Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

More Military Equipment Seen In The Border Region; Omicron Cases On The Rise; Ottawa's Police Chief Steps Down; Chinatown Killing; Brazil's Deadly Flooding; Ex-President Extradition; China's Same-Sex Censorship. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired February 16, 2022 - 02:00:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:17]

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, everyone. I'm Michael Holmes, coming to you live in Ukraine, where Russian claims of a troop pullback have been met with skepticism.

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR (on camera): And I'm Rosemary Church in Atlanta. We are following a settlement in the sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center. This is CNN NEWSROOM with Rosemary Church.

HOLMES: Hello, everyone. We begin with Russia's claims that some of its troops are returning to their home bases after finishing up their military drills. The U.S., NATO, and Ukraine, all say that would be an encouraging sign, but they haven't seen evidence of a de-escalation so far.

Now, in Washington, the U.S. President Joe Biden is warning a Russian invasion of Ukraine is still a very real possibility. Back struck an optimistic tone about the chance for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Mr. Biden also warning that Russia would pay a high price and face international condemnation for invading Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Russian defense minister reporting today that some military units are leaving their positions near Ukraine. That would be good, but we have not yet verified that.

We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position. And the fact remains, right now, Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine in Belarus and along Ukraine's border. An invasion remains distinctly possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HOLMES: Now, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is the latest European leader to visit Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin. The Russian president called Western deterrent measures a direct and immediate threat to security, but said, he is open to negotiations.

Mr. Putin also claimed that human rights of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine are being violated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): According to our estimates, what is happening in the Donbas today is genocide.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, here in Ukraine, it is the day of national unity, where the president is encouraging people to fly the country's flag and wear blue and yellow ribbons.

Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit the coastal city of Mariupol to mark the occasion. All right, let's go live to CNN's Fred Pleitgen in Moscow, with the very latest from there. Fred?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Hi, there, Michael, and certainly, Olaf Scholz's visit was one that was closely watched here in Moscow. And I think one of the things that became clear is that the west certainly seems to be trying to hold that unified position that it has had towards the Russians.

Olaf Scholz on the one hand, saying that diplomacy was, of course, something that was in order, as Vladimir Putin said as well. But he also said that there would be a heavy price for Russia to pay if indeed there was a further invasion of Ukraine.

Now, of course, first and foremost, that would come in the form of sanctions. And as far as the U.S. is concerned, they believe that the big leverage that Germany actually has in all of this is, of course, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Now, Olaf Scholz actually spoke to some media representatives after he met Vladimir Putin. And I asked him about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and whether he had raised that issue with Vladimir Putin.

Let's listen in to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: First of all, did you make clear to Vladimir Putin that if there is a further invasion of Ukraine that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project would most probably be dead, but would be dead, according to the Americans?

And then, second of all, do you think that any headway was made to today to make sure that war will be averted?

OLAF SCHOLZ, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY: We have a very clear strategy. And this is, first, saying that if there would be a military aggression against Ukraine that this would have hot consequences, and we are prepared to decide united on the necessary sanctions.

We already prepared them, and we are ready to decide on them if this case would happen.

But on the other hand, it is absolutely clear that we do all necessary -- that is necessary to avoid this situation. And this is what we are doing.

PLEITGEN: But you did talk a lot about Nord Stream 2, didn't you? It was a large part of the press conference --

(CROSSTALK)

SCHOLZ: It was part of the press conference, so, you might mention that we also discussed on this in our meeting. It's absolute -- all understand what the situation will be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[02:05:06]

PLEITGEN: Absolutely clear to everyone what the situation would be then obviously in case of a Russian aggression. But again, the tones that we've been hearing here out of Moscow over the past 24 or 36 hours is that the Russians say that they do favor diplomacy in all of this.

And, of course, you had those reports that we've been talking about so much, Michael of those units, allegedly pulling back, of course, the U.S. is saying haven't been able to verify that yet, Michael.

HOLMES: All right. Fred Pleitgen in Moscow, appreciate it. Thanks so much.

And joining me now here in Lviv is Natalia Dolinska. She is an associate professor of international relations at the Ivan Franko National University here in Lviv.

It's great to have you here with us. President Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine still wants to be in NATO. I think he said, yes, we would like to join NATO as it would protect our integrity.

Russia, obviously fiercely opposed to that. What is your sense of how Ukrainian feel about membership in NATO?

NATALIA DOLINSKA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, IVAN FRANKO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY: Yes, thank you for your question. You know, it's not only that we want to join the NATO. It's also part of our Constitution. It is clearly stated in the constitution of Ukraine that we are pursuing our way to NATO and to the European Union. And people of Ukraine are, of course, are supporting that.

HOLMES: When it -- when it comes to the performance of President Zelensky. I mean, it's a fascinating example of life imitating art. This was a television comedian, who played a president in a T.V. show, as the country was being invaded by Russia. I mean, it's an extraordinary thing.

What -- how do people feel he is handling the job in the real world?

DOLINSKA: Well, I believe that he is doing pretty well. You know, people are supporting him. And we do support his -- especially his foreign policy, because he's been very patriotic, he is supporting the Ukrainian policies, policies very Ukrainian centered, and of course, we are supporting his policy right now.

HOLMES: OK. You deal in international relations. You teach it, you study it, and the rest of it. What did your sense even if Vladimir Putin doesn't invade? Would he be happy with anything less than a weakened and subservient Ukraine? What do you think his view is of that?

DOLINSKA: Well, basically, what we feel is that he's pursuing his ambition to keep Ukraine as weak as it as possible. He does not want us to become the part of NATO, he does not want us to become the E.U. member. But that is actually our primary ambition. And we -- and we do believe that we are going actually that way.

HOLMES: Yes. We know that -- you know, you're saying that the president has public support, what about political support? What is the political landscape here? Has everyone rallied around him? Or does he have opposition?

DOLINSKA: Oh, well, of course, you know, we are a democratic country, just like in every other countries, there are lots of politicians with their own values, with their own views. And, of course, there are supporters to those people. But when it comes to, you know, the outside our strategy we are facing these days.

Of course, we are all supporting the policy of Zelensky, and of course, we are supporting the independent -- the sovereignty of Ukraine, first of all.

HOLMES: There is an argument that NATO has gone too far with its expansion. It's come too far, close to Russia. Some people have said, you know, how would the United States feel if there was a Chinese military alliance in Mexico?

Is there any sympathy for that view? I mean, you're the one sitting on Russia's border. Is there any sympathy for the view that NATO shouldn't have come this far?

DOLINSKA: I don't think so. I believe we all see NATO as a defense instrument for Ukraine, and NATO is the only defense system organization that is defending Ukraine these days.

What I have to say is that actually, it is up to the Ukrainians to decide whether they want to become part of NATO and part of the European Union. It's not Putin or any Russian people to dictate on that. Right?

HOLMES: Yes.

DOLINSKA: And if there is the will from NATO, and they want us to be part of NATO, I think we will gladly be them.

HOLMES: Yes. And as we sit here in Lviv, the beautiful historic city, and the pressure is on all around the country, what is your sense of how Ukrainians are feeling about this?

I mean, there's no panic, people seem to be going about their daily lives. What is your sense of how people feel? Are they fearful? Are they worried? What is it?

DOLINSKA: Oh, we are definitely not panicking, of course. The war has been on for some time already, you know, for a couple of years already. So, we are all ready, we all preserved, we are not nervous wrecks. We are ready for any kind of situation that might come up, you know.

HOLMES: Do you worry that they could come across the border at any time?

DOLINSKA: Well, of course, we're worried. Like the whole world is supposed to worry about that. Because you know, Russia is very unpredictable. We don't know which border or which countries they are going to trespass any moment. So, of course, we are worried.

HOLMES: Do you feel that Ukraine is getting enough international support, enough international attention?

DOLINSKA: Well, I have to say that we do appreciate this support that we are having from our colleagues, from our partners abroad, that we do appreciate.

[02:10:04]

DOLINSKA: And I want to express our gratitude to the American people who support us a lot and that is actually one of -- one of the first moments, historically that the whole world is supporting a country who is -- which is actually much weaker than the aggressor. And we do appreciate that. Yes.

HOLMES: And real quick, is there something that you, as a political analyst, but also as a Ukrainian wants the world to know about this situation?

DOLINSKA: Yes, I just -- I just want to say I want to address the whole world and say that we do -- we do appreciate, we are very grateful to our partners abroad, who are providing the lethal weapons, who are providing us the moral support. And thank you for being here and showing what is really happening in this country. And I do hope that we will be fine. That the whole world will be -- will be saved, will be in peace, but we have to be aware of Russia. And we should understand, like all of us that Russia is very unpredictable.

HOLMES: Yes.

DOLINSKA: We should be ready, but don't panic.

HOLMES: All right. Great words, great advice. Professor Natalia Dolinska, thank you so much for coming here.

DOLINSKA: Thank you, Michael. Thank you.

HOLMES: Joining us here.

DOLINSKA: Thank you.

HOLMES: That I'm going to be back with much more from Lviv at the bottom of the hour. But first, let's throw it back to Rosemary Church in Atlanta with the day's other news. Rosy.

CHURCH: Well, new information shows Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for three different substances used in heart treatment back in December.

The 15-year-old is at the center of Russia's latest Olympic doping scandal but was clear to compete in solo events.

The New York Times reports that on top of the heart drug trimetazidine, the Court of Arbitration for Sport says hypoxen and L- Carnatine were also found. Those two substances are not bound -- banned rather.

Valieva came in at the top of the women's singles skating short program on Tuesday and is the favorite to win another gold medal this week.

Steven Jiang joins us now with the latest from Beijing. Good to see you, Steven.

So, three heart medications were found in Valieva sample. And now, we're hearing a rather strange explanation for how that happened. What's being said about all of this?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (on camera): Well, Rosemary, there are quite a few were claims reportedly might -- made by the adults around her about these substances, including how one was used by her grandfather, and the other two used by her mother to treat her heart condition.

But, what's clear here is the New York Times revelation that she actually tested positive for three substances is really throwing even more doubts over this argument that this whole thing was just a one off accident.

It's really painting an increasingly damning picture on her entourage and further convincing experts and, of course, critics of her being part of Russia's long-standing doping problem.

Here is what the head of the U.S. anti-doping agency told us just a little while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRAVIS TYGART, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, UNITED STATES ANTI-DOPING AGENCY: Having these three, you know, two declared and one, obviously testing positive that wasn't declared, the one that is prohibited, just raises, you know, significant red flags and alarm bells that there is someone behind whether it's coach, doctor, the state, that's helping this young athlete, and teaching this young athlete to use the substances in order ultimately to increase and enhance performance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIANG: And as Tygart also pointed out, even though only one of the three substances is banned, the other two have long been on the radar of anti-doping agencies around the world for their performance- enhancing capabilities.

And there were actually attempt in the U.S. back in 2017 to ban one of the two, hypoxen. But that ban was never implemented.

Now, he also pointed out the amount of the banned substance known as TMZ found in her body was actually greater than just a trace amount. So, all of this, according to him, is consistent with the intentional use instead of just accidental intake.

All of this obviously creating even darker clouds hanging above not just about Valieva, but also her team, the Russian sports system, as well as the Olympic Games as a whole. Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes, most definitely. Steven Jiang bringing us the very latest there. Many thanks.

And still to come, with his reputation already in tatters, Prince Andrew reaches a settlement with Virginia Giuffre in her sexual assault lawsuit against him.

Plus, what Chinese President Xi Jinping is urging the Hong Kong government to do as the city sees a spike in New COVID cases?

We're back with that in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:16:48]

CHURCH: Britain's Prince Andrew has agreed to settle Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against him. She claims he sexually abused her when she was a teenager.

CHURCH (voice-over): And says Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison had trafficked her to the British Royal.

One of Giuffre's attorney says she is very pleased with the resolution of the lawsuit. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

And for more on this, we want to bring in CNN's Anna Stewart, who joins us live from London. Great to see you, Anna. So, Prince Andrew reached this out of court settlements with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre for an undisclosed sum. What more are you learning about this? And what happens now to the prince going forward?

ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, let's start with what we don't know, which as you say is just how much the settlement was for. It is an undisclosed sum, but it also includes money going to Virginia Giuffre's charity, which is in support of victims' rights.

And we also don't know, of course, who is paying for this, Prince Andrew, of course, but will he have enough funds? Will he have to tap into the royal family, his mother the queen?

We also know that Prince Andrew here is not accepting liability, Rosemary. And I think, the statement that was given by the legal teams is incredibly well-worded and really interesting.

Actually, it says Prince Andrew was never intended to malign Mr. Giuffre's character. And it also says that he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks.

Now, this is although he's not accepting any liability, still a huge shift in tone really from what we've had from Prince Andrew's legal teams up to this point. Of course, Prince Andrew has always said that he never even met Virginia Giuffre, here he is reaching a settlement with her.

He has previously said that her claims were baseless that they were frivolous. And in October, his legal team claimed that she was motivated by money, saying that she wanted to, and I quote, achieve another payday at his expense.

Andrew's team initially tried to get this case, entirely dismissed. They had argued that papers hadn't been served correctly. They then argue that because of a settlement reached between Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein, that he had no liability.

Anyway, all of that failed. And they then said very recently that they wanted this case to go to trial. They wanted a jury trial, and, of course, now, that is not happening.

So, Prince Andrew's name not necessarily cleared in a sort of court of public opinion, I think, but this does draw a line under that.

And up to this point, the royal family really have tried to distance themselves from all of this scandal. They have stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles, of his military titles, and I don't expect he will make any sort of return to public life. Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes, indeed. Anna Stewart joining us live from London. Many thanks.

Well, now, I want to bring in royal expert, Sandro Monetti, good to have you with us. So, Prince Andrew has now settle this case with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and not a word from Queen Elizabeth or the palace in the form of any official statement. What does that tell us? And what does it tell the prince?

SANDRO MONETTI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTOR: Sometimes silence speaks volumes. That could have been an alternative the Queen could have said welcome back to the royal fold, Andrew. We put this behind us, we move on.

[02:20:06]

MONETTI: The fact there is no statement at all shows that Andrew remains sidelined. There's no way back for him. The only question will be, will he play any part in the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in the first weekend of June?

I think it's more likely he'll be on the golf course rather than on the balcony of the palace.

CHURCH: We're just completely out of sight perhaps. So, despite the settlement, there is no admission of guilt on the part of Prince Andrew. So, where do things stand in the court of public opinion right now? What do the people of Britain think of him?

MONETTI: Well, I mean, he's completely backpedalled on what he said before, there is no consistency here.

We remember that disastrous television interview in 2019, where he said that he did not regret his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. And he did not express any sympathy for Virginia.

What a -- what a complete turnaround in this legal statement. Isn't it interesting how the lawyers' words are so different from those of the prince? The public might suspect a lack of sincerity here. It will be interesting if we do and see -- did see Andrew going forward, whether he agrees to stick by his words to even campaign for sex trafficking victims. No idea what form that's going to take.

But yes, we have a court settlement. But sometimes the judgment in the court of public opinion could be a lot harsher. I don't see any way back for him.

CHURCH: And we all remember Prince Andrews' 2019 T.V. interview where he showed no regret for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, and no empathy for the victims and his accuser.

His views have clearly changed since then, now showing regret for his association with Epstein. How difficult has this journey been for the prince? And is he truly a change man?

MONETTI: I don't see any evidence of him being a change man at all. I think he, though, has come to his senses, and realize that it would be even worse for him if he had gone to trial, because he would have opened the door to many allegations and accusations, things we haven't heard they would have been a deep dive into his past and his present as well. Settling was really the only option.

And as for the as for the payment issue, which we touched on before, interesting that Prince Andrew recently sold a Swiss ski chalet that he owes -- that he owned for 18 million. So, there will certainly be a plenty of cash to draw on to play the settlement without necessarily having to go to his mother for the money.

CHURCH: Yes, a lot of people wondering, where and how he will pay for this, and how has this impacted his daughters?

Well, Beatrice and Eugenie, are much more popular in the sort of public folders as well. They have not put a foot wrong at all, and they are among the more loved members of the -- of the royal family.

They have avoided public comments pretty wisely, and much like the rest of the royal family, they'll want to distance themselves from all this. And as we're seeing just last weekend when the Queen was marking 70 years on the throne, looking forward to the official celebrations in the summer, where, us, Brits, got a four day bank holiday. We roll out the Union Jack, we fly the flag, and we salute the Royals. Well, not one of them.

CHURCH: Indeed, not one of them. Sandro Monetti, thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate it.

MONETTI: God saved the Queen.

CHURCH: Well, the leaders of Bahrain and Israel say their countries can do greater things together. After decades of strained relations, Naftali Bennett became the first Israeli prime minister to make an official visit to Bahrain, and Bahrain's crown prince has now accepted an invitation to visit Israel in the near future.

CNN's Hadas Gold explains what's behind this diplomatic breakthrough.

HADAS GOLD, CNN POLITICS, MEDIA AND BUSINESS REPORTER (on camera): It's a scene that might have been unthinkable for many people just a few years ago.

GOLD (voice-over): The Israeli prime minister being welcomed to the Kingdom of Bahrain, with honor guards upon his arrival at the airport, as well as upon his arrival at the royal palaces.

This is the first time an Israeli prime minister has visited Bahrain since the two countries signed those historic normalization agreements in 2020.

GOLD (on camera): And so much of these trips are about the symbolism and about building the personal relationships. The prime minister met with the crown prince and also with the king of Bahrain.

Take a listen to what the crown prince said about their budding relationship earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) NAFTALI BENNETT, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL: I think that if we see a wider Middle East that is free from conflict, that is based on principles of mutual respect, understanding, and a shared responsibility towards security, we must do more to get to know one another and build upon the Abraham Accords, which are -- have been such a historic agreement concluded in the last year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[02:25:15]

GOLD: Top of mind, likely in those talks behind closed doors is Iran, which lies just about 200 kilometers from where we are in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

The shared security concern for both countries and what helped push them together in signing those normalization agreements in 2020.

And although Bahrain is a very small island country, it is very strategically important in this region, especially for Israel, not only because of its proximity to Iran, but also because of its proximity and relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Navy also has its Fifth Fleet here who the Israeli prime minister met with also during this trip. And for the first time ever, an Israeli military officer will be posted in Bahrain, the first time an Israeli military officer will be posted in an Arab country.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz also made his inaugural visit to Bahrain, where he signed a formal security agreement, a formal security memorandum between the two countries which will open up cooperations between the two militaries, importantly, paving the way potentially for Bahrain to one day start purchasing some Israeli missile defense systems, potentially one day like the Iron Dome.

Hadas Gold, CNN, Manama, Bahrain.

CHURCH: Russia claim some of its troops are pulling back from Ukraine's border, but satellite images of more military equipment are fueling skepticism. The details just ahead.

Plus, some patients in Hong Kong are being treated outdoors as the city reals under a COVID surge. We're live in Hong Kong next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Michael Holmes in Lviv, Ukraine with more on our top story. Western officials expressing skepticism over Russia's claims that some of its troops are being sent back to base after drills near Ukraine's border saying, they've seen no evidence of that so far.

The U.S. President Joe Biden says analysts indicate that Russian forces remain very much in what he calls a threatening position. Mr. Biden delivering a direct and urgent message on Tuesday, warning an invasion of Ukraine remains distinctly possible with more than 150,000 Russian troops massed at the border.

And he made clear that if Russia makes a military move it would be, in his words, of war of choice.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: The United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia. Ukraine is not threatening Russia.

[02:30:00]

Neither the U.S. nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not have plans to put them there as well. We're not targeting the people of Russia. We're not seeking to destabilize Russia. To the citizens of Russia, you are not our enemy. And I do not believe you want a bloody, destructive war against Ukraine.

HOLMES: All right. The U.S. president also urging Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to give diplomacy a chance. M-Mr. Putin who met with the German chancellor in Moscow on Tuesday indicated that he is open to further negotiations, but wants security demands of has to be met. He says, Russia does not want a war either.

VLADIMI PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: Do you want it or not? Of course not. Our intention is and we strive to negotiate with our partners on the issues which we raised to resolve through diplomatic means.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: While it's still a question whether Russian troops are actually pulling back, the arrival of more military equipment to the border region, well, that's pretty clear to see.

Jim Sciutto reports for now on the latest satellite images.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR (voiceover): New video from the Russian Ministry of Defense as it claims that some units have completed their exercises and are now returning to their home bases. Russian military did not identify the locations in the videos

CNN however geolocated one railyard where these tanks were loading onto a train, it's in Crimea, asked if NATO is able to verify Russian assertions that some units are going home. Estonia's prime minister told me, not yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAJA KALLAS, ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER: We believe it when we see it. But we don't see it right now. Russia has done this military buildup around Ukraine for already months. So, nothing happens in a few days, or a few hours. And we have not seen any de-escalation yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SCIUTTO (voiceover): There is still plenty of Russian armor near Ukraine and moving closer still. Among the more recent arrivals, transport and attack helicopters. This is an improvised based near Belgrade, just a few miles from the Ukrainian border. Perhaps most notable, these images, showing more than 60 helicopters at a disused airfield in Northwest Crimea. There was nothing there just a few days ago. Helicopters shown are a mix of attack and transport aircrafts, about 40 miles from Ukraine's Southern Coast.

Just off the coast, the Russian defense ministry's (INAUDIBLE) is reporting on the black sea navy drills, which involve some 30 ships. In satellite images, Maxar also detected that the Russian air force has deployed at least 10 Su-34 strike bombers, to an airport Krasnodar in Southern Russia. The airfield is some 70 miles across the Sea of Azov the Ukrainian coast.

It will be a few days before new satellite images and video can confirm that at least part of the force of 130,000 Russian troops have indeed moved away from Ukraine. For now, a substantial force on land, in the air and at sea, remains on three sides of Ukraine.

Jim Sciutto, CNN, Kyiv.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: I'm Michael Holmes in Lviv in the West of Ukraine, for more on Ukraine coming up in the next hour, do join us then. But for now, let's us toss it back to Rosemary in Atlanta. Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. We'll see you at the top of the hour. Appreciate it. Thanks so much, Michael.

Well, the World Health Organization is warning of a new wave of Omicron cases in Eastern Europe. And the caucuses (ph) due to lagging vaccination rates. Infections have been rising in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine over the past two weeks. And here is more from the W.H.O.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. HANS KLUGE, W.H.O. REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE (through translator): Over the past two weeks, cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled in six countries and this part of the region. As anticipated, the Omicron wave is moving East. Ten eastern member states have now detected this variant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The W.H.O. is also reiterating the need for rapid testing and masking and asking governments to find out why vaccination rates are low. Less than 40 percent of those over age 60 are fully vaccinated in some Eastern European countries.

Well, Chinese President Xi Jinping is asking Hong Kong's government to take necessary measures to control the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the city. A major surge in infections has several hospitals operating at more than 100 percent capacity, and some are treating patients outdoors. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout joins us now with more on all of this.

Good to see you, Kristie.

So, what necessary measures as President Xi suggesting that Hong Kong takes to control the surge in cases and what is his message to the government?

[02:35:00]

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, is urging the Hong Kong government to stabilize and control this growing COVID-19 outbreak here in the city "as soon as possible." This message was relayed into pro-Beijing Hong Kong newspaper earlier this day on Wednesday. And we have an excerpt in what these articles said. They quote the Chinese president is saying the following, "That the Hong Kong Administrative Region, that government should take up the main responsibility, he said. It should mobilize all forces and resources that can be mobilized and take all necessary measures to protect Hong Kong people's lives and health as well as ensure Hong Kong's social stability." Other reports also add that Beijing will help the Hong Kong government by providing additional treatment, testing, as well boost in quarantine capacity.

Now, Hong Kong's top leader, Carrie Lam, issued a response shortly after the articles were published today. She said that she appreciated the Chinese president's concern and that she will work to unite Hong Kong to defeat the virus. Now, this message from the very top, from the Chinese president, comes as Hong Kong is grappling with a record wave of COVID-19 infection on Tuesday. The territory reported over 1,600 new daily cases of COVID-19, on top of that 500,400 preliminary cases of the virus.

Public hospitals across the city reporting that they are running out of beds. Outdoor treatment centers have been set up. And right now, you are looking at footage of the Karitest (ph) Medical Center, where you can see that patients have been -- are waiting outside. Basically, the parking lot of the hospital has been turned into a field hospital. An isolation ward has been moved outside. And this is happening here in Hong Kong.

And despite these grim scenes that you are seeing on your screen and despite the rising case numbers, as we've heard from the top leader of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, on Tuesday, she remains committed to this dynamic zero COVID strategy, a strategy designed to suppress outbreaks, not to stabilize them. Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. Kristie Lu Stout joining us live from Hong Kong. Many thanks.

Well, amid weeks of protests against Canada's COVID-19 regulations, Ottawa's police chief is out of a job. Peter Sloly received widespread criticism over his department's handling of the protests, that have paralyzed Canada's capital. Officials say they reached a mutual agreement for him to leave. He released a statement on Tuesday, saying he had done everything that he could to keep Ottawa safe. Before stepping down, Sloly had repeatedly said he did not have enough resources to manage the large-scale protests. Deputy Chief Steve Bell is now the interim police chief.

A New York man is facing several charges, including murder, after he allegedly followed a woman home, forced his way inside and stabbed her dozens of times. The killing of the Asian woman in the city's Chinatown district has again raised fears of racist attacks, with violence against Asian Americans on the rise in recent years. CNN's Miguel Marquez reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Christina Yuna Lee, 35 years old, yet another Asian American woman brutally killed.

SHARON LEE, FORMER ACTING BOROUGH PRESIDENT, QUEENS: It's happening every time you turn around. The news is showing yet another victim, and it's hard to catch a breath.

MARQUEZ (voiceover): Christina Lee was stabbed more than 40 times say prosecutors found in her bathroom naked from the waist up. While it is unclear whether Lee's race and or ethnicity played a role in the attack, the killing, conjures fear all too common for Asian Americans and women everywhere.

LEE: The guard is up all the time. And it's been for a while. MARQUEZ (on camera): So, Christina Yuna Lee's apartment is right next to a subway station. But officials say she took a taxi that night or a car, something that happens a million times in this city. Jumped from the car to the door of her apartment. Police say that her alleged killer pushed into the door as she went in, followed her six floors up, staying one floor behind her. And then, when she opened her door, he pushed into her apartment. Neighbor's hard calls for help, dialed 911. And the, those calls one silent.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It could've been me. It could've been anyone in the building.

MARQUEZ (voiceover): Police responded quickly. Prosecutors say the alleged killer inside the apartment spoke to police through the closed door, pretending to a woman and telling them to go away. It took over an hour to get in to the apartment. By that time, Lee was dead. Prosecutors say her alleged killer, 25-year-old, Assamad Nash, was found hiding under the bed.

[02:40:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You didn't kill because she was Asian?

ASSAMAD NASH, ALLEGED KILLER: I didn't kill nobody.

MARQUEZ (voiceover): Nash has so far been charged with murder and burglary. More charges may be coming. The legal society representing him has declined to comment. The killing, another fear inducing chapter, adding to concerns over anti-Asian hate crime growing for years.

In 2020, an Asian man sprayed with a cleaning product Febreze. A Filipino man's face slashed last year. Last week, a Korean diplomat punched in the face in what the NYPD says was an unprovoked attack. And last month, Michelle Alyssa Go was shoved onto the subway tracks, directly in front of an oncoming train.

JULIE WON, NEW YORK CITY COUNCILWOMEN, DISTRICT 26: There is a vulnerability and a sense of perceived weakness towards Asian American women and Asian American seniors, that perpetrators tend to be pulled towards, because we are seen as easy prey.

MARQUEZ (voiceover): Won, a New York City councilman here says the rise in intensity of crimes against Asian Americans comes as little surprise. She blames at increased in homelessness, a strain on mental health services and the words repeatedly used by the former president, blaming China for the pandemic.

WON: We had a national figure calling this pandemic the kung flu virus or the Chinese virus, and continuing to inflame racism, of trying to personify something that has hurt every single one of our lives into something that is tangible where you could scapegoat and say, it's their fault.

MARQUEZ (on camera): Earlier today, people from the community and activists held a rally and vigil in a park just across the way here. They walked over to the front of the apartment and laid flowers at this memorial that is growing to Christina Tuna Lee.

And the Manhattan district attorney says that it is still possible, they are investigating whether they can bring charges of a hate crime against the suspected murderer of Mr. Lee. He is due in court this Friday, and we may learn more today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Miguel Marquez reporting ther. And we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Rescue efforts are underway in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro State after heavy rains triggered deadly floods and mudslides. At least 18 people are confirmed dead so far in the Municipality of Metropolis, where mud and debris have been coursing through the streets. Authorities are urging people to move to shelters and other safe areas.

Emergency crews are searching for survivors by boat. Other parts of the region have also been affected by the extreme weather, and have first responder standing by.

[02:45:00]

Honduras is on the verge of extraditing a former president to face corruption charges in the United States. The country's Supreme Court has appointed a judge to hear the case of Former President Orlando Hernandez. This came hours after Hernandez, who left office last month, surrendered to police and agreed to cooperate with the court. The U.S. issued an extradition warrant on allegations Hernandez took part in corruption, drug trafficking, and using the proceeds to fund his political campaigns.

U.S. officials are investigating a death threat made against an American safety inspector in Mexico, which has led to the suspension of all avocado imports from Mexico. And there could be economic consequences for both countries. CNN's Matt Rivers reports now from Mexico City.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there is one state here in Mexico that is currently legally allowed to export avocados to the United States, that is the State of Michoacan. And we know that since the weekend the United States has suspended Michoacan's avocado export license. And now, we are getting a little bit more information as to why that decision was taken.

So, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter, a USDA safety inspector who is working here in Mexico, whose job was to make sure that the shipments of avocados bound to the United States met U.S. safety standards. One of those inspectors working in that capacity here received what this official called a credible death threat after that inspector did not allow a shipment of avocados to go from the State of Michoacan up north to the United States.

Now, this official added that it's not yet known who made this the death threat, and that U.S. embassy personnel from here in Mexico City have already been dispatched the State of Michoacan to try and get to the bottom of this and figure out how to get these inspections back on track.

But this official added, when we ask this official, well, how long will this temporary suspension be in place, the official said, look, there cannot be a security situation where the United States feels like these USDA safety inspectors can't do their jobs without fearing for their lives. What this official is saying that this temporary suspension won't be lifted until the United States is comfortable with the security situation for these inspectors working here in Mexico.

This is going to have a big impact depending on how long all of this lasts economically speaking. There's hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on the export industry of these avocados here in Mexico, and also the United States. Consumers are going to see, perhaps, problems with avocado supply given that Mexico is far and away, the largest exporter of avocados to the U.S. market. So, consumers might have trouble finding avocados in the days and weeks ahead. And if they do find those avocados, the price of the avocados that they find might very well go up according to multiple analysts that CNN has spoken into

Matt rivers, CNN, Mexico City. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: China claims it welcomes diversity at the Winter Games, but outside the Olympic Bubble, the reality is far less inclusive. The growing challenges faced by sexual minorities in China, that's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:50:00]

CHURCH: The Beijing Olympic Games will reportedly include 35 openly LGBTQ athletes, and that is a record. But they're competing with a backdrop of censorship and official harassment, which is in sharp contrast of the Olympic messages of goodwill and unity. CNN's David Culver explains.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Together for a shared future, that's how Chinese organizers have branded these Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Promoting themselves as being welcoming to all.

YANG YANG, CHAIR OF ATHLETES' COMMISSION, BOCOG (through translator): I am confident that our Athletes' Commission will actively work with a diverse athletes to support their displays of diversity.

CULVER (voiceover): The commission's chairwoman told CNN. A message that in words appear to build upon the Tokyo Games, which had the most LGBTQ representation of any Olympic so far. But outside the so-called Olympic Bubble in Beijing, that shared future is less inclusive. As we saw over the weekend, many on Chinese social media furious over the censorship of the wildly popular TV show, "Friends." As the show officially re-released on local streaming platforms late last week, Chinese fans noticed misting plotlines.

DAVID SCHWIMMER, ACTOR: Well, here's the deal --

CULVER (voiceover): Starting with the first episode, discussions of the character Ross's ex-wife being a lesbian scrubbed entirely. There's been a consistent targeting from China's LGBTQ community in recent years.

Last summer, dozens of LGBTQ organizations say their reach at public pages were banned overnight. That's that enclosing of a relatively safe social space in China's cyberspace followed the abrupt end in 2020 to China's longest running annual celebration of sexual minorities, Shanghai Pride. One source telling CNN, the organizers were under pressure from local authorities.

CULVER (on camera): Here we are at Beijing 2022, what do you see?

CULVER (voiceover): We spoke with one of the organizers behind the now cancelled Shanghai Pride. He asked us to conceal his identity, fearing retaliation. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is obviously no clear line or a clear turning point, and then things started to clamp down at some point, too.

CULVER (voiceover): That clamping down happening online and in movie theaters. Gay content is regularly deleted here, denounced by sensors as abnormal sexual relationships and behaviors.

CULVER (on camera): As Beijing tightens its grip over society, Chinese public television now even prohibits showing men viewed as effeminate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In general, they just don't want this to be a topic or creating any influence that doesn't fit our (INAUDIBLE) culturally.

CULVER (voiceover): Some online have pushed baseless claims that LGBTQ groups in China have been infiltrated by foreign forces to corrupt young minds and destabilized society. Some now worry that foreign athletes calls for tolerance and understanding may give even more bite to the backlash.

GUS KENWORTHY, OLYMPIC SKIER AND LGBTQ ADVOCATE: I want to be, I guess, a beacon of hope, or a light for someone who might be struggling in the closet, just to know that they are worthy and that they can exist as their true authentic selves in the world and in sports.

CULVER (voiceover): But official embrace of that authenticity might just be confined to the Olympic Bubble. As Chinese sensors work overtime to erase every trace of LGBTQ existence in public. David Culver, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR: Gus Kenworthy is the Olympian we heard from just moments ago in David's report. And in addition to being a role model for openly gay athletes, he's also hoping to achieve a rare Olympic feet, winning a medal for two different countries. The star skier spoke with our Coy Wire about returning to the Winter Games under a different flag.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GUS KENWORTHY, FREESTYLE SKIER, TEAM GB: I'm doing these last games for my mom. And, I mean, she's British. I was born in the U.K., that's really the biggest reason that I wanted compete for a GB, and I'm so excited to get to do that this time around for her. And I could not have been here without GB, and my coach, Justin. It's been a really good support system that I've had. So, I feel really grateful.

COY WIRE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Niece surgery, concussion, COVID, isolation, you've had to persevere a lot just to make it here. Why? What kept you going?

KENWORTHY: You know, I just felt like I had more left in the tank. I actually thought I was going to walk away after the 2018 Games and I realized that I just couldn't. I was having a really hard time with that decision because I knew that I still had more that I could give and more than I wanted to do. And I hadn't gone to compete in the games for halfpipe, so that was a good goal for me. And I'm honored to be here for the. And I think that's kind of been the motivation.

It's just that I haven't had a chance to show myself stuff in the world stage in halfpipe. So, excited to get to go for my other discipline that I'm passionate about.

COY: The things that you've done over the course of your career has been an incredible run. When you reflect back on all of it, what is it -- what's going to stand out as being very important your journey?

[02:55:00]

KENWORTHY: I mean, honestly, I think like my coming out story is kind of my legacy. And I feel like -- I talk about it all the time, sometimes I feel like I'm getting on a dead horse and people were like, we get it. You're gay. No need to keep telling us. But I do think that there's sort of some importance to that because there's been such a lack of representation that it's nice to have that now.

And I am proud to continue to share that part of myself and hopefully, be someone that someone younger than me can look up to or someone that struggling with their own sense of identity could, I don't know, maybe emulate. And I feel like I look back in the ski awards and the podiums and the accolades are all great, but if anything, they kind of just mean something to me. And getting to be out and getting to go to the Olympics as an out gay man, I feel like it's something bigger than that. And that definitely is sort of more important to me.

COY: You've been very outspoken on political issues and everything during your Olympic run. Were you a bit torn and in competing here in these games in Beijing?

KENWORTHY: You, know I wasn't, and I think that some people said that's like hypocritical to be critical of the games and then go compete. But I do think that I have much more of an impact competing and partaking in my sports and showcasing it and also simultaneously speaking out for what I believe in than I am able to do if I were to forego going to the games.

And I feel like, if anything, that would just punish me, but it wouldn't actually have an impact. Me not going to the games doesn't do anything to change anybody's political stances.

COY: Do you think that the International Olympic Committee has the ability to do something powerful?

KENWORTHY: I do, for sure. I mean, I think that the IOC has the entire world's attention, and they have command over a lot of countries, and I think that it's their responsibility to use that power, and I think that there should be a certain set of guidelines that should be followed in order for a country to participate in the games or to host the games and sort of like a level of ethics that needs to be met, and human rights stances, and LGBTQ stances need to be upheld in order to be eligible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And thanks so much for joining us. I'm Rosemary Church. I'll be back with Michael Holmes in Ukraine next hour with news from all around the world.

We'll have a short break, back in just a moment. You're watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:00:00]