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John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary: We Want to See a Whole, Sovereign Ukraine; Pentagon: Train Station was Hit by Russian Short- Range Ballistic Missile; Ketanji Brown Jackson Celebrates SCOTUS Confirmation at White House; COVID Cases Surging Among Prominent DC Figures. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired April 08, 2022 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And a lot of Javelins are on the way. But does this give Russians now an advantage in the of they do have more armor than the Ukrainians and this is terrain made for armored fighting.

JOHN KIRBY, PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: So, this is a more confined geographic area. I am not a topographical expert. I'm certainly not an expert in land warfare. And yes, well I taught history, it was naval history. So, I want to stay inside my lanes here. And I don't think be -- and don't think we should be predictive about what the outcome is going to be. I think with the chairman was really getting at -- and he was absolutely right to do this -- was to provide a sense of the potential here for the conflict to increase in intensity and to be prolonged.

And I think that's really the larger point he was trying to make. Because now the Russians are going to be concentrating their available combat power and they still have the vast majority of their combat power still available to them, Tom. They're going to be concentrating that now in a more confined, smaller geographic area.

You know, earlier on in this invasion, they were working on three massively separate lines of access -- South, East, Northeast, North, Northwest, right. They divided the massive force but they divided along three big lines of access. And now we're going to see that they're going to concentrate on smaller, fewer lines of access in a smaller geographic area. So, still a lot of combat power that we applied in a smaller part of the country. Again, I'm not an expert on the geography here. But just looking at it on on a map you can see that they will be able to bring to bear a lot more power, in a lot more concentrated fashion.

That said -- and this is not unimportant. The Ukrainians have also been fighting hard in Donbas for the last eight years. The Ukrainians are certainly familiar with the terrain and the topography and the cities and towns in the roads and the railways. I mean, this is their home. And as we have seen in the last few weeks but certainly the last several days, is the Russians have concentrated more effort there. The Ukrainians are fighting back just as hard and will be working just as hard to continue to defense themselves there. And again, our support is a piece of this as we continue to talk with

them about what they need for this closer fight, if you will. We're going to continue to try to support them in that. Does that answer your question?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John, do you think the Russians are going to lose this war in Ukraine?

KIRBY: We want the Ukrainians to win this war. And we want to see Ukraine not have to fight for its own sovereignty -- as it has been for eight years. We keep forgetting that. I think President Zelenskyy has been rock-solid clear on what his outcome is here. A whole Ukraine, fully respected as a sovereign nation state. We want that for him too. And so, we want to see them win. And that's why we are committing so much energy in security assistance to that country and will continue to do that. It's Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian sovereignty

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You want to see the Ukrainians win -- does that mean we want to see the Russians lose?

KIRBY: We want to see that Mr. Putin and the Russian army lose this invasion, lose this fight inside Ukraine. It is Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian sovereignty. It's Ukrainian cities and lives that are being destroyed. And obviously we want to see that end and we want to see Ukraine whole again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you support Ukrainian forces if they go on the offensive in Crimea and the Russian backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine?

KIRBY: I'm not going to get into future operations here. What I would tell you is we're going to continue to support Ukraine in their efforts to defend their sovereignty and their people as much as we can as fast as we can -- Lucas. I'm not going to get into hypothetical operations they haven't conducted yet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Two questions if I may. The first is on a profile today on the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces leading the fight against the Russians. I was curious if you had a comment on his leadership or a message to him. And second, Russian officials are threatening Finland if they go ahead and joint NATO. You take those threats seriously? And would the U.S. come to Finland's defense?

KIRBY: So, by the profile of the commander-in-chief, do you mean President Zelenskyy?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, his commander-in-chief. The commander of his own forces in Ukraine.

KIRBY: I have not seen a profile, Kelly. So, he let me take a look at the profile before I tried to characterize it. I would just tell you that we have good connectivity with the Ukrainian armed forces at the very senior levels. Gen. Milley speaks very frequently with his counterpart. As you know, you guys see the readouts. You know how often Secretary Austin speaks with Minister Reznikov. And of course, President Biden in his regular contact with President Zelenskyy.

[15:35:00]

It is remarkable how well they are leading their forces in the field and how good their commanding control still is today. Well organized, well equipped. Certainly, well trained over the last eight years and you're seeing all that come to bear. So, I haven't seen the profile. So, I can't really comment on that. But we have great confidence in Ukrainian military leadership and the incredible work they're doing leading their troops in the field. And again, we've seen it it's not just Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian citizens taking up arms and defending the streets in their cities.

On your other question, again, I don't want to get ahead of where we are on a process here. A decision to join the NATO alliance is between the alliance and that nation. And certainly, the United States is not going to interpose ourselves into that decision-making process. That's really for them to speak to.

That said, and I think today's movement and the announcement that we're going to be providing a Patriot battery inside Slovakia tells you how seriously we take our Article 5 commitments inside NATO and the alliance. And as you've heard President Biden say, we're going to defend every inch of NATO territory if it's required. It's an ironclad commitment. The United States believes that and we'll continue to look for ways, especially on the eastern flank, to bolster that.

And just a follow-up on Seely's question on information sharing. Secretary Austin yesterday said you guys are providing the guidance for the Air Force. What was the meaning actually with one saying (INAUDIBLE) where why saying defined?

KIRBY: As the situation changes on the ground, information needs to change. Information requirements change. Information guidance changes and I think that's what the secretary is referring to.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: OK, we've listening there to the Pentagon spokesman John Kirby talking about where the world is today with the war on Ukraine and what the U.S. is giving Ukraine and what Ukraine is now facing.

With us now we have retired Army Col. Liam Collins and Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group. He is the author of the upcoming book titled "The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats and Our Response will Chang the World." Gentlemen, great to have you.

Colonel, I just want to start with you because as you just heard from John Kirby, he basically said our objective is to help the Ukrainians defend themselves. And we heard last hour from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta who said, this is the moment, this is the most important moment for the Ukrainians to hit back. Do they have all they need to defend themselves at this moment?

COL. LIAM COLLINS, U.S. ARMY (RET.): I mean, there as Kirby said, they are expending ammunition whether it's small arms ammunition, javelin weapon systems, Stinger aircraft missiles, medical equipment, whatever it is, right. They're expending that throughout the fight. And so, do they have everything they need? It's kind of a yes or no, right. They have their force. It's a capable force. It's trained force. It's a motivated force. It's a well led force. Well commanded force. Employed well. But this is where they need help, right. They need to replace those systems and the ammunition that's been expended in the fight. So, that's what they need help with.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: John Kirby started this briefing by talking about the attack on the train station there in Kramatorsk. At least 50 people killed. And we've heard announcements from around the world of increased sanctions. Of course, this is after Bucha and Borodianka. Is this a different moment after the attack on this train station?

IAN BREMMER, PRESIDENT, EURASIA GROUP: It's not a different moment but I'll tell you, we've seen over six weeks of war now and every single week we've had escalation of sanctions from the entirety of the West -- from the United States, from Europe, from our Asian allies like Japan and Australia as well. And that's continuing this week. We now have an agreement in the last 48 hours from Europe that they're going to cut off coal over the coming months. That's going through all right now. They wouldn't have done that two weeks ago.

Next will be oil. Gas is where the Russians are minting their money. And there isn't a willingness yet of the Europeans to cut that gas off. But every time you see one of these headlines, every time you see the indiscriminate targeting of civilians on the ground in Ukraine by the Russian war machine, you are pushing all of the United States allies to cut off every remaining economic tie. I don't mention the U.S. because most of the economic ties at this point of Russia already cut off a we just don't do as much business with Russia.

Ian, I want a follow up question for that. Which is, will any of that deter Vladimir Putin? It doesn't seem to have deterred him yet.

BREMMER: No, no. If you want to talk about deterrence, the way or deterring Vladimir Putin is by making them lose on the ground. And you just heard from Kirby that the intention of the United States is explicitly that the Russians lose in Ukraine.

[15:40:00]

And the Ukrainians are doing a lot of that themselves. Because they're fighting incredibly courageously and they're losing a lot of lives in the process. But the United States in American allies are providing a lot of support. A couple weeks ago no one was talking about providing advanced drones or provided tanks. Both of those things are now happening. And I think they're going to happen in larger numbers, frankly. We heard that from the NATO Secretary General just yesterday. That does matter on the ground.

BLACKWELL: Colonel, John Kirby was asked about is this area, the Donbas, this terrain friendlier to the Russians. He's no expert in topography but I'll ask you. For a war that is waged using tanks, is this an area that we could see an advantage for the Russians?

COLLINS: Yes, I mean unlike the area right in the north when they were coming down on the capital from Kyiv, they were really restricted in operating on the roads there. And from the defenders perspective, it makes it a little easier to defend against when you have fewer like avenues and approaches into the capital.

Out in the east it is more open. It is more conducive for a maneuver. And so, it makes a little bit, in that case, harder to defend because you have to defend over wider approaches as opposed to narrower routes. But again, if you look at who's conducting the fight -- and war fight is a function of right leadership, training, the will to fight, strategy, operational employment and then actual weapon systems.

But again, the only place where Russia has an advantage is in terms of the weapon systems and combat power. In everything else Ukraine clearly has the advantage. And so, it's taking those two and just applying their advantages to different terrains. So, I think Ukraine will still perform well in that environment but it will be a transition for sure.

CAMEROTA: Ian, I thought it was interesting, Secretary of State Tony Blinken yesterday in Brussels said that Moscow is not just attacking one country but the international rules-based order. But then doesn't it stand to reason that the international community would get more involved? If this is an attack on the EU and the entire international community, then at some point will they be more militarily involved?

BREMMER: Well, one there is no international community. Secondly, even when you talk about rules based and there's a lot of argument about whether the Americans are ruled based, for example, when it serves their purposes, we are. When it doesn't, a lot of countries are not so committed to us. But if you look at for example, what just happened in the United Nations yesterday when the Russians were kicked out of the Human Rights Council, the United States is the only country among the ten largest population nations in the world that voted in favor of removing Russia. And this wasn't economic cost. This was purely symbolic.

We didn't have India. We didn't have Pakistan. We didn't have Indonesia. We didn't have Brazil. We didn't have Mexico. I mean, those are countries that normally support a rules based international order. They're not with the United States on this issue. So, I mean the Americans have to understand that if we really want to drive the charge against Russia, what we have are allies that are advanced industrial democracies. They are wealthy countries. They're a lot like us. That's not most of the world, Alisyn

CAMEROTA: Ian Bremmer, Col. Liam Collins, thank you both for your expertise.

BLACKWELL: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson marks her historic confirmation to the Supreme Court. She talks about the promise of nation that saw her family go from living under segregation to a Supreme Court appointment. [15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: The White House is marking history today, celebrating the confirmation of soon to be Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. The president accompanied by the first black woman Vice President and now first black woman elevated to the Supreme Court said that he was very proud.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today is a good day. The day that history was going to be remembered. We turn our children and grandchildren to say I was there. I was there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Judge Jackson delivered an emotional speech calling her confirmation the honor of a lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, CONFIRMED TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT: And our children are telling me that they see now more than ever that here in America anything is possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: CNN Phil Mattingly is at the White House for us. So, Phil, describe the scene today.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, the word that keeps being used by White House officials -- including White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki just a short while ago when I asked her about the mood -- is joyful. You've heard it from a number of staffers. The president alluded to it today during his remarks. And the idea of being -- at least according to Psaki when I asked her about it, that every day is history in the White House. There's no question about that. But some of those days are heartbreaking. Some of those days are exhausting. Sometimes it's both at the same time.

This was a joyful day of history for White House officials. They understand the significance of this moment. They understand the significance not just for the court but the country. And Psaki said that she was with Biden shortly before he delivered his remarks before he walked out on the South Lawn. And what he was doing was reflecting on that significance. Again, not about his administration or the even the specific court seat but more broadly when it meant for the country and what that meant for his administration.

[15:50:00]

BLACKWELL: Phil, we've listed off the names of officials who have contracted COVID over the last several days. So, what is the White House saying about holding this big event today. It was outside but still a gathering.

MATTINGLY: Yes, it's the outside portion they really focused on. And I think what they're trying to say more than anything else is this is a different moment than in the past. Like say when President Donald Trump held an outside event that turned into a super spreader for Amy Comey Barrett. Now there's a vaccine. Now there are precautions that can be taken. However ,there has been a shift in messaging. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE BEDINGFIELD, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: We take precautions to ensure that the president is protected. But I do think it's important to note that, you know, it is possible he will test positive for COVID at some point. And we're in a very different place than we were, for example, when they held that event for Justice Barrett, which is to say we have vaccines, we have treatments.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And guys, Jen Psaki also just acknowledged that saying it is very possible the president could test positive. He tested negative today but obviously, Kamala Harris, the Vice President, was in close contact, even if she hugged massless Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earlier today.

But there is a recognition that the way it's spreading right now, you can put up the officials that we've seen. You've got some of them circled right there on the screen that have either had it or close contacts, to cabinet officials, Speaker Pelosi. It's very, very possible right now. One thing Psaki did make clear though, based on the risk assessments they've had and conversations that doctors. They believe the president could carry out his duties even if he tests positive but they wanted to ensure that they celebrated this moment today -- guys.

CAMEROTA: OK, Phil Mattingly thank you very much.

We have more breaking news right now. A former University of Southern California water polo coach has been found guilty in connection with that infamous college admissions scam. A federal judge today agreeing that Jovan Vavic accepted bribes from William Rick Singer who is accused of bribing coaches to say that a prospective student should be accepted to a school as a sports recruit.

BLACKWELL: The problem is they were not athletes. Some parents caught up in this scheme were given prison time including actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman.

Well, dozens of Ukrainians civilians killed today when Russian missiles hit a crowded train station. Thousands of people, families and children, were there trying to get to a safer place.

CAMEROTA: World leaders are condemning this as a war crime. We're going to bring you the latest live from Ukraine.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: At the start of the pandemic, many restaurants workers lost their jobs as restaurants started to close. And in an industry in which people typically work paycheck to paycheck and don't qualify for unemployment, there is no safety net to fall back. On this week's CNN hero is chef Kim Calichio. Even though she was out of work and struggling, she immediately got to work doing what she does best. Feeding people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIM CALICHIO, CHEF: I had a choice to either sit here in my house and be overwhelmed, or I can do whatever it is that I could possibly do without thinking about whether it's work or not.

CALICHIO: We're going to do two apples, a bunch of bananas, two tomatoes.

CALICHIO: We started a GoFundMe to direct deliver groceries to families across Queens. And within a week we raised $10,000. We thought the pandemic would be over in two weeks. So, we were like, we'll spent this 10 grand and then we'll go back to work and that never happened. The first week, we delivered 25 grocery packages to 25 families. And within a month's time, we were delivering 400 to 500 groceries to families every single week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: To see Kim's operation in action, to go CNNheroes.com. And while you're there you can nominate a hero in your life.

OK, this just in. Will Smith is now responding after being banned from the Academy Awards for the next ten years. In a very brief statement to CNN, he just wrote, quote, I accept and respect the Academy's decision.

BLACKWELL: That's the whole statement.

CAMEROTA: That's it.

BLACKWELL: That is, of course, all the result of Will Smith's slapping comedian Chris Rock on Stage during the Oscars Ceremony. And prior to today's decision, Smith had announced that he was resigning from the Academy. His resignation means he can no longer vote but it does not prevent him from being nominated.

CAMEROTA: Ah, hah, that's what you are asking.

BLACKWELL: That was my question, yes, during the break there. But now, if he wins an award in the next ten years, he won't be able to go there to accept it. Ten years.

CAMEROTA: Yes, that means skipping the awards shows. Isn't that kind of a reward for some people? Like you don't send people, don't some people loathe going to those things? I don't know how will Smith feels about it. But you're right, he can still act. He can still win awards. He just can't --

BLACKWELL: He can still make a hell of a lot of money.

CAMEROTA: He can.

BLACKWELL: Right.

CAMEROTA: He can.

BLACKWELL: One other thing I always -- after the event happened, what does this mean for the academy? They acknowledge that they did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this we are sorry. Of course, who knew it was coming? But after, what do you do? And I wonder how this changes the show?

CAMEROTA: That's a great question. But that situation is so unusual and unique and rare. I don't think that will ever happen again.

BLACKWELL: Hopefully.

CAMEROTA: So of course, they had no playbook for it before. I don't know what their playbook is for it. But I mean, now that we've all taken a breath and the dust is clear, of course he should have left. Of course, he should have left after that assault.

BLACKWELL: Yes. All right.

Well, "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts right now.

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