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Blinken-Lavrov Meeting Ends With Promise Of More Talks; Interview With Ukrainian Journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk On Russian Aggression Against Ukraine; Scores Reported Killed And Wounded In Yemen Airstrikes; Beijing Hoping Barriers Will Prevent Explosion Of COVID Cases; Mass School Closures In France Due To COVID-19; Russian Foreign Minister Claims Written Response Coming From The U.S. Next Week; Iconic Rock Star Meat Loaf Dies At 74; Victoria Azarenka Eyes Third Australian Open Title. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired January 21, 2022 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:23]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We've been clear, if any Russian military forces move across Ukraine's boarder, that's a renewed invasion.

It will be met with swift, severe and a united response from the United States and our partners and allies.

SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): Antony Blinken repeated his position on the right to choose alliances. I asked how

America is going to fulfill its obligation, which was approved at the highest level in the framework of the OSCE. Along with the right to choose

alliances, the obligation does not strengthen anyone's security at the expense of infringing on the security of others.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A high stakes meeting on diffusing the Russia-Ukraine crisis ends in Geneva with a promise of more talks.

We've just heard from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov saying the U.S. will provide a

written response to Russian security proposals next week. That is something Moscow has been demanding.

But what more could today's meeting tell us after weeks of talks without either side ready to budge? And what is the Russia's endgame in Ukraine?

We have reporters all over the story in the next two hours. We'll also have lots of analyses from experts across the globe.

Just ahead, Ukrainian author and journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk who has reported extensively from occupied Crimea. And next hour, Kori Schake,

former U.S. State Department official and the director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, plus a look

inside Russian President Vladmir Putin's mind with Masha Gessen, author of "The Man Without a Face."

I'm Larry Madowo in Atlanta, in for Becky Anderson. Hello, and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD.

Let's get straight into it. Our chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward is in Kyiv watching these developments in Geneva.

Clarissa, I want to play something that Anthony Blinken said after his meeting with Sergey Lavrov.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLINKEN: This was not a negotiation but a candid exchange of concern and ideas. I made clear to Minister Lavrov that there are certain issues and

fundamental principles that the United States and our partners and allies are committed to defend. That includes those that would impede the

sovereign right of the Ukrainian people to write their own future. There is no trade space there. None.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: Secretary Blinken, Clarissa, is making it clear that there is no negotiation on sovereignty of the Ukraine. That Ukraine has a right to

exist and that is not something that the Americans and NATO are willing to debate.

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. You know, he absolutely was trying to essentially repair some of the damage

that Ukrainian officials felt was done when President Biden had indicated on Thursday that -- or on Wednesday rather than there might be a lesser

penalty to pay for Russia if it was only a minor incursion. A lot of people here very much shocked and stunned, to use the words of one Ukrainian

official that the U.S. would do what they felt was essentially giving a green light to President Putin to go ahead and launch some kind of minor

incursion.

We saw of course the White House really rowing that back, clarifying those remarks and, again, what you're seeing with Blinken's comments there is a

reiteration of the fact that any, any crossing of Ukraine's border by Russian forces will be viewed as a re-invasion and will be met with swift

response and strong and united response because that was another concern that had been raised that President Biden had sort of raised the specter

that there was not complete agreement between various allies about how to respond to Russian aggression in various different scenarios.

But I think the real takeaway from today's meeting was that there is at least now a clear path ahead to use an expression that Secretary of State

Blinken used. That doesn't mean that either side has changed its viewpoints. That doesn't mean that there is any closer to a resolution.

What it does mean, hopefully, though, is that at least for the next couple of weeks, as this new round of diplomacy sort of plays out that the threat

of an imminent Russian invasion is perhaps somewhat lessened -- Larry.

MADOWO: It's somewhat lessened but not completely gone. We've just been looking at some live video, Clarissa, of Secretary Blinken at the airport

after this couple of meetings he's had in Kyiv, in Berlin where and in Geneva where, like you said, the threat of a Russian invasion might have

been reduced after this meeting but is not completely eliminated.

I also want to play for you what Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said about whether they're on the right track or on the wrong

track, or where do we go from here. Listen.

[10:05:04]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAVROV (through translator): You know, it is simply inappropriate trying to explain it in the simplest terms. I told you everything we talked about

today, what we discussed today, and how we finished our useful, open conversation. I cannot say if we are on the right track or the wrong track.

We will understand it when we get the American written answer for our every suggestion.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: So, Clarissa, why won't he commit to saying fine, we think we made some progress and we're headed in the right direction? He's kind of hedging

here saying, I'm not willing to go out and say we're on the right track or on the wrong track. What is your reading of that?

WARD: So I think both sides said from the outset that no breakthroughs were expected today. And indeed, it doesn't appear that any breakthroughs were

achieved. But what we didn't see was a sort of dead end for diplomacy. We didn't see them walk out of those meetings say there's no more room left

for discussion. There is at least now another, you know, layer of diplomacy allowed for.

And one key thing as well that they Russian side was able to extract was this demand for a written response. For whatever reason, it seemed

incredibly important to the Russian side that the Americans review their complaints or their demands and take it very seriously and respond in the

written form. And Blinken had said I'm not going to write a response in time for Friday's meetings but now he has said that yes, there will be a

written response provided next week not just dealing with the Russian demands but also raising the U.S.'s very significant concerns as well.

Again, this doesn't mean that they're any closer to sort of crossing the chasm that still exists between what the Russian's demands are and what for

the U.S. and its NATO allies are simply, in the words of the U.S., non- starters but it does at least mean that diplomacy lives to see another day.

MADOWO: That is a fascinating point you make, Clarissa, about these written responses because they already know what the American position is. They

heard it today verbally in that meeting in Geneva but they want it in writing., and then they're keeping this option open that fine, there could

be another meeting between Sergey Lavrov and Secretary Blinken, and even possibly another meeting between President Putin and President Biden.

WARD: That's right. I mean, I was quite surprised at the prospect being raised of potentially another meeting between the two presidents who met,

of course, after the G-7 in Geneva. It wasn't clear if that would be a meeting in person or some kind of a virtual meeting. And obviously there's

a lot of diplomatic legwork before such a meeting would even take place. But the fact that there is even a conversation about it, the fact that the

possibility of it has even been mentioned, and we heard also on the Russian side, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, had said that a meeting between

the two leaders would be welcomed after Russia has a chance to review these written replies or written statement in response to the Russian security

demands.

MADOWO: Our chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward in Kyiv for us. Thank you.

I want to bring in now international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson who is in Moscow.

How is today's meeting being received in Moscow? Is it a success for the Russians or how are they spinning this?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: So far very little analysis, though the analysis by commentators on some of the state

television here was that the fact that the meeting was relatively short meant that it was not very productive. I think, you know, Sergey Lavrov

said no, it was scheduled for an hour and a half. But the key thing here is what is President Putin thinking and we don't know that. We haven't heard

from his spokesman subsequent to the meeting.

But what Russia is getting here, they wanted these written responses. OK. That's a written response as opposed to a verbal response. But what this

does, the effect of giving a written response draws the United States closer, closer to getting enmeshed and engaged in the conversations that

Russia wants to pursue even though they know they're not going to get the answers that they want.

They know the answer is going to be no to the question of -- you know, to the question of, is Ukraine allowed to join NATO? The United States is

going to say that question is up to Ukraine and the answer is yes. They can join if they want to. Russia is trying to block that. So they know that the

answer on that question is going to be negative. They know that that's going to be the written answer.

So for them, the gain here is to get the United States into this, deeper into this conversation. The United States has said we won't negotiate and

talk about the future of Ukraine or NATO without them being in the room.

[10:10:02]

But this process draws the United States away, away from that commitment. It is very hard to see how they can keep this very narrow focus, make it

not a negotiation but not get pulled down this path. But we don't know how far it's going to go and certainly some analysis is that essentially the

Kremlin is ticking down the clock as it maneuvers military forces into position which it can't hide, but yet it's got a diplomatic process to use,

some analysts would say, as cover for that. Of course Russia is very clear. It's not about to invade but what it does have is continued time to

maneuver more forces into position should it change its mind.

MADOWO: And as Clarissa also just telling us, interesting, and telling that the Americans finally agreed to provide those written responses even though

they already made those positions known and have made them clearly, repeatedly known.

Nic Robertson in Moscow, thank you, sir.

My next guest is a Ukrainian journalist who has written a book called "Lost Island: Dispatches from Occupied Crimea." Nataliya Gumenyuk spends six

years reporting in the Russian annexed region. Her pictures tell a haunting story. Having witnessed Russia's aggression firsthand, she believes Ukraine

will defend itself no matter what the cost. She's also the founder of the Public Interest Journalism Lab, and Nataliya Gumenyuk joins me now live

from Kyiv.

Thank you, Nataliya, for coming to talk to us. What's your reaction for today's meeting between Secretary Blinken and Sergey Lavrov, and do you

think it will reassure many people in Ukraine that a Russian invasion is not imminent?

NATALIYA GUMENYUK, UKRAINIAN JOURNALIST: So Ukrainians as myself are cautiously watching the talks in Geneva and Brussels wherever, but of

course the main feeling it's very important to keep calm and not to let ourselves be consumed by the anxiety because here it's about the real

threat and not the theory. However, of course it's very hard to believe emotionally into the full-scale invasion.

Yet do I insist that indeed the thoughts about like a possible resistance, they are there. So Ukrainians are meeting all those talks with so-called

doomed optimism that knowing that the threat is real, the Russia is a dangerous neighbor, yet in case of something, it's in the end up to Ukraine

to defend itself but unfortunately it's not up to Ukraine to prevent the invasion.

MADOWO: You reported extensively from Crimea so you know what Russian aggression does in Ukraine. The Russian foreign minister said today that it

never threatened Ukraine and it has no intention of invading your country. But do you believe him? Do ordinary people believe him?

GUMENYUK: So I think today we're already in the world where we do not believe the words of the politicians. Indeed the part of the Ukrainian

territory Crimea is effectively occupied by Russian forces for eight years and the part of the territory in the eastern Ukraine is on the Russian

proxies. And in the end it's a real-life conflict with the minds, with the shelling, with the bombing, so it already happened. Ukrainians didn't

believe that the Russia can invade eight years ago but it was proven.

And also we also understand that there is no really the need to protect the (INAUDIBLE) cases within these years that, you know, some fictional cause

was used to either escalate or to do something as it was in the Donbass. So it's not really the possible, you know, to believe for us because it was

proven by the actions on the case.

MADOWO: Right. Nataliya, you're on record giving credit to the Ukrainian government for doing everything possible to deescalate the situation. How

strong is the support for the government among ordinary people?

GUMENYUK: I think it's very -- it differs, of course. It's a democratically elected government. It has its opposition. But I can ensure that in this

case, we don't really hear these small drops. You know, there are no those (INAUDIBLE) people even among the opposition. There are those who are more

conservative, who are more firm, there are those who want to have kind of more softer tone. But why I'm giving the credit to the government because

first of all it's very important for international audience to understand why it's very hard for Ukraine to deescalate.

Because the whole government policy for the last couple of years was about the deescalating, about softening the tone, about, you know, looking more

into the humanitarian side of what we're doing, even some concessions, but unfortunately they were not much received back, and that's the point of

criticism to the president.

As well, even in this anxiety moment, very tense, you know, it's very easy to be emotional and, you know, be maybe more critical but the call is to

remain calm and not to answer to the provocation.

MADOWO: Right.

[10:15:03]

GUMENYUK: But again, of course there is a political opposition but not really those who are calling for the war. They're not here.

MADOWO: I want to show you this tweet from the official Ukraine account which said that you keep saying the Ukraine crisis. There is no Ukraine

crisis, there is a bad neighbor. Is that a feeling that's shared by ordinary people in Ukraine?

GUMENYUK: Indeed because it puts as if it's something which Ukraine did. It was never Ukrainian, you know, intentions to conquer a neighbor. The whole

point is about the defense. But especially in this position, I myself would probably question this, sir, because today Ukraine is unfortunate in the

position when the demands are to the U.S., to NATO, to change the international security order, to forget about the open-door policy to NATO,

to not to consider as the sovereignty of the state.

So it's not really the Ukrainian crisis, so Ukrainians -- but I also want to add that it's not like Ukrainians feel they are pawns on the chess

board. I know that Ukrainians are, you know, they are connected to their partners in the U.S. Antony Blinken was here. It's rather we feel like

there's a David against Goliath and it's very hard to defend itself from such a powerful neighbor.

MADOWO: Nataliya Gumenyuk, thank you so much for coming to share your insights and your reporting with us. We appreciate it.

Now to word of heavy air strikes in northern Yemen today. They hit multiple sites including a detention center inside the province. Scores of people

are said to have been killed and injured. Three children are reported to be among the dead. Yemen's Houthi rebels are blaming the Saudi-led coalition

which has claimed responsibility for strikes on, quote, "military targets" in the capital Sana'a. The coalition strikes intensified after the Houthis

hit targets in the UAE on Monday.

CNN senior international correspondent Sam Kiley has been on the story all week for us and joins us from Abu Dhabi.

Sam, aid groups are saying the death toll is likely to increase and the number of the wounded is also significant. What more do we know about this

latest air strike?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Larry, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, there's about 100 dead.

Save the Children are saying they know of at least 60 around the country. Save the Children also saying that three of the dead are kids and at the

same time eight organizations are now extremely troubled by the fact that there's an internet blackout because the Saudi-led coalition had reportedly

struck at a telecoms installation near the port of Hodeidah.

This very important, strategic port, the lifeline, the only access really to the outside world in any significant way, the Houthis have the route by

which fuel and food comes in was attacked. The Saudis say in their effort to get rid of what they called the Houthi piracy and criminal operations.

And this all coming, Larry, you'll remember when we were talking at the beginning of the week following a Houthi attack here in Abu Dhabi on the

Emirati capital that killed three people and wounded eight. The death toll could have been a great deal larger. It's now very clear having spoken to

eyewitnesses and talked to government officials here that the Houthi attack which both sides, both the Houthis and the Emiratis agree included Houthi

missiles, Houthi drones, and even cruise and ballistic missiles.

We're not quite sure what caused the damage but it was directed at the petroleum distribution point south of Abu Dhabi which had it gone up it

would have been a really terrifying and devastating fire and it is devastating fire that the Saudi-led coalition have clearly used in

retaliation to that attack against the Yemen, Larry, with a large number of air strikes, the likes of which we hadn't really seen or the Yemenis hadn't

seen for around a year or so. And this of course following allegations by the Houthis that the Emiratis had stepped back into that quagmire at least

in a covert way. We've got independent report for that line coming out of the Houthis, too -- Larry.

MADOWO: You've reported on this conflict extensively over the years. This latest escalation is leading to suffering for ordinary people on both

sides. So where do we go from here?

KILEY: Well, Larry, I mean, there have been repeated attempts at getting a cease-fire deal. The Emiratis clearly identified it as a quagmire that they

wish they hadn't got involved in support of the government there. The government there lives in exile in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition

minus in large part the Emiratis continues to prosecute a war. Up until recently they've been quietly but steadily losing that war effectively in

the face of Houthi advances.

And as the Houthis blamed the Emiratis for stepping in support of an organization known as the Giant Brigade, they enjoyed some success back

against the Houthis that took the pressure off the Saudi allies elsewhere in the country.

[10:20:05]

It's a very complex map. Very, very complicated indeed, involving a lot of infighting on particularly the Saudi-led coalition side with elements that

have ideological alignment with al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood right through to ardent secularists all fighting in support of the government and

against the Houthis. There is no prospect at all of any reduction really in violence. Every indication in the short term, at any rate, Larry, is that

following this mass death of civilians in Houthi-held northern Yemen there's every likelihood of further attacks being conducted by the Houthis.

MADOWO: Our Sam Kiley in Abu Dhabi, thank you, sir.

Despite good intentions to keep schools open, the French government is reporting a record number of classes not being in session. Why so many in

France are upset over COVID rules.

Plus, a lot of rhetoric but was there any real headway from today's big U.S.-Russia meeting over Ukraine.? More on that, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MADOWO: Beijing is seeing the highest number of COVID cases since the current outbreak began just days ago. Today health officials reported 12

new COVID cases. There are now a total of 23 people infected with the virus in the city. Beijing has mostly sealed itself off from the outside world in

efforts to host a COVID-free Winter Olympics which are now just two weeks away.

Meanwhile, dedicated lanes only for Olympic staff and athletes are now being used to keep new COVID cases from spreading to the Chinese public.

CNN's David Culver reports from Beijing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Traveling into Beijing may prove to be a tougher race than an Olympic competition. These winter games

taking place in capital city that increasingly feels like a fortress. China determined to keep out any new cases of COVID-19 starting at the airport.

(On-camera): This is the terminal that's going to be used by athletes, some of the Olympic personnel and media arriving into Beijing. They've got a

wall up that keeps the general population away from everyone who is part of the Olympic arrivals.

(Voice-over): Those coming in required to download this official app to monitor their health. Inputting their information starting 14 days before

arriving in Beijing. While health surveillance and strict contact tracing is part of life for every one living in China, it's making visitors uneasy.

Cyber security researchers warn the app has serious encryption flaws. Potentially compromising personal health data. China dismisses concerns but

Team USA and athletes from other countries are being advised to bring disposable burner phones instead of their personal ones.

[10:25:03]

From the airport, athletes and personnel will be taken into what organizers call the close loop system. Not one giant bubble so much as multiple

bubbles connected by dedicated shuttles. Within the capital city, there are several hotels and venues plus the Olympic Village that are only for

credentialed participants.

(On-camera): The dedicated transport buses will be bringing the athletes, the personnel, the media through these gates. But for those of us who are

residents outside, this is as close as we can get.

(Voice-over): Then there are the mountain venues on the outskirts of Beijing, connected by a highspeed train and highways. All of them newly

built for the winter games. So as to maintain the separation even the railcars are divided. And the close loop buses given specially marked

lanes.

(On-camera): It is so strict that officials have told residents if they see one of the vehicles that's part of the Olympic convoys get into a crash to

stay away. They've actually got a specialized unit of medics to respond to those incidents. It's all to keep the virus from potentially spreading.

(Voice-over): It also helps keep visiting journalists from leaving the capital city to other regions like Xinjiang or Tibet, to explore

controversial topics. With the world's attention, the Olympics allows China to showcase its perceived superiority in containing the virus, especially

compared with countries like the U.S. But this will in many ways also be a tale of two cities. One curated for the Olympic arrivals and pre-selected

groups of spectators, another that is the real Beijing.

Though some local Beijing residents are now in a bubble of their own, communities locked down after recent cases surfaced in city outside the

Olympic boundaries. A mounting challenge for a country that's trying to keep COVID out and yet still stage a global sporting spectacle to wow the

world.

David Culver, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MADOWO: France is reporting its highest number of classroom closures since the coronavirus pandemic began. The French Education minister says nearly

19,000 classes shut their doors today. That's due to the huge number of students and school staff getting infected with COVID.

CNN's Nina dos Santos is following this for us and she joins me from London.

And Nina, COVID appears to be spreading really fast among French schoolchildren and staff. So tell us about these latest school closures.

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. Mass closures. 19,000 classes as you said have been knocked out by COVID because either

pupils have to isolate or staff have to isolate at these schools. And when it comes to the incidence rate it looks as though it's just slightly higher

for pupils with the absence rate thanks to COVID being 3.8 percent roughly for schoolchildren in France, 2.5 percent for staff.

But all of this is coming despite the fact that France twice has to loosen COVID restrictions with regards to classrooms and isolation rules for

people and staff so far this month alone to try and prevent these mass closures of classes and to keep education on track during this wave of the

pandemic.

Now what's really interesting is that despite what's going on in the school system in France, the government is still on track to loosen COVID

restrictions. We heard today that those COVID restrictions will start to be loosened in France in just a couple of weeks as of February 2nd. And also

when it comes to the constitutionality of whether or not they can push forward of plans for the vaccination pass, that also got the green light in

Paris today as well.

And this is a situation we're seeing right across Europe, Larry, where we're seeing governments tightening up those rules for vaccinations. Indeed

Austria after a seven-hour marathon debate saw its parliament early today push forward with making vaccinations against COVID-19 mandatory for all of

its citizens over 18 years old. But at the same time we're still facing this ongoing lingering wave of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

High case numbers. There are record numbers, by the way, in Germany and also the impetus for some of these governments to start loosening these

restrictions. Ireland we're expecting to announce something to loosen its own restrictions in about two hours from now -- Larry.

MADOWO: We're going to be watching that, the very controversial decision by Austria. There will be a lot of people not happy with that, but could that

be a trend in the rest of Europe? Maybe the rest of the world? We'll have to wait and see.

Nina dos Santos in London, thank you.

Still ahead, we're live from Geneva as the U.S. makes a push to prevent a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now Moscow is putting the ball in

America's court.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:32:08]

MADOWO: Welcome back. I'm Larry Madowo at CNN Center and you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD.

More now on the standoff over Ukraine. Russia's top diplomat says today's meeting with his U.S. counterpart is not tend of their dialogue. Foreign

Minister Sergey Lavrov says the U.S. agreed to respond in writing to Moscow's security proposals next week. The talks capped off Secretary of

State Anthony Blinken weeklong push to head off an invasion of Ukraine. Blinken again warned of a swift response if Russia invades. Lavrov again

denied any plans to do so. So that's essentially where we were a week ago.

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen was at the news conference and joins us live from Geneva.

Frederik, was there a sense therefore that progress was made today to stave off that possible Russian invasion of Ukraine?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think problem in the sense that at least the talks happened today in first place

because remember, that after the first round of talks here in Geneva that took place on the deputy foreign minister level, the Russians afterwards

said they were so disappointed that they really weren't sure whether or not any further talks would be in order and even said that they would even want

to pursue.

So now you did have the top diplomats at the table today and I think that in itself was probably already a success and already very important. And

that one sentence that you just mentioned or half sentence from Sergey Lavrov is certainly important as well where he said this is not the end of

dialogue. That certainly is something that most probably is very important to hear especially for the folks there in Ukraine who of course right now

have that Russian force amassing pretty much on three sides of their border.

But I think one of the things that apparently remained a point of contention is the Russian demand there not be any more NATO enlargement and

that Ukraine never become a member of NATO. And it was quite interesting that the Russians are now saying that the U.S. will provide them with

written answers to their demand. The Secretary of State Blinken also saying that as well, but he didn't say that they were responding to the demand. He

said the U.S. also wants to put forward some of its concerns.

And I asked the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov whether or not he was satisfied with the meeting as it took place today. I want you to listen

to some of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAVROV (through translator): I think that the State Department also needs to analyze how fair CNN is in presenting its information and the accuracy

of the facts that are represented. Anthony Blinken repeated his position on the right to choose alliances. I asked how America is going to fulfill its

obligation which was approved at the highest level in the framework of the OSCE. Along with the right to choose alliances the obligation does not

strengthen anyone security at the expense of infringing on the security of others.

He promised to explain how the United States treats the fulfillment of this obligation. As I told you this is not the end of our dialogue.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

[10:35:00]

PLEITGEN: So there you have Sergey Lavrov, after taking a swipe at CNN, answering the question after all, really stating Russia's position on all

of this saying that they believe that any sort of move of Ukraine into NATO would infringe upon their security and that's certainly they say one of the

main reasons why they've been pursuing these talks in the first place. And of course, again, happened in that backdrop of so many Russian forces

amassing close to Ukraine -- Larry.

MADOWO: Frederik, I want to ask you something else really quickly that Sergey also did talk about when asked at that press conference. First,

listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Is an invasion likely as President Biden suggested?

LAVROV: Unless the United States doesn't go to bed with Ukraine, I don't think so.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: An invasion is not likely unless the United States goes to bed with Ukraine. What do you make of that really quickly?

PLEITGEN: I think that the Russians for a very long time now have been saying that they don't think that an invasion is likely. They certainly

said they don't think that any sort of large-scale conflict there is likely. They say that they have no intention of invading Ukraine. They say

that the force that they have right now is on their sovereign territory which is certainly the case. But nevertheless, the U.S. and its allies say

that if a force is amassed of more than 100,000 troops and a lot of military hardware that can only be interpreted as being threatening and has

been destabilizing to the situation. So very difficult to see or to read into what Russia's tensions are, what could be Russia's next move. And it

really is one of the reasons why diplomacy at this point in time is so important.

MADOWO: All right. Frederik Pleitgen in Geneva for us, thank you.

2022 has already seen the last of so many legends in entertainment and now Grammy-award winning singer Meat Loaf has died. A look back at his

legendary music career, ahead.

Plus two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka eyeing her third title in Melbourne this year. We'll tell you what her young son had to say

about that in an adorable news conference moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MADOWO: Some sad news to share today. The larger-than-life American rock star known as Meat Loaf has passed away.

Famous for his 1970s hits, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "Bat Out of Hell" remains one of the best-selling rock

albums of all time.

CNN's Chloe Melas has a look back at his life and work.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MEAT LOAF, MUSICIAN (singing): Oh, I would do anything for love, but I don't do that.

CHLOE MELAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Meat Loaf performed sweet, suburban melodies with dramatic flair, unleashing the

lyrics of composer Jim Steinman.

MEAT LOAF: And I go out on a stage as if it's the last thing I'll ever do. I will -- and that's what I've always said, if I'm going to -- if I'm going

out, I'm going out on the stage.

[10:40:08]

MELAS: Meat Loaf. Where did that name come from?

MEAT LOAF: The real story is there is no story. The real story is that kids -- I was about 8 years old. I've been called Meat Loaf since I was about 8.

MELAS: Meat Loaf or Meat for short was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas. But even Texas wasn't big enough to choral his talents. Meat Loaf

would go on to sell more than 80 million records word wide. One of the top selling musicians ever. His three "Bat Out of Hell" albums became staples

in college dorm rooms. The first one selling 43 million copies.

MEAT LOAF: "Bat Out of Hell" one I was not ready for. I had a nervous breakdown. I went to a psychologist and psychiatrist for two years. And I

went with them to deal with the word star.

MELAS: Meat got a hold of his demons. He starred on stage and screen, known for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." And Bob Paulsen in "Fight Club."

MEAT LOAF: The first rule is, I'm not supposed to talk about it. And the second rule is, I'm not supposed to talk about it. And the third rule is --

EDWARD NORTON, ACTOR: Bob, Bob, I'm a member.

MELAS: Off screen he married twice, became a father to two daughters. And Meat Loaf entered reality TV. Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice." In an

infamous episode, he blistered Gary Busey.

MEAT LOAF: You look in my eyes. I am the last person in the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) world you ever (EXPLETIVE DELETED) want to (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

with.

MELAS: Such harsh yelling. A stark contrast to what launched Meat Loaf to international adoration, that operatic voice.

MEAT LOAF (singing): Oh, I would do anything for love, but I won't do that. No. No, I won't do that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MADOWO: Meat Loaf's cause of death has not yet been released. He was 74.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka became the first player to reach the round of 16 in this year's tournament beating Svitolina 6,

love, 6-2. So what did her son, Leo, think of that?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Leo, how did mommy play today?

LEO, VICTORIA AZARENKA'S SON: Awesome.

VICTORIA AZARENKA, TWO-TIME AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION: Thank you for that.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: The Belarusian is aiming for her third title in Melbourne.

"World Sport" anchor Amanda Davies is with me now.

Amanda, that was awesome, I guess.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Yes. Absolutely, Larry. And he could certainly teach a few of the pros a thing or two about press conference

environment. But I bet, you know, after the last couple of years there's a fair few working parents who chuckled at that scenario having had to deal

with the work scenario at the same time as parenting. But interestingly, since Victoria Azarenka had Leo in 2016 she's never made it passed the

first rounds at the Australian Open despite being a two-time former champion.

MADOWO: Right.

DAVIES: So perhaps this year, now she's booked her place in the last 16. He might be her lucky charm. So we've got news of that and a big shock for the

defending champion coming your way in just a couple of minutes in "WORLD SPORT."

MADOWO: So Leo was exactly right. That was awesome. She has made it to the round of 16 and maybe she might win the whole thing.

Amanda Davies is back right after the break for the "WORLD SPORT."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:45:23]

(WORLD SPORT)

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