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Kremlin Plotting To Install Puppet Leader in Ukraine; Tens of Thousands Protest Vaccine Pass In Paris; Southeast Asian Countries Grapple With Omicron; Hong Kong COVID-19 Policy Impacting Cathay Pacific; Football League In Tough Mexico Neighborhood Brings Hope. Aired 12-12:30a ET
Aired January 23, 2022 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello and welcome to our viewers, joining us all around the world, I'm Michael Holmes, appreciate your company.
Coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, the U.K. government claiming that Vladimir Putin plans to install a pro-Russian government in Ukraine.
As the world grapples with Omicron, parts of Southeast Asia are bracing for the worst.
And later, a football pitch in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico, transformed into a field of dreams, giving hope to future generations.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Michael Holmes.
HOLMES: With Russia's military looming over Ukraine from multiple directions, the British foreign office claims to have information about an alleged plot by the Kremlin to install a puppet leader in Kyiv.
It goes on to name a number of former Ukrainian officials allegedly in contact with Russian intelligence. A source telling CNN U.S. intelligence has the same information. The Kremlin angrily dismissing the plot accusation as misinformation and demanding the U.K., quote, "stop engaging in provocations."
Now senior U.K. defense source says Russia's defense minister has accepted an invitation to speak with his British counterpart about the deepening crisis. No time or place for that meeting yet set. For more on the prominent Ukrainians named by the British foreign office on Saturday, here's CNN's Nic Robertson in Moscow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: So what the British foreign office is saying here is that they have information that indicates that the Kremlin is planning to install a pro Russian leader in Ukraine.
The foreign office says the Kremlin is thinking about this, as it's considering whether or not to invade and occupy Ukraine. The man that they say that the Kremlin has picked out to possibly lead Ukraine, Yevhen Murayev.
CNN has reached out to him and he says, essentially, that he really doesn't have anything to answer.
He says, "I don't have a comment because I am on sanctions from Russia already."
So his point being, why would Russia pick me as their man in Ukraine if I'm already under sanctions for them?
The British foreign office has also named four other people, four other former Ukrainian officials. One of them a former prime minister, two of them former deputy prime ministers, one of them a former national security official, whom they say have been in contact with Russian intelligence operatives, the same operatives that the British foreign office say are currently planning the invasion of Ukraine.
And the British foreign secretary says that this shows the sort of planning and thinking that's going on in the Kremlin at the moment and the difficult situation that faces Ukraine.
What it does do, it sends a very clear message from the British government to President Putin that there will be costs for the potential of invading Ukraine. Russia has said that it won't. But the British government essentially saying we know what you are doing and there will be costs if you do it -- Nic Robertson, CNN, Moscow.
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HOLMES: U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed on Saturday about the latest developments regarding Ukraine, the revelation of an alleged Kremlin plot to install a puppet leader in Kyiv. Listen to this response from the National Security Council, quoting here.
"The kind of plotting is deeply concerning. The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future. And we stand with our democratically elected partners in Ukraine."
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HOLMES: Anton Fedyashin is a professor of European and Russian history at the American University.
It's great to have your voice on this, Professor. Talk is always better than the alternative.
But do you see any progress in talks? Why is Putin doing this?
How likely is some sort of military action?
ANTON FEDYASHIN, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: Likely, we have to look at this in historical perspective, recent historical perspective. The Russians have been trying to sort of break through to the U.S. and to the E.U. and, most importantly, to NATO about their expansion toward their borders for 20 years.
And pretty consistently, Russia's security concerns have been dismissed. So we are now at a point, where the Russians are flexing their muscles to attract attention.
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FEDYASHIN: They have done that. They've attracted attention. I can't predict what is going to happen.
We know that President Biden and his national security team are at Camp David, just north of where I am here in Washington. They are brainstorming over the weekend. Let's see what comes out by next week. But remember this, for the Russians, this is not really about Ukraine. For the Russians, this is about the general architecture of Europe Atlantic (ph) security.
HOLMES: I want to get your thoughts to the U.K. and U.S. governments just in the last few hours, really, saying that they got information that Russia is planning on installing a pro Russian leader in Ukraine, although, they didn't give details on how or when.
What do you make of that?
It's kind of a preemptive thing to say, isn't it?
FEDYASHIN: Of course it is. It's very difficult for any of us to comment on information in the providence of which is unclear. I just hope Christopher Steele wasn't involved in gathering it.
If this came from the Ukrainians, which it very well may have, to the British, I wouldn't trust it terribly much. From a rational point of view, this makes no sense.
First of all, how would the Russians first install this person?
Second of all, how are they going to keep him or her in power?
No Ukrainian is going to recognize this person. All of this just sounds like a fake news story, to be honest with you.
HOLMES: Yes, very early in that. You touched on this; it's worth revisiting.
Russia's long imposed encroachment on its periphery, places once part of the Soviet Union, which effectively served as a buffer territory back then. Are those valid concerns?
Should the West be moving its influence ever closer to Russia's border?
Is Russia being heard here?
FEDYASHIN: Well, it hasn't been for 20 years. But let me give you a historic parallel that I hope will put this into perspective for CNN's viewers.
In 1962, the sovereign state of the Soviet Union decided to place medium-range ballistic missiles onto the territory of the Soviet -- of the -- sorry, sovereign state of Cuba. And we know how the Kennedy administration reacted to this. It broke international law by imposing a quarantine both in international waters and in the sovereign territory of Cuba.
And the American people fully supported their president because vital national security issues were at stake. I don't think you need to be a geopolitical genius to simply project that reaction by the United States onto Russia, when the opposite is happening.
And the Russians are also reacting against it. I think there's a way to negotiate every of the -- out of this impasse.
HOLMES: There are Russians down in Crimea, as we know, to Ukraine's south; Donbas to the east, Belarus to the north and then, of course, Russia itself, almost surrounding Ukraine.
I guess the big risk is a miscalculation, when you've got all this bristling going on around the place.
One thing I want to ask you, do you think it's conceivable that Putin would like to go into the Donbas, create a reason to protect Russian speakers, ethnic Russians, and do a Crimea, hold a referendum and say, oop, they voted to become a part of Russia?
FEDYASHIN: Well, I don't think it's very likely, Michael. Remember, that both the Lugansk and the Donetsk people's republics have already declared independence from Ukraine. And the Russians have clearly not recognized this. They don't need to use their army to go into the Donbas.
They can simply recognize the independence of these regions and they will win without firing a shot. But I don't think they're going to do, that because then they lose any influence that they have on internal Ukrainian politics.
This is a cynical game but, so far, the Russians have been playing very a good hand without actually resorting to open massive force.
HOLMES: Interesting days ahead. Professor Anton Fedyashin, thank you so much.
FEDYASHIN: Thank you. (END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: At least 83 people were killed in Friday's airstrike at a detention center in Yemen. That's according to an international charity group. Save the Children telling CNN more than 100 others were injured at the facility, which is in the north of the country.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels blamed the Saudi-led coalition for the attack. But its spokesman tells Saudi state news that those claims are, quote, "baseless and unfounded." The airstrikes also hit a telecommunications center in western Yemen, causing a nationwide internet blackout.
Coming up here on CNN NEWSROOM, as much of the world eyes an end to the current coronavirus wave, parts of Southeast Asia bracing for the worst.
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HOLMES: And Hong Kong's strict zero COVID policy taking a toll on its hometown airline. Cathay Pacific employees are saying that they are stressed and reaching breaking point. More on that coming up.
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HOLMES (voice-over): Crowds shouting, "Macron, we don't want your pass," marching through the streets of Paris on Saturday, thousands coming out to voice their anger at the vaccine pass law recently put into effect. It requires anyone over 16 to show proof of vaccination in order to access most public venues.
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HOLMES (voice-over): Across the Channel, some staff members of the U.K. National Health Service, demonstrating against the vaccine mandate for workers. They are required to be vaccinated by the beginning of April and must submit proof, in order to remain employed.
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HOLMES: Some European nations, starting to lift COVID restrictions, especially for the vaccinated. Belgium, announcing a slight easing of its COVID rules, on Friday, despite record infections. They are, also, setting the need for boosters at five months. CNN's Nada Bashir, with more, on the changes in store.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) NADA BASHIR, CNN PRODUCER: As England prepares for its plan B COVID measures to be lifted from Thursday, several other European nations are doing the exact same, easing their COVID restrictions, while, also, driving forward their vaccination campaigns.
In Ireland, the government says the country has weathered the Omicron storm and from Saturday, bars, restaurants and night clubs, are now permitted to operate without distancing or COVID passes required. And, no longer, will there be limitations on the number of people gathering in both indoor and outdoor venues.
Meanwhile, in France, the government says that, while the pandemic still is not over, the situation is improving, laying out its plan for a gradual easing of restrictions from the beginning of February. With the country's outdoor mask mandate to be scrapped and working from home, no longer mandatory though, still encouraged where possible.
Sports and cultural venues will also now be allowed to operate without a limitation on the number of people attending, provided that they wear a mask.
But the easing of COVID restrictions, in France, is not happening in isolation. The government, also, tightening its regulations around vaccines. From Monday, everyone over the age of 16 will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to access every day venues, such as restaurants and bars, even for long distance travel, within the country.
And, in Austria, the government is going one step further, becoming the first E.U. nation to mandate the vaccine, for everyone, over the age of 18. It is a move that has been hailed by the German chancellor, who says that he will back proposals for a vaccine mandate, in Germany -- Nada Bashir, CNN, London.
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HOLMES: Some parts of the world are showing signs that the latest COVID-19 wave may soon subside. In Southeast Asia, simply, it is not the case. And the worst may be to come.
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HOLMES (voice-over): In India-controlled Kashmir, health care workers cross rivers and hiking snow covered hills, with soldiers in tow. They are traveling far and wide, door to door, to inoculate villagers who, otherwise, would not have access to vaccinations.
As COVID-19 cases rise, fueled by the fast spreading Omicron variant, some experts say it will take weeks to see the severity of the latest wave. But persistent efforts from the health care community is taking some stress off of the locals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The medical team hiked here amid heavy snow and, today, I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. I'm very happy that they helped us in getting vaccinated.
HOLMES (voice-over): One local governing body, also, employing postal services to deliver COVID medical kits to people's doorsteps. In neighboring Nepal, a shortage of health care workers is hurting the nation. Rising new cases have put health care and frontline workers at risk and hundreds of medical professionals, are out sick, after catching COVID.
DR. LOCHAN KARKI, PRESIDENT, NEPAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: More than hundreds of health care workers are getting infected. So once they have to go for isolations, we don't -- we'll not be having -- it'll be the amount of health care workers to take care of the patients.
HOLMES (voice-over): Meanwhile, Pakistan recording its highest ever number of new cases. Big cities, like Karachi, are reporting the bulk of those cases. But even so, some people flouting COVID-19 restrictions.
With the amounting sales of self testing kits are on the rise in India. A leading local producer of home test kits, My Lab Discovery Solutions, is now, ramping up production from 200,000 kits per day to 2 million.
GAUTAM MENON, PROFESSOR, ASHOKA UNIVERSITY: The pace of cases has increased so fast, that you're seeing test positivity in the big cities in India, typically, somewhere between 30 percent and 50 percent, depending upon the city. So it's an obvious implication that they're not counting cases accurately. They're now somewhat far away from understanding the true measure of COVID-19 in India currently.
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HOLMES: China, reporting dozens of new COVID cases on Saturday, including, in the capital as Beijing begins welcoming thousands of visitors for the Winter Olympics. The games are less than two weeks away and, already, more than 2,000 participants have arrived. Thousands more, expected.
The government, reinforcing its zero COVID policy in the leadup to the Olympics, tightening restrictions and imposing new lockdowns. That extends to Hong Kong, too. The city put more areas under lockdown, after more than 100 cases were detected in one housing estate.
Now more than 35,000 people will be tested for the virus. Now China's efforts to eradicate COVID and all its variants, are taking a toll on Hong Kong's flagship airline.
In the face of strict border controls and mandatory quarantines, Cathay Pacific's had to slim down its flight schedule. And, as Kristie Lu Stout reports, the city's strict COVID policies are stretching some airline employees to the breaking point.
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KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once the gleaming aviation hub that drew pilots from all over the world, Hong Kong is now locked in one of the toughest quarantine regimes on the planet and some pilots at Cathay Pacific airlines are at breaking point.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It just seems like a ever downward spiral of hopelessness, despair.
STOUT (voice-over): Speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, this pilot says Hong Kong's quarantine rules are damaging his well-being.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For weeks on end, I'm just eating hotel room food, no fresh air, there's no real way to get exercise and you sort of sit around a lot. I find your health really suffers.
STOUT (voice-over): Like most airlines, Cathay has been hit hard by the pandemic. But the challenges it faces, as a Hong Kong-based carrier, are among the toughest around. Hong Kong pursues a zero COVID policy with strict quarantines.
All Cathay flight crew are fully vaccinated. But pilots tell CNN that the airline has a strict policy for those traveling to countries deemed as high risk, like the U.S. and U.K. To staff those flights, Cathay runs what they call closed loop flights on a voluntarily basis.
STOUT: Cathay pilots tell CNN, they involve five weeks confined to hotel rooms. The first three weeks they fly; they're confined to hotels during layovers and the last two weeks they're in Hong Kong hotel quarantine.
The process is so grueling, the company has set up emotional support groups.
STOUT (voice-over): And weighing on all crew, the risk of ending up at a government run quarantine camp with their families, if someone tests positive for COVID. Cathay is also under fire for sparking a fifth wave of infection --
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STOUT (voice-over): -- after two crew members broke self-isolation rules, spurring Hong Kong's top leader to threaten Cathay with legal action.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have apologized publicly.
STOUT (voice-over): The airliner apologized and fired the staff involved. Without naming the airline, Hong Kong police arrested and charged two former flight attendants for allegedly breaking COVID-19 rules.
Cathay confirmed the arrests to CNN.
As the city tightens restrictions on the Omicron outbreak, Cathay has cut more flights with passenger flights slashed to 2 percent of prepandemic levels this month.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I salute you for your service to the community. STOUT (voice-over): In a message to staff, company chairman Patrick
Healy thanked them for their sacrifices. He also said he was acutely aware that a small number of our crew have brought the company into disrepute by breaking self-isolation rules. Despite the turmoil, analysts say the airline's prospects remain positive.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're still in relatively good shape, financially compared to other airlines in Asia, as well as other airlines based here in Hong Kong.
STOUT (voice-over): After working at Cathay in Hong Kong for over 10 years, this pilot plans to leave by the end of the year. He says flying a plane at a time of zero COVID could turn into a safety issue.
In response, the company emphasized how it supports staff while adding, "Pilots who wish to withdraw from the closed loop roster pattern can do so without prejudice at any time."
In another era, Cathay promised an experience for its passengers to arrive in better shape, it's a message the iconic airline and its pilots need more now than ever -- Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
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HOLMES: A dangerous neighborhood in Mexico City is using a popular sport to create a safe haven. When we come back, we will meet the coordinator of Tepito's very own football league.
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HOLMES: New satellite images are showing the sheer force of a recent volcano eruption and tsunami in Tonga. Have a look at this, the before and after pictures, showing lush, green lands, becoming a scene of gray.
Isn't that incredible?
The eruption sent volcanic ash raining down on the island nation. And massive tsunami waves have plowed into the coastline. On Saturday, Japan became the latest nation to send aid to Tonga. A military plane delivering much-needed water and other supplies. Something positive is happening in one of Mexico City's toughest
neighborhoods, it now, has its own football league. As CNN's Matt Rivers tells us, it hasn't solved all of the problems but it has become a joyful oasis from violence.
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MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tepito, home to one of Mexico City's most vibrant markets. Within its winding pathways, you can buy just about anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking Spanish).
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RIVERS: (Speaking Spanish).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): Salvatore Antonio Gomez Hubert, nicknamed Bebe (ph), is a native, a Tepiteno. And when it comes to the struggles of his home, he doesn't mince words.
SALVATORE ANTONIO GOMEZ HUBERT, FOOTBALL IMPRESARIO: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): Tepito is one of, if not the most dangerous neighborhood in Mexico City, home to its most notorious cartel.
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RIVERS (voice-over): Assaults, murders, normal parts of everyday life carried out, authorities say, mainly by young people from the area.
(Speaking Spanish).
GOMEZ: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): So where to find a bright spot amidst the bad?
GOMEZ: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): Bebe (ph) thinks it's this soccer field, called Maracana, smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood. Going back decades, people came to the dirt field to come play the beautiful game.
But amidst struggles with crime, it was all but abandoned until recently. In 2013, Bebe (ph) thought it was time to bring the field back to life.
GOMEZ: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): So he decided to start a league, with just a few teams at first and, as word spread, he controlled entry, basically saying, look, no drugs, no violence, no turf wars if you want to play here. It's soccer only.
And one night just before Christmas, that's what we saw. The league has exploded into more than 2 dozen teams, playing on a brand-new field, bringing lots of fans to watch throughout the season.
GOMEZ: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): It's also an escape, really, from what happens outside the gates. Just hours before these games were played, several people were shot and killed just blocks from the field, according to police. (Speaking Spanish).
GOMEZ: (Speaking Spanish).
RIVERS (voice-over): That night before Christmas, several champions were crowned in several different divisions. People were happy, joyous. Bebe (ph) hopes this positivity radiates outward into the surrounding community.
He's not sure that soccer alone can make that happen but it's something. And with the lights out on this season, he can't wait for the next one to start -- Matt Rivers, CNN, in Tepito, Mexico City.
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HOLMES: A 75-year-old French adventurer has died while attempting a solo row across the Atlantic. Jean-Jacques Savin began his trek in Portugal, on New Year's Day. But his team lost contact with him on Friday. His team said he activated two distress signals, indicating he was in trouble.
A Portuguese maritime diver finding his body, inside of his capsized boat near the Azores. No cause of death was given. Savin no stranger to this type of journey. In 2019, he crossed the Atlantic in a giant orange barrel.
Thank you for spending part of your day with me, I am Michael Holmes, "INSIDE AFRICA," up next. I will see you later.
