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New Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks this Week; Zelenskyy Gave Interview to Russian Independent Journalists; Qatar Opposes Use of Power Against Sovereign Country; U.S. Secretary of State Meeting with Allies in Israel; Shanghai Going Into Lockdown for COVID Testing; Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock Before Winning Oscar. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired March 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]
ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and right around the world. I'm Isa Soares. And our top story for you this hour.
More missile strikes were reported in Ukraine overnight. The mayor of Zhytomyr, which is just west of Kyiv -- as you can see there on this map -- has now confirmed there were two explosions overnight near the city. We're hearing also from an official in the Volyn region, which include Lutsk, who says a missile fired from Belarus hit a fuel depot in the area. And this comes after an adviser to Ukraine's president tweeted that several cities were targeted on Sunday night, including three to the west of the capital Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have gained some ground, launching counter offenses to take back territory from the Russian forces. But the country's military intelligence chief suggested on Sunday that Russia is now changing its focus to the south and the east, attempting to carve Ukraine in two after failing to take Kyiv.
Meanwhile, a new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are set for this week in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says peace is the goal of any talks. But in an interview with independent Russian journalists, he put some conditions on his participation. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We won't sit down at the table at all if all we talk about is some demilitarization or some de-Nazification. For me they are absolutely in comprehensible things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Atika Shubert joins me now live in Valencia, Spain. And Atika, it is interesting to see Zelenskyy, first of all, reach out to kind of independent Russian news media to get his message across. Did the message get through? What has been the reaction, if any, from inside Russia? ATIKA SHUBERT, JOURNALIST: Well, I think it's very difficult for
ordinary Russians to actually access the interview. The Kremlin was very quick to respond essentially with the Russian media watch dog saying that any media that publishes, should be -- they warned against publishing any part of the interview in Russian media and said they would be screening and controlling for any publication.
But there are still ways the Russian public can access this interview. And I think is that Zelenskyy tried to reach out to ordinary Russians in answering a lot of questions, not just on the war and ongoing negotiations but also on questions ordinary Russians may be wondering.
Why are Russian athletes banned from international competitions, for example? This was a question he addressed. He also spoke fluently in the Russian language in this very down to earth manner. It's very different from the way Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks, for example.
And he also addressed the issue of language itself. Saying that, of course there are Russian language speakers in Ukraine. This has been a point of contention with Russia that says that Russian speakers in Ukraine are being discriminated against. And yet, here we have the Ukrainian president speaking in Russian to the Russian people and saying that, you know, Ukrainians can speak in either Ukrainian or Russian. And this is something he is willing to discuss in any ongoing negotiations.
So, it was a very, you know, widespread interview in which he addressed a lot of questions. I think the key question, however, is whether or not people will actually be able to -- whether will have an impact on ordinary Russians if they are able to access the interview and see it.
Yes, indeed, we shall see in the next few days what is being said inside the country. Atika Shubert there for us in Valencia. Good to see you, Atika, thank you very much.
Well, the heavy fighting in the city of Mariupol is devastating the lives of those who remain. Many who've taken shelter in basements during Russian basements are returning to find their homes completely destroyed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I've lived here since my birth, my husband as well. We got married here and had babies. What now? What is left for us? I don't want to go anywhere from Mariupol, but there's nowhere to live here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[04:35:00]
SOARES: Well, this comes of course as an Ukrainian officials say humanitarian aid is beginning to wane. They say more support is desperately needed right now. According to the U.N., more than 3.8 million people have fled Ukraine to nearby countries. Another 6.5 million are displaced inside Ukraine. And if you would like to help people in Ukraine who are in need of shelter, food and water, please go to CNN.com/impact. There you will find several that you can help.
Now, Qatar's foreign minister is weighing in on the war in Ukraine. Telling CNN his country opposes the use of power against a sovereign country. He also says Qatar will not plan any new investments in Russia and parts of Europe until there's more political stability. CNN's Becky Anderson spoke with the minister on the sidelines of the Doha Forum.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL-THANI, QATAR'S FOREIGN MINISTER: Our position has been very, very clear. We are against any act of aggression or any threatening of uses of power used against a sovereign country. Or, you know, trying to undermine the territorial integrity of any country.
And we made this very clear. We have to stick to international law and in the short term, this needs to be respected. Because, otherwise, the world would be in chaos.
So, we keep our communication channel, with all the parties. I was in Moscow approximately ten days ago. I had the chance to have a conversation with the foreign minister of Russia, talking about the Ukrainian issue, but also keeping the communication ongoing with our Ukrainian counterparts. Trying to help, or offering our help, our contribution to deescalate the situation and put an end for this war.
BECKY ANDERSON, MANAGING EDITOR, CNN ABU DHABI AND ANCHOR: Is it your sense that President Putin wants peace at this point?
AL-THANI: Well, I cannot really say what President Putin is thinking about, but what I believe from my conversation with my contact out there in Russia, that they are willing to engage on the demands that they have been put forward.
Now, how far the Ukrainian government are willing to give on those demands, this is really the Ukrainian government, the Ukrainian people's decision.
But our interest now is and the priority is really to create some safe environment for the people, for the civilians over there. There is a deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which is unprecedented. So, I think that should be the priority. We should focus on having a ceasefire, humanitarian corridors, bring the humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. And instead of having this conflict and disagreement on the battlefield, to be around the table.
ANDERSON: The West has imposed swingen sanctions on Russia, in an effort to squeeze the Kremlin at this point. And the Qatar Investment Authority, or the QIA, has a sizeable investment in the Russian oil giant Rosneft. Is Qatar prepared to withdraw from Russia? Do you unwind that position? AL-THANI: Actually, right now, with the current situation, we are not thinking about any new investments there. Even, by the way, in Europe until we have some clarity on the stability of the situation. But, you know, our decisions that we have took the investment at that time was based on a commercial assessment. And these investments are still ongoing.
ANDERSON: So, you will make no new investments?
AL-THANI: Right now, in the current environment, I think that the investment is really under a lot of review.
ANDERSON: The Norwegian's Sovereign Fund has unwound its position in Russian companies. You're saying that Qatar investment in Russia is under review at this point
AL-THANI: For the current -- for the current now -- the current time, our investment decisions, as I told you, is based on commercial assessment. And what we have currently in Russia, we are not -- we are not thinking about increasing that these days until we see a better atmosphere and more political stability.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Our Becky Anderson's full interview with Qatar's Foreign Minister Ayres at 3:00 p.m. GMT RIGHT HERE ON CNN.
Now America's top diplomat is shoveling through stops in the Middle East. Still ahead, this hour, we'll get a live report on what Antony Blinken hopes to take away with his talks with Israeli and Arab leaders. That is next.
[04:40:00]
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SOARES: And firefighters have now contained about a third of this massive blaze in the state of Colorado. Evacuation orders have been lifted. But officials are advising people to stay vigilant. A separate fire in Texas has burned more than 10,000 acres. Smoke has spread more than 50 miles away. Those fires expected to remain intense and residents have been told they should be ready to evacuate. We will stay on top of that story for you.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is wrapping up a meeting in Israel with officials from five other countries. The six party talks between U.S., Israel and Arab officials is a historic moment but it comes, of course at a fraught time. The talks are expected to include a range of issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, Israeli/Palestinian relations and its issues with Iran. For more on this let's bring in journalist Elliot Gotkine in Jerusalem. Elliott, of course, this is, like we said, a historic meeting in a rare visit by some of these leaders. What are the expectations here?
ELLIOT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: That's right, Isa. They've never all met before in one go and not in Israel. And I think that there are a number of things that we can get out of this meeting. I mean, first of all the very fact this they are all meeting is a statement in itself of how things have changed in the region. And how the Abraham Accords have opened up new opportunities and for the ability for these countries to address challenges together.
I think first and foremost, perhaps this meeting will allow the United States to show its commitment to the Middle East , to its allies in the Middle East and to those Abraham Accords in terms of both deepening the relationship between those who have already signed up and trying to get more countries to join them. They'll also of course be talking about securities concerns.
[04:45:00]
And we understand from someone who was inside of those meetings that they will be discussing, for example, the need and the how they will deter Iran and its proxies from destabilizing the region irrespective of whether the United States rejoins the Iran nuclear agreement.
No doubt they'll also be expressing their concerns about the reported possibility of the U.S. delisting the Iranian -- sorry, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, called the IRGC, as a terrorist organization. Concerns that Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid expressed publicly to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken just yesterday. That means he was wrapping up more or less about now. And we should get statements from foreign ministers very shortly.
SOARES: And we've seen in the last few hours the Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who obviously has his plate full dealing with a deadly attack in the country. What more can you tell us?
GOTKINE: Yes, and Naftali Bennett also testing positive for COVID. This attack happened on Sunday evening in the northern city of Hadera by the coast. The officials in the Israeli security establishment saying that it was carried out by two ISIS terrorist operatives. They discovered, you know, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Two Israeli police border guards were killed, both aged 19. Six people were injured. And the attackers, the assailants were killed by two off-duty counterterrorism police officers. So, they were just happened to be in a restaurant nearby and they managed to shoot and kill the assailants. So, somewhat overshadowing the summit.
But I should also point out have all come out, that all the foreign ministers have come out and condemned these attacks as well. Something that again, would have been, you know, unthinkable just a few years ago -- Isa.
SOARES: Indeed, yes. Elliott Gotkine for us in Jerusalem. Thanks very much, Elliott. Appreciate it.
Well, China's financial harp is going into lockdown for mass COVID-19 testing. The Shanghai government says have the city begins four days of lockdown on Monday and the other half will follow on Friday. All of Shanghai's roughly 25 million residents must get tested to maintain a clean green health code status, which allows them into grocery stores, as well as areas. Residents have rushed to grocery stores to stock up, of course, ahead
of the lockdowns often leaving nothing on the shelves -- as you can see there. China reported more than 6,200 new cases on Sunday and more than half of them were in Shanghai. The city has now seen more than 16,000 infections since the latest outbreak began on March 1st.
Prince William says he's not in the business of, quote, telling people what to do and that any future relationship between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean nations will be for the people to decide. The second in line to the British throne was wrapping up a tour for the commonwealth nations in the Caribbean with his wife -- as you can see there -- the Duchess of Cambridge. The Prince express his support for any decision by Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas to become republics. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE WILLIAM, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE: And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this. We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. Relationships evolve, friendship endures.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, the royal trip has been marred by controversies and questions about independence, the legacy of slavery in the Caribbean, and the role of the British monarchy in the region.
And still to come right here on the show, an altercation at the Oscars. We'll show you how Will Smith lashed out at Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife. That's next.
[04:50:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Well, if your March madness brackets have Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Villanova in the final four, well you are set. The North Carolina ended their Cinderella run at St. Peter's on Sunday. They will now meet bitter rival Duke. Kansas will play Villanova in the other semifinal. The Jayhawks handily defeated the Miami Hurricanes on Sunday -- as you can see there. The final four will be held in New Orleans on Saturday with a championship game April 4th. Mark your diaries.
And the biggest night in Hollywood, the Academy Awards show had an unscripted fight that stunned audience members. It started when Chris Rock made a joke on stage about Jayda Pickens Smith shaped head. She had alopecia, an auto immune disorder, which causes hair loss. Will Smith, Jayda's husband, then took to the stage and smacked Rock. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS ROCK, ACTOR: Uh-oh. Richard -- Oh, wow. Wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, although it appeared to be a joke at first, Smith returned to his seat and yelled at Rock using foul language. Viewers at home did not hear the entire exchange as sensors muted it. Well, moments later in the show, Will Smith won the best actor award for a leading role for his performance in "King Richard." During his acceptance speech he apologized for his role in the fight and ended by saying that he hopes the Academy welcomes back.
Meantime, the best picture award went to "Coda" beating out films like "Belfast," "Drive My Car" and "Power of the Dog." "Coda" is the coming-of-age story about a character named Ruby, the only hearing member of a deaf family.
And one of the actors from that film, Troy Kotsur, became the first death male actor to win an Academy award for his performance. He's won a best supporting actor trophy. In other awards, Ariana DeBose, became the first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar for best supporting actress. She won for her portrayal as Anita in Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story".
And of course, the war in Ukraine is a world away from Hollywood but it was not ignored at the this year's award show. The Oscars held a moment of silence, followed by a plea to the U.S. to do whatever possible to send help to those in the war-torn nation. Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis also acknowledged the war during the show.
[04:55:00]
And we are learning more now about the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. The band announced Hawkins' death shortly before they were set to perform at a music festival in Bogota. Journalist Stefano Pozzebon has the latest from Colombia.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: New details that emerged from the preliminary toxicology report performed on the body of Taylor Hawkins. The Foo Fighters drummer that was found dead here in Bogota on Friday evening. According to the results of the reports, which were published by the Colombian Attorney General's office on Saturday evening, 10 substances were found in the artist, including marijuana, antidepressants and opioids.
But the Attorney General's office also saying that investigators are still due to perform new medical tests. They tried to determine the ultimate cause of death of the artist. Meanwhile, the other members of Foo Fighters were due to perform at this year's Grammys award returned to the United States.
Hawkins was found dead in his hotel bedroom in the center hotel here in Bogota just hours before he was due to perform at Columbia's the largest musical festival. His death at the age of only 50 years old, a shock to the city and the rest of the music world.
For CNN, this is Stefano Pozzebon, Bogota.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Thanks very much Stefano.
And thanks very much for your company. I'm Isa Soares in London. Our breaking news coverage from Ukraine continues on "EARLY START". You know how to get in touch with me. I shall see you tomorrow. Thanks very much.
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