Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris for "Coalition of the Willing" Meeting; Trump Defends Tuesday Strike on Alleged Drug Vessel; Funicular Railway Crash Kills at Least 15 in Lisbon; Israeli Protesters Move Rallies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un Hold Lengthy One-on-One Talks in Beijing; Putin and Xi Caught on Hot Mic Discussing Immortality; Empty Birthday Party Turns Into Huge Stadium Bash in Mexico. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired September 04, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

[00:00:20]

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

Coming up, Ukraine's president is set to meet with the Coalition of the Willing in Paris after Russia launched a sweeping air attack across Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin attended a military parade in China.

Venezuela calls a U.S. strike on an alleged drug ship a made-up movie aimed at provoking leadership change in the country.

And in Lisbon, at least 15 people are dead after a tram derails.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Lynda Kinkade.

It is 6:00 in the morning in Paris where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is getting ready to sit down with allies in the so-called Coalition of the Willing as he seeks further support in the face of intensifying Russian attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron says the group is ready to provide security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The comments, though, come as the momentum to end the war has stalled.

Ukraine faced a new barrage of drone and missile strikes in the western part of the country overnight Wednesday. Donald Trump, who plans to speak with President Zelenskyy Thursday, says he'll also talk with Vladimir Putin in the coming days. The U.S. president says his Russian counterpart knows where he stands, adding, quote, "You'll see things happen if the U.S. is unhappy with Moscow's decisions on Ukraine."

That subtle warning didn't seem to rattle President Putin, who joined the leaders of China and North Korea for a show of unity in Beijing on Wednesday. Putin now says he is willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart in Moscow, an offer Kyiv calls unacceptable.

Here's what the Russian leader said about security guarantees. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I agree with those who believe that every country has a right to choose by itself. The system which provides its own security. This applies to all countries, including Ukraine, but it also means that security of one country cannot be provided at the expense of another country. In this case of the Russian federation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: CNN's Melissa Bell has more in Paris on the upcoming meeting.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: President Zelenskyy in Paris ahead of a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, those mainly European countries who wish to support Ukraine further. He was welcomed by the French president. This was a meeting requested by the Ukrainian leader after several days of continued Russian aggression, targeting specifically infrastructure, but also civilian areas.

Here's what President Macron had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): my only message this evening is the extremely intense work of the last few weeks. And to tell you, indeed, that we are ready for the security guarantees, that Europe is stepping up for the first time with this level of commitment and intensity because the security of Ukraine and Ukrainians for today and for tomorrow is also ours and that of Europe.

Thank you to President Zelenskyy for being here this evening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: The two leaders having a working dinner this Wednesday night. The big day, though, Thursday when many of the leaders from the coalition of the willing will be in Paris, others will join by video conference to try to discuss the security guarantees that Ukraine has been looking for.

First of all, we've been hearing from a French presidential source ongoing support to Ukraine's military in the face of Russian aggression. But also, we understand looking at beyond a ceasefire and potential peace deal, what kind of force, a reassurance force, they're calling it, of some of those countries' troops could look like in Ukraine to provide what they describe as strategic visibility, to signal to Russians that they are there to protect Ukraine.

The big moment, though, on Thursday, will come when this coalition of the willing has its telephone conversation with President Trump. They'll be looking to see what security guarantees the so-called backstop the Americans are really looking to provide. Many of those inside the coalition have said the security guarantees can only come with American support.

What Europeans are looking for and others within this coalition are things like what American support can be provided, say, to Ukraine's air defenses, but also in terms of intelligence gathering. A meeting then called by President Zelenskyy to try and show force and unity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: President Trump claims he's sending drug traffickers in the Caribbean a clear warning after Tuesday's military strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela. The U.S. has not offered any evidence about who or what was on that boat.

[00:05:05]

However, Trump said, quote, "A lot of other people won't be doing it again." Eleven people were killed in that strike, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggests was the most effective way to deal with smuggling. What will stop them, he said, is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them. He also said the boat was headed to Trinidad, while Trump claimed the small boat was headed to the U.S.

Venezuelan officials suggest the strike is a move towards a larger goal, overturning Venezuela's leadership.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIOSDADO CABELLO, VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR, JUSTICE AND PEACE (through translator): Who in his right mind can talk about combating drug cartels and dismiss were 87 percent of drugs transit. To target instead were 5 percent goes through. There's an ulterior motive, which they have not owned up to, but which they've always sought, which is regime change in Venezuela.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: CNN's Betsy Klein has more details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump weighing in on a very significant and likely unprecedented escalation against a drug cartel operating in the Caribbean as video, dramatic video released by the Trump administration on Tuesday shows the moment that an alleged drug vessel was lethally struck by the U.S. Military with 11 people, alleged drug traffickers on board.

Now, the Trump administration says that this boat was operated by Tren de Aragua. That is the Venezuelan criminal organization. And President Trump has taken significant steps since the beginning of his second term in office to crack down on Tren de Aragua, including a step earlier this year to designate Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. But the president said in a post to social media that Tren de Aragua is operating under the control of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

He said it is responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and other acts of violence. But the president was pressed Wednesday on why he authorized this strike. Why not just take that boat round it and its drugs and the people aboard up? And he said that this was aimed at sending a message of deterrence. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There was massive amounts of drugs coming into our country to kill a lot of people. And everybody fully understands that. In fact, you see it. You see the bags of drugs all over the boat. And they were hit. Obviously, they won't be doing it again. And I think a lot of other people won't be doing it again when they watch that tape. They're going to say, let's not do this.

We have to protect our country and we're going to. Venezuela has been a very bad actor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KLEIN: And speaking to reporters in Mexico City on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that previous efforts to interdict these boats have not worked. He went on to say that what will stop them, quote, "is when you blow them up." Rubio also said that this strike was specifically authorized by President Trump himself.

We also heard reaction from Venezuelan President Maduro on Tuesday. He says that the U.S. poses an extravagant threat to this country. All of this, of course, could have major implications for the region.

Betsy Klein, CNN, in Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: At least 15 people are dead, and more than a dozen injured after a cable car popular with tourists derailed in Portugal.

Well, the crash happened Wednesday in Lisbon and authorities say foreign nationals are among the dead.

Joao Povo Marinheiro with CNN Portugal reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOAO POVOA MARINHEIRO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's one of Lisbon's worst ever transit tragedies in what the city's mayor described as a tragic day for the Portuguese capital wen the Gloria Funicular, a historic 19th century cable car and a tourist hotspot, derailed and crashed into a building.

All of this happened in broad daylight in the busy city center right after 6:00 p.m. during rush hour, which means that the incident was explicitly witnessed by many passersby. Many of them actually attended the scene to help victims before the arrival of first responders that nonetheless were quick to get there.

Now, questions arise as to the funicular's maintenance. Preliminary analysis from experts consulted by CNN Portugal point to the rupture of the cable that upholds the carriage that crashed.

The company responsible for managing Lisbon's traditional funiculars has stated that all safety protocols have been met. However, recent and repeated warnings from the city's cable car workers related with maintenance issues have resurfaced. The series of inquiries from several authorities have now begun. Lisbon's mayor suspended all public access to the Portuguese capital's other historic funiculars as a precautionary measure.

Joao Povoa Marinheiro, CNN, Portugal, Lisbon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: A legal victory for Harvard University in its fight to restore more than $2 billion in federal research funding that was frozen by the White House.

[00:10:05]

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully blocked the money. The judge rejected the administration's argument that it targeted the Ivy League university because of antisemitism on the campus, calling that a smokescreen. The Trump administration told CNN that it will immediately appeal the ruling.

Israeli anti-war activists are changing tactics ahead of the IDF's expected all-out assault on Gaza City. Coming up, protesters take their message to the place where political leaders can't ignore it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:15:05]

KINKADE: Gaza City is bracing for Israel's full-blown military onslaught. But so far, most civilians are choosing to remain, having been displaced multiple times already. A senior Israeli official says about 70,000 people have left the city out of around one million. Israeli drones have been dropping leaflets urging people to move south. Israel's anti-war protesters are changing tactics, taking their rallies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Our Jeremy Diamond reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Thousands of Israelis have come out into the streets of Jerusalem tonight to protest against this current Israeli government, arguing for a deal to free the Israeli hostages and against this military offensive that is gearing up in Gaza City.

You can see behind me thousands of people who are beginning to march towards the Israeli prime minister's residence. That is who so many of the calls tonight have been directed against, directly towards the Israeli prime minister, who so many here hold responsible for the current situation, for the fact that the hostages still are not home, and for the fact that more Israeli troops are likely to die in this military offensive.

And so you're seeing people here who are getting ready to march. You can see a lot of Israeli flags, as well as these yellow flags that represent -- that have come to represent the plight of the Israeli hostages over the course of this war.

I want to pause here as well to talk about what an extraordinary moment this is right now in Israel, and why so many people have showed up. They have showed up because they feel like this is the last opportunity to try and stop what is about to happen, and that is this massive Israeli military offensive to take Gaza City and perhaps eventually to take Israel down a path of occupying the entirety of the Gaza Strip.

So many here have been parroting the words not just of other activists and protesters, but of the Israeli security establishment, Israel's military chief of staff, the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and the head of Israel's internal security service, all of them in recent security cabinet meetings have been arguing against this military offensive, concerned that it will risk more soldiers' lives, that it will risk the lives of the hostages as well, and that it won't get Israel any closer to defeating Hamas.

But against the advice of Israel's security cabinet -- of Israel's security establishment, I should say, the Israeli prime minister has chosen to move forward with that military offensive. Tens of thousands of Israeli reservists have been called up already, and so many here are trying to stop that from actually taking effect, concerned about the lives of soldiers, but also, critically, the lives of the hostages.

And of course, many here also talking about concerns for the lives of Palestinians in Gaza City, nearly a million of whom could be displaced by this Israeli military operation. And already in recent days, we have seen hundreds of Palestinians who have been killed by Israel's intensified bombardment and artillery shelling in preparation for that all-out ground offensive.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, they went to Beijing for the parade but stayed for hours to discuss the growing partnership.

Coming up, why some are calling this new group of leaders the "Axis of Upheaval."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:23:15] KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Let's take a look at today's top stories.

Ukraine's president is in Paris to meet with his allies in the so- called Coalition of the Willing as Russian attacks intensify. That meeting is set to begin in the coming hours and will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders also plan to speak with U.S. President Trump, as well.

President Trump is doubling down after a U.S. Military strike killed 11 people in the Caribbean. The president claims the boat was carrying a massive amount of drugs and belonged to a criminal group under the control of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Yet the White House has provided no evidence as to what or who was on board.

Florida plans to become the first U.S. state to end all mandatory vaccines, including those for school children. All 50 states have required school immunization since the beginning of the 1980s. Kindergartners required to get shots to protect against diseases including measles, polio and others.

With all the military might on display and predictions of a new world order, discussions about longevity and living to 150 was not officially on the agenda. But that's what they got as Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to watch Wednesday's military parade.

Here's what a hot mic picked up from their interpreters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

XI JINPING, CHINESE PRESIDENT (through text translation): In the past, we used to say that very rarely people lived past 70, but these days, at 70 years, you are still a child.

[00:25:00]

PUTIN (through text translation): Those who are 75, 65, they have better in a few years with the development of biotechnology. Human organs can be constantly transplanted so that people can live younger and younger, and even become immortal.

XI (through text translation): The prediction is that in this country humans may live to 150 years old.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, North Korean state media is broadcasting a message of solidarity after meeting -- after a meeting between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. New images show them together in Beijing on Wednesday after the military parade.

CNN's senior international correspondent Ivan Watson has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A massive show of force in Beijing, choreographed to symbolize a new world order. At its center, two of America's fiercest adversaries in a public display of unity, Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, all smiles and warm handshakes, meeting on the sidelines of victory day celebrations.

The Russian leader thanks Kim for his country's support with Moscow's war against Ukraine.

PUTIN (through translator): I would like to note that we will never forget the sacrifices that your armed forces and the families of your servicemen have suffered. On behalf of the Russian people I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint fight against Neo- Nazism.

WATSON: Kim, for his part, signals that the cooperation will continue. Hopes for Ukraine peace talks led by President Trump seem to flounder.

KIM JONG-UN, NORTH KOREAN LEADER (through translator): If there is any way we can assist Russia, we will certainly do it as a fraternal duty. We will spare no effort in providing help to Russia.

WATSON: A ride in Putin's limo another sign of their growing partnership, and a message to Trump that this military alliance is stronger than ever.

Following a two and a half hour meeting, amid the smiles and hugs, Putin invites Kim to visit him in Russia. After all, North Koreans have fought and died for Putin.

Western officials estimate a third of the 12,000 troops believed to be a part of North Korea's initial deployment to fight Ukraine have been killed or wounded, many of them fighting in Russia's Kursk region. It's a price Kim Jong-un seems willing to pay, as he enjoys new prominence on the world stage.

While Kim has worked to further North Korea's powerful alliances here in Beijing, a girl believed to be his daughter, Kim Ju-ae was spotted by his side as he arrived. The first public trip abroad for this mysterious young woman we know little about. Her presence, fueling speculation she could one day become successor to her father's throne.

This was only the 11th time the North Korean leader has left his country since he assumed power in 2011. Known for paranoia around security, his team was caught on camera by a Kremlin pool reporter carefully wiping away any traces of Kim Jong-un's presence after his meeting with Putin on Wednesday. It's not clear why staff would clean the meeting room, but some genetics experts have suggested DNA can be used to collect valuable information about the health of world leaders.

A glimpse, perhaps, of underlying anxieties still playing out beneath the show of strongman camaraderie.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Beijing. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: For more now, I'm joined by CNN contributor Jill Dougherty. She's also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

Great to have you with us, Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you, Lynda. Glad to be here.

KINKADE: So let's start with what some are calling a bromance. The hand-holding and the hugs between Putin, Kim Jong-un and Modi. What's your reading of these optics? Are they genuinely close relationships, or is Putin primarily sending a strategic message to the U.S.?

DAUGHTERTY: Well, in certain cases, it's both. I mean, we do know or at least we believe, that there is a good relationship between President Xi and President Putin. But overall, you'd have to say these important, you know, we can call it optics, but optics are important. You can say that optics is part of information warfare. And that's exactly what they're doing. They are sending a message that, you know, they are friends. They are working together.

And especially this message, you know, that the old world order that was created and really run by the United States is now over. And there is a new world order. And these are the men who are going to lead it.

KINKADE: Of course, I want to discuss that hot mic moment. The Russian and Chinese leaders discussing immortality and biotech breakthroughs that might extend their lives. How remarkable is this moment for two leaders who clearly want to maintain power indefinitely?

[00:30:07]

DOUGHERTY: I thought it was fascinating. But this is important, because both of these men are in their early 70s. And it is important, if you look especially at Putin. He intends to, it appears, to stay in power until he's about 83, technically.

And if he could live and be in great shape until 150, then that might be OK with him.

So, I think, you know, we can kind of laugh about it, say it's a little weird, but I do think that is probably happening. There's probably some research, and I'm sure that some of these men would like to live longer than the average person.

KINKADE: Fascinating. Of course, ever since the Alaska summit, Trump's patience with Putin has grown thin. I just want to play some sound from President Trump on Wednesday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I have no message to President Putin. He knows where I stand, and he'll make a decision one way or the other. Whatever his decision is, we'll either be happy about it or unhappy. And if we're unhappy about it, you'll see things happen. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: It's very vague. Another very vague threat.

Of course, Putin invited President Zelenskyy to Moscow under highly conditional terms while simultaneously launching one of the largest drone attacks on Ukraine this year.

Is this all a game to Putin? How do you interpret Putin's message, and does he have zero respect for Trump?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I do think, if you look at what President Trump is saying, he's said this before. He has set deadlines, numerous deadlines, as we know, and they've been broken. And basically, not a lot has happened.

Now, Trump would say, yes, but I put tariffs on India, but he hasn't put them on Russia directly. Not that that would do that much at this point. But he hasn't put them on China, who -- which is really an enabler of Russia.

And I think it's important also, Lynda, to point out what President Putin said, kind of in the same vein. You know, he was asked, you know, what is happening with Ukraine, et cetera. He said, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, but if it doesn't happen, he said -- and this is a quote -- "We will have to achieve all the goals set before us by force."

So, what he is saying, essentially is, you know, it doesn't make any difference what's going to happen here. We don't know, but we are going to achieve our goals. And those goals are the same ones that he had when he invaded Ukraine.

So, to me, this does not show a lot of willingness to stop fighting and have some type of a ceasefire at all.

KINKADE: And just finally, Jill, Russia and China's public show of unity, coupled with their deepening economic and military ties, has some analysts calling this the axis of upheaval. How real and durable do you believe this alliance to be?

DOUGHERTY: I think between Russia and China, the alliance could be durable. I mean, I think to both of them, it's important.

Russia wants to sell its energy. It's been shut out of Europe, essentially. And so, you know, building a new gas pipeline with China, as they are talking about, would be a way of selling more energy.

But I -- I do think that the danger for Russia always has been that China looks like the big brother. China has a much bigger economy, and it is rapidly building up its military and its nuclear power.

So, I think, you know, Russia has to be careful about this if it wants to not be overwhelmed by China.

KINKADE: All right. Jill Dougherty, as always, great analysis and good to have you on the program. Thanks so much.

Well, still to come, how a girl's 15th birthday celebration turned into a massive stadium bash in Mexico.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:38:58]

KINKADE: Welcome back.

In Latin America, a quinceanera is a traditional coming of age celebration that marks a girl's 15th birthday. But one teen's milestone event nearly went unnoticed until a Facebook post turned into a viral sensation.

CNN's Ivan Rodriguez has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN RODRIGUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Isela Anahi Santiago Morales never dreamed of transforming into a princess for the night.

The daughter of humble garbage collectors living in a small central Mexico town, Isela's parents stretched their savings to throw her a 15th birthday party.

It's a big year, marking a girl's traditional coming of age in Mexican culture, known as quinceanera. But Isela was crushed when hardly anyone showed up.

ISELA ANAHI SANTIAGO MORALES, CELEBRATING QUINCEANERA (through translator): My parents made a small meal at my house. I invited some friends, and some didn't show up.

And then my dad said that we would waste the food and posted on Facebook that there was enough food left over for 40 people.

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): That simple post went viral.

MORALE (through translator): I didn't think it would be so big.

[00:40:02]

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): Roughly 2,000 people from Mexico and even the U.S. came to support Isela, according to the Associated Press.

SARAI ROSALES, VISITING FROM DALLAS, TEXAS (through translator): It became national news. When we saw it on TV at home, we got excited and decided to come.

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): A local photographer and a D.J. offered free services. The local government donated the town's stadium as a venue.

(MUSIC)

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): More than a dozen musicians performed for free late into the night.

But even though the party was all about Isela, she asked people to donate toys to vulnerable children instead of giving her gifts.

MORALE (through translator): Thanks so much for coming to my party and bringing the toys for me to give away.

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): But there was another surprise waiting for her: a letter she opened onstage, gifting her a 969-square foot plot of land.

And as if all that wasn't enough, the local government gave her a scholarship to continue studying. She hopes to be a teacher one day.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Because of all of you, her dream was made possible.

RODRIGUEZ (voice-over): A fairy-tale night, bringing her an even brighter future.

Ivan Rodriguez, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Isn't that wonderful? We love some good news here.

Thanks so much for joining us for CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Lynda Kinkade. I'll be back with much more news at the top of the hour. Right now, WORLD SPORT is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:46:01]

(WORLD SPORT)