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Biden Meets With U.S. 82nd Airborne Division in Poland; Stoltenberg Says, Full-Fledged War Unlikely Between NATO Allies and Russia; Stars Expected to Show Support for Ukraine at Academy Awards. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired March 25, 2022 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:02]

ROSE GOTTEMOELLER, FORMER DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL, NATO: So, he does know what the issues are very, very well, inside and out. And he seems to have also a very strong firmness of mind in terms of what needs to be done next. And I think that kind of leadership is all important at this moment.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, you make an important point. Rose Gottemoeller, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate it very, very much.

Up next, we're going to hear from an American who trained Ukrainian Air Force pilots. What he says about their impressive performance against Russian forces, that and a lot more, and all breaking news when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:35:00]

JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: -- thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. And, first of all, 1 percent of you represent the entire of America 99 percent. I really meant it. Thank you very, very much for all you do. And it's not hyperbole. You are the finest fighting force out in the world. That's not hyperbole. In the history of the world, you're the finest fighting force in the history of the world. And that's not hyperbole. I have to say it again.

So, thank you for what you do. Thank you for all you've done. And (INAUDIBLE). Last time I was in -- not the last time, a couple of times, I was in Baghdad and walked in (ph). And I was looking for my son. And I'm going around, where the hell is my son. I'm looking for him. And I finally see him and his name is different. I said, Beau, what the hell is going on? His name was Beau Biden, colonel -- I mean, a major, excuse me. And I said, what happened? He said, dad, the name Biden, I don't want you to think something is going on. So, I'm Hunter, his mother's maiden name. So, we if you want to change names, let me know, okay?

(INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). BIDEN: Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am from Arkansas.

BIDEN: Arkansas. Where in arkansas?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).

BIDEN: Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you. And have you finished eating or just starting?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).

BIDEN: Well, if you're starting to eat, I'm going to sit down have something to eat. Is that all right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, of course.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got pizza.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN NEWSROOM: What a wonderful uplifting moment. I'm seeing this for the first time as you are, viewers are as well, the president just impromptu sitting down to eat with the 82nd Airborne. You actually see one of them taking a selfie with the president right there after he greeted them and thanked them. And he said you are the finest fighting force in the history of the world and that is not hyperbole.

This is the president's first stop today in Rzeszow, Poland. He is obviously greeting the troops, making them feel appreciated, as they deeply are, as the president eats pizza with them.

He will next go to a briefing on the humanitarian situation and crisis before he then meets with Poland's president, President Duda.

But what a moment this is to see after the emergency meetings yesterday in Brussels, a real unification of the NATO alliance, of European leaders, western leaders across Europe and President Biden. It's wonderful to see this moment and I'm sure very meaningful for all who serve, especially right now.

So, we have a lot ahead, as I said, including our Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour will join us live, what she's learned in an interview with the NATO secretary general, again, after those emergency meetings yesterday.

Stay right here with CNN.

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[10:40:00]

HARLOW: We do have breaking news. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was just discharged from a D.C. hospital after being treated for an infection. He was admitted last Friday, you'll remember, after experiencing what was described as flu-like symptoms. As a result, he has been absent from the bench all week. As we learn more, we'll bring it you, but that is good news, Wolf, Justice Clarence Thomas released from the hospital.

BLITZER: Yes, glad he's out of the hospital. All right, thanks very much, Poppy, for that.

President Biden, meanwhile, expected soon to get a formal briefing on the humanitarian crisis here in Poland where 2 million -- more than 2 million Ukrainians have arrived as refugees fleeing the war in their home country.

Also a key priority for the president is his current visit to Poland, assurances that Poland's defense that will be part of the meetings that the president has with the Polish president, Duda, those meetings expected fairly soon to begin, a little delayed earlier because of emergency landing issue for Duda's plane but everything has been worked out since then.

Let's discuss what's going on with our Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour. She's joining us right now.

Christiane, what kind of assurances on defense do you think Poland is looking for right now? How concerned are they looking at what Russia is doing in Ukraine?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, back in London here, Wolf, we were all together at the Brussels summit, which really was a show of force, not just in the real terms but also politically showing Vladimir Putin that this alliance is stronger than ever, as they said, and it continues in its unity.

[10:45:03]

What does Poland? Well it is the frontline state, whether it is in accepting so many million refugees or, indeed, or and indeed being the base and the conduit for all the very necessary military equipment that is being sent to Ukraine from the allies.

It's a tricky position to be in. It's a touchy position. Poland is also, I would have to say, more forward-leaning against Putin than the majority of the NATO alliance. It had wanted, if you remember, to give the Ukrainians aircraft and do some swap with the U.S., and this and that, that was nixed by the United States. But it has a long history of knowing what confronts it in its own neighborhood. And so it wants assurances, which have been given over and again, not just by the United States but also by NATO, the secretary general, that if anything compromised a NATO space, then all NATO countries would launch into Russia, all for one and one for all under Article V.

BLITZER: We're looking at these live pictures of the president meeting with troops from the 82nd Airborne Division that he's seeing in Rzeszow, about 60 miles or so from the Ukrainian border in Poland.

You had a chance when you were in Brussels yesterday, Christiane, to speak to the NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. As the world calculates the risk of Russia actually, God forbid, using weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons, for example, how confident was he in NATO's efforts to deter Russia as a result of yesterday's summit?

AMANPOUR: Well, you know, that was a big aspect, obviously, of the meeting because of the U.S. intelligence which suggests that Putin, if he's cornered or stalled on the ground, that he might lash out in frustration, using some kind of chemical or biological weapon. So, they announced, the NATO leaders, that they would be beefing up not just their responses but also to help Ukraine should something happen on the ground in Ukraine, how to deal with it and the like.

He made it very clear to me, frankly, that it would only be a game changer for NATO if, in fact, it happened in Ukraine, or rather, if it happened on a NATO territory. If it happened in Ukraine, he wasn't willing to talk about what a response might be.

The president himself, President Biden said the nature of our response would be determined by the nature of any WMD attack. Obviously, the nuclear aspect was raised as well or they've got it in play because Putin keeps keeping it on the table, the potential use of a tactical nuclear weapon, which is massively destructive no matter how big or small it might be, hugely destructive, for millions of people, dead and injured.

Now, in terms of, you know, whether he thought that there would be a broader war outside of Ukraine, this is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: I think it's unlikely that there will be full-fledged war but that's also because we have been so clear about the consequences if Russia attacks a NATO ally country, not only words but also in deeds by really demonstrating the unity of these lines with more troops and more combative troops at the border.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AMANPOUR: So, more troops were pledged yesterday, more groups and more countries.

And I would say in terms of imagery, it is very important imagery that the president is with American troops. You don't see President Putin visiting his troops anywhere and we know the trouble that his troops are in right now.

BLITZER: We certainly do. Christiane Amanpour, excellent reporting, as usual. Thank you very, very much.

Still ahead, we expect to see President Biden being briefed on the humanitarian crisis here in Poland. That's coming up soon. Stay with us. Our special coverage live from Poland continues.

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[10:50:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Red carpet glamour, a world away from the world in Ukraine.

BRIAN COX, ACTOR: Really, really awful what's happening.

ELAM: But Hollywood isn't ignoring the humanitarian crisis this awards season.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS, ACTOR: We're getting a great lesson and reminder about what true democracies are about.

ELAM: Heavy hitters like Michael Douglas and Lin Manuel Miranda showing their support for the blue and yellow while on the red carpet.

And at least one star protesting in the street.

JAVIER BARDEM, OSCAR NOMINEE FOR BEST ACTOR: In my humble opinion, it's better to support the idea of a peaceful resolution.

ELAM: Best Actor Nominee Javier Bardem telling CNN he joined protesters at Madrid Russian embassy to demonstrate his support outside of Hollywood.

BARDEM: It's delicate to say anything when you are having a beautiful, safe life and a safe environment.

ELAM: Set to present at the Oscars is Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis.

MILA KUNIS, ACTRESS: Today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian.

ELAM: She and husband Ashton Kutcher have raised $30 million for Ukrainian refugees.

KUNIS: This is just the beginning to a very, very, very long journey.

ELAM: With widespread support for Ukraine, Insiders say this Academy Awards will likely be different than the Trump years, when the politics were more divisive.

MATTHEW BELLONI, FOUNDING PARTNER, PUCK NEWS: If the stars get up and start talking about Ukraine, it might be a way for people to rally behind them. The politics element of the show won't be divisive, it will be uniting.

[10:55:03]

COX: The president of Ukraine was a comic. He was a wonderful comic performer.

ELAM: Succession Star Brian Cox with the most dramatic speech so far at the Screen Actor Guilds Award, calling for support of Russian artists who are at risk if they condemn the war.

COX: I think we should really join and celebrating them and hoping that they can actually make a shift, as I believe they can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Well, thank you so much for joining us for our special coverage today. I'm Poppy Harlow.

Kate Bolduan continues after the break.

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[11:00:00]