Destructive and likely to increase tensions even further. Also coming up, a taste of life beyond the pandemic, the u. K and denmark, the lifting corona virus restrictions, in spite of my case number ah, im rebecca rit. Welcome to the program. German chancellor. Ola shult says he plans to mate with russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss tensions over ukraine. Shalt has been facing pressured to take a tougher stance on russia with critics accusing germany of being out of step with its allies in tackling the crisis. Hes now trying to reassure people, the germany is pulling its white. The to dish. Publish ultimate, of course, i have also spoken with the russian president , and of course we are carefully preparing everything that needs to be done all fun. I will now be going to the us and i will be continuing the conversation on the necessary issues in moscow soon as get turned on. Its important that the policies of the European Union and nato are coordinated. But its also important that the decisions that we take are the result of sound preparation and hardwood muskets. It norma taught albert. Meanwhile, the u. S. Is mobilizing 3000 troops to reassure its allies in eastern europe, as old as will not be sent to ukraine itself, but to germany, poland and romania, an attempt to deter russia from inviting you crime. The kremlin, says the true build up will only increase tensions. Washington has decided to stop calling and invasion. Imminent sang rushes intentions are unclear. Another day, another increase intention over ukraine. The u. S. Is sending 2000 soldiers to poland and germany one another 1000 move from germany to romania. The Current Situation demands that we reinforce the deterrent and defensive posture on natos eastern flight. President biden has been clear that the United States will respond to the growing threat to europes security and stability. Our commitment to nato article 5 and collective defense remains iron clad. The pentagon made it clear that no us soldiers will fight in ukraine. A ukrainian president followed me to lansky said, diplomacy comes 1st, but no options are off the table. Me. We only think about peace from when we only think about the return of our occupied territories. It has only through diplomacy, limitation of ition. We will not give up a single piece of our land to day. We will not give up our territories when they need them, no matter what the probably your cup enough, but i would nimble on despite the landscape reassurances others are preparing to do battle. If it comes to a fight. Former boxing champion vladimir kitch, go, signed up for the army. His brother vitale accompanied him in a show of support. Are we not weak . Any aggressor . Have to understand if they do it, activity aggressive activity against your brain have to pay huge price for that way to, to fight leak documents. Confirmed by the pentagon, revealed the back room diplomatic efforts to avoid war. The u. S. Offered russia access to inspect key military sites in return for a de escalation. Russia says it has no intention to invade ukraine, but these pictures released by Russias Defense Ministry showing joint combat drills with better ruse. Send a clear message. Russia is not backing down. W correspondent, con late joins me now from care of ukraine. Nick nato gen a general secretary stole book has said the russia is sending 30000 more troops to bella. Ruth, if thats indeed the case, is that a significant escalation . It definitely is. Rebecca, yesterday we heard from moscow from the defense mystery. They said that those a russian bell, Russian Military exercises that had indeed been on the cards for some time now would not exceed 9000 am. Soldiers from both sides. And as such, in General Service would not be invited to check those. So if indeed, these numbers are so different and so much bigger than that is a big deal, especially because lots of these exercises seem to be taking plot directly only to us front door in the western pot, belly roost. Napoleon lithuania, we heard in recent weeks, concerns from lithuania, that this is potentially 34 times bigger than any kind of magic size theyve ever seen before in that part of the world. And even more wearing for them. The perspective that those Russian Troops may never go home, back to east to russia, that they may stay there in billers as an opportunity to leverage for the kremlin and to put permanent show force. And you just have to compare the numbers here. Those 3000 troops announced by the white house of, of which only 2000 are actually new to europe. This is of c m, hugely larger in terms of the scale. Definitely huge difference there. Now another angle of the story of cause turkish president , rich of time ergo, on is due to be in k. As today. What does ukraines government want from that visit in a word, drones or the took his built barked off military attack drones or something. The ukrainian armies once for a long time and theyve already received some using of the 1st time in the, the, or to have last year. Im after they say they were attacked by the russian back separatists. That was something that worried the criminal. They showed to be very effective. Theyve also been used by took seller as a, by john in of war last year, against m. R. Mia. And this really could be something that significantly changes the relative strength ukraine, visa v. Russia. And obviously a lot of unhappiness in moscow that those have been sold to give in the past. Edwin trying to kind of sell himself as a mediator here. He offered to mediate between kevin moscow. The kremlin said no for now, but definitely a sense that turkey is trying to make it smoke on the to politic field. Here in this part of the world which Vladimir Putin, lets be honest, sees as his backyard. Hes Nick Connelly speaking has been very snowy care. Nick, thank you. Now around up have some other stories making world news to day shares in facebook own a matter plunged by 20 percent in after hours trading on wednesday, knocking a massive 200000000000. 00 off the companys value. The fall came after chief executive mark zuckerberg, told investors that matter expected 1st quarter revenues to dip due to competition from rivals, such as tick tock, rescue and cleanup efforts are underway in ecuador capital, kato after floods caused landslide. At least 24 people died off to the rightful the countries heaviest. In nearly 2 decades, a dozen people still missing. Authorities havent ruled. I havent ruled out the danger for the landslides. Seeing that zealand will begin to reopen its borders in phases starting at the end of february, fully vaccinated citizens and visa holders from australia will be allowed in 1st, under the new rules vaccinated citizens entering the country will be allowed to quarantine at home instead of at a managed isolation facility when United Kingdom and denmark are among the 1st European Countries to lift most of their corona virus restrictions, despite relatively high case numbers, their governments have decided that the virus now poses less of a risk, the citizens and Public Health systems. But while many a hoping this could be a step towards life beyond the pandemic, some businesses are choosing to keep taking precautions and experts of wanting the virus is still unpredictable. Packed pubs in london as people meet for a drink after work, just like they did before. The pandemic, a chair is tradition revived. Even as the corona virus is still wafting through the air. Being ease into that now and its, and its working. I think its, i think its okay and i think its happy. Its lovely coming out with well, ive had my coven. I havent really. And ive been working almost all restrictions in the u. K. Have been lifted. The vaccination rate is high, especially among older people. New infections are decreasing and hospitals are admitting fewer patients, but some still urge caution. It has always demonstrated its ability to surprise us. Now, there are some that have this idea that in some way, viruses tend to evolve to become less dangerous. Thats actually not based on any good historical evidence, and its perfectly possible that another one will come along that is more severe. The businesses are now free to write their own rules at the hair salon. Employees are supposed to still wear a math way, doing so to make you feel more comfortable if youd rather not. Thats absolutely fine. Is the client sit down where im off again, whatever makes you happy, the government is already planning its final faith from mid march. Those with cove at 19 will no longer have to self isolate. Meanwhile, in denmark restored freedoms are being welcome to designers, certainly schmidt and his team are making final preparations before fashion week starts in copenhagen math, free, and test free shows. I am so happy that we can come together again and celebrate fashion with families. A fire mall. Many danes are relaxed about restrictions having been lifted a 2nd time. More than 80 percent of the population is double vaccinated. More than 60 percent has had a booster. There are far fewer patients in hospital, i see youth. But the number of new infections remains high. A problem for schools in daycare centers, which are struggling to stay open due to severe Staff Shortages the government is warning people not to underestimate the virus in spite of the freedom. Thats why here to many businesses are voluntarily maintaining some precautions. Of a more im joined now by paul hunter in norwich. Hes a professor in medicine and Infectious Diseases at the university of east anglia. Professor hunter, welcome. Thanks for joining us. As we just heard the knock and the u. K. Have very high vaccination rights and thats why theyre able to lift restrictions. But weve also been hearing all along that vaccination alone isnt enough. So how do those opposing viewpoints come together . Yeah, i mean, i think one of the problems is that were conflating both infection with actual severe disease and, and to large extent, the role of vaccines is not that good at preventing infection, although it does prevent a substantial proportion of infections. But what vaccines are very good at and remain good, even with new variants, is preventing severe disease, preventing hospitalizations and preventing deaths. And so at some point, we have to accept that this virus isnt going away. Its going to be with us for decades to come. But hopefully, we wont see the same, and i think it unlikely that well see anywhere near the same severity of disease, the number of deaths and the number of hospitalizations that we have. And so we ultimately have to come to some sort of balance echo librium with this virus because we will, the other corona viruses typically cause infections every 4 years on average. So that is still a very high number of daily infections that were likely to see for decades to come. But we wont necessarily see the civic hospitalizations and desk, which is great news. And obviously, due to the vaccines are germany and austria, for example, have far lower rates of vaccination, then most of western europe, bailey austria, has just introduced a mandatory vaccination system and many in germany want the same here. Do you think mandatory vaccinations are a good way out of the pandemic . I personally, i think it, i think everybody should have the vaccine, i think are particularly Health Care Workers. I think its, its a moral obligation on, on. If youre a Health Care Work that have the vaccine, but at the same time, personally, im uncomfortable with forcing people to have any form of medical intervention. And weve seen him in the u. K. The or the likely backpedaling of the governments decision to enforce vaccination in Health Care Workers because to do that would actually ultimately cause more pressure through a loss of substantial numbers of staff. So yeah, everybody should go out and get vaccines. But that doesnt mean just if they are not yet vaccinated, but that doesnt mean to say i, i personally support compulsory vaccination or i professor paul hunter. Thank you very much. Paul hunter, professor in medicine Infectious Diseases and epidemics at the university of east anglia. A major snowstorm is causing widespread disruption and parts of the United States, but some are reveling in the cold weather. A polar bear in chicago soon cant seem to get enough of the fresh, powdery stuff. Hudson, as hes called, is clearly in his element. The state of illinois and parts of Northern Indiana are expecting up to 45. 00 centimeters by the end of thursday. They somebodys enjoying. This is date of the news. His reminder of the top stories that were following for you. German chancellor olive schoultz has said hell mate with russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss tensions of a youve crime. And the u. S. Is deploying additional troops to europe in a slow in the show of solidarity rhonda with ukraine and its nato allies on that. You need update for now, but stay chain Business News is next and theres a lot more world news on our website. Thats d w dot com. Im rebecca written thanks for watching