Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

French President Set to Meet with Putin in Moscow; U.S. Military Reinforcing NATO Allies in Eastern Europe; Peng Denies Making Assault Allegation in New Interview; Ottawa Declares State of Emergency Over Demonstrations; Millions Across Parts of U.S. Northeast Under Winter Alert. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired February 07, 2022 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and a very warm welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States and right around the world. I'm Isa Soares in London, and just ahead right here on CNN NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The forces continue to build up along the Ukrainian border.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, we're seeing dogged diplomacy almost every day. There is a conversation across the Atlantic, Russia, U.S. Europe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The noose is being prepared. It's around Ukraine right now as we speak.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: As Russian troops continue to amass on Ukraine's border, the French President headed to Russia looking to calm tensions. We are live in Kyiv and Moscow this hour.

Plus, China's tennis star Peng Shuai breaks her silence dismissing allegations of sexual assault. We are live in Beijing with details on her recent meeting with the I.O.C.

And gun salutes for the Queen as she celebrates 70 years on the throne. We're live outside Buckingham Palace this hour.

ANNOUNCER: Live from London, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Isa Soares.

SOARES: Welcome to the show, everyone. It is Monday, February 7th, and this hour a pivotal meeting is set to get underway in Moscow. In an effort really to diffuse a crisis and avert possible war in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron will try to convince his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to pull back and abandon any plans to invade Ukraine even as U.S. officials are convinced an attack could happen at any time.

And then later today, U.S. President Joe Biden will hold talks with Germany's chancellor at the White House. Olaf Scholz is facing fierce criticism for his handling of this crisis. President Biden spoke with Mr. Macron on Sunday, and both leaders discussed responses to Russia's military buildup.

Now, new satellite images shows Russia's deployment in Belarus for joint exercises. You're looking at those. Some of the Russian camps are close to Ukraine's border. Ukraine is still downplaying the threat. The foreign minister urged people to not believe what he called apocalyptic predictions. The U.S. though is not swayed. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: We believe that there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine. It could take a number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet. He has put himself in a position with military deployments to be able to act aggressively against Ukraine at any time now.

If they choose to go down the path of escalation instead, it will come at enormous human cost to Ukrainians, but it will also we believe over time come at real strategic cost to Vladimir Putin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: The U.S. shipment of military aid arrived in Ukraine on Sunday. The U.S. embassy called it another 80-plus tons of solidarity. Some of the first U.S. reinforcement troops have arrived in Poland. Washington is also prepared with economic sanction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALLY ADEYEMO, U.S. DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY: On a daily basis, Russian financial institutions do about $46 billion worth of financial transactions around the world. 80 percent of those transactions are in dollars. So, they are connected to the U.S. financial system, but their biggest trading partner is in Europe. More than $200 billion of trade is with Europe each year. 40 percent of Russia's trade is with Europe on a regular basis. By the United States and Europe acting together, we put ourselves in a position where we would have not only an impact on the overall Russian economy, but we'd have a direct impact on President Putin who is tied to the Russian economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Important perspective there. Well, as you can imagine CNN has reporters covering all angles of this. Isabel Rosales is following the troop deployment at Fort Bragg, in North Carolina. We'll get to that in just a few minutes. But first, let's bring in Melissa Bell joins us in Kyiv and Nic Robertson in Moscow. And Nic, good morning. Let me start with you this hour. We have been seeing for several weeks now a diplomatic activity, a flurry of diplomatic activity. But very little progress so far. How much is riding on this meeting with Macron?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, it's hugely important. You know, the tensions do continue to build up around Ukraine because of the positioning of U.S. forces -- rather Russian forces and the uncertainty about what they're going to do. Russia, of course, says they're not going to invade.

[04:05:00]

But, you know, we've just heard from a number of U.S. officials there whose assessment is contrary to that. So, this is very important.

It does seem as if President Macron has been able to make -- let's not call it headway, but let's call it consistent conversation with President Putin. The Kremlin describes him according to President Macron's office, describe him as a quality interlocutor. They've had three phone calls just over the past week. One of them was quite lengthy, a couple of hours, perhaps longer than President Putin has had, phone call with any other European leader.

So, there is hope that these two can sit down with some sense of conversation and understanding on the table in front of them. But the realities are the gaps are huge, you know. President Macron has said one of the things he wants to do is to get a reduction in tensions around Ukraine, whether that is a perception of what those tensions are or a real reduction, you know. Elysee Palace is framing that cautiously, in diplomatic terms. It gives President Putin potentially a little bit of wiggle room.

The reality is President Putin is committing himself and its forces in such a way to create the impression that if he doesn't get what he wants at the table, then there are military alternatives. And his senior officials over the past month have said similar things. So, it's in this environment that President Macron is coming. And even his office say, don't expect rapid results today. How long they meet, that's going to be important. We are expecting a press conference later in the day as well. And, of course, that will be absolutely key to try to read what went on behind closed doors.

SOARES: And, of course, we shall bring that press conference to you as soon as it gets underway. And Nic, do stay with us. Let me get to Melissa.

And Melissa, this meeting between Putin and Macron of course coming as new satellite images show Russian deployments in several locations. I think we showed our viewers those deployments around Belarus. How is this ramping up of troops and equipment that we're seeing now on our air, the satellite images being received where you are?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ukrainian officials continue to urge caution in our reading of that. And we've seen a slight difference of tone in terms of the assessment between Washington and Kyiv. And again, this weekend Ukrainian officials saying, look, for the time being we don't believe that critical steps are being taken for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But clearly the movements on the other side of the Belarus border -- and you're talking about a border that is a couple hours' drive away from where I'm standing now -- is extremely worrying to the United States.

Because until the world works out precisely what Vladimir Putin intends to do -- and I think everyone recognizes that no one really has any great reading on that. Until the world works out what he intends to do, there is the point of what he can do. And with those troop movements that we've seen, not only are there satellite images, but videos that have been posted over the course of the weekend that show substantial movement of weapons just north of that Ukrainian border. 15 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border in Belarus which really opens another front and one uncomfortably close from the Ukrainian capital.

That will continue to preoccupy everyone who is watching the situation unfold. Vladimir Putin continuing to fortify Russian military positions just north of the border. And this close to the capital really does suggest that that time, that window that exists for diplomacy is narrowing and certainly putting pressure on all those involved in the talks that will happen both in Moscow today, Isa, and here in Kyiv tomorrow.

SOARES: Melissa Bell for us there in Kyiv and Nic Robertson in Moscow. Thanks to you both.

Well, as we reported, the U.S. military is moving forward with President Biden's order to deploy troops and equipment to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe. Isabel Rosales has more on that from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm standing right now inside of the reception area, about a football field away from those large military aircraft that are taking them overseas. So, right behind me, these soldiers, they are waiting to be deployed. And it can be a waiting game until they get the final order. It can be hours may be napping, packing, reading, playing cards. But when it is go-time, that focus, that training, it kicks in.

In total, 2,000 soldiers will deploy from right here in Fort Bragg, 300 of them from the 18th Airborne, they're already in Germany. But they're still working on deploying the 82nd airborne. Altogether, 1,700 soldiers from that division will go to Poland. And inside of those large C-17 planes are not only soldiers, but also equipment and Humvees. And I'm also learning that these soldiers will conduct drills with their Polish counterparts. That's according to a spokesman of the 82nd Airborne who calls it routine.

[04:10:00]

LT. COL. BRETT LEA, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER, U.S. ARMY 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION: So, we're there to assure our allies and to reinforce our ironclad commitment to our European allies, we cannot really anticipate the future. We hope our presence will assure our allies that we're committed to a safe and stable Europe.

ROSALES: These soldiers are headed to Europe and they don't have a time line as to when they'll be able to return home. The Pentagon is calling this mission temporary, but it's not ruling out that they might send even more troops. 8,500 of them aside from these 3,000 are on heightened alert there at the ready for any order from the president and the Pentagon.

I'm Isabel Rosales, CNN, Fort Bragg.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Thanks, Isabel. Well, Moscow military buildup continues to raise fears among NATO allies that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is eminent, earlier CNN asked a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and a former U.S. Army official to weigh in on these concerns. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. JASON CROW (D-CO): Vladimir Putin is not only moving massive amounts of combat power and mobilizing his reserves, but you also look at what type of forces are being moved into place and the supporting forces because the tanks, the battalion tactical groups as Russia calls it, are one thing. But actually, putting in the support services, the fuel, the field hospitals, the blood supplies, all the things they would need for a full-scale invasion are also now being put into place. And putting that stuff into place actually has cost for Putin. This isn't just like moving fixed units around. There are substantial costs to him doing that, which indicates that he is intending to go ahead with an invasion.

LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Make no mistake, Michael. Whatever does happen, Russia will be seen as a pariah. Putin will be seen as a near, if not potential war criminal for attacking a sovereign nation. And he is going to be finding himself in a very difficult situation for an attack.

Now, it goes back to your question, can he find a way out of this? And this is what's been the interesting dynamic because he has established such a huge force, almost two-thirds of his military on the Ukrainian border. And that's difficult to pull back from. But knowing Mr. Putin, he has always tried to shove that bayonet until he makes steel, and that's when he withdraws. How he withdraws is going to be interesting to watch.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Rep. Jason Crow and Retired Gen. Mark Hertling there. We'll have much more on this story, of course, throughout the day right here on CNN.

Political tensions are also spilling over the Beijing Olympics. China's U.N. ambassador is calling on the U.S. to stop going further down the wrong path and accusing the country of a smear campaign about China's treatment of the Uighurs. This statements followed comments from the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. made here on CNN on Sunday. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: We have to ensure that we continue to raise these concerns that are occurring in China at the moment.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: How did you interpret the fact that one of the two athletes that lit the torch was from, at least according to the Chinese government, the Uighur community?

THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Well, this is an effort by the Chinese to distract us from the real issue here at hand, that Uighurs are being tortured, and Uighurs are the victims of human rights violations by the Chinese. And we have to keep that front and center.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: The U.S. ambassador, she also addressed concerns, rather, over the safety of the U.S. athletes in Beijing. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS-GREENFIELD: I can reassure U.S. athletes that the United States government will be standing with them in China, and we will be there to protect them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, those concerns aren't the only things casting a shadow over this year's games. China's tennis star Peng Shuai is also in the spotlight after sitting down for a rare interview with French journalists in Beijing. Peng made headlines last year, if you remember, when she accused a top Chinese official of sexual assault, then disappeared from public view. She's since denied making the allegations and doubled down during the interview.

One of the journalists aske: In the text we could see in Europe, you accused someone of sexual assault. What did you really write? We don't understand.

And Peng answers: Sexual assault? I never said anyone had sexually assaulted me in any way.

For more let's bring in CNN's Steven Jiang live in Beijing. And Steven, this is fascinating, it's her first kind of major interview that Peng Shuai has done. But this was a carefully managed interview. What more can you tell us from that interview that she did with "L'Equipe?"

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Isa, in addition to again denying she's ever made sexual assault allegations against former Vice Premiere Zhang Gaoli. She seems to acknowledge a year's long affair with him though. By saying that her love life problems, her personal problems should not be mixed with sports and politics.

[04:15:02] And also seemed to confirm she did write the original explosive account by saying she actually took it down herself after it started attracting worldwide attention. Now, to the point raised by the head of the Women's Tennis Association, which, of course, has suspended all tournaments in China because of safety concerns over her safety. She said she personally wrote back to them, even though there were a lot of doubts about the authenticity of her email.

Now, she insists that she's been safe, well and free all this time and that she had never disappeared. But to the point that this was such a rare interview -- now remember, this is only the second time she spoke to a foreign media outlet. And this time it's a well-respected, but highly specialized sports publication.

We actually talked to one of the reporters who did the interview, and they said there was no overt effort to censor her on location, even though there were Chinese minders present, but they did allow the interview to go much longer than planned. And also allowed the reporters to ask questions off the script. But they did observe the difference in her demeanor when she was talking about tennis and sports, she appeared a lot more relaxed. Then she just tensed up and watching her own words very carefully, keeping answers short when responding to the allegations about the sexual assault.

Now, probably not unexpected, but this is really going to show that international storm. Her original post created is just not going to stop or even subside, despite this interview or that meeting or dinner she had with I.O.C. President Bach. Because in the minds of so many people around the world, it just didn't make sense for her to write what she did and then now just insisting the whole thing was a big misunderstanding -- Isa.

SOARES: Yes, I still have so many questions. I know you do, too. Steven Jiang, I know you'll stay on top of the story, appreciated there. Thanks, Steven.

Coming up right here on CNN NEWSROOM, a state of the emergency in Ottawa, Canada, after protesters for vaccine mandates and COVID restrictions stretched into a second weekend. We'll have the latest for you just ahead.

Also ahead, the U.S. Northeast has already seen plenty of snow and right now millions are under a winter alert. So, what is in store? Our Pedram Javaheri gives us a preview.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: More than 16 million Americans underneath winter weather alerts this morning. And portions of Philadelphia, some early morning freezing drizzle possible, could lead to some travel disruptions. We'll touch on this and the potential for this storm to end up around areas of the Northeast. We'll touch on this in a couple minutes.

[04:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SOARES: Anger over COVID measures is spreading across Canada as

demonstrations spill into a new week. The mayor of Ottawa issuing a state of emergency to get a handle on protests he's called out of control. CNN's Paula Newton has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The protests here against the COVID- 19 measures started in Ottawa but have spread right across the country. Sunday was much quieter than Saturday, but you still had hundreds of tractor trailers and other trucks and thousands of people spread out from one side of the country to the other demanding an end to those COVID-19 restrictions.

Now, this started out as a truckers protest. They were against vaccine mandates to actually cross the border into the United States. But this has turned into so much more. People saying, they are fed up with the mask mandates, the vaccine mandates, the lockdowns, the health restrictions. They just want it to end. It is a minority, but it is a very vocal minority.

And here in Ottawa, it has really taken this city to a point where the mayor and police chief are worried that they just can't handle it any more. City of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency, but I really want you to listen to the police chief here when he spoke this weekend about the city. Take a listen.

CHIEF PETER SLOLY, OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE: The oath of office that I and my officers swore were never intended to deal with a city under siege, a threat to our democracy, a nationwide insurrection driven by madness. There is no concrete plan for such a scenario as you've described.

NEWTON: They are really categorizing this as an occupation now. And although Ottawa police say they will begin enforcement. Weary police forces and leaders right across the country are keeping a close eye on what happens in this city, and seeing if, in fact, protesters do decide to finally leave or if this will continue to spread, a contagion really, right across the country.

Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Thank you, Paula.

Well, in the U.S., 80 snowmobilers had to be rescued after a huge chunk of ice broke away from land in Lake Erie. Seven were lifted away from the ice floe via helicopter -- as you can see there. The rest were rescued by air boat according to the U.S. Coast Guard. No one needed medical attention. The National Weather Service had warned earlier that conditions were dangerous and had urged people to stay off the ice around the lakeshore.

Ten Cuban migrants had to be rescued from a sinking boat off the Florida coast. The U.S. Coast Guard says the group was spotted Thursday about 40 miles or 55 kilometers off Key Largo. The migrants did not have life jackets -- as you can see there -- or safety equipment, six of them were returned to Cuba.

Millions of Americans across parts of the Northeast are under winter alert with some snow and ice forecast through Tuesday morning. CNN's Pedram Javaheri has the latest forecast. Good morning, Pedram.

JAVAHERI: Good morning, Isa. Yes, the weather conditions here really two different stories across what's happening in the Western U.S. were general quiet. Santa Ana winds beginning to kick up there across the Southwest. While the Eastern U.S. also quiet. But there is a disturbance portions of the Southeast and the elements are in place for the system to eventually bring some wintry weather across parts of the Northeast and, yes, even freezing drizzle into this morning across parts of the Philly metro. And of course, the morning commute could be impacted by this.

[04:25:00]

But going for a closer look already seeing kind of a wintry mix take place across parts of New Jersey. Wouldn't be surprised again, freezing rain, some icy roads across parts of Philly and the system does gradually end up across portions of the Northeast. We don't see this as a blockbuster event like we've seen the last couple of weeks. Certainly not a significant amount of snow accumulation here. Generally, on the lighter end of things. A couple inches, but get into northern areas of say Maine, and could see higher accumulation, maybe 8 inches or more across that region.

Now, we are approaching the middle of February so not too surprising to see multiple shots of arctic air. And that's really going to be a trend. The Chicago temps climbing up to almost 40 degrees, even cracking the 40-degree mark with some morning snow showers possible there Friday. But you'll notice the bottom drops out, drop about 10 or so degrees below average by this weekend.

Back around the Southwest, yes, those offshore winds certainly kicking up. The down sloping winds as high as 50, maybe even 60 miles per hour. Some power outage disruptions possible across this region. But the temperature trend also going to be impressive here as is often the case with the down sloping winds. Could see the temps climb well above average which for Palm Springs is about 72. But you'll notice, we'll be touching middle 80s across this region by Wednesday afternoon. In Fresno, attempts right around 70 degrees.

National perspective, Rapid City will aim for 60, Minneapolis only 21 degrees, and in Dallas, Texas, highs right around 56 -- Isa.

SOARES: Thank you very much, Pedram.

Recovery efforts are underway in Madagascar after tropical cyclone Batsirai made landfall on Saturday. The storm left behind major damage and came on the heels of tropical storm Anna which hit the area weeks ago killing dozens of people. Now residents are facing even more devastation and finding themselves in desperate need of basic necessities, like water. Coming up right here on CNN, Britain's Queen Elizabeth used her

platinum jubilee to elevate the status of a woman once at the center of a royal scandal. We'll find out how it is playing with the British people.

And you are looking at live pictures of Capitol Hill where two Senators are working together to update as well as strengthen a 19th century election law. We'll have the details for you after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:30:00]