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U.S. State Department: If Russia Invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 will not Move Forward; CNN Speaks with Danish Foreign Minister on Ukraine Support; Qatari FM Visits Iran as it Considers Direct Talks with U.S.; Germany: Consequences for Nord Stream 2 if Russia Invades; China: 23 new COVID-19 Cases Linked to the Games; Jamaican Bobsleigh Team Members Talk to CNN. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired January 27, 2022 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: This hour the U.S. finally responds to Russia's demands on Ukraine. But is it what the Kremlin wanted?
We'll explore that just ahead. I'm Becky Anderson and welcome back to "Connect the World".
CNN has just learned the presidents of the U.S. and Ukraine will talk by phone. A few hours from now one topic should be discussed by Joe Biden and
Vladimir Zelensky. Moscow's initial reaction after receiving the U.S. response to Russian security demands.
Now, the Kremlin spokesman saying President Vladimir Putin has read the document, but will not rush his response. Russia's Foreign Minister also
weighing in, he is Sergey Lavrov.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: There is no positive reaction on the main issue in this document. The main issue is a clear position on the
inadmissibility of further expansion of NATO to the east and the deployment of strike weapons that could threaten the territory of the Russian
Federation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the Ukraine's Foreign Minister says it is Russia that has to make concessions and not the other way around. Speaking in Denmark
today, he vowed Ukraine won't succumb to Russian pressure, while holding out hope that diplomacy can defuse this crisis, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We are not planning any offensive actions; we are committed to diplomatic threat. And we are ready
to engage with Russia at different levels in order to find diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, if Russia decides to fight, we'll fight
that, this is our country, and we will defend it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, he made those comments while standing beside my next guest. And we will get into that in a moment. First up, though our correspondents
connecting you to the many different angles of this story. Nic is in Moscow. Kylie Atwood is at the State Department in Washington.
Let's starts with you, Nic. We hear from Sergey Lavrov, who suggests that while Vladimir Putin will not rush his response to this U.S. paper that the
main demand, he says has not been addressed your perspective.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, there are secondary issues there that Lavrov spoke about that there could be room for
negotiation on. But I think the message we got from the Kremlin spokesman earlier today was not to expect an answer today, that would be too soon,
but not to expect to wait too long.
Obviously, the Russian leadership has had time to consider this because they knew what was going to be in the letter before it arrived. OK, they
got it, they got the print, they got the handwriting or whatever it was they got it, they can see it in front of them.
But it was really always going to be confirmation of what they've been told, so not any really big surprises. And I think, you know, one of the
decisions now for the leadership here is how public to go with how much of it.
Sergey Lavrov speaking yesterday indicated that if it really was not particularly palatable to President Putin, then they might make more of it
available to the public. Certainly, he said he would be giving the country a read of what was in it.
He did say as well, that they would be keeping it, you know, private because that was a commitment they given the United States. But Sergey
Lavrov also indicated that it could be leaked, you know, he said, look, this document has been sent to NATO. And it's been sent to the Ukrainians
as well. So it could be leaked.
So I don't think we should be surprised if elements of it get into the public domain. But I think the bottom line at the moment is there was
something in there that the Russians feel that they can work with now. Can they maneuver their way around the primary concerns as they put them, and
we have to see how they're going to do that? But I think that's the supposition at the moment.
ANDERSON: Kylie, the U.S. and his Western allies want as much leverage over the Kremlin at this point as possible. And a controversial gas link that
means an awful lot to President Putin is a key tool in the European toolkit at this point, it would link Russia and Germany and this is important.
I want you and our viewers just to have a listen to an exchange between Jim Sciutto and Ned Price, the spokesman for the State Department on this
issue. Have a listen.
[11:05:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKEMAN: Jim, I want to be very clear about this. If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another Nord Stream 2
will not move forward.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: OK, that's his direct answer. I want to ask you about was Germany on board? Because of
course, this is a German Russian project.
PRICE: Well, look, I'm not going to get into the specifics, but we will work with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward. You have
heard statements from our German allies, even over the past 12, 16 hours, speaking to the strong measures that the German government is ready and
willing to put in place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: The U.S. clearly wants to use this project as leverage with Moscow in trying to defuse this crisis. Do they have Berlin on board,
Kylie?
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I think that is the open question here, because there is some daylight between what the U.S. is
saying that this streamline excuse me that this pipeline is going to be dead upon arrival, if Russia does invade Ukraine.
And then you have the Germans who are saying that there will be massive consequences for Russia if they invade Ukraine, but not being as explicit
in saying that this pipeline is going to be, you know, put in the trash.
So there is a bit of daylight there. But the Biden Administration is really working behind the scenes to try and get the Germans on the same page as
the United States and many other European allies in this. And so that is why they are not coming out and saying anything negatively about how
Germany is dealing with this here, they are giving them some space, giving them some patience.
And this will be rest assured a top topic when the German Chancellor visits here visits the White House, visits with President Biden at the beginning
of next month. So ahead of that visit, you have seen Secretary Blinken in talks with the Germans.
You have seen this director of the CIA in talks with the Germans. You have a whole host of diplomatic activity between the two countries to really try
and create the sense that they are lockstep while essentially really trying to drag the Germans along to get on the same page.
And a lot of people think that they will eventually get there. But this is a massive economic project for the Germans as well. So there is interest on
their behalf in terms of trying to make sure that this pipeline, of course, can stay open, but also making sure that Russia doesn't invade Ukraine.
ANDERSON: It's interesting the timing of that, that visit by the German chancellor to Washington is February the seventh, as I understand it,
before that the Emir of Qatar will be in Washington.
And some talks that reportedly between the U.S. and Qatar in trying to provide some sort of backstop for European for gas into Europe, should
things escalate, should Moscow in fact, further invade Ukraine?
I'm just wondering, given the timing of that trip by the German chancellor, which is what some 10 days away at this point, does that suggest that
Washington sees this dragging on for a period of time?
ATWOOD: I think it does, Becky. I mean, you need to read between the lines here, right. And the Biden Administration has said for a number of days now
that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent.
So they have warned folks that that is in the realm of the possible. But then you also hear from folks at the State Department, including the Deputy
Secretary of State just yesterday saying that the launch of the Chinese, the Olympics in Beijing, which are on February 4, may not be the time for
this invasion to actually occur.
That might be a factor here. So I do think that the U.S. acknowledges that invasion could be imminent. But they also are not exactly acting as if this
is going to happen tomorrow, based on the diplomatic engagements that they have lined up over the next few weeks here as you point out.
ANDERSON: You got the perspective for from Washington and from Moscow to both of you, thank you. As I said earlier, the Ukrainian foreign minister
is in Copenhagen. He was invited by his Danish counterpart.
You can see them here during the meeting earlier. Today, Denmark has allocated an additional $24.5 million to strengthen Ukraine's security
sector. And the Danish foreign minister has said the EU is ready to act forcefully with sanctions in the case of a Russian invasion into Ukraine.
So let's bring in the Danish Foreign Minister at this point, Jeppe Kofod, it's good to have Sir. How did that meeting go?
JEPPE KOFOD, DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you. Well, it was a very good meeting. And it also had an opportunity to show my unwavering support for
Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty facing these Russian provocations.
[11:10:00]
KOFOD: But also saying that we are ready for, you know, a dialogue with Russia, U.S., Russia, NATO Russia, in the OECD to find a peaceful and
diplomatic settlement to the tension in Europe. But of course, we will never compromise with any free countries right to choose its own security
arrangement, including Ukraine.
ANDERSON: You've been very explicit about how unacceptable Russian actions are. Have you communicated those concerns directly to the Kremlin?
KOFOD: Well, I have also, when we had an OSCE meeting, before this Christmas, New Year, I also communicated very clearly, that we stand by any
European country. Their freedom, to choose their own destiny, whether it's Ukraine, or its Finland, or Sweden, or whatever country that has been
exposed by this Russian attempt to redo the map of Europe. But also impose their opinion on others and not respect the integrity and - of countries in
Europe.
ANDERSON: You've pushed for diplomacy. So why are you not pushing for a direct conversation with the Kremlin?
KOFOD: We have direct conversation, because we are coordinated with the U.S. - Russia dialogue, but also NATO Russia dialogue. We hope that Russia
will come back to the data Council to discuss issues that will bring security for all Europeans, it could be on transparency, it could be in
weapons control.
It could be also other risk, risk issues where we can reduce tensions, all of that will be great. But the problem is now that Russia is violating any
norm and international principles, threatening a neighboring country of invasion, if they are not allowed from the Russian side to decide over
Ukraine. This is totally and utterly unacceptable.
ANDERSON: Right.
KOFOD: And Ukraine is now fighting a freedom fight that we all should back off.
ANDERSON: There's a wider story here that EU leaders, including you are concerned about, and that is that Vladimir Putin is trying to divide Europe
and create disunity. And with respect sir, wouldn't you agree that with 27 countries with very different interests, outlooks and exposure to Russia,
that strategy is to some degree working is you're really unite President Biden when he spoke to European leaders and NATO recently said there was
total unanimity.
But there isn't is there not least, the sort of slightly muddy narrative we are hearing, for example, from Berlin?
KOFOD: Well, listen, it's true that different European countries have different interdependence with Russia, energy and other issues. But
something is more important than this. This is when the whole security or of Europe is in jeopardy because of Russian threats and behavior.
Because they could, it can have a very dangerous precedent if we allow Russia to redo the European map by force, or violating fundamental freedom
of any European country to decide its own future, its own security arrangement.
So that is why we stand united all EU 27 in NATO with our transatlantic partners, to reject that type of behavior from the Russian side. You also
wait for dialogue, which should be a dialogue; dialogue based on the principles in the OSCE where we can find common ground for security that
benefit all Europeans, Russians and all others.
ANDERSON: This is a very complicated situation for European leaders. Let's be quite frank, what's the worst case scenario here? What are you most
concerned about?
KOFOD: Well, listen, we hope and work for the best. We try with our diplomatic efforts to avoid Russian confrontation. But we are prepared for
the worst. And that's why we are mobilizing. That's why we have to mobilize but because we want to because we need to, because freedom and security and
the whole legal order of Europe and the world is a deputy now because of Russian behavior.
That we have to stand united - Russia, they have to come back to the negotiation table to diplomacy instead of using threat and military force
as a weapon.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: Do you believe Nord Stream 2; the gas pipeline that will link Russia and Germany should be used as a threat here? And I talk about a
threat. I mean, the threat that's coming out of Washington, which is that is dead in the water. Should Russia misstep at this point?
That's clearly something which is concerning to Germany and indeed to the rest of Europe. Should that be used in such bold terms by Washington? And
do you support the potential for that to be mothballed; should Russia, should Moscow not behave at this point, according to Europeans?
KOFOD: Well, listen, Denmark and me as formulas of Denmark, we support the most devastating and comprehensive sanctions politically, economically, if
Russia choose to invade a sovereign country like Ukraine.
And there will be sanctions, which will be unprecedented, never seen before, much more than 2014 that could hurt Putin and the people around
him, the economy and isolate Russia politically from the world that we will do.
ANDERSON: How swinging should those sanctions are? Should Russia, for example, be kicked out of the Swift payments, international payment system?
KOFOD: Yes, I don't want to reveal the exact sanctions, but we are ready to do sanctions that will hurt Russia. Of course, some of the tensions can
also hurt us. But I have to say that freedom can come for free.
And sometimes you have to stand up to fundamental principles of international law and freedom, the security arrangement in Europe that each
and every country is sovereign and can choose its own security arrangement, without being imposed by a Russia or threatened by military invasion.
So this is so fundamental. And there, I can assure you that EU 27, NATO, U.S., our transatlantic partners, we are united around predicting this
behavior from Russia. And the cost if they gauge military with Ukraine will be devastating for them.
ANDERSON: That I understand, I understand that you're saying that we are coordinated, and that we are that we support each other and that we - what
you don't want to say is further invasion.
But I do want to press you on this point, because you say you're not prepared to reveal your position with regard how swingy these sanctions
might be. But the U.S. has not been shy in suggesting what they think should happen.
And indeed, Europe and NATO have been very forthcoming in publicly speaking about what might happen next. I mean, we've seen the shunning of what would
normally be this secrecy behind closed doors. So I put it to you again. You know, what do you want say, how bad could the sanctions be, name them?
KOFOD: Well, I see economic sanctions, financial sanctions, targeted sanctions against the responsible for these attacks, including them.
ANDERSON: Including Vladimir Putin?
KOFOD: Yes, we need to have the most as I said, the most comprehensive and far reaching sanctions ever done towards Russia if they choose to invade
Ukraine, no doubt this position of the Danish government, that's something we will work for.
ANDERSON: With that Sir, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much indeed for joining us, an important day to have you on as you host your
Ukrainian counterpart. Thank you.
KOFOD: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Well coming up on "Connect the World", I'm Becky Anderson. Pyongyang sends another message by missile in a busy month for North Korean
launches. And later this hour the Jamaican bobsled team is back. And they are feeling the need for speed I'll ask them about their hopes high hopes
at the Beijing Winter Olympics just a little later.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: The dangerous standoff between Russia and Ukraine is demanding a huge amount of the world's attention isn't it right now. But today a
reminder of another simmering crisis the growing threat of new weapons technology in North Korea. Pyongyang has apparently testified to more
missiles of its eastern coast it was the country's sixth missile test this month.
The U.S. quick to condemn this latest launches were Pyongyang's neighbors Japan and South Korea, the South Korean National Security Council is
calling on Pyongyang to use dialogue instead of aggression to resolve problems Paula Hancocks with this report for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This time last year, Kim Jong-Un revealed his weapons wish list with a five year
deadline for his experts to achieve it. This month alone has seen what I believe to be six separate missile tests, the busiest January on record.
JEFFREY LEWIS, PROFESSOR, MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: The North Koreans are pretty methodically working through the list of
missiles that they announced in January 2021. So everything we've seen they warned us was coming and in some cases even showed us prototypes.
HANCOCKS (voice over): North Korea says it's testing hypersonic missiles fast and maneuverable in flight, making them almost impossible to shoot
down and nightmare for missile defense systems. But weapons experts do question how far along Pyongyang really are.
At last week's Politburo meeting led by Kim Jong-Un, Pyongyang said it's considering "restarting or temporarily suspended activities" assumed to
mean nuclear tests on hold since September 2017. And intercontinental ballistic missile tests ICBMs which could theoretically hit Mainland United
States. North Korea has not tested an ICBM since November 2017.
LEWIS: I think we're headed toward tests a very long range missiles including ICBM, so I think Kim now has said that the moratoria are off a
couple of times. And so this is one of those things where when they repeat something over and over and over again, they're waiting for us to get the
message.
HANCOCKS (voice over): Two important dates are coming up the 80th anniversary of the birth of his father Kim Jong-Un next month, then the
110th birthday of his grandfather Kim Il-sung in April. Always national holidays, but anniversaries ending in zero are genuinely marked in a more
significant way.
JOHN DELURY, PROFESSOR, YONSEI UNIVERSITY: They've got to do something, you know, at a minimum; it has to be a parade. It has to be something that the
Kim ruling regime can show to the people. Here's how great our country is. Here's what you should have pride.
HANCOCKS (voice over): The Biden Administration has said it's ready to talk, but Kim does not seem ready to listen. South Korean President Moon
Jae-in, a fierce supporter and engagement is running out of time. Presidential elections on March 9th and he leaves office in May.
DUYEON KIM, ADJUNCT SENIOR FELLOW, CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY: I think North Korea might be interested in dialogue if the terms are met
under North Korea's conditions. But for the time being, I think North Korea is squarely inward focused.
HANCOCKS (voice over): The country's testing has surprised Sung, who assumed a quieter run up to the Beijing Winter Olympics. President Xi
Jinping Kim's biggest ally and benefactor are unlikely to want instability in the region.
But with the bulk of Biden's foreign policy attention currently elsewhere, North Korea may feel it has a window to test its short range technology.
And if it really does want Washington's attention ICBMs and nuclear tests aren't guaranteed to get it. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, on our regional radar right now, the Qatari Foreign Minister met his Iranian counterpart in Teheran earlier today. The meeting
comes just days before Qatar is ruling Amir heads to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden just days ago.
The Iranian foreign minister says his country is considering direct talks with Washington if it can secure a good nuclear deal. Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan says it would be unwise for Russia to further invade Ukraine. He says his country would do what is necessary as a NATO member.
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: But he prefers diplomacy said, Mr. Erdogan also says he wants to host talks between both sides since Ankara has good relations with both.
Israel's health ministry is expanding eligibility for a fourth COVID vaccine dose from ages 68 up to ages 18 and up.
However, only those underlying conditions are eligible along with caregivers looking after people at high risk and those who have jobs with a
high risk of exposure.
Well, Munich's Archbishop is responding to a report released last week about historic abuse in the Archdiocese calling it "a deep cut for the
church". Cardinal Reinhard Marx says he was shocked over the damage to victims and how perpetrators were handled. Now he is pushing for reforms.
Delia Gallagher has more from Rome.
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Cardinal Marx did not respond in any detail to the specific accusations from the report that he himself
mishandled two cases of sexual abuse. He did say he takes full responsibility. He asked for forgiveness.
And he said that he accuses himself mostly of not having taken enough into consideration the victim's perspective. The Cardinal who is the current
Archbishop of Munich, so the man who commissioned the report as well as a close adviser to Pope Francis, instead spoke more generally about his
response to this report, which found nearly 500 victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich over a 75 year period. Here's some of what he had
to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARDINAL REINHARD MARX, ARCHBISHOP, MUNICH AND FREISING: After having read the report, I am repeatedly shocked about the harm and suffering of the
affected persons, and also what the perpetrators have done and how those responsible have behaved.
What is clear here in the expert report is that there is a dark side and this will continue to be visible in the future history of our church.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: Cardinal Marx was also asked about the role of Pope Emeritus Benedict the 16th, whom the report found, also mishandled four cases of
sexual abuse, while he was Archbishop in Munich in the late 70s and early 80s.
The Cardinal said that the Pope Emeritus wants to clarify this has said he will clarify this and should be given the opportunity to do so.
In fact, on Monday, Pope Emeritus Benedict released a statement saying that he would be reading the report as for understanding that, given his age,
and the length of the report almost 1900 pages, it would take some time to get his statement. Now, Cardinal Marx last year offered his resignation to
Pope Francis over the general situation of sexual abuse in Germany, which at the time he called a catastrophe.
During the press conference on Thursday, he made reference to that offer of resignation, which Pope Francis declined, and he said that he intends to
continue working, if that can be helpful. Delia Gallagher, CNN, Rome.
ANDERSON: Well, coming up, we'll meet members of the Jamaican bobsled team they are already legends of hope and determination, find out how they plan
to shine, as it were at the Beijing Winter Games. Plus Nord Stream 2 could face big consequences if Russia invades Ukraine. What is it? And why,
what's its importance, more from Berlin, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Well, Germany is warning of massive consequences for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. If Russia invades Ukraine, the German Foreign Minister
says Berlin is working on a strong package of sanctions against Russia, including measures that would affect what is this pipeline that would run
from Russia, to Germany.
Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen joining us now live from London, this is really important. So I just want our viewers to get a real
sense of what's going on here. The German chancellor has been invited to Washington at the end of the first week, in February.
So that's just something to consider here. Washington clearly sees this gas pipeline as leverage to deter Russia from any further corrosion into
Ukraine. And Joe Biden needs the German Chancellor's buying on this. Explain why this puts Berlin in such a tight spot. Fred?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you're absolutely right Becky. It's a huge issue here in Germany, and certainly
took up a lot of the space today in the parliamentary discussion that was held today in German parliament about the crisis that's currently going on
there in and around Ukraine with obviously, those Russian forces there.
And so much of that goes back to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, it is really does put Germany in a bind, because this project is so very important to
Germany and of course, also very important to Russia as well.
Germany is a country that needs a lot of energy. Germany is a country that needs a lot of energy that it can obtain in a fairly easy way and in mass
quantities. Because of course, this is one of the largest industrial nations in the world. And this project has been in the works for a very
long time.
Now, we know that Nord Stream pipeline, by all intents and purposes, it's finished, it's been constructed, but it hasn't been certified yet. And that
certification process was stopped for a very long time. In fact, it's still stopped right now.
And that's one of the reasons why the U.S. says with that certification process stop, that pipeline becomes leverage for Germany and the West as a
whole against Russia when it comes to that standoff near the Ukrainian border.
Now, you're absolutely right, the German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, he's going to visit Washington very soon to meet with President Biden. And that
no doubt, will be one of the main topics there.
And one of the things that the U.S. has already achieved, which is very important, is that now, all the major political parties here in this
country are saying that if there is a further invasion of Ukraine by Russia, then obviously that would affect that project as well.
It was quite interesting, because I know that the State Department spokeswoman, Ned Price he was just on with our own Jim Sciutto. And there,
he said that project is just not going to happen. If there is a further invasion of Ukraine, and the Germans are now talking tougher as well.
It wasn't long ago, Becky, that, for instance, the party of Olaf Schultz, the Chancellor, which is also the party of Gerhard Schroeder, who's in
charge of that pipeline, said that they consider this to be a purely economic project that is already somewhat changed.
But certainly, if there was an energy disruption of a large magnitude, if that pipeline project fell through, it would have severe consequences for
the German economy.
But the German Foreign Minister whom you're recording before, she already has said in the past, that the European values that are at stake right now
are something that Germany will enforce as well, even if it means taking a big economic hit, Becky.
ANDERSON: This is fascinating, isn't it? Because, I mean, you know, this is a project that's been ongoing now for as long as I can remember. I'm
thinking, what nearly 15 years, I mean, it's being used as leverage in what is this, you know, this very significant crisis?
It has to be said and then obviously, the U.S. NATO, the Europeans need something at this point. But I mean, when you talk to people in Germany, do
they genuinely see this as an option to be dead in the water, you know, on deliveries or no delivery. Is it really realistic to suggest that at this
point?
[11:35:00]
PLEITGEN: I think right now it is very realistic. I think right now, when you look at the German political landscape, I think a lot has changed with
the things that are happening right now, with those Russian forces amassing near the borders of Ukraine, also around Belarus as well.
And then in general, all the things that have happened over this past winter with the migrant crisis that happened at the Belarus border, where a
lot of Europeans also believe that the Russians, also most probably played a role in that as well. So certainly, Russia has lost a lot of credibility.
And as far as the public is concerned here in Germany, certainly as far as the political landscape is concerned, as well.
And if you look at right now, the governing coalition here in Germany, you do have the Green Party in that coalition that for a very long time, has
been very critical of the Nord Stream 2 project, they've been against it, in fact, that Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, she's been against it for
a very long time.
However, of course, the Germans do understand that this for the economy of this country is going to be a very important project. At the same time,
though the U.S. understands that for Russia, it's also a very important project as well.
Because of course, that gas is a huge part of Russia's economy as well, and of the money that that Russia makes by selling that gas to Europe. So it is
you're absolutely right, it is absolutely fascinating, and certainly does put Germany also in a very, very important position.
As far as the current crisis around the Ukrainian border is concerned around the leverage that Germany has, even though Germany is. And we've
talked about this, so many times very reluctant to use a hard power in negotiations, like the ones that are going on or in crises like the ones
that are going on.
But certainly Nord Stream is a very, very big point of leverage, and certainly one that will remain very important.
ANDERSON: Yes. And this new German Chancellor, I mean, he is not without experience, of course, this is a seasoned politician. But I mean, coming
out of the gate, I mean, this is the first big sort of decision, this guy has to make tough times for him. Thank you.
Amid these tensions, the Russian Embassy in Ireland says talks with Irish fishermen ended in a constructive and positive way. Let me explain what's
going on here. Russia is planning to hold naval drills next month, about 240 kilometers off cork.
The Irish fishermen had threatened to disrupt those exercises; they say Russia is now assuring that the drills will be safe. CNN's Scott McLean has
more for us.
And he's reporting out of London for you today. You know, the image of sort of Irish fishermen up against the, the Russian sort of naval fleet sort of
is quite something to imagine, isn't it and explain, you know, what's going on here and as the heat got out of this ultimately.
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, Becky, what is odd about this story is of course, Russia is a long way from Ireland. But suddenly Russia is top
of the national agenda in Ireland.
And not just because of what's happening in Ukraine, but because of this naval drill, as you said, 240 kilometers off the coast of Ireland. So this
spot where Russia is planning to do this drill, it's in international waters. The reason that it's ruffling feathers is because it is in what's
considered Ireland's exclusive economic zone.
In other words, Ireland controls who can fish there, but there's nothing stop Russia from coming in and doing this naval drill. Even the Prime
Minister has confirmed that Russia is legally and technically entitled to carry out the drills even though the government's not exactly welcoming
them.
Part of the issue, of course, is what's going on in Ukraine. People can see the troop buildup there. They can see the looming threat of war to the
point where even the defense chief of staff took some serious flak from within the country for posing with for a photograph with the Russian
ambassador after what was described as a pretty routine meeting.
The other issue, of course, is that Russia is going to be firing off weapons here and Irish fishermen are worried about the risk to fish and
fish stocks and things like that. And so as you said they held this meeting today the Russian said that it was constructive.
The Irish fishermen said that they got some assurance that it would be safe. And they though this morning, I should point out were promising an
Irish radio station that they were going to go to that area before the Russian drill started, so that it wouldn't be Irish fishermen disrupting a
Russian drill.
It would be rushing boats, disrupting Irish fishermen though they promised not to antagonize the Russians. Becky?
ANDERSON: Fascinating stuff, always a pleasure. Thank you, Scott. Well, thousands of hectares and dozens of species thriving in the wild how one
family has held an entire South Africa ecosystem heat itself by letting nature take its course, that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: Well, after nearly 200 years, Lions have returned to South Africa's Great Karoo region, thanks to what are called re-wilding efforts.
One family has made it their mission to help the ecosystem across thousands of hectares heal by giving control back to nature. CNN's Eleni Giokos
reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISABELLE TOMPKINS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT SAMARA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE: The word conservation means to keep things the way they are. It
means to prevent things from getting worse. But re-wilding has a much more ambitious remit and I think the planet deserves a more ambitious remit at
this point in time.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Located in South Africa's Great Karoo region, the Samara Private Game Reserve was established by
Isabelle Tompkins parents, Sarah and Mark Tompkins in 1997.
TOMPKINS: What re-wilding seeks to do is to restore ecosystem health by reintroducing all the component parts of that system, essentially
reintroducing all the pieces of the puzzle.
GIOKOS (voice over): Spanning 67,000 acres, the park is home to five of South Africa's nine vegetation biomes. And the team says it has over 60
different species of mammals.
TOMPKINS: Were located in global biodiversity hotspots. So despite being a semi-arid region, there's actually a remarkable amount of biodiversity,
particularly endemic plants. And also certain endangered species like the cape mountain zebra, the cheetah, the black rhinoceros.
GIOKOS (voice over): In 2019, the Tompkins family reintroduced lions to the reserve after an absence of almost two centuries.
TOMPKINS: When you think of Africa, you think of a lion. There is no feeling more primal than walking in the bush, knowing they're aligned
around. You feel your ecological senses tingling. It's almost like a re- wilding of the self.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're seeing our founders pride of lions at the moment, an incredible sighting one of the best sightings I've ever had
actually seeing our new little cub for the first time, which is really, really exciting.
And in terms of re-wilding, it's not just about bringing back a species that existed maybe 300 or 400 years ago, as wonderful as it is to see them
back in their natural habitat. Re-wilding is also about bringing back the ecosystem. And for lions being an apex predator quite clearly one of the
main roles is the role of predation.
And if you look around us you will have seen a lot of skulls from some rather unfortunate and build a bit of that have been yes lion food over the
past few years.
[11:45:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But it's a key role really, that they play in, in controlling Pueblo numbers in enabling the --itself, and the red grass very
palatable grasses to actually regenerate themselves as well.
GIOKOS (voice over): From the mighty lion to each and every blade of grass, it's all connected.
TOMPKINS: So human beings tend to want to compartmentalize nature, we want to divide it up into cells and units that we can understand. But nature
doesn't really function like that nature works as a whole system.
And various elements can impact on each other in ways that we don't even understand yet. One of the central principles of re-wilding is actually to
manage an ecosystem less. It's to give nature back to nature, give nature back to itself.
To me to take a step back and sort of realize that we're a part of nature rather than apart from it. I think that if human beings can focus on their
own sphere of influence. And on making a difference in their own little backyard, our backyard just happens to be 27,000 hectares of Great Karoo
landscape. And what a privilege for us to actually be able to spend our time improving this landscape and making it work for both people and
planet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, let us know what you're doing to answer the call. You can use your social media platforms and use the #calltoearth, we'll be right
back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We're a week away from the start of the Winter Olympics and officials appear to have a lot on their mind. They are reporting more cases
of COVID-19 in the Chinese capital essay; all the infections have been found in people connected to the games.
Now of course, China has the world's strictest COVID Counter Measures. And these tough restrictions have been taking a toll on athletes as they jump
through hoops to avoid COVID in the run up to the games. My colleague Selina Wang filed this piece earlier this week on that very topic. Here's a
clip from that reporting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For Winter Olympic athletes just getting to Beijing is as nerve racking as competing for gold. Nearly 3000 athletes
will be gathering under the world's strictest COVID countermeasures. They've trained their entire careers for this moment, but a positive COVID
test could derail at all.
HANNAH SOAR, U.S. OLYMPIAN AND FREESTYLE SKIER: One positive test is some do us in at this point. It's super stressful. I didn't know that I really
struggled with anxiety to be totally honest until like the past couple months.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, not even COVID restrictions nothing condemned the hopes of the Jamaican Bobsleigh team. After 24 years the real Jamaican Bobsleigh
team not the Hollywood version you just saw there in that fantastic hit movie is back looking to make Olympic history.
They will be front and center one week from Friday when the Olympic flame lights that cauldron in Beijing joining me now from their training campaign
- in England and Nimroy Turgott, Shanwayne Stephens and Ashley Watson.
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Look, this is a four man team, right your teammate Matthew Wekpe, as I understand is busy with last minute preparation. So there are actually
four of you. But you're not there yet, lads. Why, Nimroy?
NIMROY TURGOTT, BRAKEMAN, JAMAICAN BOBSLEIGH TEAM: Because of the strict COVID protocols and stuff, we explore that everything is sorted, and we're
in the best - as possible going to Beijing.
ANDERSON: It's got to be tough on you. I mean, you know, you do not want to get COVID before you get there. Before we talk, Shanwayne about these type
COVID restrictions when you get there? What have you guys been doing to avoid catching COVID ahead of these games.
SHANWAYNE STEPHENS, DRIVER, JAMAICAN BOBSLEIGH TEAM: So we've actually created our own little bubble. So we've literally just whoever's going to
the games is literally just been us. We literally we go to training, we come back to the house, we've been hand sanitizing, wear masks everywhere
we go.
And so we've been extremely careful to limit contact with people that we don't need to basically come in contact with.
ANDERSON: Actually, is that gotten in the way of your training?
ASHLEY WATSON, BRAKEMAN, JAMAICAN BOBSLEIGH TEAM: Yes, because you don't want to go to gyms when there's going to be a lot of people around so
you're limited to facilities to chain with. So it does hinder it quite a lot. But you just got to make what you have, really and invest in equipment
and train hard at home.
ANDERSON: Yes, now, I get it. Look and you're hoping I know you got to get your paperwork sorted out. But you are hoping clearly to get out there
before the competition starts, which is in a week or so time. When you get there, these restrictions are pretty swingy. What do you Nimroy understand
about how you'll be able to get around? And just what the pros and cons are at this point?
TURGOTT: Honestly at this point, we are not 100 percent sure for the protocol and the center piece there --. But as a unit as a team, we're
going to stick together and just follow the protocol. We'll get there.
ANDERSON: Good stuff, all right. Well, this is the first time in 24 years that Jamaica has had a four man Bob team at the Winter Olympics. Guys, I am
old enough to remember that first team back in 1988, I am that old.
They inspired that great film, Cool Runnings. I'm assuming that that was before; I'm guessing you guys were born? What does it mean to Jamaicans
that have this team in the Winter Olympics? How are you being seen back home?
STEPHENS: Now, we've had an immense amount of support all from all around the world, we've had messages from so many people saying how they're
excited to see us compete again. And we've been actually been an inspiration to a lot of people as well.
So and that's really, really good. So we're just going to go out there trying to go on the best performance that we can, and we're going to
represent Jamaican, represent ourselves and represent everybody that could --.
ANDERSON: And good on you and I can tell you, there will be millions of people out there watching the show tonight, who will be backing you every
step of the way. Finally, Ashley, are you looking for genuine success? What will that success look like?
WATSON: Well, but we're not going to go to Olympics just to be there. We're going to have to compete and--
ANDERSON: Good on you.
WATSON: --teams to be here. So we're looking to be we want medals. Of course we want medals and we want to be the best to making team in history.
So we want to beat 14th place at least.
ANDERSON: You want to be sorry, I missed what you said 14th place, at least?
WATSON: Yes. Yes, definitely. Yes.
ANDERSON: Its good on you guys - because 14 place.
TURGOTT: Yes, because 14 place the best place Jamaica finish previously and we want to get to that and become the greatest team in history - Jamaica.
WATSON: And hopefully that will inspire the next generation of them Jamaican Bobsleigh athletes.
ANDERSON: Can't say more than that, lads. Good luck, and send our love to your colleague Matthew. Busy with preps, we wish you the absolute best.
TURGOTT: Thank you very much.
STEPHENS: Thank you.
WATSON: Thank you.
ANDERSON: See you on the other side, come back and talk to us. Much of the Middle East would never normally be on the list of winter wonderlands.
You'd think otherwise after looking at these pictures from Jerusalem and from Hebron in the West Bank, is the biggest snowfall in the region in
years.
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: The snow the result of a massive winter storm that swept through Greece and Turkey and then moved into Syria. And you've been seen those
pictures on CNN in the last couple of days. CNN's Hadas Gold has more on what is his very rare snowfall and how it is bought the people of Jerusalem
together.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HADAS GOLD, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's not often Jerusalem looks like this, snowfall overnight, covering the Dome of the
Rock, Western Wall Plaza, and all of Jerusalem's holy sites. In a city often full of tension and conflict, sometimes only an active nature can
show the common humanity.
GOLD (on camera): Here at Damascus Gate, kids and adults alike throwing some snowballs while families take advantage of school being out for some
unique sights and photos and at the Western Wall, similar scenes of playing with some praying.
GOLD (voice over): More than 15 centimeters fell overnight. The most snow Jerusalem has seen since 2013. Schools were canceled and some of the roads
between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv closed. So while the snow is not expected to stick around for very long for now for these few hours, a calm qui envelops
the City of Gold. Hadas Gold, CNN Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that is it from us. You've enjoyed the show from the team working with me here in Abu Dhabi, where it's about 23 degrees. I'll just
let you know it's that cool for this part of the world. And from the team working with me in London and in Atlanta, it's very good evening. "One
World" with Larry Madowo is up next.
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END
