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Macron, Trump Discuss Ukraine During White House Visit; Marking Three Years Since Russia's Invasion of Ukraine; Israel Sends Tanks to West Bank For First Time in 20 Years; Legendary Soul Singer Roberta Flack Dies at 88. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired February 25, 2025 - 04:30   ET

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

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[04:32:11]

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. I'm Christina Macfarlane.

If you're just joining us, here are some of today's top stories. The Vatican says Pope Francis is showing slight improvement as he fights double pneumonia. This is the Pope's 12th day in hospital, the longest such stay of his papacy. The Pope is said to be in good humor, though his condition remains critical.

At least four workers died after a highway overpass collapsed at a construction site in South Korea. At least six others were injured. Broadcaster YTN aired this stunning dashcam footage showing the moment the overpass slammed onto the road below. The highway is under construction and no passenger cars were on site.

And former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is now running to be the next governor of Ohio. Ramaswamy had been tapped by President Trump to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk, but he stepped down last month. President Trump endorsed Ramaswamy's run on social media last night.

Now, the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second term are being marked by a pronounced shift away from supporting Ukraine. During a White House meeting with his French counterpart, the U.S. president predicted he will make a deal with Russia to end the fighting. And he's predicting Kyiv will sign an agreement on rare earth minerals, but he didn't outline any specific security guarantees for Ukraine.

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TRUMP: I will be meeting with President Zelenskyy. In fact, he may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, which would be nice. I'd love to meet him, would meet at the Oval Office. So the agreement's being worked on now. They're very close to a final deal. It'll be a deal with rare earths and various other things.

And he would like to come, as I understand it, here to sign it, and that would be great with me. I think they then have to get it approved by their council or whoever might approve it, but I'm sure that will happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, more now from CNN's Jeff Zeleny at the White House.

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JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF U.S. NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron spending hours together at the White House on Monday. The French president trying to keep his American counterpart aligned with the Western alliance, trying to make sure there are security guarantees in any peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. But Donald Trump made clear he's a dealmaker, and he said he sees this like that.

TRUMP: I've spoken to President Putin, and my people are dealing with him constantly, and his people in particular. And they want to do something. I mean, that's what I do. I do deals. My whole life is deals. That's all I know is deals. And I know when somebody wants to make it and when somebody doesn't.

ZELENY: Macron was clear saying that peace cannot be a surrender of Ukraine. Now, of course, it was a very friendly meeting throughout the day on Monday. Very intense handshakes, very friendly maneuvers, even a private lunch.

[04:35:13]

But one thing was uncertain as Macron left the White House for the day. What guarantees, in fact, does Donald Trump have in mind for a security guarantee? Now, the U.S. is much closer to striking a deal with Ukraine on those rare earth minerals that could essentially pay back the U.S. for some of its foreign assistance. But Macron was clearly trying to keep the American president away from Putin, sort of tug him back a little bit toward the middle.

His visit is going to be amplified later this week on Thursday when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer comes here to the White House as well to make the case for this transatlantic alliance that certainly seems to be fracturing.

Jeff Zeleny, CNN, the White House.

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MACFARLANE: Meanwhile, Russia and China's presidents held their first phone call since the U.S. began warming towards the Kremlin. And Xi Jinping wants the West to know that China's relationship with Russia cannot be shaken, adding that China and Russia are good neighbors that cannot be away from one another. Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, President Xi said relations with Russia won't be influenced by any third party. The Kremlin described the call as warm and friendly, but did not elaborate on the strength of their ties.

The Ukrainian President is hailing his country's absolute heroism on this somber anniversary. And in Russia, there were rare acts of dissent. Independent media shared images of people laying flowers at Ukrainian monuments in Moscow that were removed throughout the day. Elsewhere, there was a demonstration dedicated to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Activists took to the streets with signs referencing the war.

One read, "We want to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors." CNN's Matthew Chance has our report from Moscow. And a warning, it contains images you may find disturbing.

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MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three years into this bloodshed and the front lines remain hellish and brutal. There may be talk of peace, but every day in the warzone, the ultimate sacrifice is being paid.

Across Russia, cemeteries are now burgeoning with fresh graves. The grim reality of the Ukrainian meat grinder can no longer be hidden or denied.

This monument was put up so people would know there is a war going on, says Viktor, the head of a local veterans' organization. It's not just some kind of operation, he says. People are dying.

It wasn't meant to be this way.

(On camera): These are Russian forces. You can tell they're Russian. I've spoken to them already.

(Voice-over): Back in 2022, as the full-scale invasion began, CNN encountered Russian troops sent on what became a suicide mission to capture the Ukrainian capital.

What the Kremlin still calls its special military operation was meant to be over in a few days.

Instead, Russian troops were forced to withdraw, leaving behind them a trail of devastation. And in places like Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, allegations of human rights abuses, too, all denied by the Kremlin.

Now, President Putin is still pinning medals on veterans before toasting their fallen comrades at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. "How many unknown soldiers there have been, no one even knows," Putin says. "But thanks to their efforts, courage and extreme hard work at the front, we have Russia today," he adds.

And after three years of fighting, Russia also has the Ukrainian territories it's captured and occupied, like the ruins of Pisky and countless others, where former residents are now returning to their destroyed homes and trying to claim compensation from the Russian authorities now in charge.

"I don't think there'll ever be a peace agreement," Katarina (ph) says. "How can they agree on who will fix all of this?" she asks. Three years on, and there are doubts buildings or lives can ever be rebuilt.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Now the man set to become Germany's next chancellor is looking to move quickly to form a coalition government and appears ready to turn his party's long-term rival to make that happen. Friedrich Merz and the center-right bloc came out on top in Sunday's snap election, followed by a strong second place showing by the far- right AfD Party. The centrist-left Social Democrats came in third. And that gives the two centrist blocs enough seats in parliament to govern on their own without a third coalition partner.

[04:40:20]

Merz said he'd do his best to keep up positive transatlantic relations, but expressed his concern over the ties between Europe and the U.S.

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FRIEDRICH MERZ, LEADER, CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION (through translator): I would never have believed that I would ever have to think something like this, let alone say it. But all the signals we're getting from the U.S. indicate that their interest in Europe is clearly waning, and the willingness to get involved in Europe is decreasing. Nevertheless, I hope that we can convince the Americans that it is in our mutual interest that we continue to have good transatlantic relations

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MACFARLANE: Alice Weidel, Co-Leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany, told CNN she wants the Trump administration to be very good partners and says she missed calls from the U.S., including one from Elon Musk congratulating her on AFD's strong election showing.

Turning now to the Middle East. This weekend marked a new escalation in Israel's operations in the West Bank, with the military deploying tanks to the area for the first time in two decades.

The Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Wall in northern West Bank last month, just two days after the Gaza ceasefire began, killing dozens and displacing thousands of residents. CNN's Jeremy Diamond has the latest.

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JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: For the first time in more than two decades, the Israeli military deploying tanks into the occupied West Bank. This video taken from Jenin in the West Bank shows several of those tanks that entered that refugee camp, which has been the focus of a major Israeli military operation over the course of the last month and a half. But now the Israeli military is further expanding those military operations in the West Bank, which have already resulted in the displacement of some 40,000 Palestinians, not only from Jenin refugee camp, but also from Tulkarm and Nur Shams.

The expansion of Israeli military activity in the West Bank comes following those three bombs that exploded on buses in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. While no one was aboard those buses, they were parked at depots in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. It certainly jolted the Israeli public, taking them back to the bus bombings of the second Intifada and prompting calls, including from the Israeli Prime Minister, for an expansion of military operations in the West Bank.

And now Israel Katz, the Defense Minister of Israel, saying that Israeli troops should be preparing for a, quote, "prolonged" presence in those Palestinian refugee camps for the coming year and saying that those 40,000 Palestinians who have been displaced from those very same areas will not be allowed to return until the conclusion of those military operations.

We know, of course, that the Israeli military says they are going after Palestinian militants in these three refugee camps and the surrounding area. But already we know that at least 27 people have been killed in Jenin, 70 across the West Bank, many of whom are not militants, but rather civilians.

As all of this is happening, still questions over whether or not the ceasefire in Gaza will be extended. Israel has been delaying the release of some 620 prisoners who were set to be released on Saturday following the last release of living hostages from Gaza. Four bodies of hostages are scheduled to be released on Thursday. But Hamas, for now, says that it will not engage in negotiations over the second phase nor release those bodies until Israel releases those 620 prisoners, calling it a violation of the deal so far.

We know that Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, he is set to arrive in Israel on Wednesday and travel throughout the region to see whether or not a deal can be reached to extend Phase I and get into Phase II of this fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

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MACFARLANE: A mysterious haze filled a Delta flight cabin shortly after takeoff on Sunday. We'll have more on the emergency landing in Atlanta, Georgia, after the break.

And the world says goodbye to a legend of 70s soul. We'll take a look at Roberta Flack's incredible music career.

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[04:49:11] MACFARLANE: You are watching surveillance footage of a firehouse in upstate New York collapsing on Saturday. Members of the Barneveld firehouse reported hearing popping sounds. Soon after it was discovered, the station has suffered structural damage. Crews hustled to remove equipment from the station, and others attempted to clear heavy snowfall off the roof. But when they realized it was too late to save the building, everyone vacated the area. Luckily, no-one was injured, according to the firefighters.

And a Delta flight departing from Atlanta, Georgia, was forced to turn around shortly after take-off on Sunday. As the Boeing 717 made its initial ascent, a haze filled the cabin, making it hard for the passengers to breathe. The crew reported possible smoke in the flight deck shortly afterwards, according to the Federal Aviation Investigators.

After the plane returned to the runway, all 97 people aboard followed emergency evacuation procedures with the assistance of the Atlanta Fire Rescue. Delta Airlines says it's still trying to determine what caused the haze.

[04:50:11]

And the music world is saying goodbye to its beloved influence from the 70s soul era. The legendary Roberta Flack died on Monday at the age of 88. Her timeless hits include "Killing Me Softly With His Song," and "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face." CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at Roberta Flack's life and career.

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STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With soulful lyrics and piano prowess, Roberta Flack knew how to dazzle a crowd.

Known for ballads like 1973's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," she bent music to her will, combining classical art with jazz and rhythm and blues. Born February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was a piano prodigy.

In a 2012 NPR interview, she said her voice was a gift, yet she wanted to become a concert pianist. But in the 1950s, the chances of a black girl becoming a professional classical pianist were slim. That didn't stop her from pursuing her dream. And at age 15, she received a music scholarship to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C.

But while in grad school studying opera and classical piano, her father died. Flack put her career on hold, returned home and took a job teaching music and English.

ROBERTA FLACK, MUSICIAN: I got to a point, well, I don't want to teach music anymore. I just want to sing. I lucked up on a little club in Washington.

ELAM: Where she met jazz musician Les McCann, who was instrumental in getting her sign to Atlantic Records. And in 1969, the songstress released her debut album, "First Take." Her music gained little attention until Clint Eastwood asked to use one of her songs. The film, "Play Misty for Me," pushed "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" to number one and scored Flack her first Grammy.

FLACK: When I first heard the words, killing me softly with his song, just the sound of those words together had such magic for me.

ELAM: She recorded more than 20 albums throughout her five-decade career, with hit singles like "Feel Like Makin' Love." The balladeer also tackled social and political issues, like in the song "Tryin' Times."

Nominated for 14 Grammys and a winner of four, Flack is also known for her humanitarian efforts. She advocated for music education for underprivileged youth. Flack suffered from a stroke in 2016. She recovered and continued performing.

In 2022, the "Killing Me Softly" singer was diagnosed with ALS and retired. Flack didn't fulfill her early dream of becoming a concert pianist, but her classically trained approach helped her charter her own course, leaving a distinctive mark on popular music.

(CHEERING)

FLACK: Yes.

(CHEERING)

(MUSIC)

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MACFARLANE: Now, it turns out you can't believe everything you read on the Internet. Despite online rumors to the contrary, a source tells CNN the Philadelphia Eagles would be honored to visit the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win. But no invitation has yet been extended as of yet.

Well, the Eagles decided not to visit the White House when they won the Super Bowl in 2018 during Donald Trump's first term. That sparked a storm of criticism from the president who falsely accused the team of taking a knee during the National Anthem.

Police in Colombia say a man was hiding more than just a bald spot under his toupee. How about 19 capsules of cocaine worth more than 220 grams worth? Now, they say he was trying to board a flight from Cartagena to Amsterdam when he was stopped and searched. It's crazy footage. Police had to cut through the hairpiece you can see there to find the hidden stash. They say the drugs are worth more than $10,000 on the international market. Goodness me. And finally this hour, the moon is -- as you've never seen it before,

these pictures were taken by the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander. It's a private U.S. spacecraft that's orbiting the moon now. It will attempt to land on the lunar surface this weekend. New footage features close- ups of the moon's far side, an area that is not visible from Earth. Beautiful.

Thank you for joining us here on CNN Newsroom. I'm Christina Macfarlane. Stay tuned for CNN This Morning up after this quick break.

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