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Zelenskyy Meets with King Charles after Summit in London; 'Anora' Triumphs at Oscars: Best Picture, Director, Actress; Protests as Israel Pauses Aid to Gaza; Hungarian Government Clamps Down on Budapest Pride Parade. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired March 03, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

BEN HUNTE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello. Wherever you are in the world, you are now in the CNN NEWSROOM with me, Ben Hunte in Atlanta. And it is so good to have you here.

[00:30:37]

Coming up on the show, Europe and Ukraine unite to take the lead towards peace, signaling the U.S. to cooperate.

Plus, aid groups sounding the alarm. Israel is once again blocking aid into Gaza. Why they're doing it.

And all the glitz, glamor and controversy. We've got the highlights from Hollywood's biggest night.

Welcome. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the West is now at a crossroads in history, as he urges European leaders to step up and unite around a new plan for peace in Ukraine. Starmer and E.U. leaders sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a key summit in London, just days after his explosive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.

Mr. Zelenskyy called Europe's unity, quote, "exceptionally high." Starmer said leaders were working to craft a plan to stop the fighting, which would then be presented to the U.S.

French President Emmanuel Macron told newspaper "Le Figaro" that France and the U.K. have proposed a month-long limited ceasefire in Ukraine.

Mr. Zelenskyy says he's aware of that proposal, and also said his country is ready to sign a rare minerals deal with the U.S., a deal that Zelenskyy had been expected to sign on Friday before being asked to leave the White House.

Despite the tensions, the Ukrainian leader called the U.S. a strategic partner and had this to say about the relationship.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through president): I think our relations with the U.S. will continue, because this is more than relations during a certain moment. We must be open.

Ukraine is not the biggest country in the world, but everyone can see how it fights for its independence and freedom.

I represent the interests of a country that heavily depends on support from partners. So, of course, if I am invited for a constructive dialog for solving real problems, for serious questions, and real resolute actions and answers, I will be there out of respect for America, the American people, the president, and the two parties.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Following the summit, the Ukrainian president was welcomed by King Charles for a meeting that one royal source said lasted nearly an hour.

CNN's Nic Robertson has more from London.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: So, President Zelenskyy getting an important meeting with King Charles --

ROBERTSON (voice-over): -- at one of the king's country residence, about 100 miles North of London, Sandringham.

They spent an hour together. And it's important symbolically, because it embodies, if you will, the support that the U.K. is giving to the Ukrainian president.

But remembering, as well, just a few days ago, when the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, was in the Oval Office with President Trump, he handed President Trump a letter, an unprecedented invitation to President Trump of a second state visit to the U.K.

So, here, Zelenskyy --

ROBERTSON: -- getting the royal treatment, as well, embodying that support from the British government, the British people, and the monarchy.

Before he was there, he was at that gathering of European leaders as well as Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, being hosted by the British prime minister, the British prime minister saying that this was an effort to make sure that Ukraine has the military and economic needs that it needs to fight the war.

Today, he spoke about an additional $2 billion of funding going to Ukraine. Ukraine spending that on air defense missiles, 5,000 of them to be purchased in the U.K.

All of that very, very important. But they -- but the -- some of the key details that we began to learn was that this was something of an historic moment. That's the way Keir Starmer saw it.

ROBERTSON: That this was a crossroads in history, where he was trying to build a coalition of the willing European nations, forward leaning, able to step up and be part of the security guarantees. This is how he framed it.

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Not every nation will feel able to contribute, but that can't mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now, with real urgency.

The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.

[00:05:12]

But to support peace in our continent and to succeed, this effort must have strong U.S. backing.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): And that very important point there, the need to have U.S. support here. And he spoke about it in this way, as well, that France, the U.K., and Ukraine would work on this plan with the European nations and then bring it to the White House.

So, in a way, there, if you like, shielding President Zelenskyy to some degree from sort of getting in a one-on-one situation in the White House with President Trump again that turned so fractious just a few days ago.

And an important message, as well, coming at this summit from Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, saying that in just a couple of days, on the 6th of March this week, European leaders would gather and lay out a comprehensive plan on how to rearm Europe.

That is something President Trump has been looking for Europeans to do: to step up their defense spending.

ROBERTSON: So, the Europeans appearing to come together on a plan for that, as well.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Officials in the Trump administration continue to offer praise for the U.S. president following last week's very tense exchange with his Ukrainian counterpart in the Oval Office, while at the same time criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Some of them are even indicating U.S. support for new leadership in Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL WALTZ, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually, deal with the Russians and end this war.

And if it becomes apparent that President Zelenskyy's either personal motivations or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting in his country, then -- then I think we have a real issue on our hands.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Terrell Jermaine Starr is the host of Black Diplomats Official on YouTube. He's joining us from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Terrell, thanks so much for being with me. How are you doing?

TERRELL JERMAINE STARR, HOST, BLACK DIPLOMATS OFFICIAL: Oh, I'm doing fine. We're dealing with air alerts, sirens every day, but we're keeping it moving.

HUNTE: Gosh. Well, you were actually in Kyiv when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Can you believe that it's still ongoing now? And why do you think it hasn't ended?

And also, what were you doing in Kyiv at that time?

STARR: OK, so I was in Kyiv right now as a -- as an independent journalist figuring out ways to cover the war. I had been in Ukraine since 2008 on a Fulbright grant.

Am I surprised that the war is still going on? No, because the Ukrainians learned a lesson that, if they're going to maintain their sovereignty, they have to fight.

There have been conversations about the Ukrainians not being able to continue on without U.S. aid. But Ukraine feels that, if -- Ukrainians feel that if they continue, if they -- there is a ceasefire, then that means that the Russians will regroup and then they'll go deeper.

And so, they say, we'll either have to throw more men into this fight and die now, or have a ceasefire. Then three years later, the Russians will come again, and we'll lose even more men because we're further unprepared.

HUNTE: Yes. Well, I want to talk about the big moment of last week now. Where were you when the Zelenskyy and Trump moment was happening? And what was going through your mind then? What were you thinking now?

STARR: When this -- when this showdown and -- and this setup in the Oval Office took place, because I don't call it the press. It was a setup. I was here in Ukraine.

And I think people were in utter shock. But what we really saw was something of a Brexit moment. We really saw that the Trump administration is pulling the United States out of the -- out of the trans-Atlantic security apparatus.

And I think it evoked fear not only in Ukraine but across Europe, that they will have -- the Europeans have to be responsible for the architecture of their security. And Trump is not going to be the -- or the -- the U.S. is not going to be a part of maintaining that anymore.

HUNTE: Give me your thoughts on Sunday's European summit. Do you think the Ukraine will get what it needs to keep fighting in the future?

STARR: Do I feel that Ukraine will get everything that it needs right now? Basically, it sounds better than what was proposed some 30 years ago in the Budapest agreement.

You hear the French and the U.K. saying that we're going to send troops.

And so, the sentiment here, here in Kyiv -- I've been talking to people on the streets about this. Their attitudes is a lot of -- they -- deep down inside, they realize that some territory will be given away.

But what will be different in this go around is that there will be troops on the ground to ensure that the land that is, that they do have will be protected. They don't want a Budapest Memorandum 2.0 where no guarantees of security were assured.

[00:10:11]

This cycle of conversations, the Ukrainians are smarter than they were in 1994, when they were pretty much a new country entering into democracy. And so, they know how to bargain for their security and their sovereignty better now.

HUNTE: Before we let you go -- and I've learned so much. So, I appreciate this. I have to ask, your bio on social says, "I'm that black dude that talks about Ukraine."

I have to know what is that experience of being on the ground in Eastern Europe like while also black? Do you get push back? Do people shout at you? What's going on?

STARR: Oh, so, you know, I love being here in this part of the world. What I do is, as a black American I just found a special place here where I feel like I'm just this -- this odd person out that can talk about solidarity, what it means to be a black American, to deal with white supremacy, to deal with racism, et cetera.

And also, you know, the Ukrainians are dealing with Russian supremacy, Russian aggression, Russian colonialism. And I feel like I'm really good at merging these two stories to people, to bring people into the conversation so that we can understand each other.

The main problem is that I feel like too much mainstream media, it talks to the think tank community, talks to the academic community. It doesn't talk to the rest of us.

And so, the way that I tell stories helps to bring everyone to the table and make them feel comfortable about talking about what share -- what shared history is, what shared circumstances do we have? And that's what I'm really effective at. And that's why I'm that black dude that talks about Ukraine, you know.

HUNTE: And you're good at it. So, keep it going. Terrell Jermaine Starr. I'm sure we'll be talking again very, very soon. Thank you so much for it. Appreciate it.

STARR: Thank you. HUNTE: Hollywood celebrated its biggest night with fabulous fashion

and plenty of joyful tears. Who won big at the Oscars? When we come back.

Plus, the numbers are in. A new CNN poll shows how Americans feel about President Trump's performance. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:16:27]

HUNTE: It was Hollywood's biggest night with glitz and glamor on full display for the Oscars.

"Wicked" stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande got the night started with a stunning performance of "Defying Gravity" from their blockbuster film.

But in the end, it was the low-budget independent movie "Anora" which took on Hollywood giants and won big. Mikey Madison claimed the award for Best Actress for the title role in the film, and she couldn't believe what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKEY MADISON, ACTRESS: I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So, to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible.

This is a dream come true. I'm probably going to wake up tomorrow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: "Anora" also claimed the biggest prize for Best Picture and Best Director going to Sean Baker.

Adrien Brody won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in "The Brutalist," in which he played a struggling immigrant architect in post-World War II America.

And Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress for "Emilia Perez." She recalled a real-life immigrant story in accepting that award.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZOE SALDANA, ACTRESS: My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands.

And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Let's dig into this Oscars goss. Joining me now live from L.A. are Sam Sanders and Zach Stafford. They co-host the "Vibe Check" podcast. Thank you both for joining me.

Zach, let's kick this off. This was "Anora's" night. I'm honestly so buzzing about that, because I saw it randomly at the cinema because nothing else was on, and I was completely blown away. Laughed. Cried. Literally at the end, I said, that's going to win everything. And it did. The most of any film tonight, five awards.

Zach, were you surprised?

ZACH STAFFORD, CO-HOST, "VIBE CHECK" PODCAST: I was surprised. You know, I thought at the beginning of its run when it came out, you know, four months ago, that it was a big contender for the Oscars.

However, "The Brutalist" has been all anyone talks about in L.A., which is hilarious, since it is 3.5 hours long, which is as long as the Oscars were tonight.

But, you know, it kind of came out of nowhere for me that "Anora" would be the belle of the ball tonight.

I personally was really hoping that "Wicked" would be the surprise win. You know, I think that film is perfect for the moment. You know, it's a movie about a wizard who has no powers, who surprisingly becomes an authoritarian dictator, which I think is perfect for right now to kind of talk about.

But, you know, "Anora" was our winner, and she's a beautiful winner. It's a beautiful film, and I'm really excited for them.

HUNTE: Love it. Well, let's keep talking about "Anora." Mikey Madison, the lead, won Best Actress, beating Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo a hugely competitive category. Sam, was that a shock for you?

SAM SANDERS, CO-HOST, "VIBE CHECK" PODCAST: It was a shock. I think after Demi won the Golden Globe and had such a great speech at that award show while dressed like an Oscar. Her dress was, like, statuesque.

HUNTE: Yes.

SANDERS: We all expected her to get the Oscar, and she looked pretty surprised when she didn't win. Though I will say I don't understand a world in which this didn't go to Cynthia.

When you see her sing "Defying Gravity" at the end of "Wicked" as she's, like, in the sky, I want to give her all the awards.

So, there wasn't justice, in my opinion.

HUNTE: OK.

SANDERS: But I'm happy for Mikey. She's been doing great, and that movie is phenomenal.

HUNTE: OK, OK. Fair, fair. Well, my stand-out moment from this evening was the Quincy Jones

tribute by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. I love what they were wearing.

[00:20:05]

The Queen Latifah performance, however, was interesting. I was chatting to my team about it as it aired, and we were like, hmm, OK.

STAFFORD: Where did it come from? Like, why is this happening?

HUNTE: Yes. That, that. Zach, what were your standout moments?

SANDERS: In a show that's already too long, we had that.

HUNTE: Yes. What were your standout moments?

SANDERS: The show was too long. Listen, we had a James Bond tribute. We had "The Wiz" tribute. It didn't make sense to me.

HUNTE: I love it, I love it.

STAFFORD: I -- I agree, but I love Queen Latifah, so I will say nothing bad about my Queen Latifah tonight.

But you know, another moment I loved -- I loved a few things about tonight's -- tonight's Oscars. I love that Oprah and Whoopi were there. Similar to you, Ben, because Cynthia Erivo's career is, in large part, due to Oprah Winfrey casting her in "The Color Purple" on the West End and then on Broadway.

So, for her to be up for Best Actress this evening and to have Oprah there, I thought it was just so beautiful and full circle and magical.

But besides that, I was really excited for "No Other Land," which won the -- the Oscar for Best Documentary Film. It was made by an Israeli and a Palestinian journalist. And it's about their time in the West Bank.

And it was a very timely film, and I was surprised that the Oscars gave it space on ABC to talk about the kind of the conflict happening in the West Bank in Gaza right now.

So, I was really excited to hear those words tonight. I thought I was very surprised by that. That was my big stand-out moment.

HUNTE: That's real. That's real. So, any more stand-out moments for you?

SANDERS: I think what I wanted to be a standout, but wasn't, was Conan's opening monologue. Oh, he was nice enough, funny enough. But he didn't land any heavy punches. And I was surprised by how apolitical he was the entire night.

We really only got politics from those international winners that Zach just spoke of. It was an extremely muted night politically, especially from a host who can be as biting as Conan.

HUNTE: OK, I want to talk about a controversial topic. Let's talk about "Emilia Perez." I don't think a single person I know liked it, but I thought it was very interesting.

Zoe Saldana won the Best Supporting Actress award even after so much controversy around the lead actress. Did either of you actually like the film? Sam, I'm going to start with you.

SANDERS: I hated it. I watched it and tried to make sense of it. I left the -- I left the movies mad at it. I read every think-piece I could, and I got more mad at it. This is not a good movie.

And even the fact that Zoe won an Oscar for it, she did great, but it was category fraud. She had the most screen time in that movie. She should have been up for Best Lead Actress, I think.

Everything about that movie just hit me the wrong way. Good for Zoe, but I hope that six months from now, no one is thinking about that film ever.

HUNTE: Oh. Zach, can you say the same?

STAFFORD: I really, really. -- I mean, I don't hate it as much as Sam. Sam has a lot -- lot bigger feelings than I do about this film, which I respect and love for him.

I mean, I had to -- I also didn't understand it. I work a lot with musicals. You know, I've produced musicals. And when I went to the theater and I saw it, I was like, what is happening here? Why are we singing in a gender clinic? Like, I do not understand this at all.

But, you know, I did go back. There is a film that everyone should watch. I told Sam to watch it tonight. It's called "Umbrellas of Cherbourg." It was made in, like, 1950. Something by Jacques Demy. And it's what inspired "Emilia Perez."

So, if you're confused at how that movie got made, go back to this French film. Watch it. You're going to maybe hate it, too, but you'll kind of understand why the French are so obsessed with sing-talking all the time. It's very confusing to me.

HUNTE: All right. Well, thank you both for that. I love it. I'm sure we're going to have you back on again soon, because that was real fun. Loved it. Zach Stafford and Sam Sanders, thank you so much for being with me. Appreciate it.

SANDERS: Thank you.

STAFFORD: Have a good night.

HUNTE: See you later.

More news when we come back, including swift condemnation for Israel as it keeps humanitarian aid out of Gaza. The latest in the Middle East, next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:28:21]

HUNTE: Outrage as Israel stops the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas break down.

Now, food trucks are just sitting at Egypt's border. But Israel says there will be no relief for Gaza until Hamas agrees to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, a move that the U.S. supports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): There will be no free lunches if Hamas thinks that the ceasefire can continue, or that it can benefit from the terms of Phase A without us receiving hostages, it is deeply mistaken.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Now, Hamas rejected extending the first phase of the agreement. It wants to move to the ceasefire's second stage, but this stalled situation leaves many facing uncertainty.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I hope the truce lasts and that these wars finally end. Our children are terrified of the bombings. We want peace for ourselves and our kids. Enough destruction. We don't even have a place to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: There are new worries about the safety of hostages that Hamas is still holding.

Earlier, hundreds of protesters blocked the street outside of the Israeli prime minister's house, demanding a deal. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza are mourning.

Local officials say Israeli gunfire killed four people in separate attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump will face lawmakers on Tuesday, addressing a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second presidential term.

It's an opportunity for Mr. Trump to reassure voters about his leadership. Since he took office, we've seen a president's indiscriminate firings of federal workers, threats of massive tariffs on U.S. allies and his catastrophic White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

[00:30:11]

A CNN poll taken before that meeting shows that a majority of Americans are unhappy with how President Trump is doing his job. Fifty-two percent disapprove of his performance. Only 48 percent approve.

More than 175 wildfires are burning across the Carolinas. Myrtle Beach. The Carolina forest fire has grown to 647 hectares. South Carolina's Forestry Commission says it's 30 percent contained.

Some residents who evacuated were allowed to return to their homes.

This was the view from a flight into Myrtle Beach on Saturday. Dry and windy conditions have been fanning the flames, but firefighters should get a break by Tuesday as forecasts call for more humidity and lighter winds.

Hungary's Budapest pride parade could look very different this year. Just ahead, the latest on a government clampdown looking to stifle the city's annual public march.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:35:38]

HUNTE: After a nearly 30-year-run, the annual Budapest pride parade is under threat by the Hungarian government.

In his State of the Nation address on Saturday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban advised pride organizers to, quote, "not bother preparing for this year's parade."

While officials did not outline what this clampdown will look like, they say the march should not dominate public spaces but instead be hosted in a closed venue, citing child protection issues.

Well, you know, I want to dig more into this. So, joining me live from Brussels to discuss is Remy Bonny. He's the executive director of Forbidden Colors, a nonprofit supporting the LGBTIQ+ community across Europe.

Remy, how are you doing?

REMY BONNY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FORBIDDEN COLORS: Hi, Ben. Well, despite the circumstances, relatively fine. Yes.

HUNTE: Good. Well, let's get into it. What were your first thoughts when you heard that Hungary's government would be banning this year's pride march? Were you surprised at all?

BONNY: Well, I wasn't really surprised. It's been a long time coming. Since 2019 the Orban government has been scapegoating and instrumentalizing the LGBTQ+ community.

It started with banning legal gender reassignment, followed with banning the adoption of same sex -- of children by same-sex couples.

Then in 2021, they actually adopted its Russia style anti-LGBTQ propaganda law, banning any depiction or promotion of LGBTQ+ people. So yes, it's been coming. The playbook has been there. We knew that

this was going to be the next step. We obviously didn't know it was coming this -- the last -- last Saturday. But yes, it's been a long time coming.

HUNTE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) made a documentary in Hungary just a few years ago about LGBT lives there. And queer Hungarians were so hopeful about things changing for the better, but that doesn't seem to be the case now.

Can you just break down for me this Viktor Orban decision? Like you say, it's not surprised you, but how has this actually come about? How can this be happening within the European Union?

BONNY: Well, obviously, it's not been surprising for me, because as a -- as an expert in this, it's not so very surprising. But for the community itself, it's been -- it's been a shock wave, not just for the community and Hungary. But much wider, I would dare to say.

You need to know Budapest Pride was not just pride anymore for LGBTQ people. It was a pride that was a beacon for hope for many, many people that wanted to live in a liberal democracy and -- and a system based on human rights and the country.

Every year, more -- around 40,000 people went to the pride, and it was the largest human rights protest in the country. So, it's -- it's -- it's also just for freedom of assembly in general. In Hungary, it's been -- it's been a disastrous week.

HUNTE: We obviously see discussions usually and literal arguments about whether pride is a protest or whether it is a party. I just wonder if we could just talk about what this means for the rest of the world, now that we're seeing a pride parade literally being banned in Europe.

BONNY: Well -- well, it's pretty clear now that pride is not a party. It's a -- it's really a protest again, everywhere around the world.

I mean, we've been seeing what has happened in Hungary, what we've been seeing for many, many years in European countries like Poland, Italy, and so on, where -- where -- where the LGBTQ+ community is under attack. And what we see coming now from the -- from the -- from the Vance, Musk, Trump administration, it's very worrying.

We see Musk traveling around Europe. Yes, basically distributing money to all kinds of ultra-conservative organizations, meaning that they show the wave of -- of -- of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community is only going to increase in the coming -- in the coming years.

And yes, we watch -- people watching from the U.S. shouldn't be surprised. This is obviously coming for them, as well. It's one one -- one obviously well-orchestrated, ultra-conservative playbook or scapegoating the LGBTQ community to basically, at the same time, dismantle democracy in general.

[00:40:18] And that's what Orban has been doing. That's what Putin has been doing. And that's what he's doing, as well, at the moment.

HUNTE: Yes, indeed. Well, for now, Remy, thank you so much for joining me. Really appreciate it. We'll see what happens next.

BONNY: Thank you for having me.

HUNTE: Well, thanks for joining me this hour. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. WORLD SPORT is next. You are watching CNN.

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