Also mentioned his late critic, Alexei Navalny, by name. For Vladimir Putin, six more years in the kremlin. Russias president is sounding more confident than ever. Translation whoever might want to intimidate us, whoever might want to suppress us, ourwilland our conscience, they have never been able to do it, and never will. Then, mr putins first Public Comments on the death ofjailed Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny. Translation you may be surprised, but a few days i before mr navalny died, some colleagues of mine told me there was an idea to exchange him for certain people in prison in the west. You can believe it or not. I said, i agree, even before he had finished talking. But what happened happened. Election results on russian tv, not a hold your breath moment. The winner, by a mile and a half, Vladimir Putin. What an incredible level of support and unity around the figure of putin, he says. And a powerful signal to the west. But in this race, Vladimir Putin was, from the start, un
Discussing the situation in ukraine. The relationship, as you mentioned, between the french president and the german chancellor has been under a lot of scrutiny lately regarding mixed messages coming from both countries regarding support for ukraine. The french president has been receiving raised eyebrows about his comments, saying he wouldnt rule out one day sending troops to ukraine, which the german chancellor quickly ruled out. He said germany was not a war party, and subsequent of that, there have been various pot shots between countries about who is doing what to help. A lot of people are using this as an opportunity to smooth things over, get on the same page, and at least coordinate their messaging in a better way. This is, of course, crucial moment for europe. There are genuine fears that if donald trump becomes president of the United States again, and elections later this year, that can undermine the nato alliance, and germany and france would have to step up. Mil germany an
Would disagree and would say that this poll is neither free nor fair nor transparent. Vladimir putin does not face a major challenge. There are three other candidates on the ballot paper, but his most vocal critics, his fiercest opponents, are either in exile or in prison, which kind of helps you to win what we expect to be a landslide. There have been reports that Public Service workers have been strongly encouraged to come out today on day one of this election, to cast their votes. I mean, there are so many things to say about this election. Vladimir putin dominates the airwaves, dominates the screens, on russian television, much more than any other candidate. So it will be no surprise, i think, when he is eventually declared the winner. Here in the uk, the conservatives are under fresh pressure over ties to a party donor at the centre of a racism row. The party has refused to confirm, or deny, reports that the donor has reportedly given more money to the party, than was known public
87. 8 of the vote in the president ial election which was tightly controlled by the kremlin, with no credible opposition candidate allowed to run. The Electoral Commission says turnout was 77 which would be a post soviet record. Mr putin said the result demonstrated Peoples Trust in russias current path, and when russians were united, no one could intimidate or suppress them. As our Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg reports, in a rare move mr putin also mentioned his late critic, Alexei Navalny, by name. For Vladimir Putin, six more years in the kremlin. Russias president is sounding more confident than ever. Translation whoever might want to intimidate us, whoever might want to suppress us, our will and our conscience, they have never been able to do it, and never will. Then, mr putins first Public Comments on the death ofjailed Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny. Translation you may be surprised, but a few days before mr navalny died, some colleagues of mine told me there was an idea to ex
Live in east jerusalem. The United Nations and the us have expressed concern about israels plans for a military operation in rafah. The city, at the south western edge of gaza, has seen the arrival of hundreds of thousands of palestinians taking refuge from the fighting elsewhere in the strip. The Israeli Military had previously urged civilians to go there but now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has approved plans for an assault on hamas militants believed to be based there. The un issued this warning. I think the consequences of a Ground Operation in rafah under the current circumstances would be catastrophic for the people of gaza, for the palestinians. It would be catastrophic for the humanitarian situation. It would be catastrophic or around. The us is one of israels most important supporters but it seems that the Israeli Government has not shared details of the planned assault on rafah with officials in washington. Heres Us National Security council spokesman, john kirb