Welcome to the programme. We begin in beijing, where russias president Vladimir Putin has just landed. Hes set to meet his chinese Counterpart Xijinping later. Its mr putins second trip to china in just over six months, perhaps underlining the importance to moscow of the relationship after the unprecedented sanctions its facing as a result of the war in ukraine. Nonetheless, the Chinese Government seems to be looking forward to the summit. China and russia regarding cover as comprehensive, critical and cooperative partners in the era and relationships have continued to develop healthily with leaders of the two countries maintaining close contacts. Lets assess how close that relationship is. Mr putins trip to beijing is his first outside of russia since he was sworn in for a new six year term as president last week. The two leaders have met on a fairly frequent basis in the last few years and seem to get on quite well. In 2019 mr xi went to russia on a state visit, referring to mr putin
And how the attack unfolded. This was the moment a european leader was shot. Gunshots. As he greeted members of the public in front of a local community centre. Robert fico was shot in the stomach and in the arm. His Security Team half dragged, half carried him to his car. A few metres away, amidst the chaos, Security Officials push a man to the ground. The suspect is believed to be in his 70s. Witnesses say he shot at the Prime Minister several times. Translation i heard three shots. It was quick, one by one, like if you throw firecrackers on the ground. I saw a scratch on the Prime Ministers head and then he fell next to the barrier. Its a nightmare. The 59 year old was flown by helicopter to hospital, where he had emergency surgery. Officials said his condition was critical. A few hours later, a sombre president addressed the nation. Translation i am shocked, we are all shocked by the terrible and vicious attack on Prime Minister robert fico. A physical attack on the Prime Minister
Of surgery to save his life following an apparent assassination attempt. Local media reported that the Prime Minister had regained consciousness. The deputy Prime Minister, tomas taraba, told the bbc that the operation had gone well and he expected mr fico to survive. The Prime Minister was shot several times as he was leaving a Government Meeting in what the Interior Minister described as a politically motivated attack. The deputy Prime Minister of slovakia accused opposition parties of using false narratives to paint the Prime Minister almost as a monster. In sliver you, we won two elections. In october we had parliamentary elections, so we have stabilised support of the public. In slavonic. Also international politics, speak about a false narrative that we want to leave the European Union and join the cooperation with russia and i dont want these false narratives and of course people from the other side lost the election sometimes, they believe in these narratives, they can become a
That he is not in a life threatening situation. In slovakia we won two elections, the president ial one in october and we had parliamentary elections, so our government has pretty stabile and strong support in the public but after what he did in the political arena, his presence in slovakia, we think the opposition uses false narratives often and in International Politics about our government, they speak of false narratives that we want to leave the european union, that we want to join the cooperation with russia. And all these false narratives. And, of course, people from the other side who lost in the elections sometimes believe these narratives, and they can become a little bit, lets say, upset. The attack took place in the central town of handlova. Our correspondent bethany bell is in the capital bratislava with more on the suspect, and how the attack played out. This was the moment a european leader was shot. Gunshots. As he greeted members of the public in front of a local commun