By the uss decision to not include new support for ukraine from a short term funding deal. Us congress was forced to drop the Financial Aid to avert a government shutdown. The Foreign Ministers from all 27 member nations are in ukraine for a historic meeting, to discuss continued aid for the country. Mr borrell also said it was possible for ukraine to join the bloc even if the war with russia was still ongoing. 0ur kyiv correspondent James Waterhouse has more. What we have seen, with all of this political turmoil in the us, as youve just seen, is the first hard symptom really of the growing scepticism within some corners of the republican party. We do have Foreign Ministers from all 27 Member States of the European Union here in kyiv today. Its a significant meeting and its an attempt to both unlock future funding, on top of the sizeable packages which have recently been announced, topping more than 50 billion euros. Thats not to be sniffed at, but this is also europe trying to put on a united front where there are some cracks. Theres been an election victory for a Populist Pro Moscow Party in slovakia. Were seeing a polarising election in poland where the issue of support for ukraine, as well as the refugees who have fled to poland, is really being shone in under the spotlight. There really are increased levels of scrutiny from such a staunch neighbour. And, of course, ukraine has long wanted tojoin the European Union. Were told by senior representatives that it will be one day, but weve never heard when that might happen. I directly asked josep borrell, the bloc� s most senior diplomat, that question. I cannot give you a precise date, but it is historical, what has happened. Ukraine being considered candidate is something that im sure, without the war, it would have been much difficult to happen. And now its a strong commitment from our side. The European Union has politically decided to say ukraine belongs to our family. They will become a member as soon as the conditions are met. The Eu Ambassador to ukraine has suggested 2030 could be realistic, in her words. If that was to happen, and russia still occupied a fifth of ukrainian territory, how realistic would that be . Cyprus become member of European Union with a part of its territory being occupied. There is a warand ukraine has to face two challenges. The war, and the criteria for becoming a member. And the best, the best, the most important Security Commitment that we can give to ukraine, is membership. Weve seen a short term funding deal in the us, which doesnt include new support for ukraine. Weve seen the Election Results in slovakia. Weve seen hungary continue to try and block support where it can. Are we starting to see that western fatigue that ukraine is so fearful of, and that Vladimir Putin is just holding out for . Yes, we see all that. But allow me to say, you have also seen the stronger unity of europeans to support ukraine we have seen unanimity on approving. I dont know how many sanctions packages. We see unity in order to support military aid. And we see unity from the beginning of the war. Everybody has been putting money and political commitments, in spite of all that. Even countries, and you mentioned one who are reluctant to the sanctions, they have been voting in favour of the sanctions. I am worried by the last decision of the congress about the ukrainian funding. But one thing is clear. To us europeans, for us, the war of russia against ukraine is an existential threat, and we have to react according with that. If there is a us president elected next year on a ticket to pull out support, what would the eu do . Would you further increase your support for ukraine to try and step up, if you like, into that void that would be created 7 well, we have to wait for this possibility to propose to increase our support to ukraine. I myself, i proposed to my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs and Defence Council and the european fund, for supporting ukraine of 20 billion euros. The president of the commission has proposed to the Member States a civilian side, 50 billion for the ukraine. This was decided much before any speculation about the future of the us politics. So yes, we want to increase our support to ukraine. Mr borrell, thank you very much. Thank you. Politicalfatigue is a democratic reality for ukraine. I think president zelensky has always known that. Now, throughout the 18 months of this full scale invasion, the best remedy for kyiv has typically been military progress. We saw that with the two successful swathes of Liberation We saw around this time last year, where Western Allies could see what their western aid, what those billions of pounds, was translating into. Now we are talking in the midst of a grinding counter offensive. President zelensky is trying to keep the politics separate from the battlefield, but thats becoming increasingly difficult. In his weekend address, he said, no one should be able to turn off our resilience and our fortitude. Basically, ukraine, it is clear it will keep fighting, with or without america and the wests help. But there is an overwhelming preference here because, while ukraine has always been doing the fighting and ukraine alone, it is the western help which could prove to be pivotal in ukraines very survival. James waterhouse there. We can speak to paul knott, a former british diplomat whos spent time in ukraine and russia. Thank you very much for being with us. How concerned do you think ukraine should, or will be, by the decision at the us not to approve further Funding Decision at the us not to approve furtherfunding for this decision at the us not to approve further funding for this war . I think clearly it is a concern for everybody. Ukraine most of all, and everybody. Ukraine most of all, and everybody that supports them. I think we shouldnt go overboard just yet, and i think the signs are that the biden administration, actually, the biden administration, actually, the big majority of people on both sides in the us are still quite strongly behind ukraine and they seem confident they might be able to push something through separately. This was clearly a by product of a domestic political situation in the us, which may not lead to big problems in the long run. But i think obviously the long term concern is if the scepticism grows and starts to gather momentum in the us, most of all, but also in europe, because ukraine needs our support and we need it to succeed. It would be bad news, and it would be very encouraging to putin and russia, if the support was seen to be fading, or if it actually does. Or if it actually does. Politics, of course, or if it actually does. Politics, of course. Really or if it actually does. Politics, of course, really plays or if it actually does. Politics, of course, really plays into or if it actually does. Politics, of course, really plays into it, course, really plays into it, especially in america. A cs that cnn poll showed. President biden has requested another 2a billion and you might understand why a lot of americans say, hang on a minute, why should we be funding this war effort. What you think ukraine would sneak to say in to that . I effort. What you think ukraine would sneak to say in to that . Sneak to say in to that . I think it is important sneak to say in to that . I think it is important for sneak to say in to that . I think it is important for all sneak to say in to that . I think it is important for all of sneak to say in to that . I think it is important for all of us, sneak to say in to that . I think it is important for all of us, i sneak to say in to that . I think it| is important for all of us, i think, that see how crucial this is, that ukraine succeeds and understands the threat that russia poses to all of us, to keep making the arguments and actually improve the arguments, to reach more people. Those are big numbers but actually, in proportion to the us budget, they are actually not that massive. Bearing in mind as well, a lot of the spending on arms actually gets recycled back into the us economy because it goes to us arms producers. Isaw us economy because it goes to us arms producers. I saw recently, actually, which is a little brutal, but a us Republican Group that supports ukraine, pointing out that less than 5 of the us military budget, ukraine has basically destroyed about 50 of the russian army, which is probably, well, is the greatest threat at the moment, aggressive threat, to the democratic world, which in that sense, seems like a reasonable value for not having to put any other american or european boots on the ground. Refill . European boots on the ground. Really interestin european boots on the ground. Really interesting to european boots on the ground. Really interesting to get european boots on the ground. Really interesting to get your european boots on the ground. Really interesting to get your thoughts and analysis, thank you for being with us. The nhs in england is warning of � extreme disruption to services, with doctors staging their most significant industrial action to date. The 72 hour walk out is the longestjoint action, by bothjunior doctors and consultants, in the history of the health service. They say they need above inflation pay rises, but the government has said this years increases are fair and final. Live now to our correspondent louisa pilbeam, whos outside University College hospital in Central London. What impact these strikes having . There is an impact down here at this hospital, University College hospital in Central London, and at hospitals across the uk. These doctors here, they arejunior doctors, some of them, and some of them are senior doctors. They are consultants who work across the board, from dental, doctors, to radiologists, and they are not on the wards today. There is what is called the Christmas Day cover, which is the minimum level of cover that allows patients to be safe. I have spoken to the doctors here and they must astutely that patients will be safe on that level of cover. As they said, this option happens because the doctors are here, theyre not on the wards and they want to be on the wards. Why are they here . They are here because they here . They are here because they want a 35 pay rise, which they say, would take them back to the level of pay that they received in 2008, which they say would be a fair offer and what they deserve. Timer;r offer and what they deserve. They seem to be offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at a offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at a bit offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at a bit of offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at a bit of an offer and what they deserve. They seem to be at a bit of an impasse, dont they. 0ther seem to be at a bit of an impasse, dont they. Other signs of any negotiations . Dont they. Other signs of any negotiations . Dont they. Other signs of any negotiations . Dont they. Other signs of any neuotiations . ,. , negotiations . The government has said that they negotiations . The government has said that they will negotiations . The government has said that they will not negotiations . The government has said that they will not enter negotiations . The government has said that they will not enter into i said that they will not enter into any further discussion. They will not get around the table and the doctors here want to speak to the government. They are very frustrated that they cannot even enter into any negotiations. The government have been very clear about this, because they say that their offer is fair and reasonable, and it is what they can afford. The doctors here say that they would be absolutely willing to sit around the table and, if they did, this Strike Action like we are seeing today, would immediately, potentially stop. They are saying, if not, they will continue striking for the next six months, which they have a mandate to do, but then they will continue to strike for months and potentially years, beyond that. They have made clear to me, the doctors here, that they dont want to do that. They want to get this sorted, they say, and they want the government to at least speak to them. Just and they want the government to at least speak to them. Least speak to them. Just briefly, louise, least speak to them. Just briefly, louise. One least speak to them. Just briefly, louise, one of least speak to them. Just briefly, louise, one of the least speak to them. Just briefly, louise, one of the other least speak to them. Just briefly, louise, one of the other issues i least speak to them. Just briefly, j louise, one of the other issues is that the doctors say that a lot of people are leaving the health service, they are going to work abroad, and it is not attracting new people because the pay is so low. Yes, speaking to a consultant about exactly the earlier, and he said to me that if this does go on for months and months to come, they have the opportunity to getjobs, as you mentioned, around the world, and he was saying to me that he and his colleagues will do that. Colleagues will do that. Louisa, thank you colleagues will do that. Louisa, thank you for colleagues will do that. Louisa, thank you forjoining colleagues will do that. Louisa, thank you forjoining us colleagues will do that. Louisa, thank you forjoining us from i thank you forjoining us from Central London there. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. The price of a first class stamp rises today to £1. 25, upfrom £1. 10. Thats the third Price Increase in 18 months. Royal mail blames increasing Cost Pressures and the tough economic environment for the latest rise. The price of a second class stamp stays at 75p. A man who planted a sapling near the felled sycamore gap tree in the north of england says hes devastated National Trust bosses have removed it. Officials say they took away the tree planted by Kieran Chapman because of the sites unesco World Heritage status. A man in his 60s and a 16 year old boy were arrested in connection with the felling last week. A bbc tv presenter says her eyesight has been saved by a routine check up. Injune, bbc waless lucy 0wen told her optician she had noticed white flashes in her right eye. He said her retina was in the process of detaching and booked her in for an emergency operation. Her vision returned and she has resumed presenting. Youre live with bbc news. Italys Prime Minister has warned europe will be overwhelmed by migration unless the eu finds solutions. Italy currently receives the largest number of people smugglers boats, carrying Asylum Seekers and other migrants into europe. Many people then try to travel on to countries including germany, france or the uk. 0ur correspondent mark lowen has been to two Border Locations where migrants are trying to cross. Preparing, they hope, their footsteps to freedom. They trod the long path of desperation to europe, but even now, in italy, they want to go on to france and beyond. Numbers here have doubled since last year, armed with their dreams and kit from this charity to cross the tough alpine border. 0marfrom Nigeria went via libya, paying smugglers 800 to reach the Southern Italian island of lampedusa. His aim to get to britain. I just want to have a good life, to study there. But have you not seen all the pictures and have you not heard about people being sent back from britain or sent back from france . Yes, i am seeing, but you know, i willjust try my best to. I will try again to go. Some fail early an egyptian is sent back, but the checks this side are rare. Volunteer eleanor, says the Italian Police seem to turn a blind eye. They know exactly what we do here. They know exactly what these people are here for, so it is like a game somehow. They know but they pretend not to know. A short bus ride and they are at the border. But most avoid the official crossing, fearing police. Instead, they scatter into the forest, waiting to dash over the alps. The pull of europe leads through perilous parts that have already taken the lives of some seeking new ones. 0thers try a different route across, further south in ventimiglia, close to nice. But on the french side, controls are stringent. Each train is checked, leaving no door open. It is a constant to and fro, the italian authorities happy enough to see the migrants cross here into france, no longer their responsibility, only for the French Police to say, we dont want them either, and to send them back across the border. But caught in the middle of europes Game Of Cat And Mouse are the desperate. They may have failed today but whatever the impediment, it is likely they will keep on trying. Translation the eu is not working. Each country is setting its own Migration Limits and italy has to shoulder the burden alone. France suspended Free Movement at its border and we are forced to take back huge numbers, which is only slowing the flow to calais and britain, not solving it. Migrants have spat and urinated in the cemetery. We have reached our limit. We could become the lampedusa of the north. At the alpine border, the red cross helps ease hunger and cold until the migrants will make their move away from prying eyes. Europe faces a new bottleneck here, and whatever its leaders seem to do, hope and determination are proving impossible to extinguish. Mark lowen, bbc news, on the italy france border. Live now to oxford where we can speak to Nando Sigona Professor of International Migration at the university of birmingham. Thank you very much for being with us. Italy alone, the number of arrivals is nearly double that of last year. Why . Irate arrivals is nearly double that of last year why . Arrivals is nearly double that of last ear. Wh 7~. ,. , last year. Why . We have had covid, we had the last year. Why . We have had covid, we had the food last year. Why . We have had covid, we had the food and last year. Why . We have had covid, we had the food and energy last year. Why . We have had covid, we had the food and energy crisis, | we had the food and energy crisis, we had the food and energy crisis, we have had a series of events that have destabilised the economy. If you look at the profile of the people who cross into the mediterranean, comparing it to people who came ten years ago during the first so called refugee crisis, you will see that there are many more countries. There is clearly a sign of broader Global Crisis going on, that is producing this mobility. So are you saying that most of the migrants now are heading towards europe are economic migrants, seeking a better life, rather than fleeing war . Seeking a better life, rather than fleeing war . No, i am saying that there are causes. Fleeing war . No, i am saying that there are causes. There fleeing war . No, i am saying that there are causes. There is fleeing war . No, i am saying that there are causes. There is a there are causes. There is a survival migrants, pushing out of countries. We have seen several instances of severe weather, we have seen throughout, etc. It is about how do you define refugees, it is clearly that we are seeing new forms of migration, of desperation, and there is not much left for them back home. These are people that are pushing the boundaries of refugee at the moment, in a sense. The moment, in a sense. Italys Prime Minister the moment, in a sense. Italys Prime Minister is the moment, in a sense. Italys Prime Minister is warning the moment, in a sense. Italys Prime Minister is warning that i Prime Minister is warning that europe will be overwhelmed by these numbers, if something isnt done. We have got governments across europe struggling with this issue. Are there solutions, any policies in place, that are working . It there solutions, any policies in place, that are working . There solutions, any policies in place, that are working . If you look at the way ukrainian place, that are working . If you look at the way ukrainian refugees place, that are working . If you look at the way ukrainian refugees have | at the way ukrainian refugees have been welcomed in several european countries, you could see that that is a good model and to think about it, and a way to plan the reception of people, migrants, refugees. You can also say that at the moment a lot of the tension we are seeing in italy is very much also linked to the coming election, tension with germany and france, and the Alliance Of Maloney and right wing politicians. You can see how the tension is growing and migrants are often used as a weapon in this european wide political battle. Yes. European wide political battle. Yes, this ear it european wide political battle. Yes, this year it is european wide political battle. Yes, this year it is estimated european wide political battle. Yes, this year it is estimated 2500 people have died trying to reach the eu. It is a staggering number. Is that putting people off from making perilous journeys . The that putting people off from making perilous journeys . That putting people off from making perilous journeys . Perilous ourneys . The thing that we need to perilous journeys . The thing that we need to know perilous journeys . The thing that we need to know is, perilous journeys . The thing that we need to know is, where perilous journeys . The thing that we need to know is, where those perilous journeys . The thing that we need to know is, where those track i need to know is, where those Track Chick Accidents have occurred, the route between tunisia and italy is relatively short, it is about 99 miles. A lot of the people that died in the crossing tried to follow a much longer route, like the one that goes from east of libya to italy. Hundreds of people died in the Shipwreck Lastjune in the space between greece and italy. It is a relatively safer route from tunisia to italy. Why was he the last Shift Tunisia in the last eight months is a lot of the resources of the European Union, in the last year or so, have gone towards libya and to work. So they have moved the roots more west towards tunisia where they found the crossing relatively easier. ,. , easier. Really interesting to get our easier. Really interesting to get your thoughts. Easier. Really interesting to get your thoughts, thank easier. Really interesting to get your thoughts, thank you. Easier. Really interesting to get your thoughts, thank you. I easier. Really interesting to get your thoughts, thank you. I just your thoughts, thank you. Ijust want to bring you some Breaking News concerning our top story and this is the eu meeting of Foreign Ministers to discuss Long Term Support for ukraine. We have been told that the Foreign Ministers of poland, latvia and hungary have not attended that summit of eu Foreign Ministers in kyiv today. This is around ongoing tensions over support in those countries for the war effort and how much money is being sent to that country. We will get more analysis on that a little later. The regional capital of the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh is deserted following the flight of more than 100,000 Ethnic Armenians. A bbc correspondent who has reached stepanakert known by azerbaijan as khankendi says it is desolate with only stray dogs wandering the main square in search of food. The Ethnic Armenians fled because of fears of persecution and Ethnic Cleansing charges denied by azerbaijan, which last month seized the territory. Live now to our South Caucasus and central asia correspondent Rayhan Demytrie whos in the town of goris in armenia. Spring the latest. The latest is that armenia spring the latest. The latest is that armenia is spring the latest. The latest is that armenia is now spring the latest. The latest is that armenia is now trying spring the latest. The latest is that armenia is now trying to i spring the latest. The latest is that armenia is now trying to cope with this massive influx of refugees from Nagorno Karabakh, over 100,000 people. These people have short term needs, such as housing, food, clothing. And of course long term needs, which is education for their children, jobs for them, so there is quite a lot to take on board. Today, the armenian Prime Minister held a Government Meeting where they were discussing Financial Aid to the families from logon or karabakh, and for large families where there are more than five people, they are saying that in the first month up to 2000 will be paid so that people can settle in. There are of course critics who are saying that this is not enough, the government is just announcing plans for the next six months, what about the longer Term Solution . There is an expectation that, once these people settle down a little bit and absorb whatjust happened to them, the fact that they were uprooted from their homes when they were living for decades, there is a risk that there could be domestic instability here in armenia. Domestic instability here in armenia domestic instability here in armenia. , armenia. Thank you. Some Breaking News ust armenia. Thank you. Some Breaking News just into armenia. Thank you. Some Breaking Newsjust into us, armenia. Thank you. Some Breaking Newsjust into us, and armenia. Thank you. Some Breaking Newsjust into us, and thames armenia. Thank you. Some breaking | newsjust into us, and Thames Valley news just into us, and Thames Valley police have confirmed it is investigating harassment and stalking allegations against russell brand, made by a woman living in area. Brand has denied the claims. The bbc understands that the woman reported her allegations to the Police Numerous times between 2018 and 2022, but no further action was taken. Mr brown had also accused the woman of harassment against him in 2017. Thames Valley Police has told the bbc that the woman contacted the force two weeks ago with what they say is new information in Relation Chin to the harassment and stalking allegations. The force have confirmed her information is being investigated and as such it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation. The bbc has approached mr brand for a response to these allegations. The previous has previously denied serious allegations. Stay with us here on bbc news. Hello again. From the north and the west today, were looking at a mixture of blustery showers and some sunshine, but weve got this clutch of Weather Fronts in the south. Now, its been a murky start across england and wales with a lot of cloud, mist, some fog as well. And as we go through the course of the afternoon, if anything, we still will hang on to the cloud, but well see some Heavy Rain Develop and some of that will be thundery. Meanwhile, the showers in the north and the west continue, some of them getting over towards the east and quite blustery as well. Temperatures are fresher, 13 to 17 across scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland, but a warmer, more humid 22 in london. As we head on through the evening and overnight, this weatherfront producing all this rain continues to move over towards the near continent. Behind it, it will turn fresher, and well also have a plethora of showers in the north and the west and still blustery. The Wind Strengthening in the far north of the country, but its going to feel fresher, too, in the southeast, where it has been quite humid for a wee while. Tomorrow, the Weather Front clears away. Weve got a weak Weather Front coming in behind and the breeze coming from the west or the northwest. So thats going to blow in quite a lot of showers across northern and western areas. But some of them will make it over to the east. But in between, there will be some sunshine, but you really will notice the breeze tomorrow. Temperatures fresher than today in Southern Areas, were looking at 12 to about 19 degrees. Then as we move from tuesday into wednesday, well, weve got a clutch of Weather Fronts which are going to show their hand coming in across Northern Ireland and scotland initially, crossing Northern England later. High pressure hanging on in the south and the isobars ever present, telling you that its going to be another breezy day. So the rain crosses Northern Ireland, scotland, gets into Northern England. As it moves away, behind it, well see some showers. For the rest of england and wales, under this ridge of high pressure, therell be a lot of dry weather and some sunshine. Temperatures, 12 to about 19 Degrees North to south. As we move on into thursday, well, breezy with some rain, really across the north and the west, cloudy with a few spots of light rain or drizzle as we push further south and east. And then for friday, therell be more sunshine in Southern Areas but wet and windy in the north. This is bbc news. The headlines. The Police Confirm it is investigating Stalking Investigations against russell brand. Emergency services in Northern Mexico are still searching for survivors after a Church Building collapses. At least ten people are dead. Investigators in spain try to find the cause of a deadly Nightclub Fire in the south eastern city of murcia. The sexual abuse of young footballers in gabon. Bbc africa eye investigates claims fifa failed to take effective action when it was made aware. In the uk, tougher rules on benefits and a boost to the National Living wage. Chancellorjeremy hunts expected promises to the conservative party conference. Emergency services in the north of mexico are still working to rescue survivors from the rubble of a church in ciudad madero. The building partially collapsed, killing at least ten people. This was the moment the roof caved in as people attended a baptism in the Santa Cruz Church in tamaulipas state. Children are among at least 60 people injured. The red cross says about 80 people were in the church at the time. Some of those first on the scene used planks and poles to try to hold