0 hello everyone, it's 7:00. world leaders are meeting in brussels this morning for an extraordinary nato some of it. at least one month on from the invasion of ukraine. uk forest a additional 6 million pounds to ukraine, and to step up their support. joe biden is expected to use the summit to announce new sanctions against russia. live in brussels throughout the morning. and -- the uk support for ukraine, and how britons are facing the biggest stall in living standards on record. today is the 24th of march. the secretary general says vladimir putin has made a big mistake and there's a new sense of emergency about europe's defense. >> it's all eyes on brussels, where nato leaders are meeting to discuss the ukraine crisis. including how they will respond if russia uses chemical weapons. >> as the war enters its second month, president zelenskyy calls for global protests in support of ukraine. calculate all possible outcomes! run of russia's most senior diplomat says that moscow could press the nuclear button if nato provokes them. >> if russia's provoked by nato, if russia is attacked by nato, i don't know. we are nuclear arm. why not? >> also, ahead with the chancellor's ring statement means to you. with your tax button predicted for the highest level since the 1930s. prince william expresses his profound sorrow but stopped short of that apology demanded by activists in jamaica. also this morning, [inaudible] , we will be talking about the afghan girls fanned by the taliban by going to school. and as europe faces its biggest refugee crisis since the second world war, we'll be speaking to the director of a new film about how hard it can be, crossing both borders. good morning, kates away this morning you've got me and said. it is exactly one month since russia invaded ukraine. world leaders are gathered in brussels for an extraordinary summit on the crisis. russia has taken at least one major city, but they have reduced else to rubble. killing thousands of people in causing millions of plea for their lives. let's look at the latest developments. in his latest address, zelenskyy called for global protests to demand an end to russia's invasion. he also called for nato to provide affective and restrictive support to the uk, after they promised to send another 6000 anti-tank russell and 7 to 15,000 troops have been killed in the past month for russians. in comparison, 15,000 russians that -- and russia is now setting up defensive positions around ten miles away. and i last-minute, we've heard from the native general who said there was a new sense of urgency about europe's defense. >> he made a big mistake. that is true rage war against an independent sovereign nation. he has underestimated the strength of the ukrainian people, the bravery of the ukrainian people, and the armed forces. and therefore, they also, -- and they expected. we need to address the actions that we see russia is doing in ukraine. and that is the reason why we have significantly stepped up the support to ukraine. and why we have an increased person of nato troops on the eastern part of the alliance. we do so to be able to respond and address any threats, any challenge to our security. and what kind of decisions, and what kind of chenin decisions they may make in moscow, i -- . >> defense editor deborah haines is in brussels for us. with russia, can they put on russia today? >> they have already put on a huge amount of pressure in terms of their spots, bolstering the number of nato troops along nato's eastern flank. but what we're gonna be hearing today is about a further increasing of a number of nato forces. along the eastern side of the alliance, and also long term plans. it's clear that deterrence has failed in this instance. despite all the warnings from nato leaders not to invade ukraine, president putin went ahead and invaded. so the alliance which sees this as the greatest security crisis since the second world war, are gonna have to see a huge change in the way that they handle the defenses. how much they did invest in their defenses, and their ability to use military strength take risks, and one other key issues that everyone is gonna be looking for, is how nato is going to be signaling to russia of the consequences that russia would face, should a unconventional weapons, outlawed weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear weapons in the ukraine conflict. again, -- , the secretary general was asked a few minutes ago whether a chemical weapons attack is launched in ukraine, if the fact that those chemicals impacted nato states across the border, with that be considered as an identical five attack? remember, article five is a attack on a member state. prompts a response by the entire alliance. he didn't give a definitive answer on that point but it is clearly a decision at that time. how will nato respond? should the conflict in ukraine escalate to this new kind of unconventional weapons being used? something will look out for. >> okay debra, thank you very much. well here in the uk, the government's fiscal watchdog says that britons are facing the highest tax burden since the 1940s. and the very biggest drop in military standard since it began. i'm joined -- by, good to talk to you this morning chancellor. you are keen to be seen as a tax reducing chancellor. do you accept that the towns burden is now up? >> yes, well good morning. i think first to put it in context, you should remember i was also the chancellor who had to oversee what happened during the pandemic, and that's the first time that that's happened in 300 years. we had a biggest economic shock in 300 years. and boy it up to levels that we haven't seen since world war ii. had to introduce things -- like. so that's the context for the actions i've had to take. but i know that families are struggling right now with the cost of living. which is why yesterday i announced the tax plan that delivers the biggest cut in personal taxes in history. -- and raising national shirts thresholds, giving workers a tax -- . the typical worker saving 330 pounds. and cutting income tax for the first time, putting money in peoples pockets. so i can't solve every problem, and i've always been honest about that, but i can make a difference. and ultimately that's why i want to do. the plan announced yesterday will do exactly that and support hardworking british families. >> are you being honest when you're talking about tax cuts? the fact is that they are going to reach the highest level since the 1940s in the next couple of years. taxes will be higher than they have ever been. >> and that is a reflection of two things. first and foremost, the fact that we have experienced as i said, a pandemic. that is a pretty exceptional episode in our country's history. boyd up to level since we haven't seen since the second world war. the second shock in over 300 years. and things like furlough. most people understand that an exceptional spirits like that probably does not need an exceptional response. that's what we're grappling with. the aftermath of covid. and we continue to invest in public services. and i think that's what our viewers, and people want to do as well. particularly, and most importantly the nhs and social care. getting more things out of the backlog. putting more pieces off the street, more money -- into. there's a lot of things that we're doing. a lot a very strong investment in public services. and of that of course needs to be paid for. >> but there are those who say what you did yesterday did not go far enough, and did not help the forest in society. no increase in universal credit, pensions, universal benefit. various parts of society do not earn enough to benefit from the announcements you made yesterday, do they? they are not gonna benefit in an increase of national insurance threshold or tax cut because they simply do not own a lot. and for those people, there was nothing yesterday. anthey actually are my priority. which is why we started our action to help them in the autumn. in our autumn budget, we made -- >> and were generous so that people can't keep what they earn, especially those people were talking about lower incomes. they're definitely benefit. and what we're talking about is a -- disproportionately benefit from the significant increase in the national minimum wage that's gonna come up. it's gonna go up 6.6%. the combination of all these things that says, for example, take a single mother with two children working, working on the minimum wage. that mother is gonna be 1600 pounds a year better off as a result of all these decisions. and it's right that folks are having the attention on them. but i do think that the policies that we put in place are gonna help people disproportionately. >> that's where you believe, but that's not what other people believe. other people believe that two thirds of the benefits announced yesterday will only help the pot 50%. tax cuts for the top earners. only 1.5 3% of the pounds use will be going towards -- . and i want to look at what you've really fact up towards us today is -- . a third of the population do not have access to a car. that only works if you have a car. it just seems that you are adding to the feeling that maybe you're not really in touch with the hard reality of lots of people's lives. ? >> i actually, when i go aaron about talking to people. that's one of the things that are raised most often with me. because the vast majority of people in this country to no use carts to get in areas. and particularly those who are in rural areas or in places -- >> we've got a people view. -- if i could just finish answering your question. and as you're talking to the person, they're using our car every day to get to work. this looking at petrol prices going up. the appreciative that we're cutting this. it does make sure that we can't solve any problem, but that -- we've got to low earners, and you mention one thing. other things, including what you mentioned, there are fiscal studies, for example. that's specifically describe what we do in national insurance thresholds as the best way, through the tax system, to help those on low and middle incomes. i think the increase in insurance threshold that we put in place yesterday, welcoming in effect in july, will particularly help those on low and middle in the curtains. it will provide a tax cut for 13 million workers. and will go up to about 13 million pounds a year. and that's what's about, and that's what i'm delivering. >> the i may suggest that you may be slightly misrepresenting them. i have a quote from -- [interpreter] that says a what really stands out today is what's missing. he is done nothing more on those who depend on benefits. the very poorest -- the benefits will rise by just 3.4%. and it could well rise about 10%. to be honest, i'm not wholeheartedly welcoming why you announced yesterday has to be said. but look at that picture of you which building up your car. was a gorgeous day wasn't it? most people filling up their car, these days, watch the pounds going up. growing up. growing up. you weren't even looking at how much it cost to fill up your car! do you feel very opted! >> well i was having a conversation with the person that i was talking to at the same time as was feeling it up. and we were feeling it, up and i was keeping an eye on the pound. and it was about 30 pounds. but i couldn't quite getting it in the right place. i was keeping an eye on it. but you are just having a question about. >> you are just feeling it up. it's about a quarter of tank. >> well that's what was what's required. -- and now having conversations saying that it is. i think it is. it's the biggest effort. >> i'm not saying it's invaluable, i'm just saying that -- >> fight for a leader -- >> and i think that it will make a difference to people. my wife and i have a volkswagen, and she felt it have on another week and it's going up. and of course we know it's going. up and that's why we take action yesterday to try and make a difference in the biggest effort that we've >> seen. by pencil either. and i'm really glad and i'm really glad glaad actually to see retailers passing that on very quickly. i hope that happens across the industry, something i called for yesterday, and actually i think -- were quick to say, and i'm grateful for them. so that we can all benefit from that fuel cut as quickly as possible. >> there are those who will look at you and say that you aren't really in touch with real peoples lives you've had a very lucky and privileged life. i know you've talked about the sacrifices, i would suggest you never had to worry about making a fiber glass to the end of the week. there are lot of people who are looking at what was announced yesterday. and we're talking to them, a man called barry, who's a care for two children. who have health issues. his wife is a care worker, and there was nothing there yesterday. that would make their lives very easier -- and inflation could go up to as much as 10%. >> this is been put to me many times, i would say, judge me by my actions. and people can see how i've acted over the last couple of years. as our country went through a very difficult period. i think i demonstrated that i am standing by british people going through difficult things. i help this country get through a pandemic and partly because of the actions that i took. the economy is in a much stronger place than anyone expected. now with more people on payroll than we had before the pandemic. unemployment back to record low levels that doesn't happen by accident. that happens because of the policy to be put in place. it's because of that that we cannot help people to whether some of the challenges. of course as i've said we can't solve every problem and that's the toughest part of this job not being able to do everything that people want you to do. where i can make a difference of course that's what i'm doing. again you talk about his family. obviously i can't get it to everyone's individual circumstances i do think families will benefit will benefit from the fuel duty cut announced yesterday. many people aren't -- that will help millions of people -- tens of millions of people will benefit from the increase in the threshold. that will save people 330 pounds a year. they will benefit from the increase of the national living wage. they'll benefit from the increased generosity of the university -- though benefit from the extra money to help those most in need. they will benefit from the income tax that's coming down the line. there's a range of things we're doing all of which demonstrated were on this side of hardworking british families that swath will continue to do. >> as you say. the prime minister has just made a statement apparently he said we can do more to stop putin from using his gold reserves what should we be doing? >> i'm not sure the contact exactly with the prime minister has said i'm talking to you about what i would say is he's taking a lead and deserves enormous credit for galvanizing international opinion to deliver a strong message. >> he must have asked your opinion on the matter. as the chancellor. >> there's a lot of things we're doing about the central bank and i think that's what he's talking about. and we've taking a leading role in sanctioning russia. specifically economic sanctions. they are having an impact people should feel reassured the ruble has plummeted to record lows the stock exchange has been closed for a month and the russian central bank has had to double interest rates for 20% in russia. so all the various things we are doing are having an impact. and as i said we will continue to maintain pressure on russia. >> you mentioned that and you mentioned the pressure on russia it's been reported that you have family links to russia that your wife apparently has a stake in the consultancy firm. they operate in moscow they have an office there they have the delivery office there. they have a connection to the bank in moscow. are you giving advice to others that you're not following in your own home? i'm an elected politician and i'm here to talk about whatever responsible for. my wife is not. >> she is. not but equally as a country we are asking tax payers to fund the uk support for uk. we're asking people in the uk to give their homes up to ukrainian refugees. whereas it appears your family potentially could be benefiting from putin's regime. >> i don't think that's the case as i said the operations of all companies are up to them. we put in place significant sanctions and all the companies that were responsible for are following those sending a very strong message to putin's aggression. >> do you know of -- ? >> i have absolutely no idea because i had nothing to do with that company. >> in terms of what the prime minister is saying he saying that we could be doing more to stop putin what would you like to see the british government doing more to stop putin and where with that money come from? we talked about a new support packages for ukraine is this going to come for from our existing defense budget? >> we knew that russia was a particular threat to our security because something called the integration review which was done a little while ago was named very specifically and that's why we increased our defense budget by record amounts. 24 billion pounds over the four year period it's the biggest increase in defense spending since the end of the cold war and reflection of the new threats that we face this because of that extra and defenceman in defense. that we are able to provide support to our allies like ukraine in this difficult time. we know that's making a difference in their ability to withstand russian aggression. and people are proud of the contribution that the british armed forces are playing. >> chancellor thank you very much for joining us we appreciate your time. >> thank you. our time >> well that's chancellor statement yesterday has not gone down that well in the papers. the metro suggest that the chancellor has not taken account of inflation lower living standards and higher tax burdens and his spring statement. the headline no heat to eat. the isis is the biggest hit to living standards since rationing was enforced. normally a staunch supporter -- critical referencing forgotten billions. asking what about us? the mail is more supportive asking mr. sunak to cut taxes even further. if you scan the qr code on your screen right now you can listen to this morning sky news daily podcast. today rob explores what's the spring statement means for all of us. with our business correspondent helen. and financial secretary to the secretary -- you can subscribe to the daily wherever you get your podcasts. still to come on the show, world leaders are meeting in brussels for an extraordinary nato summit of the crisis in ukraine. we will give a full head of policy planning at the alliance. amazon from russia's invasion we will hear from one of the millions of ukrainians forced to flee their homes. one of russia's most senior diplomats has told sky news that moscow could press the nuclear button if nato provokes it dimitri was talking to our u.s. correspondent from inside russia's mission to the united nations in new york. >> this is one of very few places left in new york, where this man would still be welcome. it's here at the russian mission to the un where its leading diplomats fight their speeches. where they work out how on earth to defend the indefensible. vladimir putin's personal spokesperson said that russia retains the right to use nuclear weapons. to defend the country, whatever that may be. >> if russia's provoked by nato, if russia is attacked by nato, i don't know. we are a nuclear power. >> you think that's a legitimate thing to be saying? >> i don't think it's the right thing to be saying but it's not the right thing to threaten russia. and to try to interfere. when you're dealing with a nuclear power of course you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behavior that's what i'm going to say. >> but is russia committing more crimes and ukraine? >> i don't think we're committing war crimes and ukraine, of course it's not up to me to assess i'm not there you are not there, you're looking at the videos you're looking at the many videos that are considered to be fake news. are you saying there are civilian homes, hospitals, theaters have not been targeted by russians in mariupol? >> they were not targeted, you know it very well, we saw it from the very beginning, that our military is not a threat for the civilian population in ukraine. >> i show you what we believe of evidence of war crimes. these are pictures taken by our colleagues associated press independent new site. these are apartments on fire in mariupol. hit by russian missiles. >> how do you know it's russian missiles? >> well what is you're suggesting. the ukrainians are bombing their own building? >> it can easily come from ukraine, from the center of the city, it happened in mariupol. because they have their own missile launchers. and a lot of cases that i know are reported from ukrainians themselves. >> ambassador with respect i think that's preposterous. the idea that this amount of disruption just destruction -- >> it's not preposterous, is logical. >> he may not believe russia is guilty of war crimes but the u.s. says they are. the international criminal court will ultimately decide. with every wild claim being made by its diplomats. russia becomes increasingly isolated on the world stage. martha, sky news, new york. >> in afghanistan, school girls were left in tears when the taliban broke a promise to let them go back to the classroom. many girls across the country were just minutes away from starting the first classes when they were told that they had to leave. among them was 16 year old -- who said her future is ruined. >> [interpreter] it was like a day of mourning and it was a very sad day. it was like losing a loved one everyone was crying the girls were hugging and crying and saying goodbye. i wanted to be a doctor even though i know it'll be difficult. i'd like doctors white coats but now i can't do anything. my future is ruined. >> in the last hour south korea's military is reporting north korea has fired a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile and the latest test. it's believed to be the 12th missile launch this year. and will be the first launch since a missile reportedly exploded midair last week. let's get a look at the weather now. the next few days will stay mainly settled with plenty of sunshine but air pollution levels will be locally very high. mostly sunny with an extensive ground faust and and for passage in the east and west sense called in our cold air and milder with a few showers and some hail and coastal fog. you are watching sky news, coming up. spring has arrived. with the birth of these new lamps the famous country house where winston churchill was born. visiting the site, must keep their pets on the lead to protect the young ones. other great pictures from the papers today, a resting place fit for a king. this giant 30 17 marble memorial honors willie collins. a boxer from sheffield. he died in 2020, the monument features life size statues, l.e.d. lights, and a solar solar power to box. playing his favorite song. there's a dispute about whether the correct permission was granted, and sheffield city council said they're now in contact with the family over changes to the site. now world leaders in brussels one month on since russia's invasion in ukraine. coming up, we will hear from for brees, the former head of policy planning at nato. our softest, smoothest fabric keeping her comfortable, protected and undeniably sleek. depend. the only thing stronger than us, is you.