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U.S. and Russian Top Diplomats to Discuss Ukraine Issue; Boris Johnson's Political Fate in Fragile Status; Truckers Block Roads in Ottawa; European Tension Hurts Economy; Myanmar Silently Protests Against Military's Take Over; Spotify with New Rules. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired February 01, 2022 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[03:00:00]
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church.
Just ahead here on CNN "Newsroom," Russia has sent a written response to the U.S. on Ukraine as the two countries spar with the U.N. over the deepening crisis.
Failure of leadership of judgment, a damning report on Number 10's party gate scandal left Boris Johnson apologizing before parliament with his political future in deep trouble.
Plus, musicians making a difference as Spotify brings in new rules and a controversial podcast host apologizes.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom with Rosemary Church.
CHURCH: Thanks for joining. Well, dialogue, discord and a diplomatic push amid efforts to ease tensions along Ukraine's border and prevent a potential Russian invasion. Moscow has now responded in writing to Washington just days after the U.S. issued its own response to Vladimir Putin's demands. Those responses are expected to be discussed during a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov in the hours ahead.
Also today, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is traveling to Kyiv in a show of support and for talks with the Ukrainian president. His office said that he'll also announce more than $100 million in new aid for Ukraine. Russia's military buildup was the focus of a tense meeting of the U.N. Security Council Monday that saw the American and Russian ambassadors clashed over Ukraine.
The U.S. warned of horrific consequences if Russia invades. While Russia's ambassador accused the U.S. and others of heightening tensions, claiming they are the ones who want a conflict to take place.
Well, CNN correspondents are tracking all the angles. Nathan Hodge is in Moscow for us. And Melissa Bell is following developments from Kyiv. Good to see you both. So, Nathan, the U.S. hasn't revealed what was in that letter sent from
President Putin on Ukraine. What are you learning about it?
NATHAN HODGE, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Rosemary, we're not even entirely clear if this is the full and final answer from the Russian side. Just this morning, a senior Russian diplomat told state news agency that this -- that the Russian side had not responded and we're still trying to get a fix on whether this means that they have been given a fulsome response, whether there's going to be a consolidated response, further written correspondence with the U.S. side.
But that's not the real issue here. We actually haven't heard, in any kind of really significant way what Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks of all of this. And this is the person that is going to be, on the Russian side, really deciding things.
Now last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did say that he gave sort of a generally negative assessment of the U.S. and NATO response that was sent last week. And said that there was possibly the room for some kind of a common ground on some secondary issues.
But on the big picture issue of whether or not Ukraine has a path to join NATO, the U.S. and Russia remain very, very far apart. Now, while Putin has had, for instance, phone calls with the French President Emmanuel Macron, and he has chaired his security council meeting on Friday, the Kremlin hasn't really given too much of a sense of what he is thinking and what his response will be in turn.
His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Putin essentially was going to respond on his own terms and in his own time. And of course, this is the person who decides what happens here on the Russian side. So, we are going to be watching in the coming hours and days for real signal and a more fulsome response from Russian President Putin. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Yes, of course. And Melissa, what's been the reaction in Ukraine to that combative exchange between the U.S. and Russia at the U.N. Security Council Monday?
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, during that meeting it wasn't just the 15 members of the security council that express themselves, Rosemary. But also, Ukraine and Belarus their ambassadors were also allowed to speak since this was the discussion that directly concern them.
What we heard from the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.N. is that the Ukrainian assessment is also that this invasion could be imminent and really expressing his displeasure the way that the United Nations had handled things so far.
Here in Ukraine, we are also expecting that diplomatic push meanwhile to continue even as authorities look with the weary eye over the border to what's happening in Russia. The British prime minister you mentioned a moment ago will be here with the United Kingdom announcing 88 million pounds in help to Ukraine to help it diversify and be less dependent in terms of energy supply on Russia. That's important, it goes in line with also what we've heard from the
European Union last week when it announced $1.2 billion euros worth of help to Ukraine. Again, to help it with its infrastructure and to help it with its economy. To help it gain its independence.
And of course, these are important measures aimed at bolstering Ukraine's ability to function independently of Russia, bolster its economy, to show solidarity. Then there is the military help. We know that the United States announced that it had delivered its fifth delivery of weapons overnight.
[03:05:04]
That is the fifth shipment since the 21st of January, again, an indication of how strongly it is committed to helping Ukraine in this fight that was tweeted by the Ukrainian defense minister overnight, Rosemary. So, all of Ukraine's allies gathering around it in a show of strength, even as it looks to what Russia plans to do next. And we look as Nathan was just saying to the precise answer that Vladimir Putin is going to get to those NATO and American proposals. Rosemary?
CHURCH: All right. Melissa Bell and Nathan Hodge, many thanks to you both. I appreciate it.
Well, as the Kremlin weighs its next moves, many in Moscow don't seem too concerned about the prospect of war.
CNN's Nic Robertson reports from the Russian capital.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): On Russian state media, Ukrainian soldiers train on American anti-tank weapons as a pro-Russian separatist from Donbas in Ukraine begs Moscow to send them weapons. The state seems to be readying the nation for a potential conflict. But are Russians listening?
In Moscow's Gorky Park state media gets a cold shoulder.
"I try not to watch the news," she says. "I think they're escalating it a lot. I believe very little of what they're showing.
"What the state media is saying there is hardly any truth in it," he says. "It's just information that plays into someone's hands." Even so, people are worrying.
"Of course, we are worried," she says. "We hope that everything will settle down. We wish the Ukrainians well. They are our brothers."
"What can we do," she says. "Nothing depends on us. Absolutely nothing. So, everything is possible."
Everyone here is waiting for President Putin to make his next move. One thing he doesn't seem to need to worry about is panic at home. Outside the Kremlin, in Moscow's fable Red Square, a winter fun fair to cheer Russians through their frigid months straddles the historic military parade ground. Realities of war feel distant.
"I think there will be no war," she says. "Our president, who we love, will not allow war between our states. We love Ukraine."
"I'm from Ukraine," she says. "I don't think they'll be war. Because we are a friendly country. And Russia and Ukraine are fraternal peoples."
Even the threat of western sanctions, despite Russia's ruble having a rough ride against the dollar recently is being shrug off.
"Well, sanctions don't scare us," she says. Our homeland is so rich. We'll figure it out."
"We ordinary people, we will not be affected," he says. There will be no sanctions on us.
"Of course, food becomes more expensive," she says. "But I'll just earn more."
But optimism here belies the pressure on Putin. If diplomacy fails, he'll have a heavy lift prepping Russia's people for the pain that could come their way.
All those critical decisions going on just yards from the fanfare, in President Putin's office behind the Kremlin's high red walls.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Moscow.
CHURCH: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting for his political life after a preliminary report on the party gate scandal. It accuses his administration of a failure of leadership for holding private gatherings while the rest of the country was in COVID lockdown.
London police say they are reviewing hundreds more photos and documents. And a full report is expected. Meanwhile, a new poll shows fewer than one in four British adults think Mr. Johnson has what it takes to be a good prime minister.
So, let's go live now to London and CNN's Salma Abdelaziz. Good to see you, Salma. So, what's been the reaction overall to this initial summary of a highly anticipated report on embarrassing lockdown parties and can Boris Johnson survive?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: This was an absolutely scathing review of this government, Rosemary. Much worse than I think even the prime minister himself expected. Because this was supposed to be the soft blow. This was supposed to be the slimmed down version of the big report we all wanted to see.
[03:09:55]
It didn't even have the details of the who, why, what, when and where of all these parties. But it did have a very damning description of a government that this report says, had a failure in leadership, a failure in judgment.
It reminds 10 Downing Street stuff that excessive alcohol should not be consumed in the workplace. It outlines that some staffers felt uncomfortable but were unable to raise concerns. And the prime minister's response to all of this was yet another feeble, I'm sorry. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): A day of reckoning of Westminster.
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Firstly, I want to say, sorry. And I'm sorry for the things we simply didn't get right, and also sorry for the way this matter has been handled. And it's no use saying that this or that was within the rules. And it's no use saying that people were working hard.
ABDELAZIZ: In another half apology from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this time saying sorry for damning initial reports and some multiple parties at 10 Downing Street and other government offices. Like the gathering in this photograph taken in May 2020 showing Johnson and his wife seated at a table with wine and food in the Downing Street Garden with multiple other people.
The 12-page document, a slimmed down version details an investigation of 16 gatherings that occurred when the country was under strict COVID rules. Johnson desperately trying to show he can fix the mess.
JOHNSON: That is why we are making changes now to the way Downing Street and the cabinet office run. So that we can get on with the job that I was elected to do, Mr. Speaker, and the job that this government was elected to do.
ABDELAZIZ: The report's initial findings from civil servant Sue Gray published on Monday found that some lockdown gathering in government represented a serious failure to observe what had been asked of the public. Gray identified failures of leadership and judgment in Number 10 and the cabinet office.
The report continues on to say that the British public was let down. And that there was too little thought given to what was happening across the country. Adding, that excessive alcohol consumption is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time.
And, this while Britons were under strict lockdown often while hundreds of people were dying of COVID-19 on a daily basis. The second probe by the Met police into gatherings that took place on eight of the dates is ongoing.
KEIR STARMER, LEADER, BRITISH LABOUR PARTY: His desperate denial since he was exposed have only made matters worse. Rather than come clean, every step of the way he's insulted the public's intelligence.
ABDELAZIZ: The opposition leader going hard after his opponent. And even members of his own party and the former prime minister turning on Johnson.
THERESA MAY, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: What the Gray report does show is that Number 10 Downing Street was not observing the regulations they had imposed on members of the public. So, either my friend did not read the rules, or did not understand what they meant under this around him. Or they didn't think the rules applied to Number 10. Which was it?
ABDELAZIZ: This could be the beginning of the end for the prime minister. His own party must now decide if he is still the man fit to lead the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ (on camera): Now Johnson is off to Ukraine today, Rosemary, but his troubles at home are only going to get worse. Downing Street has now committed to releasing that Sue Gray report in full. Remember we had that cut down version, that 12-page version. We now expect Downing Street to release the full version at some point.
We also have a police investigation that's underway into eight of these alleged gatherings. Sixteen gatherings outline in the Sue gray report. Police looking at the most serious ones. The eight most serious events where COVID rules could have potentially been broken. Right now, this week they are going to be pouring over hundreds of pictures and documents from these events. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Extraordinary. Salma Abdelaziz joining us live from London. Many thanks for that report.
Well joining me now Richard Johnson is a lecturer in U.S. politics at Queen Mary University of London. Good to have you with us.
RICHARD JOHNSON, U.S. POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS LECTURER, LANCASTER UNIVERSITY: Good morning.
CHURCH: So, this damning summary of a report yet to be released but certainly we really got a taste of it, talks of Boris Johnson's failure of leadership and judgment in holding 16 parties during COVID lockdowns. Will his apology be enough to save him, do you think?
JOHNSON: I think the report yesterday was a mix of good and bad news for the prime minister. It was good in a sense that it was scanned and there wasn't anything specific. A new story that we could learn about the prime minister that could be pinned on him. But it was bad news in the sense that this is now carrying on with the police investigation.
[03:14:50]
And I think what was even worse, really, was that the prime minister's reaction in the House of Commons. I think that he judged it wrong. There was not enough contrition. If you are a director of an organization, and even this thin report, was covering report came out, it's already saying that it was a real serious failure of leadership in the organization you run. And the prime minister wasn't really trying to learn the lessons from that.
He came out swinging, he made some, I think misjudged attacks on the -- on the Labour leader. But what I think was most worrying for the prime minister was that there were -- there were very few conservative M.P.s who have been vocal in their support. And there were new voices who were being vocal in their criticism including the former prime minister. And also, including M.P.s from the 2019 intake. It was M.P.s who really owe their seats to the prime minister's strategy in the 2019 election now turning against him. And he has to start to worry about that.
CHURCH: And of course, ultimately, it's up to Johnson's conservative party to make that final decision and determine his future. So how were lawmakers been weighing up this decision politically as they also await the police investigation, of course with that full report?
JOHNSON: That's right, Rosemary. So, there is a couple of key percentages here. Fifteen percent, one-five. That's the proportion of the conservative M.P.s in the House of Commons who can trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson's leadership. Fifty percent, five- zero it's the percentage who need to remove him. We've not yet got to that one-five, 15 percentage point threshold. But word is we're getting closer to that.
The conservative M.P.s who want to get rid of Boris Johnson are perhaps waiting and holding back a little bit because they want to judge the moment correctly. Because if the prime minister wins that vote of no confidence and his leadership, the conservative party rules say that there cannot be another vote of no confidence in his leadership for 12 months. So, then he's insulated.
So, they don't want to go too early. And I think what they're probably doing right now is weighing up whether or not the Sue Gray shortened report was sufficient for them to find half of the conservative M.P.s to vote to remove him. It's a secret ballot. So that's important. But maybe they think that they need to wait until the Met report comes up before they make that move.
Maybe that's where they think he'll be at his most politically vulnerable. But I have to say, based on his performance yesterday, based on some of the leadership polling that has come out this morning, things are not looking great for him.
CHURCH: And of course, today, Boris Johnson travels to Ukraine for talks with the president there, but under the shadow cast by this report, or certainly the preliminary report. So, if the Tories decide to keep Johnson for now at least, what damage could that cause the party? And of course, the country going forward?
JOHNSON: Well, this is a really important point. You know, since November the conservative party has faced sleaze or corruption or rule breaking accusations at varying levels. And it really has dominated the political discussion. Because there's been just kind of this constant stream of new stories coming out. And it's gotten to the point now where it's distracting from the business of government.
We learned yesterday the prime minister was meant to have a phone call with Vladimir Putin. That phone call had to be canceled so that the prime minister could give his statement to the House of Commons about passing going on in Number 10 Downing Street. You know, he's got, you know, the prime minister says the reason he should be kept is pitch to the conservative M.P.s as he's getting the big calls right, and he is showing leadership where leadership needs to be shown. But he can't do that if he can't actually put this -- put this story to bed. And I'm afraid that that's in some ways, out of its control now.
The actions took place but now really, it's really going to be the Met report, I think, that that's going to be the deciding factor here. All the while, the conservative party and Boris Johnson's personal standing in the polls are dropping. And conservative M.P.s are going to be very wary. We don't have an election around the corner but they, you know, they don't want this to carry on and to get worse and worse for them. So, I think that he's not in a great position right now.
CHURCH: Yes. The election is not till 2024. So, I guess they feel they have sometime. It will be interesting to see the damage that's done in the meantime. Richard Johnson, many thanks for joining us. I appreciate it.
JOHNSON: Thank you.
CHURCH: And much more to come in this hour. New COVID rules are in effect in parts of Europe. We will have our latest in a live report from Rome, that's straight ahead.
Plus, a trucker's protest in Canada has snowballed out of control. Why they have clogged up a border crossing and blockaded the capital. We'll take a look.
[03:20:04]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHURCH (on camera): Austria will ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions later this week. Restaurants and shops will be allowed to stay open longer. And the maximum capacity of people attending events will be doubled. It's part of a number of changes to COVID restrictions in Europe.
Ottawa is at a standstill after convoy of truckers protesting COVID-19 mandates in Canada descended upon the city. And it looks like the demonstrators have no plans to leave anytime soon.
CNN's Paula Newton reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Protesters from Canada's so-called freedom convoy are imposing a lockdown of their own. Ottawa, the country's capital gridlocked. For days now hundreds of rigs and cars lining city streets with protesters camped out in front of parliament and beyond.
With passion and anger, they are demanding vaccine and mask mandates be dropped and life return to pre-pandemic normal. They say they are not budging until that happens.
UNKNOWN: I'm staying. I'm not leaving until the mandates are gone. UNKNOWN: This convoy is all about freedom. It's not only with the
truck drivers, it's actually for every single person. You, me, buddy down the road, it doesn't matter. It's all about your free choice.
NEWTON: This started as a cross-country trucker's protest by those against vaccine mandates impose in January in both in Canada and by the Biden administration. But it came the following from a vocal minority of Canadians fed up with COVID restrictions.
UNKNOWN: We should not be mandated to take vaccines. Any medical vaccine, whatever, it should be a personal choice.
NEWTON: That kind of sentiment gave way to the standoff now in Ottawa.
MAYOR JIM WATSON, OTTAWA, CANADA: There's a small minority that feel that they can, you know, shut down the city or try to take over government. It's just a bit bizarre to put it mildly.
NEWTON: While police said protests have been largely peaceful, there have been a handful of disturbing displays of hate symbols, incidents of vandalism and harassment.
UNKNOWN: Get out of here. We don't want you here.
NEWTON: People stomping on the nation's war memorial reports of retail workers and residents being harassed even at a soup kitchen. Ottawa police say they are investigating the incidents. But Mr. Justin Trudeau says he is shocked and disgusted.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: I want to be very clear. We are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless.
[03:25:00]
We won't give in to those who fly racist flags. We won't cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonor the memory of our veterans.
NEWTON: Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: The British government is looking to scrap a COVID vaccine mandate for frontline healthcare workers. Previously, NHS workers in England had until April 1st to get vaccinated or else they could be dismissed or re-deployed.
A recent government report found that as many as 73,000 NHS staff could lose their jobs under the old policy. Lawmakers passed the mandate late last year during a wave of the Delta variant. Here is what the health secretary told parliament on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAJID JAVID, BRITISH HEALTH SECRETARY: While vaccination remains our very best line of defense against COVID-19, I believe that it is no longer proportionate to require vaccinations as a condition of deployment through statute.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH (on camera): Right now, more than 70 percent of the U.K.'s population as a whole is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Now, earlier we were talking about COVID changes across Europe.
CNN's Ben Wedeman joins me now live from Rome. And Ben, Italy's green pass rules have just changed. What do people need to know about new restrictions being put in place?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, these new restrictions are perhaps the harshest yet. For instance, if you are over 50 and you have not been vaccinated, you will receive a notification that you will be fined 100 euro. A one-off fine.
Now this really puts teeth in some of Italy's regulations. Now, beginning today, you have to show a green pass. Either that you've tested negative for COVID-19 or you have recently recovered. Or you've been vaccinated to get into public offices, banks, post offices, book shops, shopping malls, hair dressers and beauticians.
Basically, if you have not been vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID, the only places you can go is food stores, pharmacies and gas stations. So, the rules are getting tighter than before. The outdoor mask mandate has been extended for another 10 days. And also, discos and nightclubs if you're of that inclination remain close.
Now, Italy has some of the highest vaccination rates in the E.U. Ninety percent of the population has had at least one vaccination, 87 percent has had two. And 78 percent have had boosters. But at this point, for instance, the Omicron variety accounts for about more than 90 percent of the cases in Italy. The country continues to struggle to get it under control. Perhaps these new regulations might help. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Yes, perhaps they will. But impressive vaccination numbers there. Ben Wedeman joining us live from Rome. Many thanks.
Well, a bit of a clash between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine as both sides walk a tight rope between diplomacy and confrontation. Coming up, I talk to an expert about where things go from here.
Plus, why a conflict could lead to higher energy costs for the rest of Europe. Back in just a moment.
[03:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHURCH (on camera): Welcome back, everyone. Well, more on our top story this hour. Russia and the U.S. are digging in as the two sides clash over the crisis along the Ukrainian border. On Monday, Moscow delivered a written response to a U.S. proposal
aimed at deterring a Russian invasion of Ukraine. It comes ahead of a phone call set for Tuesday between the U.S. secretary of state and the Russian foreign minister.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also ramping up his diplomatic efforts meeting with the Ukrainian president in Kyiv later today.
Meanwhile, Monday's U.N. Security Council meeting turned into a diplomatic brawl between the American and Russian ambassadors. The U.S. accusing Russia of threatening global security by amassing thousands of troops along Ukraine's border. Something the west fears is a prelude to full scale invasion. But Russia's U.N. ambassador dismissed those claims. Instead, accusing the U.S. and its allies of stirring up hysteria.
Ashish Pradhan is a senior U.N. analyst with the International Crisis Group. He joins me now from New York. Good to have you with us.
ASHISH PRADHAN, SENIOR U.N. ANALYST, INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP: Thank you.
CHURCH: So, the world witnessed a diplomatic brawl Monday at the U.N. Security Council with sharp divisions between the U.S. and Russia on full display. Russia accusing the U.S. of whipping up hysteria with its talk of an imminent invasion of Ukraine even as, of course, more Russian troops massed at the border. So, what exactly was achieved and what message was sent?
PRADHAN: Well, I think today was the first salvo in what is likely to be a series of similar confrontations and battles in the diplomatic front at the U.N. So, today was a meeting that the U.S. specifically wanted to call to try and put a little bit more dramatic pressure on Russia.
The U.S. Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that they have had hundreds of meetings over the last few weeks with the Russian officials, Ukrainian and European officials about the growing tensions on the border and that today was the day to bring these issues to the public. And to play some of this out in front of the whole world so that the world can see Russia's aggression, Russia's rhetoric for what it was.
But what we got in the end was beyond the rhetorical statements and symbolic efforts to withdraw pressure into the -- the equation, was very little in terms of actual practical impact. We saw China, in some ways being forced into a position where it had to actually backed the Russians maybe a little bit more than they would've otherwise done.
We saw a number of smaller states in security council not tried to play site. So, all in all it was a bit of an underwhelming effort as far as the security council confrontation go but there certainly it looks like there could be more, especially if the situation on the ground escalates.
CHURCH: Well, that certainly is encouraging. Of course, in new developments the U.S. received Russia's response to its Ukraine proposal but hasn't made that public. And in the meantime, President Putin is adding 30,000 more troops at Ukraine's border while the White House says its developed sanction packages targeting Putin's inner circle.
So, what does that reveal about where diplomatic efforts stand right now?
PRADHAN: I think to see those efforts, you know, on one hand to try to bear pressure on to Moscow while on the same hand trying to also keep the diplomatic channels open. I think that seems to be where the sort of narrow bouncing that seems to be in.
And that was the same message that, not just the U.S. But the likes of the U.K. and France, you know, really hit on today was that, they're certainly ready and willing to act firmly and decisively if Russia indeed decides to invade, but underscoring that they're still hoping that there's a diplomatic pathway out of this.
And I think that was a critical message to hear from the likes of the French, in particular who, as you know, with the Normandy format calls from President Macron to President Putin in recent days who are really trying to see if there is indeed another way out of this where there is no military escalation.
[03:34:58]
So, I think, you know, we will continue to see this sort of dual approach where this diplomacy communication over dialogue, but at the same time trying to keep the pressure on and trying to show to Moscow that if it comes down to it, the west will be ready to react.
CHURCH: And Russia was asked at the U.N. Security Council why it had amassed so many troops at the border if it had no intention of invading Ukraine. Did Russia answer that question sufficiently?
PRADHAN: Well, they played it a few different ways. Firstly, they've disagreed and disputed the facts of which other members like the U.S. and the other European members are presenting. They said, we have never confirmed that there is 130,000 odd troops that we deployed and mobilized, secondly, that these mobilizations are all within Russian territory.
So, there's nothing for the outside world to, sort of, you know, comment on to worry about. And instead, they flipped the script and tried to blame other U.S. and other European members for whipping up what they said was quote unquote, "hysteria." Trying to whip up the terms of war and trying to essentially incite a concept where there isn't one.
Now, it's worth noting that all of these talking points, you know, this sort of rhetoric, again, we have seen before. In fact, the Albanian ambassador today has said that we've seen this Russian playbook before in 2008 in Georgia, in 2014 in Crimea.
So, I think, you know, we have to take that with a really big pinch of salt. But at least, you know, again, we're seeing Russia try to put its narrative out there. And to me, that was one of the big takeaways today was a battle of the narratives between the U.S. and Russia today.
CHURCH: Ashish Pradhan, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate it.
PRADHAN: Thank you.
CHURCH: There are also fears Europe could face skyrocketing energy costs if the conflict keeps escalating.
CNN's Anna Stewart explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Europe's winter could feel much colder in the coming weeks.
HENNING GLOYSTEIN, DIRECTOR, ENERGY, CLIMATE & RESOURCES, EURASIA GROUP: If all of Russian gas stops flowing to Europe, you'll see prices literally going vertically through the roof.
STEWART: Gas dependency is a hard habit to kick. The E.U. relies on Russia for over 40 percent of its gas imports. And some countries are more vulnerable than others. For example, you can see here Austria, Finland and Latvia, rely on Russia for all of their imported gas. Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse is particularly vulnerable. Not only does it rely on Russia for the majority of its gas imports but it depends on gas for over a quarter of its energy.
And actually, this gas dependence has grown over the past few decades as Germany transitions away from coal and nuclear power.
It's surprising, given the E.U.'s face this problem before.
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, FORMER PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Gas that should come from Russia through Ukraine to European union is not coming.
STEWART: Russia has invested billions of dollars in more pipelines to Europe since 2009 to avoid transiting through Ukraine. This Nord Stream 1, showed here in yellow and alongside it that new $11 billion Nord Stream 2 currently awaiting certification by German regulators. That pipeline's future, though, is in doubt.
VICTORIA NULAND, U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS: If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward.
STEWART: There are concerns that this measure and others, could trigger Russian retaliation against the west. It could suspend all gas exports to Europe, which is now scrambling to shore up supplies. One option is liquefied gas via ships.
GLOYSTEIN: Over Christmas and New Year, European utilities quietly ordered an entire fleet of LNG imports. Mostly from the U.S. and Qatar and they are all due to arrive this month and it's a lot of gas.
STEWART: It isn't a fix for all. Experts agree there wouldn't be enough LNG to replace Russian gas. Many European countries lack LNG terminals and re-directing gas through Europe is also challenging due to limits on existing pipelines. Another option is storage.
AMY MYERS JAFFE, RESEARCH PROFESSOR, FLETCHER SCHOOL, TUFTS UNIVERSITY: Europe still has nine-week supply in storage. And there is the so-called emergency cushion, that's another 10 percent. So, all good. I mean, maybe they could like squeak through.
STEWART: There are non-gas options. Experts say decommissioned coal and nuclear plants could be fired back up. Ultimately, Europe could survive a winter without Russian gas but at a great financial cost. It would also have a cost for Russia, one reason experts think full gas suspension to Europe is unlikely.
Does Europe seek to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, does this backfire eventually longer term on Russia?
JAFFE: We all thought it had in 2009, right? Because, you know, all these LNG receiving terminals went in and the U.S. started drilling, drilling, drilling. But, you know, having the actual physical asset of inventory tanks or LNG export capacity, none of that is useful. If you don't use it in a strategic way and you're not thinking about the security premium which people felt they didn't have to pay anymore.
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STEWART: Energy security comes at a price.
Anna Stewart, CNN, London.
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CHURCH: The world is marking one year since the military coup in Myanmar. Coming up, I'll speak to the U.N. special rapporteur for Myanmar about what can be done to stop the junta.
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CHURCH: One year ago today, Myanmar's military seize control ousting leader Aung San Suu Kyi despite a brutal crackdown on protesters resistance persist. Activists are calling for a silent strike to protest the coup urging people to stay inside and businesses to close.
In the U.S., President Joe Biden condemned the brutality of the coup and said, the U.S. hasn't forgotten Myanmar's struggle. The U.S., Britain, and Canada imposed new sanctions targeting judicial officials, and allege arms dealer and a company accused to providing financial support to the military dictatorship.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: Tom Andrews is the U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, and he joins me now from Fairfax, Virginia. Thank you so much for being with us.
TOM ANDREWS, U.N. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR MYANMAR: Thank you, Rosemary.
CHURCH: So, one year on from the military coup that overthrew an elected government and crackdown with deadly force on peaceful protests on the streets of Myanmar, people are now marking that day with a silent strike. What does that look like today?
ANDREWS: Well, I'll tell you. The military junta has been trying very hard to put as much pressure as possible on people not to participate in the silent strike. There has been lots of pressure on storekeeper, shops, and so forth to -- to keep open, to stay open. Lots and lots of pressure for people to not remain home. To be, to make Myanmar particularly the cities to appear as normal as possible.
But people are bound and determined. I'll tell you, the level of courage and tenacity among the people of Myanmar all over the country is absolutely remarkable. And I think that the junta is going to have a very, very hard time controlling this day, this silent strike just as they're having an impossible time putting down this extraordinary widespread opposition.
CHURCH: And -- and what does -- what does daily life look like for people in Myanmar under military rule? And how are some still taking action to defend their country as you mentioned?
ANDREWS: Well, Rosemary, it has been absolutely devastating. I mean, the United Nations is now saying that half the country, approximately now is living below the poverty level in -- in Myanmar. The economy is contrived. The health care system is in shambles. A hunger is up all over the country, disease.
[03:45:00]
This really is a humanitarian disaster. And -- and I'll tell you, the junta has been responding by weaponizing humanitarian aid. They've been stopping convoys of aid getting into areas. They have been harassing physicians. They have been harassing humanitarian aid workers. It is a real catastrophe. Just about any way that you can -- you can imagine in.
But the people in Myanmar have been working tirelessly. There are -- there is citizens -- a civil disobedience movement where citizens are stepping up to protest. There have been a movement, very successful movement to deny the junta revenue. People withholding their taxes, people refusing to pay their utility bills to the junta.
They were now estimating it's causing the junta approximately $1 billion U.S. dollars and counting. So, in every conceivable way the people of Myanmar are opposing this military junta. But they need the support of the international community to be -- to be successful. There's no question about that.
CHURCH: Yes, you mentioned that. But a year later it has to be said that Myanmar appears to have been forgotten by the international community. The military is still in charge. It's former elective leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing years in prison.
And then later today, you are releasing a statement reiterating your call for the U.N. Security Council to pass. Or at least consider an international weapons ban. But with no real tangible measures taken against the junta over the last year, what makes you think this effort could work? And why is it imperative that it does?
ANDREWS: Well, I think it's critical that people all around the world tell their governments, their respective governments, members of the United Nations that they care about what's going on in Myanmar. And that they want the international community to stand up and stand up for the people of Myanmar.
You know, I'll tell you. There is a situation where you have a massive military that the military, the Myanmar military junta seizes their strength. I mean, they are functioning as a criminal enterprise. And so they see the military as their strength because it's the only way that they can control people in Myanmar. Now that may be a strength but it's also a vulnerability. It cost a lot of money to sustain that military.
And so, for the international community to impose sanctions, they can cut the revenues for the junta, or for the international community to take seriously the fact that the weapons that are proliferating into Myanmar are destroying, killing, murdering untold numbers of innocent lives including -- including children. Over 100 children have lost their lives.
So, establishing clear strong sanctions along with a strong impenetrable ban on weapons flowing into Myanmar could save untold numbers of lives and help to bring this crisis to an end.
CHURCH: And is there any hope for peace in Myanmar, after all, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya are still in refugee camps in Bangladesh. And will likely be there indefinitely. And nothing has been done to right the wrongs of genocide committed by the men now in charge in Myanmar.
ANDREWS: Well, that's right. I mean, if you think about it the -- Min Aung Hlaing, who is leader of the junta was in charge of those forces that committed those genocidal attacks against the Rohingya in Rakhine State in Myanmar. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of them were forced into Bangladesh. Over a million there now. And untold numbers have lost their lives.
It was just a brutal, unspeakable attack. And this is exactly what the military junta is capable of. We've seen it before our very eyes in Rakhine State. Now we're seeing it all over the country. And it's critically important that the world act to stop this.
CHURCH: Tom Andrews, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate it.
ANDREWS: My pleasure, Rosemary. Thank you, thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE) CHURCH: Artists are slamming Spotify after the spread of COVID misinformation. Coming up, I'll ask an industry expert about whether more musicians will pull the plug. Back in a moment.
[03:50:00]
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CHURCH (on camera): Spotify is rolling out new content advisory warnings for materials that mentions the COVID-19 pandemic. The move comes amid criticism of podcast host, Joe Rogan, whose show has spread misinformation about the virus. Users will have the option to go to a hub of verified information when they listen to any podcast that includes discussions on COVID-19.
Multiple musicians like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and others removed their music from the platform after urging Spotify to cut ties with Rogan. Now Rogan is responding to the backlash. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE ROGAN, PODCAST HOST: If there's anything that I've done that I could do better, is have more experts with differing opinions right after I have the controversial ones. My pledge to you is that I will do my best to try to balance out these more controversial viewpoints.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH (on camera): Shirley Halperin is the executive music editor for Variety. She joins me now from Los Angeles. Thank you so much for being with us.
SHIRLEY HALPERIN, EXECUTIVE MUSIC EDITOR, VARIETY: Thanks for having me.
CHURCH: So, there have been times in our history when music has made a difference, a big difference. Times of war, social injustice, and gender or racial inequality. Now of course, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and others seem to be moving the needle against misinformation on big tech platforms. Could we be on the cusp for another movement where art and message trump profit?
HALPERIN: Such a good question. I don't think it will ever trump profit. That is not how businesses work. And Spotify is very much a business. And in today's Spotify music is kind of a loss leader for them. They don't own the rights to the music and as opposed to some of their podcasts which they have an equity interest in.
So, it's -- the business is really on keeping people on the platform. And the investment, you can see Spotify making is in its celebrity podcast. That's where the big box are going. So, you know, I don't think that -- well, actually, I know that they didn't back down.
You, know Joe Rogan was not removed from the platform. You know, much like Dave Chappell wasn't removed from Netflix when he stirred up controversy. So, you know, ultimately, I think that these tech companies will look at their bottom line and economically that proposition of paying to own content is where -- is where their bread and butter is.
CHURCH: Right, but still, because of these artists Spotify now has new guidelines. And Joe Rogan has apologized and promised more balance on his podcast. Will that be enough to satisfy those who took the gamble to pull their music off the platform?
HALPERIN: Well, it's certainly quieted things today. You know, 24 to 48 hours before his video on Instagram and on his podcast network there were calls to cancel Spotify that was trending for a period. And for much of Monday, it really seemed like the waters had calmed. He did strike, I think the right tone of contrition, responsibility, you know, he didn't admit any fault. He sort of, just explained his program.
And I think it was very convincing. I think it really softened people to the whole issue. But ultimately, I think it was a Band-Aid to stop the bleeding. And I don't know that musicians and the greater music community will find a content advisory as something that will, you know, work as a call to action that will actually stem the spread of COVID. Which is really at the heart of every --
CHURCH: Yes.
[03:54:58]
HALPERIN -- of all of this. People are just frustrated and just over it. And the more misinformation that's up there, the longer we have to suffer through this pandemic. And I think that's at the heart of everything.
CHURCH: And Neil Young and Joni Mitchell of course have been the crusaders for change before. What can a younger generation of musicians, perhaps learn from their willingness to take a stand? And why do you think younger artist didn't join? Or haven't yet?
HALPERIN: Really good question. It's not like younger artists haven't taken the tech companies to task before because they have. And Taylor Swift is probably the most memorable and the best example. She was advocating for better rates for artists on three tiers. Because a lot of these tech platforms have a free tier and a premium tier. And she was able to get Apple and Spotify to acquiesce.
So, it's not like the young artists aren't active when it's something that matters to them. I think politically, you are always going to be reticent in coming out alienating some of your fan base. So that may be why some of them have kept quiet. But ultimately, there is this other tricky part of it which is that really only the rights holders can demand that their music be taken down.
And most artists, the vast majority of artists are not rights holders. Their record companies are. Taylor is the exception. Someone like Drake is also an exception. But there are few and far between. So, it's like -- it's not like, you know, Justin Bieber can just raise his hand and say yank my music. Because he might not be able to. He doesn't have the rights to his own music.
Music industry is a very strange business. I don't know what to tell you. You know, it gets more complicated the deeper you go.
CHURCH: Yes. No, it's a good point. Shirley Halperin, thank you so much for talking with us. I appreciate it. Good to have you with us.
Well, the New York Times has bought the cultural phenomenon Wordle. Millions of people play the daily puzzle game that it gives you six chances to guess a five-letter word. Wordle will remain free at first as the newspaper integrates its -- into its portfolio. The Times says that it's working to ensure your win streaks are preserved.
And thank you so much for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. Enjoy the rest of your day. CNN Newsroom continues now with Isa Soares.
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