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