commons chamber. neil parrish has reaffirmed himself to the parliamentary standards commissioner and says he will co—operate fully with any investigation. good morning, ourformer ukrainian correspond analyses volodymyr zielinski's transformation from a committee into one of the world's most recognised leaders. for weeks, he has been leading from the front as ukraine business russia's invasion. it comes as many rate the enemies, demanding more from her allies. award that was supposed last days has now lasted months. russia's advance has stalled, and in places it has been pushed back. president zelensky is now lauded as the man of this moment. i think your leadership has been extraordinary. but it wasn't always like this. before the russian attack, questions were being asked as to whether the lanskey, a former comedian, really had what it takes to lead ukraine. in 2019, i was very sad, it was like a tragedy. nobody likes zelensky could become president of ukraine. i wouldn't say he had policies, he had — i wouldn't say he had policies, he had directions you wanted to id he had directions you wanted to 90 in, _ he had directions you wanted to go in. but — he had directions you wanted to go in, but have to do that, i think— go in, but have to do that, i think he _ go in, but have to do that, i think he was really trying to learn — think he was really trying to learn on _ think he was really trying to learn on the job. hello, nice to meet you. ifirst met hello, nice to meet you. i first met volodymyr zelensky january, 2019. he wasjust i first met volodymyr zelensky january, 2019. he was just a comedian and actor, a jokey, barn guy, a celebrity of course and a real star here in ukraine. it was a start of his politicaljourney ukraine. it was a start of his political journey and, ukraine. it was a start of his politicaljourney and, for me, as the bbc�*s correspondent here in ukraine, a fascinating time. i have had a front row seat as zelensky has, from a political two leading ukraine's fight for survival against russia. hgppy survival against russia. happy birthday. thank you. do you know we are almost the same age? i am about to be 41 as well, unfortunately i am not running for president. laughs. who knows? nobody knows. 25th ofjanuary, 2019, volodymyr of january, 2019, volodymyr zelensky ofjanuary, 2019, volodymyr zelensky turns 41. it is also the birthday of one of the most extraordinary stories in modern politics. in the centre of kyiv, the most famous comedian and actor is assigning papers to officially become a candid to officially become a candid to become president. none of us in the press pack outside are quite sure whether we are part of a joke that we have not been let into or whether it is something more sincere. as it turns out, for perhaps the first time in his life, falinski was being serious. but, asked to spell out his policies, it all seems a bit bag. 0n ukraine's existential issue, russia, for example, he seemed to think that foreign investors might deter an attack. the campaign was now on, but zelensky was still making tv shows. laughs. we were invited back to the offices of his production company in 1995 for a look behind the scenes. this is where you film your comedy show? you make yes, yes, not only comedy shows, everything only comedy shows, everything on tv. we have documentary, drama, movies, we have big shows, you know, political satire, when we created this, the guys are sitting here, they are the chiefs of different groups, so we have many scriptwriters, different humour. they speak about their ideas and i am the decision—maker. so you are deciding if their ideas are funny or not? yes, yes, ouraudience, yes, yes, our audience, especially yes, yes, ouraudience, especially tv audience, it is a little bit older than for example movie audience, in forms. what sort of humour to people like here if you were to? for example, for example, if compare in written, if compare, our people, their more extant, for example, mr bean or benny hill. benny hill! so you are sort of looking for mr bean, benny hill —type drugs rather than the surreal monty python type of stuff? yes. yes. for over 35 years i thought about him as a professional comedian, goodwin, popular one, but nothing more. rm is a political consultant and used to work for zelensky�*s predecessor as resident, petro poroshenko. in ukrainian entertainment business, he was a huge star. i think he had like 95% plus of recognition among average ukrainians, so i would say that everybody knew him. a big star but unashamedly populist as well, and not to the taste of jaroslav, a historian at lviv�*s catholic university. i would say that most would not listen to him, the broader public. as what, this muddy drugs? yes, some are very smutty and some would say you wouldn't show it to your kids. but he was recognisable, he was new. and you could imagine what he was doing with our part of his body. he covered a very wide spectrum, you could say, but some of the jokes were extremely crude. these to show this clip as proof he isn't capable for such activities. zelensky�*s movies and sketch shows made him famous, but one role more than any other paved the way for his presidential run. he made a tv sitcom about his hero, a simple young teacher of history who got sick and tired of politics, decided to become president. so before he became a real president he was president on tv, and people liked this image very much. the character he played was everything that ukraine's real president hadn't been up until that point. appear his comedy circuit. when i interviewed zelensky in 2019 he accepted some might vote for him and the hope for getting the fictional president. with the benefit of hindsight, there are those now who wonder whether the servant of the people tv show was created with a real presidential run in mind. applause. zele ns ky�*s zelensky�*s political party is called servant of the people, just like the tv show, and zelensky was the head of it, she tells me she watched it for research purposes. are there any real similarities between the president and the tv president? applause. zelensky�*s sketch shows broadcast in prime—time lampooned ukraine's political class. bikers predecessor, barry schenker, who owed his fortune to uptrend. —— petro poroshenko. with zelensky having jumped on the political d band, the election campaign was unlike anything ukraine had seen before. zelensky held no rallies and his message was entirely communicated through slick videos of him working out and hanging out. it all felt like an extension of his tv shows. it like an extension of his tv shows. . , , , , shows. it was quite surprising that the man _ shows. it was quite surprising that the man who _ shows. it was quite surprising that the man who is _ shows. it was quite surprising that the man who is on - shows. it was quite surprising that the man who is on the i that the man who is on the stage feels at home, he hardly campaigned, he gave no interviews and it was super hard to see him on public rallies. he only shoot videos, posted it online, and the rest it was the work of his team. i2 the less he did, the more popular he came, and when the time came to vote, zelensky was on song favourite. are you ready to be president? i don't — are you ready to be president? i don't know! the are you ready to be president? i don't know!— i don't know! the people will decided in — i don't know! the people will decided in the _ i don't know! the people will decided in the evening. - i don't know! the people will decided in the evening. i - i don't know! the people will decided in the evening. i am | decided in the evening. i am ready~ — ready. that l ready. - that night, ready. — that night, ukraine's political earthquake was confirmed. zelensky had won with 73% of the vote. there we have it, fact will follow fiction. ukraine's television president is now going to become this country's real president. incredible. i think that petro poroshenko expected... to be defeated by the guy who they sought literally joking the guy who they sought literallyjoking about one year before, that was unbearable. for some, the triumph of a completely person like zelensky was impossible to comprehend. in 2019, i was very sad, it was a tragedy knowing that somebody like zelensky could become a president like ukraine, a country that faced russian ongoing aggression, so i was really afraid. having access to classified information and just understanding that zelensky could become a president of ukraine, but then i met my spiritual friends ukraine, but then i met my spiritualfriends and ukraine, but then i met my spiritual friends and they told me, "please, let's trust god," because i trust god that he has a special purpose for ukraine in a 21st—century, so let's see. in his speech to parliament immediately after having been sworn in, zelensky focused on what had been his number one election promise. to end the war with russian—backed forces in eastern ukraine. he really believed that. that what was going on was because of russia, because poroshenko did not want to finish the war. there was not any preferable conditions for corruption. he didn't really see the real cause of the problem is russia and britain.— and britain. there were some early signs — and britain. there were some early signs that _ and britain. there were some early signs that this _ and britain. there were some early signs that this new - early signs that this new approach might bear fruit. early signs that this new approach might bearfruit. a prisoner exchange took place, with zelensky on hand at the airport to welcome the captives home. ~ ., ., ., ., home. we have to do all the ste -s home. we have to do all the steps to _ home. we have to do all the steps to finish _ home. we have to do all the steps to finish this _ home. we have to do all the steps to finish this horrible l steps to finish this horrible war. ,., steps to finish this horrible war. y ., ~ steps to finish this horrible war. i. ~ , steps to finish this horrible war. ~ , ,., war. do you think this is a new cha ter war. do you think this is a new chapter in _ war. do you think this is a new chapter in relations _ war. do you think this is a new chapter in relations between i chapter in relations between russia and ukraine? i chapter in relations between russia and ukraine?- russia and ukraine? i think this is the _ russia and ukraine? i think this is the first _ russia and ukraine? i think this is the first chapter. - russia and ukraine? i think| this is the first chapter. kurt voelker was _ this is the first chapter. kurt voelker was an _ this is the first chapter. kurt voelker was an american . this is the first chapter. kurt voelker was an american envoy to ukraine and i travelled with him to the conflict zone in zelensky was my first few months in power. he said he believed he could do a deal with russians president. i remember even ourfirst meetings remember even our first meetings saying i understand you want this, but putin doesn't want this. this is what he wants to do, he is attacking ukraine on purpose. it is not for lack of some formula, he is doing it because he is trying to we can ukraine. i think he was initially sceptical of that but i think as he tried to talk with putin, tried to do the prisoner exchanges, i think he came to the view that actually putin is fighting a war that he wants to fight.— putin is fighting a war that he wants to fight. later that year the only meeting _ wants to fight. later that year the only meeting between - the only meeting between zelensky and president putin took place in paris. with the leaders of france and germany acting as chaperones. but the talks were frosty and went nowhere. paris was the mk zelensky�*s attempts to strike a deal. —— endpoint for zelensky�*s attempts. until this war broke out zelensky�*s time as president was showing some signs of fizzling out. he had promised a lot, and perhaps understandably, was struggling to deliver on it. his once skyhigh ratings in the opinion poles were starting to fall. close allies from the election campaign, zelensky called them his dream team, turned on him within a year.— his dream team, turned on him within a year. comedian brought incompetent _ within a year. comedian brought incompetent people _ within a year. comedian brought incompetent people who - within a year. comedian brought incompetent people who now i within a year. comedian brought| incompetent people who now run major government institutions. 0r miss run major government institutions. therefore you cannot achieve results. so the optimism. _ cannot achieve results. so the optimism. the _ cannot achieve results. so the optimism, the hope _ cannot achieve results. so the optimism, the hope of- cannot achieve results. so the optimism, the hope of change that existed a year ago, that is over? i that existed a year ago, that is over? ., ,._ that existed a year ago, that is over? ., _ ., ., ~' is over? iwould say, look, i would say — is over? iwould say, look, i would say many _ is over? iwould say, look, i would say many things - is over? iwould say, look, i would say many things are i is over? iwould say, look, i- would say many things are over, for example premises, another promise of his was fighting with oligarchs, it's over. i think reforms, the window of opportunity has closed. the attorney general _ opportunity has closed. the attorney general was sacked after just seven attorney general was sacked afterjust seven months. he says, pushing too hard to tackle corruption and the powerful oligarchs. he became tired with the _ powerful oligarchs. he became tired with the reform _ powerful oligarchs. he became tired with the reform and - tired with the reform and decided to be in a more comfortable situation, it was bad news and discussions with the so—called reformist, and it was like a warm bath. you the so-called reformist, and it was like a warm bath.- was like a warm bath. you are sa in: was like a warm bath. you are saying effectively _ was like a warm bath. you are saying effectively he - was like a warm bath. you are saying effectively he chose - was like a warm bath. you are| saying effectively he chose the side of the oligarchs over the side of the oligarchs over the side of the reformist? absolutely, it looks like that. eventually zelensky did try and take some targeted measures against particular oligarchs. but his critics saw it as too little, too late.— but his critics saw it as too little, too late. zelensky was too timid, — little, too late. zelensky was too timid, then _ little, too late. zelensky was too timid, then he _ little, too late. zelensky was too timid, then he passed i little, too late. zelensky was| too timid, then he passed the anti— oligarchs law that targeted individuals rather than changing the structure of the system, and that was perceived as unfair by many of them, so it never really got off the ground. fin them, so it never really got off the ground.— off the ground. on the international- off the ground. on the international stage, i off the ground. on the i international stage, zelensky had to learn fast. he found himself caught up in donald trump's attempts to use american military aid to get ukraine to investigate his rivaljoe biden. for zelensky it was important _ rivaljoe biden. for zelensky it was important to - rivaljoe biden. for zelensky it was important to generate more support for ukraine, and not to be a part of domestic political games. so of course lack of experience could create some problems at that time, but this is how he learned what international policy is, and how not to be in the trap, how to diplomatically present ukraine, but not to be used for the interests of somebody. iliiui’ith the interests of somebody. with rumours of _ the interests of somebody. with rumours of impeachment hearings mounting, zelensky met trump in new york. his acting skills, for once, deserted him. because ofthe for once, deserted him. because of the dynamic _ for once, deserted him. because of the dynamic in _ for once, deserted him. because of the dynamic in the _ for once, deserted him. because of the dynamic in the united i of the dynamic in the united states, president trump kept her meeting going in front of the cameras. for about 45 minutes or so. so very difficult to have a serious conversation between two leaders of countries when you are doing so much of it in front of the media. i think zelensky handled it well, and i think was just saying, 0k, we've got to get through this period and then let's see if we can resume a normal relationship with them. air raid siren wails then on 2a february everything changed with the start of a russian invasion. a man who had turned to politics just three years before was now facing down the world's second most powerful army. this war has brought out the very best in volodymyr zelensky, whereas president putin has come across as aloof and distant, zelensky has seemed very much relatable and down—to—earth. staying with his people in care have and staying in touch with video messages. —— kyiv. the updates delivered straight to social media have enabled lenski to speak directly to ukrainians and people around the world. —— zelensky. at times, the news has been almost unspeakably bleak. almost unspea kably bleak. through almost unspeakably bleak. through it all, zelensky has sought to raise spirits. to inspire hope. we have a young, smart, charismatic personalities, to deliver very simple messages, who basically tell the truth, and then you see putin, who is hiding somewhere, has this long table, and nobody knows what he is thinking. table, and nobody knows what he is thinkina. ,, ., table, and nobody knows what he is thinking-— is thinking. russian tv and the kremlin have _ is thinking. russian tv and the kremlin have resorted - is thinking. russian tv and the kremlin have resorted to i kremlin have resorted to hurling unsubstantiated insults towards kyiv. this guy has a nerve, zelensky, he has balls. because think in the first days, it was a disaster it was distressed, it was the pressure. and you see somebody very different, and he is the president of your country, and this meant a lot to ukrainians.— country, and this meant a lot to ukrainians. before this war zelensky struggled _ to ukrainians. before this war zelensky struggled to - to ukrainians. before this war zelensky struggled to get i zelensky struggled to get invites to western capitals. now barely a day passes without him addressing a parliament or international organisation. the message follows a set path, showing the full horrors of russia's warring ukraine, and then demanding that the outside world more to equip his country to resist. —— war in ukraine. everybody sought the picture of zelensky in bucha. and can you imagine such a picture of putin? never. zelensky often visits hospitals to see wounded soldiers. he is also visiting ukrainian families. you can get access to president zelensky. you could see him everywhere. the first chapters of the zelensky story are far—fetched, a comedian and tv president leading a country at war. russia's size and might mean the odds are still stacked against ukraine. but given what has happened to volodymyr zelensky so far, anything is possible. hello there. there's some rain in the forecast for this bank holiday weekend. not that much for england and wales, but certainly for scotland and northern ireland, it could be quite heavy at times. for gardeners and growers, that will provide some good news as it's been so dry for this month of april. there'll also be quite a bit of sunshine around, particularly on saturday across england and wales under this area of high pressure, which is slowly declining as this low pressure system continues to sweep into scotland and northern ireland. we start off on a mainly dry and quite chilly note for england and wales, plenty of sunshine here. much brighter day for eastern england after the recent cloudy days. but for scotland, northern ireland, it will be turning windy, cloudy and wet. and some of that rain will be quite heavy at times. certainly western scotland could even hear the odd rumble of thunder there. that will impact the temperatures. it will be cooler here than the last few days. further south, we could see 17 or 18 degrees and a little bit of fairweather cloud just bubbling up here and there. the cloud will increase across northern and western england and wales as we head into the latter part of the day and into the evening. that area of low pressure will continue to drift its way southwards, tending to weaken as it does so. but there will be a lot of cloud around for saturday night, so that means it will be a mild one, with the temperatures no lower than seven to 10 degrees. so for sunday, then, our area of low pressure will continue to weaken, pushing towards the southern half of britain, so that means it will be the south which will see the thickest of the cloud with outbreaks of rain. so some wet weather for wales, south west england through sunday. some of that light and patchy rain and drizzle will drift its way eastwards. further north, it will be brightening up, the clouds. will tend to break up and we'll see some sunny spells, bar the odd shower around, so it will be a bit warm here, 16, maybe 17 degrees. a little bit cooler further south, low to mid teens. that area of low pressure clears away, so for bank holiday monday, it's looking a bit drier across the board. there will be quite a bit of cloud around here, one or two showers developing across northern and central areas but also some sunny spells. and where that happens, we will see temperatures reaching highs of around 18 degrees. further north, the low to mid teens. very little change as we move through the new week. it looks like pressure will remain high with very little wind, so again the air will be quite stagnant. we'll have variable amounts of cloud, a bit of sunshine, maybe one or two showers around, and possibly tuesday could see most of the showers through central and northern areas. butjust a hint of it turning perhaps a little bit brighter and warmer across the south by the end of the week. welcome to bbc news, i'm rich preston. our top stories: a ukrainian presidential advisor warns of heavy losses as fighting intensifies in the east of the country. a tennis super star behind bars. boris becker is jailed for 2.5 years for hiding millions of dollars worth of assets after going bankrupt. a suicide attack at a mosque in the afghan capital, kabul, the latest deadly blast during the holy month of ramadan. and, a big fight, in the big apple. katie taylor and amanda serrano square up, ahead of the most important women's boxing match, in history. moscow says more than one million people have been

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