On the elections and restaurant will not be free and fair. Also coming up the highest ranking, jewish official in the United States, Senate Majority leader, chuck schumer, with a strong star message for his release. We want peace, your current leader, where hes standing in the way. Prime minister netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of israel. And he has shown 0 interest in doing the courageous and visionary work required to pay the way for peace or to our viewers watching on cbs in the United States and to all of you around the world. Welcome. We begin the day on the eve of a war Time National election in russia, but youre not afraid to describe it that way inside russia. In fact, its a crime to refer to the invasion of ukraine as a war info, jens, russia. The thinking seems to be, if you dont see it, its not real. Was a similar logic. It could be applied to pollutants politics on election day after all, if youre challengers names are not on the ballot. They wont be elected. And that is certainly true this year election of all the, the one Opposition Leader who may have had a chance to beat fulton where hes dead. And there are almost 240000 russian citizens who are living right here in germany. X pads. That number, it jumped following the invasion of ukraine in 2022. A many of these ex pants will have a chance to vote in rushes president ial election on friday. We spoke to some members of the russian diaspora right here in berlin. We asked them about their hopes and fears for the future of their home country. Nationally, this gilded fortress is where a barrel ends russians would come to catch their boat since on these elections. These days, they mostly come to mon, alexia valley flooding the approaching fish. This critic was fine day and a penal colony last month to another brutal nail in the coffin of democracy. Try as we might, some are still hoping to keep the flame of life arriving the back of the embassy routines. Opponents are tunneling. There are 2 pieces. The freedom for Political Prisoners shots, the campaign to rename the st alexia vall, nice dresser has gained almost 50000 signatures the most. Uh so when they come, i wasnt of only supposed to, and i think that the fight is not over this stuff. Sure. What am i going to do this today is a part of the fight against pollutants propaganda. We just depend on this a space for an artist nearby. Thousands of russians packed into a cosy theatre in search of inspiration, hope a therapy on stage discussion about the upcoming vote, about war and about what to do next research. I dont expect any good from the selection you by you, are you going to vote . No, no. Why not . Yeah, i dont know what nobody would say. No. He would fairly cool to do something. Because i dont know if i should go to the russian embassy. I will will people you vote for . I guess i will destroy the ballots. Probably i will just vote for more than one candidates, and maybe i will writes our president is not on the right in the United States. And i think most of the people who came to the germany to europe do not have much expectations from these elections because its very clear what the outcome is going to be. E, mid that feeling of helplessness got a sense of guilt prevails over vladimir for teens. War on ukraine, but no matter where you live in the west or in russia, you feel the responsibility for this. 4 the demonstration nerves are on edge. Everyone here knows all too well. I pushing has deployed the bosh, the top of rochester keep control and crushed the st. Just the minutes ago actually comes to lives. A person that has spoken to me is a set time. Meaning is that shes been observing all shes been present to this action. I and so has been registering ever since. That is happening here. And im really bad about my food, so im afraid to go back to russia. My homeland, who could think that because i was thinking, perhaps this month, a political exile who tells me he was imprisoned in russia for fighting corruption, are fearful you want me to choose for so, but, and using the thought of me a, so you create an ottoman and the, when the you create the, you create your daughters, go to the said option, the, some people dont pay you put you in the what does continue to use would be with the bottle field. Part of the question on the electronic change, a diminishing prospect. All that is left for those here are small lights of coverage and expressions of defiance and hope for a better future. The window to me here in this video now is my colleague when we go to the info. Hes a dw political editor, hes an expert on Eastern Europe from it. Its good to see you. We just all right there, there, theres quite a Large Russian diaspora here in germany. But when we talk about them, we can talk about them as being a monolith of russian opposition can of course not. So we see a lot of russian position here because many came off to the full scale invasion of ukraine after 22. But not so many, so were talking about maybe tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands like you creating and refugees here in germany. But they will already hundreds of thousands of People Living in germany who speak russian. Not all of them have russian possible. But we can assume that the rod putting simpler to some of them will they are, theyve shown russian flags and so forth for this war. There were rallies. And so just like berlin or clown. But we dont know if those were on the russian citizens, some of them were german citizens as well. So is it complicated picture, but i think whats interesting to, to watch will be on sunday, the russian that position has called of citizens to show up at mid day and to show solidarity. Its called mid day against 14 and some opposition lead us. I think that its a good idea to show up and just to see how many people are against this war and against booty. So i guess it will be easier for people here in germany to show up. This is probably the only legal way where you can show that your against voting and against the selection against the war in russia just turning up to the election. I believe the on things are not good provided me approved and thats for sure. But the number of votes outside of russia, they really cant make a difference in the outcome of the election. Can they even if the election were a fair and free election . Well, not really. So there is absolutely no ground to believe that the election outside of russia will be farrah and then inside russia, so in germany last time, they were just about 30000. 00. I think people who voted here in germany this time it could be higher, but we do not know the rest. The opposition is still divided on the issue. If you should vote on not some say, dont go they, i dont know. Theres just show up show solidarity and go away. Ill just say come and vote. Maybe you can vote for anyone but pushing just like the video of listening funding deposition lead to what was presumably kills or because we dont know exactly at the moment. But this is what some people think that he was killed a few weeks before the election day. Okay. And this is what makes dyslexia election special. This is the 1st president ial election without ill explain of only. Yeah. And it is also the 1st president ial election with a war in ukraine that youre not allowed to call them or in russia, titles around the country and or roman. We appreciate your reporting and your analysis. Thank you. Thank you. The leader of the us senate has made waves over comments about is real, its Prime Minister and hopes for peace. So the majority leader, chuck schumer, to day called on his relief to demand early elections. And to vote for change saying if they want peace, including a 2 state solution with the palestinians, one man is standing in the way Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu. The 4th major obstacle to peace is rarely Prime Minister. Benjamin netanyahu, who was all too frequently bowed to the demands of extremists like ministers, smoke trick, and ben good beer. And the settlers in the west bank. The president net to prep Prime Minister netanyahu, whose carmen coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing us standards for assistance. Then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping is rarely policy by using our leverage to change the present course. I want to bring it into our washington correspondent Benjamin Alvarez group where hes been following this story for us today. Yeah, benjamin to you as president. He has been rather open in his criticism of the israeli Prime Minister, but now weve got the leader of the us senate joining in do we know why and do we know why now . So it is a sign of the growing frustration here in washington looking at how a the government of been human to teneo has been handling the war in gaza. Its not just significant because hes also close to us, president biden, but also because its actually rumor is the highest ranking, joy jewish official in the us. And he says quite clearly. And thats also what we heard, that if there is no changing course, the us will also need to online. Itd be on supplies that its currently sending a to israel and should have put the conditional associated put conditions on israel to keep sending weapons as it does with a bit of a l. I. What, what a, another very powerful us senator has a very different message today about this. What you take a listen. It is grotesque and hypocritical for americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of the democratically elected leader of israel. This is unprecedented. We should not treat valid democracies this way at all. So because a right there very clearly, this has grotesque, has there been comment or reaction from the bite whitehouse . So there has been reactions on one side, the state department stressing that the saw the comments of chuck schumer, he does not speak, will divide, not ministration. And there was also a question that was asked to National Security and the spokesperson john kirby. And he said thats actually gave information, told the white house that he would a to this comments, but did not ask for approval or disapproval. So they were informed itd before hand before he sent that. But the wife is also stressing what the state department is saying that these are his remarks and hes not speaking for the volume administration in letting you know. Lets look at the, the optics of this. The today. Schumer saying that Prime Minister netanyahu is government no longer fits the needs of israel. I mean, this is unprecedented criticism being made by a us law maker of a Foreign Government in a few countries that are allegedly allies. And how did you explain what were seeing and hearing and not just any lawmaker, he is a staunch supporter of israel and over the past weeks and months he has also been pushing to get more Security Assistance for israel. There is, is were getting closer to the president ial election. Of course, this is also a big topic, especially with democrats, even stronger. And republicans, there are disagreeing. There are not in favor of the way the Benjamin Netanyahu is also dealing with a will. There was a recent, a paul also in january saying that 86 percent of democrats are against the way that natalia was handling. And so we can be sure that there is a common both that goes into direction of israel, but also looking at the political discourse here, looking also how many people have even voted uncommitted. Itd be full voting for president biden. And the previous and primaries that we saw here in the us showing the criticism and asking a the us president to have a red line. Thats what it takes. Rumor is set to that. It needs to be a lie to the conditions because thats a big question. Thats what many are criticizing joe biden for saying that he talks a lot and he criticized. But i know accidents following this was to have real red lines a when he looks. And when he talks to his radio, officials. Yeah, i mean if an engine yahoo word across this red line set by do, do we know what biting we do in concrete terms or what some officials are saying is that the u. S. Might indeed israel all proceeds with this Ground Invasion and buffer is something that a Prime Minister. Nathaniel has repeatedly said that they might indeed be these conditions to the arms exports and disagree assigned to show how difficult the situation is. All right now is just if we look at the year drops from many, its ameliorating that the us can not get one of its closest allies is to us, always talks about israel to get this trucks a with a to go into guy that needs to add drop them together with other countries to get food, to get it to, to guys, and also now with the, with the us forces. So going that to help with this peer with is a bridge to actually get a food in there. So the big question is, will definitely be some consequences for all the us and will some actions also follow if it was filled by our washington correspondent, Benjamin Alvarez group or on the story force tonight . Benjamin think what to Southeast Asia now were thousands of young people are trying to lead me in law after that countries, military junta announced mandatory conscription. Many of tried to flee to neighboring thailand and recent weeks to escape military service. The mars government is struggling to contain Armed Rebel Forces that are fighting for greater autonomy in some parts of the country. Of hundreds of people que outside the ty, embassy and young gone. Mia mazda, the launch is city. Many here hoping to secure a visas, so they can leave the country and escape military service. Youre going through somebody else come on as far as an old uh from the one to the old men aged 18 to 5 to 5. And women from 18 to 27, most of in the army for up to 2 years to the former members of the Security Forces also being called back to walk. Finally, yeah, no, im already against the crew and i have no desire to do service for this military regime while i. But i also dont have any idea about where to go. What to do next. And im uncertain about my future one, which i knew we why, the way i think this military service lies targeting youth. Young people in me in mar, have lost their dreams. And this law makes them hurt even more when they dont say god, it makes us sad and feel even more fearful. Our future is already fading away. So the west lock could be the greatest mistake the military has made, and its breaking the young people the media and mom, minute tree stage decruz 3 years ago. But for throwing the democratically elected government pro chess followed the one to responding with force against its own people. Move in 6000 civilians were killed in the 1st 20 months off to the february 2021 crew. According to the Peace Research institute also bridge rebel armed groups opposed to the one to have been growing across the country. And the government has struggled to keep control with reports. Some of their own soldiers have even deserted, or forcing young people into military service appears to be an attempt by the one to get you. Tell me back on the front foot. But judging by scenes like this of cues, visas, its driving people to see me and my more proof that rushes more time reach extends well beyond the front lines in eastern new grade. For the 1st time ever denmark plans to draft both men and women into military service. Its only the 3rd european country to do so. The following, norway and sweden, beginning in 2026. The government wants to call up 5000 co ed conscripts a year, and the government says the decision isnt reaction to the war in ukraine and the russian threat in western europes back yard. Heres the danish Prime Minister mentioned frederickson speaking earlier today. Advantage on protecting your country is one of the most honorable things you can do. Thats why the government is proposing that we expand. Conscription making the responsibility greater and the tasks more numerous. And were proposing full gender equality is we have no doubt that increased gender equality will create a more modern and diverse defense that reflects the times we live in. Im joined now by on us of the alarm. Shes a danish lawyer or there and journalist and she joins us tonight from the capital of denmark. Copenhagen, its good to have you with this. It maybe if you could put us in the money in the mind of, of the day to explain to us why im making the military service more co ed. Why is that so important right now . Well, we, i in, in the middle of an effort to really reinvigorate, so even maybe reinvent that Danish Defense forces at best in the context for years. So if there has been a lot of different scandals and trouble within the dataset Defense Forces and they also have the problem that its very difficult to keep that post. Now we have a lot of people leaving again. So this is in fact you have to see this is the governments effort to really try and create something entirely new. So its not just those of his team, a prescription that is a and much longer constricts construction than full. Its point 4 months now its going to be 11 months. Um, and also a quite a big waste of money. Going into the Defense Forces, a top 6000000000 euros over the next 5 years. And i am wondering why denmark has had a problem with retention. I mean, why have people been leaving the military . I think it says many different things. Some, some organizational, some has to do salary. Um, opportunities, uh the just shit. But its quite significant. Say, ill just verify these may be of 5 to says 7 to 9000 and stuff and not can come scripts, the stuff at 2000 in 2022 left. So its is quite a return of people that you have to get in and retrain, etc. And of course, new conscripts does not fix a, thats a problem and but its a new stop. You know, we, we said earlier in the program that this decision isnt reaction to the russian invasion of ukraine, the russian threat to western europe and, but your foreign minister has said that, right. And im quoting here, russia does not pose a threat to denmark. Is the right as well. I think there is also a political. We want to say that we dont think that russia at this point poses add to tauriel threats and denmark. But weve received russia to be a threat on your eh, in general. And we also do have a known with sweden and finland and neighborhoods within the boys, a care c. And, and, and that means that we are neighbors with that with russia. And we feel to be off to the invasion of ukraine, that threat to be quite present and, and coaches in this attempting to, to bulk up the military to make the military more attractive to civilians. How much of that isnt reaction to the pressure that we saw under former us president donald trump, for all of nathan members, to pay that 2 percent of g d, p to nato. And how much of it is a reaction to that and how much of it is may be a preparation for a possible 2nd. Donald Trump Presidency . I think the not effect says place to get the right now we have the one ukraine also we see. And, and the danes have very strong allies up and to ukraine. Big dont get us also saw of that. And craft and, and so, so thats one thing we see the will not going that well from the ukraine perspective. We also see that it, that we maybe not be when maybe not in a position where we could bet on an american support for the long run in europe. And so we need to create a much stronger, not only better funded. Thank you, as well the day continues online. Youll find this on x, also known as twitter and youtube, but need to be news or you can fall on the front dot tv. And remember, when ever happens between now and then, tomorrow is another day, well see you then in the, to the point strong opinions, Clear International perspective. Visual leaders say they dont want to be drawn to russia. But as the latest cases of espionage against germany showed russia is already at war with the craze. Allies onto the point we ask russians hybrid warfare, the real threat to the west to the next on d w. And so the conflicts with Tim Sebastian president ial elections in russia of the usual full gun conclusion was nothing left to chop, not even the best in jail as the leading opposition figure. Ill explain the vomit, my guess is the russian commentary to andre collapsed. We call the economy, he rushing, youre ready. Just send it in. Most of the valley, such as serious, correct . The bluetooth city has to be too complex and of the in 60 minutes on d. W, the data. But well tell you who we are happy that we are back to the story. We have a getting a visa is more difficult than finding gold hosted to use the sales force and for the future feelings about whats going on in the industry. Instead of being discussed across the continent, dw news, africa every friday on the w. Sometimes the best thing, right . How that to out to the highlight for every week, not the model, the National Leaders say they dont want to be drawn into a war with russia. Thats also what germanys transfer would have choice cleans, but experts a sort. Russia has long been at war with the west and with germany put in use as many weapons in his covert, warren cyber attacks, sabotage and this information for the latest examples of wiretapping affair surrounding a conversation between the German Army Officials about delivering taurus smiths house and to crate, it took a little effort but created maximum damage to germanys image. Since the war and ukraine began the west and especially germany as keeps the 2nd most important supporter