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President Zelenskyy to Address World Leaders at Davos; Europe Rethinking Its Reliance on Russian Energy; Sweden's Highly Ranked Air Force Would Add to NATO's Power; White House: U.S. Policy has Not Changed on China-Taiwan; High-Stakes Republican Primary in Georgia this Tuesday. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired May 23, 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]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Now in the next hour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, virtually, from Ukraine. The ripple effects, course, from Russia's war on Ukraine are being felt right around the world, from energy supplies to the economy.

CNN correspondents are covering all the angles. Anna Stewart is joining us for more on the World Economic Forum. Clare Sebastian is tracking how the war has really affected Russia's energy sector. And Nina dos Santos has more on the bid by Finland and Sweden to join a NATO. Anna and Clare are with me both. Let me start with you, Anna. I mean, clearly Ukraine is going to be front and center here. The criticism is, of course, as you and I have covered and Clare, it's a lot of hot air, so really what are we expecting to come out of this?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, this is the great elite converging in a Swiss resort. Will anything really come of it at a time where possibly the greatest economic challenges to face the world ever. The war in Ukraine, the resulting high energy prices. Food prices, food crisis and poor parts of the world, the risk of recession and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, and they're got climate change.

So, there's a lot on the table here, but I think the war in Ukraine is going to be front and center of every panel discussion and all the conversations around Davos. The IMF chief said today this is the greatest test this war, frankly, for the global economy since the Second World War. So, that is the message we're getting today. And we're going to have more from the Ukrainian president, the first big opening speech and just over an hour. So, I think we're all going to be glued to that.

SOARES: And we'll get a sense, of course, from President Zelenskyy what he wants to see from these leaders. Critically, sanctions he will call for more sanctions on energy. Which is something when I was in Ukraine, they kept telling me time and time again -- Clare.

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think that's critical. The EU was still deadlocked on its sixth package of sanctions. But will include in embargo on Russian embargo oil. We just heard this morning from the German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who really sort of had a bit of a dig at Hungary. Which is still holding up the process. He said you're seeing the worst of Europe. In the fact that just some states are blocking this development. He said that Hungary needs to sort of help to work to find a solution. Not just sit there and say we want an exception. And in his words, then go back and build a partnership with Putin.

So, Europe is sort of grappling with how to find a way to show unity in this regard. And meanwhile, we are seeing small steps. For example, Lithuania said on Sunday that it has finally ended, not just imports of Russian oil and gas, but also, electricity. And on the other side, you know, Russia continues to show that it willing to go there as well. It's cut off the gas from Poland and Bulgaria, now from Finland on Saturday.

SOARES: And the Finnish side of course is because they have refused to pay in rubles. Which is something that we know that Russia has demanded.

SEBASTIAN: Absolutely, yes, nonpayment was the reason that Gazprom cited. This is an interesting one because what the ruble payment mechanism that Russia is enforcing, is making European countries do is choose. Do we comply with our own sanctions, or do we risk violating them and still importing Russian energy. And you think that people are coming down on either side.

[04:35:00]

For example, any of the Italian energy giant have said it will open an account. People are sort of grappling with how to balance the risk of cutting off Russian supplies suddenly with the risk of, you know, continuing to pay into Russia's war chest.

SOARES: Do stay with us. I know that we have been focusing of course on Sweden, as well as Finland. Experts all say of course that Sweden could lose gas exports from Russia after shipments were halted, if you remember, to Finland, as Clare was saying. The move is seen as retaliation by President Vladimir Putin after both nations applied for NATO membership. The move a shift really in decades long policy came amid regional concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Both nations have significant fighting forces. Our Nina dos Santos explains what Sweden has to offer NATO. Have a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sweden's armed forces holding joint exercises with Finland. Days after the country applies to join with NATO. These drills were planned two years ago but have taken on a new urgency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

GEN. MICAEL BYDEN, SUPREME COMDR., SWEDISH ARMED FORCES: The opponents have shown very clearly that the threshold to use their military means to reach their aims and goals have lowered. We don't exclude anything today.

DOS SANTOS (voice-over): With world funded defenses, both countries bring a lot to the table. Sweden in particular with its own homemade high tech hardware. Originally set up to support the nation's neutrality.

DOS SANTOS: So basically, it's the fighter jets and then the submarines?

OSCAR JONSSON, DEFENSE ANALYST: Yes, Sweden has four main contributions. First one being geography. NATO cannot fulfill Article 5 scenario in the Baltics without using Swedish territory. Secondly is the Swedish air force. The third one being deep intelligence cooperation and the fourth one being submarine force.

DOS SANTOS (voice-over): If part of NATO, Sweden submarines and fighter jets could play a greater role in protecting Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

MAJ. GEN, CARL-JOHAN EDSTROM, CHIEF OF SWEDEN'S AIR FORCE: Without an air defenses it will be very difficult for the Army and Navy to conduct their operations. We are a strong air force with 100 fighters. We will add strength to NATO.

DOS SANTOS (voice-over): The jewel in its crown, the Gripen JAS 39 made by Saab.

DOS SANTOS: What's it feel like?

MICAEL JOHANSSON, CEO, SAAB: Being in this aircraft is like being inside a rocket and flying a think like this at that speed. It's absolutely amazing. They're using the our avionics system is completely new way of managing information. All these sensors give you lots of information.

DOS SANTOS: I have been given the chance to take a look inside the cockpit. And what I can tell you, is that you are immediately struck by the sheer mountain of technology that's been packed into a very tight space.

DOS SANTOS (voice-over): Already used by NATO members Hungary and the Czech Republic. These sophisticated aircraft have earned Sweden, home to just over 10 million people, a place among the top ranked air forces.

DOS SANTOS: These Swedish jets are also designed to be able to take off and land from very short runways. For instance, here, they've been practicing on a local highway. They also only need a limited number of personnel to refuel and re-armed them. And that can be done within 10 to 12 minutes.

JOHANSSON: If you have one or two air bases, I mean, those will be targets immediately. You have that capability, that you can use highways and to the hide aircrafts and operations. You will become sort of much less a target.

DOS SANTOS (voice-over): Sweden's bid for NATO membership may have hit some unexpected turbulence. But having these capabilities could in the end, help to win critics over.

BYDEN: We bring the knowledge and experience from this region. We live here. We exercise here. We are prepared to fight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DOS SANTOS (on camera): Well, Isa as you can see there, this is an eight billion dollar defense sector for this country that was already one of the world's most sophisticated and is set to grow. Because Sweden which currently spends about 1.2 to 1.5 percent of its GDP on its defense -- one of those key NATO criteria -- is trying to reach 2 percent as soon as possible.

Previously they said they'd try and do that by 2028. They've not brought that forward in line with of course this hope to join NATO. And Finland already spends 2 percent of its GDP on its a defense. So, these are big countries with a strategic position in northern Europe. But also, a strategic position within the partnership that they already have with the NATO alliance -- Isa.

SOARES: Nina dos Santos for us in Sweden, thank you very much, Nina. Clare Sebastian and Anna Stewart thank you to you all.

Now Georgia's closely watched governor and primary will be held tomorrow. And it features a showdown between two Republican state heavyweights. One back by Donald Trump. We'll bring you that story in just a bit.

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SOARES: Welcome back everyone. Now the White House has moved quickly to clean up some comments from U.S. President Joe Biden earlier on his visit to Tokyo -- just hours ago in fact. He said at a news conference that the U.S. would respond militarily if China intervenes in Taiwan militarily. Shortly afterwards, the White House said its policy on Taiwan has not changed. And now China is now responding. CNN's Beijing bureau chief Steven Jiang joins me now with China's reaction. So, Steven, give us a sense of what China is saying following those comments from U.S. President Joe Biden?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Isa, China's response has come quickly and forcefully, not surprising given how Taiwan is the reddest of their red lines. As you know they consider Taiwan part of their territory claiming sovereignty over this island of 23 million people. Even though the ruling Chinese Communist Party here has never directly controlled the island.

So, a foreign ministry spokesman here just a short while ago really lashing out at Mr. Biden's remarks. Expressing China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to what he said. And saying how this is really about China's core interests and there is no room for compromise. And urging the U.S. and I guess Biden himself, not to underestimate the 1.4 billion Chinese people's resolve and capability to safeguard China's national sovereignty.

And also of course again, urging the U.S., not to send the wrong signal to Taiwan's pro-independence forces. And also of course, sending a not so subtle warning that China will take firm actions to defend its national sovereignty. And they say they mean what they say.

Now this kind of rhetoric, this kind of language is not entirely new. We have heard this quite often. As recently as last week, when China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi actually held a phone conversation with the U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. He used the very similar language. But of course, Mr. Biden saying that the U.S. would get militarily involved if Taiwan is under attack, elevating this further. But as you mentioned, this is not a first time Mr. Biden has seemingly stepped away from the U.S.'s long-standing strategic ambiguity on this issue.

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But the worry right now, of course, is with the Chinese increasing military and economic power and its increasing military maneuvering near and around Taiwan. And also, at a time of course, when the U.S. is also shoring up its military missions in the region. Including many of its freedom of navigation missions. They are mighty chances for misjudgment, miscalculation and accidentally triggering military conflict. That's of course the last thing both sides want to see -- Isa.

SOARES: Steven Jiang there with the reaction from Beijing, thanks very much Steven.

Now primary elections in five U.S. states are just over a day away. But a high stakes contest in Georgia has captured the spotlight. State governor Brian Kemp faces former Senator David Perdue in the Republican primary. Purdue is the handpicked candidate of former President Donald Trump. But recent polling shows Kemp with a massive lead. And he seems poised to deal Trump his biggest political defeat this year. CNN national politics reporter Eva McKend has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EVA MCKEND, NATIONAL POLITICS REPORTER: Former president Donald Trump hasn't given up on David Perdue quite yet. He will hold a tele-rally for Purdue on Monday. In other words, he'll implore voters via phone to get out and support Purdue on Tuesday. But polling suggests that incumbent Governor Brian Kemp will be the victor, nonetheless.

And Purdue has struggled, essentially, because Governor Kemp, popular among conservatives here, has been able to rely on a Republican controlled state legislator to pass a number of conservative policy victories.

And while Republican voters certainly value that former presidents endorsement of Purdue, they also have other priorities on their mind. Purdue has intensely focused on the 2020 election lie. On this grievance that somehow the 2020 election was robbed or stolen from the former president. And that Kemp could have done more for the former president. That's just not true and this not been a salient enough issue for voters in this state.

BRIAN KEMP, GEORGIA GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I think Stacey Abrams is a great unifier. I believe every Republican in Georgia will be unified after Tuesday. We've been through tough primaries before in our state. It's like Pete said, people have differences of opinion on who they want their nominees to be. But I can guarantee, Republicans in Georgia know I'll be a lot better governor than Stacey Abrams. And people in the middle now know that too.

DAVID PERDUE, GEORGIA REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: He has divided our party. He allowed them to steal the election. He denied it. He is now covering it up and he is suppressing evidence. And that's why he cannot win in November.

MCKEND: You hear Purdue there just hammering Governor Kemp. While Governor Kemp already shifting his focus to the general election. Targeting Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams. Abrams though, not on the trail this weekend. She is running uncontested.

Eva McKend, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And still to come right here, higher temperatures threaten to fuel even bigger wildfires in the Western U.S. While parts of the East prepare for severe storms. We'll have the latest forecast for you.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Big-time heat across the drought stricken Western United States. We're talking temps running 20 plus degrees above average here in late May. We'll break this down. All coming up in a few of minutes.

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SOARES: Now you are looking there at a group of men at the private Afghan TV channel TOL Onews, protesting the Taliban. They posted this picture on Twitter with their faces covered as a sign of solidarity with their female colleagues. They oppose the Taliban's recent decision to force female newscasters, as you can see there, in Afghanistan, to cover their faces while reporting on air.

Now extreme heat and drought conditions continue to fuel wildfires in parts of the U.S. Both New Mexico and Arizona will see an elevated fire risk on Monday. This as parts of the Northeast prepare for a line of severe storms. We join Pedram Javaheri has the latest on conditions in the U.S. -- good morning, Pedram.

JAVAHERI: Yes, good morning, Isa. A big time heat to tell you about across the Western United States. Namely, across the Central Valley where as many as 7 million Americans underneath these heat advisories. Where in spots through the beginning portion and the middle portion of this week. Temperatures will reach record values, and certainly could get into the triple digit category. Notice the state capital of Sacramento there, for California, coming in 101 degrees, for a forecast on Tuesday afternoon. The previous record in 1982, 100 degrees. Speaking to the incredible spike in temperatures here for temperatures

are running as much as 20 degrees above seasonal values here in the later portion of May. Even down across the Valley of the Sun, in Phoenix about ten degrees above average by the latter portion of this week.

That's one element of what's happening here across the Southwest. Of course, fire weather concern as well across parts of the Four Corners region. But just east of that area, there is some severe weather to be had. A level two on a scale of 1 to 5. That's a slight risk here for severe weather. Includes cities such as San Antonio, Austin, San Angelo, Lubbock as well. Namely for some strong winds and some large hail possible across this region.

The eastern portion of the U.S. also has a chance for at least some strong thunderstorms. But notice the threat level shift a little further toward the East. Austin in line here for a level II. Again, damaging winds and large hail are the primary threats. Now as the storm pushes off towards the Southeastern United States. We do expect some wet weather across say Birmingham on into Atlanta. Eventually on into Charlotte as well. A rain cool 70s in store across portions of the South -- Memphis 76, Atlanta 75. Cleveland temperatures only 59 degrees, Isa.

SOARES: Thank you very much, Pedram.

And in our minute in sports, the Golden State Warriors are just one win away from the NBA finals. Thanks to this three pointer by Jordan Poole. The Warrior's sealed the victory over the Dallas Mavericks, 109-100. They now have the commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Stephen Curry once again lead the Warriors with 31 points. The Mavericks will hope to avoid a sweep in front of their home fans when game 4 tips off on Tuesday.

And it was a thrilling finish for golf's second major of the season. The PGA championship. Justin Thomas came roaring from behind to win his second career major after three whole playoffs. Thomas began the final round seven shots back of the leader.

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But thanks to a three under par final round, Thomas was able to force a playoff between him and Zalatoris. Thomas had two birdies, and that paid off to seal victory.

It wasn't decided until the final minutes of the last game of the season. But reigning champions Manchester City captured the English Premier League title again. Thanks to a dramatic comeback victory, in the club fourth EPL championship in 5 years. And their 8th top flight title in team history. It was looking like Liverpool would claim the title after Manchester City trailed Aston Villa 2-0 late in the game. The City scored three goals in quick succession. Giving them the title, and sending the home fans, as you can imagine, into a frenzy.

And before we go, a man in California is safe after a highway patrol helicopter rescued him from a high cliff. This dramatic rescue was caught on camera on Thursday -- as you can see there -- paramedics are seen descending from a chopper to rescue a man clinging to a cliff wall. One of his rescuer said the man was grateful, no doubt, to see him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I told him to kind of stay put on the cliff. And then he kind of, was able to get himself in the harness and help me out. Miraculously he only had some scrapes and bruises. But that's about it. He was pretty grateful to see us. He was ready to get off that cliff for sure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Officials have not said how the man got stuck on the cliff. A local fishermen spotted him and called for help. Glad he is safe.

That does it here on CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Isa Soares in London. "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett is next. And you are watching CNN, I shall see you tomorrow, bye, bye.

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