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Trump-Putin Summit Preparations in Full Swing; National Guard Patrolling D.C. after Trump's Takeover; Two Chinese Vessels Collided Along Scarborough Shoal, Philippines Slammed the Recent Maritime Incident; "KPop Demon Hunters" Now the Most-Watched Netflix Original Animated Movie in History. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired August 13, 2025 - 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 from all around the world and to everyone streaming us on CNN Max. I'm Rosemary Church. Just ahead.

Final preparations are underway for Friday's summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents, but Ukraine's leader is still not invited.

Hamas officials head to Cairo amid a renewed push for ceasefire talks as multiple countries demand that Israel allow more aid into Gaza.

Plus, armored trucks on city streets. The National Guard now patrolling Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump's crackdown on crime.

And later, it's got singing, it's got action, and it's got millions of views. We'll take a peek at the Netflix animated film, "K-Pop Demon Hunters," that's breaking records.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: Good to have you with us.

Well, in the coming hours, Germany is set to host a virtual meeting with the U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders with a focus on putting pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. It comes just two days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The White House says the two leaders will meet one-on-one at a U.S. military base in Anchorage on Friday, U.S. officials are still sorting out the details of the summit. President Trump is lowering expectations for the meeting, which the White House says will be a listening exercise.

The White House says the talks will focus on ending the war in Ukraine, though the Ukrainian President will not have a seat at the table. On Tuesday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not give up territory to Russia as part of any peace deal, he says abandoning the Donbass region in the east would open the door for Russia to launch future offensives.

Ukrainian officials say small groups of Russian troops have pierced parts of Ukraine's defenses in the Donetsk region, as Russia appears to be making an 11th-hour push to grab as much territory as possible ahead of Friday's summit.

So let's go live now to London, to CNN's Clare Sebastian. Good morning to you, Clare. So what's expected to come out of today's virtual meeting of European, U.S. and Ukrainian leaders ahead of Friday's summit in Alaska between the U.S. and Russian Presidents given the concerns being felt in Europe right now about how a deal to end the war in Ukraine might be reached?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rosemary, this is a last ditch effort really, by Europe, which has been on this sort of diplomatic offensive this week to try to convince Trump not to make some kind of land for ceasefire deal with Putin over Zelenskyy's head. We will see, I think, a virtual summit first involving European leaders and President Zelenskyy and then bringing in President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, who's in the U.K. at the moment.

Look, worst case scenario for Europe is that Trump and Putin agreed to something and then blame Zelenskyy for rejecting anything that involves ceding territory, thereby being able to paint him as the impediment to peace, which is, of course, a key Kremlin talking point here. So that is what they're trying to guard against Russia, very consistent in its approach to this war that it essentially wants to take territory and prevent Ukraine from ever joining NATO and reduce the size of its military.

Trump, on the other hand, has shown himself to be moveable in his position, has been convinced and shifted in different ways. Zelenskyy has warned about Russia deceiving him in this summit. And we know now from the White House that there will be a one-on-one meeting focused on ending the war in Ukraine.

So this is certainly a moment of risk. But I think this is also, going into this summit now two days out, also about seeking clarity. We still don't know exactly what brought us to this point, what was put on the table by Putin in that meeting with Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, just a week ago or so.

And I think Europe will be seeking clarity on this as they meet today. So that is the critical point. It's very delicate, they want Trump to stay engaged, they don't want him to walk away as he floated in comments this week. And it's also very delicate for Ukraine, because we see Russia launching a push on the Eastern Front.

Just in the past few days, there are reports that they've advanced north of the key town of Pokrovsk, which they've been trying for the best part of a year to take.

[03:05:01] Zelenskyy warning that this is an attempt to paint Ukraine as unable of winning this war militarily ahead of these talks, to put Ukraine in the weakest position possible. So a really delicate moment for European diplomacy. And just two days out from this summit, it really is their last chance to convince Trump to do this in a way that does not sideline Ukraine.

CHURCH: We'll watch to see what comes out of this. Many thanks to Claire Sebastian joining us live from London with that report.

The Israeli military says it struck an armed group posing as aid workers in central Gaza. This video released by the IDF shows at least eight men standing around a vehicle marked with the World Central Kitchen logo, a U.S.-based non-profit.

The IDF says the strike, which took place last week, killed five armed terrorists. But it's unclear to what organization the group belonged. WCK has confirmed the vehicle is not connected to their operations and says it strongly condemns anyone posing as their group.

Well the U.S. State Department is refusing to condemn the deadly strike on Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al Sharif and four of his colleagues in Gaza. Israel says it targeted and killed Al Sharif after accusing him of leading a Hamas cell, which he and his network had denied.

Al Sharif was one of the most well-known Palestinian journalists in the enclave. And his killing on Sunday has triggered global condemnation and calls for accountability. But the U.S. State Department says anyone with questions should talk to Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAMMY BRUCE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: Israel has released evidence that Sharif was part of Hamas and was supportive of the Hamas attack on October 7th. They're the ones who have the evidence, they're the ones who can be reached. And we'll hopefully talk with you and certainly talk with others who reach out to them.

I will remind you, and this is again, as we're dealing with a complicated, horrible situation, is that Hamas historically has had members who are embedded in society, including posing as journalists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Meanwhile, sources say a Hamas delegation is on its way to Egypt for ceasefire talks. CNN's Oren Liebermann reports from Jerusalem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: We're seeing a big push now from Europe and from countries in the region here, not only to see if it's possible to avert Israel's planned occupation and takeover of Gaza City, but also to see if it's possible to get ceasefire negotiations back on track. According to three Hamas sources, a Hamas delegation has headed to Cairo to begin talks with Egyptian officials about negotiations towards a ceasefire. The question, where will this lead?

We also know that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Qataris in Spain over the course of the weekend. The problem is there isn't concrete movement on this, as we saw towards the end of July before that ceasefire effort fell apart after the U.S. and Israel withdrew, blaming Hamas of acting in bad faith. That had a tremendous amount of optimism around it, at least before it collapsed.

We don't have that same sense that there is positive movement in the right direction to get a ceasefire on track, but clearly you see the efforts are there. And when it comes to Israel's planned takeover of Gaza City, the criticism has been fierce, with both countries and humanitarian organizations warning it would only lead to a worsening humanitarian catastrophe inside Gaza, and of course specifically Gaza City.

In a public letter, 24 foreign ministers, mostly from Europe, but also from Japan and Australia, as well as the European Union, wrote a letter saying, "Famine is unfolding before our eyes." They call on Israel to not only let in more aid, but also to allow in more humanitarian aid organizations to try to get aid to as many people who need it as possible. In the letter they write, "All crossings and routes must be used to allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment."

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, five more people died of malnutrition on Tuesday. That brings the total to 227 in the besieged territory who have died of malnutrition, including, according to the ministry, 103 children.

Oren Liebermann, CNN, in Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: We go to Tel Aviv now, and Alan Pinkas, who was the former Israeli Consul General in New York. Thanks so much for joining us.

ALON PINKAS, FORMER U.S. CONSUL GENERAL IN NEW YORK: Good morning, Rosemary. Always good to be with you.

CHURCH: So, what was your reaction to Israel killing five journalists Sunday night in Gaza, claiming without proof that Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif was linked to Hamas, and then the U.S. government refusing to condemn those actions while the world calls for Israel's accountability?

[03:10:04]

PINKAS: Well, if he was linked to Hamas, if he was active in Hamas, if he was aiding and abetting Hamas, and Israel had proof of that prior to targeting him, then that proof should have been made public before or instead of targeting him. I'm not disputing the intelligence information, I'm not disputing the

argument that he was assisting Hamas. But if Israel has irrefutable proof of that -- irrefutable evidence of that, by all means, out him. Go out and prove it, rather than kill him and then say, oh, we had proof, and then three days later, coming up with some photos or documents.

Again, I'm not disputing the intelligence, I'm just saying this is silly, because you kill him, you attract criticism, condemnation, and anger, and then you come up with the proof. If you had the proof, you should have shown it.

CHURCH: And Prime Minister Netanyahu is moving forward with his controversial plan to expand his war in Gaza and take full control of the enclave despite opposition within Israel and across the globe. How is this playing out across Israel?

PINKAS: Well, the most vocal and vociferous and substantial opposition is coming from the IDF, from the Israel Defense Forces itself, the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. He came out against this in the cabinet meeting last Thursday that went into for early Friday morning. He yesterday came out with a sort of a political bombshell saying, although he was quoted by associates rather than in his own voice, saying that the Netanyahu family and their quote unquote "poison machine" have put out a political contract on him for airing and expressing his professional reservations about the plan to occupy Gaza.

Now, he's basically saying, Rosemary, three simple things: A, I don't have the manpower to maintain the entire Gaza Strip; B, maintaining the entire Gaza Strip means governing the entire Gaza Strip. And you and I had this conversation months ago and weeks ago, Rosemary. When you occupy Gaza, you own Gaza, that means humanitarian aid, that means potable water, that means food, that means law and order, that means reconstruction and everything else that requires governmental services.

And Israel, he's saying to the cabinet -- or he said rather to the cabinet, is not prepared for this, nor is the military. And I want clear -- I need a clear understanding and vision.

What do you have in mind other than these platitudes? We'll occupy Gaza, we'll demilitarize Gaza, we'll disarm Hamas. That's nice, he said, but that's not a plan.

And so this opposition hasn't yet permeated into the general public. Yes, you see demonstrations, but not mass demonstrations.

The media is, you know, criticizing Mr. Netanyahu, particularly the military correspondents and military analysts who are extraordinarily critical of this no planned plan or unplanned plan. No one knows what he wants except, and you called it correctly, Rosemary, except extending the war.

He's extending the war. What will that bring? What will be the consequences? What will be the repercussions? No one knows. And he doesn't seem to be moved by the level of criticism, either

international or domestic, at least until now.

CHURCH: And Alon, more countries around the world are announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state. How significant is this? And what impact will this likely have on what's happening in Gaza?

PINKAS: Well, it's a very important question, a very important issue, because until now, Rosemary, you know, people used to say, in Israel, people used to say, well, 147 countries recognize a future, an imaginary Palestinian state. Well, that's declarative, and people dismissed it as nothing but a symbolic gesture. But now there's a critical mass being built because countries like France and Canada and Australia, and Britain and New Zealand is also considering in the last two days, I've heard.

This creates a critical mass. So on the one hand, you're not going to see a Palestinian state being established by virtue of, you know, a group of important countries. But then again, it is a declaration of intent, rather than a practical move.

But there's another issue.

[03:14:55]

For the last three, four years, or at least until the war began in October 2023, everyone on this planet with a minimal interest in the Middle East used to offhandedly say, well, you know, the two-state solution, it's not viable, it's not feasible, not implementable, it's a dying concept.

Now, all of a sudden, and this is why this is important, and this is why a critical mass is being built. Now, the idea of a Palestinian state, or at least the urgency via that idea of resolving this conflict, is gaining momentum. Conspicuously absent from these initiatives, and these joint declarations is obviously the U.S., and it is the main power broker, as far as Israel is concerned. But again, you see this building up, you will see even further building in September during the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

CHURCH: Alon Pinkas in Tel Aviv. Many thanks for joining us, I appreciate it.

PINKAS: Thank you, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Still to come, the streets of Washington, now a mix of tourists and troops as President Trump's crackdown on crime takes shape. We will get reaction from D.C. residents about the operation.

And after years of debate, a controversial bill in Uruguay may soon become law. Details of the legislation on euthanasia, that's next.

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[03:20:00]

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CHURCH: President Trump's crackdown on crime in Washington D.C. is moving forward, with National Guard troops and vehicles now on the streets. The White House says more than 20 people were arrested on Monday, as hundreds of officers and federal agents were deployed across the city.

CNN's Brian Todd reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANDRA SEEGARS, WASHINGTON D.C. RESIDENT: I think this is long overdue. I've been one of the National Guards in this area for years. I like it, I love it, I feel safe already.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Longtime D.C. resident and community advocate Sandra Seegars is welcoming President Donald Trump's law enforcement and National Guard surge in the nation's capital because of the crime she sees in her neighborhood, much of which she says goes unaddressed and causes her to live in fear.

SEEGARS: When I wait a while and listen for sirens or more shooting or running, then I come to the door and see what's going on.

TODD (voice-over): Seegars is one of two community leaders we spoke to in Southeast D.C.'s Ward 8, one of the city's areas hardest hit by crime and poverty.

SEEGARS: Children can't be children anymore. They're running and playing. It's like the police might be coming next to somebody chasing them. So that's how bad it is.

TODD (voice-over): On Monday night, according to the White House, 850 officers and agents dispatched by Trump from federal agencies like the FBI were out patrolling D.C. streets making 23 arrests.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: These arrests consisted of homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fair evasion, lewd acts, stalking, driving under the influence, reckless driving and a bench warrant.

TODD (voice-over): And Trump has called up about 800 National Guard troops who began reporting for duty Tuesday morning. They are expected to perform administrative tasks and manage logistics. They will also have a physical presence and be able to temporarily detain people.

The National Guard will have weapons available but are not expected to openly carry rifles, keeping them in their vehicles, for instance. On Tuesday, Washington's Mayor Muriel Bowser met with Attorney General Pam Bondi, who Trump assigned to oversee the takeover, vowing to make the best of the situation.

MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER (D), WASHINGTON D.C.: Right now, we have more police and we want to make sure we're using them.

TODD (voice-over): The D.C. Police Chief insisting it's a collaboration.

CHIEF PAMELA SMITH, WASHINGTON D.C. POLICE: We will allocate and look at the locations around our city where we have, where we believe there are areas of pockets of crime that we would like to address.

TODD (voice-over): Many D.C. council members and scattered protesters have denounced the takeover.

JOY DOYLE, FORMER D.C. ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER: This was unprecedented and unnecessary.

TODD (voice-over): Community activist and researcher Joy Doyle, also from D.C.'s Ward 8, is in favor of the increased law enforcement presence, but says it has to go deeper, that the intervention can't come just when violent crimes occur.

DOYLE: We are not understanding why the property owners who rent to whomever these people are, that are demonstrating open air drug markets on these properties, why are they not being held accountable?

TODD: So far, the White House is saying this surge could last up to 30 days, and at that point, they'll reassess. The administration also looking at other cities with high crime rates for these types of operations.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The U.S. State Department has released its yearly report on human rights concerns around the world, and it shows clear signs of the shifting alliances of the Trump administration. For one thing, it's significantly shorter than past reports, omitting information it says is generally available on the internet.

Among the beneficiaries, El Salvador, which has close ties to the Trump administration, the State Department says there are no credible reports of significant human rights abuses in the country. The section on Israel contains sparse details on Hamas and Hezbollah, and no mention of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial. It cites traditional allies like the U.K. and Germany for deteriorating human rights situations, and reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression.

Lawmakers in Uruguay are expected to pass a euthanasia bill after years of intense debate. CNN's Dario Klein has been following developments for us and has this report.

[03:24:55]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DARIO KLEIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After a marathon session in this House of Representatives, Uruguay is on its way to becoming the third country in Latin America to authorize euthanasia, and the first to do so through a law, and a specific operational regulation. This law was passed by the ruling party, the Frente Amplio, or Broad Front, of President Yamandu Orsi, but also with the vote of many members of the opposition. After today, this so-called dignified death law will go to the Senator's chamber, where, unlike what happened here in the lower house, the ruling party has a majority, and it will be passed.

The Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi announced he was in favor of the bill. The approved text allowed a written request for euthanasia from any adult mentally competent who suffers from an incurable disease in a terminal stage, or with unbearable suffering and severe deterioration of the quality of life. The procedure requires the confirmation of two doctors, and in case of disagreement between the two doctors, there will be an evaluation of the medical board, which will issue a final decision.

This bill provides for objection for professionals, but requires health institutions to warranty the service. Supporters argue that this is a human step that respects individual freedom and dignity at the end of life. Opponents warn of lack of warranties and the risk of external pressure, pointing out that there are already legal and medical means to ensure a peaceful death without hostility.

Dario Klein, CNN, Montevideo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Still to come, Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine just days before Donald Trump is set to meet with Vladimir Putin for peace talks, and Ukraine's president warns of a larger Russian offensive to come.

Plus, summer wildfires threaten across Europe, how the flames are causing disruptions to tourism. That's just ahead.

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[03:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Welcome back to "CNN Newsroom." I'm Rosemary Church. I want to check today's top stories for you now.

The Israeli military says it struck an armed group posing as aid workers in central Gaza. The IDF says the strike, which took place last week, killed five armed terrorists but it's unclear to what organization the group belonged. WCK has confirmed the vehicle is not connected to their operations and strongly condemned anyone posing as their group.

Two human rights groups have asked the International Criminal Court to take up the case of the journalist recently killed in Gaza, Al Jazeera's Anas Al-Sharif and four of his colleagues. The rights groups say Israel's targeted strike was not just another tragedy but a clear- cut criminal act and a war crime. Israel claims Al-Sharif was part of Hamas. Friday's meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian

President Vladimir Putin will be held at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska. That's according to two White House officials. The White House says the talks will focus on ending Russia's war on Ukraine but President Trump is downplaying expectations and Ukraine's President will not be there.

Ukrainian officials say small groups of Russian troops have pierced parts of Ukraine's defenses in the Donetsk region. But the officials stress this does not mean Russian forces now have control of the area. Russia appears to be making an 11th-hour push to take as much territory as possible ahead of Friday's summit.

More details now from CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reporting from Kyiv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Forget a moment about Alaska and imagine being here, where Russia is advancing, where its drones could not reach when we were there a week ago, despite the endless talk of a peace deal. It's exactly here that land might be swapped.

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: There'll be some land swapping going on.

PATON WALSH (voice-over): His special envoy's visit to the Kremlin, leading to reports Ukraine might just give away Donetsk, and sparking panic among real people here yesterday at a Donetsk railway station and, frankly, all over Ukraine.

PATON WALSH: Speaking to European officials over the past days, one of the challenges seems to have been for them trying to clarify exactly what it was that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was offered by the Kremlin. What are the bones and details of that potential deal?

And that just adds to how unconventional this whole process feels. A meeting of this grandeur would take months normally to prepare, with the agenda and details ironed out by teams of diplomats for months. Instead, at this point, so much is still unknown.

[03:35:10]

TRUMP: This is really a feel-out meeting, a little bit.

PATON WALSH (voice-over): President Trump has lowered expectations for their first meeting in six years, while Russia keeps flaunting claims it's captured towns like this.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (translated): He is definitely not preparing for a ceasefire or ending war.

PATON WALSH (voice-over): President Zelenskyy clear, as the evidence supports so far, Putin does not seek peace.

ZELENSKYY (translated): There is no sign that Russians have received signals to prepare for a post-war situation. On the contrary, they are moving their troops and forces in such a way as to launch new offensive operations.

PATON WALSH (voice-over): On the eastern front line near this town, Dobropillia, reports Tuesday emerged of a notable Russian advance. The extent or permanence unclear, but enough to spark denials and reinforcements from Kyiv.

Wednesday, Zelenskyy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other key European leaders and, this time, President Trump to pre-game Alaska, clarifying if the White House hasn't heard it yet, that Europe wants a ceasefire first and Ukraine at the table.

But what awaits in Alaska? Likely only Putin and Trump. And from that, a roll of the dice between two men whose relationship is impenetrable, but could decide the fate of tens of millions of lives in Ukraine and beyond.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Let's bring in Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent covering Europe for the "New York Times." He joins us live this hour from Berlin. I appreciate you being with us.

STEVEN ERLANGER, CHIEF DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT FOR EUROPE, "NEW YORK TIMES": Thank you.

CHURCH: So ahead of President Trump's Alaska summit with his Russian counterpart on Friday, the U.S. President will join a virtual meeting in the next few hours with European leaders as well as Ukraine's President Zelenskyy. What concerns will Europe likely raise with Trump, given the White House is now calling Friday's summit with Russia a listening exercise and Trump's already talking about Ukraine giving up land to Russia for a peace deal and excluding Zelenskyy from Friday's summit?

ERLANGER: Well, the Europeans are trying to make a couple of clear points. A ceasefire has to come before any talk of territorial concessions, which is against what Putin is offering. And Ukraine will not give up territory that Russia has not already occupied, as Putin also demands.

My assumption is Putin has something else up his sleeve that may appeal to Donald Trump more. But the Europeans want to, in a sense, if I can put it this way, give Trump a spine and tell Trump that really he cannot dictate Ukraine's future by himself, that Russia is the aggressor in the war. It is one combatant.

It's okay to talk with Putin, of course, but he has to not give away Ukraine and European strategic interests, because Ukraine is a European strategic interest. There is a lot of concern that if the war ends badly, that the Baltics will be next and that will challenge NATO.

So in general, as John Bolton has often said, Trump tends to listen to the last person who speaks to him. So the Europeans are trying to be the last people that speak to him before he heads off to Alaska.

CHURCH: Right. And that is the concern here, isn't it? That Trump's desire to strike a deal, any deal, will override an effort to ensure a fair deal is reached for Ukraine.

And let's look closer at what's at stake here when it comes to territory swapping and concessions given for potential peace. I mean, how far might Trump go here in handing over pieces of Ukraine to Russia?

ERLANGER: Well, I don't think he can do that. That's the first thing. And my guess is that there will be a no to that and Putin will come up with something else.

Basically, Putin is asking for Ukraine to surrender, because if they give over the rest of the Donbass, that is their main lines of defense against Russian troops to begin with. So the problem is Putin thinks he's winning the war, Trump wants a ceasefire.

The big question is, how do you get a ceasefire from a partner, Russia, which doesn't want a ceasefire?

You do it by putting pressure on Russia. Now, that is something Trump has so far signally failed to do and that is the one thing Europeans are pressing him. If you want a ceasefire, you're going to have to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin to understand that this is as far as he's going to get.

[03:40:08]

Now, Putin's long-term aims haven't changed. He wants Ukraine to be a vassal state, to be less than independent, to have a smaller military, to be like Belarus, and not to be part of NATO or the Western world. But that is down the road.

So I don't think Trump can unilaterally hand over land. And frankly, when he says it's a listening tour, I suspect he understands that his freedom of action is fairly limited.

The problem is, and what worries Europeans and the Ukrainians, is that Putin will say something to Trump that seems plausible. Trump will present it to the Ukrainians who will reject it. And then, of course, Trump will blame the Ukrainians for rejecting the possibility of a ceasefire.

CHURCH: Steven Erlanger, joining us from Berlin. Many thanks for your analysis, I appreciate it.

ERLANGER: Thank you.

CHURCH: We are following developments across Europe as the latest heat wave sparks wildfires and pushes temperatures in some areas above 40 degrees Celsius. High winds fueled fires in some of Greece's western islands on Tuesday. Several villages and a hotel were evacuated due to the threat to tourist destinations. And in Turkey, officials called in emergency aircraft to try and douse

the flames as they threatened a forest in Izmir province. Blazes there have also prompted evacuations, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

CNN's Babie Latza Nadeau has more details on how the fires are impacting summer tourism in Europe.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBIE LATZA NADEAU, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): Tourists forced to flee one of southern Spain's most popular beaches after a wildfire driven by strong winds swept through the resort town of Tarifa, forcing local authorities to evacuate nearly 2000 tourists and residents. Just one part of what's becoming an apocalyptic European summer.

Official data shows that Europe has seen more than twice as many fires as it saw on average by mid-August in recent decades. Many are set on purpose, some sparked accidentally, and others fueled by extreme heat caused by man-made climate change. There were similar scenes on the Italian island of Sardinia last month, where beachgoers had to be evacuated by boat after wildfires blocked other escape routes.

Disaster also struck the Italian tourist hot spot of Pompeii after forest fires quickly burned up the flanks of the Mount Vesuvius volcano, where authorities had to close trails to keep hikers safe.

Even in Scotland, not typically known for its hot summers, a brush fire spread across a popular tourist attraction and dormant volcano, Arthur's Seat.

In Spain, where fires led to the death of one man near Madrid, the costs are almost impossible to measure.

JOSE ANGEL RODRIGUEZ, ORELLAN LOCAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT (through translator): The damage is incalculable at this point, whether it's to the chestnut trees or the loss of tourism.

LATZA NADEAU (voice-over): And as wildfires continue to threaten European tourism, more travelers are being forced to rethink plans, cancel flights and take extra precautions. Like this tourist in Tarifa who wore a face mask to protect herself from the thick smoke.

UNKNOWN (through translator): It's a genuine shame everything that's happened, as they had to evacuate practically everything. I was so afraid as so many chalets, houses, shops were burnt. It's such a shame.

LATZA NADEAU (voice-over): A sunburn used to be one of the biggest concerns most holidaymakers had. Now they face a far more burning threat.

Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE) CHURCH: Back here in the U.S., Chattanooga, Tennessee logged one of its wettest days on Record Tuesday. The city received more than 160 millimeters of rain or more than six inches in a single day; that is nearly twice the city's typical rainfall for August.

Floodwaters gathered on highways, forcing some drivers to abandon their vehicles, police are warning some roads remain impassable. Another round of widespread storms is expected today.

Confrontation in the South China Sea. Two Chinese vessels collide while chasing a boat from the Philippines, highlighting the growing volatility in this key waterway. We'll have details for you on the other side of the break.

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[03:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: A U.S. Navy warship performed a so-called freedom of navigation operation near a disputed reef in the highly contested South China Sea just two days after a Chinese warship collided with one of its own Coast Guard vessels in nearby waters. The vessels were chasing a Philippine Coast Guard ship at high speed when it happened on Monday. It's the latest incident that underscores growing volatility in one of the world's most strategically vital waterways.

CNN's Ivan Watson takes a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two Chinese ships colliding at high speed. This crash took place on Monday in a tense part of the South China Sea.

[03:50:03]

Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard ship with a water cannon and a gray Chinese PLA Navy ship, both appearing to pursue a Coast Guard ship from the Philippines.

Chinese sailors hold a bumper at the front of the Coast Guard vessel when it suddenly smashes into the larger Navy ship. Seconds later, no sign of those sailors on the heavily damaged bow of the Chinese Coast Guard ship. Aggressiveness and incompetence says one 25-year veteran of the U.S. Navy.

TOM SHUGART, ADJUNCT SR. FELLOW, CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SOCIETY: There's a saying in the fleet, you know, play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. And the PLA Navy has been engaging in what certainly the U.S. Navy has characterized as pretty unprofessional operations for quite some time. And it seems like that may have come home to roost in this case.

WATSON (voice-over): The incident took place near Scarborough Shoal, which both the Philippines and China claim. These contested waters, the scene of frequent confrontations, which CNN witnessed firsthand last year.

WATSON: It is just after sunrise, and as you may see, there is a large Chinese Coast Guard ship directly in front of this Philippines Coast Guard vessel.

WATSON (voice-over): It's a David-and-Goliath-style contest where the Philippines faces off against the world's largest Navy.

WATSON: That little boat in front is a Philippines resupply boat, and it is currently being pursued by one, two, three, at least four Chinese ships.

WATSON (voice-over): They blast the boat with water cannons.

And it's not just ships from the Philippines and China that have come in close contact in the South China Sea in recent years.

WATSON: We're getting a close-up look at a Chinese fighter jet, and it's been shadowing this U.S. Navy plane now for about 15 minutes.

WATSON (voice-over): CNN has also filmed U.S. and Chinese warships and planes operating in close proximity here.

UNKNOWN: U.S. aircraft, U.S. aircraft. This is Chinese navy warship. You are approaching me, keep safe distance away from me, over.

WATSON (voice-over): After Monday's maritime collision, Chinese state T.V. issued this statement from the China Coast Guard.

UNKNOWN (through translator): The China Coast Guard took necessary measures such as tracking, monitoring, blocking, and controlling to drive away the Philippine vessels. On-site operations were professional, regulated, and legitimate.

WATSON (voice-over): No official mention of the crash or possible casualties. Exactly the kind of incident experts have long warned could happen when huge ships play a dangerous game of chicken.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: From saving the world to now taking over the world. How a new animated film is making history on Netflix and setting its sights even higher. We'll take a look.

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[03:55:00]

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CHURCH: Welcome back everyone. The animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has quickly become a smash hit

with several streaming records on Netflix. A number one album on the billboard charts and a sing-along version soon to be in theaters. It's also getting some early Oscar buzz.

For more on all the hype, here's CNN's Lynda Kinkade.

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UNKNOWN: The world will know you as pop stars.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: From your TV screen to the top of the music charts, the film "KPop Demon Hunters" isn't just breaking viewership records. It's redefining what an animated film can do.

UNKNOWN: They're stealing the souls of our fans?

KINKADE: It's got K-pop, it's got demons, and it's got 158 million views and counting. That makes it the most watched animated original film in Netflix history.

JASON LIPSHUTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, BILLBOARD: It's been a streaming phenomenon where people are watching the movie, they are spreading it through word of mouth, so people have really united around this movie and its music.

KINKADE: The film follows the Huntrix, a girl group by day, demon hunters by night, as they battle supernatural threats while topping the K-pop charts.

"Golden" is more than catchy, it's history making. The fictional girl group from the film is now going up on the real world charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. And the last time a girl group topped the charts was 24 years ago with Destiny's Child.

LIPSHUTZ: It's pretty wild to think that there has never been a K-pop girl group that has reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 before the fictional group of Huntrix from "KPop Demon Hunters" does so this week with their smash single "Golden." "Golden" is number one on the Hot 100, but there are multiple songs in the top 10, in the top 20 of the Hot 100.

UNKNOWN: It's time for a new strategy.

KINKADE: It's not just the heroes getting the love, the film's villainous boy band, the Saja Boys, are charting too. The K-pop multiverse is also fueling global TikTok challenges, live streams and merchandise sales, proving that even animated idols can dominate the real world.

Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: I need to check that out. Thanks for your company, I'm Rosemary Church. Have yourselves a wonderful day. "Amanpour" is next, then stay tuned for "Early Start" coming up at 5

a.m. in New York, 10 a.m. in London. Have a great day.

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