Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

U.S, Ukraine Holding Talks on Ending Russia's War on Ukraine; Russia Accuses Ukraine of Massive Drone Attack Overnight; House Expected to Vote on Bill to Avert Government Shutdown. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired March 11, 2025 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: It's happening right now, critical talks aimed at ending Russia's war on Ukraine, and the first meeting between top U.S. and Ukrainian officials since that disastrous Oval Office blow up between President Trump and Zelenskyy. So, what we're hearing now from inside the meeting, as Moscow says it was just hit by a massive Ukrainian drone attack.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: And we're standing by for the opening bell on Wall Street after stocks plunged yesterday following President Trump's recession talk and tariff strategy. Right now, stock futures up just a bit.

And something bittersweet for you this morning, why a four-year-old boy in Wisconsin called 911 on his mom over ice cream. We have the audio and the sweet ending with a cherry on top.

John Berman is out today. I'm Sara Sidner with Kate Baldwin. This is CNN News Central.

BOLDUAN: So, the future of Ukraine, front and center right now. Important talks between the U.S. and Ukraine are happening as we speak in Saudi Arabia, and they are incredibly high stakes, a path to peace, a potential ceasefire, an end to Russia's brutal assault. All of this is on the line in this first face-to-face meeting between America and Ukraine since President Trump and Zelenskyy's Oval Office mess.

Inside the room today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and their Ukrainian counterparts. So, will they come out of there with a minerals deal. So important to President Trump? Will Donald Trump resume sending military aid to Ukraine? So important to Ukraine. We are standing by for news on both.

Also breaking this morning, Russia accuses Ukraine of launching a massive drone attack on Moscow, explosions seen rocking the city overnight.

In all, Russia says more than 300 drones were fired, nearly 100 targeting Moscow, and two people were killed. In Ukraine, more than 30 people have been killed since last Friday. The war raging on as the possible peace talks finally resume.

CNN's Alayna Treene is standing by for us at the White House. Let's first go to Alex Marquardt in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the latest from there.

What are you hearing? What is the latest, Alex?

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, this meeting has been underway for almost two hours now here at the Ritz Carlton in Jeddah. They are behind closed doors. We have seen that video of the two delegations at that long table with Saudi officials at the head. Rubio and Waltz on one side across from the Ukrainian delegation led by the Zelenskyy chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

The vibe from both sides is quite good after a week-and-a-half of really tumultuous relations. But coming into this meeting Secretary Rubio said that he is hopeful that it will go well, but it's clear that he wants to hear something from the Ukrainian side. He said that they are in listening mode. They want to hear what concessions the Ukrainians might be willing to give in order to achieve some kind of peace deal with the Russians.

Now, a few of us reporters spoke with Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, ahead of this meeting. He declined to say what concessions specifically they could offer, but here's a little bit of what he did say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDRIY YERMAK, PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY'S CHIEF OF STAFF: Now, we think it's necessary to discuss the most important how to start this process. And we are very open, we're very open, and we want to have very constructive, deep friend, partners conversation with our American partners.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUARDT: So the priority Yermak is saying is jump starting this process. Kate, we should note the U.S. has not specified what concessions they are expecting the Russians to give.

You talked about the military and intelligence aid that has been halted for Ukraine. Rubio is saying that this meeting is key to essentially getting that turned back on.

And then we have this massive Ukrainian strike against Russia overnight, perhaps one of the biggest carried out by drones since this war began, more than 300 drones fired at Russia, certainly coming at a very symbolic time.

[07:05:08]

Presumably, Kate, whatever comes out of this meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine will be communicated to the Russians as the U.S. tries to bring Ukraine and Russia closer together. And we have just learned late last night that Steve Witkoff, who is the Middle East envoy, but very much involved in these talks, should be going to Russia later this week and could be meeting with Vladimir Putin. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes. I mean, really what you're encapsulating perfectly is just how critical this week may shape up to be when it comes to trying to find a peaceful end to this war.

Alex, thank you so much. Alex is going to be standing by, a lot to come out of Jeddah.

But let's get over to the White House now. Alayna Treene, as I mentioned, is standing by. Alayna, what are you hearing from there this morning about all of this?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, look, Kate, I think this meeting today is as much about trying to get the relations between the United States and Ukraine back on track after that, you know, acrimonious Oval Office meeting about a week-and-a-half ago now as it is about trying to find really an off ramp to this war and beginning in earnest, the peace talks with Ukraine and Russia to find an end to this.

But, look, when I talk to White House officials, Trump administration officials, repeatedly what comes up in my conversations is they want specifics from the Ukrainians and Zelenskyy about what they are willing, as Alex laid out, to concede on. And that's really going to be, I think, a crucial part of this meeting today.

When I spoke with one White House official, they told me that they're looking for Ukraine to commit to what they characterized as, quote, concrete deliverables for this peace process. And I've also spoke about this directly with National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. He's repeatedly said he needs to see some real Specific action, specific things laid out by the Ukrainians for them to feel comfortable moving forward.

Now, one thing just to keep in mind as well is just how fragile the relationship between President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, is at this moment. Yes, we know that the president and many White House officials felt they were happy with that letter that Zelenskyy sent the president last week where he kind of laid out all of the things that they were looking for following that disastrous Oval Office meeting. But the president is still very wary of Zelenskyy. Just this weekend, he argued again that he believes Zelenskyy is not grateful for aid to United States.

So, all of that kind of playing out in the background of this meeting, But, again, I think so much of this is really trying to get them back and track the relations as much as it is really trying to move forward with peace talks. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Alayna, thank you so much, just as the war rages on. Thank you very much. Alayna Treene is going to watch this closely from the White House for us. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Congress has started staring down a Friday deadline to fund the government. And today, the vice president is going to Capitol Hill to try to get a spending bill over the finish line. Trump already threatening one Republican to get him to change his vote.

And markets plunged after President Trump said he won't rule out a recession. Could we see a bounce back this morning or will we see a further drop?

And brand new surveillance images, the last sightings of that missing American college student in the Dominican Republic. What police are saying this morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

SIDNER: All right. Today, Vice President J.D. Vance is headed to Capitol Hill to meet with House GOP lawmakers with just three days left to avoid a potential government shutdown. There could be a vote today, but with their slim majority and Democrats lining up to oppose the bill, Republicans can only afford to lose one vote.

Joining me now, Mica Soellner, she is a congressional reporter with Punchbowl News. Speaker Mike Johnson has said that he's confident that the continuing resolution will actually pass. But there is some dissension. Who are the GOP lawmakers that are saying no or are on the fence right now?

MICA SOELLNER, CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER, PUNCHBOWL NEWS: Yes. So, right now, we're seeing opposition from Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky. He is historically never votes for a C.R. He's constantly going against GOP leadership when it comes to funding bills. Spending is one of his major issues. We also saw President Trump go after him last night in a Truth Social post saying that he will lead the charge to primary him, even likening him to Liz Cheney, who, of course, they have much different philosophies, but he's an issue. I know that some other lawmakers such as Rich McCormick of Georgia have threatened that they actually are on the fence about the bill. But, really, the only person I think that we, Mike Johnson has to really worry about is Massie, and he's known that for a while.

SIDNER: Yes. What impact is Donald Trump having on Massie and potentially others? I mean, there is always this threat that he is going to primary them and he puts it right out there in a bullying sort of way that like if you don't do my bidding, is that having an effect? Is that being effective?

SOELLNER: Yes. I think Trump is having a massive influence when it comes to essentially whipping votes for the House GOP conference. I don't think that this is going to sway Massie in any way. I think that he's pretty adamant in his position. He's always very firm when he says he's going to do something. And I don't think that the threat of a primary is going to scare him off in any way.

But with other members, such as the House Freedom Caucus coming out supporting a C.R. is astounding, given the fact that, you know, Trump is out there and deploying Vice President Vance today to essentially tell members to vote yes because the president does not want any dissent, as he made clear this weekend.

[07:15:02]

SIDNER: We are certainly waiting to see what happens. We only have three days until the government might be shut down, so we will all be watching this really closely.

Mica Soellkner, thank you so much. I appreciate you coming on this morning.

All right, ahead, a federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to pay money owed to the USAID contractors. In a lengthy ruling, District Judge Amir Ali said the administration likely violated the Constitution's separation of powers by withholding the congressionally approved funds for foreign aid. He also said that the aid freeze had, quote, dire humanitarian consequences and has devastated businesses and programs across the country.

The judge blocked the Trump administration from refusing to spend foreign aid funds already committed by Congress. His ruling could lead to more legal battles with contractors saying they're owed over $671 million.

And ahead, Elon Musk is feeling the DOGE backlash in his portfolio. New details this morning on the economic toll for the world's richest man.

And let the March Madness begin. Track the surprise teams that have already broken their way into those brackets. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BOLDUAN: This morning, NCAA Madness is heating up ahead of Selection Sunday. Arkansas State women's team officially punched their ticket to the tournament after an upset win over James Madison.

Never upset, though, to bring in Coy Wire to lay it all out for me. Hey, buddy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: My favorite segment of the day, Kate Bolduan and the bald one. Let's go.

For the first time going dancing, Arkansas State is headed to the NCAA tournament after being down by 17 in the first half to the top seed JMU, who hadn't lost a game in the conference all season. The Red Wolves fight back. Crislyn Rose ties the game with seconds to go, so it goes to O.T. And Rose is JMU storm, 23 points, tournament's most outstanding player and overtime win, as Destinee Rogers in just her third full season as head coach, first black woman head coach in ASU athletics history, leads her team to their first ever Sunbelt Conference title. WIRE: Oh, yes. I found my Cinderella team on the men's side, Kate. Wofford back in the tournament for the first time since 2019 after winning the Socon title, and they have a granny-style free throw shooting big man named Kyler Filewich. He was struggling with his free throws overhand. He sought help from NBA Hall of Famer and legendary granny-style shooter Rick Barry, the results are T.V. gold.

New faces in new places after NFL free agency frenzy quarterback carousel. Sam Darnold, career year in Minnesota, but gets a massive deal with the Seahawks. In Seattle's two-time pro Bowl, now former Q.B. Geno Smith will be a Raider. The Steelers' Justin Fields moves from the Steel City to Big Apple for a reported $40 million deal with the Jets. And there are still some notable throwers expected to be on the move, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Janus Winston.

The Avalanche cleared their bench to congratulate Nathan Mackinnon, who became just the 100th NHL player ever to score 1,000 career points. It happened in their 3 0 win over Chicago, their sixth straight. And you have to see this. The Blackhawks held scoreless because of some Scott Wedgwood wizardry, on his back, making a ridiculous save. Unreal, yes, sir.

All right, tonight, the great eight, Alex Ovechkin has a chance to inch closer to history against the Ducks. The 39-year-old has 18 games left to score nine more goals. If he does, he can break Wayne Gretzky's career goal record of 894 set way back in 1999, when our young Kate Bolduan was not even born yet, I don't think.

BOLDUAN: Thank you. We can just leave it there. We can just leave it there. There is a lot of greatness in this one, granny-style free throw shooting.

WIRE: Come on, now?

BOLDUAN: What?

WIRE: I think you and I play a little game of horse yesterday. We're talking about our go kart race. So, you know, I could do a little horse against you, free throw granny-style.

BOLDUAN: I mean, I -- people have called me a hustler. I'm just going to say, I mean, behind this very put together exterior, not even --

WIRE: Oh, yes, do not be fooled.

BOLDUAN: Inside, brutal, brutal competitor. That is so fun. Thanks, Coy. I think we also just spawned our next podcast together, The Bald Ones.

Coming up for us, keeping an eye on the markets as Wall Street looks to recover from yesterday, what turned out to be the worst day for us stocks since December. What comes today? We will find out together.

And also, a young boy is called to 911 to report the most hilarious of crimes. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Caught a bully, and I just told her to come and get my mommy. And I just told her, and I just had to get my mommy, and I just told her to put her to jail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:00]

SIDNER: Right now, stock futures looking a lot better than yesterday after a disastrous close on Wall Street yesterday, fueled by fears of a possible recession. The Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 experiencing their worst day this year, after President Trump said he couldn't rule out an economic downturn, i.e., a recession.

CNN's Matt Egan joining us now. First of all, let's just talk about how significant yesterday's drop was in comparison with what we've seen over the last few months.

MATT EGAN, CNN REPORTER: Yes, Sara. Yesterday was a brutal day, and unfortunately, futures are signaling just a tiny bounce this morning. Yesterday, we saw the NASDAQ fall 4 percent worse day since September of 2022. The Wall Street fear gauge as the VIX, volatility index, surge, the Dow is now down more than 1,900 points in March.

Now, I do want to note that while these losses are big, they're not nearly as big as what we saw during the 2008 financial crisis, during the COVID meltdown, right?