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Biden Promises to End Nord Stream 2 If Russia Invades; Macron Heads to Kyiv After Meeting Putin in Moscow; Several States Set Timelines for End of Mask Mandates; Protests Spreading Across Canada Over COVID Mandates; Freestyle Skier Eileen Gu Wins Her First Gold for China; Investigation Into Trumps Efforts to Overturn Results. Aired 4- 4:30a ET

Aired February 08, 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)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There will be a gigantic mistake are going to move on Ukraine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's well north of 100,000 and it continues to grow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not alarmism. This is simply the facts.

OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR: And Germany will together with all its allies and especially the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: A push for diplomacy across two continents. U.S. President Joe Biden threatens to hit Vladimir Putin with sanctions and economic consequences over the Ukraine crisis. We are live in Kyiv and Moscow.

Plus, several states are rolling back COVID mask mandates in public and in schools, but is it too soon?

And a golden moment for Eileen Gu. The snow princess wins her first gold for China. We're live at the Beijing Olympics.

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

SOARES: Welcome to the show, everyone. It's Tuesday, February 8th. Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions at Ukraine's border are underway from Washington to Moscow and points in between. This as the European Union's top diplomat Joseph Borrell said the continent is facing its most dangerous moments since the cold war. French President Emmanuel Macron is on his way from Russia to Ukraine for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He's expected to arrive in the next hour.

On Monday U.S. President Joe Biden met with the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Mr. Biden said he will shut down Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine, but Mr. Schultz was hesitant to match that threat. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BIDEN: I don't know what knows what he's going to do and I think he has to realize it will be a gigantic mistake for him to move on Ukraine. The impact on Europe and the rest of the world would be devastating and he would pay a heavy price. I have been very, very straightforward and blunt with President Putin both on the phone and in person. We will impose the most severe sanctions that have ever been imposed -- economic sanctions. And there will be a lot to pay for that down the road.

SCHOLZ: You can be absolutely sure that Germany will be together with all its allies and especially the United States. That we take the same steps. There will be no differences in that situation. What we do today is giving this very strong answer to Russia, saying, if you invade Ukraine, this will have a very high price for you, which will have high impacts on your economy and the chances for your development and we are ready to take steps that will have costs for us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Olaf Scholz speaking exclusively to CNN there. If Nord Stream 2 receives final approval from regulators in Berlin, it will deliver natural gas from Russia to Germany which is crucial to meeting, of course, Europe's energy needs. It would be a big boost to Russia's economy. Meanwhile, new satellite images shared with CNN show new Russian military buildup in Belarus. Very close to its border with Ukraine, including troop and equipment deployment, local training activity and the arrival of Russian ground attack aircraft. Here's more now from the Pentagon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KIRBY, PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: Even in just over the course of the weekend we saw Mr. Putin add to his force capability along that border that with Ukraine and in Belarus. And without getting into specific numbers. He is -- he's -- he's well north of 100,000 and it continues to grow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

And let's get more on this story. CNN's Nathan Hodge is standing by live in Moscow. We begin this hour with Melissa Bell in Kyiv, Ukraine. And Melissa, the focus clearly now back on Kyiv as president Macron meets with President Zelensky. What can we expect from today's meeting -- Melissa?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Isa, the French president has now landed here in the Ukrainian capital.

[04:05:00]

And really, he's looking to pursue what he believes was the progress that was made yesterday in Moscow. We've been hearing more from Elysee sources talking about the concrete steps that were achieved yesterday in Moscow as a result of that bilateral meeting between the French and Russian presidents, a meeting that lasted for more than five hours, Isa.

And what they say is that progress was achieved on a number of points. First of all, what they say is that they've extracted from the Russians a promise that there will be no further military buildup and that after those joint military exercises you just mentioned in Belarus, the ones that have been happening all too close to Kyiv for comfort, that at the end of the exercises the Russian military will withdraw. So, that is an important concession to have gained.

Also looking to the Normandy Format, talks that are to resume this week with a good deal of hope about what they might achieve. But perhaps most importantly, Isa, what Elysee sources say is most important is that these negotiations about a new security arrangement around the European continent are possible.

And I think that is what Emmanuel Macron's strategy was going into this meeting with Vladimir Putin was to say, look, there was this deadlock. We've reached a sort of impasse in terms of the requirements made by Moscow, the answers given by NATO and the United States.

What the French president did, has arrived in Moscow yesterday and say, look, we understand that there have been incomprehension between the West and Russia these last 30 years. We understand that there are fears on either side. Let us sit down together and look at a new security arrangement, new security guarantees -- even using that word -- that was part of Moscow's key requirements. To sit down and focus on how we can best achieve a joint collective security arrangement that is fit for the 21st century around Europe.

And insofar as that goes substantially towards one of Moscow's key demands, there appears to have been room for maneuver. All very much depends now -- and this is what Vladimir Putin said yesterday -- on what happens between Emmanuel Macron and President Zelensky here in Kyiv later today.

SOARES: And we shall course be bringing that press conference when it happens a bit later. Melissa do stay with us, let me go to Nathan. And Nathan, during that meeting -- I think it lasted something like five hours -- we heard President Putin a hint I think it's fair to say of possible breakthrough from President Putin praising President Macron proposals. Do we know the details, Nathan, of these proposals?

NATHAN HODGE, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Isa, I think it's first important to step back and say that despite this flurry of diplomatic activity that we've seen at a very, very high level, you know, the two sides, the West and Russia remain quite, quite far apart. And yesterday we've ended up very much where we were yesterday with the Kremlin was basically telling us not to expect any breakthroughs. Despite the fact that Putin did say that he would be watching in the coming days after Macron's visit to Kyiv and would have another phone conversation with him. To follow on and see if there are additional steps that can be taken.

But what we did see in this press conference that followed this long meeting was Putin airing many of the same grievances that we've heard in recent weeks, in recent months and in fact going back many years. Basically, about Putin's long-standing grievance about, for instance, the expansion of NATO after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War and this is one of the long-standing complaints that he raised again in the press conference. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We are categorically against the expansion of NATO through new members in the East because this poses a broad threat to us. To say that Russia is acting aggressively at the very least does not correspond to sound logic. Did we approach a border somewhere over there? NATO infrastructure has approached us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HODGE: So, this is where Putin once again says it's NATO that's the aggressor here, not mentioning of course that it's Russia that's amassed well over 100,000 troops at the border with Ukraine. That it was also Russia that occupied Crimea and annexed it in 2014, as well as stoked the conflict in eastern Ukraine. So still the two sides are quite far apart. While there seems to be a sort of a crack in the door at least leaving some room to diplomacy -- Isa.

SOARES: Yes, perhaps not a breakthrough but progression of sorts. Nathan Hodge and Melissa Bell, thank you very much.

Now parts of the United States are looking ahead to a new normal and the end of COVID restrictions. Several states have now set time lines for the end of school or indoor mask mandates. The roll backs begin in the coming weeks. The decision to lift those mandates is due in part to high vaccination rates and fewer infections.

[04:10:02]

In California where an indoor mask requirement has been in place for two years now, the government cited a 65 percent drop in cases since the height of the Omicron surge. COVID infections have dropped significantly across the U.S. over the past few weeks. They're now just a 1/3 of the peek we saw three weeks ago or so. But more people are dying each day from Omicron than during the Delta wave last year. And the former head of the CDC warns it may be too early to lift mask mandates. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. TOM FRIEDEN, FORMER DIRECTOR, U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: I think the best practice is what's called a risk alert level system. Think of it like a weather report. How hard is it raining COVID outside or a fire suppression report, where, you know, if you're going hiking and there's a huge risk of fires, can't go camping, can't use a match, can't light a city cigarette because you might cause a forest fire.

The same with COVID. Where the virus is spreading explosively particularly with a deadlier variant. People need to be particularly careful. Where cases are decreasing or the variant is less severe, then it's possible to dial back the level of precautions that we're encouraging or mandating.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Meanwhile, workers in California could see some pandemic relief. State lawmakers on Monday passed a bill allowing employees to claim up to two weeks of paid sick leave due to the virus. Companies with 26 or more employees will be required to provide up to 80 hours for workers to get vaccinated, tested and care for themselves or their loved ones. If it's signed into law the paid leave would be available for employees from the beginning of this year until the end of September.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for an end to the trucker protest against COVID-19 mandates. The protests, well, now in their second week are disrupting traffic and people's daily lives. And they are clogging up major border crossings like this one going into the United States. CNN's Paul Newton is in Ottawa with the latest details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The trucker's protest here in Canada continues. It is now well into its second week with the residents in this city, in Ottawa, the capital. Saying they are incredibly frustrated with the fact that police have still not been able to really ease the gridlock that has gripped the downtown.

Now to remind you, this is a trucker's protest that started as a protest against vaccine mandates. It has now expanded to include mask mandates, any kind of COVID-19 measures. They have been joined by other Canadians that say that they're fed up and frustrated with this pandemic. Now Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who he himself has been in isolation for ten days after contracting COVID, showed up after isolation in to Parliament on Monday evening during an emergency debate. Now I want you to listen to what he said to the protestors.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens' daily lives. It has to stop.

NEWTON: The question is, how do you do that? Even the police chief here in Ottawa says he doesn't have an answer. That he needs reinforcements. But they are doing what they can to make sure that this doesn't lead to a confrontation or violence. But this will take time. And right now, there doesn't seem to be anyone negotiating with these protesters really. This will continue in the days to come. The protesters say they've got food, drink, fuel for months. And with the Prime Minister saying that really has no intention of giving in. Canadians here, this stalemate will continue for some time.

Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: An action-packed day four of the Winter Olympics is underway in Beijing. Already we've seen one record broken by U.S. men's figure skating star, Nathan Chen. Not only did he take the top spot in Tuesday's short program. His score also set a new world record.

Meanwhile, freestyle skier Eileen Gu notched her first Olympic gold for China in the big air competition. While she was born in the U.S., her mother is from China and Gu decided to compete for China at this year's games. Let's get more. Let's bring in CNN's Coy Wire from very sunny there, just outside Beijing. What a beautiful backdrop. Good morning to you Coy. What a golden moment for Eileen Gu. And there may be more golds, I hear, up for grabs.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORT: Yes, absolutely, Isa, and can imagine the pressure this 18-year-old American-born star must have been feeling in her Olympics debut. She was in to compete for her mother's homeland China instead of Team USA. But Isa, she says that she's a hopeless romantic when it comes to fear.

[04:15:00]

Because she realizes that when you embrace it, the adrenaline and the excitement that come with can propel you to greatness and that is what happened. She took that leap of faith landing a 16-20 on her final run. That's 4 1/2 full rotations. And she's just the second woman to ever pull that off in competition. Both of those times actually happened at these Beijing Olympics. She wins China their third gold of these games and leads the way in terms of golds tied with Sweden. Gu talked afterwards about trying to land that trick, Isa, that she had never done before. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EILEEN GU, WON GOLD FOR CHINA IN FREESTYLE SKIING: I think of all my tricks as a rhythm and music and like kind of motion. So, in that sense the wind in my ears, the speed of my turn when I wrap the spin, it speeds up. And so, like there's a change in tempo. And so, I was visualizing that. I was thinking about that going into the trick. I felt very confident that if I didn't land it, it would be safe and that I would still be able to participate in my next two events.

But more than anything, I thought that it was opportunity to represent myself and this message that I've always had of breaking your own boundaries. So, no matter if I landed it or not, it was, I feel like a testament to my character and that is something that I wanted to show the world.

We're all out here together pushing the human limit when the other two athletes were going through their own emotions at the end, I really went over to them and I made it clear that I won because of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Why composing music? Why does she think of that, Isa? She's a piano playing prodigy. She plays Beethoven. She still has a chance to win two more golds here in Beijing.

Now in the men's short program, figure skating that you mentioned, Isa, Team USA star Nathan Chen was a favorite for this one, right? Looking for his first ever individual gold at an Olympics. In the SL performed two-time Olympic champ from Japan Shoma Uno. And Chen reminded the world why he is nicknamed "the quad king." He scores a 113.97. That sets a new world record. The three-time defending world champ taking a commanding lead ahead of the long program on his quest to win that coveted individual Olympic gold -- Isa.

SOARES: Thank you very much. Coy Wire there. Exciting day in the Olympics. I loved reading an article from Gu this morning about fear that she wrote for "The New York Times." I thought it was from Gu, it was fantastic. If you haven't read anyone, read it. Really fascinating. It explains so much of what we hear there in that short clip. Thank you very much, Coy Wire. Great to see you.

Now a phone call to Georgia's Secretary of State is resulting in a grand jury probe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Are you worried that former President Trump could somehow be able to avoid, delay, you know, what's going on with your investigation?

FANI WILLIS, FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Coming up, the investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. That's next.

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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Three former White House officials confirm to CNN, Donald Trump used to routinely tear up official documents during his presidency. The allegations raise concerns about his preservation of presidential records as required by federal law. Meanwhile, some Republicans on Capitol Hill say they are angry over the party's resolution censuring House member Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for serving on the January 6 committee. The resolution referred to Capitol riot as legitimate political discourse.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL): Right now, there's just a few of us willing to tell the base voters the truth. There's a lot of people hiding in the sand because the truth is hard and it makes their life a little uncomfortable. I think we have to fight for the soul of not just the party but the country. We are in a real dire moment. If we don't wake up and realize this is more than performance art when we lie, when tell people elections were stolen. This actually goes to the survival of this country in the form we know it. It's that serious. It's worth fighting for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election are under investigation in Atlanta. And the Fulton County district attorney isn't concerned about any of the former president's legal tactics. Bonnie Willis launched the probe last year after Trump's phone call to the Georgia Secretary of State. He urged the Republican to find votes to change the state's results. Fulton County judges approved Willis's request for a special grand jury. The jury will be seated in May and Willis will be issuing subpoenas to gather more evidence. The investigation is also looking at the activities of Trump's allies. Willis spoke with CNN's Sarah Murray.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Are you worried that former President Trump could somehow be able to avoid, delay, you know, what's going on with your investigation?

FANI WILLIS, FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: No.

MURRAY: Why is that? What gives you that confidence?

WILLIS: This is a criminal investigation. We are not here playing a game. I plan to use the power of the law. We are all citizens. Mr. Trump, just as every other American citizen, is entitled to dignity, he's entitled to be treated fairly. He will be treated fairly in this jurisdiction. But I plan to do my job. And my job is to make sure that we get the evidence that gives us the truth. I'm not concerned at all about games to delay this.

MURRAY: Have you given any thought to or seen his defenses in other cases that essentially what you do as president is protected because you're the president, doesn't amount to the crime?

WILLIS: Of course, I've given thought to if that that may be raised as a legal issue. I don't think that that protection will prevent a prosecution if that becomes necessary in this state case.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: CNN political commentator Kesha Lance Bottoms, served as mayor of Atlanta during the Trump administration, she says Willis wouldn't be investigating Trump without good reason.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[04:25:00]

KESHA LANCE BOTTOMS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: She is one of the top prosecutors in the district attorney's office before she sought to become the district attorney. I've worked with Fani in three different places, including her first job out of law school and she walked in the door fearless. So, if she is pursuing this given her experience, given what she knows about what you need to move forward with a criminal case, I assure you there is something there.

I think that it's important that not only that Fani Willis here in Georgia take a serious look and make a determination. But also, prosecutors across the country who may also have reason to believe that something was done inappropriately to interfere with the election because our democracy is about more than one person.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Trump is also under investigation in New York where his family business is accused of fraudulent or misleading practices.

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for a Congressional map drawn by Alabama's Republicans to remain in place. In a 5-4 decision, it stopped the lower court ruling that said the map likely violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of black voters. The lower court had ordered a new map to be drawn, which could have led to Democrats gaining another seat in House later this year.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis appeared to voice support on Monday for a controversial bill that would impact what kind of language can be used in classrooms. Opponents have dubbed it the don't say gay bill. The measure supported by Republicans lawmakers says school districts may not encourage discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students. The legislation is drawing fierce opposition from Democrats and LGBTQ advocates.

Practicing urban combat in a ghost town. Ukrainian forces are training in Chernobyl in case Russia decides to invade. We'll have a first look at the drills. That's ahead.

Plus, snow, snow go away. Parts of the U.S. could be seeing even more winter weather today.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Not a bad setup for the first week of February. Generally quiet conditions across the U.S. Although there is one spot we're watching for some active weather. That's around the Northeast where some wintry weather rolling in. We'll break down the details here on the potential for snowfall coming up in a few minutes.

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