With Vladimir Putins opponents in exile, in prison or dead, like outspoken Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny, putins victory is practically certain. If mr putin serves out the full six year term hes likely to win, hell become the longest serving russian leader since catherine the great. Over the next half hour we will look at the impact of the election for those in russia, ukraine and around the world. But first, we start our coverage with this report from our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg in moscow. Russias democracy is the best in the world, the kremlin says. And at Polling Station 38 in moscow, we found a choice of candidates and plenty of voters. Democracy in action, right . Not quite. Realistically, only one man can win this. Vladimir putin the man whos been on russias political stage for the last quarter of a century. Vladimir putin faces no serious challenger. His fiercest rivals are in exile or in prison. Not that this woman, whose son is fighting in ukraine, wants any change a
Catherine the great. Over the next half hour we will look at the impact of the election for those in russia, ukraine and around the world. But first, we start our coverage with this report from our russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, in moscow. Russias democracy is the best in the world, the kremlin says. And at Polling Station 38 in moscow, we found a choice of candidates and plenty of voters. Democracy in action, right . Not quite. Realistically, only one man can win this. Vladimir putin the man whos been on russias political stage for the last quarter of a century. Vladimir putin faces no serious challenger. His fiercest rivals are in exile or in prison. Not that this woman, whose son is fighting in ukraine, wants any change at the top. Of course i voted for putin, she says. I trust him. But not everyone who came out today was actually voting. This, one of a string of attacks on Polling Stations across russia. They are unprecedented. After chaotic scenes here. An arsonist is detained. A
Israels pm Benjamin Netanyahu has downplayed the chances of a truce in gaza, after hamas gave what it called a Comprehensive Vision to mediators. Meanwhile a ship carrying Food Supplies for gaza has arrived and is now waiting off the coast in a test run, of what is hoped will become a new route for aid into the territory. I spoke to our correspondent, mark lowen, who is injerusalem and he told us more about the israeli team heading back to qatar. That is a sign certainly that the two sides are still talking, even though the Israeli Prime Ministers Office has said that the new hamas proposal for the ceasefire is unrealistic and that hamas are making unrealistic demands. In other words, that the demand that israel withdraw all troops from gaza is something that i think the netanyahu government wouldnt accept. What we do understand is that the substance of this proposal would be a six week ceasefire which has been talked about for some time, and a release of israeli hostages, possibly aro
In gaza, after hamas gave what it called a Comprehensive Vision to mediators. Meanwhile a ship carrying Food Supplies for gaza has arrived and is now waiting off the coast in a test run, of what is hoped will become a new route for aid into the territory. Lets speak to mark lowen whos injerusalem. Lets start with the politics, we will come to the boat in a moment. Bring us up to date first of all on thatis bring us up to date first of all on that is really team heading back to qatar. ,. ,. ,. , qatar. That is a sign certainly that the two sides qatar. That is a sign certainly that the two sides are qatar. That is a sign certainly that the two sides are still qatar. That is a sign certainly that the two sides are still talking, the two sides are still talking, even though the Israeli Prime Ministers Office has said that the new hamas proposal for the ceasefire is unrealistic and that hamas are making unrealistic demands. In other words, that the demand that israel withdraw all troops fr
In gaza, after hamas gave what it called a Comprehensive Vision to mediators. Mr netanyahu . Office said he also planned an assault on rafah, the city in the southern edge of the gaza strip where more than half of the territorys two and half Million People at residing. Meanwhile, a ship carrying Food Supplies for gaza has arrived, and is now waiting off the coast in a test run of what is hoped will become a new route for aid into the territory. The us secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has been speaking about the negotiations. Answering questions from the press in austria, mr blinken said both sides were working to bridge the remaining gaps. He said he was yet to see a plan for the Israel Military in rafah. You asked specifically the Israel Military in rafah. 7m. Asked specifically whether weve seen the plan, and now we have not seen the plan, and now we have not seen it. Regarding the hostages. Yes, there has been a Counter Proposal put forward by hamas, i cant get into the details o