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Putin Hosts German Chancellor for Ukraine Talks; Russia Says Some Troops Returning to Base; Markets Volatile as Investors Monitor Military Moves; Scandal-Ridden Russian Skater Competes in Short Program; Canadian Trucker Protests Enter Third Week; Pentagon Says Russia Could Invade Ukraine without Warning; Pakistani Court Frees Man Who Confessed to "Honor Murder"; Novak Djokovic Willing to Skip Tournaments over Vaccine. Aired 10- 10:40a ET

Aired February 15, 2022 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:00]

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Well, it's 7:00 in the evening here in Abu Dhabi. Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD.

In a possible sign of de-escalation in the standoff between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow is returning some of its troops to their bases. The key

word here may be "some." The Kremlin won't say how many troops; Ukraine's foreign minister is skeptical of this move, saying we will believe it when

we see it.

Despite the news, large scale drills are continuing and there are new warnings that Russia is moving military hardware toward Ukraine's border.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Now these satellite images show at least 60 helicopters at a previously unused air base in Crimea. In addition, NATO's

secretary-general says he sees no evidence of a de-escalation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, on the diplomatic front, Russian president Vladimir Putin just held talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two sat at either

ends of what is now a rather familiar long table. Many do hope that's not a metaphor for their distance on resolving this crisis. Afterwards, President

Putin said there is room for negotiation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): The offers which we have received from the United States and other member states of NATO do

not correspond to our expectations. But in those answers, there are some considerations which could be discussed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: We are covering this story from Ukraine and, indeed, from the United States. Sam Kiley is in Kharkiv, Kylie Atwood is at the State

Department in Washington.

Sam, the German chancellor said, and I quote, "It is our damned duty to prevent a war in Europe."

He said that after meeting with the Russian president.

Are we at a point where we might be preventing a potential war in Europe?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that, as D-Day approaches, certainly in the view of the American analysts, there seems to

be endless amounts of briefing to the media out of the Pentagon, suggesting that the war in Europe may start this week, may start next week, may start

soon, come what may.

And they're basing their analysis on what they're seeing on the ground, as well as, no doubt, some secret intelligence. What they're seeing on the

ground is two things. First of all, a buildup of troops, in particular, 50 miles north of here at Belgorod (ph), where the first guards tank army and

large amount of other artillery units has been joined by a significant number of helicopters, very close to the border with Ukraine.

And then in the south, those 60-plus helicopters that you mentioned in your intro there, Becky, being seen in the Crimea, previously hadn't been seen

back a month ago.

So in that context, things are looking very worrying. Then you have the announcement of a return to barracks, effectively, of an unknown number of

troops in the southern and western district military district of Russia. There is a vast district.

But they're basically the districts that abut the Belarus and the Ukraine. And now in both cases we don't know how many people and soldiers are being

returned to barracks. They are being described as having finished their exercises and going home, according to what the Russians have been

promising all along.

And in that context, there does seem to be some hope for diplomacy, particularly after the conversations between Lavrov, the Russian foreign

minister, and his president, Vladimir Putin yesterday, in that rather staged exchange when they agreed there were opportunities for diplomacy.

So all of that looks rather positive. Then you had a throwaway line, almost, during that press conference, when Vladimir Putin, slightly off-

hand in response to discussions about war in Europe and references to what had gone on in Yugoslavia, he said, well, what's going on in the Donbas,

which is the east of Ukraine, the Russian speaking separatist -- Russian supported separatist area, he's saying, what is going on there is a

genocide.

Now under international law, military intervention to prevent genocide is actually an international obligation. So if he's identifying, without any

kind of evidence whatsoever -- and this is an allegation that has been made frequently in the past by Russians.

[10:05:00]

KILEY: That the Russians speaking peoples of that part of the country have been bitterly oppressed and violently attacked by the government here, if

he's making that allegation, that would provide him with a casus belli.

So we have this weird situation in which the issues are being pulled in different directions. And then here, in Kharkiv, city of 1.5 million

people, 50 miles from a massive Russian force on Russian territory, life is going on completely as normal, Becky. It is very, very odd.

ANDERSON: Interesting stuff. Look, let me stand by, Sam. I want to get back to you and get a perspective from Ukraine as far as what is being said

by officials there. You have explained, as you say, life goes on, as it were, on the ground. I want to bring in Nic Robertson, who is in Moscow.

You were listening in to that Vladimir Putin-Olaf Scholz news conference, what stood out to you?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, the takeaway for me was that President Putin has said that he's willing to negotiate. But he

set out the conditions of his negotiations.

He said, look, there are some things that we have been told we could talk about; you know, short range/intermediate range missiles, things like that.

He said if we're going to talk, it is going to include our core issues.

Now he know those core issues, NATO going back to 1997 levels; Ukraine permanently not being allowed to join NATO; no temporary measures.

He said what is tomorrow?

They can't join today but what happens tomorrow?

His point being that if Ukraine -- his point being that Ukraine cannot join NATO ever and that needs to be very clear.

So what he's saying is, yes, we're open for this conversation. And I got that indication from my foreign minister yesterday, that his spokesman has

given that indication, that President Putin is willing to continue talks.

But here he is, setting out the terms for those talks. And he wants to talk about the things that has been told that there is no traction, there is no

agreement, there is a definitive no from NATO and the United States, no scope for discussion on Ukraine's membership of NATO, on NATO going back to

1997 levels.

So he seems to be setting a very high bar, perhaps an impossibly high bar, to get into meaningful discussions. And the door for those discussions is

not open yet because there isn't, as far as NATO has seen, a noticeable de- escalation of Russia's forces so far.

ANDERSON: Kylie Atwood, let me get to you.

"For Germans and also all Europeans, it is important that sustainable security cannot be achieved against Russia but only with Russia," the words

of the German chancellor. He also said the following, have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): Putin talked about his discussions with his foreign minister and defense minister. And I

agree. Diplomatic options are still there.

We need to be courageous, that we work on a peaceful solution here. Troops are withdrawn and that's a good sign. We are prepared, together with all

allies and partners, with NATO and Russia to discuss concrete steps, how we can improve it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: And to date, it seems certainly, from the Ukrainian perspective, we haven't seen enough. They say we'll believe it when we see it, as far as

this de-escalation is concerned.

There have been endless briefings, Kylie, by U.S. officials and just how close we might be to the beginning of a serious conflict. And the Biden

administration offering $1 billion of support to Ukraine, also warning Russia against weaponizing energy at this point.

Is it any clearer today at this point where the U.S. believes Putin's head is in all of this?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, the State Department, the Biden administration is taking every precaution to put the

United States in the best position to prepare for the worst possible case scenario.

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ATWOOD: Because you heard this morning that there is maybe some hope for diplomacy from President Putin, from Chancellor Scholz.

But the State Department, based on the U.S. intelligence, according to a source familiar, says they still believe it is more likely than not that

Russia carries out some sort of aggression, some sort of invasion into Ukraine this week.

And even if it doesn't happen this week, they still expect that it could happen in the weeks to come. That is why we are seeing the United States

say that they will provide this $1 billion -- up to $1 billion in sovereign debt loan to Ukraine this week, trying to boost some confidence into the

Ukrainian economy.

But that is also why we are seeing this State Department say that all Americans really need to leave the country, because, even though there may

be this prospect for diplomacy, there may be this prospect for a peaceful solution, they don't want Americans flat-footed in the country.

Because the intelligence still suggests that Russia could go forth with this invasion. So we're seeing the State Department set up this essentially

welcome center on the Ukraine-Poland border for Americans who are coming over, that land border, to try to figure out where they go from there.

We should note that a lot of those Americans have been living in Ukraine for years now. That's their home. So it is, of course, a challenge for them

to leave. And we're also seeing, just overnight, the State Department telling all Americans in Belarus to leave immediately.

So signals suggesting here that the United States is probably hopeful that there are these messages coming out today from President Putin, saying he's

interested in this diplomacy.

But they are still preparing, based on what they're seeing in this intelligence.

ANDERSON: Kylie Atwood in the States, our reporters on the ground in Ukraine and in Moscow, thank you, guys.

Investors at least are seeing this partial troop withdrawal as a positive sign. The Dow is out of the gate and in its session now, just shy of 1

percent. Toward the close of their trading session, European stock markets also are moving higher.

And don't forget this after a decline, particularly on the Dow, the Dow down for three sessions in a row in the leadup to this Tuesday's session.

And those declines including a drop on Monday after the State Department said the U.S. embassy in Kyiv was shutting down.

And, of course, investors hanging on every headline, emerging for this -- from this crisis. Don't be surprised by this volatility. Oil a good

barometer of where the reaction is and prices on the oil market are sharply slower, a day after U.S. crude touched $95 a barrel for the first time

since 2014, some profits being taken by traders I'm sure on that.

But this is significant. Investors certainly looking at a chink of light, perhaps not suggesting that we are back from the brink at this point, but a

chink of light, driving the oil prices lower.

The Biden administration warning Vladimir Putin against weaponizing its energy exports. Matt Egan watching all of this for us. He joins us now live

from New York.

This market reaction, certainly, as I said, investors looking to see this sort of partial troop withdraw as a positive sign. They won't know any more

than anybody else does, of course. Everybody else still reading those tea leaves because it isn't clear what Vladimir Putin's next move will be.

But it is an interesting one, to take a look at these markets. There is certainly some confidence, a small amount of confidence out there, Matt.

MATT EGAN, CNN BUSINESS SENIOR WRITER: That's right. Investors are really on the edge of their seats, trying to decipher each and every headline that

comes out, to determine whether or not this makes a conflict more or less likely.

Just 24 hours ago we saw oil prices drop sharply, as Russian officials signaled an openness to maybe a diplomatic solution. Then they reversed

course; rose sharply yesterday afternoon here in New York after the United States announced it was closing the embassy in Kyiv.

And now we have seen another reversal, with Brent crude going from $96 a barrel yesterday, down below $93; U.S. crude below $91 a barrel or right

about at $91 a barrel. These are big moves -- 4 percent, 5 percent moves.

And I think this all signals a level of concern among investors about whether or not this conflict is going to actually threaten Russian energy

supplies.

You mentioned that, just today, we heard from a Biden official, who really warned Vladimir Putin against weaponizing his country's energy supplies,

warning how that would only accelerate the transition away from Russian energy in the West.

[10:15:00]

EGAN: For now, it looks as though investors, at least in the energy market, are believing these signs from Russia, these claims from Russia,

that they're withdrawing some troops from the region.

But Becky, if this turns out to be a head fake, we can surely expect to see oil prices roar back higher.

ANDERSON: We'll keep an eye on these markets. Matt, thank you for an even deeper dive into how the Russia-Ukraine standoff could affect geopolitics

and the energy markets.

All of this is at cnn.com or on our app.

Up next on CONNECT THE WORLD, the Russian skater allowed to compete at the Olympics despite a positive drug test, she just took to the ice. We'll tell

you how she did at the start of the women's singles.

And you probably won't see Novak Djokovic kissing any trophies anytime soon. Why the best tennis player in the world says he doubts he will be

playing the major tournaments this summer.

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ANDERSON: Well, 15-year-old Russian Kamila Valieva just competed in the women's skating at the Olympics, despite failing a drug test. Valieva is

being allowed to compete because her case has not yet been finalized. And the decision has produced anger from many anti-doping officials and indeed

from former Olympians.

She stumbled on the first jump of her routine and she was quite emotional after it was over. But the gold medal favorite is still in first place

after the short program. CNN's Selina Wang is in Beijing, tracking the Valieva story.

She's back competing and, at just 15, she can be forgiven the emotion.

If she medals, she won't be taking any hardware home yet, will she?

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I actually just came back from that competition venue and the energy there was electric. You could feel the

anticipation. It was palpable.

And you are right, though, if Valieva is in the top three, which she is expected to do, a favorite to win gold this week, no one is going home with

a medal. There will be no medal ceremony until that full investigation is done.

And she stumbled on that first jump. She looked like she was going to hold back, trying very hard to hold back tears when she finished. And she had a

very solid expression on her face and a huge reminder here that she is just 15 years old.

When she walked off that ice, she immediately clutched her stuffed animal. And there is outrage here but also sadness, that we're talking about a

young girl who has been accused, implicated in this doping scandal.

[10:20:00]

WANG: Now the broader investigation does include a look and examination into the adults surrounding her. Many experts say she's a victim of what

they call Russia's state-sponsored doping system -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Anti-doping officials, many in the world, they may not like the fact that she is back competing.

But was there any real alternative at this point?

Her case, after all, as we have been reporting, isn't closed at this point, is it?

WANG: That's correct. It is still underway and it could take months and months until we see it finalized and those medals awarded. But there were

other options.

Many critics said more severe action needed to be taken against Russia years and years ago. In fact, I spoke with the founding president of the

World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound. And he said that the IOC for years has been too lenient, that these sanctions, the punishment they put on

Russia so far, hasn't gotten their attention.

It has not incentivized them to change. He said that perhaps it is time for a time-out of the Olympics for Russia. Perhaps there needs to be an

outright ban on Russia attending the games for several years because, as it stands right now, athletes from Russia can still compete but the punishment

is they can't compete under their national anthem or their national flag.

But many say that's just a slap on the wrist, Becky.

ANDERSON: Selina Wang, thank you for that.

The skier known in China as the Snow Princess has won a second medal at the Olympics. Eileen Gu was competing in the women's free ski slope style. It

wasn't a gold this time but she certainly seemed happy. Look at that huge smile on her face.

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ANDERSON: Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has invoked what is the never-before use Emergencies Act to bring an end to more than two weeks of

protests and occupation of downtown Ottawa. This so-called freedom convoy is refusing to leave until all pandemic restrictions are lifted.

But now on to this decades-old law, authorities can suspend freedom of movement and assembly, as well as freeze bank accounts belonging to anyone

linked to the protests. CNN's Paula Newton reports on what is going on from Ottawa for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The rowdy backdrop for these protest obscures a threat the Canadian officials say is real.

[10:25:00]

NEWTON (voice-over): This movement they say now in its third week is a threat to public safety.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: It is now clear that there are serious challenges to law enforcement's ability to effectively enforce the

law.

NEWTON: In a historic move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergency Act for the first time. And while he said it will be limited

geographically and in scope, it will allow for stronger enforcement.

The protests right across the country, especially at border crossings have proven to be determined and apparently potentially dangerous.

TRUDEAU: This is not a peaceful protest.

NEWTON: Police in Alberta allege a small group within the protests had a stash of weapons and were willing to do harm at the Alberta Montana border

if attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.

And the war of words spills out daily on Ottawa streets, differences on COVID pitting protesters against residents.

MARK TRANTER, PROTESTER: I mean, there's people here that traveled across the country. Have you ever talked to real people?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). He's awesome. He's from Alberta, whatever.

TRANTER: Yes, sure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're destroying the Canada but --

TRANTER: Talk to someone who's lost their job, talk to someone who's lost their business and we'll give you a clearer perspective on what's going on

here. We don't want to be in Ottawa. We don't want to be here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll get the real picture from him. He took it from Facebook.

TRANTER: The people from around this country have come here because we want to stand up for freedom and we will -- we will stand up for freedom.

NEWTON: The so-called quest for freedom has made many of those in downtown feel like they're in a noisy, chaotic prison.

ALEX WOZNICA, BIKE SHOP EMPLOYEE: To shut down the city, to -- you know, harass and intimidate local residents to this extent, I wouldn't have

thought that the police and the government would allow it.

NEWTON (on camera): And so, Trudeau is saying enough. Now while he says the military won't be called in, he is using more enforcement power and

imposing stiff financial penalties which could bankrupt some protesters and risks further inflaming an already tense situation -- Paula Newton, CNN,

Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: The Kremlin says some Russian troops near Ukraine are returning to their bases. But the warnings from the West remain dire.

And a welcome for the history books; an Israeli prime minister received by the Bahraini crown prince and the first such visit by any Israeli leader.

Details on that and its significance after this.

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ANDERSON: Well, you're back with me, I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. You're walking CONNECT THE WORLD, half past 7:00 in the evening.

The world watching what Russia's next move will be. The Kremlin says some troops, some of them, near the Ukraine border, are returning to their

bases. President Vladimir Putin said he's ready to keep working with the West on European security.

But the American ambassador to NATO says that the United States will have to verify claims of Russian de-escalation, U.S. officials have warned an

invasion could happen this week without warning.

New satellite images, meantime, adding to the skepticism; they show at least 60 Russian attack and transport helicopters have landed in the past

few days at an air base in Crimea. Analysts believe more than half of Russia's total ground forces are now gathered near Ukraine. CNN's Barbara

Starr is at the Pentagon.

Barbara, these warnings coming from Washington are endless and they are worrying.

So what are U.S. Defense officials telling you about Russia's troop buildup at this point?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think one of the key questions right now they're trying to figure out is whether the Biden

administration's efforts to drag all of this out into the sunlight, if you will, all of Putin's moves, all of the Russian military moves, have

basically boxed Putin in and forced him, at least at the moment, to ease up a little bit.

Nobody really knows the answer right now. Pentagon officials and officials across the administration are very cautious about these reports that

Russian troops have moved out, that they're returning potentially to their home bases, because it may not mean much in the face of the longer-term,

bigger picture.

So the Pentagon still very cautious; the Pentagon press secretary, as recently as yesterday, expressing concern about what Putin could still do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADM. JOHN KIRBY (RET.), PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: He's got special operations capability. He's got cyber capability. He's got ISR capability.

And over the past weeks and months, he's continued to add to that.

So I don't know that I would go so glibly as to say, well, it is just more of the same. But in terms of the menu of options, he continues to add to

that across the whole spectrum of military capabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: So the bottom line, Putin's intentions: nobody knows. Putin's capabilities: he still very much has a capability in place that the U.S.

worries he could launch an attack virtually at any time. Becky.

ANDERSON: It has been interesting, as you rightly suggest, this Washington strategy of dragging all of the intel, as it were, out into the daylight,

to really sort of lay out what they believe, at least, is going on behind the scenes at the Kremlin.

What is the Biden administration's plan, if this invasion they have been warning of and have said it could happen as early as this week, if it

actually happens?

STARR: Well, I mean, first thing to be said, as always, I think, the world hopes diplomacy will work here. But if this were to happen, of course, the

most horrifying thing is the potential human cost to the people of Ukraine, if there is an invasion and an unrestrained attack on them.

The Biden administration has continuously said that it will enact very punishing sanctions; it believes it has widespread support for this. Now

other countries may do the same, basically economic and financial.

The Biden administration is adamant it will not send U.S. troops into Ukraine, it will not fight the Russians. But there will be U.S. troops

nearby in NATO member countries -- Poland, Romania, Lithuania, the Baltics.

This is to reassure the NATO allies, who are on Russia's edge, who are on Russia's border, who are increasingly nervous about what will happen, this

is an effort to assure them that the U.S. is there and will meet its NATO obligations to defend them, if it were to come to that.

ANDERSON: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for you folks.

Thank you, Barbara.

Before we move on, let's get you up to speed on some other stories on our radar right now.

Officials say the last Afghan evacuees living on military bases in the United States are getting ready to leave. Their departure over the next

week or so will mark an end to part of what has been this months-long operation, designed to resettle tens of thousands of people, who fled the

country when Kabul fell to the Taliban last August.

A court in Pakistan has freed a man who confessed to a so-called "honor murder."

[10:35:00]

ANDERSON: He claimed his sister's social media posts had brought dishonor to their family. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2019. This acquittal

has outraged women's rights activists in Pakistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Nearly seven tons of cocaine, you see laid out here, will not make it to the streets. This weekend, Ecuador's national police seized the drugs from

banana crates headed to Belgium. Had they reached there, they would have been worth $260 million.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, it maybe a sign of the changing nature of Middle East politics. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett offered goodwill and

cooperation as he met the Bahraini crown prince in Manama earlier today.

It's the first such visit by any Israeli leader and comes after the U.S. brokered the 2020 Abraham Accords. Mr. Bennett said the visit was more than

symbolic, saying his goal is to boost trade and connections and inject content into those accords. CNN's Hadas Gold is traveling with the Israeli

prime minister and joins us live now.

It is interesting that Naftali Bennett pointed out that he wanted to inject some substance into these accords. Just explain how significant this trip

is and how this speaks to the biggest story in the region.

HADAS GOLD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's another one of those scenes that would have been almost unimaginable a few years ago, an

Israeli prime minister, being welcomed with honor guard, upon arrival in Bahrain, also upon arrival at the palace, hearing the Israeli national

anthem being played alongside the Bahraini national anthem.

And although he said this should be more than symbolism, of course, these types of trips, when the leader of a country goes to another, it is so much

about what it symbolizes and the message they're sending and the show of the sort of personal relationship they're trying to build.

Take a listen to what the crown prince of Bahrain had to say during his meeting with Naftali Bennett earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SALMAN BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, CROWN PRINCE AND PRIME MINISTER, BAHRAIN: I think that, if we see a wider Middle East that is free from conflict, that

is based on principles of mutual respect, understanding and a shared responsibility toward security, we must do more to get to know one another

and build upon the Abraham Accords of which our -- have been such a historic agreement, concluded in the last year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLD: And, Becky, of course, top of mind likely in these behind closed- doors meetings is Iran. It's just about 220 kilometers from where we're standing in the capital of Bahrain. It's a shared security concern between

the two countries.

And it's what helped bring them together to sign the normalization agreements in 2020. Bahrain is a very small country but it is significant

strategically to Israel because of its proximity to Iran and also Saudi Arabia. But they host the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, who Bennett also met with

earlier today.

And also very soon, for the first time ever, an Israeli military officer will soon be posted in Bahrain, the first time an Israeli military officer

will be posted in an Arab nation in history.

It goes to show you the relationship they're trying to build here, that was formalized just a few weeks ago, with the Israeli defense minister, Benny

Gantz, who made his first visit here in early February, where they signed a memorandum, security memorandum, really paving the way for more cooperation

and perhaps, most importantly, potentially, Becky, paving the way for Bahrain to be able to purchase some systems from Israel, perhaps missile

defense systems, perhaps the Iron Dome, of course.

Many concerns here after those attacks we saw from the Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking the UAE. The Bahraini leaders condemning such attacks.

That's very much top of mind here. So we'll have to see what more of this sort of content comes out of these meetings today -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Hadas Gold is in Manama.

Time for a quick break. But when we come back, why the best tennis player in the world says he is willing to skip the tennis world's biggest events

this year.

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ANDERSON: Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic says he is willing to miss the French Open and Wimbledon rather than be forced into getting a COVID

vaccine.

Djokovic was, of course, not allowed to play in the Australian Open last month, because he refused to comply with Australia's vaccine rules. Well,

he has told the BBC he would rather skip tournaments than put something he is unsure about in his body.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, TENNIS WORLD NUMBER 1: And I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the

tournaments at the moment.

QUESTION: That's the price you're willing to pay?

DJOKOVIC: That is the price I'm willing to pay.

QUESTION: Ultimately are you prepared to forgo the chance to be the greatest player to ever pick up a racquet statistically because you feel so

strongly about this jab?

DJOKOVIC: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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