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No Breakthrough in Flurry of High-Stakes Talks about Russia; Russia's Kamila Valieva Doping Hearing Scheduled for Today; France's Nice Carnival Returns. Aired 12-12:30a ET
Aired February 13, 2022 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello and welcome to our viewers all around the world, I'm Lynda Kinkade.
Ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, high stakes diplomacy: the U.S. President speaking to his Russian counterpart, warning of severe consequences.
Hard work and a dream of a lifetime squashed in a moment. The challenge that Olympic athletes are facing due to COVID.
And no love for the cost of roses this Valentine's Day. We'll explain.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Lynda Kinkade.
KINKADE: Fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are so high right now that countries around the world are advising citizens to get out while they can. The U.S. is one of the number of nations drawing down its embassy staff in Kyiv.
Florida National Guard troops, in Ukraine, for training are also being withdrawn. The Ukranian government says it's an overreaction, that security is still intact and that panic only benefits Moscow.
Yet, armed conflict now seems more likely. Both Washington and Moscow agree that Saturday's call between the two leaders did not yield any breakthroughs. The Kremlin described the hour-long conversation as businesslike.
The White House says President Biden, again, warned President Putin that the cost of aggression would be swift and severe. A short time ago, U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said the West has no choice but to stand up to Moscow's threats.
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ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: When one country seeks to flout the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another, one seeks to change the borders of another by force, when it seeks to dictate to that country its choices, its policies, with whom it may associate, when it seeks to exert a sphere of influence to subjugate a neighbor to its will, that is profoundly corrosive and undermining of these very rules and norms that underscore our own security.
And again, not just in Europe but around the world. And if we allow that to go unchallenged, if we allow it to proceed with impunity, then we open a Pandora's box, again, not just in Europe but around the world.
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KINKADE: By contrast, inside of Ukraine, there is no sense of imminent danger. Large crowds marching through the capital, Saturday, to show their defiance of the Russian threat.
The list of nations, urging their citizens to leave Ukraine, is growing rapidly. The U.S., Britain and Japan, were among the first to issue that advisory and 2 dozen other countries and territories have followed suit in the past 24 hours.
The U.S. now says that Poland will allow Americans to cross over from Ukraine, without advanced approval.
Apart from speaking with President Biden on Saturday, the Russian leader also spoke by phone with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. The two diplomats from Russia and the U.S., also had a call. The top diplomats, rather. CNN's Nic Robertson explains what came out of that flurry of high stakes diplomacy.
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NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: From any of these three big phone calls today -- President Biden, President Putin; President Putin, President Macron; Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, with secretary of state Antony Blinken -- really hard to see any diplomatic advancement.
The readout from the phone call, the Kremlin's readout from the phone call with President Biden, was that it was coming from a position of hysteria about this, supposed, Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Russians, pushing back as well to what secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said on that particular issue, saying, this is, really, sort of a propaganda position, that this is allowing the Ukrainians the opportunity to try to start a war in Ukraine, start it with the pro- Russian, Russian-backed separatists, in the east of the country.
So in all of these diplomatic phone calls, talking past each other, it seems to be the case. The Kremlin, in all of these calls as well, making the point that they have not had their core issues addressed; those core issues being denying Ukraine to be able to have membership of NATO and NATO to go back to its 1997 lines and membership position.
So the Kremlin, just staying in their current position. I think one takeaway, certainly, from the phone call with President Macron and the phone call that secretary of state Antony Blinken had as well. [00:05:00]
ROBERTSON: Both trying to get Russia to commit to a track of diplomacy. But by saying to get to that track, de-escalate the forces around Ukraine, show you are committed to moving forward with diplomacy. That is the way to go.
Really, just trying to test and see if Russia has actually an intention to try to talk this through.
Or, really, are they just building up their forces as a threat?
And then as the U.S. assesses, they say Putin hasn't made a decision but it's the U.S. assessment, increasingly looking likely of the possibility of a Russian invasion, very hard to make a determinant read.
President Putin just not conceding any ground or developing a new position at all -- Nic Robertson, CNN, Moscow.
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KINKADE: Jill Dougherty is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She is also a former CNN Moscow bureau chief.
Good to see you.
JILL DOUGHERTY, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY AND WILSON CENTER: Hi, Lynda, good to see you.
KINKADE: Right now, Russia has surrounded Ukraine from three major fronts, from Belarus on the north, Crimea in the south and the Russian side of the Ukraine border. Despite weeks of diplomatic talks, this situation appears to grow more tense.
Many countries, urging their citizens to leave immediately.
How would you describe what we see right now?
DOUGHERTY: I would say, militarily, Russia continues to build up its forces. So it looks very threatening.
Then on the other side, on the diplomatic side, we have this extraordinary flurry of diplomatic action; in fact, just over the past couple of days. The first one would be President Putin and President Biden speaking.
But President Putin, also speaking with the French president, Macron, and with the Belarusian president, Mr. Lukashenko. Then we have the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, talking with his counterpart in Russia.
We have the foreign minister, Lavrov, speaking with Secretary Blinken. There has been a full court press. But it doesn't seem to go anywhere. So this raises the question. Does Russia want to solve this diplomatically or are we doomed to a
standoff for a longer time than we may have wanted?
KINKADE: As you point out, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. President Biden and President Putin spoke for over an hour today. It doesn't seem like either side is willing to budge. Doesn't seem to be any room for compromise on the key demands from Russia.
When you saw the readout from that conversation today, what stood out to you?
DOUGHERTY: When I read it, it felt very strange. On the one hand, the language from Yury Ushakov, who is a very senior aide to President Putin, was almost over the top, saying, unprecedented attempts to whip up hysteria about the alleged Russian invasion. The hysteria has reached its climax.
So what he is saying there, obviously, is that the United States is raising the tensions and inducing, leading Ukraine into a state of heightened fury. And Ukraine might attack the Russian speaking areas in Ukraine.
So that is the translation of what he is saying. On the other hand, he said, it was a balanced and businesslike conversation. So I'm not sure what to read from that other than there will be another step.
Russia says that it, pretty soon, will be responding to the Western or U.S. and NATO's response to their demands. But overall, they say, the West is not listening to us and certainly they are not fulfilling or even taking seriously the main demand of Russia, which is to not expand NATO.
KINKADE: You have been watching Russian media.
How do you think Russia, legally, might make a case to take some aggressive action?
DOUGHERTY: I think that's an important word that you're using because President Putin, by trade, by education, is a lawyer. And often, Russia wants to pin its actions legally and to say we were justified in doing that.
I think we should be watching very carefully what is going on in the Donbas region, the Russian regions, breakaway regions, in the eastern part of Ukraine. The Russian Duma, the lower house of parliament, is taking steps to try to have President Putin legally recognize those areas as independent states.
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DOUGHERTY: If they did that and it was, in the end, that Ukrainians attacked or there was a figment of an attack, a fake attack, it would give Russia the excuse and the justification, legally, to go in and protect those people.
And that could be the reason for an attack by Russia. KINKADE: We will leave it there for now but, as always, great to get
your expertise, thanks so much for your time.
DOUGHERTY: Thanks, Lynda.
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KINKADE: In Canada, prime minister Justin Trudeau and other officials are discussing additional measures to break up the protests that are crippling cities and border crossings.
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KINKADE (voice-over): It comes after police in Windsor began an operation to clear a blockade from the Ambassador Bridge, at the U.S.- Canadian border, Saturday morning. Several border blockades, across Canada, have taken a toll on the economies of both countries.
Business groups have warned, protests are putting further stress on an already struggling supply chain.
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KINKADE: Those protests are inspiring similar action in France. The so-called freedom convoy descending on Paris Saturday and blocking traffic at various locations around the city. CNN's Jim Bittermann reports.
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JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT: France's so-called freedom convoy managed to make it into the center of Paris, Saturday afternoon, despite the mobilization of 7,000 police and gendarmes and some pretty impressive armored vehicles and towing equipment.
Along the famous Avenue Champs-Elysees, where weekend traffic frequently can be a problem, it was made even worse by several hundred demonstrators, trying to block the thoroughfare by parking their vehicles in the middle of the street.
Using tow trucks and tear gas and making arrests, the police were able to gradually get control of the situation. The demonstration was modeled after those taking place in Canada.
But protesters here are not only against the vaccination mandate but also, against the high price of fuel and the increased cost of living. From Paris, some of the demonstrators will try to go on north to Brussels, the home of the European Union.
But authorities there say that they are going to control the convoy at the border -- Jim Bittermann, CNN, just outside Paris.
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KINKADE: Still ahead, the Beijing Olympics are halfway over. All eyes are on the doping scandal, overshadowing competition on the ice. Details on the hearing that will determine if a 15 year old Russian athlete can compete, when we come back.
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KINKADE: Welcome back.
It's another day of intense competition at the Beijing Winter Games; 18 year old American skier Eileen Gu, who is competing for China, was supposed to hit the slopes in a qualifying event today but it's been postponed due to the weather. We are also following the latest in the doping scandal of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.
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KINKADE: CNN's Steven Jiang is live for in Beijing and "WORLD SPORT's" Patrick Snell joins us from Atlanta.
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KINKADE: I want to bring in Steven Jiang, who's with us from Beijing.
Steven, so much discussion still about the future of the 15 year-old Russian ice skater and they are going to fast-track the hearing right now.
STEVEN JIANG, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER, BEIJING BUREAU: That is, right. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is going to be holding a hearing via video conference in about 8 hours from now.
And they are expected to make a decision by Monday afternoon ahead of the Tuesday figure skating event that Kamila Valieva is scheduled to appear next. The International Olympic Committee is still not saying much about this case, citing this ongoing process and legal ramifications.
And a complicating factor here, of course, because a positive test sample was collected on December 25th, before the Olympics, that is why this archway falls outside of the jurisdiction of the IOC.
That is also why the Russian Anti-Doping Agency says the reason they decided to lift the temporary ban on Kamila Valieva was because she has been testing negative, both before and after that date, including testing negative since she arrived in Beijing.
And Russian sports authorities have been throwing growing support behind her as well. The country sports minister as well as the head of the country's figure skating federation both say they have no doubts over her honesty, with the sports minister, especially saying that, when he talked to her in the past few days, he heard a lot of optimism and strength and energy in her voice. And that that is why he is further convinced of her innocence.
Another thing they've been pointing out is the length of time it took the lab in Sweden to return this result because the sample collected on December 25th and the result only came on February 8th. There were suggestions that this was due to a wave of COVID cases in Sweden.
Undoubtedly that's one point that will come up during the hearing in the appeal process, as everyone here eagerly awaits here the decision in a very snowy Beijing. Lynda?
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KINKADE: Yes, no doubt there will be a lot of us waiting to hear how this hearing plays out, as you say about 8 hours from now. Steven Jiang in Beijing, thanks so much.
Competition at the Olympic Winter Games is about halfway over. But for some Olympians, the dream of competing is slipping away because of COVID. Dozens of athletes have been forced into quarantine after testing positive for the virus. CNN's Selina Wang shows us how some of the athletes are coping with this new reality.
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SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Olympic dream to quarantine, a nightmare scenario. Athletes who test positive, like Norwegian Olympian Jarl Magnus Riiber, whisked out of the Olympic Village in an ambulance into this dystopian reality.
Workers in hazmat sits carry his Olympic luggage into the isolation facility.
The overwhelming smell?
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JARL MAGNUS RIIBER, NORWEGIAN NORDIC COMBINED SKIER (through translator): Yes, it definitely smells of chlorine.
WANG (voice-over): A disinfectant.
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WANG (voice-over): They go through paperwork, take his vitals; feeling healthy but making it out in time to compete, he tells me, is a slim possibility.
The gold medalist in the nordic combined skiing event trapped in this room for more than a week, running back and forth, over and over again, just to stay in shape. His happiest day here, getting his bike delivered, the confinement ruining years of preparation.
RIIBER: I hope for a miracle. Yes, it destroys a lot, because have tuned your shape so much into this event.
WANG (voice-over): But for it to end, athletes have to deliver two negative PCR tests with at least 24 hours in between. And then after that, seven more days of isolation at the Olympic Village. For some athletes, it's already too late. American ice skating star
Vincent Zhou telling fans he is out of the games because of COVID, even though he's taken every precaution possible.
In a heartwrenching video, he shares what he would tell his younger self.
VINCENT ZHOU, OLYMPIC ICE SKATER: Just the pain of it all is pretty insane.
WANG: More than 400 Olympic personnel have tested positive for COVID. Athletes tell me that isolation hotels like that one are getting full. But they could not feel more isolated or anxious knowing that their Olympic dreams could end in there.
WANG (voice-over): American bobsledder Josh Williamson, stuck in California after testing positive --
JOSH WILLIAMSON, U.S. BOBSLEDDER: I had kind of done everything I can. That's one of those things where, it is a hard pill to swallow when it's something like out of your control.
WANG (voice-over): Swedish curler Sofia Mabergs documents her roller coaster week for CNN.
SOFIA MABERGS, SWEDISH CURLING GOLD MEDALIST: I can finally start packing my stuff again. I'm like all emotional right now.
WANG (voice-over): After agonizing days of positive tests, she finally recovered, making her way to the games.
MABERGS: Get the Olympic experience started.
WANG (voice-over): For these Olympics, even the little things, like embracing friends, is a victory.
MABERGS: Can't wait to hug my friends and best teammates ever.
WANG (voice-over): Selina Wang, CNN, Beijing. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, all out of love. Why you could be shelling out the big bucks for this year's Valentine's Day gifts. That story when we come back.
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KINKADE: Organizers hope to seat 5,000 people and welcome 7,000 standing spectators. Attendees are mandated to wear face masks and carry proof of vaccination, according to local news reports. The carnival is open for 15 days, closing on February 27th.
Valentine's Day is just at the corner and due to supply chain issues and the pandemic, the cost of celebrating could be a thorn in your hip pocket.
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KINKADE (voice-over): The classic red rose, a symbol of romance and a staple of Valentine's Day around the world. But this year, because of COVID-19 and supply chain issues, florists are facing some thorny issues, like price increases.
According to the Society of American Florists, in some areas, the cost of Valentine's Day roses is as much as 60 percent higher than their everyday price. But that increase can vary based on location. Shipping and increased labor costs have driven up the price that florists pass on to consumers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Definitely higher prices. Definitely, like I am double, double from last spring.
KINKADE (voice-over): Despite the high prices, people are still buying. Sales of Valentine's Day flowers, candies and cards in the U.S. are expected to rake in nearly $24 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Just a few years ago, flower growers in the Netherlands, the world's biggest flower exporter, were destroying their stems because of a lack of demand. Many florists around the world are temporarily closing their businesses because of COVID lockdowns.
But the industry is booming once more. Weddings are back on and florists say people sent flowers as a way of keeping in touch during the pandemic. And that has not slowed down.
Flower growers in Colombia, who primarily sell to the U.S., say the biggest challenge this year is keeping up with demand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The difficulties have been huge. The main thing has been to protect the health of the workers and, on the other side, the logistical problems, the lack of aerial transport.
KINKADE (voice-over): Experts say it's best to be flexible when shopping for flowers this year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a shortage in, from what I understand, white flowers, roses and whatnot. But there are other floral products that are readily available and abundant.
KINKADE (voice-over): As Shakespeare wrote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This year, consumers might have to look to other options. The price of that perfect red rose is too dear.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KINKADE: That is our show for tonight, I'm Lynda Kinkade, thanks so much for your company. "Kickoff in Los Angeles" is coming up next. I will be back at the top of the hour with much more news.
