Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Says Some Peace Plan Documents Will Be Ready For Possible Signing In January; Anti-Government Protests Erupt Amid Rising Cost Of Living. Aired 2-2:30a ET
Aired January 01, 2026 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026)
[02:05:39]
BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Happy New Year. We made it. 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 with me.
Coming up on the show, as the festivities end around the globe, world leaders are sharing their message for the New Year. And in Ukraine, that includes hopes for peace with Russia.
Plus, here, Queen Camilla share a harrowing tale of being attacked on a train as a teen and why she's speaking out now.
Plus, Zohran Mamdani is sworn in at midnight as New York city's mayor. What's next for the Democratic socialist?
ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta. This is CNN NEWSROOM with Ben Hunte.
HUNTE: Welcome. It is now 2026 in most of the world. And for the past few hours, cities around the globe have been ringing in the New Year in style, with big parties and massive fireworks displays.
Before the festivities began, world leaders shared their thoughts on the year ahead, many with messages of hope, optimism and reflection.
In China, leader Xi Jinping used his New Year's Eve address to celebrate his country's economic and technological strength. He also reiterated Beijing's position on Taiwan, saying, "The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable."
And British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also delivered a New Year's Eve message to the U.K. He acknowledged the difficulties of the past year, but struck a hopeful tone as he promised positive change in 2026.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I share the frustration about the pace of change. The challenges we face were decades in the making, and renewal is not an overnight job, but putting our country back on a stable footing will become our strength. In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service, but even more people will feel, once again, a sense of hope, a belief that things can and will get better. Feel that the promise of renewal can become a reality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought in the New Year with fireworks and musical performances in Pyongyang. According to state television, his daughter was with him during the festivities. Kim also met the families of North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia, reportedly telling their families he thinks desperately of them.
Here in the U.S. President Donald Trump spent New Year's Eve in Florida. His party at Mar-a-Lago included an appearance by Rudy Giuliani, a live painting of Jesus Christ, which then sold for nearly $3 million and the president's wish for the coming year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you have New Year's resolution?
TRUMP: I have, peace on Earth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Peace is also the New Year's wish for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who says, right now, a peace agreement for his country is 90 percent ready after discussions with his U.S. and European allies. In his New Year's Eve address, he said, the remaining 10 percent will, "Determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Ukraine does not need a Minsk style, meticulously drafted trap. Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war. My signature will be under a strong agreement. And that is exactly what every meeting, every call, every decision, is about right now, to secure a strong peace for everyone, not for a day, not for a week, not for two months, peace for years. Only then will it truly be a success for Ukraine, for America, for Europe, and in truth, for every nation that wants to live not to fight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his own brief New Year's address, telling his troops the country believes in them and in Russia's victory in Ukraine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): After all, we are together. The people of Russia work, success and achievements of each of us create new chapters in its thousand-year history, and the strength of our unity determines the sovereignty and security of the Fatherland, its development, its future.
[02:10:15]
We are united in our sincere, selfless and devoted love for Russia. I congratulate all our soldiers and commanders on the coming New Year. We believe in you and our victory.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: CNN's Nada Bashir is following developments from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, as mediation efforts continue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said some documents pertaining to the Russia, Ukraine peace agreement are set to be ready for signing as early as January.
However, it all depends on the willingness of those involved according to Zelenskyy, though he didn't specify which parties he was referring to. Talks will be held in early January between leaders and top officials from the so-called coalition of the willing, a group of Kyiv's key allies with national security advisors set to meet in Ukraine on January 3rd, before further talks are held at the leaders level in France on January 6th.
President Zelenskyy said he has also notified U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders of his willingness to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The talks come after Zelenskyy indicated he may be willing to make some key concessions as part of the deal, including ceding territory in the Donetsk region.
Though he said any withdrawal of troops would have to be reciprocal with Moscow giving up as much Ukrainian territory as that ceded by Kyiv. Negotiations appear to have picked up pace as U.S. officials continue to consult with both Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
Meanwhile, some European leaders have also indicated that things may be moving in a more positive direction. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after a Tuesday meeting that peace is on the horizon.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the peace process is moving forward, though he also urged for transparency and honesty from all parties, including from Russia.
Nada Bashir, CNN in London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Breaking news out of Switzerland, several people have been killed and others injured after a fire broke out a ski resort. It happened at a bar in the town of Crans-Montana, early Thursday morning, as revelers were ringing in the New Year, the area is known for high end holiday resorts.
President Trump's sweeping new travel ban is now in place. It came into effect just as the New Year began. The new restrictions target mostly African countries. Nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Syria and Laos are now barred from entering the U.S. Several other countries are facing partial travel restrictions. The White House says the move was made to, "Protect the nation from national security and public safety threats."
Mali and Burkina Faso have joined a list of countries that have imposed reciprocal travel bans on Americans.
Protests across Iran mark the latest chapter in increasing antigovernment sentiments over the rising cost of living and inflation.
Meanwhile, the strict Islamic regime appears to be overlooking the growing civil pushback as it focuses on its own survival.
CNN's Paula Hancocks has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These are the biggest demonstrations seen in Iran for three years, traders and shopkeepers walk through a Tehran bazaar chanting, close it down.
Many shops did this week, shutting their doors in protest, furious at the country's currency plummeting to a record low, pushing inflation and the cost of living to unbearable levels.
This is the year of blood, Sayed Ali will be toppled, a popular chant by protesters referring to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for the collapse of the regime.
Economic pain is being blamed on government mismanagement. Similar rallies are being seen in cities across Iran. Police deploy tear gas in some areas of Tehran, a lone protester covers his face but refuses to move, a significant act of defiance in a country where dissent has been met with swift and deadly force in recent years.
President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the public anger, stating, the livelihood of the people is my daily concern. Adding, he has tasked the Minister of Interior to hear the legitimate demands of the protesters.
The head of Iran's Central Bank has resigned. Food prices have risen more than 70 percent since this time last year, inflation for December year on year is at more than 40 percent, the regime cannot ignore these protests. Merchants played a crucial role in the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy and brought the Islamists to power.
[02:15:09]
Students at several universities have staged their own demonstrations calling for economic justice. It is unclear at this point how widespread this dissent might become.
ABAS ASLANI, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW, CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES: The average citizens and ordinary public is not joining this, let's say protest, and because there is no bright and clear picture of the day after and there is no, let's say credible alternative to this political system.
HANCOCKS (voice-over): Hundreds of women ran a marathon on Iran's Kish Island in early December without mandatory head scarfs. Similar acts in the past have sparked bloody crackdowns.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're earning 15 million tomans a month, so you should understand people's struggle but you don't.
HANCOCKS (voice-over): Those desperate for reforms in Iran are once again this week, testing cracks in the wall of the Islamic regime that they want to see crumble.
Paula Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York City's new mayor. The Democratic socialist now leads one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. Details by his inauguration, next. See you in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:20:09]
HUNTE: Welcome back. Britain's Queen Camilla is speaking out for the first time about being attacked when she was a teenager. She said she had to fight off a stranger on a train.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUEEN CAMILLA, QUEEN CONSORT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: I remember something that had been lurking in the back of my brain for very long times, that when I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train, and I'd sort of forgotten about it, but I remember at the time, being so angry. It was anger. And I thought, why is this sort of boy, I thought was an old man, it was probably not a great deal old as me, but I think attacked in what way, on a train -- on a train -- on a train, and someone you didn't know, somebody I didn't know. I was reading my book.
And you know this, well, boy, man attacked me, and I did fight back, and I got off. I remember getting off the train and my mother looking at me and saying, you know, why is your hair standing on end and why is a button, you know, missing from your coat, and I said, I was physically attacked.
But I remember anger, and I was so furious about it and it sort of lurked for many years. And I think you know when normal subject about domestic abuse came up, and suddenly you hear story like John and Amy's (ph) it all. You know, it's something that I feel very strongly about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: The Queen brought up the incident while talking about violence against women in a BBC Radio interview. Details of the attack first came out in a book earlier this year after an official recounted a story he reportedly heard from the queen. Buckingham Palace has not released an official statement about the attack.
Zohran Mamdani is now the mayor of New York City.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I Zohran Kwame Mamdani
ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK CITY GOVERNOR-ELECT: I Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do solemnly swear.
MAMDANI: Do solemnly swear.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That I will support the Constitution of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: He was sworn in just after midnight during a private ceremony with his wife who's also present. 34-year-old Mamdani is making history as the city's first South Asian and Muslim mayor, and the youngest in more than a century.
At least 4,000 people are expected at the public inauguration ceremony in the coming hours, Mamdani had promised during his campaign to tackle the affordability crisis.
The New Year also ushered in a new currency for Bulgaria. It's now the 21st country to adopt the euro. The country minted new coins incorporating Bulgarian national symbols, including images of religious figures. More than 350 million Europeans are now using their common currency, but many Bulgarians are concerned the change may bring higher prices on regular goods. Bulgaria has been roiled by recent protests over corruption and taxes.
It is nearly 2026 in every territory across the globe. Let's take a look at how countries around the world welcomed the New Year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGUS WATSON, CNN REPORTER: Guys, welcome to 2026. Happy New Year from Sydney, Australia.
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I hope you like my sparkly golden hat kind of makes me look like a unicorn as well, but it's been a great start to the New Year.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: If you think lovers are going to be out in 2026, you're -- Oh my god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the --
STOUT: Delulu, oh my gosh. This is a New Year's Eve miracle. Can I have a hug? Can I have a hug?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you -- did you know about this? Did she know about this?
MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a little hard to see this ferret thermometer, but oh my God, we're closing in on negative 30 Celsius, which is negative season is very high. We're all so tight. We are in one of the ice tunnels of the Harbin Winter Festival.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Hey, Dawn (ph), I hope you're getting ready for your first trip ever out to Abu Dhabi. You're going to help me ring in the New Year here, and I've got the team sorted with a whole bunch of adventures for you.
Good today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Feeling good.
ANDERSON: Here we go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy New Year.
[02:25:01]
ANDERSON: We did it.
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What you see here around me is the inside of the tower that houses Madrid's most famous clock, the one that is located in iconic Puerta del Sol. Since the beginning of the 20th century, this clock has marked the 12th times on New Year's Eve.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy New Year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just going to talk about a few of the myths of old land's own.
MICHAEL PEDERSEN, EDINBURGH'S POET LAUREATE: There's nothing indicatively in the song, which says it should be sung at New Year. Yes, it is a song of celebrating friendships past and present, of reminiscing about the past whilst looking to the future, which I think sort of speaks to the spirit of New Year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Love it. It's all so exciting. Thanks for joining me and the team I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta, Happy New Year once again. "TECH FOR GOOD" is next, and I'll be back with so much more news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
