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Ukrainian President Addressing South Korean Parliament; U.N.: Nova Ukraine Providing Humanitarian Aid to Ukrainians; Lawmakers in Pakistan Look to Choose New Prime Minister After Ousting Khan; Scottie Scheffler Dominates to Win First Career Major. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired April 11, 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]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Max Foster. Russian troops are massing in eastern Ukraine and there is word that a railway station has been shelled as well. So far, no word of casualties there, though.

A senior Ukrainian official says the offensive in the Donbas region has already begun. And Ukrainian civilians are being warned to flee. A regional military governor says a Russian strike destroyed the airport in the city of Dnipro. He said the airport and nearby infrastructure have been demolished but the rockets keep flying. The latest satellite images show a nearly 13-kilometer-long Russian military convoy about eight miles long east of Kharkiv. Ukraine's defense intelligence chief said Friday that Russian troops were regrouping for an expected attack on the city in an interview with "60 Minutes" President Zelenskyy said Ukraine's successful defense of the next attacks relies on U.S. support.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you expecting now in the east and in the south?

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We think this will be a new wave of this war. We don't know how much Russian weaponry there will be, but we understand there'll be many times more than there is now. All depends on how fast we will be helped by the United States. To be honest, whether we will be able to survive depends on this. I have 100 percent confidence in our people and in our armed forces, but unfortunately, I don't have the confidence that we will be receiving everything we need.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Meanwhile, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer says he'll meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in the coming hours. He'll be the first European leader to meet with Mr. Putin since the invasion began. The Chancellor organized the trip during his stay in Ukraine.

And this, just into CNN, Denmark's foreign minister says the European Union is already discussing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia. He describes it as an effort, quote, to keep increasing pressure on Russia, to stop the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been addressing the South Korean Parliament in a virtual speech. Let's go to correspondent in Seoul, Paula Hancocks for the very latest on what he's saying in that address -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Max, he just finished speaking to lawmakers here in South Korea and his main message was that he was asking South Korea for military hardware, something which South Korea has already said is a redline for them. And they would not want to offer up any lethal military aid as they say it. But we did hear from President Zelenskyy saying that he thanked South Korea for their support. They have given humanitarian aid. They have also given nonlethal aid in the likes of helmets and medical aid, MREs, blankets, but that is the extent of their aid at this point.

President Zelenskyy saying that they do need more help. Russia has a strong military. Saying that Ukraine needs planes and tanks and South Korea can help us. Also pointing out that South Korea has various military systems that can defend Ukraine from Russia, pointing out it would not only save Ukrainian lives and save Ukraine but potentially help other countries in Europe as well from any potential Russian aggression.

Now, this is as expected. We did hear from the defense ministry here in South Korea today that the Ukrainian defense minister speaking to his counterpart here in Seoul had asked for anti-aircraft weapons. But as I say, that is something that we have been hearing from the government that they are not willing to give at this point.

[04:35:00]

The defense ministry saying that they can't consider it because of national security and also because they have to consider military readiness.

So certainly, this is something that has been asked a couple of times, at least, from Ukraine of South Korea. He also, President Zelenskyy, spoke about economic sanctions. South Korea has signed up to the U.S.- led international sanctions. They were late to sign up to them, but they did sign up in the end. Saying that many economic sanctions have been adopted but the impact is not strong enough to stop Russia's invasion.

There was also a moment when he highlighted one very basic similarity between Ukraine and South Korea. South Korea obviously having gone through its own war, being invaded by North Korea back in 1950. He did say you went through war in the '50s. There were so many lives lost and yet you came out of it victorious. Pointing out that we have no expectation Russia will stop voluntarily. They need to be forced to stop by the international community. Asking South Korea to be part of that.

FOSTER: OK. Paula, thank you for the update.

Now, the missile attack in Kramatorsk that killed dozens is one of many reasons Ukrainian officials are encouraging civilians to leave eastern Ukraine. Since the fighting began more than 4.5 million people have fled Ukraine since, more than 7 million are internally displaced. But many are just unable to leave. It's estimated that more than 100,000 people are trapped in Mariupol, living in dire conditions without water, food, heat or electricity. Olena Drozd-Koroleva is a volunteer with the nonprofit Nova Ukraine helping those still in Ukraine. She joins me now from Kyiv. This is a growing issue, isn't it, these communities that are literally trapped and they're virtually impossible to help. You can't get in there.

OLENA DROZD-KOROLEVA, NOVA UKRAINE VOLUNTEER: Yes, exactly. It's a big issue because since the beginning of the war we often have the problem that we have the resources and we have the money but we can't get them to the people that need it.

FOSTER: In terms of those in eastern Ukraine, this utter sense of doom that things are going to get so much worse in eastern Ukraine, have you been able to prepare to help them ahead of the onslaught.

DROZD-KOROLEVA: Yes, we're doing our best. We're trying to help people relocate whenever possible and also volunteers in place that are trying to help. Obviously, it's pretty dangerous. So not everything we would like to do can be done.

FOSTER: What are some examples of some stories that you heard from people that the wider world needs to hear about to really sort of understand the needs that you have. Obviously, the world is engaged within this, but you're still asking for more support, aren't you, in terms of aid?

DROZD-KOROLEVA: Yes, of course. The problem is that the war is ongoing. So, it's not like we are already at some end point. So, the need grows every day. For example, with the liberation of cities and key region. We have a lot of people who are just without basic needs like without food, water, electricity, obviously medical help and these are new needs that come up every day.

FOSTER: We're watching and seeing images of the destruction in Mariupol. What are you hearing about the situation there? Because that's the most extreme end of what you're dealing with.

DROZD-KOROLEVA: Yes, it's the most extreme point in Ukraine and unfortunately, we get varied information because there are problems with any type of contacts there. They're without obviously without internet, without mobiles. We get information from people who manage to get out of there somehow, but in recent days and weeks it's very difficult.

FOSTER: And you will obviously be able to get in there eventually one hopes. Are you concerned that people around the world are, you know, getting some fatigue with what they're seeing in Ukraine and offering less help because they -- it's too much to take almost over such a long period of time?

[04:40:00] DROZD-KOROLEVA: Definitely. That's what I said to -- interviewed me in the beginning of the war that one of the problems in our situation is that people get tired and we can become yesterday's news that is no longer of interest.

FOSTER: And what are the newer needs that you're facing right now that they may not be aware of?

DROZD-KOROLEVA: I'm afraid there's nothing new about it. Main needs are medicines -- obviously, we're not talking about military aids. It's not what our nonprofit deals with because of United States legislation. But main needs are basically the same. Medications, food, obviously help for the refugees, help with evacuations. So, the things that actually save lives. They sound pretty simple. They sound obvious, but they're not so obvious to people who don't have access to them, you know how it is. We don't see air until we don't have it.

Very basic stuff isn't it. Olena thank you very much just for giving us the insight even if things haven't changed. You still have the growing need. Thank you.

If you would like to help those people in Ukraine who may be in need of shelter, food, water, all those basics, do go to CNN.com/impact. You'll find several ways that you can help there.

Pakistan could have a new Prime Minister later today but the old one isn't giving up yet. We'll go live to Islamabad for the latest on Imran Khan's ouster.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to see more scenes like this in Pakistan calling on supporters to return to the streets. This is what it looked like over the weekend. Khan backers turned out to protest as he was kicked out by lawmakers in a no confidence vote.

[04:45:00]

In a few moments Pakistani lawmakers will likely move ahead with plans to choose a new Prime Minister. Shehbaz Sharif, the brother of another former prime minister, has emerged as a frontrunner. Imran Khan has blamed the U.S. for his ouster saying Washington wanted him out of office. The Biden administration denies it was involved. Khan is accused of mishandling the economy and foreign policy. He's also lost the backing of the country's powerful military. Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has yet to have a Prime Minister complete a five-year term, a full five-year term.

For the latest, let's go to Sofia Saifi in Islamabad. No real evidence with this claim that the Americans were behind this ousting, but it's taken a grip in the country, hasn't it, amongst his supporters.

SOFIA SAIFI, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, Max. I mean, a lot of people are saying that Khan has been quite clever in weaponizing this entire situation. In which he claimed there was a letter from the ambassador in the United States who sent over a strong rebuke by officials in D.C. saying that because Imran Khan was in Russia on the day that Ukraine was invaded, that is why there's been this entire fiasco to oust him and remove him from government.

Now, this was a vote of no confidence that had been blocked. There were many attempts to block it. Then in the early hours of Sunday it finally went ahead. We had been seeing a lot of chatter in the leadup to Khan's ousting that the military had been upset with him. These -- there are lots of whispers here in the capital and a lot of fog of information and misinformation that had descended here on Sunday night.

And there is -- you know, there has been one proof that we have that we can actually go on is that while Khan said that he wants to go with an independent foreign policy, the Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa had just a few days before his ousting -- before Khan's ousting -- come out and said that he condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine. So, there is a lot of support for Khan still out on the streets.

There is a new Prime Minister who is going to be elected and who will be voted in in Parliament in just about 15, 20 minutes. We're expecting that vote to start to take place. The new government has a very difficult task ahead. The economy is crumbling. Pakistan's rupee is plunging against the dollar. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves have been extremely depleted. And there is a lot of concern at the polarization that has taken place in Pakistan at the moment.

And whatever new government comes in at the moment will have a very strong responsibility to make sure there is some sort of reconciliation because temperatures are very high in Pakistan at the moment -- Max.

FOSTER: Yes, OK. Sofia back with you when we have confirmation of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.

In the coming hours, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet virtually with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India says the two leaders will review ongoing bilateral relationships and discuss recent developments in Asia and global issues. The meeting comes ahead of the fourth ministerial dialogue between the U.S. and India.

CNN sources say President Joe Biden is expected to introduce new firearm regulations later today meant to contain the use of privately made weapons. The president wants to regulate so-called ghost guns unregulated, untraceable weapons made from kits. The move would address a gap in the U.S. government's ability to track them and it comes as gun violence and crime have ticked up in the U.S. putting pressure on the White House to take action.

Coming up, the top-ranked golfer in the world is now a Masters champion. Now, how Scottie Scheffler dominated the competition at Augusta when we come back.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) FOSTER: The hottest player in the golf world right now has his first

major victory and first-evergreen jacket. American Scottie Scheffler won the Masters on Sunday. And the 25-year-old world number one did so in dominant fashion. CNN WORLD SPORT Patrick Snell has more from Augusta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: It's the stuff that dreams are made of for Scottie Scheffler, prior to February 13th of this year, he didn't even have one single PGA tour victory to his name. Now, eight weeks on after a remarkable run, the world number one has four wins in his last six starts. Including his first major title.

On the biggest day of his career if Scheffler was feeling any nerves he certainly wasn't showing it. Starting Sunday with a three-shot lead, Scheffler responding in style with a sublime chip in at 3 for birdie after playing partner Cameron Smith had briefly closed to within one shot. But then followed a stunning approach at 14, setting up another birdie opportunity which Scheffler was all too happy to capitalize on.

In the end, though, despite a nervy finish on the final green, it would be victory by three shots as Scheffler ended the tournament at ten under par. The green jacket proudly his. A life-changing moment to savor with those who matter most.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, 2022 MASTERS CHAMPION: This is such a fun golf course. It's such a fun piece of property. I mean, it's Augusta National, it's about as cool as it gets. It's so fun to play. You know, I just can't believe that I can come back for a life time and get to enjoy this golf course.

SNELL: Meantime, emotional week for Tiger Woods, ending with a highly emotional Sunday. The 15-time major winner given a really poignant standing ovation at the final hole, Woods finishing at 13 over par overall after a second consecutive round of 78. And this just 14 months on from suffering serious leg and foot injuries in a California car crash.

TIGER WOODS, GOLFER: This tournament has meant so much to me and my family. You know, this entire tournament. I mean, a lot of different things could have happened.

[04:55:00]

But 14 months I'm able to tee it up and play in the Masters.

SNELL: Tiger Woods, he says he will play at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland in July, won his first masters in 1997 as a 21-year-old. Back then, Scottie Scheffler was just 9 months old. 25 years on, he can now call himself a major champion, too.

Patrick Snell, CNN, Augusta, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Amazing story.

A Ukrainian soccer team is kicked off what's being called a global tour for peace. Shakhtar Donesk began a series of charity matches in Greece on Saturday with proceeds going towards aid for the people of Ukraine. It's the first time the Ukrainian Premier League club has played since Russia invaded the country in February. Shakhtar's players wore jerseys with the names of Ukrainian towns instead of their own names. And as you can see, there was a tremendous show of support from the fans.

Elon Musk will no longer join Twitter's board of directors. That's according to a tweet from the company's CEO. Musk accused the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX sparked a deluge of headlines after disclosing he had become Twitter's largest shareholder. After that announcement Twitter said they would add him to the board of directors for a two-year term. For those plans now appear to have been changed. We're waiting to hear what Musk has to say about it.

Thanks for joining me here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster in London. I'll be back at the same time tomorrow. Our coverage continues though on "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett in New York and Brianna Keilar in Lviv, Ukraine. You're watching CNN.

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