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Russia Test Fires New ICBM First Unveiled in 2016; Macron, Le Pen Clash in Debate Ahead of Presidential Runoff; British Prime Minister Vows to Get On With the Job During Grilling; Anger and Frustration in Shanghai Over COVID Lockdowns; Pope and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Meet. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired April 21, 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. The U.S. unveiled new sanctions on Russia on Wednesday targeting Russia's financial system and punishing those who try to evade the sanctions already in place.

Meanwhile, tensions boil over as finance ministers from the world's 20 largest economies met in Washington. The Canadian minister shared a photo of Western officials who walked out of the session when the Russian delegates started speaking.

But Russia's president is defiant as ever, Vladimir Putin boasting that the test launch of a new generation of long-range nuclear capable missiles would make adversaries think twice before threatening Russian territory. NATO's nicknamed the new missile "Satan II." It's an advancement of the old Soviet era ICBM that NATO calls "Satan I." For more on all of this CNN's Clare Sebastian joins me live from London. How do you interpret these images we were sent?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Max, I mean, the context of this, the missile launch was not a surprise, according to the U.S. Moscow telegraphed it. They have to under their international treaties. But the context of this is, of course, that the Russian military has taken a serious reputational hit during the conflict in Ukraine, and not least in recent days, because of the sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet. Even though Russia has not admitted that it was a missile as Ukraine claims.

So, Putin says, you know, this is a missile there's nothing like it in the world, when it comes into service. He's talked about it in the past. It's been a lot of attention around the modernizing of Russia's military that is taking place under him. So, take a listen to what he had to say about the launch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces. Reliably ensure Russia's security from external threats and provide food for thought for those who in the heat of frenzy aggressive rhetoric try to threaten our country. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: So that makes it pretty clear, Max, this is a missile that's capable of delivering nuclear warheads. It has a range that would take it as far as the continental United States. Worth mentioning that the U.S. has cancelled its own ICBM test earlier this month. I think there was a sense that because of the tension with Russia that it just wasn't a good time. So, it's interesting the different approaches there.

FOSTER: It's a message for the Russian people, as often these are, to say, that as you say, we might be -- you know, it might not be going as well as possible in Ukraine, but we do have this ultimate threat. Or is it a message to the West saying we could counterattack? If that's the way he sees it.

SEBASTIAN: I think it's both. I think this is something that we've seen from Putin, a lot recently, he is tailoring his messaging at the same time to the Russian people and to the international community. I think it's saying to the Russian people we are still, you know, a military to be reckoned with, he wants to sort of push to some kind of victory to show for his effort in Ukraine before the May 9th deadline. That's certainly what military experts are saying.

But at the same time, he's saying to the West, that you can sanction us, you can isolate us. We still have this powerful military. And we still have this sort of nuclear capable missile that has a range as far as the United States. I think the messages is extremely clear internationally as well as nationally.

FOSTER: OK, Clare, thank you.

Just days to go until Sunday's runoff election. The French presidential candidates went head-to-head in their first and only TV debate. For nearly 3 hours on Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger, Marine Le Pen sparred over a range of topics, including Russia, France's commitment to the EU and also the economy. CNN's Jim Bittermann joins us now live from Paris. It was a bit of a Putin-off, at one point, wasn't it? Who's closer to Putin because it's an obvious part of the election campaign.

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That definitely came up, Max. In fact, the president, the incoming president, in fact, accused his challenger of being very close to Putin, defending on him, as he said, not only for his -- her ideas, but for her support. Because she took a huge long-$10 million loan from a Russian bank a few years ago. And so, she looks like she's close ties to Putin. And she said several times that she feels very close to Mr. Putin. So, I think that was something. And the main thrust of her attack on Macron was on the economy. Basically, that he's isolated from the average French citizens and doesn't pay attention to pocketbook issues. Here's how one part of that exchange went down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[04:35:00]

MARINE LE PEN, FAR-RIGHT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (through translator): I must here again be the spokesperson of the French people. Because, Mr. Macron, I heard you, with your government you are delighted to have increased French people's purchasing power. But me, I only saw French people who told me about their problems of purchasing power. I only saw French people who told me that they can't make it anymore. They can't get by. They can't make ends meet at the end of the month.

EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): I am proud that altogether we have made it possible to create 1.2 million pay clips. Because I was looking at your program, your 22 measures, there is not even the word "unemployment" in it, which is striking.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BITTERMANN: And Max, our colleague over at BFM TV, had commissioned a poll by Elabe, the snap poll after the television broadcast was concluded. And it shows that about 59 percent of the people that watched the debate found Mr. Macron more convincing, compared to 39 percent for Madam Le Pen. So, in that sense, she's being declared this morning by many analyst as the winner of the debate.

FOSTER: OK, Jim, thank you very much indeed for joining us in Paris. Do be sure to join us on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Paris time, 2 p.m. Eastern in the U.S. of special live coverage of the French election right here on CNN.

The British foreign minister is getting a brief break from the festering "Partygate" scandal. But the punishment is moving forward.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: New Mexico officials say the crew of the movie "Rust" willfully violated safety rules leading to the shooting to death of a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by the actor Alec Baldwin.

[04:40:00]

The Rust film production company was fine nearly $137,000, the maximum allowed by New Mexico law. According to the new report, gun safety procedures were not being followed on set. And the film's management knew about it but failed to correct it. Baldwin's attorney told CNN, they appreciate that the report exonerates the actor and clarified critical issues of the incident.

Actor Johnny Depp returned to the stand inside a Virginia courtroom in this defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. He described their relationship and how a changed. Accusing Heard of calling him names and making demeaning comments. Depp also said an argument between the two in 2015 ended with him seeking medical care.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: She threw the large bottle, and it made contact and shattered everywhere. And then I looked down and realized that the tip of my finger had been severed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Depp is suing her for $50 million over a 2018 "Washington Post" op-ed in which she wrote about her experience with domestic violence. Even though she didn't name him, Depp claims it cost him film work.

The British Prime Minister is beginning a two-day visit to India and a growing tarnishing from the "Partygate" scandal. In the coming hours, Parliament is slated to debate whether a committee should investigate his conduct on whether he misled lawmakers about illegal COVID lockdown gatherings. The Prime Minister whilst apologetic refuses to resign. And reported, he told journalists on the way to India that he has every intention of running again in the next election.

CNN's Nada Bashir is following all of these developments. He's trying to draw a line on this by carrying on with his other work. But also, I think his team -- aren't they here in London trying to push this investigation further down the road until other investigations are complete.

NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Yes, absolutely. The Labour Party had put forward for today, there would be a Parliament inquiry, into the Prime Minister knowingly misled Parliament. That was set to take place today, will take place. But overnight, the Conservative Party is now putting forward an amendment to that motion. They want to see this vote delayed until both the Metropolitan Police inquiry into the "Partygate" scandal is complete. And also, until the cabinet office investigation into the alleged party that was done to hand over government offices is complete.

So, that is interesting because the Conservative Party clearly trying to push that. We do understand that MPs within the Conservative Party have been instructed to vote in favor of this amendment. So, it is expected to pass. Clearly, they are trying to delay this.

But it was interesting because, you know, the first initial findings from that cabinet office report was released in January, highlights a serious failings by politicians within the Prime Minister's own party and of course, the Prime Minister himself. That has a serious impact on the public confidence in the PM. There was a lot of calls for him to resign at that point as well. So, the fact that they are waiting for this final report to be published that might not bode well for the Prime Minister either.

FOSTER: There's all of these calls for him to be replaced but there's no one to replace him. Isn't that the upshot here with the Tory backbenches, at least?

BASHIR: Yes, at this stage there doesn't seem to be a clear successor to the Prime Minister, at least haven't seen a Conservative Party at this stage. But also, there are local elections coming up. So, there is a concern about how this whole scandal will impact the party as a whole. Now we heard the Prime Minister telling reporters on the plane to India yesterday, that he intends to see the Conservative Party through the next general election. He is not stepping down. But if they do see him falling in the May elections, his hand might be forced by the Conservative MPs.

FOSTER: Well, they can be pretty brutal, can't they, when they feel like their jobs might be vulnerable. Nada, thank you very much indeed for joining us. We'll follow that debate -- may or may not be today.

Anger and frustration growing amongst those still under lockdown in China, in Shanghai. Startling reality is emerging as residents get creative in revealing how pandemic regulations are impacting daily life. This social media video shows an elderly women who appears to have left quarantine, trying to enter a neighborhood. She's been arguing with COVID workers who are trying to force her to go back into the quarantine center. She's not the only one tired of being under quarantine or lockdown in Shanghai. CNN's David Culver looks at the tense situation there as China doubles down on its zero COVID policy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shanghai residents pushing back after nearly three weeks of lockdown. These videos circulating on social media show people confronting police for being forced from their homes.

[04:45:00]

These are not folks with COVID-19 but rather people whose apartments are being turned into government quarantine facilities to cope with a surge in COVID cases.

The rising tensions come as Chinese officials vowed to send every positive case of COVID-19 and any close contact to government quarantine, no matter the age. Here you see an elderly man shuffling towards a group of other senior citizens, some in their 90s, most in wheelchairs transferred from their nursing home to this isolation facility after testing positive.

Videos shared from inside another center shows elderly patients seemingly left unattended. Cots set up in the halls with wooden boards and thin sheets as bedding.

Since the start of this outbreak in early March, more than 400,000 cases have been reported in the city -- according to China's National Health Commission. And most in this metropolis of more than 25 million people are still in strict lockdown.

CNN's been living through it. We've mostly been sealed inside our homes, let out only for mandatory COVID tests and the occasional government distribution of groceries.

Last week, we had a brief taste of freedom. I could step out of my apartment and walk all the way to the compound gate, still double locked. But since a reversal for our community, new restrictions have a sealed back inside our properties. The draconian and inconsistent policies coupled with a constant uncertainty, weigh heavily. People tired, pushing back physically and through words. These banners appeared on the streets of Shanghai in a cover of night. This one calling residents to resist the limitless lockdown. This one reading, "People are dying," referring to the dire struggle to secure food and medical care.

Online, a flood of frustration surfacing on China's heavily controlled internet. On Chinese social media platform Weibo, users began quoting the first sentence of China's national anthem. It reads, "Rise, those who don't want to be enslaved." a rally called no longer aimed at foreign oppressors, but rather Beijing's pandemic response and its harsh restrictions. That line now censored.

Some residents even boldly calling out Chinese officials for a perceived hypocrisy. This person wearing the photo of one of China's Foreign Ministry spokespersons who repeatedly accused Western governments COVID response of harming people's wellbeing. The sarcastic critique shared repeatedly online.

The backlash likely to worsen as the week's long lockdown drags on, further damaging China's economic engine.

YANZHONG HUANG, SR. FELLOW FOR GLOBAL HEALTH, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: Implementing this strategy by excessive manner by itself could lead to exactly what the zero-COVID strategy wants to avoid.

CULVER (voice-over): The growing dissent calls into question China's zero-COVID strategy at a critical time. Later this year, President Xi Jinping is expected to assume an almost unprecedented third term, paving the way for him to rule for life. But the highly anticipated coronation now marred by discontent over a policy so closely tied to the people's leader.

David Culver, CNN, Shanghai.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: A Sixers star came through in the clutch, namely an all-time buzzer beater. A look at that and round off of the NBA runoffs, next.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: So, the clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces has broken out around the entrance of the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Videos show Israeli police on the compound outside the mosque as Palestinians launch fireworks towards them. And other videos showed police firing stun grenades. The areas been a site of tensions over the last week as periodic clashes have broken out there.

Pope Francis will receive the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, at the Vatican a few minutes from now. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will likely be discussed, even more than the 470,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed into Hungary since the conflict began. Mr. Orban a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently. CNN Vatican correspondent Delia Gallagher joins us live from Rome. Obviously, the Pope adept at the situations but a pretty sensitive meeting.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's very interesting, Max, because you have to consider that Francis has not been a fan of Viktor Orban's immigration and nationalists policies. The last time they met in September in Hungary, I was there. It was widely considered a snub on the part of Pope Francis. He only spent seven hours in Budapest. And then went to Slovakia, neighboring Slovakia for four days with the president there that he admired.

So obviously, the calculus has now changed, that the Vatican is actually welcoming Viktor Orban, on his first trip after reelection. And that Orban is choosing to come and see Pope Francis on his first trip after his reelection. So clearly, there it suggests that both sides think they have something to gain from this.

From the part of the Pope, that is obviously to keep the lines of communication open with Orban -- who as you say -- is the most pro- Putin European leader. The Vatican is keen, of course, to speak to any leader who would have the ear of Putin and can help change the tide of events. On the part of Viktor Orban, obviously, some credibility for him that Pope Francis would be his first stop after his reelection. Trying to walk a fine line of being pro-Putin but also a European leader -- Max.

FOSTER: In terms what we expect to hear from them. Will we both get comments from them and perhaps the Pope saying something that makes some headlines? He's been doing that recently, hasn't he?

GALLAGHER: Yes, the Pope does tend to make headlines. However, with the meetings, Max, what we noticed from the Vatican, is the Pope likes to keep it on the down low. This is essentially a private meeting. It's not a bilateral meeting of state where they would meet with other secretaries of state and so on.

[04:55:00]

It's a private meeting between the Pope and Viktor Orban. I expect we'll hear more from Viktor Orban than we will hear from the Pope. But you can't rule anything out with Pope Francis. Certainly, the war in Ukraine is top on his mind. If he can say or do anything to help that, he will -- Max.

FOSTER: Delia, we'll back with you as that meeting unfolds. Thank you.

Before we go, a quick look at the NBA runoffs picture -- playoff picture. The Bulls are the big winner over the defending champion, the Milwaukee Bucks, their first round series is now tied one all. In Boston, the Celtics enjoying a two-game advantage over Brooklyn. The Nets once up by 17 points wound up blowing that lead. But they'll have home court advantage for the next two games. And finally, the 76ers sunk a three-pointer in overtime right before the buzzer. That left them with an epic three-game lead over the Raptors the best of seven series. It's not looking good for Toronto. And Russian tennis players will be banned from competing at Wimbledon this year because of their country's invasion of Ukraine. Belarusian players also can't take part. Organizers for the Grand Slam events cite Russia's, quote, unjustified and unprecedented military aggression. The Kremlin because the decision unacceptable. This will affect a number of high ranked players, both men and women, including world number two and raining U.S. open champion Daniil Medvedev.

Well, thanks for joining me here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max foster in London. Our breaking news coverage of Russia's war on Ukraine continues on "EARLY START" with Kristin Fisher. You are watching CNN.

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