the ukrainians, much smaller forces, much the ukrainians, much smaller forces, much more the ukrainians, much smaller forces, much more nimble, counterattacking in a lot much more nimble, counterattacking in a lot of much more nimble, counterattacking in a lot of areas. and actually, i think. in a lot of areas. and actually, i think, putting up impressive resistance and making it very difficult resistance and making it very difficult for the russians to claim the kind difficult for the russians to claim the kind of watered down victory that vladimir putin was looking for here in that vladimir putin was looking for here in the that vladimir putin was looking for here in the donbas, having failed so spectacularly earlier in this campaign in his attempt to seize the capital campaign in his attempt to seize the capital kyiv. so from the donbas really capital kyiv. so from the donbas really very capital kyiv. so from the donbas really very grim. but too early still to r
important to remember devolved government? it is really important to remember that - devolved government? it is really important to remember that any l important to remember that any changes important to remember that any changes around the protocol are going changes around the protocol are going to changes around the protocol are going to be up to the eu and westminster. the northern ireland assembly westminster. the northern ireland assembly does not have a say in this assembly does not have a say in this but assembly does not have a say in this. but obviously we need a functioning executive. so we can deal with functioning executive. so we can deal with day to day living issues that people are facing. yes, we want to see that people are facing. yes, we want to see it that people are facing. yes, we want to see it resolved. we appreciate that for to see it resolved. we appreciate that for a to see it resolved. we appreciate that for a lot of people, a number of peo
say, and they made this clear in the run up to the elections, that they were not going to return to government unless those concerns were addressed. but, a majority of the mlas returned in these assembly elections say they want to return to a functioning executive immediately and an obvious and immediate attention their art to be sorted out. what does the government in westminster say about this? dominic raab has been speaking, he said that the government would be making sure that we fix the northern ireland protocol and that nothing is off back the table in the process. will we hear something after all in the queen s speech this week about that? the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis has also been speaking about what might happen next. now it is notjust about jeffrey donaldson and the dup, resolving the protocol is about everybody in northern ireland, but i can be very clear, if the eu do not show flexibility, we have always said, we will take the action we need to take, as the
different views around policies relating to abortion for example and liberal policies and they also have different views around protocol itself, so people made a decision coming into this election as to whether there would be a question of the protocol connected to the future of the union was a primary concern, whether it about a functioning executive in assembly being prepared for the contemporary challenges of society today and so hence we saw the benefits of fragmentation amongst moderate unionism going to either alliance party or that hard dup position. and so i would not necessarily see the result today, it is a very sick of confession pain but does not necessarily mean a surge. the contemporary challenges remain all the same. we can speak now to dr brian feeney,
welcome back. as you say, sinn fein and course to emerge as the biggest party from these elections, a huge moment for nationalists and undoubtedly with constitutional questions raised by that over the questions raised by that over the question of the united kingdom or a united ireland. sinn fein of course the nationalist party that wants ultimately to see a united ireland but of course there are more immediate investing concerns expressed by voters on the doorsteps irrespective of their political backgrounds. the cost of living, health care, education and that very much in common with voters right on the uk and across the other media pressing concern about other parties were that they can get back on the table at stormont to form a functioning executive. we canjust give you a quick update on where we are on the seat numbers. we had sinn fein on 18 seats in the dpm14 seats and we have the numbers for you on your screens. the alliance party won ten and the ulster unionist party won four