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U.S. Defense Chief, Secretary of State Make Visit to Ukraine; French President Emmanuel Macron Wins Reelection; Military Parade Expected for North Korean Anniversary; Ukrainians Mark Orthodox Easter in Shadow of War; French Voter Turnout Lowest in 20 Years; Shanghai Reports 51 COVID Deaths on Sunday; Russia-Bound Luxury Items Being Impounded in Belgium; First Private Visitors to Space Station Returning Home. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired April 25, 2022 - 00:00   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

[00:00:23]

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers all around the world. I'm Michael Holmes. Appreciate your company.

We are following two major stories this hour. A decisive win for Emmanuel Macron in France's presidential election, but first, some breaking news about a high-profile visit to Ukraine by top U.S. officials.

It was an unannounced trip made by America's top diplomat and defense chief. For the very latest, let's bring in Isa Soares, coming to us live from Lviv.

Highest level visit by an American delegation. What details have we learned about what happened on the ground?

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT/ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Michael.

We're getting new details and breaking news details in the last few minutes. What we know is that the U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, as well as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are now the highest level U.S. officials to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, since 60 days ago or so, now.

A senior State Department official says they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Ukraine's foreign, defense and interior ministry, for a meeting that lasted roughly 90 minutes.

We were told Blinken relayed to the Ukrainians that U.S. diplomats will be returning to the country this week. Be doing so on day trips to Lviv, in and out of Lviv.

We're also told that President Joe Biden will be nominating a new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Her name is Bridget Ann Brink. Well, of course, that post has been without a confirmed ambassador for almost three years now.

Blinken and Austin also discuss the deliveries of recent U.S. military systems to Ukraine, the ongoing training for Ukrainian soldiers, and the Biden administration's intention to provide $713 million in additional foreign military financing to help Ukraine transition to NATO-capable systems.

This is something, of course, Michael, that we heard from President Zelenskyy as he announced this meeting that he wanted his guests not to come empty-handed.

And speaking to analysts here, that was the expectation that they would come, of course, with some hardware and assistance.

In terms of the details of the hardware, what we heard from the United States and from Lloyd Austin, defense minister. He said that some of the 72 Howitzers that were promised in the last package, within the last package, they have been already arriving in the country. And he said that, normally it's taken about 24 to 48 hours to get military hardware into the country.

But of, course these Howitzers are important. They've been incredibly effective in the frontlines now, of course, because the Donbas terrain, where that offensive is, is the terrain is incredibly difficult. It's important to have these Howitzers, as I've been told by -- by Ukrainian officials. Because, of course, it's a longer-range weapons and artillery that is, indeed, needed at this stage of -- of the war in Ukraine.

But this meeting, Michael, it's a sign of -- obviously of support and commitment from the United States to Ukraine. And though there have been questions asked, we're being told, by U.S. officials as to why President Biden has yet to make a visit to Ukraine, of course, what we have seen in the last few months or so, a rotating door of officials, of leaders. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was here just about at the beginning of this month. We saw Prime Minister Sanchez.

And so, questions being asked, why President Biden hasn't made -- hasn't made it here yet. But clearly, this is an important message, and the optics here will be incredibly important.

One official, though, very briefly, an adviser to President Zelenskyy, speaking to me yesterday, basically said, Look, it's important. It's about the optics. Of course, we want the deliverables in terms of the hardware, the military hardware that we need, but this is a message to the Russians to further isolate them. That we have that U.S. support right now -- Michael.

HOLMES: Yes, I think -- well, I think one of the most important things was the weaponry that's getting in, as well. And I know John Kirby, pointing to those Howitzers, which are long-range artillery.

SOARES: Yes.

HOLMES: Which is vital to the Ukrainians. That stuff is being shipped in. They've already trained the first tranche of Ukrainians to operate such things. That's going to be crucial in the battle ahead.

SOARES: Yes, and what we have heard, in fact, and Defense Ministry Lloyd Austin, he said that they're training about 50 Ukrainians outside of the country. And then they're swapping them out.

But this is the military hardware that they really -- they really need right now. That's critical for this -- for the Donbas attack. You know, I want to bring in John Spencer, who's the chair of urban warfare studies at the Madison Policy Forum and author of "Connected Soldiers."

[00:05:15]

John, great to have you in the show. I don't know if you are hearing Michael and I, in our discussion, that president that we've heard the last few -- in the last few minutes, of course, that we've got the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, visiting Kyiv.

And some of the promises that are being made, the Biden administration intends to provide about $730 million in addition of foreign military financing to Ukraine.

And it's says, from what I've read, it's to -- to help Ukraine transition to NATO-capable systems. What exactly does that mean? Just break it down for us?

JOHN SPENCER, CHAIR OF URBAN WARFARE STUDIES, MADISON POLICY FORUM: Sure. So I mean, there are NATO-quality, or standard military formations, part of the alliance. And that's a solid commitment, that we not only stand with Ukraine and providing them with the weapons to fight Russia back to -- all the way back to Russia.

But this is, to me, a commitment to Ukraine even after that, that we're supporting their efforts to build their military up to that NATO standard in equipment.

You know, all this equipment is -- are gifts to the Ukrainians, so the American-made Howitzers, the Javelins, the -- the professional military education that's been happening for a long time, to be honest. That's a major sign. I'm really emboldened by that.

SOARES: Yes, and that's exactly what, you know, we heard, as well, from Defense Secretary Austin, who said that, you know, some of the Howitzers, the 72 or so that were promised in the last package, are already in the country.

You know, it was one advisor, Zelenskyy advisor was telling me just in the last 24 hours, they need heavier weapons. They need heavier weapons for this new terrain in the Donbas. And longer-range artillery. Explain why these weapons are so important in this new terrain and this new offensive here.

SPENCER: Yes, absolutely. So unlike the failed operation of Russia for the last near two months to take Kyiv and to take other key urban areas -- you know, urban warfare is kind of my thing -- it's a close fight. Well, you do bombing, most people do, before you get there. And the war crimes, of course, that Russia has committed doing that.

In the East, it's a much more flatter, open area where you can see for miles. And that's -- these longer systems are needed, more so than the closer, you know, like the Javelin, which only shoots two kilometers.

And artillery, it's 155-millimeter round exploding on a Russian formation from 20 miles away, 30 miles away. And that's the level of lethality and explosions that the Ukrainians need in this new fight in the Donbas to ensure that Russia can't move to the urban areas, can't get into position to do this offensive.

SOARES: Yes, and I suspect -- you know, this is critical right now, as we see the offensive taking place and just how bloody it's become.

Let me ask you about what we -- you know, what is unfolding, the urban warfare, so to speak in -- in near Mariupol. Give me a sense of how you see this playing out. Because people have been stuck inside that Azovstal steel plant now for many weeks on end.

SPENCER: Yes, I think -- I mean, it's what legends are made of, really. I mean, a formation -- a fighting force of the Ukrainians that small, so we estimate, you know, 1,000 max, holding down for two months over 15,000 Russians and not falling.

And to this day, as long as there's a living, breathing, fighting Ukrainian fighter in that fortress city, that Putin says -- although I don't trust what he's saying, and we're already seeing that he's not stopped bombing the remaining survivors, to include the civilians that he won't let out.

It's an amazing story of perseverance, urban defense, that they're still attacking. So don't let anybody tell you they're not. The Russians are still attacking it now, but they want to shift their forces to the North, in this feeble attempt to claim the Donbas.

But those fighters are still fighting. It's not over. All hope is not lost.

SOARES: Yes, and we see -- on that point, we've heard that directly from the Ukrainians, saying, just yesterday, of course, was Easter Sunday here for Orthodox Christians, and we were told there was -- they were continuously attacking that steel plant.

But on that point, I mean, how much is Ukrainian fighters' defiance here, the very day that, you know, the fact they've spent every day fighting this. How much is that fracturing, do you think, or wearing down the Russian troops?

SPENCER: I think it frustrates them. It frustrates Putin himself. All the way down to the individual soldiers being told that -- to end it, to get a win.

Whether you believe May 9 is important to Russia or not as a celebration day, and they need a win, to falsely call Mariupol a win when we all know it's not. There's still a very heavy defense happening there. It's fracturing the morale of the Russian soldiers, you can be sure.

[00:10:19]

They have nothing. You need wins in war. You need stories to pass to your soldiers about victories and battle. And where they have, I mean, they're still losing generals left and right. They're still being pushed back, even though they're supposedly overwhelming the numbers. The morale, the will to fight the Russians, this has an impact.

SOARES: We shall keep on top of the latest developments out of Mariupol, of course. A city that has been besieged for weeks on end, and so many people still inside, still stuck inside that Azovstal steel plant.

John Spencer in Colorado Springs, I appreciate you taking time to speak to us. Thanks, John.

And for those viewers just joining us in the last few minutes, just to bring you up to date, what we've heard is that the secretary of state and secretary of defense of the United States visited -- have visited President Zelenskyy here in Ukraine. High -- the highest-level official, really, from the United States to visit Ukraine and visit President Zelenskyy since this war began, what, some say 60 days or so ago.

Of course, what we heard is that the meeting lasted for roughly 90 minutes. We know from Secretary Blinken that U.S. diplomats will be returning to Ukraine, initially doing day trips in and out of Ukraine to the city where I am, Lviv.

We also know that they discussed military assistance and that the Biden administration has an intention to provide $730 million in additional foreign military financing to the U.S.

An important meeting, of course, for the Ukrainians. It is a show of support, a show of commitment, but many still asking, why President Biden still has yet to make the trip?

Michael, back to you.

HOLMES: Yes, a meeting with some substance, but also the optics of it alone are something. Two very senior officials inside Ukraine.

Isa, appreciate it. We'll be checking with you a bit later. Isa Soares there in Lviv for us.

All right. I want to move on now to the French election. Emmanuel Macron will be spending another five years in the Elysee Palace. The French president won Sunday's runoff election over his far-right rival, Marine Le Pen, 59 percent to 41 percent.

And while that may seem like a wide margin, it's also the closest a far-right candidates has ever come to winning the French presidency.

Le Pen wasted no time conceding, but she called the vote, quote, "a shining victory" that put her party in an excellent position for June's parliamentary elections.

More now from CNN's Melissa Bell.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: I am no longer the candidate of one side, but instead the president for all.

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Emmanuel Macron, a pro-European centrist, is now the first French president to win reelection in two decades, winning for a second time against the nationalist, Marine Le Pen, this time amid growing support for his opponent's far-right agenda.

MACRON (through translator): And I know that, for a number of my compatriots who chose the far-right today, the anger and the discord, which bought them to vote for her project, also merits a response. It will also be my responsibility and the responsibility of those who surround me.

BELL: The French president addressing a more polarized France on Sunday after a narrower runoff than in 2017. This time, Macron took less than 60 percent of the vote. Five years ago, he took two-thirds.

The shrinking margin appearing to invigorate Le Pen, who promised supporters on Sunday, the game is not completely over.

MARINE LE PEN, FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (through translator): This result constitutes for our French leaders, as well as for European leaders, the sign of a great defiance from the French people towards them, which they can't ignore.

BELL: Le Pen came within five percentage points of Macron in the first round of voting two weeks ago, narrowly beating the far-left candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon.

As Macron focused on the war in Ukraine, Le Pen seized on the war's economic spillover into Europe, presenting herself as the candidate of the people. She promised tax cuts to combat inflation, targeted those discontentedly with Macron's economic policies, and espoused an anti- immigrant agenda.

LE PEN (through translator): I told you earlier that our borders are sieves. The holes in this sieve are not narrowing, contrary to Macron's claims, but widening.

BELL: After Sunday's election, he can breathe a sigh of relief. But with parliamentary elections for his party on the horizon in June, that feeling may not last very long.

[00:15:06]

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Joining me now from Paris is CNN European affairs commentator Dominic Thomas.

Good to see you, Dominic.

A comfortable margin of victory, but do those turnout numbers and the dissatisfaction with Macron, among a big proportion of right and left of the electorate, point to some choppy waters ahead for him in his second term?

DOMINIC THOMAS, CNN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: Yes. So just on the question of the winning margin, he won by 16 points. Now, we're concerned about that, because he only beat Marine Le Pen by 5 million votes in the runoff, whereas in 2017, he beat her by 10 million. So that suggests growing dissatisfaction, a growing attraction for a number of reasons for the -- for the far right in France, which will certainly mitigate sort of the celebrations around -- around this particular victory this time around.

But certainly, for Emmanuel Macron, the next five years are going to be an uphill struggle. He's going to struggle to get a parliamentary majority. The political landscape is extraordinarily divided.

So he has a responsibility, by the next election, the more French voters feel like going to the polls, and also to protect the legacy of his movement, which is gradually becoming a mainstream political party, giving the fact that he will be turned out after this second term in office, Michael.

HOLMES: It was noticeable, a huge number of people, really, simply did not vote. They abstained. But more than 40 percent of those who did vote still picked the far right as who they wanted to lead the country, the biggest percentage yet for the far right. What does that suggest to you about the direction of the country?

THOMAS: Yes. There's two things about Marine Le Pen that have to be separated. You know, on the one hand, she, just like Zemmour on the extreme right, are candidates that appeal to emotions. And they have this long-standing agenda for whom, for them, France is in decline. And their goal, through a range of nationalist, protectionist, anti- E.U., anti-NATO measures, is to restore France to some kind of grandeur.

And they use the three proverbial "I's" -- immigration, identity, and Islam -- as a way to bolster that.

But on the other side of the spectrum, what's so absolutely fascinating about this election is that, in the first round, if you look, not to mainland France but to France's overseas territories in, say, Martinique and Guadeloupe, voters voted overwhelmingly they voted for Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-right [SIC] candidate, in the first round. And for Marine Le Pen in the runoff stage.

Now, this has nothing to do with xenophobia, racism, or those kinds of concerns. But what she was able to tap into was, in fact, what has plagued the first five years of the Macron presidency, is that very large cohort of French citizens who have grievances. We saw it with the Yellow Jackets. We saw it with the COVID pandemic and with the way in which essential workers were treated.

There is a growing group of dissatisfied people who feel like they are being left behind. And until Emmanuel Macron deals with that particular issue, the emotional, fearmongering, and identity issues will continue to be the domain of the far-right, and they will continue to occupy that particular political space, Michael.

HOLMES: Yes, presumably a collective sigh of relief among European leaders?

THOMAS: Absolutely. I mean, in the coverage last night, some of the correspondents and commentators were pointing to just the number of European leaders that immediately reached out through social media, and to President Macron himself.

Marine Le Pen's long-standing presence as an MEP in Brussels, longstanding anti-NATO credentials, and of course, her proximity to not just Vladimir Putin and Russia but to other major European far- right groups, in many ways completely discredited her from the presidency this time around, when Europe is facing this historic post second world war crisis, and that very much work to Emmanuel Macron's favor.

HOLMES: Good point. Being the lesser of two evils for so many voters isn't a ringing endorsement, I guess. And another aspect of this, given the good but not quite good enough showing of the left, the far left in the first round, what can we expect from those left-wing supporters in the months and years ahead?

THOMAS: Yes. Well, what's going to be really interesting is just when June rolls around and we have the legislative elections, because remember, the French system, unlike the German, you don't get any parliamentary seats in the presidential elections. It's all down to the legislative to see whether or not Emmanuel Macron is able to continue to hold onto the executive and the legislative branch. And that's going to be a real uphill challenge.

The challenge for the left -- and we see this in other parts of Europe, in the U.K., as well, for example -- is can they work together and create some kind of foundation?

And given the fact that Jean-Luc Melenchon was overwhelmingly ahead on the left. He has some very clear radical demands that he wants to make. And it's not clear that he can enlist other political parties.

[00:20:00]

Just to give you an indication. He came forth in 2017, but he only picked up 17 out of 577 votes. So even though the moderate right, and the moderate left, the socialists and the republicans don't do very well, of haven't done very well in the presidential elections, they are very entrenched in many communities around the country. And it's going to be interesting, first of all, to see who Emmanuel

Macron appoints as a stand-in prime minister over the last two months, and to see whether he reaches out to the left or to the right through that particular choice. And that will give us an indication.

HOLMES: Fascinating analysis, as always. Dominic Thomas, a pleasure as always. Thanks so much.

THOMAS Thank you, Michael.

HOLMES: It is a milestone anniversary for the Korean People's Revolutionary Army. Find out what North Korea might have in store for the occasion, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Welcome back.

Monday is the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, and international monitors are expecting a military parade; possibly other weapons displays from North Korea to mark the occasion.

[00:25:04]

North Korea has conducted, of course, a series of ballistic missile tests this year. And the U.S. and South Korea believe Pyongyang can soon resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in five years.

CNN's Blake Essig joins me now from Tokyo with more on all of this.

Yes, a number of major anniversaries taking place this month. So far, no major military celebration. What are you learning?

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Michael, we understand that rain might be a reason for this current delay, but for now, the wait continues.

Through satellite imagery and other reports, South Korea has detected signs that Pyongyang is planning to hold a massive military parade. If it happens, observers expect North Korea to feature tens of thousands of troops, hundreds of military vehicles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

While it looks like North Korea is gearing up for a military parade, U.S. and South Korean officials believe Pyongyang is also possibly preparing for a nuclear weapons test, its first in about five years.

Now, that's because for weeks, South Korea has reported that the North has been working to restore several tunnels at Punggye-ri, its main nuclear test site. This is the same underground test facility that the North had previously claimed to have destroyed back in 2018, after North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, declared the country's nuclear arsenal complete. Now, if North Korea does conduct another nuclear test site -- excuse

me, test, Michael, it will be the country's seventh since they first tested nuclear weapons in 2006.

HOLMES: I guess, you know, knowing that a show of force from North Korea is possible, how have Japan where you are, and other countries in that part of the world prepared?

ESSIG: Well, you know, Michael, like most of us, Japan and other countries are waiting to see what's going to happen, but to serve as a deterrent, a U.S. carrier strike group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, recently spent time conducting joint drills with Japanese forces, in the waters between North Korea and Japan.

Now, I recently spoke with United States 7th Fleet commander Admiral Karl Thomas just this weekend, on board the USS Abraham Lincoln and the Philippine Sea about the purpose of that recent joint exercise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICE ADMIRAL KARL THOMAS, U.S. 7TH FLEET COMMANDER: We did sail the Abraham Lincoln up to the Sea of Japan, just to make sure that other nations understood the versatility of this ship. To maybe send a message to Kim Jong-un that we're aware of your missile lunches and not appreciative of -- of the increased tempo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ESSIG: Now, so far this year, Pyongyang has conducted more than a dozen weapons tests. That includes testing what they claimed was a new type of ICBM, the Hwasong-17, about a month ago. Of course, South Korean military officials and missile experts believe that it was actually an older, smaller ICBM that was tested.

Michael, experts say that much of this year's recent flurry of missile tests is not aimed at the international audience, but instead at the domestic audience in North Korea, a show of achievement to cover up for economic struggles.

HOLMES: Yes, yes. Blake, appreciate the reporting. Blake Essig there in Tokyo for us. Thanks.

U.S. President Joe Biden will be visiting Israel in the months ahead. That's according to the office of the Israeli prime minister, Naftali Bennett, after the two leaders spoke on Sunday.

The announcement comes amid renewed clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem. No official date scheduled for the trip as of now.

It would be Mr. Biden's first trip to Israel as president. He previously visited in 2010 and 2016 as vice president.

Quick break here on the program. When we come back on CNN NEWSROOM, French voters making their choice, giving President Emmanuel Macron a second term. But many chose none of the above and decided to stay at home. We'll discuss.

Also, a cathedral in Warsaw hosted Ukrainian refugees who are celebrating their faith, despite their circumstances. We'll have details a little later on the program.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:32:40]

HOLMES: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM, everyone. I'm Michael Holmes.

Quick update on our breaking news out of Ukraine and the highest level U.S. delegation to visit that country since the Russian invasion began.

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin making an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Sunday and meeting with President Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials.

We're told Blinken relayed that U.S. diplomats would return to Ukraine this week. President Biden is nominating a new U.S. ambassador to the Ukraine and that more military financing and hardware is on the way.

Orthodox Easter was celebrated across much of Eastern Europe on Sunday, even as Vladimir Putin's war continued to rage in Ukraine. Matt Rivers has more from Horenka.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Orthodox Easter Sunday in a country at war. A holiday defined by its celebration of life. This year, shrouded by death.

ANDRII HALAVIN, PRIEST (through translator): People live in the time of war under bombing and shelling with tears, grief and sorrow. But we needed ray of hope.

RIVERS: Some of those rays are ways to fight back. At least if President Zelenskyy gets his way, telling reports that getting more and more heavy weapons from the U.S. would be a top issue at a meeting he's said was scheduled for Sunday with U.S. secretaries of state and defense Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin.

This, as Russian shells rained down across the country over the weekend, including in Odessa. Here, a video of what Ukraine called a Russian missile hitting an apartment building, killing eight, according to authorities, an infant and her mother among them. Inside that building, a camera captured the strike's horrific impact.

And in the town of Horenka, Northwest of Kyiv, there is utter destruction. Russian shells, shattered homes and lives. There is nothing left here but pain and an eerie silence.

(on camera): Ukraine is, of course, pushing for all these new weapons to try and avoid other towns ending up like this one. So, look here. This playground now, littered with bullet holes, the remnants of the Ukrainian fighting position to my left and to my right, there's a sign of all the land mines that are now in this area.

[00:35:07]

It's going to be a long time before children can use this playground once again.

(voice-over): The secretaries of state and defense are not the only U.S. officials interested in the future of Ukraine. We met up with two members of the U.S. Congress, Representatives Tim Walberg and Victoria Spartz, who toured the damage. Spartz, the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress.

REP. VICTORIA SPARTZ (R-IN ): Watching it breaks my heart. But they're actually living through hell. To see it, it's important. And it's important for us to share this with the American people.

RIVERS: Ukrainian officials told us they repelled the Russian drive toward Kyiv right here back in March, a powerful sign of resistance against an unwanted invader. The two Republicans will head back to Washington soon with an urgent call to send whatever Ukraine needs, and fast.

REP. TIM WALBERG (R-MI): They're brave. They're committed. Just put something in their hand that matches that efforts here, and they could win it.

RIVERS: Matt Rivers, CNN, Horenka, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Celebrations and relief for the French president, Emmanuel Macron, after he secured a solid reelection victory. Mr. Macron won nearly 59 percent of the vote in the nation's presidential run-off on Sunday. The numbers give him a second term, but not a knock-out win.

His far-right opponent, Marine Le Pen, garnering support from 41 percent of French citizens who took part in the election. It is the best result a far-right presidential candidate has ever had in France.

Now, congratulations on Mr. Macron's victory rolled in from around the world. On Twitter, U.S. President Joe Biden called France, America's oldest ally and a key partner. He said he looked forward to working together to support Ukraine, defend democracy, and counter climate change.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeting that French voters had, quote, "sent a strong commitment to Europe" and that he was happy to continue our good cooperation.

Mr. Scholz and Mr. Macron spoke by phone on Sunday.

In his congratulatory tweet, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also referenced his nation's alliance with France and a future of cooperation.

Now, Mr. Macron is the first French president to win reelection in 20 years. But voter turnout for this runoff was also the lowest it's been in 20 years. Despite the stakes, it seems that many people who weren't satisfied with the final two candidates just stayed home.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES (voice-over): Two candidates may have been on the ballot, but a lot of French voters say they weren't satisfied with the options in the second round of the French presidential election between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. The abs tension rate was projected to be the highest in two

decades. Of those who did go to the polls, some say they voted not so much to support one candidate, but to reject the other.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We tend to vote against someone, rather than for someone. And this has often been the case for a long time. But this does not prevent us from going to vote and making our voices heard.

HOLMES: The "vote against" strategy was cited by voters on both sides, but Le Pen's far-right nationalist policies were a line in the sand for many.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It is out of the question to vote for the extreme right. So the only solution was either to abstain, at the risk of having Le Pen elected, or prevent that by voting for the incumbent president.

HOLMES: This man said neither candidate resonated with him, so he voted for no one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A blank vote is a vote to show that we're dissatisfied. That we're not happy with either of the two candidates. That's why we do blank votes. It's a protest of some sort.

HOLMES: The number of people abstaining from the vote is a worrying trend for some voters, who believe it's a right that should be exercised and even required.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I'm wondering whether voting shooting be made compulsory so that democracy is effective and everyone takes on their responsibilities, even when you're not necessarily very enthusiastic about the candidates.

HOLMES: Macron might be the winner, but for the next five years, you love the challenge of governing meaning those who voted for him, those who didn't, and those who didn't vote at all.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Still to come here on the program, Beijing's Chaoyang district launches mass COVID testing, potentially affecting more than 3 million people. A live report, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:43:06]

HOLMES: Now in the United States, former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb is the latest medical expert to weigh in on the use of face masks on public transit.

Many airlines and ride-sharing services make masks optional after a court ruling lifted the federal mask mandate on public transportation. While the CDC continues to recommend them, the former FDA commissioner says he's comfortable going maskless on a flight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. SCOTT GOTTLIEB, FORMER U.S. FDA COMMISSIONER: I wear a mask when I get on a plane while I'm boarding and also while I'm getting off the plane. I think those are the two points where you're in a congregate setting where there's poor air circulation. Those really are the risky venues. Those are the risky points in your journey.

When you're up in the air, when you're at 10,000 feet, there's pretty good air filtration on a plane. So I don't feel at risk at that moment, so I take my mask off while we're flying. That's been my practice since this mandate got lifted. That's probably what I'm going to continue to do, so long as prevalence remains where it is right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: In China, mass COVID testing starts today in Beijing's Chaoyang district, potentially affecting more than 3 million people. The announcement came after 11 cases were detected within 24 hours.

CNN's Selina Wang joins me now from Kunming in China. So, the lockdown continues in Shanghai. There's some more testing. How are people coping?

SELINA WANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Michael, the anger and desperation in Shanghai is continuing to grow. Many residents still struggling to get food, medical care. And most of the city's 25 million residents, they've been locked inside their homes for weeks already, and still, there is no end in sight.

That is as COVID cases in Shanghai continue to rise. More than 90,000 reported for Sunday. The brings the total to more than half a million cases.

And the complaints are still going on social media. In this video, you can see that Shanghai is even starting to put up these steel fences and barricades to block people from leaving residential areas where a positive COVID case has been found. And also, putting them up on public roads to stop people from transporting into other areas. That is only adding to the outrage in the city.

But despite that frustration, officials are still doubling down on their zero-COVID policy. All close contacts and positive cases are sent to government quarantine centers without exception.

CNN has obtained this video of an elderly care quarantine center for COVID-19 patients. Some of them are even in their 90s. And you can see in the facilities, there are wooden boards and thin sheets that are used as bedding, leaving these people unattended.

Patience, Michael, in Shanghai is running thin.

HOLMES: It's not surprising, having a look at that video. That's extraordinary.

There are outbreaks in other part of the country, as well. What is the border situation like?

WANG: Yes, Michael. Omicron has sparked several outbreaks across China There are more than a dozen cities that have now rolled out some form of lockdown.

And even the capital, Beijing, officials there are now rushing to contain what they are calling a urgent and grim COVID-19 outbreak. Since Friday, the city has reported more than 60 COVID-19 cases. Several of them were found in a middle school. That school has now been shut down.

The city is also banning some people in some residential compounds from leaving their area, and also they're rolling out mass testing in one of the city's largest districts, Chaoyang.

We're also seeing video where people are rushing to the supermarket to stockpile food. We have not seen the type of panic and chaos yet in Shanghai before the lockdown there. But people are fearful that this could turn for the worse, Michael.

HOLMES: All right. Great reporting, as always. Good to see you there in China for us, Selina. Welcome on the new beat. Appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Ports in Western Europe have become a new front in efforts to sanction Russia for its war in Ukraine. CNN's Nic Robertson has the story of thousands of high-end vehicles and other assets, now seized in Belgium.

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NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Thousands of luxury vehicles, not going to Russia. In this corner of the sprawling lot, 200 top-end Cadillac Escalades, street value in excess of $15 million.

The spoils of sanctions, literally piling up inside Belgium's mega port, Zeebrugge, a new frontline in Europe's economic war with Russia, pitting Belgian customs agents against Russia's sanctioned oligarchs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have been freezing over 200 billion euros of Russian assets. We have also other -- other luxury goods that are being blocked. Currently there are 2,500 containers being blocked for more investigations.

ROBERTSON (on camera): But who actually owns these seized valuables, and can they be sold for money to support Ukraine? It's fast becoming a pressing question, particularly in Europe, feeling the economic pinch of Russia's war.

These vehicles aren't Russian-owned yet, but there is plenty of Russian wealth falling under Belgian government control.

VINCENT VAN PETEGHEM, BELGIAN FINANCE MINISTER: There's already 2.7 billion Russian assets that were blocked, that were frozen. And also almost 200 billion transactions that -- that were blocked.

ROBERTSON: The goods that have been seized so far, what happens to them? Who owns them?

VAN PETEGHEM: The transactions, of course, are blocked, and -- and the assets themselves are frozen, so they cannot be used anymore. It doesn't mean that they become -- the government owns them.

ROBERTSON: All these vehicles we're looking at, they all say "destination Russia."

MARC ADRIANSENS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ICO TERMINALS: Yes.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): In Zeebrugge, shipping terminal boss Marc Adriansens is on the front lines, enforcing sanctions. Any vehicle bound for Russia valued over $55,000 is impounded.

ADRIANSENS: So at the moment, we have 8,000 cars stored here, 800 a day.

ROBERTSON (on camera): That's a lot.

ADRIANSENS: That's a lot, although we could get more.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): A lot more. He says 120,000 vehicles bound for Russia a year transit his controls, he's already turning some away.

ADRIANSENS: We are not there to store cars. We are there to handle cars and to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on cars.

ROBERTSON: Pressure on Adriansens and Belgium will grow, the war far from over, and trend talks with Russia deep.

(on camera): In the third quarter of last year, Russia was the European Union's largest maritime trading partner, according to E.U. data. And one-third of all those goods coming through ports like this in Belgium, and just up the coast in the Netherlands.

(voice-over): It could all add up to potentially billions of dollars of goods that could be used to help Ukraine. But turning it into cash requires legal confiscation, not an easy process.

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European parliamentarians are being warned by E.U. justice officials.

PETER CSONKA, EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR JUSTICE: To get somebody's property confiscated, we need a crime. We are looking for a legal solution. Money laundering, embezzlement, perhaps sanction circumvention.

ROBERTSON: Until then, seized goods and assets will age, while Ukraine's frontline fighters die for fresh weapons.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Belgium.

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HOLMES: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. We'll be right back.

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HOLMES: The first all-private mission to the International Space Station will soon be back home. The passengers enjoyed a few extra days among the stars, due to some weather delays.

CNN's Rachel Crane now gives us the rundown on their return trip, and what they experienced up there in space.

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RACHEL CRANE, CNN INNOVATION AND SPACE CORRESPONDENT: The crew of AX- 1, the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station is now on its journey back to Earth.

SpaceX spacecraft Endeavor undocked from the space station to begin its roughly 16-hour journey home, a journey that involves several burns to distance the vehicle away from the International Space Station.

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As it eventually de-orbits, and then makes an expected parachuted splash-down off the coast of Florida Monday afternoon.

Now, the whole process is autonomous. So the four crew members on board will be able to take in the last moments of their journey, which three of the crew members are rumored to have paid a whopping $55 million a seat for.

Now, the whole mission was only intended to be about ten days, but Mother Nature was on their side, because weather violations at the landing sites delayed this return by five days. So, the crew had a few extra days to simply enjoy the space flight experience and take in those views from above.

Now, they were very busy on station, and accomplished over 100 hours of science missions on board, including one involving self-assembly research for future satellites in space habitats; cancer stem cell study; as well as conducted educational outreach, and even auctioned off some NFTs. Now, while the splash-down will mark the end of the journey for the

crew, for extreme space, the company the range of this journey with NASA and SpaceX, it's just the beginning, they say.

The company has plans for several other private journeys like this one, and they intend to add their own module onto the International Space Station in 2024 to house more private astronauts and eventually have their own free-flying space station.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Rachel, thanks very much.

And thank you for watching. I appreciate that. Another hour of CNN NEWSROOM continues after the break with Christiane Amanpour.

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