. Again. I understand what you are saying again. I understand what you are saying about again. I understand what you j are saying about collaboration, but the fact is us abrams tanks having been promised i am not yet on the battles field, f 16 Fighter Planes not yet being used by ukrainian part in the battle space, attractions, long range weapons not being given by the us to ukraine and ukraine right now is losing men and the message is if you gave us more, we could win this war. Yes, and, again, as i have said, ourgroup has yes, and, again, as i have said, our group has always been on the forefront of asking for more of our government or our collaboration. But i do say this. When they talk about f16s, this. When they talk about f 16s, for example, and so they have to be trained, train them now. Train them now. If they are not ready, by the time they are not ready, by the time they are ready, the training will be effective. I dont think we have to do this sequentially, we can do it at the same time. Train as we prepare the planes. I do think that there is a legitimate concern about any use of this into russia that could precipitate a reaction from russia, that is a legitimate thing. It is going to. People are concerned, is this provocative of a greater. Reaction from russia into other nato countries . Isnt there also, though, a political problem here in the United States, and we see it in the Opinion Polling which shows there is still a majority of americans supporting ukraine. Yes. ,. , americans supporting ukraine. Yes. ,. , americans supporting ukraine. Yes. ,. , ~ americans supporting ukraine. Yes. ,. , ~. , yes. They are less keen on sending yes. They are less keen on sending more yes. They are less keen on sending more money yes. They are less keen on sending more money on i yes. They are less keen on i sending more money on more equipment, and i will quote you, one congressman, he is a republican, andy harris, but he is a co chair, a long chair back of kyiv, he says right now we have to be really realistic and the war looks like it is not winnable, like the counteroffensive has failed, and that is affecting American Public opinion. Let me ust American Public opinion. Let me just reject American Public opinion. Let me just reject that. American public opinion. Let me just reject that, 0k. American public opinion. Let me just reject that, ok. You American Public opinion. Let me just reject that, ok. You heard i just reject that, ok. You heard yesterday leaders of the Second In Command of the republicans in the senate, a leader in Foreign Policy in the senate, senator lindsey graham, we have the chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee, a democrat, on the democrat side, and they say that we all support the effort in ukraine. This is the sidebar kind of a thing, not reflective. Maybe reflective of some republicans in the house, but is not reflective of the us policy. The fight for democracy in ukraine is a fight for democracy in ukraine and beyond. Democracy writ large. We have to respect that. What is the solution this person has said . That we leave . That we dont support ukraine . Hardtalk. Hardtalk. We are there to win, we are in it to win it. ~ ~. , there to win, we are in it to win it. ~ ~. ,. , win it. We know what the leadin win it. We know what the leading candidates win it. We know what the leading candidates are i win it. We know what the i leading candidates are saying. They say we need negotiations now. We have to end this war now, and if that means compromise with Vladimir Putin, Thatis Compromise with Vladimir Putin, that is what. Compromise with Vladimir Putin, that is what. That is what. Why . Me say this. I wear that is what. Why . Me say this. I wear this that is what. Why . Me say this. I wear this ring that is what. Why . Me say this. I wear this ring made l that is what. Why . Me say. This. I wear this ring made for me by afghan women, women are used as a weapon of war and it is something that many of us in the congress and the country and in the white house, whether it was Moorabool ShireMichelle 0bama or. We were concerned about the women in those war areas. Vladimir putin has had using women as a weapon of war part of his demoralisation of the ukrainian people, that is what he thought. His soldiers are raping women in front of their children, in front of their children, in front of their parents, kidnapping children, Tens Of Thousands of them, and somebody saying we have got to negotiate with him, forget about the children, forget about the children, forget about the women, forget about the territory, and when there ukrainians are ready to negotiate, that is when we should be talking about it. It should be talking about it. It should not be thrust upon them. It is about their country, their democracy, their territory, their children, there are women. Let territory, their children, there are women. , ~. , there are women. Let me talk to ou there are women. Let me talk to you about there are women. Let me talk to you about a there are women. Let me talk to you about a couple there are women. Let me talk to you about a couple of there are women. Let me talk to you about a couple of other you about a couple of other challenges facing United States on world stage. 0ne challenges facing United States on world stage. One is china. You took a pretty remarkable decision as Speaker Of The House to visit taiwan, to go to taipei. Joe biden did not want you to do that. Taipei. Joe biden did not want you to do that. You to do that. You dont know that. You to do that. You dont know that why you to do that. You dont know that why do you to do that. You dont know that. Why do you you to do that. You dont know that. Why do you say you to do that. You dont know that. Why do you say that . I that. Why do you say that . Because driver joe biden said that he felt of the us military felt at the time that your trip was not a good idea. No, who said that, though . It was biden talking about the us military. Jae was biden talking about the us milita. G. , � was biden talking about the us milita. ,. , �. , military. Joe biden said that . He said the military. Joe biden said that . He said the us military. Joe biden said that . He said the us military i military. Joe biden said that . | he said the us military felt. It was not a good idea. He is the commander in chief. He also said if china attacks taiwan, america will be there to defend taiwan, and then they sort of said, well, not that. Well, exactly, madam speaker, that is happy what happened. Joe biden appears unsure what americas strategic stance is on china, and that worries the rest of the world. And that worries the rest of the world and that worries the rest of the world. No, it isnt clear, it isnt unclear. The world. No, it isnt clear, it isnt unclear. It the world. No, it isnt clear, it isnt unclear. It is the world. No, it isnt clear, it isnt unclear. It is clear i it isnt unclear. It is clear is we we are four of the china policy, and that didnt change. I was not the first to go there. Members of the senate, leadership of the senate, all men, went there and china didnt say boo. Now, lets be clear about this. One china policy, that didnt change, any of that, legislation does respect, when biden was asked, would the us, with force, defend taiwan. If would the us, with force, defend taiwan. Defend taiwan. If it was attacked defend taiwan. If it was attacked by defend taiwan. If it was attacked by china, defend taiwan. If it was attacked by china, he i defend taiwan. If it was i attacked by china, he replied, yes, if in fact there was an unprecedented attack stop now, thatis unprecedented attack stop now, that is not strictly us policy. Policy is to supply taiwan with what it needs to defend itself. The fact is that we are saying neither side could change the status quo, especially violently. I status quo, especially violently. Status quo, especially violentl. ,. , violently. I guess the bottom line, do violently. I guess the bottom line. Do you violently. I guess the bottom line, do you think violently. I guess the bottom line, do you think that i violently. I guess the bottom line, do you think that the i line, do you think that the United States is in any position today to go to war with china over taiwan . Ishim position today to go to war with china over taiwan . War is a very last with china over taiwan . War is a very last resort. With china over taiwan . War is a very last resort. I with china over taiwan . War is a very last resort. I do a very last resort. I do think that part of the Us China Relationship is something that has to be addressed. About their unfair trade practices, about their military actions in the south china sea, as a deterrent to the free flow of shipping in the area, as well as of course the human rights policy. But i am not naive to think enough that people will care about genocide with the uyghurs, the destruction of democratic freedoms in hong kong, the changing of the Culture Of Taiwan, faith, religion and Culture Of Taiwan and threats. Ba; religion and Culture Of Taiwan and threats. And threats. By the us doesnt and threats. By the us doesnt need and threats. By the us doesnt need china i and threats. By the us| doesnt need china when and threats. By the us i doesnt need china when it comes to climate change. As the us showing leadership . The reality is Whenjoe Biden is spending billions of dollars on the Energy Transition on renewables, on infrastructure to create some sort of green economy, he is also supervising an economy where oil output is at Record Levels, Record Levels of exports, of Liquefied Natural Gas. The United States essentially is giving the world a message we want to have our cake and eat it too, we want to be green but deliver fossil fuel. In be green but deliver fossil fuel. ,. , be green but deliver fossil fuel. ,. , fuel. In the spirit of your title of hardtalk, fuel. In the spirit of your title of hardtalk, you i fuel. In the spirit of your title of hardtalk, you are| title of hardtalk, you are completely wrong. In french, may i say. Friendship. You are not making any differentiation. The Liquefied Natural Gas issue is an issue to supply countries that needed because they dont have the be dependent on russia. It is more related to the ukraine situation. Because the dependence on russia oil, they know they have said that. In the meantime, in the meantime there economy, their Society Needs more fuel, and that is what that is about. So i myself have had, again, my back and forth with the chinese government, and they invited me as speaker to come to china and have a fresh start and lets just talk about climate change. I said i have to talk about that. My focus will be on climate change. They are essential to saving the planet, there is no question about that. But that doesnt mean production in the United States is an indication of anything. 0ne is an indication of anything. One thing we have to do in terms of what weve done, 370 billion in Tax Incentives and the rest but one thing that we need to do that we havent done enough of is to get the resources and this is hard to do in the Republican Congress that doesnt even want to reverse everything be done with climate is to supply other countries with more resources to help address the climate crisis. , � , to help address the climate crisis. , � ,. , crisis. So, thats an international i crisis. So, thats an | International Priority crisis. So, thats an i International Priority of crisis. So, thats an International Priority of yours but lets now talk to mr policies because we have to do. American politics is in turmoil and thats largely because of one man, donald trump. He faces 91 separate charges in four forthcoming trials, allegations which of course trump still denies and if you look at the opinion polls, he is running neck and neck as next president of the United States with the incumbentjoe biden. Does that Challenge Yourfaith in incumbentjoe biden. Does that challenge your faith in the American People, in american democracy . 43 of them, right now, would vote for donald trump for president. Now, would vote for donald trump for president. Well, let me ust trump for president. Well, let me just say trump for president. Well, let me just say thats trump for president. Well, let me just say thats more i trump for president. Well, let me just say thats more of trump for president. Well, let me just say thats more of a i me just say thats more of a statement about the Republican Party and thats something you should take up with the republicans because it is in their party where he has that support. He doesnt have it in the Democratic Party. But i will say this. The election is about our democracy as well. Its notjust about about our democracy as well. Its not just about to about our democracy as well. Its notjust about to people, its about our democracy. And the integrity of our democracy and your question, no, i have faith in the goodness of the American People and nobody should ever underestimate the strength of americas democracy. A second term for this person would be a challenge because he has not honoured the Oath Of Office to protect and defend but i will promise you this at the end of this election, our flag will still be there as our National Anthem calls for, and ourflag was still there with community liberty and justice for all and thats what the election is about. ~. , and thats what the election is about. ~. ,. ,. , about. Me a personal question. You are at about. Me a personal question. You are at the about. Me a personal question. You are at the centre about. Me a personal question. You are at the centre of about. Me a personal question. You are at the centre of the i you are at the centre of the storm on january six, you are at the centre of the storm onjanuary six, 2021 when the capitol was invaded by a rioting mob. They invaded your office. , rioting mob. They invaded your office. People rioting mob. They invaded your office. Yes. People have since been prosecuted, office. 1s; people have since been prosecuted, convicted office. 1a; people have since been prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned for what they did. He said at the time, it was caught on camera and you did not know it was being filmed, said at the time you have been forced to flee, you said about the prospect of trump coming to the prospect of trump coming to the capitol, i hope he comes. I want to punch him out. This is the moment. I have been waiting for it. I want to punch him out, i will go to jail and i will be happy. I him out, i will go to ail and i will be happy. I him out, i will go to ail and i will be happy. I said that. I will be happy. I said that. I did i will be happy. I said that. I did not i will be happy. I said that. I did not know i will be happy. I said that. I did not know it i will be happy. I said that. I did not know it would i i will be happy. I said that. I did not know it would be i i did not know it would be broadcast or put out there but yeah. I broadcast or put out there but eah. ,. ,. , yeah. I understand the level of our yeah. I understand the level of your anger yeah. I understand the level of your anger but yeah. I understand the level of your anger but doesnt yeah. I understand the level of your anger but doesnt that i your anger but doesnt that suggest that you, in a sense, were drawn into this toxic political culture which Many Americans right now could lead to further Political Violence . No, no, nobody could get any equation or equivalents to my saying i want to punch him out, which i wanted to do for a long time, now he gave me more reason. To what is happening at the capitol. So, dont try to put any quotes with that. Im put any quotes with that. Im not trying put any quotes with that. Im not trying to put any quotes with that. Im not trying to say put any quotes with that. Im not trying to say any equivalents, i am saying your angen equivalents, i am saying your anger, yourfury, your sense that this was undermining americas democratic system has its own Feedback Loop and the right now but make we were on the right track, honouring our Oath Of Office to protect and defend the Constitution Of the United States. United states. Now, the constitution United States. Now, the Constitution OfUnited States. Now, the Constitution Of the i United States. Now, the. Constitution of the United States on that day said that the peaceful transfer of power would be that congress would accept the Electoral College vote. That is why they were there that day. To disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. Yes. My Oath Of Office said i have to defend that, whatever way that. Have to defend that, whatever way that have to defend that, whatever way that. One point, i guess, is that the way that. One point, i guess, is that the anger way that. One point, i guess, is that the anger in way that. One point, i guess, is that the anger in american i is that the anger in American Politics has not gone away. In fact, it has intensified. Do you think it is wise for america, for americans, americas system to be prosecuting donald trump, possibly convicting, possibly even imprisoning donald trump, who is, in effect, the leader of the Republican Party, may well be their nominee for president , at the very time a president ial election is unfolding . I president ial election is unfolding . President ial election is unfolding . President ial election is unfoldinu . ,. ,. , unfolding . I do. Noone is above the unfolding . I do. Noone is above the law. Unfolding . I do. Noone is above the law. What i unfolding . I do. Noone is above the law. What inference i draw from what youre saying is we should let him go because theres an election . No. No one is above the law, no matter what the timing is. And either is he. , � ,. ,. , is he. Isnt the point does make and is he. Isnt the point does make and you is he. Isnt the point does make and you wont i is he. Isnt the point does make and you wont use | is he. Isnt the point does i make and you wont use his is he. Isnt the point does make and you wont use his name isnt that the point that donald trump has tapped in some really raw, powerful feelings but Many Americans fold, particularly Working Class americans. They feel alienated, left behind and they feel party, the Democratic Party, no longer represents their voice. The democrat Data Scientist david shor, who says his work suggests College Educated people have taken over the issue prioritisation of your Democratic Party at the expense of Working Class white people who were in the party and even at the expense of Working Class non white people who are in the party today. And thats driving as Working Class people away. Let me address that. Thats the Point Of View. D0 let me address that. Thats the Point Of ViewPoint Of View. Do you worry about it . Point of view. Do you worry about it . That Point Of View. Do you worry about it . That you Point Of View. Do you worry about it . That you are i Point Of View. Do you worry about it . That you are now| Point Of View. Do you worry i about it . That you are now seen as the ultimate crosstalk. I dont agonise or organise. The fact is the difference between the two parties is a Trickle Down Economics of text bills that 83 of the benefits went to 1 of the population and 10 trillion to the National Debt versusjoe biden, National Debt versus joe biden, bubble National Debt versusjoe biden, bubble up economy, built from the middle, so that everyone can participate and the fact is that the press, frankly, use the term uneducated. That wasnt something we said. He said uneducated. I think that was wrong. Said uneducated. I think that was wrong was wrong. They are not uneducated. Was wrong. They are not uneducated. Is was wrong. They are not uneducated. Is that i was wrong. They are not uneducated. Is that you | was wrong. They are not i uneducated. Is that you being out of touch . We uneducated. Is that you being out of touch . Uneducated. Is that you being l out of touch . They out of touch . We are not. They do. Out of touch . We are not. They do they out of touch . We are not. They do they say out of touch . We are not. They do they say a out of touch . We are not. They do. They say a lot out of touch . We are not. They do. They say a lot of out of touch . We are not. They do. They say a lot of things i do. They say a lot of things about me do. They say a lot of things about me but do. They say a lot of things about me but i do. They say a lot of things about me but i dont i do. They say a lot of things about me but i dont care i do. They say a lot of things i about me but i dont care what they say about me. Want to care about is winning elections. And not to be a fear monger but to be a message of hope. Not to be a fear monger but to be a message of hope. There are Many Americans, be a message of hope. There are Many Americans, again, Many Americans, again, according to the polls, who Thinkjoe Biden should not run again because he is simply too old. ,. ,. , old. Only three years older than whats old. Only three years older than whats his old. Only three years older than whats his name, i old. Only three years older| than whats his name, your friend. His three years older. Thats a big deal. I friend. His three years older. Thats a big deal. Friend. His three years older. Thats a big deal. I dont wish to be unbalanced thats a big deal. I dont wish to be unbalanced but thats a big deal. I dont wish to be unbalanced but you i thats a big deal. I dont wish to be unbalanced but you are| thats a big deal. I dont wish i to be unbalanced but you are 82 and you have handed over power in the Democratic Party, in the House Of Representatives to what you called a new generation ungallant. Should joe biden be learning from you . Joe biden be learning from you . Joe biden be learning from you . Joe biden is the president of the United States and if we said we have a great president , hes accomplished more. The american hes accomplished more. The American People hes accomplished more. The American People seatsjoe American People seats joe bidens American People seatsjoe bidens mental and physical health and they see it every day on the tv screens. They are drawing conclusions, clear majority say he is too old, he should not run again and thats democrats as well as republicans. Ii democrats as well as republicans. Democrats as well as republicans. Democrats as well as reublicans. Republicans. If you ask those democrats. Republicans. If you ask those democrats, they republicans. If you ask those democrats, they support i republicans. If you ask those democrats, they support joe | democrats, they supportjoe biden. They are not supporting Somebody ElseBecausejoe Biden is. Joe biden is wise, he has knowledge, he has a beautiful vision for america, he has knowledge of the issues, therefore judgement and wisdom. He has Strategic Thinking about getting things done, thats why his presidency has been so successful on the domestic front. He has empathy and cares about Working Class families and and we have to communicate that matter to the American People, and that is what our campaign is about. I did not hear you say any complimentary thing about anything that people had said about the president or our performance as elected officials. We dont care about the negative, we are about the positive. Its not about fear, its about hope. And you will see, 15 months from now, joe biden really is president of the United States with great pride. Shes the United States with great ride. � ,. , the United States with great ride, m l, the United States with great ride. A , pride. As you say, we will see. Nancy pelosi, pride. As you say, we will see. Nancy pelosi, thank pride. As you say, we will see. Nancy pelosi, thank you i pride. As you say, we will see. Nancy pelosi, thank you very i nancy pelosi, thank you very much for being on hardtalk. Thank you. My pleasure. Hello. We have a very warm week of weather in prospect. In fact, it could turn out to be some of the warmest weather of the year so far. The highest temperature we recorded over the summer was all the way back injune at 32. 2 celsius. This week, we are expected to get to 30 celsius but some places could getjust a little bit warmer than that. Certainly, some very warm or even hot weather in the outlook with plenty of strong sunshine butjust a little bit of mist and fog here and there some to start monday morning, particularly across parts of south west scotland, but a few patches elsewhere tending to lift and clear very quickly and then, we will see lots of sunshine. A little bit breezy down towards the far south west, the far north of scotland but really, only the western and Northern Isles seeing more cloud and a few splashes of rain. Temperatures in Eastern Scotland up to 25, 26 degrees. Parts of central and south Eastern England could well get to 29. Through monday night, it stays dry with clear skies. Still this Weather Front in the far north of scotland with a few splashes of rain and maybe the odd shower into the far South West Of England by the end of the night. 16 there in plymouth to start Tuesday Morning a very warm start. A mild start elsewhere as well. For tuesday, this area of low pressure swirling to the south west of us may just introduce the odd shower across the South West Of England, parts of wales, possibly northern ireland. 0ur Weather Front in Northern Scotland will be weakening. Elsewhere, lots more sunshine and plenty of warmth as well, although a slight shift in the Wind Direction will bring a slightly cooler day in the eastern side of scotland. 21 there for aberdeen. Further south 27, possibly 28 degrees. As we move into wednesday, this area of High Pressure changes shape, shifts to the east of us and we start to bring the winds up from the south, so another surge of very warm air. Wednesday is the day when some places could get up to 30 celsius or possibly even a little bit higher than that. A few patches of mist and fog around some of the coasts but elsewhere, its a story of warmth and sunshine. And as we head towards the end of the week, we stick with the same theme. Temperatures could still get close to 30 degrees on thursday. Only very, very slowly will it turn more unsettled from the west. Live from london, this is bbc news. Ukraines president zelensky says hes replacing the countrys defence minister, saying its time for a new approach. Over 100 schools in england and scotland will be closed or partially shut today over safety concerns about lightweight concrete. And organisers of the Burning Man Festival in the us have postponed the events finale because of treacherous weather conditions. Thousands remain stranded. Hello. Im sally bundock. A very warm welcome to the programme. We start in ukraine where president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that hes replacing the countrys defence minister, saying its time for a new approach. 0leksii Reznikov had been in post since before the start of the full scale russian invasion in february last year. His removal is thought to be part of mr zelensky� s determination to tackle corruption in all government departments. President zelensky has nominated rustem umerov, whos currently in charge of ukraines privatisation programme, as the new defence minister. Heres mr zelensky giving that update. Translation this week, | the parliament will be asked to make a staff related decision. I would like to outline it now. I have decided to replace the Minister Of Defence of ukraine. 0leksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full scale war. I believe that the ministry need new approaches and other formats of interaction