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White House Cover-up President Biden's Gaffe; China Warns U.S. to Mind Their Own Business; Voters Head to Polls in U.S. Primary Election; Top Russian Diplomat Condemns War in Ukraine; Psychiatrists Helps Families Cope Up with Trauma. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired May 24, 2022 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world. You are watching CNN Newsroom. And I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, as the U.S., Japan, India and Australia meet to tack the huge global issues of Ukraine, COVID and preserving democracy, President Biden again finds himself backtracking on his comments about Taiwan.

We're just hours away from polls opening up in Georgia. Why this pivotal election is pitting Donald Trump against Mike Pence and how the former vice president could one up his old boss.

Plus, Vladimir Putin receives a stinging rebuke from one of his senior diplomats. Why a top Russian official says he's never been so ashamed of his country.

UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: Good to have you with us. So right now, the second in person summit of the QUAD is wrapping up in Tokyo. Leaders of this informal alliance between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India have been holding talks one on one.

U.S. President Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is also meeting with Australia's new prime minister, Anthony Albanese. One key focus of all these meetings, Russia's war on Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Russia's assault on Ukraine only heightens the importance of those goals. The fundamental principles of international order, territorial integrity and sovereignty, international law, human rights must always be defended regardless of where they're violated in the world. So, the QUAD has a lot of work ahead of us.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: The summit caps off Mr. Biden's trip to Asia. And attempt to bolster U.S. alliances in the region and counter China's growing dominance. But the visit hasn't been without controversy. The White House is walking back his comments that the U.S. would be willing to defend Taiwan militarily if China attacks.

Mr. Biden is also clarifying U.S. policy on the issue is unchanged. But Beijing is pushing back telling the U.S. not to meddle in its internal affairs.

And CNN is covering this story from every angle with reporters spread out across the region. Our Kevin Liptak is live in Tokyo. CNN's Steven Jiang is in Beijing with reaction from China. And our Vedika Sud is standing by in new Delhi.

Good to see you all.

So, Kevin, let's start with you. And of course, the main point is coming out of the QUAD summit but also President Biden's clarification on what he said regarding Taiwan the day before.

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes. That comment is still following the president today. You saw that when he was asked question about it. He was asked whether the U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan was dead, and he said no, so really trying to tamp down on the suggestion that he had thrown out this long-standing stance.

Now, the White House did come out and clarify say -- said that no U.S. policy had changed. But I will say when you talk to the president's aides there is not really a great deal of consternation about the president's comments. And I think the president and his team really think that the calculus in all of this has changed by Russia's invasion in Ukraine.

And that if there's ever a moment to sort of signal to China not to move on Taiwan, now is the time. And of course, this QUAD summit that the president has revitalized is really seen as something of a counter to China in this region.

And of course, the White House says that it's beyond just that. That these countries do have other things that they can cooperate on and other shared interests. It's certainly is China that is looming in the backdrop of all of these talks.

Now the leaders did come out with some modest announcements today. They say that they're going to work on sharing COVID-19 vaccines, and in particular the pediatric doses of those vaccines. And they also announced a maritime information sharing program.

But certainly, it is China that is looming over all of this in this picture of the collective united front in Asia with the United States' participation as something that the president really hopes to lead Asia with as he departs later today, Rosemary.

[03:05:02] CHURCH: All right. And Steven, I want to turn to you of course in Beijing to get the latest on China's reaction to President Biden's comments regarding Taiwan, and of course his clarification. Any more on that?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Rosemary, no official response to the clarification just yet. But I think China's likely to stick to its usual talking points claiming Taiwan is the reddest of their so-called red line. Even though the ruling communist party here has never controlled the island they do consider part of Chinese territory.

That's why they have been lashing out at Mr. Biden's remarks Monday warning that U.S. not to underestimate 1.4 billion resolve and capability to safeguard national sovereignty. Now, this kind of fiery rhetoric not new.

The real questions on the minds of many analysts and likely many Chinese officials seem to be whether, you know, how many of these presidential gaffes, if you will, would convince the Beijing leadership that there is a real U.S. policy shift on Taiwan. Strategic ambiguity has been replaced by strategic clarity regardless of the backtracking afterwards.

I think that then the next question becomes whether that shift would change the thinking or calculation of Chinese supreme leader Xi Jinping. Many seem to think instead of deterring him from invading Taiwan, he may actually accelerate his planning and preparations.

Because as much as Beijing hate the comparison between Taiwan and Ukraine, one likely lesson they have taken away from the war in Ukraine seems to be the longer you wait the more difficult it may become to take over Taiwan by force because of the likely improvement in Taiwan's defense capabilities with the U.S. getting more serious in helping and preparing the island to fight that war. Rosemary?

CHURCH: That is a critical point. And Vedika, what more are you learning about the one-on-one meeting between India's Prime Minister Modi and President Biden? Given India has resisted to this point the U.S. pressure to punish Russia over its war on Ukraine.

VEDIKA SUD, CNN PRODUCER: Rosemary, ahead of the bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden, Biden did mention that Ukraine would be a point that they will be talking about. It's key on their agenda and that he will be closely consulting with Modi on it.

He also described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as brutal and unjustified and said that the impact on the global world order is something that they will be discussing, and of course also the mitigating factors really to ensure that they can somehow control the fallout of this invasion.

What's very clear is that initially Joe Biden a couple of weeks ago did talk about India's stand. He called it shifty. But over the next few weeks you have a lot of people from the U.S. administration talking about and acknowledging India's historic past with Russia and how it depends on Russia for its defense supplies.

So somewhere down the line Americans have now just accepted the fact that India is really going to be firm on keeping this neutral stand on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. So, they're looking forward to talking about things where they have common ground. Of course, the impact of the war on global food security is going to be another key issue. Given that India has just banned the export of wheat outside the country. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. Vedika Sud, Steven Jiang, and Kevin Liptak, many thanks to all three of you. I appreciate it.

Well, voters will be going to the polls today for primaries and run- off elections in five U.S. states. Donald Trump's name is not on the ballot but his influence looms large in Republican races across the country.

Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for governor in Arkansas and a slew of other candidates are hoping to capitalize on their connections to the former president.

The biggest test of Trump's power will be here in the Georgia Republican governor's primary where he is backing former Senator David Perdue. The latest Fox News poll shows incumbent Brian Kemp leading Perdue by a more than two to one margin. Trump has lashed out at Kemp for not supporting his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The winner will face former state House Democratic leader Stacey Abrams. She narrowly lost the governor's race to Kemp back in 2018. Governor Kemp got some high-profile help in the final rally of his primary campaign. He was joined on stage by former Vice President Mike Pence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL PENCE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I am here to support Brian Kemp in tomorrow's Republican primary.

(CROWD CHEERING)

PENCE: I can honestly say I was for Brian Kemp before it was cool.

When you say yes to governor Brian Kemp tomorrow, you will send a deafening message all across America that the Republican Party is the party of the future.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:10:09]

CHURCH: Now that endorsement is not sitting well with Trump who claims he salvaged Pence's political career when he picked him as his running mate in 2016. Trump accused Pence of parachuting into this year's races in a desperate attempt at relevance. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Brian Kemp is truly an embarrassment to the Republican Party. Because of what's taken place in your great state, Georgia. And David will make a massive upgrade as your governor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And Republicans are going after Stacey Abrams for comments she made over the weekend about the quality of life for Georgians. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STACEY ABRAMS, (D) GEORGIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I am tired of hearing about being the best state in the country to do business when we are the worst state in the country to live.

(APPLAUSE)

ABRAMS: Let me contextualize. When you are number 48 for mental health, when you are number one for maternal mortality, when you have an incarceration rate that's on the rise and wages that are on the decline then you are not the number one place to do -- to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Governor Kemp responded on Twitter calling Georgia the best state to live, work and raise a family. His opponent in the Republican primary took it a step further.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID PERDUE (R-GA), GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Did you all see what Stacey said this weekend? She said that Georgia is the worst place in the country to live. Hey, she is not from here. Let her go back where she came from. She doesn't like it here.

The only thing she wants is to be president of the United States. She doesn't care about the people of Georgia. That's clear. When she told black farmers you don't need to be on the farm, and when she told black workers in hospitality and all this, you don't need to be -- she is demeaning her own race when it comes to that. I am really over this. She should never be considered for material for a governor of any state, much less our state where she hates to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Well, voting in Georgia is already breaking records despite a new election security law that many Democrats predicted would suppress turn out.

CNN's Amara Walker has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNKNOWN: I have never been so excited to stand in line. And this has me feeling good and very optimistic that the numbers are in. People do care and we're putting our votes where it counts.

AMARA WALKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Georgia primary voters are turning out early in record numbers.

TIA MITCHELL, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Georgia voters, you know, now they know that the nation looks at them as like a state to pay attention to.

WALKER: During the three-week early voting period that ended last Friday, more than 850,000 people cast a ballot in person or by mail in the Georgia primaries. A 168 percent increase compared to the same time period of the 2018 primary. And that increase includes both Republicans and Democrats. It's good news says Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger who is seeking reelection this year.

BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE: As you recall, when we passed the Election Integrity Act of 2021, everyone said it was going to make it hard for people to vote. Well, the numbers prove them wrong, doesn't it?

WALKER: The turnout defying predictions for many Democrats and voting rights activists that Georgia's new voting law could lead to a drop off in voting. President Biden and Stacey Abrams who is running unopposed on Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial primary both liken the bill to Jim Crow last year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABRAMS: We have to remember that voter suppression isn't about stopping every voter. It's about blocking and impeding those voters who are considered inconvenient.

WALKER: The controversy election law signed by Governor Kemp in March 2021 imposes new voter I.D. requirements for absentee ballots. Limits the use of ballot drop boxes and the hours they're available. Restrict how voters can be provided food and water near a polling location and it adds an additional Saturday of early voting while making it optional for counties to have two Sundays for early voting.

GOV. BRIAN KEMP (R-GA): This actually expands access.

WALKER: The Republican controlled Georgia legislature approved the voting law after Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win in Georgia in nearly three decades.

KERON BLAIR, CHIEF ORGANIZING & FIELD OFFICER, NEW GEORGIA PROJECT: We are clear that that was voting suppression and intended to intimidate voters. They are like, whatever they try to do it's not going to work. We are going to show up and show out.

WALKER: Keron Blair with the New Georgia Project, a voter registration group founded by Abrams says the new law maybe mobilizing voters but it's still creating obstacles. BLAIR: We're at the polls tomorrow, how do we hand out ponchos and

not get arrested.

WALKER: While it's hard to measure the impact of Georgia's voting law, it's clear enthusiasm for the Georgia primary remains high.

MITCHELL: Yes, there was a lot of hyperbole on both sides about SB 202. The question is, will those tweaks impact voters in ways that could influence the outcome of a close race?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[03:14:59]

WALKER: Election officials tell me overall they do expect to see record turnout for a primary. The last time they saw a record was during the 2018 Georgia primary where roughly 1.3 million people cast their ballots. That's according to the secretary of state's office.

I have been speaking to voting activists and they tell me that they're working even harder this time around to get out the vote because they're concerned about this new voting law. In fact, the New Georgia Project says that they are aiming to get 50,000 voters registered by fall.

Amara Walker, CNN, Atlanta.

CHURCH: And be sure to follow all the key races right here on CNN. We're expecting the first results today at 7 p.m. on the East Coast. That is 7 a.m. Wednesday in Hong Kong.

And still to come, a Russian voice of dissent against the war on Ukraine, this time from a long-time diplomat. We'll have the details.

Plus, President Biden expected to meet with U.S. embassy staff in Tokyo. We will take you live to Japan when that happens.

[03:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Heavy fighting is being reported in parts of eastern Ukraine where Russian forces have been intensifying their attacks in recent weeks. One official says Russian missile strikes have damaged the railway infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the head of the Donetsk military administration reports fighting in the direction of linemen in Luhansk.

Now this comes as Vladimir Putin faces growing opposition to the invasion. Boris Bondarev, a long time Russian diplomat announced his resignation Monday in protest against the war.

Meantime, in Kyiv a 21-year-old Russian soldier was found guilty of war crimes Monday and sentenced to life in prison. This was Ukraine's first war crimes trial since the start of Russia's invasion. And U.S. officials tells CNN the Biden administration is considering

sending U.S. special operations forces to help guard the U.S. embassy in Kyiv. But they say the discussions are in the early stages. The embassy reopened last week after being closed for three months.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is standing by in Lviv. But we begin with our Clare Sebastian in London. Good morning to you, Clare. So, let's take a closer look at this story about Russian diplomat, Boris Bondarev, resigning in protest over Russia's war on Ukraine. And he used some pretty strong words against President Putin and of course his war in Ukraine. We don't often see this. So just how brave and dangerous is this for him now?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rosemary, this is extremely rare. Voices of dissent while there have been some fairly prominent examples in recent weeks, are very rare in Russia, certainly, in the Russian government. This time it was an employee of the Russian foreign ministry, a serving diplomat, a veteran of 20 years according to his LinkedIn post.

He was serving at the Russia's permanent mission to the U.N. in Geneva. And as you say, he did not hold back. He said that even after 20 years of service he has never been so ashamed of his country as he was on February 24 this year. And continuing, and I quote, "the aggressive war unleashed by Putin - significant that he's naming President Putin - against Ukraine, and in fact, against the entire western world is not only a crime against the Ukrainian people but also perhaps the most serious crime against the people of Russia."

He accused his own employer, the foreign ministry, Rosemary, of lies and unprofessionalism that for recent years become catastrophic. Now we've had no comment from the Russian foreign ministry or the permanent mission to Geneva.

But there was a comment from the U.S. State Department's spokesman saying that this shows encouragingly. They said that many are now willing to stand up to Putin despite they say the Kremlin's best efforts to manufacture and perpetuate disinformation.

And I think to provide some context, is it many or is it not many is there a sea change, is this part of a sea change in public opinion in Russia. Don't forget of course that Bondarev was actually outside the country. So not subject to the same sort of information control that they have there.

The independent Levada-Center still publishes polling on Russian views on various things. If you look at their recent polling on whether people support the actions of the armed forces of Russia in Ukraine, you do see a bit of a shift in March it was 53 percent. It's come down to 45 percent in April.

But if you look at President Putin's approval rating that jumped the start of the war from 71 percent in February to 83 percent in March. And it's only come down slightly in April to 82 percent. So look, this was very rare, very significant extremely brave. But I don't think that it signals a major sea change in terms of Russian public opinion. CHURCH: Interesting. And Clare, what more are you learning about the

sentencing of that Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin?

SEBASTIAN: Yes, the first conviction of a Russian soldier for war crimes in Ukraine. Vadim Shishimarim, 21 years old sentenced to life in prison. He intends to appeal according to his lawyer. His defense although he admitted to actually killing this unarmed civilian, his defense that he was acting under orders, that he was under intense pressure backed up by another Russian soldier who testified.

Ukraine's prosecutor general though says that this is potentially the first of many. There are 13,000 war crimes under investigation in Ukraine. As for the Kremlin, they said look, yes, we are very -- this is Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman said we are very concerned about our citizen and did not rule out potentially doing more to protect his interests. He said that this is not easy. There aren't many channels open but they will -- will not consider the possibility of making attempts through other channels, Rosemary.

[03:25:05]

CHURCH: All right. Clare Sebastian, many thanks, joining us live from London. I appreciate it that. Suzanne, let's go to you now in Lviv and get the latest on what's happening across Ukraine.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, as a matter of fact, there is a new initiative that the first lady of Ukraine is launching with the World Health Organization. And that really is a addressing the mental health crisis, the serious trauma that many Ukrainians are feeling through this war period.

There are signs throughout the country of really families and communities torn apart, parents who have lost their children. Children who have been orphaned the assaults of rape and war and the uncertainty of the future.

And there is an American group that is here the Center for Mind-Body Medicine that is now partnering with Ukrainians, professionals, educators who are going into the communities now to address the trauma that people are now feeling, and to give them, to teach them some simple techniques and tools to begin the healing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: In the cities of Bucha and Irpin the streets are quiet. The sun shines brightly. The Russian forces that committed gruesome crimes just weeks ago are gone. As part of a therapy exercise with their family, 8-year-old Sofia Balashova (Ph) is asked to draw what it was like for her during fighting.

JIM GORDON, PSYCHIATRIST, CENTER FOR MIND-BODY MEDICINE: Tell me what the picture is of?

UNKNOWN (through translator): The Russian warrior kill -- kills -- is killing the child. MALVEAUX: American psychiatrist Dr. Jim Gordon is in Ukraine working

with local partners to develop an urgent program to address the overwhelming trauma here.

GORDON: Most important thing first is to say to people, there is a possibility of change. This isn't necessarily permanent. There is hope.

ANGELINA KASYANOVA, IRPIN RESIDENT: From tanks, from bombs. Everything.

MALVEAUX: For 19-year-old Angelina Kasyanova, her worst nightmare was realized, bombarded here in Irpin after already fleeing her childhood home in the east when Russia attacked in 2014.

KASYANOVA: Trauma of the war as for me for eight years was my family we sleep in this room.

MALVEAUX: Angelina and her family sheltered in the basement with their neighbors for more than a week.

KASYANOVA: I was sleeping here when it was bombed.

MALVEAUX: Outside, dead bodies were found in the streets.

KASYANOVA: It's very hard when you understand that you maybe again lost your home. Again. And you are afraid that you can die.

MALVEAUX: Now Gordon teaches her techniques to help cope using deep breathing and movement.

GORDON: The faking and dancing allows people those trauma frozen bodies to melt a little bit.

Just shake.

MALVEAUX: Angelina who now counsels children who've lost parents will join a workshop Gordon is offering on how to fight trauma during what is expected to be a long conflict.

GORDON: Really nice to see them.

MALVEAUX: The Okado (Ph) family is on the move and facing multiple crises, living in a shelter with four children in western Ukraine's Lviv since fleeing their home in the east, a missile attack at their neighborhood train station traumatized the children.

UNKNOWN: They ran in home and hid themselves under the bed.

MALVEAUX: Gordon asked them to draw. And their pictures are dark.

UNKNOWN: This is a grave.

GORDON: A grave.

MALVEAUX: For 13-year-old Nastia (Ph0. GORDON: She draws herself collapsed on the ground in a state of total

terror with a railway station blowing up.

MALVEAUX: Nastia's (Ph) mother reveals she cannot express her own emotions. She has to be strong for her children. Her daughter is overwhelmed with grief.

UNKNOWN: The pain fades a little but still I want to go home.

MALVEAUX: In due time do you think you will?

UNKNOWN: Yes.

MALVEAUX: Her family's future she imagines a little brighter. A first step to healing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And Dr. Gordon will be working with the famed Ukrainian therapist Dr. Roman Kechur. They will be partnering with the Catholic University in Ukraine for a two-day online emergency session June 6 and 7 really to address this crisis, if you will, and to try to begin training using those simple techniques of meditation as well as group sessions and discussions and drawings and things of that nature to try to help those who are most traumatized and continue to be traumatized to begin that process of healing, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes. That is a great story. Suzanne Malveaux, live from Lviv, many thanks.

[03:29:59]

Well, just two weeks into the job in South Korea's new president is already extending a gesture of goodwill to Pyongyang. President Yoon Seok-youl speaks with CNN in an exclusive interview when we return.

[03:30:00]

Plus, the global outbreak of monkeypox is now suspected of reaching new corners of the U.S. and spreading farther across Europe. We'll take a look at that. Back in just a moment.

[03:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Yoon Suk-yeol's political career is off to a whirlwind start. South Korea's new president is a foreign policy novice. But he's already been thrust onto the world stage after a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. And just two weeks into the job, President Yoon is tackling his country's relationship with North Korea head on.

President Yoon spoke exclusively with CNN's Paula Hancocks. And his first interview since his inauguration.

And Paula joins us now live from Seoul. Great to see you again, Paula. So what all did President Yoon tell you about his plans for dealing with North Korea and of course other critical issues?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, he really seemed to have a jewel track approach at this point when it comes to North Korea. Just earlier today the joint chief of staff pointed out that they believe North Korea has finished all their preparations for a potential missile or underground nuclear test.

U.S. intelligence saying they believe it could happen when U.S. President Joe Biden is in the region as well. He's in Japan at the moment. So, I did ask President Yoon about that. And the president was saying that if there was a seventh underground nuclear test, then the response would be coordinated with the U.S. and it would be stronger and firmer than it has been before.

Now he also said that if Kim Jong-un does want to talk then it is up to him to initiate that dialogue. But of course, it is a very big if at this point. He doesn't appear to be in the mood for talking rather for testing.

President Yoon Suk-yeol also said he didn't want North Korea to collapse, he would like to see North Korea prosper alongside South Korea. Now on the other side of that, away from the military side, he was speaking about offering COVID vaccines and masks and testing kits to North Korea as well.

Just under two weeks ago North Korea admitted they were undergoing an Omicron outbreak. Some three million people fever cases they say because they can't confirm they have COVID due to lack of testing kits. But I did point out to him that it's very difficult for Kim Jong-un to accept help from the U.S. and from South Korea. And I asked him how else he could do it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YOON SUK-YEOL, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA (through translator): If North Korea accepts these medical supplies to quickly distribute them to its people, we will provide them in any method North Korea wishes. It could be through a third country or an international organization. We are fully prepared.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANCOCKS: Now we don't know how bad the situation is in North Korea. They have said things are getting better. But as we all know from bitter experience an Omicron variant does n0t get better after a matter of two weeks. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Paula Hancocks joining us live from Seoul, many thanks.

Health officials are tracking the spread of monkeypox around the world as the virus typically found in western Central Africa is now suspected of reaching the western U.S.

A CNN tally confirmed case in at least 15 countries. The U.K. and Portugal reported additional infections on Monday, while Denmark confirmed its first case. The virus is not as contagious as COVID-19 and anyone can get or spread it. But the CDC warns some groups may have a greater chance of exposure in this outbreak particularly the LGBTQ plus community.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIA VAN KERKHOVE, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HEALTH EMERGENCIES PROGRAMME: What we are seeing are cases being detected in the communities of men having sex with men, who identify as having sex with men. But as surveillance expands we expect that more cases will be seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Well, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in the process of releasing vaccines from a national stockpile for high-risk people.

The head of the IMF says the global economy may be facing its biggest test since World War II. More on the grim outlook at the World Economic Forum in Davos, coming up.

[03:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Finally, something to cheer about on Wall Street. The Dow soared on Monday, looking to bounce back from its longest weekly losing streak in almost a century. Strong earnings from J.P. Morgan Chase and other banks drove the rally along with comments from President Biden about maybe lifting some of the tariffs on China.

The Dow was up nearly 620 points, a gain of almost 2 percent. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 also surge. And just looking at futures the rally, well, it could be short lived. We'll keep an eye on all of that.

Well, a lot has changed since the last World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Early in 2020, the coronavirus outbreak in China was little more than a remote threat. And a major armed conflict in Europe was on nobody's list of major risks.

More than two years later, the world has been upended but COVID and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And chief economist at the forum warns of declining wages, high inflation and a global food crisis.

[03:44:55]

Ukraine is also center stage this year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy kicked off the conference, calling for a full oil embargo against Russia. He told the audience the world must act now.

And for more on Davos, CNN's Anna Stewart joins us live from London. Great to see you. Good morning, Anna.

So, a pretty grim outlook at the World Economic Forum with so many global challenges there. But as we just reported, Ukraine's president call for a full oil embargo against Russia. What else did he have to say?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Yes. I mean, he's called for that before. He wants to see tougher sanctions on Russia. That is nothing new. He wants to see all trade with Russia stopped absolutely right now.

So that was pretty strong comments. But also, he reflected on what would have happened had the west implemented sanctions against Russia sooner as a preventive measure before the invasion any questions whether Russia would have invaded had that been the case and really this sort of discussions very pertinent in Davos.

Last year at a virtual conference, Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, gave a speech. And the World Economic Forum really defended him speaking last year, saying it was important to keep a dialogue open with Russia. This year, the whole Russian delegation has not been invited. So a big change there.

Lots of interviews for CNN on the ground with world leaders, politicians, CEOs. Richard Quest spoke to Ukraine's finance minister and he asked her do you worry that the world might forget about this war as it's about to enter its fourth month? And she said no because it will cost everyone. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATALIE JARESKO, FORMER UKRAINIAN FINANCE MINISTER: Putin has not just declared war on Ukraine, he's declared war on all of the hungry people in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He's declared war on our global economic system. And with each day we're all going to realize that with greater and greater intensity and that's going to return everyone to ending this war and ensuring that Ukraine prevails.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEWART: The impact on energy security and food security are front and center at this World Economic Forum. Two big speeches to watch out for in the next couple of hours. E.U. Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen will be speaking.

Lots of attention will be on the delays and divisions over the sixth round of sanctions and the oil embargo. And straight after that, Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general, a hot topic there. Of course, Finland and Sweden wanting to join NATO and the objections from Turkey. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. Anna Stewart joining us live from London. Many thanks.

And still to come, the hunt is on for a woman wanted in the murder of a professional cyclist. Is a love triangle at the center of it all?

[03:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: A suspected killer is on the run as authorities in Texas investigate a possible love triangle murder. They are searching for Kaitlin Armstrong on the left. They believe she shot and killed star cyclist Anna Mo Wilson who allegedly dated Armstrong's boyfriend 35- year-old pro-cyclist, Colin Strickland.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A manhunt is underway for 34-year- old Kaitlin Marie Armstrong in the suspected murder of professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson.

UNKNOWN: She is sneaking through in to the finish. This is Moriah Wilson.

LAVANDERA: Wilson known as Mo was considered one of the best gravel racing cyclists in the world. Police suspect she was killed in a love triangle gone wrong. After Armstrong learned Wilson had been spending time with her boyfriend, fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.

UNKNOWN: The champ is in the house. This is Moriah Wilson.

LAVANDERA: On May 11, Wilson was in Austin, Texas preparing for an upcoming race. Austin police say that night, 25-year-old Wilson was found murdered in the bathroom of a friend's home. She was shot multiple times.

According to a police affidavit on the day Wilson was murdered, she went to a public swimming pool and had dinner with fellow cyclist colin Strickland. The two had a brief romantic relationship in the fall of 2021 while Strickland was on a break from his relationship with Armstrong who he had dated for about three years.

Austin police says surveillance video shows Armstrong's car pulling next to the house where Wilson was staying around the time she was murdered. And that a gun discovered in the house were Armstrong lived with Strickland is the likely murder weapon.

The police affidavit also states that authorities have learned that Armstrong was furious and shaking in anger when she learned of Strickland's romantic relationship with Wilson in January. The day after the murder Kaitlin Armstrong was interviewed by investigators and presented with the evidence. The police affidavit described Armstrong was very still and guarded as investigators detailed what they had discovered. She then requested to leave.

A week later, U.S. Marshals announced they were assisting in a search for Armstrong. But the 34-year-old woman has disappeared since her interview with police.

UNKNOWN: Happy birthday BWR champion

UNKNOWN: Happy birthday Mo Wilson, BWR winner.

LAVANDERA: Just weeks before her murder, Mo Wilson was celebrating with friends after winning the Belgium Waffle Ride in California. These are the last images of her competing in a sport she dominated. Wilson is described as a role model yet shy and compassionate, an athlete who developed an intense passion for cycling while growing up on the bike trails of Vermont.

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LAVANDERA: In a statement to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, Colin Strickland says he cannot adequately express his regret and torture that he feels for his proximity to the murder of Mo Wilson. Wilson's family says they are not commenting on the details of the investigation only to say that at the time of her murder, they do not believe she was involved in a romantic relationship with anyone.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

CHURCH: Such a tragic story there. I want to thank you for spending part of your day with me. I'm Rosemary Church. Be sure to connect with me on Twitter at Rosemary CNN. Newsroom with Isa Soares is coming up next.

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