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EU Canada and Others Close Airspace to Russian Planes; Turkey Moving to Limit Path of Russian Warships; China's Reaction to Conflict Drawing Backlash; Ukraine-Russian Talks Set to Take Place this Hour; Thousands Flee Across Ukraine's Border to Reach Safety; Monitor: Nearly 6,000 Protesters Detained Across Russia. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired February 28, 2022 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Perhaps a MiG- 29 for example and there are a few of those around in some of ex- Soviet bloc countries that are now members of the West and European Union. So, interesting development there. So, it's a great shift in what's happening as we've been reporting all the way along.

The European air space has just about completely closed to Russian civilian military and even private jets. The SWIFT sanctions are going into effect. And, Michael, even long neutral Switzerland is talking this morning at its federal council meeting about the idea perhaps joining the rest of Europe in some of those financial sanctions -- Michael.

HOLMES: All right, a good wrap up there from Jim Bittermann. Jomana Karadsheh in Istanbul, some interesting developments there on Turkey's position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what they're doing about it.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well look, Michael, I mean, Turkey has always been in this very unique position. A NATO country that has been hit by sanctions by NATO allies in the past because of its close ties to Russia because of its defense ties to Russia. But when it has come to this conflict, it has really tried to maintain neutral grounds and for good reason. I mean, Turkey has very close commercial trade and defense relations with both Russia and Ukraine.

And so, we have heard their position time and time again in recent weeks trying to, you know, call for negotiations, trying to find a peaceful resolution for the conflict. But they have been under increasing pressure from the Ukrainians to ban the passage of Russian naval vessels, warships, through two of its main waterways, the two straits, the Dardonel and the Bosporus. This is not something that Turkey can just do. These waterways are governed by the 1936 Montreux Treaty. Under that international pact it's a very complex, very technical one.

But there are certain conditions, certain circumstances that need to be met for Turkey to do that. And one of those conditions is if Turkey declares that there is a war going on, it can stop the passage of the naval vessels of the warring parties. And this is where we saw that shift in rhetoric yesterday, Michael, senior Turkish officials, including the foreign minister saying that they have reached a conclusion. That what is going on in Ukraine right now is a war and that they will be having to implement the Montreux Treaty.

Now our team here has been for the past few days really speaking to a number of experts and analysts on the subject. And they say look, this is not likely going to have any sort of a major impact on the ground or really change anything because Russia has already moved whatever naval assets it needed to move in the Black Sea region in the past few weeks and months. So, it's not likely going to have that sort of impact.

And also, in the treaty there is a clause that allows those countries, even though they're banned, at times of war to still move through the straits to head back to their bases. But what this really does, Michael, it just puts Turkey in this really difficult position. It has been a very tough balancing act for President Erdogan and this country over the past few weeks.

And this could potentially anger Moscow that's not very happy with Turkey's actions so far. I mean, they have not been happy with Turkey supplying Ukraine with drones. We have heard from Ukraine officials say they have been very effective on the battle field -- Michael.

HOLMES: Yes, apparently so. Jomana Karadsheh, thanks so much. Steven Jiang in Beijing let's go to you. It's interesting, isn't it, Steven. China has not supported this invasion. It has an outwardly criticized it either has it. It's impossible balance in many ways for President Xi.

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Michael, impossible balance is the perfect way to describe it. Obviously, they tried to cemented or even strengthened their alliance with Russia. But also trying to at least publicly upholding this long-time principal of respecting others sovereignty and territorial integrity. Not to mention trying to minimize their own exposure to the unprecedented Western sanctions against Russia.

So, this is such a mission impossible that's why a lot of analysts say they have indeed made a choice. They have decided to side with Russia despite their public assistance of being impartial and trying to play the role of a peacemaker. If you look their government statements and official remarks from senior officials and government spokespeople, as we discussed the last hour, it was increasingly clear in the past few days.

But also, this is very much reflected in their state media's very much one-sided coverage of this war.

[04:35:00]

For one they still refuse to call this war a Russian invasion. Instead using the Russian term special military operations on their national television, CCTV. Time and again, their reporters cited Russian sources, providing millions of viewers with often unverified or outright untrue information. Their state backed tabloid "Global Times" newspaper now, quote,

unquote, investigating neo-Nazi elements in Ukrainian national guards. Again, parodying a major talking point from the Kremlin. So, all of this kind of one-sided along with this messaging from the government, not just right now but for years, about Russia and China sharing common grievances against the U.S. and its allies may explain the one- sided actions from the public we have seen so far. At least the comments we are allowed to see.

Very pro Russia, pro Putin, a lot of disparaging comments against Ukraine. Which some which having translated back in Ukraine now causing backlashes against Chinese nationals still trapped there, Michael. And it's worth noting there are still 6,000 Chinese nationals trapped in Ukraine because obviously, for weeks the Chinese authorities brushed aside, dismissed the U.S. warning about imminent war. So, there nationals didn't get evacuated like many of their Western counterparts did -- Michael.

HOLMES: All right, Steven Jiang in Beijing, Jomana Karadsheh in Istanbul, Jim Bittermann in Paris. Thanks to all of you for your reporting.

All right, joining me now is William Taylor. He's the former U.S. ambassador to this country, and Vice President of the Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Mr. Ambassador, thanks so much for being with us. Before we get to the question I was going to start with, your reaction to the talks, your hopes for those, and also your reaction to Russia putting its nuclear arsenal on alert.

WILLIAM TAYLOR, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE: So, Michael, on the talks, these are not clearly going to solve this problem. It's not clear that the Russians are very serious about these talks. The head of the Russian delegation is a former minister of culture. Not a negotiator for the government, at least in his past life, past experience. But President Zelensky has to take advantage of this opportunity to try.

The Russians first suggested that the talks take place in Minsk. In the capital of Belarus. Well, Belarus is of course is a belligerent here. The territory of Belarus has been the source of many of the attacks, the missile attacks on Ukraine. So, there was no way there was going to be any useful productive conversation in Minsk.

So, the agreement, the compromise was to do it right on the border between Ukraine and Belarus across the river, the Pripyat River. So, President Zelensky has demonstrated that he's open to a negotiated solution, a way to stop the fighting. That has to be the first thing. That has to be the first condition, that is the fighting has to stop. There has to be a cease-fire and the Russian need to pull back their military forces from Ukrainian. So, that is the kind of status of those discussions. We'll see if anything comes of that but my expectations are not great.

On your second question, Michael, about the nuclear forces being on alert. They're already on alert. This was not a new status. This was not a new decision on the part of President Putin. What it is further attempt to intimidate. It's a show. It's an attempt to have President Zelensky, who has been very strong, and has been very defiant, his attempt to bully him. It's an attempt to try to intimidate him into making some concessions. Again, so far, President Zelensky has stood very strong and he has the backing of his whole country.

HOLMES: Has this crisis, in your view, exposed some failings in the West's European security strategy? You know, despite the warnings, despite the sanctions, more sanctions, brutal sanctions for Russia's economy, Putin hasn't blinked. He invaded a European nation. He still there. He's putting in a humanitarian corridor out of Kyiv. Which could suggest to many that he's about to up the ante. What changes need to be made on regional security strategy by the West to stop this sort of thing happening. Because what's being done so far isn't working.

TAYLOR: Mr. Putin is clearly the aggressor. He is continuing to attack and to kill Ukrainians.

[04:40:00]

This is clearly war criminal activity, Michael, let's be clear. But you're right, the security architecture has not stopped this. One big element of security architecture that was designed to address these kinds of issues is the United Nations. And the United Nations Security Council, of course, has been stymied, has been blocked by the Russians in the Security Council. There have been two votes now and there's only been one vote in favor of Russia and that's the Russians. Everybody else either voted against Russia or abstained. You just talk your correspondent in Beijing. The Chinese abstained in that. This was a resolution condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. And the Chinese abstained, they didn't support the Russians. The Russians have been totally isolated --

SOARES: But the thing, Mr. Ambassador, this is a U.N. problem. Isn't it? It's all talk. It's very rarely action. Particularly when a major player has a veto on the U.N. Security Council. We're almost out of time. I wanted to ask you this. Given his intransiences, what's to stop Putin finishing the job in Ukraine and potentially turning his attention elsewhere? He's made clear his eyes are on other former Soviet states.

TAYLOR: Michael, that's exactly why Ukraine is so important. That's exactly why Ukraine is so important. If President Putin is allowed to dominate Ukraine, to incorporate Ukraine back into the Russian empire, then the next step is clearly to the West. The next step will be Moldova, or the next states may even be the Baltic states. Baltic states of course members of NATO. This would be a terrible measure a terrible war would result.

HOLMES: You have a unique perspective on this country. Former ambassador to this country, Bill Taylor, thank you so much. Really appreciate you taking the time.

TAYLOR: Thank you, Michael.

HOLMES: All right, OK, much more from Ukraine coming up. But first let's go to Isa Soares in London. Over to you, my friend.

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Michael. And coming up right here on CNN NEWSROOM, as the invasion over Ukraine intensifies, we take you to the Ukrainian and Polish borders where families have been torn apart by Russia's invasion. The emotional and physical toll it's taking on families. That's next.

[04:45:00]

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANEZ LENARCIC, EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT: We are witnessing what could become the largest humanitarian crisis on our European continent in many, many years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: People fleeing the violence in Ukraine are threatened by more than just bombs and bullets. The journey can be arduous and the freezing temperatures brutal. According to the U.N. 368,000 people have made that journey already and more than 115,000 have arrived in just Poland alone. And the emotional toll is equally hard. CNN's Arwa Damon is at the Polish border as thousands flow across in hopes of reaching safety.

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ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Little hands clutch bigger ones that would give anything just to keep them safe. Sleepy, tiny, cold faces and tired arms. The hum of voices you would expect from the number of people that are here, it doesn't exist. It's as if the shock and disbelief has brought with it and odd silence. It's mostly women and children here who have had to say goodbye to husbands, brothers, and fathers. Men aged 18 to 60 are not permitted to leave.

DAMON: How were you able to say goodbye to your father?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that it was the most awful thing to say.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was crying.

DAMON (voice-over): And then, there is this sheer hell of getting here. Walking for hours, waiting in some cases, for days. Out in the bitter cold, hungry, thirsty. We meet Ishmael (ph) and his family. They fled Afghanistan last May getting asylum in Ukraine. His 7-year- old daughter barely made it here.

DAMON: Maruwa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gladura (ph).

DAMON: I'm Arwa.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Arwa, it is similar. DAMON: Hi, Maruwa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very, very cold and my daughter became shocked, we're calling. She not answer. And finally, we tried to contact with ambulance. We found ambulance, the doctor comes just checking, and after that they gave us a chance.

DAMON: You must have been so sad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had to go there first.

DAMON (voice-over): She clutches one of the donated stuffed animals replacing a similar one she left behind. But who is going to give her the rest of her life back?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I don't know without unknown future.

DAMON: Again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Again.

DAMON (voice-over): At least this time, unlike in years past, Europe is welcoming refugees. There is a massive, inhumane backlog on the Ukrainian side. But once finally here in Poland, an army of volunteers. At the train station, 7-year-old Maxim (ph) buries his face in his mother's legs. He's not used to the crowds, it's all scary and confusing.

DAMON: They waited for two whole days. Your mother is in Kyiv.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mother is in Kyiv.

DAMON (voice-over): It's tearing her apart, but at least her husband who is not Ukrainian, is out with her. For how do you say goodbye to the love of your life? The father of your children? This woman is not the only one in tears. Others as well, understandably, not wanting to talk. We can't take it, it makes us cry too much, they say.

Arwa Damon, CNN, Przemysl, Poland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Truly heartbreaking. Organizations around the world are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help those in need with shelter, food, water as well as additional aid. For more on how you can help, just go to CNN.com/impact for information where you'll find a list of 14 organizations providing help and support to those on the ground in Ukraine.

And still to come right here on the show, a show of solidarity right around the world as thousands take to the streets to rally behind Ukraine, condemning Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion. Our breaking news continues after this very short break.

[04:50:00]

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HOLMES: You're looking there at anti-war protests. This is in St. Petersburg in Russia. An independent monitor says Russian authorities have detained nearly 6,000 people for participating in protests across the country since the invasion of Ukraine began. Under Russian law, large demonstrations require a permit and even heavy fines or jail time can be imposed on those without the proper paperwork.

Russia just one of many countries where protests are being staged. In the United States, rallies were held in cities across the country over the weekend, including the nation's capital. Protesters there demanding an end to the war. And in Berlin, thousands gathered at Tiergarten Park on Sunday to express their outrage over the Russian invasion.

Sunday marked the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the organizing group is showing support for artists still working in Ukraine.

[04:55:00]

Ahead of the awards, the guild released a statement urging all nations to recognize and respect the freedom of the press, pleading for all workers to be kept safe amid Russian attacks. Award winners showed their support as well recognizing artists in Russia who can't speak out under the rule of the Russian president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN COX, ACTOR, "SUCCESSION": The thing that's really distressed me is what's happening in Russia to my fellow actors and actresses and performers and writers and critics. They are told under pain of high treason, that they can't say a word about Ukraine. And I think that is pretty awful. And I think we should all stand together, and also for those people, the people in Russia who don't like what's going on, and particularly the artists. And I think we should really join in celebrating them and hoping they can actually make a shift, as I believe they can.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The Screen Actors Guild has pledged support for Ukraine's cultural workers union as well as anti-war protesters in Russia.

An Ukrainian brewery is contributing to the fight in their own special way, serving up, quote, Molotov cocktails instead of the usual draft beer. Have a look at this. They've even made a special label for the bottles featuring image of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last week the Ukrainian ministry of defense encouraged citizens to make Molotov cocktails or petrol bombs to combat the Russians, even providing complete instructions on how to make them online.

I'm Michael Holmes in Lviv, Ukraine. Thanks for spending part of your day with me. Our breaking news coverage on Russian invasion in Ukraine continues with "NEW DAY" with Brianna Keilar and John Berman. I'll see you again tomorrow. You're watching CNN.

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