on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. this is a country very much in shock today. one person i spoke to said this sort of thing simply doesn't happen here. slovakia has always been known as a country of people who are tolerant, people who are accepting of other opinions and people who are always able to discuss. opinions and people who are always able to discuss. joining me tonight isjournalist and former cnn anchor, nina dos santos, the bbc�*s chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. and european security and defense expert, bruno lete.

new central 9 first, the latest headlines. slovakia's prime minister robert fico has been shot in what officials are calling an assassination attempt. ukrainian officials say fighting is raging in the border town of vovchansk, where russian troops have taken up positions — top us diplomat antony blinken has promised kyiv more arms will arrive soon. a rare sign of division within israel's war cabinet — defence minister yoav gallant criticizes the failure to agree a post—war plan for gaza. england's overcrowded prisons — from next week some inmates will be released 70 days early. good evening. in the last hour slovakia's deputy prime minister has told the bbc that he believes prime minister robert fitzo "will the bbc that he believes

prime minister robert fico "will survive" the attempt on his life — and while he is still in a critical condition, he is no longer in a life threatening situation. in the last couple of hours, slovakia's minister of interior described today's shooting as an attack on democracy. as an attack on slovakia has always been known as a country of people who are tolerant, people who are accepting of other opinions and people who are always able to discuss. what happened today is the stigma which will haunt us for many years to come. but that is something that none of us think about at the moment. all we are focusing on is the condition of the prime minister robert fico. and we hope that he is strong enough to deal with this trauma. in the first place, i would like to assure the public

that we will make everything that is in our power to investigate this heinous crime. we are doing this at the moment, as we speak. the initial information that we have clearly point to a political motivation and to a decision of the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election, and i would like to appeal to you, the journalists and the public, and all the politicians to stop spreading hate. i would like to appeal to all citizens who, after this unprecedented act, heinous act, still spread this hate, to stop it. the prime minister was shot five

times during the attack — mr fico was attending a government meeting in the town of handlova, north east of the capital, bratislava. after the meeting, he came out to meet well—wishers who had gathered just outside. the shots were seemingly fired from within the crowd, eye witnesses say they saw the prime ministerfall, before he was quickly lifted by his arms, and bundled into a car by his security detail. the suspect, reported to be a 71—year—old man, was quickly knocked to the ground, and arrested. the interior ministry said tonight the attack was politically motivated. robert fico was shot five times during the attack and a warning, you will hear the gunshots in this clip. gunshots.

mr fico has served four stints as slovakia's prime minister, most recently returning to power after winning an election in september last year. he was previously forced out, in 2018, amid public outrage over the killing of a journalist who had been investigating ties between his associates and the calabrian mafia the ndrangata. but he staged an unlikely comeback, exploiting the frustration over the rising cost of living, as well as the waning support there has been in his country for the war in nearby ukraine. since then he has faced widespread criticism for his pro—russian rhetoric, and the recent attempts to extend state control over the media. let me start with what we have heard from the slovakian prime minister to read because there is very good news in a statement he had given, that robert fico is we hope out of danger. there is some very fierce rhetoric when it comes to the role

played by the opposition. this rhetoric when it comes to the role played by the opposition.- rhetoric when it comes to the role played by the opposition. this is a real concern. _ played by the opposition. this is a real concern, that _ played by the opposition. this is a real concern, that it _ played by the opposition. this is a real concern, that it would - played by the opposition. this is a real concern, that it would appearj real concern, that it would appear to be quite premature to cast blame. as you were saying before, this really inflammatory rhetoric and when you look at all the statements that other prime ministers have been issuing, they are very controlled and measured statements wishing robert fico sbd recovery as soon as possible. everyone recognises that this is a real concerning moment for democracy in europe and also around the eu because it comes at a tense time just weeks ahead of these parliamentary elections and he is, like it or not, alongside victor albarn of hungary, among the most pro—russian and populist leaders that eastern europe had at the moment and there will be a real concern out that what will happen next? will it become an even more febrile and polarised environment based on the type of rhetoric you

have just had there in that bbc interview from the prime minister. i interview from the prime minister. i have the audio of it. in slovakia for e _ have the audio of it. in slovakia for e 12 — have the audio of it. in slovakia for e 12 elections, the first in october_ for e 12 elections, the first in october we had parliamentary elections, so he did... we think that_ elections, so he did... we think that the — elections, so he did... we think that the use _ elections, so he did... we think that the use of false narratives. they— that the use of false narratives. they speak about false narrative that they — they speak about false narrative that they want to leave the european union, _ that they want to leave the european union, join _ that they want to leave the european union, join cooperation with russia and these — union, join cooperation with russia and these are false narratives and of course — and these are false narratives and of course people from the other side sometimes _ of course people from the other side sometimes can believe these narratives, they can become upset. you study _

narratives, they can become upset. you study the security situation across europe and in central europe. how have things shifted since the war in ukraine and how is it affecting the politics and some of these countries?— affecting the politics and some of these countries? obviously there are many--- central— these countries? obviously there are many... central countries _ these countries? obviously there are many... central countries like - many... central countries like slovakia, poland, the czech republic have an important voice in that respect. they also body ukraine. slovakia has a border with ukraine to it also played a critical role in some of their war efforts there. so thatis some of their war efforts there. so that is also why slovakia then suddenly having prime minister robert fico coming in and shifting its foreign policy but also widely seen as a concern, not only domestically into the vacuum is also here in brussels at eu headquarters, nato headquarters. so it had a

polarising stance, slovakian foreign policy, it wasn't seen as a very good development for the support for ukraine. ., , good development for the support for ukraine. .,, , , ,.,, ., good development for the support for ukraine. .,, , , ., , ., ukraine. there was supposed to be a meetin: ukraine. there was supposed to be a meeting between _ ukraine. there was supposed to be a meeting between the _ ukraine. there was supposed to be a meeting between the czech - ukraine. there was supposed to be a i meeting between the czech government and the slovakian government very recently and that meeting has been ongoing since 1992 since the two countries separated so for the czech president to cancel it over the meetings they were having with the russians, specifically in turkey, that shows the tensions that are there in that part of europe. it is there in that part of europe. it is interesting _ there in that part of europe. it is interesting when _ there in that part of europe. it is interesting when you mention what the prime — interesting when you mention what the prime minister had said talking about— the prime minister had said talking about false narratives, speaking of the most _ about false narratives, speaking of the most anti—eu, pro—russian. they have said _ the most anti—eu, pro—russian. they have said they are not pro—russian and as— have said they are not pro—russian and as yet— have said they are not pro—russian and as yet as we have been hearing in their— and as yet as we have been hearing in their policy the coverage of that election— in their policy the coverage of that election victory was returned to

power— election victory was returned to power as— election victory was returned to power as eurosceptic, focused on him saying _ power as eurosceptic, focused on him saying we _ power as eurosceptic, focused on him saying we will not send a bullet to ukraine _ saying we will not send a bullet to ukraine. although he said private firms— ukraine. although he said private firms did — ukraine. although he said private firms did provide military support. that rang — firms did provide military support. that rang alarm bells, but we need most _ that rang alarm bells, but we need most of— that rang alarm bells, but we need most of all— that rang alarm bells, but we need most of all the european union and we have _ most of all the european union and we have another country falling into that, listening to that antique ukraine, _ that, listening to that antique ukraine, at least in terms of providing _ ukraine, at least in terms of providing military financial support to ukraine. it is a front line state~ _ to ukraine. it is a front line state. other front line states are there. _ state. other front line states are there, living in palpable fear of there, living in palpable fear of the russian threat. you have a country— the russian threat. you have a country like tobacco coming in and upsetting — country like tobacco coming in and upsetting that important alliance. you can _ upsetting that important alliance. you can sort of see how this might play out from here because robert fico is not the only right leaning, i mean he is from the left, but right—leaning position it was looked at the role of the media and judges and migration and the war in ukraine

and migration and the war in ukraine and this might give succour to some of those parties who say, look they are trying to stamp out arguments popular in our country. could we see a reaction in three weeks' time of the european election?— the european election? there are nuances, maloney _ the european election? there are nuances, maloney in _ the european election? there are nuances, maloney in italy, - the european election? there are nuances, maloney in italy, she i nuances, maloney in italy, she surprise people with her support for ukraine and nato, previously 80 suffered a lot of antique nato scepticism, ukraine scepticism in previous government and she actually hasn't played that the playbook although she is quite aligned with people like robert fico on immigration. going back to robert fico in the future, you have to remember his ally is also about to take the helm of the presidency after winning a run off quite recently so we might see a more turbo—charged reinvigorated further right and mark eurosceptic ——

ukraine sceptic slovakia when robert fico is back to full health. that will be a concern if that dovetails with the european parliamentary elections that it had to take place on the 6th ofjune. the elections that it had to take place on the 6th ofjune._ on the 6th ofjune. the georgian president who _ on the 6th ofjune. the georgian president who spoke _ on the 6th ofjune. the georgian president who spoke to - on the 6th ofjune. the georgian president who spoke to the - on the 6th ofjune. the georgian| president who spoke to the bbc, on the 6th ofjune. the georgian - president who spoke to the bbc, she said she sees the connections between their general polarisation there has been in slovakia and in her own country over the bar in ukraine to what has happened today. we can't link this specific incident to russia but is a kremlin in the way the kremlin is trying to pull at the seams of europe somewhere in the background here?— background here? there is no denying that there is — background here? there is no denying that there is a — background here? there is no denying that there is a shift _ background here? there is no denying that there is a shift to _ background here? there is no denying that there is a shift to the _ background here? there is no denying that there is a shift to the right - that there is a shift to the right happening in the european union these days and shift to populism, and this shift to populism and to the right or even extreme left or extreme right, both sides, is really

due to the role of disinformation in our society, the role of growing polarisation and obviously it is for sure that the kremlin to a certain extent is playing in that field. just look at some of the messages you can read on platforms like ex and social media plays a big role in that. there is also a lot of narratives that russia is trying to spread in europe but also transatlantic play to basically decrease the support for georgia, for georgian democracy, for the war in ukraine and bring to power leaders that are more friendly to the kremlin. yes, we cannot deny this all plays a role and this will be reflected in the elections in the eu later injune. be reflected in the elections in the eu later in june.— eu later in june. there is another echo at the _ eu later in june. there is another echo at the same _ eu later in june. there is another echo at the same kind _ eu later in june. there is another echo at the same kind of foreign | echo at the same kind of foreign agents _ echo at the same kind of foreign agents build that hasjust passed in the georgian parliament and brought

out protest on the street, there is some _ out protest on the street, there is some legislation being introduced in slovakia _ some legislation being introduced in slovakia for civil society organisations to make it clear when they are _ organisations to make it clear when they are taking foreign funding. so whether— they are taking foreign funding. so whether or— they are taking foreign funding. so whether or not this is a hand of russia, — whether or not this is a hand of russia, there is a footprint if you like of— russia, there is a footprint if you like of that— russia, there is a footprint if you like of that kind of what russia did to crack— like of that kind of what russia did to crack on— like of that kind of what russia did to crack on dissent with everyone having _ to crack on dissent with everyone having to — to crack on dissent with everyone having to declare whether or not they were — having to declare whether or not they were so called for an agent, we have seen— they were so called for an agent, we have seen it — they were so called for an agent, we have seen it in georgia and it is on the card _ have seen it in georgia and it is on the card insert bracket as well. | the card insert bracket as well. i am reminded, we had a shooting incident in prague not long ago, there was a huge amount of weapons and arms that are circulating in this part of central europe but it is extremely rare to have an attack on a european leader nonetheless. but in germany there have been three attacks, _ but in germany there have been three attacks, salt, not going to put three — attacks, salt, not going to put three assaults in the last week in germany— three assaults in the last week in germany so shalt was talking about shock _ germany so shalt was talking about shock he _ germany so shalt was talking about shock. he was mindful, we don't want

to say— shock. he was mindful, we don't want to say could _ shock. he was mindful, we don't want to say could happen there, but that rising _ to say could happen there, but that rising tension and polarisation is deep _ rising tension and polarisation is deep and — rising tension and polarisation is deep and dangerous. we rising tension and polarisation is deep and dangerous.— rising tension and polarisation is deep and dangerous. we have olaf scholz's reaction. _ translation: ladies and gentlemen, we have just had their terrible - news from slovakia. prime minister robert fico has apparently been shot and is being treated in hospital. such an attack is unbearable. only a few months ago he visited us here in this very place. i wish him a good recovery from this cowardly attack. and i believe this is something on which there must be a very broad agreement. there must be no violence. democracy is characterised by the non—violent expression of differences of opinion and that must remain the case and the state must also enforce its monopoly on the use of force. 0nly only three countries in europe currently have relations with the kremlin. that is austria, hungary and slovakia there has been reaction from president putin.

there has also been reaction from president putin. in a telegram he sent to the outgoing slovakian there was a lot of anger about this meeting between the slovakian foreign ministerjust the other week in turkey where he'd met with. it is difficult until we know what the political motive is what was behind the shooting, but it seems to be the media, the move to close down state media, the move to close down state media and also this involvement with the kremlin. media and also this involvement with the kremlin-— the kremlin. there has been real concern in _ the kremlin. there has been real concern in some _ the kremlin. there has been real concern in some eu _ the kremlin. there has been real concern in some eu quotas - the kremlin. there has been realj concern in some eu quotas about the kremlin. there has been real- concern in some eu quotas about this sort of disintegration of the concept of the rule of law being ——

undermined. there was a big sigh of relief when donald tusk returned to office in poland after so many years office in poland after so many years of relief when donald tusk returned to office in poland after so many years of: challenging the eu's rule of law, then of course hungary copied people like robert fico have done as well and it is particularly incendiary when you're dealing with russia because obviously the west is relying upon russia to curtail the kremlin's ability to fund this war and yet he won as, repeatedly in the past and says he is against sanctions on russia, he would like kyiv to essentially capitulate, cede ground and four peace on terms that kyiv rejects vehemently, and he has even gone further said that if vladimir putin was to step foot on slovakian soil, which is nato and eu territory, he wouldn't uphold an international criminal court arrest warrant for him. so he's made it very clear of his russian sympathies

and it is notjust a warning to people inside slovakia which is already divided, but i had to absorb already divided, but i had to absorb a huge amount of refugees from ukraine, another sore point there, that he has exploited, but it is also a real concern for the eu because obviously this is the eastern side fraying politically when the eu nato sanctions to be a strong line in the sand and clearly are not. we strong line in the sand and clearly are not. ~ . ~ strong line in the sand and clearly are not. ~ ., ,, ., , ., strong line in the sand and clearly are not. ., , are not. we will take a short break. plenty more — are not. we will take a short break. plenty more to _ are not. we will take a short break. plenty more to come _ are not. we will take a short break. plenty more to come on _ are not. we will take a short break. plenty more to come on the - are not. we will take a short break. i plenty more to come on the situation in sabatier. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. junior doctors in england have entered talks with the government to try and end a long—running dispute over pay. the british medical association says itsjunior doctors' committee had entered a new "intensive phase of talks" with the government, facilitated by an external mediator. people across south devon have been advised to boil their tap water

after 22 cases of a diarrhoea—type illness were confirmed by the uk health security agency — a further 70 suspected cases are also being investigated. the agency said the parasite was "predominantly a waterborne disease". the home office has announced that it's expanding the rwanda deportation scheme to cover failed asylum seekers. this under the original plan, only people who had arrived in the uk — on or after the first of january 2022 — could be deemed elibigle to be deported. failed asylum seekers are also eligible for a voluntary scheme announced last month. we are continuing to follow the news from slovakia tonight. robert fitzo still in a serious condition in hospital. let me take you back through his political career, which might bring some clarity as to how the 59—year—old leader first came to prominence in slovakia.

he grew up in what was back then czechoslovakia — a soviet state behind the iron curtain. he studied law, eventuallyjoining the communist party in 1986. after the velvet revolution in 1989, which brought down the communist regime, he continued his career in the party of the democratic left. the czech republic peacefully seperated from slovakia in 1992. and not many years later he founded a left—wing nationalist party known by the acronym smer. by 2006, they had won the biggest vote share at the general election. he became prime minister, leading a coalition of left—leaning parties — staying on in power until 2010. his second term of 2012 and 2018 ended in huge controversy with an investigation into the links between his political allies and the italian mafia. but he was elected again to an unlikely third term in september last year.

——fourth term. this time in coalition with the smaller ultranationalists the sns. whose leader does not believe russian—occupied territories are "historically ukraine". and so for a central european leader whose political infancy was rooted in the fall of russia's hegemony, it seems odd he has befriended putin who considers the soviet collapse as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe". but like 0rban he has taken his party more towards the nationalist right in his attempts to hold on to power. bruno, they will be relieved in the kremlin that he is likely to survive and may indeed come back to thejob. what role does he and viktor 0rban play within the european council in brussels? taste play within the european council in brussels? ~ ., , ., , brussels? we have seen numerous examles brussels? we have seen numerous examples where — brussels? we have seen numerous examples where leaders _ brussels? we have seen numerous examples where leaders such - brussels? we have seen numerous examples where leaders such as i examples where leaders such as viktor 0rban or robert fico i've tried to hijack the eu agenda from many decisions made in brussels, unanimity is needed, so it means all

member states have to agree to move forward. politicians like robert fico are viktor 0rban, they are like a master tacticians. fico are viktor 0rban, they are like a mastertacticians. , fico are viktor 0rban, they are like a master tacticians. , they are trying to block one issue to get gains in another field. trying to block one issue to get gains in anotherfield. we have seen viktor 0rban doing that for instance with that european union aid to ukraine, he was blocking it in return for benefits for hungary. so this is really the type of leaders that we are talking about. but the same is also true for nato, there will be a nato summit injuly in washington. forany will be a nato summit injuly in washington. for any decisions made at nato also there unanimity is needed. we haven't seen particularly slovakia or hungary actually blocking decisions but we do see that decisions are sometimes taken longer to achieve, it takes longer

to have this unanimity. in the end, this is a plus for the kremlin. you said in the — this is a plus for the kremlin. you said in the last _ this is a plus for the kremlin. you said in the last hour— this is a plus for the kremlin. you said in the last hour when you are talking about polarisation and division you could be talking about united states, presumably donald trump would see robert fico and we know we see in viktor 0rban and i about the direction he wants to take the conflict in ukraine. this about the direction he wants to take the conflict in ukraine.— the conflict in ukraine. this is a dangerous _ the conflict in ukraine. this is a dangerous political— the conflict in ukraine. this is a dangerous political crisis - the conflict in ukraine. this is a dangerous political crisis for - dangerous political crisis for slovakia _ dangerous political crisis for slovakia but it is notjust slovakia, the elements of this crisis — slovakia, the elements of this crisis are _ slovakia, the elements of this crisis are all too familiar. possibly— crisis are all too familiar. possibly in the upcoming european elections _ possibly in the upcoming european elections the threat out there but we have — elections the threat out there but we have been speaking for many months — we have been speaking for many months now, even longer, and about threaten _ months now, even longer, and about threaten the — months now, even longer, and about threaten the united states where the political _ threaten the united states where the political polarisation is very sharp and possibly getting sharper still. there _ and possibly getting sharper still. there are — and possibly getting sharper still. there are concerns about this information coming from social media, _ information coming from social media, we _ information coming from social media, we discussed this already, the role _ media, we discussed this already, the role it— media, we discussed this already, the role it seems to have played in this crisis. — the role it seems to have played in this crisis, this assassination

attempt _ this crisis, this assassination attempt in slovakia. and i think we have been— attempt in slovakia. and i think we have been saying from the beginning of the _ have been saying from the beginning of the year, this is the year of elections _ of the year, this is the year of elections but these are elections fraught — elections but these are elections fraught with risk at this time of the ping — fraught with risk at this time of the ping developments in artificial intelligence, deep fakes, everyone notjust— intelligence, deep fakes, everyone notjust having their own opinions about— notjust having their own opinions about having their own fact, the weaponisation of social media, what weaponisation of social media, what we have _ weaponisation of social media, what we have seen in slovakia, god forbid there _ we have seen in slovakia, god forbid there should be this kind of violence _ there should be this kind of violence in the united states, but i think— violence in the united states, but i think this _ violence in the united states, but i think this is — violence in the united states, but i think this is been by there as been such an _ think this is been by there as been such an immediate reaction right across— such an immediate reaction right across the — such an immediate reaction right across the world, whatever political persuasion — across the world, whatever political persuasion they are and all of them using _ persuasion they are and all of them using the _ persuasion they are and all of them using the word shocking, that it has no place _ using the word shocking, that it has no place i— using the word shocking, that it has no lace. . , using the word shocking, that it has no lace. ., , ., ., no place. i am trying to nature brin: it no place. i am trying to nature bring it all— no place. i am trying to nature bring it all together _ no place. i am trying to nature bring it all together because . no place. i am trying to nature bring it all together because it j bring it all together because it doesn't exist in a vacuum this. all of the dots can be traced to the war in ukraine and the role vladimir putin is playing. these are pictures from beige inquiry hasjust landed for his second visit in six months. clearly when he emerges from the

plane, and we expected him very shortly, people will be watching very closely to what he says. absolutely, he will be in the company of another authoritarian leader. you are seeing this axis of creeping autocracy around the world and the concern is it is becoming increasingly polarised and dangerous and it is important not because 40% of the world's electorate are going to the polls this year, the biggest democratic year that we have ever seenin democratic year that we have ever seen in history and as a result that is why this is important, the fact that violence, the spectre of violence may have entered the political system inside the eu, which normally is a more peaceful place but also people don't have the right to bear arms in many countries, let alone if they do use them upon a democratically elected leader. polarised scenes and the

threat of violence is something that one might be more concerned about in a polarised united states, particularly afterjanuary the six, but now this is a european problem in some parts. but now this is a european problem in some parts-— in some parts. europe prided itself on bein: in some parts. europe prided itself on being different, _ in some parts. europe prided itself on being different, different- in some parts. europe prided itself on being different, different gun i on being different, different gun laws, _ on being different, different gun laws, different kinds of societies, regulations. tonight many must be thinking, _ regulations. tonight many must be thinking, their worlds are... the russian plane. _ thinking, their worlds are... the russian plane, i— thinking, theirworlds are... tie: russian plane, i was questioning last week with the have been some split given there was an embryonic peace plan whether they are tired of the conflict and that is what i'm going to be watching closely over the next few days is robert fico

have leveraged over putin. but when it comes to — have leveraged over putin. but when it comes to ukraine, _ have leveraged over putin. but when it comes to ukraine, it _ have leveraged over putin. but when it comes to ukraine, it is _ have leveraged over putin. but when it comes to ukraine, it is something | it comes to ukraine, it is something different— it comes to ukraine, it is something different for— it comes to ukraine, it is something different for putin. there is something that runs very deep and remembering those kind of lectures he gave _ remembering those kind of lectures he gave to — remembering those kind of lectures he gave to his intelligence chiefs days before the full—scale invasion of ukraine, — days before the full—scale invasion of ukraine, it was chilling to watch it, of ukraine, it was chilling to watch it. that _ of ukraine, it was chilling to watch it, that long and rambling history lessons _ it, that long and rambling history lessons that it was a mistake of a country. — lessons that it was a mistake of a country. it— lessons that it was a mistake of a country, it shouldn't exist. that is 'ust country, it shouldn't exist. that is just not— country, it shouldn't exist. that is just not rhetoric, that is quintessential putin. so maybe he will listen — quintessential putin. so maybe he will listen to xi jinping. he's always— will listen to xi jinping. he's always our city want a way out. we will always our city want a way out. will continue always our city want a way out. - will continue to watch those pictures tonight from beijing. i will maybe bring you those pictures when he emerges from the plane. i will take a short break. stay with us. hello. low pressure is in charge of our weather right now, and that means it is never

going to be completely settled and completely dry. but there has been some sunshine. northern scotland was a good example of that today, lifting temperatures well up into the 20s. compare that with the scene in norfolk with a lot of cloud, some bits and pieces of rain thanks to this weatherfront, a very slow—moving feature. and actually, we're going to see a pulse of heavier rain drifting back along that weather front as we head into tomorrow. tonight, a lot of dry weather around, but with some areas of mist and murk and low clouds still plaguing some of these eastern coasts, that rain getting going across parts of east anglia into lincolnshire and east yorkshire by the end of the night. overnight lows, 9—12 degrees — just a touch cooler than some recent nights. and then into tomorrow, these outbreaks of rain drift westwards across the north midlands, parts of northern england towards merseyside, maybe into north wales. to the north of that as well, a decent amount of sunshine. scotland once again seeing some warm sunshine, particularly in the highlands where temperatures could climb to 23 degrees. but there is the potential for some quite sharp showers and thunderstorms to break out across western scotland later in the day.

same sort of thing for northern ireland, perhaps the far north and northwest of england. then we're into our rain band and to the south of that, some spells of sunshine. highs of18, 19, maybe 20 degrees, but we will see some fairly heavy showers. now, through thursday night, this lump of wet weather slides away westwards. we'll see some areas of clouds and mist and murk, but through friday, i think most places should get to see at least some spells of sunshine with a scattering of showers breaking out. some of those showers could be on the heavy side, but temperatures again in the sunniest spots up to around 23 degrees. this time, the warmest weather likely to be across the west and the southwest of scotland, a little bit cooler in the far north of scotland. straight to beijing we are watching pictures of putin meeting dignitaries in chinese officials on

what i think is his second visit to beijing in six months but crucially, important, a pivotal moment in the war in ukraine. the russian forces advancing on kharkiv at the moment taking full advantage of the advantage they have on the battlefield. you can see plenty of p°mp battlefield. you can see plenty of pomp and ceremony on the airfield tonight. an important meeting, you would expect, and last few days. i was telling you in the programme that ahead of this visit he has given an interview to the chinese estate news agency in which he has said that he is listening to xi jinping abouta said that he is listening to xi jinping about a peace plan that may be coming to fruition. bruno is still with us. as he watched his pictures maybe you can just tell us what as a security analyst, what you will be looking out for the next few daysin will be looking out for the next few days in the course of this visit? i think we cannot underestimate the partnership between russia and

china. some actually call