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New Explosions Rock Kyiv as Russians Inch Closer; U.S. Cable: China May be Open to Sending Russia Assistance; NATO Leaders May Meet in Person to Address Russia's War; Ukrainian Family Flees War in Kyiv for Orlando; Foreign Volunteers Join Ukraine's Fight. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired March 15, 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]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM I'm Isa Soares. Let's give you an update now on the breaking developments out of Ukraine where in just the last few hours new strikes are being reported in two residential parts of Kyiv. A private home was struck by shelling and a 10-story apartment building was hit in another strike injuring one person.

This comes as Russia ramps up its air attacks and a senior U.S. official says almost all Russian advances on the ground remained stalled. On Monday at least one killed, six others wounded after shelling hit a residential building in the Kyiv suburb. The city's mayor and his brother visited the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, KYIV BRIGADE OF UKRAINIAN DEFENSE FORCE: That's what Russians war against civilians looked like. Destroyed buildings. Destroyed infrastructure. City bus just got hit by the rocket. Lives are getting lost. There's the war that Russia started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Wladimir Klitschko there. Well, as Russia inches closer to the capital, Ukrainian forces are fighting back. Video shows Ukrainian military conducting artillery strike on a Russian military position in a forest outside Kyiv. The Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. says despite Russia's relentless assault Ukrainians remain defiant as well as determined.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OKSANA MARKAROVA, UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: Even this horrible terror does not result in Ukraine's surrender. Yes, women and children are fleeing. We're trying to get them out of harm's way. Yes, we are trying to negotiate to get people out of Mariupol where they encircle for ten days, but we are not ready to surrender. That's why they are resorting to this terror. So, if anything, Ukrainians are showing the strength to fight for our land. We're showing the strength to fight for democracy, for freedom. It's larger than Ukraine. It's about the global security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Meanwhile, U.S. officials said China may be open to sending military as well as economic assistance to Russia to continue its invasion of Ukraine. The news came as part of a diplomatic cable sent from the U.S. to allies in Europe and Asia on Monday. The same day the U.S. national security advisor met with its Chinese counterpart in a seven-hour meeting in Rome discussing possible consequences of China's support of Russia.

CNN's Steven Jiang joins me now from Beijing with more. And Steven, the U.S. has made it very clear it seems there will be consequences if Beijing assists Moscow. Do you know more about what was said? Because like we mentioned, it was a seven-hour conversation here.

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Isa. From the Chinese readouts after this meeting, it seems both sides were talking over each other than talking with each other. Now for their part, of course, the Chinese have been pushing back at this claim that is willing to consider this Russian request for help. Including, just at this daily press conference by their Foreign Ministry.

Now obviously this kind of request from Russia would put China in an even more awkward position. Because if they do provide help, it's likely to lead to even more tensions between China and the U.S. and the European Union. But if they don't and somehow Putin gets undermined or even replaced, that outcome would probably be considered even worse for China. So, that's why the real calculation facing the leadership here -- according to many analysts -- is whether or not the U.S. or EU dares to impose the kind of sanctions against Russia on China. Which of course, has a much bigger and deeper economic and trade relationship with the West.

But all of these leaks and talks from Washington are not coincidental either. They're designed to put China on the spot. Because the U.S. is really growing increasingly frustrated and annoyed with Beijing. But despite publicly calling for peace talks and their huge economic leverage over Moscow and not to mention the supposed close personal relationship between Xi Jinping and Putin, there's little indication China is doing anything to persuade the Russians to stop this increasingly bloody war. Which by the way, Beijing still refuses to call a Russian invasion.

The most active part China seems to be doing is parroting a lot of the Kremlin's talking points to be part of their propaganda and some would say disinformation campaign. That's why at this stage many analysts say it doesn't seem to be China is serious about being impartial of playing the role of a peacemaker -- Isa.

SOARES: Stephen Jiang for us in Beijing there. Thanks very much, Steven.

Well, the leaders of NATO may meet in Brussels as soon as next week in what would be an extraordinary summit to address the Russian invasion. That is according to a diplomatic source. Several U.S. officials also tell CNN President Joe Biden is preparing to possibly travel to Europe next week. But his trip has not yet -- has not been finalized.

[04:05:00]

For more on this let's bring in CNN's Natasha Bertrand in Brussels. And good morning to you Natasha. Talk us through what can we expect from this NATO meeting? I mean, what is NATO prepared to do here given that Putin is edging ever so closer to NATO territory with that airstrike near Poland?

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's exactly right, Isa. And that is really why they are meeting. Because this war is getting closer and closer to Poland, to NATO territory. And this will be an extraordinary meeting of NATO leaders. Something that was not planned in advance. But because of the situation on the ground getting closer to NATO territory in Poland, they feel that they have to meet to kind of reassess the situation.

We are told that the NATO meeting for this week in particular, with the Defense Secretary of the United States traveling to Brussels tomorrow to meet with his counterparts is going to focus on reinforcing that eastern flanked NATO posture including putting more troops there as part of the rapid activation and response force that was activated earlier this month. As well as giving them more surface- to-air missiles, more air defense systems that they could use in the event, of course, that a Russian missile whether accidentally or on purpose entered that NATO air space.

So, a lot of conversations here about shoring up that eastern flank, those eastern flank NATO countries. And remarkably we have the leaders of three NATO countries who will be traveling to Kyiv today. The leaders of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia. Who say that they're actually going to meet with President Zelenskyy there. Very strong message obviously being sent by NATO and the EU that they do support Zelenskyy in its war. But of course, there are considerations that need to be had about the potential that this could draw in the wider NATO alliance -- Isa.

SOARES: Yes, a very strong signal from those leaders, of course, from Poland, Czech Republic as well as Slovenia as they meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv. What about the pressure, the economic pressure, the sanction pressure on Russia here. I've heard in the last few minutes that France is adding more sanctions to Russia.

BERTRAND: That's right. So, the European finance ministers actually met this morning and approved a new round of sanctions against Russia. It will target more than 600 Russian oligarchs, lobbyists, people influential over the Kremlin there, according to the French finance minister. And it will revoke most favored status for Russia, imposing new trade restrictions between the EU and Russia. It will ban the export of luxury goods to Russia from the European Union. Of course, taking away those kind of luxury items that the oligarchs love to use inside the country. And it will also restrict the import of certain materials in the steel sector from Russia into the European Union.

Finally, importantly, it will also ban new investments by the European Union in Russia's energy sector. Obviously a very strong move there because they recognize that the energy sector inside Russia is among the most lucrative sectors that Russia actually has. By targeting oil and gas, by targeting energy, they believe that they could perhaps make a real dent here in Russia's economy -- Isa.

SOARES: Natasha Bertrand with what has been a very busy morning in Brussels. Thanks very much Natasha, appreciate it.

Well, nearly 3 million people have fled Russia's war in Ukraine. Coming up, this Ukrainian family may be far from home but they're not alone. Their heart-wrenching story. That's next.

[04:10:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL GOVE, BRITISH HOUSING SECRETARY: The British people have already opened their hearts in so many ways. I'm hopeful that many will also be ready to open their homes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: British Housing Secretary Michael Gove there discussing the U.K.'s plan to take in Ukrainian refugees. About 25,000 potential hosts have registered under assistance set up by the government here. Hosts will get almost $500 a month and Gove says refugees will have access to benefits, health care as well as employment.

Well, the Biden administration is considering expediting the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees with U.S. ties including families already living there. That is according to a U.S. official. This comes as advocates and lawmakers pressure the White House to do more for the people fleeing Ukraine. For those fortunate to escape the war, the journey to safety is grueling as well as harrowing. CNN's Rosa Flores spoke to one mother and her two sons who fled from Kyiv to Orlando in Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Yulia Gerbut fled Ukraine's capital Kyiv with her sons, 11-year-old Nikita and 14-year- old Max, she packed what she could, including this candle.

YULIA GERBUT, FLED UKRAINE: You can't imagine how many times I kissed this candle.

FLORES (voice-over): And she came here to Orlando, Florida, to stay with, Meegan Yockus, a woman who 20 years ago hosted Yulia during a student exchange program.

MEEGAN YOCKUS, HOSTING UKRAINIAN FAMILY: She really has been like a daughter.

FLORES (voice-over): A daughter who loved life with her boys in her Kyiv home. But in the early morning of February 24th, bombs started going off and Yulia called her host mom.

Y. GERBUT: While talking to her, I saw the explosion from my bedroom window. And that is when I was really scared.

FLORES (voice-over): Yulia says she had to hang up.

YOCKUS: It is very emotional. I can't fathom what she went through. Somebody I love.

FLORES (voice-over): Yulia and the boys rush to the one room in the house with no windows.

Y. GERBUT: They were shocked. Nikita started crying.

FLORES: Hours later, more signs of war.

Y. GERBUT: We saw this helicopter which was throwing fire rockets from both sides of it.

FLORES: What did you think?

Y. GERBUT: My house will be bombed like next second.

FLORES: What was your biggest fear?

YOCKUS: That she wouldn't make it out.

FLORES: That she would die?

YOCKUS: Possibly.

FLORES: As Yulia drove away with Nikita and Max, she agonized over leaving her third son Martin behind.

Y. GERBUT: The grave of my son is left there and obviously I can't take him with me.

FLORES (voice-over): Martin died of cancer in 2019. He was 4 years old. And how does a mother fleeing war take her baby's grave with her?

Y. GERBUT: It was, you know, breaking my heart that he is staying, in some way. And you don't know. Maybe the bomb will fall down on the cemetery.

FLORES: (voice-over) After four days of traffic jams, a stop at a shelter guarded by Ukrainian military, and eating at outdoor mass feeding kitchens, they ended up at a refugee camp in Slovakia.

Y. GERBUT: I was absolutely shocked.

FLORES: What shocked you?

Y. GERBUT: A couple hundreds of people in one room.

[04:15:00]

Everybody speaking, kids are crying.

FLORES (voice-over): After escaping the new reality at home, they fled to Orlando. And last week, Yulia enrolled her sons in school. The images of war still fresh in their minds.

NIKITA GERBUT, FLED UKRAINE: I heard explosions and I heard shooting. I was super scared and the first two, three hours of driving, I was listening to every sound and begging to not hear those explosions.

FLORES: What is Russia doing to your country?

Y. GERBUT: Genocide. That's what it is. They are just burning our cities and our people, destroying us.

FLORES (voice-over): Yulia fears for the life of her 72-year-old father who is in Mariupol, a city where civilian buildings, including the maternal hospital where Yulia was born have come under shelling. Thousands have died.

Y. GERBUT: I haven't heard from my dad for 12 days. I don't know if he's alive.

FLORES (voice-over): Despite the fog of war, this mother says in a way, she managed to bring little Martin with her.

Y. GERBUT: I can light the candle and, you know, pretend he is with us. So, no matter where we will end up, we will have a candle to light.

FLORES (voice-over): Rosa Flores, CNN, Orlando, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Just so much heartbreak. If you would like to help people in Ukraine who may be in need of shelter as well as food and water, please go to CNN.com/impact. At last check CNN viewers like you have helped raise nearly $5 million to helping Ukraine and neighboring countries. Go to CNN.com/impact if you can help.

And this just in to CNN. Ukrainian authorities say at least two people were killed in the shelling of an apartment building in western Kyiv, 46 others had to be rescued. A separate strike with minor damage to another building in the same district. This is in Kyiv earlier. This marks at least the fourth residential building in Kyiv hit by shelling today alone.

And still ahead right here on the show, thousands of people from around the world are putting their lives on the line to help Ukraine battle Russia. The stories of some of those racing towards the front lines next.

[04:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SOARES: Well, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine neared its fourth week, it's no longer just Ukrainians taking up arms. Now thousands of foreigners have now volunteered to join the fight, some on the frontlines and others giving support. Our Jim Sciutto has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): One of the bloodiest wars in Europe since World War II, is drawing thousands of foreigners to join the fight. Cavi -- he goes by his military call sign -- tells us, he is a Canadian and veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

"CAVI", CANADIAN AND VETERAN OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN: When Putin rattled a nuclear saber, he threatened the whole world with fire. Canada's right in between the U.S. and Russia, that's where all these missiles that he's threatening with are going to be flying over. So, that's what brings me here.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Cavi is far from alone.

ROMAN, VETS BACKGROUNDS OF FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS: There is more than 20,000 of this military serving all over the Ukraine.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Roman, he asked we don't show his face for his security, vets the backgrounds of all foreign volunteers.

ROMAN: Many of them had a very good experience, even in hotspots, they are serving in hotspots. So, but now it -- maybe it was -- you know, nowadays, there are less of these experienced soldiers and more -- many of them are more volunteers. They have some military experience serving in a peacetime.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Their resumes range from combat experience to no military training at all. Ryan, a 25-year-old from Minnesota says, he served two years with the marines in Okinawa, Japan.

RYAN, U.S. MARINE: I'm a U.S. marine. If I have to die to help these people, I will.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Oscar from Sweden has no formal military training.

OSCAR, VOLUNTEER: We're here to help people. Hopefully, it's going to be over even before we reach the fronts, before we need to fire a bullet, or save someone with medical resources, you know. That's the best for everyone. But if that's what it comes to, we'll be there.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): David, 33, from Canada says, he can help fix tires, to keep Ukrainian military vehicles on the road.

DAVID, VOLUNTEER FOR UKRAINIAN ARMY: If it's black and round and made out of rubber, I can fix it. And one of the most important things in the gears of war is keeping it moving.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): All volunteers get at least some training. But while some can contribute on the battlefield, others may never see combat.

ROMAN: Some of them don't get -- don't need this training, and some do. And some of -- as I am being told by the military, some of them remain there in this unit -- in this military unit because they are not apt to this military service. And they just -- they can't go to this -- to the war.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): One additional concern, the risks of deploying and arming thousands of foreign fighters around the country.

ROMAN: They might be dangerous, because such people are always dangerous. But we try to check them. We try to check their biography. We try to check their pasts as far as we can do it.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): One definite and urgent need for the Ukrainian military are volunteers with combat medical experience. That's what brought Sky Barkly, a U.S. Marine and missionary, to Ukraine along with six other Americans.

SCIUTTO: You enrolled after 9/11 imagining, I suppose, the war was going to be there. Did you ever imagine yourself witnessing a war in Ukraine, in Europe?

[04:25:00]

SKY BARKLY, FORMER U.S. MARINE AND MISSIONARY: No, and it's totally different. This does not compare to a slow simmering insurgency. It doesn't even compare to what we saw with ISIS, because you're talking about -- I mean, the sheer amount of missiles being, you know, launched across the country. The ability of the Russians to reach out across hundreds and hundreds of kilometers and kill from that kind of distance.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Maddy, another member of Sky's medical team, is a travel nurse from Missouri, here to help and willing to put her life on the line to do it. As she's done before in Iraq.

MADDIE HAYES, TRAVEL NURSE: Yes, it worries me a little bit. But I just -- I'm -- I just have a heart for these people. Like, I just really want to help them. I don't see my life more valuable than their life.

SCIUTTO (voiceover): Ukrainian officials make clear this is not a calling for adventurers or weekend warriors. It is service against a massive and ruthless invading army. And thousands have already answered the call.

Jim Sciutto, CNN, Lviv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: In times of war, you do see the worst of humanity. But like in that piece just outlined you do see the best of humanity too.

And under the looming threat of a Russian attack there is music in Odessa. That beautiful music in a city that's often called the pearl of the

Black Sea. A hundred musicians played the national anthem in front of the opera house. Concrete barriers and sandbags filled by volunteers are in place. The mayor says people here are afraid but they want to protect their land and their home.

And that does it here for this hour. Thank you very much for your company. I'm Isa Soares in London. Our breaking news coverage of the war in Ukraine continues on "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett. I shall see you tomorrow. Good-bye.

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