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Vladimir Putin Now an Outcast; President Biden Delivered State of the Union Address; Russia-Ukraine Crisis Far from Ending; More Refugees Flock to Neighboring Countries. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired March 02, 2022 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Michael Holmes, live in Lviv, Ukraine. Coming up this hour.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Putin is now isolated from the world, more than he has ever been.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: President Biden sending a message of solidarity to Kyiv as he ramps up efforts to choke Russia's economy as fighting intensifies throughout Ukraine.

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rosemary Church, live from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

Biden also used his State of the Union address to push his domestic agenda, vowing to fix the U.S. economy.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

HOLMES: Now, in his first State of the Union address the U.S. president issuing a rallying cry against tyranny, blasting his Russian counterpart for what he called the, quote, "premeditated and totally unprovoked invasion of Ukraine."

Joe Biden using his biggest platform of the year to stress western solidarity in the face of Russian aggression and spoke about how he's spent constant hours unifying allies. He said together, the free world is enforcing powerful sanctions and inflicting pain on Russia by cutting off its banks, choking access to technology, and isolating President Vladimir Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: Six days ago, Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world. Thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways, but he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine, and the world would roll over. Instead, he met with a mall of -- a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined. He met the Ukrainian people.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Ukrainian civilians, meanwhile, have continued to take up arms to defend their country. But Russia's defense ministry just announcing a short time ago, that its troops have taken full control of Kherson, that's a city in the southern Ukraine, we cannot independently verify that claim at the moment. We are trying to do so.

But recent images do show Russian tanks and trucks parked in a main square of the city. Meanwhile, explosions rocking other parts of the country, people in Kyiv, including the Ukrainian president, hunkering down and bracing for a Russian onslaught.

Now not long ago, we got word that two large blasts have jolted Kharkiv, which is Ukraine's second largest city, close to the Russian border. You see them they're lighting up the sky. The country's public broadcaster reporting that fighting between the Russian and Ukrainian militaries broke out overnight, but it is not clear if the blasts are related specifically to that fighting.

Now, the Russian attacks across the country have claimed at least a 136 civilian lives. According to the U.N. that is likely of course to be an underestimate. The number of people fleeing Ukraine for neighboring countries now pushing 700,000.

All right, I want to bring in Stuart Crawford, he is a defense analyst, he joins me now from Edinburgh in Scotland. Thanks for doing so. How worried are you that because this invasion has stalled somewhat, in recent days, that Putin's next move is going to up the ante militarily, bring in heavy weaponry, embark on, you know, what would be bloody urban warfare in the capital.

STUART CRAWFORD, DEFENSE ANALYST: Good morning. I do think actually that you're absolutely correct, that's what's going to happen. It seems to me that the initial Russian onslaught was an attempt to force a sort of coup demand operation and take Ukraine by surprise, drive down the motorways and straight into the center of the capital, and topple the government. Which is why I think they lead with likely armed small numbers of troops, the constant troops and (Inaudible).

That clearly obviously didn't work, and I think we're now seeing what we might refer to as an operational pause while the re-plan gathers the offense. I think the next phase is going to be much more destructive and much more bloody, I'm afraid.

[03:04:55]

HOLMES: It would -- it would be terrible. Now if such an assault on Kyiv happens, obviously, it's vastly different to open territory. How are tactics and outcomes different in that urban environment, in a military setting.

CRAWFORD: Well, in an urban environment the advantage passes generally to the defender. If you're planning a military assault in a conventional open warfare, you would probably plan on having the superiority of forces of three to one. In urban environment that probably increases to about five to one.

The reason is that larger urban conservations suck up troops and logistics and ammunition to an extent that doesn't happen in the open countryside. Every house, every building, can become a strong point for the defenders. And the nature of the warfare is very close combat, and literally within meters of opposing sides. And that close combat negates the advantages of, for example, in this case, the Russian army with its superiority in men, weapons, and armored fighting vehicles.

All of that is negated by the close nature of combat in the urban areas, and that's why a lot of us in the military community have been saying that Ukrainians main advantage and main hope is to fight in the cities. The downside of that is, of course, that it brings with it terrible destruction and civilian casualties.

HOLMES: You know, I cover the retaking of Mosul from ISIS, and the reality there is, as you point out, it was bloody, it was complicated, and it took a long time. I mean, this could go on for a while if the Ukrainians are well prepared.

CRAWFORD: Absolutely. I think that given their tenacity in defense, so far, and the bravery and courage of the defenders that's been shown, this could go on for many weeks, if not months. But the problem is, that as it goes on, the more destruction will be rained on places like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and places like that. And it's not going to be pretty.

So. But it's the Ukrainian's main chance, as far as I can see. The good news is that it's being supplied from the west by exactly the sort of weapons that it can use in that environment against the attackers.

HOLMES: And to that point from a military sense, we -- nobody wants that to happen. We all hope that does not happen, it would be horrendous and bloody and destructive of what is a beautiful European city. However, if you are the Ukrainians and you had, you know, weeks, really to prepare, what's sort of defensive postures would you take? What's sort of things would you have laid out ahead of time?

CRAWFORD: Well, I think we've seen that they're doing that already. I think the first thing that you do is construct obstacles. Particularly on the main thoroughfares, the motor ways, the dual carriage ways that deal through the towns, the center of the town. Because it's a great advantage if you can force the attacking force of the main routes of approach, and into the side streets where they become very vulnerable.

So, I mean blockades, barricades, we've seen it before, use trams, lorries, cars, anything really. Concrete blocks across the roads, reinforce with the mines if you can to make them more difficult clear.

HOLMES: What do you mean?

CRAWFORD: And force the attackers off the main roads. And then we have the weapons which have been supplied by the west, the anti-tank weapons, the anti-aircraft weapons. And of course, the homemade weapons, the Molotov cocktails which the population seems to have been making for the past week or so. I think that is the root for success for the Ukrainian defenders.

HOLMES: Yes. As I said, we all hope that that doesn't come to that. You make the good point, though, that the advantage, at least initially, is with those who know the city well. Stuart Crawford, great to get your analysis. I really appreciate you taking the time. Thank you.

CRAWFORD: Thank you.

HOLMES: All right. All right, we will have much more on Ukraine coming up. But first, let's bring in Rosemary Church at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right, thanks so much, Michael. We'll get back to you in just a moment.

Well, at a critical moment in Joe Biden's presidency, he had to balance a major foreign crisis against domestic challengers in his first State of the Union address. As expected, he began with a focus on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

CNN's Phil Mattingly has our report.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When President Biden started preparing for his first State of the Union speech back in December, officials acknowledge he had no sense that a foreign policy crisis would be a central component of that speech, certainly that it wouldn't be the top of the speech.

[03:10:04]

On Tuesday night, it was. The first 12 minutes of the hour-long speech were all about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And trying, an attempt to underscore the stakes, not just for Ukraine, not just for Europe, but for the entire globe. And frankly, 80 years of western democracies and the rules and norms that have guided the world.

All of that at stake. But none more so than what's happening on the ground right now in Ukraine, and the president very clearly laying the blame and very clearly underscoring a unity that to some degree wasn't even expected several weeks ago. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: Putin's latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and totally unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated efforts at diplomacy. He thought the west and NATO wouldn't respond. He thought he could divide us at home in this chamber in this nation, he thought you could divide us in Europe as well. But Putin was wrong. We are ready, and we are united, and that's what we did, we stayed united.

(END VIDEO CLIP) MATTINGLY (on camera): For the president, probably more broadly than

anything else when I talked to officials over the course of the last couple of days, the stakes of this moment were something that he wanted to get across in the speech, for the Ukrainians, for Europe, but also for the American people, there would be pain, the president acknowledged.

Obviously, we've seen it in gas prices, we've seen it in commodity prices. But the pain is a necessity to keep those rules those norms that have guided the world for the last eight decades in line. And frankly, to wake up alliances that over the course of the last several years, certainly, with President Biden's predecessor were very, very much in question.

Phil Mattingly, CNN, Washington.

CHURCH: And coming up, analysis of how President Biden's message will be received in the United States and around the world.

[22:15:00]

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CHURCH (on camera): Welcome back, everyone. Well, for more analysis on president State of the Union address, we are joined by CNN's European affairs commentator, Dominic Thomas. And senior political analyst, Ron Brownstein. Welcome back to you both.

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Hey, Rosemary.

CHURCH: So, Dominic, we'll start with you this time. President Biden's first State of the Union address wasn't only for the American public, was it? It was also for a global audience. He called Putin out for his deadly invasion of Ukraine, but was he tough enough on the Russian president? Should he have gone further, do you think, and perhaps declared him a war criminal?

DOMINIC THOMAS, CNN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: That's a great question. I think the fact that he called him a dictator was already, you know, one step, and at this particular juncture, I mean, clearly, the road to diplomacy is going to be a rocky one. But going further than that might not be particularly helpful.

I think that what was helpful is hearing the American president talk about democracy and juxtaposing it with autocracy. And reaffirming the unambiguous commitment of the United States to multilateralism to organizations like the European union and NATO.

Having said that, I think that speech is going to be received in different ways and different parts of Europe. Clearly, if you're in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, hearing President Biden talk about the fact that any incursions by the America -- by the Russian army west, in other words, into E.U. and NATO territory, would be a red line, would be incredibly reassuring.

But when it comes to President Zelenskyy who had certainly a heartwarming day of support, he spoke live via video conference to the European Union parliament, received a standing ovation, and his ambassadors to the United States received a standing ovation at the Congress.

So those were, of course, important. But his priorities at the moment are very straightforward. At all costs, to avoid further incursions by the Russian army, of further breaking up of his country. And this is where, from his perspective, not having additional troops on the ground and so on becomes problematic.

And there is real concern that the United States in the west that this would constitute further escalation. There is a fear of the nuclear incident, and at this particular juncture that provide -- preferring to provide support and sanctions and so on.

That it is clear at this juncture and from President Biden's speech, that President Putin has grossly underestimated the will of the west and the United States together to stand up for the values that have shaped the 80-plus years since the Second World War.

CHURCH: And Ron, President Biden, as promised, to begin his State of the Union address by focusing on the war in Ukraine. But he also addressed America's record inflation, surging gas prices, and the COVID pandemic, of course. Did he successfully strike a balance between those global concerns for Ukraine, and of course, the grave concerns Americans have about the economy?

BROWNSTEIN: I think he did. But he may have been able to offer a clear path forward on the international front than on the domestic. You know, the crisis in Ukraine has given him an opportunity for a reset on one of his core promises as a candidate. I mean, one of the things he run on in 2020 was that he would be able to weld together the international community and restore traditional alliances to stand up to autocracies around the world after Trump's frequent belittling of international organizations and praise of Putin.

He didn't deliver that kind of leadership in Afghanistan, which was, you know, which is a problem both from a policy point of view, and also a process point of view with many allies going there (Inaudible). He has achieved more of what -- you know, he's been closer to the Biden that he promised voters this time when by all accounts, as Dominic is talking about, he's drawn a lot of praise for his role in helping to cement this international consensus and strong reaction to the invasion.

[03:19:54]

On the domestic front, it's a little less clear what his pivot point may be. You know, he talked a lot tonight about elements of his agenda, particularly those that could help people, families deal with inflation and daily cost. But those, Rosemary, are all bound up in what, you know, used to be called his build back better agenda which Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has essentially single-handedly derailed in the Senate.

And his comments after the State of the Union tonight really gave no indication that he is ready to move on from that position. So, Biden, I think, did lay out a strong agenda internationally and domestically. I think the problem is going to be, can he deliver on it domestically? And if he can't, does it just reinforce the doubts of many voters who've had about the strength and skill of his leadership?

CHURCH: Yes, and Dominic, let's like about that, because as Ron mentioned, President Biden, he has shown the world that he can unite NATO allies, get them all to coordinate and apply the severe economic sanctions on Russia in an effort to end the war. But uniting America has been elusive, hasn't it? That's an even greater challenge, apparently, for him.

Was there anything he said in his address that signaled he could unite this country, and indeed, his own Democratic base?

THOMAS: Yes. I think it's really important to look at the context at which President Biden took over. So, he took over obviously after the Trump presidency that proved to be incredibly extraordinarily polarizing. And so, the whole question of unity has been a campaign component for him, and it was there throughout the speech.

The international situation is something and the solidarity that is being demonstrated is something that President Biden would like to see mirrored at home. And I actually think that the Ukraine crisis could provide that kind of opportunity.

The crisis in Ukraine is a crisis around our way of life. It's around Democratic ideals. It's around issues of peace and prosperity, and security. And I think there was an opportunity today in the speech, and we heard that, but I think beyond that as well, to speak to the American people, and to speak to them about these particular values on why Ukraine is fighting for is something that the United States needs to be fighting for.

What's happening in Ukraine basically applies to the United States context here. And these values that Ukraine are fighting for are not Democratic values, they're not Republican values, you can argue they are American values. And I think there's an opportunity for President Biden here to shame his opposition, whether it's within his party, or within the Republican Party, and to bring people together against a common enemy, which is not really Russia, it's Putin.

But it's even beyond that. It's a common enemy that is attacking these core American values, and the more united we are, the more the United States is going to be able to face those particular values. And I think this is an opportunity for him to link these two crises domestically and internationally, and convey that message.

CHURCH: Yes. And we'll certainly see if he does that. Ron, despite the many challenges that President Biden has faced, his approval rating still around the 41 percent. That's according to the latest CNN poll of polls.

BROWNSTEIN: Yes.

CHURCH: How likely is it that his State of the Union address changed the way Americans view him as a leader? And did he convince anyone that he can fix high inflation and gas prices? There seems to be a problem getting the message across to the public that he can be a leader for this country.

BROWNSTEIN: Well, Rosemary, it's -- right. It's become harder in recent years for the State of the Union to really function as a pivot point in a presidency. In part, because of polarization that Dominic was talking about. The people who watch attend to be those who most agree with the president, and there's less chance to kind of impress those who are not in your camp to begin with.

Biden's current approval rating is quite low. And it is an ominous number for Democrats looking towards the midterm election. Because attitudes toward the president increasingly drive the results of those midterm election. We're seeing consistently now in the last few midterms, 85 to 90 percent of people who disapprove of a president, vote against this party's candidate for the House and Senate.

So, Democrats do need Biden to improve to give them a fighting chance. Look, he laid out a lot of ideas that were popular tonight, particularly on this question of helping families meet their rising costs and cope with inflation. Ideas like lowering prescription drug prices, and utility prices, and greater subsidies for childcare, and health premiums, healthcare premiums.

The problem he's got is that he does not have a clear pathway toward passing that. Joe Manchin, as we said, has single-handedly derail that agenda in the Senate. And he is showing no signs of relenting. So, it may be that Biden's best political strategy is to kind of move this goal from, what have you done for me lately toward a kind of an aspirational contrast with Republicans.

[03:25:00]

And I think that's why Democrats maybe force to go if they can't find a way to get Manchin go let some of this go pass -- go through the Senate and into law.

CHURCH: All right, Dominic Thomas and Ron Brownstein, many thanks to you both for your analysis. I appreciate it.

BROWNSTEIN: Thank you.

CHURCH: And still to come, scenes of destruction in Ukraine's second largest city as Russian forces ramp up their attacks. We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: And welcome back, everyone. I'm Michael Holmes in Lviv, Ukraine following the breaking news of Russia's ramping up of its invasion of this country.

A short time ago, Russia claimed its military captured Kherson, that's in the south of the country just north of Crimea. And new video obtained by CNN shows the battle for Kharkiv, that's in northeast to the country close to the Russian border. And you can see a number of buildings destroyed, power lines down along this main street.

The area is home to several markets, stores, and residential buildings. Overnight, a large explosion shook Kharkiv, and Ukrainian state media reported heavy fighting took place around a military hospital.

Meanwhile, the United Nations says that the exodus of people fleeing the Ukraine could become Europe's largest refugee crisis this century. Nearly 700,000 people have already left Ukraine for neighboring countries.

On Tuesday, our Matthew Chance spoke exclusively meanwhile with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He expressed his expectations for diplomacy following talks with Russian delegates.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[03:30:00]

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: What matters so many messages. I think that, he has to give those messages what really work. That is very important. To be worry, you know, useful in this situation, in this war against Russia.

I think first of all he's a world leader. It's very important for people in the United States to understand that despite the fact that the war is taking place in Ukraine, it's essentially for values in life. Democracy for freedom.

That for this war is for all the world. And that message should be sent far and wide from Ukraine to people in the United States. So they understand what is it like for us here. What we're fighting for. And why support for Ukraine matters.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For a long time you downplayed the U.S. Intelligence assessment about being an imminent Russian attack. Do you now regret that? And do you think the fact that you didn't act earlier has left the people of Ukraine unprepared?

ZELENSKY: The response you see today how we work. How our army works and defenses is a testament that were ready for anything. Even though we were preparing in advance, it's important not to let your enemy anticipate your reaction. That's why I really did not like that situation where we put everything at risk and tell the world that we're preparing for war.

CHANCE: United States has said that it will not enforce a no fly zone over this country and it won't put boots on the ground. But do you think it is now time for President Biden and other Western countries to reconsider that and to help you? Not just with military aid but with manpower.

ZELENSKY: I've already turned to some foreign leaders with this request. I believe that leaders must support Democratic states of the world who are keen to defend (inaudible). The powerful issue of closing the air space helps us tremendously. This does not mean dragging NATO into this war. We spoke many times with President Biden. And I'm thankful for him for this opportunities and support.

But they also did not hear me. I have been telling them that Ukraine will fight hardest of all. You will see. But us alone against Russia you would not be able to do it.

CHANCE: Your army has enjoyed some significant battlefield victories in the past week. I myself have been to see some of the Russian armored columns that had been totally hammered and destroyed by the weapons and the men that you have got fighting in the Russian advance. Are you now concerned that the Kremlin will double down on its military operations and hit Ukraine even harder?

ZELENSKY: Firstly, why we're winning or why we are defending ourselves. Because this is our home. Yes, Russia will double up. But take a look at them. Why are men are stronger more powerful and successful. Because as I said we have what we need to protect and they did not even understand our state.

They do not know the streets. They do not know our people. Do not understand our philosophy, our aspirations. What type of people we are. They don't know anything here. They were just sent here to fight and to die.

CHANCE: (Inaudible) delegation to meet the Russians for talks. Did anything substantial come out of that? Is there any hope as the world watches for diplomacy?

ZELENSKY: They decided -- they decided to begin to speak about the situation. And I wanted, I really want to -- you have to first of all everybody has to stop fighting and to go to that point from where it will begin. Yes. It began five -- six days ago. I think there are principal things you can do it. And that is very important moment. If you'll do these and if those site is ready it means that they are ready for the peace. If they don't ready it means that just, you know, live and die.

CHANCE: Do you think you're wasting time or do you think they're ready?

ZELENSKY: We'll see.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Hopes for peace seem to be growing dimmer by the hour though as Russian forces ramp up their attacks multiple explosions rocking Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city on Tuesday night. But just hours -- that was just hours after a Russian military strike hit a government building.

"ITV News" correspondent, Dan Rivers has a look at the aftermath.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN RIVERS, ITV NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is Kharkiv's Freedom Square. But this morning freedom was under attack once again. Missiles slamming into the main local government building. President Zelenskyy has called this open undisguised terror.

[03:35:11]

A week ago the view from this window was onto a European Square bustling with life. Now, it is a glimpse into the grim future which seems to await this country. The search for survivors and recovery of the dead took place amid-the constant threat of secondary attacks. So far at least 10 people are confirmed to have died and many more have been injured.

OLEG MESHKOVETS, RESERVIST (through translator): There was a strong explosion from this square. It blew off all the glass. Everyone who was near the window was seriously hurt. I was OK. We were all heading downstairs to the basement when second missile come and hit the roof.

RIVERS: We arrived four hours after the attack which has shattered the very heart of this city. The aftermath still painfully fresh. All around reminders of the terrible human cost. The occupants of this car must have been driving past just as the missiles fell. Survival or death here is a matter of chance.

But remarkably young Ukrainians were already out risking their lives to clear up.

UNKNOWN: I don't know how we will rebuild it after the war.

RIVERS: The strike here this morning in Freedom Square represents a bleak new chapter in this war. Russia appears to be targeting the very symbols of the Ukrainian state. Hoping to bring its people to their knees. But what we found here today is defiance. The rage at those responsible for all this is visceral.

UNKNOWN: It's awful. It's awful. It's awful war. We are crying. Every day. Every night. We are crying every day. You should stop it. Immediately stop it.

RIVERS: But the Russians weren't finished yet. In the afternoon another attack, hitting a building near a hospital. From another angle you can see the extent of the damage to apartments in the street. Amid the sound of more rockets we ventured into another of the city's hospitals.

Inside we found the basement is now a bomb shelter for children bewildered by how their lives had suddenly been up ended. In the ward upstairs, just some of those injured so far in Kharkiv. After such a day of appalling bloodshed you might expect the people here to be cowed. But if anything their spirit appears galvanized against President Putin's aggression.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Dan Rivers there from ITV. We are going to take a quick break. When we come back, more companies cutting ties with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. How its economy is faring amid a backlash from around the globe. That's after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:40:00]

HOLMES: Welcome back. The European parliament says Ukraine should be on a path towards E.U. candidate status. It adopted a resolution on Tuesday to do just that following an impassion speech from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Who made the case that Ukraine was not only fighting for freedom but also to become equal members of Europe.

CNN's Natasha Bertrand joins me now from Brussels to tell us more. So what does it actually mean for Ukraine's path to be, Natasha?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN REPORTER, NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT POLITICO (on camera): Well, Michael, as you noted the European parliament voted to give Ukraine this candidate status. So they did not actually vote to give them this fast track membership into the E.U. that President Zelenskyy has been pleading for.

And I can tell you in our conversations yesterday with members of the European parliament. There's a real division here on whether Ukraine should actually be admitted into the E.U. Some member states, including Poland believe that they should be given that fast track status because of the situation that we are seeing in Ukraine with Russia. I mean, this is a dire moment.

But others believe that Ukraine does not meet the requirements necessary for E.U. membership. Notably, I was speaking to a German member of European parliament just yesterday who said that that should not be the debate right now. That while it is important, but in the long term, the medium and long term that Ukraine is able to begin those negotiations to join the block. That right now the focus should be on stopping the violence and on strengthening an association agreement between the E.U. and Ukraine.

That would allow them to cooperate and coordinate more closely especially as this war goes on. But there is a real sentiment including by the European commission president and vice president who spoke about this yesterday. That right now the focus really needs to be on stopping the war and sending humanitarian assistance, and focusing on the consequences of Russia aggression towards Ukraine. Less on Ukraine membership in the European Union right now.

Now, we also know that Ukraine has been pushing to join NATO. Again that is something that NATO members have said is something that is not necessarily a priority right now. That Ukraine obviously is very close to the West. The European Union and NATO do feel that Ukraine is one of them. But right now there does not seem to be a lot of momentum behind this idea.

And Ukrainians feel that they are alone in this fight. They appreciate the support that the Europeans and that NATO have given to his country. Especially when it comes to increase weapons supply, increase ammunition and fuel, for example. But ultimately Zelenskyy made a call. Saying Europeans we need you to prove that you are European, that you are committed to democracy and the rule of law. And that you understand that Ukraine itself feels very European.

So it remains to be seen as how these negotiations begin for Ukraine to join the block. Obviously, they are in the middle of war right now, there are separatist territories in Eastern Ukraine that could further complicate the issue. But as of right now, they do feel as though they are being supported by the West. Michael?

HOLMES: Yeah. A lot of moving parts in all of that. Natasha Bertrand in Brussels, I appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Well, big business is pulling out of Russia. Exxon mobile, Apple, Ford, General Motors, Boeing, they are just some of the major names suspending business at least, for the time being with Russia. The Moscow stock exchange won't be open today, again either. But the economic blows not exclusive to Russia.

[03:45:02]

The DOW plunging nearly 600 points on Tuesday. As the price of oil topped $102 a barrel, for the first time since 2014. That's even higher at the moment.

Anna Stewart joins me now from London to talk more about all of this. So, it's interesting in State of the Union, Joe Biden trying to calm the economic jitters in his speech. But what is the situation when it comes to the oil market?

ANNA STEWART, CNN PRODUCER: Yeah, he hasn't managed to calm the market unfortunately. Because oil hasn't reach (inaudible) high. We have (inaudible) topping $113 early this morning, WTI, $111. Now, how to bring those prices down really would involve adding more oil to the market. Increasing production and ideally decreasing Russian share of the overall oil market.

Now that is certainly the thinking behind a decision yesterday by the IEA which includes the U.S. and some other countries to really 60 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves. Now that sounds like a lot, but actually the world can consume that in just 16 hours.

Now, the other option is for OPEC members. The big oil producing countries led by Saudi Arabia, to massively ramp up their production. For them to add more oil onto the market. And actually they meet today which is fantastic timing.

But you know, we don't expect any big decisions from them. They're gradually increasing their output every month by 400,000 barrels a day. Since lots of oil has taken up the market at the start of the pandemic. And we can expect them to just continue on in that vain.

Now, looking at oil prices now. They are incredibly high. But it is important to remember that right now sanctions have been targeted at all sort of sectors within Russia, but not oil and gas. If that were to happen and we saw any major disruption. For the moment, it really is fears then you can see those prices really skyrocket. Michael?

HOLMES: And tell us more about the private sector. Continued pull out from Russia there too.

STEWART: Yeah and this is both as a result of sanctions. Some of them have to pull out and cut ties with Russia. And some are really just taking a stand. All of it though will be adding pressure onto the Russian consumer.

So, overnight we had news from Exxon mobile, which is quitting its latest Russian project. Also Apple, they are going to stop selling products in Russia. They are also moving to limit the use of Apple pay. Adding further issues for people trying to use VISA cards, MasterCard and so in the country.

And Boeing, they are suspending all operations in Russia. That also actually going to suspend maintenance and sort of technical support for Russian airlines who are under a huge amount of pressure. Now limited from flying to all sorts of destinations. The latest is the U.S. closing their air space to Russian planes, Michael.

HOLMES: Anna, thanks so much. Good to see you. Anna Stewart there in London. Quick break here on the program. When we come back on "CNN Newsroom," Ukraine says air strikes damaged a holocaust memorial in Kyiv. We will go live to Jerusalem after the break to hear Israel's response.

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HOLMES: More now on our top story this hour. The U.S. President Joe Biden vowing Tuesday that Vladimir Putin will pay a high price for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Biden using his first State Of The Union Address to rally support for Ukraine and pledge new punishments for Moscow. Including a new ban on Russian aircraft from U.S. air space.

But even as he spoke, Russia's military continued its advance on Ukraine. New video showing two massive explosions in Kharkiv. Ukraine's second largest city on Tuesday night.

To the south, images show Russian military vehicles in Kherson, in the last few hours the Russian military claims to seize control of the city so far. CNN has not been able to verify those claims.

But the Ukrainian people, of course, paying the highest price. As civilians always do in war. The U.N. says at least 136 civilians including 13 children have been killed since the invasion began on Thursday. But officials believe the actual toll is much higher.

Now, Ukraine's president says air strikes in Kyiv have hit a site honoring victim of the holocaust. The Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial is near a T.V. tower that was damaged on Tuesday. At least five people reportedly killed.

CNN's Hadas Gold, tracking this story and reaction from Jerusalem. Give us a little sense of the importance of the site first of all. And also how Israeli officials are reacting to this attack. HADAS GOLD, CNN POLITICS, MEDIA AND BUSINESS REPORTER (on camera):

So, Michael, the Babi Yar memorial stand at the site of one of the worst atrocities of the holocaust. Where just in the span of two days in 1941, more than 33,000 Jews were systemically murdered. Their bodies piled into mass graves. It was essentially most of the Jewish population at the time of Kyiv.

Now it is a large complex and memorial site. As you know, right by the T.V. tower. I spoke to some spokes people for the site they said that yesterday the missiles landed in the complex built on the ground of the old Jewish cemetery. They said that missiles landed just about 100 meters from the Menorah memorial site.

Now many, people are pointing out the sort of sad irony. Putin launching this invasion on the pretext he said that he was fighting what he says are neo-Nazis and yet sensibly one of the Russian missiles may have damaged one of the most important memorials to one of the most biggest atrocity that the Nazis committed during the holocaust.

The chair of the memorial site, (Inaudible) said Putin seeks to distort and manipulate the holocaust to justify an illegal invasion of a sovereign democratic country. It's utterly abhorrent. It is symbolic that he start attacking Kyiv by bombing the site of Babi Yar, the biggest of the Nazi massacres.

Now in Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, issued a statement yesterday saying that they condemn the attack. They are calling to preserve any respect in the sanctity of the site. They are saying that Israel will offer to help repair the damage when they can. And that they continue to follow the events and express regret for the injury to human life.

But one thing that is missing from that statement for many Israelis is condemnation of Russia. Now while Israel has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They've signed onto the U.N. resolution. They are offering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

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They continue to walk this sort of diplomatic tight rope between trying to help Ukraine while trying and not to really anger Russia too much. Because for Israel, they really believe that their northern border with Syria is essentially a border with Russia. Because of Russia's military presence there. And that Israel -- Israeli officials say that they worry about Israel interest.

Now, ironically sort of in the timing is very interesting here, the German chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Israel right now. He's actually at this moment with the Israel Prime Minister, Naftali Bennet at the (inaudible) holocaust memorial and museum. They had been visiting there.

We are seeing images of them visiting and in just about an hour so, we are expected to hear remarks from both of them. So, we'll have to wait and see whether we will hear them speak about Ukraine. We expect that they will. And also whether we will hear from the Israel Prime Minister even further condemnation of Russia. Especially after this missile attack that damaged the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial. Michael.

HOLMES: All right. Hadas Gold, I appreciate that update there in Jerusalem for us.

All right. You may be able to hear air raid sirens behind me. And an announcement blaring out across the city of Lviv. This is not unusual. It happens pretty much every day. So often several times a day. The announcement basically telling people to gather their valuable documents, check on the elderly neighbors and go to a shelter. It's led to nothing in the past. And we assume it will lead to nothing at the moment. And people here in the hotel being told to go to shelter as well.

Again this is not unusual. And hopefully like previous times it won't lead to anything. Let's move on. People around the globe sending prayers and holding vigils in support of Ukraine. I want to show you a peace vigil in Marseille, in France. It's among the latest worshippers gathering at a church to light candles. The archbishop of Marseille offering a prayer for the Ukrainian people to be protected and for the suffering in the region to end.

Thanks for watching, everyone. I'll be right back with more.

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