Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Russia Claims It's Reducing Assault On Kyiv And Chernihiv; Major Artillery And Rocket Fire Reported In Kyiv; Zelenskyy: Russian Signals Don't Drown Out Sounds Of Bombs; U.S. Skeptical Russia Is Calling Back War On Ukraine; Kyiv Residents Say They Don't Believe Moscow's Words; Russia And Ukraine Express Optimism After Last Talks; At Least 12 Killed In Strike On Mykolaiv Government Building; Civilians Flee Fighting Near Southern City Of Mykolaiv; U.N. Food Chief: War Could Fuel Global Food Crisis; Invasion Poses Risk Of Global Food Crisis. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired March 30, 2022 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:13]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers around the world, and in the United States. I'm Hala Gorani, reporting live from Lviv, Ukraine where it is just past 9:00 in the morning.

We begin this hour with what U.S. intelligence officials say appears to be a major strategy shift by Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces are pulling back from some areas in the north including the capital to focus on gains in the South and East. However, the latest video from Kyiv tells a different story.

A CNN crew reports a major rocket and artillery fire around Kyiv, and intense fighting in the northern suburbs. Ukraine's President says he will believe the Russians are scaling back their military operation when he sees it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): The signals that we hear from the negotiating platform can be called positive. But these signals don't drown out the explosions of Russian bombs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: While the U.S. is echoing that same skepticism, the Pentagon says a small number of Russian forces have moved away from Kyiv in the past day or so. But Russia can still inflict massive brutality on the city.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We'll see. I don't read anything into it until I see what their actions are. ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S SECRETARY OF STATE: There is what Russia says, and

there's what Russia does. We're focused on the latter. And what Russia is doing is the continued brutalization of Ukraine.

JOHN KIRBY, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PENTAGON: We're not prepared to call this a retreat, or even a withdrawal. We think that what they probably have in mind is a repositioning to prioritize elsewhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: John Kirby there. Now, we have to warn you this next video is graphic. It shows the absolute destruction in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin. You can see in fact, the dead bodies left in cars and on the streets as well. We've blurred them. It's too dangerous for residents to go out and collect their neighbors and loved ones, and give them a proper burial.

Ukraine's military claims that it pushed Russian forces out of Irpin in the past few days. But by the looks of this new video, there's not much left of that suburb. And this map shows the places Near Kyiv where Russian troops are still very much operating mostly to the Northwest where Irpin is for example, and Northeast of the city.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen spoke with residents and Ukrainian troops in Kyiv to find out what they make of Russia's promise to scale back assaults on the capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Even after Russia announced it plans to withdraw most forces from around Kyiv the fighting continues. Residents we spoke to told us they don't believe Moscow's words are for real.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): On the one hand, they retreat and on the other they will transfer their efforts to other positions, Alexander (ph) says. So it's difficult to talk about it withdrawal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I do not believe in it. It's probably just a rotation, says Yuri (ph). It's a regrouping of their troops.

PLEITGEN: Despite its forces being stalled Near Kyiv for weeks, Russia claims it will withdraw because it has achieved its military objectives, and now wants to make a positive gesture to Ukraine, Moscow's negotiating team said after talks in Istanbul.

A decision was made to radically at times reduce military activity in the Kyiv and Chernihiv directions said Russia's deputy defense minister.

But the Russians also made clear this is not a ceasefire. And the sounds of heavy battles still reverberate around the capital. But the territorial defense forces at this checkpoint say "Make no mistake." If the Russians really do withdraw, it's because they lost. YURIY MATSARSKI, TERRITORIAL DEFENSE FORCES, UKRAINE: From the first

days of war, it was obvious that the Russians will be defeated on the battlefield, in the diplomatic field, in political field. It's a-- it was out of aggressions.

PLEITGEN: While many here hope the battle for Kyiv could end soon. The total both in blood and infrastructure is massive. And parliamentarian, Roman Hryshchuk tells me he's not sure Ukrainians will ever be able to trust Russia again.

How long do you think it will-- it could take to make relations better again before there can be trust between Russia and Ukraine again?

ROMAN HRYSHCHUK, ADVOCATE, CMS CAMERON MCKEENA NABARRO OLSWANG: I don't believe--

PLEITGEN: Or trust towards the Russians, I would say?

HRYSHCHUK: I think it will be years, and years. Maybe hundreds of years. And you know, every people in Ukraine lost all their house, a relatives, or friends in this world. And our children they have a night in shelters, they listen to these bombs, and it's for ages.

PLEITGEN: While both Ukrainian and Russian negotiators say talks to end this war are progressing few in the capital trust that peace could be coming soon. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:05:14]

GORANI: Well, for more on Russia's proposed troop pullback, let's go to London, CNN's Clare Sebastian.

Is there-- so the assessment is-- a statement was made, but on the ground, obviously, Clare. We're not seeing it pan out.

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hala. This is the key issue. Fred talked about trust towards Russia on the ground. I think the same applies to the talks, and certainly in the international community Russia statement, that it was good to see. A significant pullback around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv have met with widespread skepticism from the international community.

U.S. President Biden, saying that, basically, he'll believe it when he sees it. He's going to look for actions rather than words. The Ukrainian president himself, Volodymyr Zelenskyy say in a statement on social media last night, that those kinds of statements don't drown out the explosions of Russian bombs, that the situation on the ground is still very difficult.

And he's still calling on the West to ramp up sanctions and ramp up crucially, military aid to Ukraine. So this is clearly a sign that there were progress in these talks that they moved further than they have before. But again, there is a significant lack of trust towards Russia. People

are waiting to see what happens next. And as Fred pointed out, there are concerns that this is not so much a pullback, but a reorganization, perhaps a sign that troops as the Pentagon pointed out yesterday, moving to a different part of Ukraine.

And even perhaps pulling back to reorganize and regroup and perhaps resupply as well, Hala.

GORANI: All right. Well, I mean, if that is the case then, how is trust restored or in any way? How does any kind of trust exist between the two parties if literally, the second one side pronounces the words, the other side says, we don't believe you and here's proof on the ground? Word-- how do you how do you take it from here anyway forward?

SEBASTIAN: Well talks need to continue, and I think a sign of how far the talks went, despite that lack of trust yesterday, Hala, is that, you know, the Ukrainian side said that they're actually moving towards potentially an in-person meeting of presidents, Putin and Zelenskyy. That would, of course, be a key moment.

But meanwhile, the key issue of Ukraine is the discussion of security guarantees. It's clear that joining NATO would be a red line for Russia. They are considering the option of taking that off the table and instead discussing neutrality and security guarantees with their allies.

That is going to be a sticky point to reach with Russia. And there's also the key issue of the Donbas. It seems that that Russia's new stated aim in the conflict has been to liberate, the Donbas that is a red line for Ukraine. So clearly many sticking points are in, Hala.

GORANI: Clare Sebastian, thanks very much. Coming to us live from London.

A deadly strike on a government building in southern Ukraine now to tell you about the CCTV footage shows the moment a missile hit the regional military governor's office in Mykolaiv. Officials say at least 12 people were killed and another 33 were injured in this attack. And you see it there clearly on the surveillance footage.

The region's governor says half his office was destroyed and images from the scene show a massive hole ripped through the middle of the building.

Mykolaiv was among the first regional capitals attacked when Russia launched its invasion, while Ukrainian troops have forced Russian soldiers out of the city. Mykolaiv remains a key target in Russia's quest towards Odesa to the West.

But for many civilians living near the frontlines, the fighting has become too much to bear. Ben Wedeman has our pack (ph)-- has our story.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The blasted burnt out hoax of Russia's might lay on a road outside Mykolaiv, or rumbles in the distance.

Lieutenant Colonel, Yaroslav Chepurny doubts peace or even a pause is enhanced

LT. COL. YAROSLAV CHEPURNY, UKRAINIAN ARMY (through translator): Russia, he says put such a huge effort into invading Ukrainian territory. It's hard to imagine it will leave so easily.

WEDEMAN: As fighting raged on the road just a few minutes' drive from here, where civilians, many of them huddling in their cellars for protection, scared of the fighting, but terrified of the danger if they tried to flee.

This house in the nearby village of Shevchenko took a direct hit. Bombardment is less frequent now. It's just common for 72-year-old Natalia to pack up and go.

NATALIA IVANOVNA, SHEVCHENKO RESIDENT (through translator): It's impossible to tolerate this anymore, she says. I'm already an old woman.

WEDEMAN: A neighbor will drive her to nearby Mykolaiv. Shrapnel riddled his car and shattered the back window.

[02:10:09]

IVANOVNA (through translator): I'm not afraid to die, says Natalia. But I'm just not ready. I haven't gone to confession yet.

WEDEMAN: In an adjacent town, Lubya shows me the potato cellar she hidden for days.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It's cold here, she says. There was no electricity for two weeks.

WEDEMAN: As fate would have it, she did well to stay down there. One day a rocket landed in her backyard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Tongue in cheek, she told us. The Russians left a gift for her, a gift that keeps on ticking.

WEDEMAN: All right, we have to leave this spot because this rocket has not exploded. Many of the villages near the front have been largely abandoned. Only the most stubborn stay behind. Ben Wedeman, CNN, outside Mykolaiv.

GORANI: Well, still to come on CNN. Why food and security in some of the world's most vulnerable countries is likely to get a whole lot worse due to the war in Ukraine. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:15:08]

GORANI: I'm Hala Gorani, live in Lviv, Ukraine. The head of the U.N.'s Food Aid Program has a dire warning for world leaders. David Beasley says the word Ukraine is threatening efforts to feed 125 million people across the globe, including in poorer countries. He says half of the grain purchased by the World Food Program comes from this country, Ukraine. And that the war is disrupting grower's efforts to produce crops.

The crisis is also being compounded by a shortage of fertilizer. Here's more.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID BEASLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED NATION WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: So now we're talking about a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe. Because Ukraine from the breadbasket of the world now to bread lines, we never would have dreamed anything like this would it be possible. It is not just decimating dynamically Ukraine in the region, but it will have global context impact beyond anything we've seen since World War II.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Earlier, I spoke with members of the agricultural community right here in Ukraine about the risk to them, and to the world. Take a look.

On this farm in Western Ukraine, and many like it across this country, the future of food security for hundreds of millions of people around the world is being determined. 1/3 of the world's most fertile soil is in Ukraine, according to the U.N.

So what doesn't grow here, or what this country is unable to export because of the war, local officials tell me will cause ripple effects around the globe.

VOLODYMYR REMENIAK, HEAD OF HORODOK CITY COUNCIL, LVIV REGION, UKRAINE (through translator): The repercussions of the war in Ukraine began to impact everything, Volodymyr Remeniak tells me including all agricultural operations inside and outside the country, including the sowing season.

GORANI: Western Ukraine where this farm is located accounts for a relatively small portion of total wheat and corn farm land. The most productive farms lay in the hottest conflict areas of the country. Like Izyum in Eastern Ukraine.

Satellite photos show the extent of the destruction in and around that city. In one video, Russian artillery positions and Ukrainian counter attacks are visible in a field. And the Ukrainian agriculture minister tells me the impact on this year's crops will be devastating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MYKOLA SOLSKY, MINISTER OF AGRARIAN POLICY AND FOOD, UKRAINE: Last season, we have approximately totally 110 million tons. This year, we expect at least 30 percent less than this amount. It's very (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) It's a very optimistic prognosis.

GORANI: OK.

SOLSKY: Because we understand that the war is continue, and nobody knows what will be tomorrow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: And so far this year, the minister says the country has lost almost $9 billion in agricultural revenue. Wheat is usually planted around March and harvested in the summer.

But we are told on this farm Near Lviv that most farmers in the conflict zone are writing this year off completely, because it's simply too dangerous to work the land.

This is already impacting food prices for everyone, but most acutely for people in vulnerable countries. In 2020, 80 percent of Lebanon's wheat imports came from Ukraine alone. Forty percent of Libya's, 30 percent of Egypt's wheat came from Ukraine last year, and now bakery prices there are jumping as high as 25 percent.

On top of climate change and rising inequality, the Russian invasion will deepen poverty and increase instability 1000s of miles from where missiles and shells are causing devastation. Back on the farm outside Lviv, we meet Pavlo Kovalchuk, who manages the fields and the other crops that grow here, like apple, plum, and walnut trees.

Are you ready for the longer term if this war lasts a long time? Are you ready to dig in and keep working?

PAVLO KOVALCHUK, FARM MANAGER(through translator): We have to be ready because we have no other choice. I, and all other farmers who work with me are ready because we're responsible for providing food not only for Ukraine, but for other countries.

GORANI: Beyond production issues, there is also a shortage of workers. Some have joined the fight against the Russian army, others have moved to safer areas, or left the country altogether.

A sector that employs hundreds of thousands in Ukraine hollowing out as the war grinds on. Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe. And so war on this country is also an attack on all those who depend on it for food.

[02:20:09]

GORANI: Well, Steve Gordon joins me now in Lviv. He's the Humanitarian Response Adviser at Mercy Corps. Thanks for being with us. Let me ask you first about your operations throughout the country.

I know you've been crisscrossing this war torn country, what have your biggest challenges been?

STEVE GORDON, HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE ADVISER, MERCY COPRS: I mean, one of the main challenges we have just now is the sheer scale of the country and the logistics of it. If you want to travel to the East, it's about a 40-hour journey across fear (ph), you know, it takes you two days, for as many hazards on the road.

The supply chain for all of these people is really, really vulnerable just now. And we're relying on the railways. Everything's been affected by the conflict. And I think we're going to see this impact. We still have people who are really vulnerable. And I think things will impact more if these-- if supply chains targeted any further.

GORANI: What is the biggest need, the most urgent need right now?

GORDON: When you're talking in the municipalities, when you go out to the more affected areas, one thing they're always asking for is medicine, that seems to be one of the supplies that's been had and worse just now.

But also, if you look at food stocks, and if an area was to be besieged or cut off, or for example, the railway lines were targeted, or the road bridges targeted--

GORANI: Yes.

GORDON: -- there would probably only be four to five days immediate supply of food, and therefore people would get into trouble fairly quickly.

GORANI: OK. So what can ordinary people watching this do to help?

GORDON: I think it's-- looking at what's needed just now. I think, if we send money to organizations who are working here, that can be spent specifically on what is needed for the country, what's needed.

There's a lot of really-- there's been a credible effort just now. When you go to the Polish border, you will just see all these trucks where there's massive, spontaneous kind of like, sense that people want to help. But the reality is, when you travel around, you go to warehouses, and you see a lot of the clothes, you know, blankets and things that are just piled up not being used.

I think if money comes into organizations, it can be spent specifically on what's needed for these communities. I think that's the best way forward just now.

GORANI: Are you seeing this-- you're seeing this, obviously, looking forward as a long-term effort inside Ukraine for your organization?

GORDON: I-- look, it's-- we can imagine the conflict has just kind of come through this first stage. And it's kind of slowing down and developing kind of patterns, we're seeing more fixed lines as such.

GORANI: Yes.

GORDON: And we had that initial huge wave of people moving, you know, up to 12 million people have been affected inside the country by (INAUDIBLE) And now, we still have a large number of people and the areas for affected. I think, to keep food going, to keep the markets going, as your previous piece said, you know, to make sure that the harvest goes ahead, but it can't. These are all kind of key things to go forward.

For our organization, this is the beginning of a very, you know, and all of our-- the humanitarian agencies, this is the beginning of a much longer effort for us all.

GORANI: And one of the things we talked about before the show this morning, was the fact that some people can't afford or are unwilling, understandably, to pack up and go to Poland, if they're in their 70s, 80s, older sometimes. They're writing this out. How do you assist people who are so vulnerable?

GORDON: I mean, when you travel to-- given example from Kharkiv, where you've got these suburbs, particularly the ones in the North and East of the city, that are really badly affected by shelling.

And Ukraine has a large elderly population. And a lot of these people are either unable or unwilling to go and they're stuck in their houses. And the thing is, as for neighbors, as people around flee for fighting, they get even more vulnerable, even more remote.

I mean--

GORANI: Yes.

GORDON: -- you're -- these people are relying on small local organizations who go out, go bring some food, and help them on a daily basis. These-- there are so many vulnerable people--

GORANI: Yes.

GORDON: -- and then there's so many towns and villages across the front-- you don't need to be in the frontline to be affected here. You know, the totality can be fired up to 40 kilometers in some cases.

GORANI: Sure.

GORDON: So for huge areas of countryside that have effectively become No Man's Land as such, and anybody who still on those areas is very vulnerable.

[02:25:08]

GORANI: Absolutely. Steve Gordon, thanks very much. Good luck to your teams on the ground. Steve Gordon is with Mercy Corps.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have escaped to Hungary among other countries. But what they're not able to escape are their worries for their country, for those they've left behind. We'll visit a refugee center in Budapest. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:30:00]

GORANI: Russia's claim to scale down military operations around Ukraine's capital in Chernihiv is being met with skepticism. Take a look at what's happening on the ground. Russian forces have been stalled outside Kyiv, but artillery fire can be heard in the distance. While Russia has moved small numbers of troops away from Kyiv, the Pentagon says, it is more of a repositioning than a withdrawal.

And we have to warn you, the next video is graphic. It shows the widespread destruction in Kyiv's Western suburb, Irpin. The area is largely deserted now after Ukrainian officials claim they have pushed Russian troops out and bodies can be seen lying right there on the streets. That kind of carnage is fueling a growing refugee crisis.

According to the U.N., Russia's invasion has forced more than 10 million people in Ukraine from their homes. An estimated six-and-a- half million internally displaced, and almost four million others have fled the country. That's almost a quarter of the country's population. The vast majority has crossed into countries neighboring Ukraine, and that includes Hungary which has taken in almost 360,000 refugees. CNN's Matt Rivers shows us the situation there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Each time a new group shows up, it's anybody's guess how many refugees there will be. But more than a month into this war, weary Ukrainians keep coming and coming. Looking for safety in the Hungarian Capital of Budapest.

RIVERS (on camera): So, authorities here say that as compared to a few weeks ago, things are now much more organized. So, once people come in, they get processed. And then the idea is to get them to where they want to go. So, if they want to stay here, they go to door number four, over here, to get local accommodation. Door number three, that would take them to the airport. And number two and number one over here, this is where refugees go when they want to go to the train station here locally.

RIVERS (voiceover): Making their journey a little easier, is Yiuliia Pokhylenko. She's a volunteer translating Ukrainian into Hungarian or English. And here, she helps us speak with this couple who left behind family as they fled Ukraine just a week ago.

RIVERS (on camera): Are you worried about them?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Yes, very. So worried. She wants whatever body wants, to stay alive and be healthy. And --

RIVERS: She wants what everybody wants?

YIULIIA POKHYLENKO, UKRAINNIAN REFUGEE TURNED VOLUNTEER: -- if it's finish -- yes.

RIVERS (on camera): To be safe.

POKHYLENKO: She says, it's finish.

RIVERS (voiceover): Yulia has a gentle touch with these new arrivals. She's warm and kind and empathetic, because she too is a refugee from a suburb of Kyiv. She fled amidst intense fighting a few weeks ago. Yulia took this video just before she left. On the shelter she used when the bombs were falling. And on her way out of the city, she took this video of shell casings on the ground.

RIVERS (on camera): Was it difficult to leave your country?

POKHYLENKO: Yes, of course. It's --

RIVERS (on camera): Why?

POKHYLENKO: Because it's your country. It's your land. It's -- so shocked. It's so sad and surprising for what's happened and for why.

RIVERS (voiceover): She's been here for several weeks with no plans to leave. Yulia desperately wants to be back in Ukraine, but for now she'll help however she can.

RIVERS (on camera): Why are you doing this?

POKHYLENKO: Little help, it's help. Everybody want help Ukraine how they can.

RIVERS (voiceover): And today, that meant everything from serving up hot drinks to guiding this woman to get her medication. However, she can show people that she cares. And at the end of our interview, a hug for us, too.

POKHYLENKO: Tell everybody about this story.

RIVERS (on camera): I will. I will.

RIVERS (voiceover): And a message.

POKHYLENKO: Help please. Stop this.

RIVERS (on camera): We will. Thank you.

POKHYLENKO: Ukraine.

RIVERS (voiceover): Matt Rivers. CNN, Budapest, Hungary.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GORANI: Well, if you would like to safely and secure -- securely help people in Ukraine who may be in need of shelter, food or water, please go to cnn.com/impact. You'll find several ways you can help there. I'll have more from Lviv at the top of the hour. For now, I'll turn it over to Rosemary Church at the CNN Center. Rosemary.

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL NEWS ANCHOR: Thank you so much, Hala. Appreciate it. We'll be back with you very soon.

Well, a top EU lawmaker says, China's position on the war in Ukraine is actually giving Russia political support. Beijing has stopped short of denouncing Russia's invasion. And president Xi Jinping has offered, for China, to play mediator for the war in countries. But the head of the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations with China says, China's tactics fool no one. He says, the way Beijing handles this war will impact future relations between the EU and China.

[02:35:00]

Jamie Metzl is a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council who has served with the U.S. National Security Council and State Department, and was deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations with Joe Biden was chairman. He joins me now from New York. Great to have you with us again.

JAMIE METZL, GEOPOLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND AUTHOR, SENIOR FELLOW, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Great to be here.

CHURCH: So, Michael Schuman writes in the Atlantic, that two separate events, Russia's war on Ukraine in a series of COVID related shutdowns in China, are working together to accelerate a shift that's transforming global politics and creating a new world order. And he says, both are accelerating a shift that is taking the world in a dangerous direction, splitting it into two spheres, one centered on Washington D.C., the other on Beijing. So, Jamie, do you agree with Schuman's assessment of the shift towards two separate worlds?

METZL: I do. But I don't think it's just happening now. This has been happening for some time. Certainly, for China, they have been pulling back from their engagements with the rest of the world. The United States in the earliest days of the pandemic saw that there are -- reliance on China was extremely dangerous because we couldn't get basic medical equipment and we didn't trust our relationship with China. Now, Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine has divided Europe in a way that we haven't seen since the darkest days of the Cold War.

And we're seeing that Russia is getting weaker and weaker, and Russia will eventually become a weak vassal of China. And we are going to see these two larger spheres, a Sinocentric sphere and an American-centric sphere. And it looks like Europe, Australia, Japan and others will be part of the U.S.-centric world. And China, Russia and North Korea and a few others will be part of the China-centric world. And like in the days of the Cold War, everybody is going to have to figure out what's their right relationship with one of these magnetic poles.

And it's certainly sad, because I know there are many of those who had big visions of what are globalized world could look like, and we still have problems like climate change that we can only solve together. But we are pulling back from the heights of globalization. Our role, I think, is getting much more complicated.

CHURCH: So, where do you see this shift going in the end? Do you fear conflict may result as this split accelerates, or will we just see two separate distinct worlds, each using different technology and following different political, social and economic systems having very little to do with each other?

METZL: Well, it's both. We're already seeing more conflict now. That's with this Ukraine crisis is. Russia is. It's that Russia is challenging, essentially, the post war order in Europe. And there's a parallel between what Russia is doing in Ukraine and what China is threatening to do in Taiwan. And so, as the ties that bind the West and East and Europe and Russia and others together begin to weaken, there are greater opportunities for misunderstanding. And we're seeing greater conflict now. And there's a very, very real and perhaps growing possibility that will have conflict.

CHURCH: And Jamie, as China continues to become more self-sufficient, reducing its vulnerabilities and reliance on the U.S. and its allies, does America need to be doing more of the same? Disconnecting from China, becoming less reliant on its cheap labor and goods? As you mentioned, I mean, during COVID at the height of it, they did drawback. But does America need to do that more so now?

METZL: Absolutely, yes. And it's already happening. And that's when we talk about decoupling, that's what it means. The United States and Europe are highly reliant on resources from China, and things like rare earth metals from China and resources from Russia. And what we're seeing is that our supply chains can't just be decoupled from our consideration of international affairs, of human rights, of stability and world order.

And while we love to imagine that we can have one global supply chain connecting us all, countries like the United States and Europe can't be overly reliant on countries like China and Russia. And as the Chinese look at what's happening in Russia, and the leverage that the international community has over Putin, you can be sure that they are looking at their supply chains and their investments and asking how they can be more self-sufficient. So, I certainly think that we have passed the highwater mark of globalization. That doesn't mean that globalization is over. But it's going to look very different going forward than it has in recent years.

[02:40:00]

CHURCH: Interesting. Jamie Metzl, always pleasure to get your analysis. Many thanks.

METZL: Thank you.

CHURCH: And just ahead here on CNN, a deadly shooting near Tel Aviv has left several people, including a police officer, dead. We will go live to Israel for the latest. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

At least five people, including a police officer, were shot and killed near Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The third attack in Israel in the past eight days. Authorities say, at least one shooter used an assault rifle against civilians in several locations before police killed the suspect.

Elliott Gotkine joins me now live from the scene of the shooting near Tel Aviv. So, Elliott, what more are you learning about the shooting, and do authorities believe it's linked in any way to the other two attacks?

[02:45:00]

ELLIOTT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: Rosemary, certainly the authorities are concerned about growing violence. As you say, this is the third attack we've seen in Israel in the space of about a week leaving 11 Israelis dead. What we understand from what happened last night is that the gunman began from -- where there is a main road, just kind of further up there, he came down this residential street in Bnei Brak.

He then tried to shoot what appears to be from security camera footage a teenager on an electric bicycle. Police say that he missed the teenager and came, and just literally right behind me here where you can see these candles. There were two men now identified as Ukrainians, age 23 and 32. Just sitting here quietly on a Tuesday evening, outside this corner shop. They were shot dead pretty much at point blank range.

The gunman then shot and killed a man driving home in his car. And then he went around the corner where he shot dead another young man who had his baby in his hands, the baby was unharmed. He was then engaged by Israeli police officers on a motorbike. He shot the driver in the chest, his partner, the police say, then we got off the motorbike, with his pistol, shot dead the gunman. The driver of the motorbike, a police officer, identified as Ahmir Kori (ph), an Arab Israeli from Northern Israel, age 32, he was taken to hospital where he later died of his wounds.

And since then, the police have put on its highest level of alert. They are beefing up security, both at education institutions and public places, and also sending more battalions to the to the West bank as well. Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, who is still, I should say, in isolation with COVID-19 says that, they will not break us. We will prevail.

And of course, as we go into the start of Ramadan, we've got Passover, we've got Easter coming up there was already concerns that there could be more violence happening in the country. And those concerns seem to be being realized before those religious holidays begin. Rosemary

CHURCH: Just a shocking attack there. Elliott Gotkine, bringing us up to date on the situation live from Jerusalem. Many thanks.

And still to come here on CNN, some Americans could be eligible for another COVID booster, and not a moment too soon. We will have more on the new Omicron strain that's now dominant in the U.S. and much of the world.

Plus, we'll have a report from Shanghai, where 25 million people are coping with a state ordered lockdown and mandatory COVID testing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM, CHAIRMAN & CEO, EMIRATES GROUP: If we think about the two years we've been in the pandemic now, things are looking much better. It took us two years, because, first of all, we had to start with the vaccine. Vaccinating most of the population, more than 92 percent of the UAE population. During the pandemic, look at what we have achieved. If we're talking about Emirates, we moved vaccine, we moved cargo, perishable goods, you name it. People, you know. And that had been done because we have an airline strong, resilient, that they can do their job. And we're still going to prove to the world, you know, that we can do it. We did it before and we will do it after the pandemic.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:50:00]

CHURCH: The Omicron sub variant, BA.2, has now become the dominant strain of COVID-19 here in the United States. Accounting for more than 50 percent of all cases, according to the CDC. Now, this comes as the FDA expands the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which allows adults, age 50 and older to get a second booster, that's a total of four shots. Those eligible are able to get that shot, four months after their first booster.

And in China, Shanghai is reporting nearly 6,000 new COVID infections, accounting for 70 percent of all new cases across the country. The outbreak is fueling panic in China's financial hub. And authorities are clamping down with even tighter lockdown restrictions. CNN's David Culver has more now from Shanghai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Emotions in Shanghai are at a breaking point. Chinese social media showing people shoulder to shoulder, pushing to get vegetables. Panicked shoppers stocking up ahead of an unprecedented citywide lockdown. The plan is to shut Shanghai down into phases. First, the Eastern half, from the Huangpu River, then the west. In all, some 25 million people confined to their homes. Already, desperate stories emerging. This woman pleading for permission to leave her compound, saying that our husband needs his cancer treatment.

This latest Omicron fueled surging cases is China's worst outbreak since Wuhan two years ago. And yet, for some living in the country's international financial hub, Shanghai, this is unlike anything experienced here before. Videos, circulated on social media, show hundreds of COVID patients filling up crowded hospitals. So, is to keep in line with President Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy, Shanghai has turned stadiums and exhibition centers into centralized makeshift hospitals. This video is from the Shanghai expo center, said to hold more than 6,000 patients.

On Twitter, expat Emma Leaning, chronicling her experience testing positive with mild symptoms. Taken to the expo center, given just a bucket and rag to watch up every day. Just about every day outside, you hear a blaring loudspeaker with a new announcement. On this cold, rainy day, another mandatory COVID test. My neighbors and I hurried out to the nearest government testing site.

CULVER (on camera): They only let us out of the gate just for the test and then we head back in. CULVER (voiceover): Once done, your neighborhood gate is locked back up. Stores and restaurants that have had just one confirmed case pass through, are treated like a crime scene, roped off and disinfected. Since confirming its first Omicron case in mid-December, Mainland China's average new daily case count has surged from double digits to more than 5,000.

[02:55:00]

There are more than 65,000 active cases and counting. The virus has spread to 29 provinces and regions. The lockdowns and mass testing, bring life to a near halt in many places, and could have global economic impacts. China's Jilin province, an industrial hub, along with the steelmaking center Tangshan lockdown. China's Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, is only just reopening after putting 17 million residents under lockdown for week.

Back in Shanghai, this latest lockdown is forcing Tesla's giga factory to hit the brakes on production. And it's already caused a Shanghai Disneyland to shut its gates. This bustling metropolis, powering down. To the outside world, the scenes are apocalyptic. China, once again, trying to prove it can contain the invisible villain. David Culver, CNN, Shanghai.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And thanks for joining us. I'm Rosemary Church. More of our breaking news coverage in just a moment with Hala Gorani in Lviv.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: If you're craving red meat but don't want to actually eat it, those imitation burgers might hit the spot. You can find them in grocery stores, restaurants, and even drive-throughs. But are they healthy? Well, meatless burgers do contain protein, vitamins, and minerals. And many times, they are similar to the protein profile of the meet they imitate. They also contain vitamin B12 and zinc. But beware, these imitation burgers are highly processed and usually contain high levels of sodium and saturated fat. So, check your labels and eat them in moderation.

They're not health food even if they are tasty and environmentally friendly. Veggie burgers that are made of beans, vegetables, brown rice, or quinoa are the healthiest option of all. Choose one with seeds and whole grains and that burger is a meal you can feel good about.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:00:00]