of communications under president trump — and lord kim darroch, former british ambassador to the us. first, the latest headlines. joe biden and volodymyr zelensky have signed a landmark us—ukraine security deal, with the us president warning russia that kyiv�*s allies are "not backing down". mr biden said the bilateral agreement, plus a g7 deal for a $50 billion loan for ukraine using frozen russian funds, "collectively showed mr putin that he cannot wait us out." hezbollah has fired a fresh barrage of rockets and drones from lebanon into israel in retaliation for the killing of a senior commander on tuesday. israel said a number of projectiles were intercepted by air defences, although some hit open areas, igniting fires. russian prosecutors say the american journalist, evan gershkovich, will go on trial for espionage at a court in the urals, but no date has been given. mr gershkovich was reporting for the wall streetjournal when he was accused of spying. he denies the charge. sir keir starmer has unveiled the labour party's election manifesto, focusing on economic growth.the labour leader said the document — titled "change" — would "turn the page decisively" on m years of conservative government. in the past hour, president biden and his ukrainian counterpart volodymyr zelensky have signed a ten year security agreement at the g7 summit in italy. joe biden said it would include intelligence sharing, troop training and investment in ukraine's industrial base to make more weapons. the ten—year deal comes as the white house tries to lock in support for kyiv, ahead of the us presidential election, in which mr biden faces a close race with his republican rival donald trump. signing of the deal came hard on the heels of approval by g7 leaders of a plan to use profits from seized russia assets to fund kyiv�*s war effort. mr biden said the deal — which would loan fifty billion dollars to ukraine — showed russia that ukraine's allies weren't backing down. back in 2022, two days after russia's invasion, members of the g7 european union worked together to freeze $280 billion in russian central bank funds outside of russia. i'm very pleased to share that this week, this week, the g7 signed a plan to finalize, unlock, $50 billion from the proceeds of those frozen assets. to put their mind to work for ukraine and another reminder to putin that we're not backing down. in fact, we're standing together against this illegal aggression. president zelensky thanked mr biden for his leadership role in the g7 decision on the 50—billion dollar loan: it's a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for ukraine and winning this war. russian immobilised assets should be used for defending lives of ukrainians from russian terror and for repaying the damage the aggressor caused to ukraine — it is fair and absolutely right. anthony, this is president biden locking in support before a potential change in the residence of the white house come november? we may not have sound.— may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, — may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, i — may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, i think— may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, i think so. _ may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, i think so. anything - may not have sound. sorry, i had to muted but, i think so. anything is i muted but, ithink so. anything is possible and the president thinks is going to win the reelection but the holistic nature of the alliances in the a decade plus nature of nato and the a decade plus nature of nato and the promises that america made to ukraine in 1984, over the last 30 years, think he's doing that, yes. the family photo of the leaders meeting, it is fair to say that helps from the summit are pretty low given all the political instability going on domestically for those leaders. so, this is a big victory, not only that us ukraine deal but also that $50 billion loan will go into the logistics of the loan and what is significant development in the hopes everywhere are pretty low right now. is a the hopes everywhere are pretty low riaht now. , . ., the hopes everywhere are pretty low riaht now. ,. ., , right now. is a great pleasure to share a panel — right now. is a great pleasure to share a panel with _ right now. is a great pleasure to share a panel with my _ right now. is a great pleasure to share a panel with my friend - right now. is a great pleasure to - share a panel with my friend anthony but this_ share a panel with my friend anthony but this is_ share a panel with my friend anthony but this is a _ share a panel with my friend anthony but this is a very important step forward — but this is a very important step forward and ukraine is in a very difficult — forward and ukraine is in a very difficult and dangerous place military— difficult and dangerous place military supplies were blocked and that is— military supplies were blocked and that is change now but still in difficulty— that is change now but still in difficulty with difficulties of the front _ difficulty with difficulties of the front line and the combination of this deal— front line and the combination of this deal with america is potentially $50 million worth of slrpport— potentially $50 million worth of support coming to them is a huge step forward and massively important and at _ step forward and massively important and at least possible ukraine position— and at least possible ukraine position might not be enough, this makes _ position might not be enough, this makes an— position might not be enough, this makes an important successful g7 summit— makes an important successful g7 summit against rather difficult circumstances with the hard right on the march— circumstances with the hard right on the march irr— circumstances with the hard right on the march in europe. we circumstances with the hard right on the march in europe.— the march in europe. we hear these numbers being _ the march in europe. we hear these numbers being bandied _ the march in europe. we hear these numbers being bandied around, - numbers being bandied around, financial support being offered ukraine and president zelensky saying this is a historic day for the most significant deal since ukraine's independence. what is a change on the ground and doesn't change on the ground and doesn't change how this war ends? i change on the ground and doesn't change how this war ends? i think the election _ change how this war ends? i think the election is _ change how this war ends? i think the election is really _ change how this war ends? i think the election is really going - change how this war ends? i think the election is really going to - the election is really going to decide how the war ends, if i can be brutally honest with you on that but it does change morale on the ground and i think it solidifies now into the election and the right type of technical support as well ukrainian government and the army. but let's be as direct as possible. if donald trump should win the election, i predict he will not but if he does, it's going to present a problem for nato, a problem for ukrainian government and will have to deal with the situation if that should happen but this is a good set up and of the president does win reelection, we will see them at the negotiating table shortly thereafter.— negotiating table shortly thereafter. .,~ ., ., thereafter. speaking on capitol hill toda , we thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today. we will _ thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today, we will look— thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today, we will look at _ thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today, we will look at what - thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today, we will look at what he - thereafter. speaking on capitol hill today, we will look at what he said | today, we will look at what he said just a second because potentially laying out what his first 100 days would look like. but let's talk about the numbers here because there's been a lot of controversy about using that money for that loan, that $50 billion loan. this is about the ridge billion dollars of assets east from russia that is generating quite a lot of interest in the bank and with this deal will do is use that to guarantee a loan for ukraine it's quite a complicated way of doing it and now without its critics, but it's quite a significant breakthrough and could set a precedent, couldn't it? yes. set a precedent, couldn't it? yes, the financial _ set a precedent, couldn't it? yes, the financial sector _ set a precedent, couldn't it? yes, the financial sector experts - set a precedent, couldn't it? yes, the financial sector experts in capitals— the financial sector experts in capitals in the g7 have quite a lot of forrns— capitals in the g7 have quite a lot of forms difficulties about this and not sure _ of forms difficulties about this and not sure the details of been sorted there's— not sure the details of been sorted there's two— not sure the details of been sorted there's two questions about who ultimately guarantees the loan but the key— ultimately guarantees the loan but the key thing here is it is difficult _ the key thing here is it is difficult to do and out of negative been _ difficult to do and out of negative been done before but has been agreed by the _ been done before but has been agreed by the seven leading western heads of government and they will constructed teams experts to make it happen— constructed teams experts to make it happen in— constructed teams experts to make it happen in needs to happen quickly its real— happen in needs to happen quickly its real breakthrough understand all the problems but i know it is unprecedented —— i do not know. this boost, _ unprecedented —— i do not know. this boost. this— unprecedented —— i do not know. this boost, this instruction from certain heads _ boost, this instruction from certain heads of— boost, this instruction from certain heads of government that it will happen — heads of government that it will happen. what we've talked about some of the _ happen. what we've talked about some of the problems but what does this mean _ of the problems but what does this mean coming at a time and some of those leaders find themselves rather weak positions on those leaders find themselves rather weak position— weak positions on the domestic front. themselves in weak positions on the domestic front: if the polls are correct, rishi sunak�*s conservative party is on course to lose heavily to labour in the imminent uk general election. an average of recent opinion polls puts labour on 43%, 21 points ahead of the conservatives on 22%. days after france's emmanual macron called a snap election after heavy losses to the far—right in european elections, opinion polls there are projecting that marine le pen's national rally or rn could, for the first time, top the vote but without winning an absolute majority. 0ne poll shows the rn winning 31% in the first round, ahead of president macron's renaissance on 18%. joe biden is facing an uphill battle to win re—election in november, with his republican challenger donald trump opening up a marginal 2 percentage point lead this week. in a reuters/ipsos poll, some 41% of registered voters said they would choose trump, if the election were held today, while 39% picked biden. the host of the g7 summit — giorgia meloni — was the only western european leader strengthened by the outcome of the european elections last weekend, her far—right brothers of italy party storming to a convincing win. before we talk about some of the details of what we learn from those leaders, want to share this headline, six lane dogs and georgia. more like the last supper than the display of western power. that is owed feels, isn't it? so many domestic issues for these leaders to face. it is hard for him to concentrate on anything international. brute is hard for him to concentrate on anything international. we follow the uk elections, _ anything international. we follow the uk elections, we _ anything international. we follow the uk elections, we follow - anything international. we follow| the uk elections, we follow brexit the uk elections, we follow brexit the ambassador remembers that, the brexit injune of 2016 was a precursor to the dawn from victory november and if you are right on the polling the labor spending when the selection, i think it bodes well for joe biden of the european continent is a very different picture and it may be prime minister giorgia meloni and president biden in five lame ducks and a field that is what your illustrating. i ducks and a field that is what your illustratinu . ~ ducks and a field that is what your illustrating-— illustrating. i think our cultures are fairly aligned. _ illustrating. i think our cultures are fairly aligned. i _ illustrating. i think our cultures are fairly aligned. i think- illustrating. i think our cultures | are fairly aligned. i think united states with _ are fairly aligned. i think united states with a _ are fairly aligned. i think united states with a decent _ are fairly aligned. i think united states with a decent economy l are fairly aligned. i think united - states with a decent economy which as a general proclivity to reelect the incumbent when there is a decent economy, then the incumbent gets reelected and for international listeners, this is going to get decided by five or 600,000 people in a few swing states want to remind everybody that president trump, former president trump is telling people he will not up the field operation in the swing states and president biden will. this is when you get up and vote exercise and you guys are leaning liberal and their cultures are fairly aligned at this point in my guess is if keir starmer winds in the uk, it is a nice set up for president biden. is winds in the uk, it is a nice set up for president biden.— for president biden. is also a get out and vote _ for president biden. is also a get out and vote issue _ for president biden. is also a get out and vote issue here - for president biden. is also a get out and vote issue here where i for president biden. is also a get - out and vote issue here where people might be awaiting students away from university and that also figures into the selection too. and i'm interested in hearing the idea that italy is looking were the only stable government right now and i'm looking at the numbers, italy is at 70 governments since the second world war and we know these things can be cyclical such a volatile nation looking like the only one that's relatively stable right now, how did that happen? it’s that's relatively stable right now, how did that happen?— how did that happen? it's a good headhne how did that happen? it's a good headline and _ how did that happen? it's a good headline and certainly _ how did that happen? it's a good headline and certainly in - how did that happen? it's a good | headline and certainly in terms of our popularity ratings and that of pretty— our popularity ratings and that of pretty much every other incumbent european _ pretty much every other incumbent european leader and remember, emmanuel macron is rounded to 2027, he might— emmanuel macron is rounded to 2027, he might lose the election and might have the _ he might lose the election and might have the central right or far right government and a while before the election— government and a while before the election even though this party, the far right _ election even though this party, the far right are not doing well everywhere in europe because the prime _ everywhere in europe because the prime minister of hungary actually did quite _ prime minister of hungary actually did quite badly in his election. it's did quite badly in his election. it's not — did quite badly in his election. it's not a _ did quite badly in his election. it's not a uniform picture with the exception — it's not a uniform picture with the exception of the incumbents at the moment _ exception of the incumbents at the moment. it is a long way to go with all of— moment. it is a long way to go with all of this— moment. it is a long way to go with all of this and it's too sweeping to say six _ all of this and it's too sweeping to say six lame ducks it is an awful long _ say six lame ducks it is an awful long way— say six lame ducks it is an awful long way to _ say six lame ducks it is an awful long way to go to hundred 41 days in american _ long way to go to hundred 41 days in american elections and just predicting, it's not quite as bad as you say— predicting, it's not quite as bad as you say but. — predicting, it's not quite as bad as you say but, the big picture in the wake _ you say but, the big picture in the wake of the — you say but, the big picture in the wake of the election is populations across— wake of the election is populations across europe are unhappy and dissatisfied with their governments and other— dissatisfied with their governments and other there turning at the moment, _ and other there turning at the moment, i can change and governments can start _ moment, i can change and governments can start to— moment, i can change and governments can start to deliver it seems to be the exception, they are struggling and the _ the exception, they are struggling and the need to address why that is happening — and the need to address why that is happening. the and the need to address why that is ha eninu. , and the need to address why that is haueninu. , ., , happening. the big family photo where the families _ happening. the big family photo where the families remind - happening. the big family photo where the families remind up i happening. the big family photol where the families remind up and happening. the big family photo - where the families remind up and the president of the european commission and the president of european council also joined and the president of european council alsojoined the and the president of european council also joined the g7 this nine people and their leaders photo. is a president trump may not win, is been laying out what his priorities would be it will be a challenge from november to spy with the polls tell us there's still a long way to go, isn't it? it us there's still a long way to go, isn't it? , ., ., , , isn't it? it is and that insiders paul isn't it? it is and that insiders paul, i think _ isn't it? it is and that insiders paul, i think the _ isn't it? it is and that insiders paul, i think the real- isn't it? it is and that insiders paul, i think the real telling l isn't it? it is and that insiders - paul, i think the realtelling polls paul, i think the real telling polls are the likely voters when they do these polls, it's not clear who's going to vote and the united states, the most powerful voting block pay for the same in every single election, hundred 44 million people is the nonvoters. it will be interesting to see the type of turnout and consistent with 2020 or more we could turn out that is more consistent with the general incumbency elections last election we had the largest presidential turnout and about 50 years in terms of percentages in either way, the democrats have more in one finger leading off table died and we need to bring onto the table is the rights issues in the united states and i think even conservative women do not like the right—leaning policies of the christian right that mr trump and his minions are supporting and they lost in the 2022 midterm elections and i don't think you want to forget that card is on the table in president biden this team is going to play come november. talking about the abortion rights as well and we will discuss that more than just a moment but around the world and across the uk, were watching bbc news. donald trump has held his first meetings with republicans in washington, since the capitol hill riots onjanuary 6th in 2021. this was the former president arriving on capitol hill, weeks after his historic criminal conviction in his new york hush money trial. he's been meeting members of the house of representatives, as well as senators and dozens of ceos. here he is speaking after those meetings. what's happening to our country is of great concern to the group of people standing alongside me and ijust wanted to say that we have great unity, we have great common sense, a lot of very smart people in this room and a lot of people that love our country, they love our country beyond just about all else, and the only thing that may be superseded it is their family and maybe their faith in a certain... supercedes it is their family and maybe their faith in a certain... that's very nice, but they want this country to be great again and we're going to make great again. this is what us house speaker mikejohnson had to say after meeting donald trump with fellow republicans: we believe we are going to win back the white house and the senate and grow the house majority and when we do that, we are not wasting a moment, we will be working on a very aggressive agenda to fix all of the great problems facing this country right now. we talked a little bit about that today with president trump, we talked about how to grow this house majority and how he will help in doing so and how we will help him as well, and this is a unified effort by the party. talking about that appearance on capitol hill and the symbolism of this and two and a half years after that inciting that riot, two weeks to the days since jury found him guilty on 34 accounts and there he is, back on capitol hill. i guilty on 34 accounts and there he is, back on capitol hill.— is, back on capitol hill. i think it is, back on capitol hill. i think it is an extraordinary _ is, back on capitol hill. i think it is an extraordinary picture - is, back on capitol hill. i think it is an extraordinary picture and l is an extraordinary picture and we've never had a president or a candidate running for presidency with 34 criminal convictions like this before. it is amazing and you cannot look at donald trump in this facility of washington without being reminded of what happened on the 6th of january. reminded of what happened on the 6th ofjanuary. in other reminded of what happened on the 6th of january. in other things reminded of what happened on the 6th ofjanuary. in other things i've read was that he spent most of his meeting with mikejohnson asking if the leader of the house of representatives could find ways of helping him with his various criminal indictments and convictions, and help with ms. with reversing the results. it's always about him but is interesting to see him after the 6th of january. why do we know what happened at this meeting because it was originally designed to line up with the next donald trump the would look like, and was the. he is looking for help and is going to his friends— is looking for help and is going to his friends in the senate and it's notiust— his friends in the senate and it's notjust the speaker come is going to other— notjust the speaker come is going to other people instead of washington and it's important to point _ washington and it's important to point out — washington and it's important to point out that the immunity case which _ point out that the immunity case which was — point out that the immunity case which was before the supreme court, their traditional cadences to release _ their traditional cadences to release their decisions in the first week— release their decisions in the first week of— release their decisions in the first week ofjune and they have not done that on— week ofjune and they have not done that on this — week ofjune and they have not done that on this case and so were already— that on this case and so were already heading into mid june without— already heading into mid june without a decision on the immunity case and _ without a decision on the immunity case and that is going to affect the insurrection case of ambassador derek— insurrection case of ambassador derek and — insurrection case of ambassador derek and here is donald trump with the chief— derek and here is donald trump with the chief witness of the prosecution in mark— the chief witness of the prosecution in mark meadows, as former white house _ in mark meadows, as former white house chief of staff was a part of the freedom caucus it's a dangerous time for— the freedom caucus it's a dangerous time for mr— the freedom caucus it's a dangerous time for mrtrump and the freedom caucus it's a dangerous time for mr trump and he knows that, the case _ time for mr trump and he knows that, the case may— time for mr trump and he knows that, the case may be less dangerous but is of the _ the case may be less dangerous but is of the cases they had of him, the documents — is of the cases they had of him, the documents case, the insurrection case _ documents case, the insurrection case and — documents case, the insurrection case and the election fraud case in georgia _ case and the election fraud case in georgia are — case and the election fraud case in georgia are harder cases for him and so, he's _ georgia are harder cases for him and so, he's looking for help and one more _ so, he's looking for help and one more point — so, he's looking for help and one more point about mike johnson, he has already— more point about mike johnson, he has already helped donald trump because — has already helped donald trump because he got that aid pass for ukraine — because he got that aid pass for ukraine and he sent a message that if you _ ukraine and he sent a message that if you want— ukraine and he sent a message that if you want to deal with ukraine, you better— if you want to deal with ukraine, you better deal with ukraine as an elected _ you better deal with ukraine as an elected president reelected president, do not let chaos to send upon _ president, do not let chaos to send upon europe during an election year and he _ upon europe during an election year and he got — upon europe during an election year and he got a green light from donald trump _ and he got a green light from donald trump to— and he got a green light from donald trump to get that past few months a-o trump to get that past few months ago and _ trump to get that past few months ago and it's important understand politically— ago and it's important understand politically adept at it speaker johnson. what message does this send, we are not even at the election twice and peach, four times indicted, welcome back, but not by all, what image does that send? it all, what image does that send? it is a cowardly image. these are profiles — is a cowardly image. these are profiles of— is a cowardly image. these are profiles ofjack kennedy wrote a book— profiles ofjack kennedy wrote a book in— profiles ofjack kennedy wrote a book in the 1950s card profiles in courage — book in the 1950s card profiles in courage which is about people in the house _ courage which is about people in the house and _ courage which is about people in the house and the senate that exhibited courage. _ house and the senate that exhibited courage, the system profile and cowardice, these people are afraid of him _ cowardice, these people are afraid of him in _ cowardice, these people are afraid of him in there clapping for him in many— of him in there clapping for him in many of— of him in there clapping for him in many of those people clapping were running _ many of those people clapping were running for their lives on january six and _ running for their lives on january six and they have mr trump on tape fermenting — six and they have mr trump on tape fermenting that insurrection which is why— fermenting that insurrection which is why he's— fermenting that insurrection which is why he's so worried these cases coming _ is why he's so worried these cases coming but — is why he's so worried these cases coming but he does have the supreme court majority and put three of those — court majority and put three of those justices on the court and will be a very— those justices on the court and will be a very interesting to see how they— be a very interesting to see how they render that immunity case and what that— they render that immunity case and what that means for these cases coming — what that means for these cases coming up. what that means for these cases coming up-_ coming up. was in a missed opportunity. _ coming up. was in a missed opportunity. did _ coming up. was in a missed opportunity, did he - coming up. was in a missed opportunity, did he have - coming up. was in a missed opportunity, did he have an| opportunity, did he have an opportunity, did he have an opportunity to unite the party and bring people together and say look, this was my campaign for presidency in november will look like, these are the key issues and this is what will go to voters with this but will sell to the united states and may be to your point, he spent more time worrying about himself or indeed the country. worrying about himself or indeed the count . ., , ., country. one of the things that strikin: country. one of the things that striking about _ country. one of the things that striking about donald - country. one of the things that striking about donald trump i country. one of the things that striking about donald trump is| country. one of the things that i striking about donald trump is that his support is incredibly solid and unshakable behind them no matter what happens. but he isn't very good at reaching _ what happens. but he isn't very good at reaching across to the independence, to the uncommitted even to— independence, to the uncommitted even to those on the other side may be dissatisfied with them in some way or— be dissatisfied with them in some way or the — be dissatisfied with them in some way or the way they're handling things — way or the way they're handling things. and people are telling me before _ things. and people are telling me before he — things. and people are telling me before he even took office in 2016, when _ before he even took office in 2016, when she _ before he even took office in 2016, when she see him take office, he will go _ when she see him take office, he will go back to the center and be a present— will go back to the center and be a present for— will go back to the center and be a present for all americans, but he really— present for all americans, but he really wasn't, he never has tried and what — really wasn't, he never has tried and what you saw on capitol hill today— and what you saw on capitol hill today is — and what you saw on capitol hill today is just and what you saw on capitol hill today isjust more of the same. will today is 'ust more of the same. will talk today isjust more of the same. will talk more today isjust more of the same. ll talk more about what we learned in just a moment stay with us here on the context. hello. we've seen some unusually windy weather for the time of year across western parts of the uk today. not only strong winds, also some heavy rain. this was the scene for a weather watcher on the west coast of wales. it all came courtesy of this stripe of cloud. 0n the earlier satellite picture, we saw wind gusts touching 60 mph in the isles of scilly. and this wet and rather blustery weather will be pushing its way northwards and eastwards overnight. the winds easing somewhat, some rather misty, murky conditions following on behind the main rain band. some clear skies, too, albeit with a scattering of showers, and a much milder start to tomorrow morning than we had this morning. double digit temperatures for most as we start the day tomorrow, but with this area of low pressure firmly in charge. and that is just going to lumber its way very slowly eastwards through the weekend. so it does remain very unsettled indeed. this band of heavy and quite persistent rain in the north of scotland, at least for a time, quite windy here as well. elsewhere, it'll turn into a sunshine and showers day, but there will be lots of those showers, some of them will be heavy with hail and thunder. but in the dry gaps between the showers, the sun is strong at this time of year, so it won't feel too bad. temperatures up to around 18, perhaps 19 celsius. but further showers through friday evening, in fact, this band of slightly more widespread rain pushing its way across northern ireland. and are low certainly still with us for the weekend. we've got bands of wet weather circulating around it. this area of rain here likely to hurtle its way westwards towards scotland. there's some uncertainty about exactly where this area of rain will end up, but the chance of some very heavy rain for parts of scotland. northern ireland, england, wales, sunny spells, heavy showers, temperatures of 13—17 celsius. so still a touch below par for the time of year. what about sunday? well, this area of low pressure still with us. this frontal system in the north likely to move a little bit further south. so rain moving across scotland down into northern ireland and northern england. also some showers likely to crop up across southern counties of england, parts of south wales. in between, perhaps a slice of somewhat drier and brighter weather. temperatures creeping upjust a little bit with highs of 14—19 celsius. bye for now. hello, i'm ben thompson. you're watching the context on bbc news. violent protests erupt outside argentina's congress as the senate narrowly approves the president's radical austerity measures. more on argentina for un just a moment but let's return to the us. the us supreme court has ruled against an attempt to restrict access to the widely used abortion pill mifepristone. they decided that those bringing the case, a group of anti—abortion doctors and activists, didn't have the right to sue. the decision is a major win for pro—choice activists and comes two years after the court rescinded the nationwide guarantee to an abortion. it doesn't, however, alter the fact that abortion medication remains illegal in the 14 states with near—total bans on abortion. 0ur correspondent nomia iqbal has more from washington.