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NATO Begins Critical Meeting as Russia Steps up Attacks; Mexican President Pledges Support after Trafficking Tragedy; Sanchez: Putin's Invasion of Ukraine a Clear Violation of International Law; Biden Meets with Spanish PM on NATO Summit Sidelines; Macron Misstates Gulf Oil Capacity to Biden at G7 Summit; Politics on Stage at Glastonbury. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired June 28, 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]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Welcome back and it's just after seven o'clock in the evening here. World leaders are gathering right
now at a potentially pivotal moment that could help shape what happens next for Europe and of course for Ukraine.
As Russia escalates its attacks NATO is launching what some are describing as one of the most consequential summits in decades. Many of the leaders
like U.S. President Joe Biden are coming straight from the G7 gathering in Germany.
There they promised to dig in and help Ukraine for "as long as it takes", and they agreed to study the idea of capping Russian oil prices to deprive
the Kremlin of military funds. The German Chancellor promised they would be there for Ukraine after the war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR: We have to talk about G7 but also other European Union members to talk about discussing reconstruction. We need a
Marshall Plan for Ukraine. This needs to be planned well and developed well, that is one of our goals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, G7 leaders also called out China's trade practices and pledged nearly $5 billion to fight food insecurity a problem exacerbated of
course by the Ukraine war. Well, NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg echoing much of what's - what was said yesterday and really summing up what this summit
is all about. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: Our NATO Summit in Madrid this week will be a transformative with many important decisions, including on
the new strategic concept for a new security reality, a fundamental shift in NATO's deterrence and defense and support to Ukraine now and for the
future.
Our new concept will guide us in an era of strategic competition. I expect it will make clear that allies consider Russia as the most significant and
direct threat to our security.
It will address China for the first time and the challenges that Beijing poses to our security, interests and values. It will also cover our
evolving approach to a number of other threats and challenges, including terrorism, cyber and hybrid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, for his part Ukraine's President reiterating today that Ukrainian sovereignty extends to the entire territory. I want to bring in
CNN White House reporter Natasha Bertrand, who is in Madrid for what is that big summit.
What have we learned from the opening remarks? And what can we expect from what is being described as one of the most consequential meetings of NATO
leaders in decades?
NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, Becky, so we did just learn some news just this morning from President Biden's national security
adviser who told reporters that the U.S. is going to send two more destroyers to the Spanish naval port of Rota, and that is overall just an
increase in force posture, right.
And that is kind of the newest thing I think that we're going to see out of this NATO Summit is that increase in a defense posture by NATO. So Jens
Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General said yesterday that the NATO Response Force is going to be increased to 300,000 forces that are going to
be on high alert, essentially, in case anything were to happen in case the Russian incursion in Ukraine were to somehow reach NATO's borders.
Now, this is going to be a theme throughout the entire summit is how to reinforce NATO's borders, especially given how close Russia continues to
get to that NATO territory.
We're also hearing, of course, that the NATO alliance, they are going to be providing additional security assistance to Ukraine; we don't know exactly
what that is going to look like.
However, they said that it would likely take the form of drones and more communications equipment. But overall here, it's just going to be dominated
really, by the war in Ukraine.
Of course, there will be discussions about climate change, there will be discussions about energy security, but overall, how to reinforce that
defensive posture and of course, how to arm Ukraine are going to dominate the talks here, Becky.
ANDERSON: If were - the Biden officials privately doubt that Ukraine can win back all of its territory despite President Zelenskyy's strong message
which we heard earlier, explain their reservations, if you will.
[11:05:00]
BERTRAND: Yes, President Zelenskyy's goal has been to get Ukraine back to that pre February 24 - those pre 20 February 24 territorial lines. So
essentially take back all of the territory that Russia has seized since the invasion began.
And U.S. officials, Western officials, NATO officials, they're all telling us that it's becoming increasingly unlikely even with all of the equipment
that the U.S. and its allies are funneling into Ukraine, and the kind of optimistic language that we are hearing coming out of the U.S. and its
allies about this.
It is unlikely that Ukraine is going to be able to take back every inch of that territory, especially given all of the momentum that we have seen by
Russia in the eastern part of the country over the last several weeks.
Now, others say that a shrunken Ukrainian state essentially here is not inevitable, and that really how much territory Ukraine can take back is
completely a function of how much weaponry the U.S. and its allies actually give to Ukraine.
But ultimately, even with increased commitments to Ukrainian forces, which for those for that heavier weaponry for those more sophisticated devices.
The U.S. and its allies just don't necessarily see a path here for Ukraine to take back every single city that Russia has taken over the last four
months.
ANDERSON: Yes. Natasha, it's going to be a busy and extremely interesting next couple of days. So we'll check back in with you, same time tomorrow.
Thank you. But will any of this make a difference on the ground?
That of course is the big question. This is a country where a trip to the mall can turn tragic. Rescuers are still going through what's left of a
shopping center that was attacked in Ukraine by Russia on Monday.
At least 18 people were killed you see that it was an absolute Inferno. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it one of the most daring terrorist
acts in European history. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Today's Russian strike at a shopping mall in Kremenchuk is one of the most defiant terrorist attacks in
European history, a peaceful city, an ordinary shopping mall with women children, ordinary civilians inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well meantime Ukrainian forces report heavy fighting near the eastern city of Lysychansk. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz recently caught up with
some Ukrainians and people from elsewhere, who are now joining up, they're joining the fight against Russia. She shows us now how they are learning to
become soldiers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER (voice over): When Russia invaded his country; Yuri Filatov quickly went from ordinary civilian to soldier in
training.
YURI FILATOV, MEMBER OF THE TERRITORIAL DEFENSE: It was the first day when it all starts. I packed my family send it to the rest of the country and
roughly 26th of February I joined territorial defense.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): At an undisclosed location, these members of the territorial defense are learning to fight. Once a local volunteer militia,
it is now a branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces authorized for deployment to combat zones.
FILATOV: We all came here to protect our homes, our families.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Anyone can join. And with the country starved for fighters, anyone can end up on the battlefield. They work in IT, their
drivers, teachers, they know nothing about military affairs, he says, that's why we decided to create this training program. 100 to 200 Ukrainian
soldiers are dying every day, officials say.
ABDELAZIZ (on camera): These men are not professional warriors. Their commanders admit they don't have enough training. Still, they could be used
on the frontlines.
JACKY, INTERNATIONAL LEGION OF UKRAINE: Hey, I'm Jackie.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Among the instructors here is Jackie. He's from California. He says he served in the U.S. military for eight years.
JACKY: So I'm here with these men to help train their instructors so that they can train their men and gain experience as quickly as possible.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): There are other American volunteers fighting for Ukraine. Two of them, Alexander Drookie and Andy Juan are detained by
Russian backed separatists and Donetsk. A third American Grady - is missing. Jackie says he's had his own close call.
JACKY: That was shot, conducting operations with the legion in Kyiv back in March, I'm through the wrist and into my liver. It was pretty touching go.
I know my doctors tell me they weren't sure if I was going to live or not.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): He shows me why he believes he is needed here.
JACKY: American weapons, big one is or this guy right here, M 250 caliber Browning machine gun.
ABDELAZIZ (on camera): So if you weren't here, would they be able to use this weapon or?
JACKY: That was actually one of the problems before I got here is they were not able to use this weapon system. Volunteers like me luckily we're here
to kind of fill some holes, but it's not a good system.
[11:10:00]
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Facing a superior military power determined to crush Ukraine. These men say they have no choice but to fight back. Salma
Abdelaziz, CNN, Ukraine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, diplomacy, of course pivotal to the future of Ukraine as the NATO summit is kicking off the G7 forum. In Germany of course, winding
down over the past few days, the world's biggest developed economies have discussed new ways to drain Russia's wallet from its gold to its oil. CNN's
Fred Pleitgen has the story from the summit's location.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky. Well as this G7 Summit ends here in Schloss Elmau in Germany, the
participants certainly say they believe that it was a very successful summit, there really was a show of force and of unity of these G7 nations
when it comes to confronting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
One of the main things that they wanted to achieve here was also putting more economic pressure on Russia; of course, there was the talk of an
embargo on Russian gold.
And that's certainly something that the U.S. wants to achieve and wants to work on. And then there is that talk of the price caps on Russian oil. And
as far as that's concerned, you do hear a lot less enthusiasm, especially when it comes to the European G7 members.
The German Chancellor, Olaf Schultz talked about it on German television, he certainly didn't seem to be as enthusiastic as, for instance, the U.S.
might be. And you know we have to keep in mind that a lot of these European countries are very dependent on Russian fossil fuels, gas, and of course,
oil as well.
And the EU tried to put in place an embargo on Russian oil, and that certainly only work to a certain extent. Now there was that one very
interesting moment here during that summit, when Emmanuel Macron, the President of France came to Joe Biden and said that he had just gotten off
the phone with the President of the UAE.
And had been told that first of all, the UAE would not be able to increase its production capacity, and then also Saudi Arabia would only be able to
do so to a very small extent.
So you see the problems that are out there. And I think one of the big issues that the Europeans have one of the big fears that they have, is that
a move that could possibly backfire and make oil on the world's markets even more expensive than it already is, Becky.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, that's Fred Pleitgen in Germany, the G7 now over leaders, certainly NATO leaders gathering in Madrid. And we will have a
full analysis on that price cap that was just being discussed there by Fred being weighed by G7 leaders and what it could mean for energy markets.
We'll do that later in the show. Well, human smuggling ends in horror for dozens of migrants in the U.S. state of Texas. The death toll has risen to
50 after 48 bodies were found in the back of a semi-truck Monday evening, in San Antonio in sweltering heat.
More than a dozen people were found live and taken to hospitals where two others, sadly, later died. A law enforcement official says migrants from
Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras were among those discovered in the truck.
Matt Rivers joins us live from Mexico City. And you know this is just such a sad story. Just explain the sort of path that some of these migrants
might have taken, Matt?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, I mean, we've already heard from authorities here that, you know, human smuggling human trafficking
routes were likely used to get all of those people from where they come from, whether it's Guatemala, Honduras, or here in Mexico up to the United
States.
And normally the way that works, and what we've seen in our own reporting over the last few years, is it's loosely organized criminal groups that are
connected between these countries.
These are transnational groups that bring people from Central America often all the way down from South America, all the way up to the United States.
The migrants, however, are treated by these human traffickers as less than human.
They are often put through grueling conditions, whether it's in the back of a trunk, whether it's in a tractor trailer, whether it is in the back of a
pickup truck, oftentimes where people are crammed in.
These people are treated essentially, like some kind of product, like some kind of trade item that is being moved between these countries. And
oftentimes, these smugglers do not care about the well-being of these people.
This is something that we see time and again, although this particular incident is shocking just by the number of people that are involved the
idea, however, that migrants are dying along this journey that unfortunately is not new.
Let's listen a little bit to what the Mexican president had to say about this incident earlier this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, MEXICAN PRESIDENT: We're in support. Our console has been there since yesterday. There are also immigration
officials from Mexico, and we will be attentive to support the families of the victims. The transfer of the bodies in of course carries out the
investigation in what corresponds to us.
[11:15:00]
OBRADOR: Because these unfortunate events that, of course have to do with the situation of poverty, of despair of Central American brothers of
Mexicans happened because there's also human trafficking and lack of controls, in this case on the border of Mexico, or the United States and in
the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: And unfortunately, Becky, this is following a kind of morbid script, lots of migrants are founded. The corresponding government says
they're going to launch an investigation, people will eventually get arrested more than likely, and yet these human smuggling routes continue.
All of this comes at the same time as the United States has announced just recently, that it's what is calling an unprecedented campaign by U.S. law
enforcement across the western hemisphere to fight against human trafficking incidents like these show you what law enforcement is up
against.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. I appreciate it, Matt. Thank you very much indeed. Well, coming up, French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on the
sidelines of the G7 roiled energy markets.
I want to speak next to an energy expert, who will explain whether those comments were, quite frankly, work for --. And it's all about security
challenges for one of NATO's newest members. The President of North Macedonia joining me live from the Madrid summit that is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, the top of the hour we brought you up to date with the NATO summit underway in Madrid. Leaders there gathered to discuss the
collective's defensives - defenses as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth month. NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg says the Kremlin is using
energy as, "a weapon of coercion".
North Macedonia is watching all of this very keenly. He only became a full member of NATO in 2020. And recently has been pushing for EU membership.
Well, my next guest is taking part of the NATO Summit.
He tweeted this we will address the urgent security challenges. I am confident we will have constructive debate for NATO's strategic concept,
strengthening defense capabilities Ukraine and NATO partnerships.
North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski is in Madrid and he joins me now live. It's good to have you sir. This is a busy summit. It is being
described as consequential as it's been in decades at this summit.
It was announced that NATO will significantly increase troops assigned to its eastern flank with an increase in troops across each Baltic States.
This is after all been described as the biggest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War. What message does that send?
[11:20:00]
STEVO PENDAROVSKI, NORTH MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, Becky. You know, this is really a unique NATO summit since happening in the same time
with the war on the European soil for the first time in decades in essence after the World War Two.
It never happened before that NATO summit is organized in the same time, since its inception in 1949. To organize the NATO summit in the same time
to have a brutal aggression towards one of the European countries.
And of course, quite naturally, because of the brutal Russian invasion in Ukraine, then the whole NATO summit will be dictated, in essence are
preoccupied with that issue.
First of all, we should tomorrow, I hope tomorrow, by the end of the second session, or in the morning, adopted a new strategic concept, kind of a key
guiding document for the foreseeable future, probably by the end of this decade.
It says something about strengthening the eastern flank, as you said of NATO. But it's speaking about a completely new approach named 360
approaches, meaning that threats and challenges to the European and Euro Atlantic security can come from elsewhere.
So we should be vigilant, and we should assemble all the forces we have. And of course, as soon as possible, all NATO members should reach that
threshold and cautious to have - to dedicate at least 2 percent of the GDP for defense.
ANDERSON: Jens Stoltenberg has talked about a seven fold increase in battle ready troops, how concerned are you in North Macedonia about the future and
a future threat from Russia?
PENDAROVSKI: To be honest, we are facing the so called hybrid threats coming to us mainly through this political propaganda and fake news
phenomenon. In the last four years since we have organized the referendum to enter NATO, you know, we are the only member of the NATO alliance, which
has changed its name in order to enter the alliance.
And since that period of time, we are facing an unprecedented level of Russian penetration through these so called hybrid threats. So we are,
let's say getting accustomed to that kind of penetration by the Russian Federation.
Of course, it's much easier when you have 29 other allies next to you standing next to you in defending the common cause. But as I said, we are
receiving that help we're receiving that support and I suppose that we will strengthen that cooperation within the alliance against the kinds of
threats.
That the same kinds of threats are going not only towards north Macedonia, but Russia is attacking with the same hybrid threats, the whole of the
Western Balkans. And you know that Western Balkan unfortunately, is still not fully integrated into the Euro Atlantic institutional architecture.
ANDERSON: You've welcome to Finland and Sweden's proposed ascension to Turkey to NATO. And Turkey, importantly, has not. What's your message to
President Erdogan, given that you are, of course, the newest member of NATO, you know.
And clearly see that as an extremely important position as a member, given what's, you know, given what Europe is facing at the moment.
PENDAROVSKI: You know these are obviously two sides of one dispute within the alliance. And we should deal with the concerns of both sides. We have
already sent the letter and full political support for to Finland and Sweden to become the member of the NATO alliance as soon as possible
because it will immensely and additionally strengthen the whole overall potential and capabilities of the NATO allies.
But at the same time, we should not forget about some legitimate political and security concerns of our old ally, the Republic of Turkey. My latest
info is that under the auspices of the Secretary General Stoltenberg, and then high representatives of Finland, Sweden and Republic of Turkey, are
somehow nearing the end of that process, and trying to find the common ground.
And finally to find the solution, which will allow us today, tomorrow or the day after, to issue our - countries to change the alliance.
ANDERSON: I'm going to jump in if I can; this is the North Macedonian President. I'm just jumping in because President Biden is now about to
deliver some remarks in Madrid, where you are where he's been meeting this Spain's Prime Minister on the sidelines of the summit. Let's listen in.
PEDRO SANCHEZ, SPANISH PRIME MINISTER: We are friends. We are linked together by strong historical bonds and strong partnership in many topics.
And moreover, we share the desire to promote the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights, gender equality, and the state of law.
And after over 20 years since the declaration that was signed by the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the then Foreign Affairs Minister
of Spain Jose - in 2001, there's obviously been numerous changes that have affected.
Plus Atlantic and relations and relations between Spain and the U.S. and that is Mr. President why I'm so happy to announce this new joint
declaration between the U.S. and Spain, which will help to strengthen the relations between Spain and the U.S.
[11:25:00]
SANCHEZ: And this declaration, we are doing a lot of different things. First of all, we are reinforcing our support for a rules based
international order. And it's very important to say that today here in Madrid as a consequence of the holding of the NATO Summit here, because
Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a clear violation of international law, direct attack on our share values.
And it demonstrates the need to redouble our efforts to support that rules based international order. And one of the main consequences of Putin's war
has actually been the revitalization of the Transatlantic Alliance when Europe's security was at stake.
What every ally has done, including Spain has been to respond decisively reinforcing our eastern flank whilst recognizing the threats that come from
their southern flank and therefore, the importance for the alliance to develop everything that's been called the alliance 360 strategy.
And Spain has practically Mr. President doubled its military presence in Latvia, with the recent deployment, this very weak of an anti-air defense
system and the Liberates Air Force Base, the Spanish contingent in Latvia is now 592.
And we're also taking part in the Baltic air police patrols; our Navy ships are maintaining their presence in the alliance's permanent forces. And so
in total, Spain is participating with its deployments in five NATO missions with a total of 1471 forces deployed.
And in this context in which we're dealing, I think, with the biggest challenge to peace in Europe since the end of the Cold War. Today, the U.S.
and Spain have committed to strengthen our cooperation in the areas of defense and security. Specifically, we have spoken about the U.S. interest
and increasing its presence and wrote us Navy base in order to strengthen the alliances collective security.
And on the other hand, Dennis is sat down and then Joint Declaration, we have agreed to strengthen the bonds between us in the areas of justice,
cyber security, energy security.
And by the way, I'm very grateful to the U.S. government and the whole of the U.S. for all that LPG that we are receiving in Spain. And also, the
management of immigration flows, everything that has to do with climate change, technology and digital transformation.
So in this update of this joint declaration that was signed back in 2001, we are expanding and reinforcing our bilateral relations. And we're also of
course, aware of the importance of the trade relations between our economies.
And in our respective national recovery plans, we see an excellent opportunity for U.S. companies in Spain and Spanish companies in the U.S.
And in that context, I would like to thank President Biden for his role in redefining the transatlantic trade relations, which over the last year have
been able to resolve past differences and embark on a much more positive track, forgetting that past and looking towards the future with hope.
We also agree on the importance of promoting a positive agenda in Latin America a region, which in the most part, a region with shared values. And
together we will be able to better defend a rules based international order together.
We've also discussed the increasing challenges of a very important region for Spain and Europe which is the Sahel. Also the role of China in the
current geopolitical context which will be discussed then in NATO summit, so we will continue to work together in multilateral for like the UN and
the G20.
In order to promote a coordinated response to all the global challenges we have including climate emergency, food security, or the architecture of
global health after the COVID-19 pandemics.
Overall, let's visit Mr. President has been a significant turning point in the bilateral relationship between our two countries.
SANCHEZ: Allow me to finish by thanking you for your leadership. We are pleased to have the U.S. back on the side of multilateralism. The Madrid
NATO Summit will start tomorrow and the decisions that we will take will reinforce our transatlantic bond. You can count on Spain as a solid ally
and friend, and thank you very much Mr. President.
[11:30:00]
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE STATES OF AMERICA: Thank you, Pedro; you can count on us as well. And, you know, thank you for welcoming today here, and
for hosting the NATO summit in Madrid.
And we have, we had a very warm and personal discussion upstairs. And one of the things I look forward to is having an hour together before we begin
a whole conference.
You know, we're marking 40 years, 40 years since Spain joined NATO, and becoming an indispensable ally. And today, we're standing together to
defend our shared security.
And I emphasize shared security, strengthen our transatlantic alliance and meet the challenges we face today and in the future. That's one of the
things we're going to be talking about in this meeting this week.
And as President Sanchez, and I want to talk to you, thank you for Spain's hospitality for U.S. service members and their families stationed here in
Spain. Mr. President, you're hosting a truly historic summit.
And the key moment in our alliance, when Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was shattered peace in Europe, and shattered every norm since World
War Two that's been in place.
And I want to thank you personally, you for your leadership. Transatlantic Unity has been and will continue to be the greatest strength and our
response to Russia, transatlantic security.
We're standing as one to support Ukraine, and to enhance our own deterrence and defense capabilities. And as I said before the war started, if Putin
attacked Ukraine, the United States would enhance our force posture in Europe, and respond to the reality of a new European security environment.
Earlier this year, we surged additional U.S. forces to Europe to bolster our alliances, the response to Russia's aggressive actions. And for months,
we've been consulted closely on additional steps the United States will take alongside our allies who are also stepping up and strengthening our
selective and collective security.
Together, the new commitments will constitute an impressive display of ally unity, and resolve and NATO's 360 degree approach to our security. I'm
looking forward to discussing all of this during the summit.
But Mr. President, you and I discussed today, we're going to work on an agreement to increase the number of U.S. Naval destroyer's station to
Spain's road and naval base, which will also enhance the bilateral defensive relationship between Spain and the United States.
We expect that to occur much sooner than later. And I welcome the steps that Spain has taken in solidarity with our allies that were facing
heightened threats on their borders, including sending additional capabilities you reference to Latvia. Thank you, Mr. President.
And I'll be laying out additional steps the United States is going to take with our NATO colleagues as in our summit tomorrow. But the bottom line is
this. Together, the alliance is threatening its posture is dealing with the threats and strengthening our posture against the threats from the east and
challenges from the south.
NATO is focused on all directions and domains land, air and sea. And, Mr. President, we also discussed how the United States and Spain and other
allies are keeping needed weapons and equipment flowing to Ukraine.
So they're standing up in ways that I don't think anyone anticipated showing enormous bravery, enormous result. And we're continuing to tighten
sanctions on Russia as well.
We're providing assistance to the government of the people in Ukraine, as they respond to this unprovoked assault on their lives and their
democracies. Sometimes I think Putin's objective is this, it literally changed the entire culture, wipe out the culture of Ukraine, the kinds of
actions he's taking.
And I want to particularly thank you, Mr. President, and the people of Spain, for the support you've shown in welcoming more than 140,000
Ukrainian citizens refuge here in Spain.
That's remarkable and a testament to your people. There's a testament to the spirit resolve not only the Spanish people but of your leadership and
to stand up for what is right at a moment of crisis.
Our shared democratic values together with our long history of friendship make Spain and the United States, strong partners on all the issues that we
face to together.
In the Western Hemisphere Spain and the United States are working together with other countries in Latin and Caribbean areas to reinforce democratic
institutions strengthen the rule of law, spread economic prosperity, and advanced transformative approaches to manage migration.
[11:35:00]
BIDEN: We're looking to do more together in Africa as well to promote stability and economic growth. And we reaffirmed our joint commitment today
to continue to work together and the biggest challenges that affect the people all around the world from the COVID-19 to climate change.
And we're releasing a joint declaration that reaffirms our shared values, reflects the full breadth of our cooperation. And we have asked our teams
to follow up on the substance of the Joint Declaration, so they become known to everyone.
And so thank you again, head row, for your friendship and your close partnership. And we had a good discussion today and I'm looking forward to
continue good discussions and remainder this conference. But thank you for your hospitality. Thank you gentleman!
ANDERSON: Well, the U.S. President speaking ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid, meeting Joe Biden described as a key moment in the alliance. We
are, he said standing as one to support Ukraine and will enhance our own deterrence and defense capabilities by land, by air and by sea.
Well, the North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski is also in Madrid at the NATO summit, the alliances newest member, of course, joining me live.
You've been listening to President Biden and you and I were talking about the enhancing of deterrence and defensive capabilities ahead of those
prepared marks by President Biden.
You as a country have been waiting almost 20 years since first submitting your membership application to the EU. You're a NATO member, but still,
waiting at the opportunity to become a member of the European Union.
Has Ukraine's fast tracked acceptance or at least candidate status been a bit of a slap in the face for North Macedonia?
PENDAROVSKI: Now Becky, to the contrary, I'll send a letter to President Zelenskyy a month ago saying that the bid for membership into the European
Union by Ukraine has nothing to do by our bid for membership and trying to opening negotiations finally with the same union.
But there are two things in my view, first of all, and then European Union is sending a strong political message of great symbolism to the Ukrainians
fighting for their country for their freedom for their choice to be with whomever they want.
And in the same time, European Union should not forget very important region at the periphery of the geographical Europe. That is the Western
Balkan region. I can tell you in few sentences that no one but no one of six countries being located in this Western Balkan region is progressing
towards the European Union.
The Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania are effectively blocked by veto by our neighbor, Bulgaria, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Kosovo,
completely forgotten.
And here this Montenegro and Serbia are negotiating with the EU for almost 10 years; there is no progress in sight. So this is a crucial region, I saw
some of the conclusions we should adopt formally tomorrow, in the first session of the NATO Summit, speaking about the Western Balkans as the
strategic region from the standpoint of the whole alliance.
And I would like to say the same for the European Union. If NATO is holding open doors for decades, virtually for decades, there is no any reason for
European Union not to hold the door opens for anybody who would like to join the European Union as well, because you know, there is one strand of
European Union name, European Common Foreign and Security Policy.
And that part of the European Union is overlapping with the NATO core values and priorities.
ANDERSON: All right.
PENDAROVSKI: So in order not to duplicate all of that, let's put together and let's streamline all the resources we have for the common cause
democracy and freedom.
ANDERSON: The North Macedonian President, I will apologize for having you. Hang on, while we just listened to those prepared remarks by the leaders of
Spain and the United States.
But I'm very pleased that you were able to hang on, because the discussion that we've just been having now I think, is a very important one. So we
very much appreciate your time. Good luck at the summit. It is as many are describing it a very consequential couple of days coming up in Madrid.
Thank you, sir, taking a very short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: It's just after 22 Eight here in the UAE, I'm Becky Anderson. This is "Connect the World" broadcast from our Middle East hub here in the
Abu Dhabi. As the NATO Summit kicks off in Madrid leaders will be focusing on military readiness in the face of this ongoing Russian aggression.
At the G7 over the weekend, the focus was how leaders there could hit President Vladimir Putin's pocket, leaders agreeing to explore price caps
for Russian oil and gas.
This idea is to curb Russia's profits without taking that supply about 7 percent of global exports off the market. The problem is that the G7
nations are not Russia's key buyers.
Take a look at this graphic. Russia's oil export actually increased in May of 2022 compared to the average for all of last year. A lot more of those
exports and now going to India and to China noted in yellow and light blue there on your screen. Well, as the United States works towards a deal on a
price cap mechanism for Russian oil, they are also seeking other suppliers to cool the market.
Of course these energy prices are really high at the moment that's hitting consumers where it hurts at the gas tank and in their pockets. President
Biden will head to the Gulf here to Saudi Arabia in just a few short weeks.
And getting the old rich nations to try and start pumping more barrels will be high on the agenda. It was a rather interesting exchange on the
sidelines of the G7, the French president Emmanuel Macron offered Mr. Biden some Intel ahead of his trip to Saudi. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: With your advice I called --. He told me two things, One, I'm at a maximum, maximum. What he claimed and this is my
predicament.
Second for me, the Saudis can increase a little bit to 150 or a little more. They don't have huge capacities before 6 months' time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, this is of course, a hot mic situation as it is known. This little exchange there has created a lot of chatter because well, it's
wrong. Let's bring in the Chief OPEC Correspondent at Energy Intel, Amena Bakr. Let's just get things straight. Where do the UAE and Saudi stand in
terms of spare capacity?
[11:45:00]
AMENA BAKR, CHIEF OPEC CORRESPONDENT, ENERGY INTELLIGENCE: Becky I think President Macron misunderstood what the message that the UAE President
relayed to him and that confusion was very apparent in the video. First of all, he said that the UAE is maxed out on its capacity.
In fact, the UAE is keeping with its OPEC plus production quota, which is around 3.16 million barrels a day. The UAE's total capacity is 4.2 million
barrels a day, so they still have spare capacity around.
Now, when it comes to Saudi Arabia, what President Macron said is that they could only increase by 150,000 barrels a day. And that, again, is
incorrect. Saudi Arabia's quota under the new system is around 10.8. And their total capacity is 12 million barrels a day.
So between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I would say there's around 2.1 to 2.2 million barrels a day of spare capacity there.
ANDERSON: So to your mind, was this just sheer confusion on the part of the President, or was there something else at play here?
BAKR: I think just judging from the expression of President Macron and how the message was relayed. I would say that it was just confusion, on his
part, not understanding how spare capacity and capacity is calculated.
Of course, I mean, we've seen observers and a lot of people, especially on social media, saying that perhaps this was intentional. But what it did,
Becky, the importance of, of what we saw here just gives us a taste of what oil markets would look like, if we had no spare capacity.
The moment Macron said that there is no spare capacity, prices shot up by 2 percent. Prices today are around the $117 a barrel, so this is why Gulf
producers have been very cautious with their spare capacity, and how they use it looking forward.
And that's why we expect them to continue being cautious about how the spare capacity is used.
ANDERSON: Yes, global oil demand as we were bringing it up on the screen as you were talking there about 100 million barrels a day. These are there are
a lot of numbers here viewers, but this is this is really important.
Joe Biden will be lobbying hard for Gulf leaders to bring some of this capacity that Amena has just been talking about onto the market. How much
of the approximately 3 million barrels of oil a day of Russian oil taken off the market? Can other OPEC members including the UAE and Saudi
realistically fulfill?
BAKR: In my mind, I mean, just among the OPEC plus members, the capacity that could be brought in a timely fashion online needs to come from Saudi
Arabia and the UAE. This is the capacity that's available.
This is the capacity that has the definition of being sustainable, meaning that it can come online within 30 days and could be maintained for 90 days.
So we're talking I mean, if they want to max out that capacity, 2.2 maximum.
But again, Becky, as I mentioned, I don't think they're ready to, to use all of that spare capacity. They're going to take a more gradual approach
for sure. Just let me tell you something that I really think that spare capacity is more valuable than oil at this point, it's more valuable than
gold.
So for these countries to hold on to it, it's their only way to manage the markets looking forward.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. I mean, it's always good to have you, you know, taking a deep dive on these oil markets for us and explaining why what is
said, and the actions that are taken are significant, it couldn't be more important at a time of such energy insecurity. Thank you.
Well, any moment now we expect to find out how long Ghislaine Maxwell will spend in prison. The British socialite was convicted of sex trafficking a
minor and other charges related to a sprawling conspiracy to abuse young girls.
Maxwell says her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein was the mastermind that she is a scapegoat. And the judge is expected to deliver her sentence this
hour and we will bring that to you when we get it.
Well, still to come, a shop and Wimbledon is one of the top contenders is out before stepping onto the court. We'll tell you what not the men's
number two seed out when "Connect the World" continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Serena Williams, arguably the greatest women's tennis player of all time, hasn't played a singles match in a year, but she is due to take
center court at Wimbledon any minute now.
Her opening round matches just one of the big stories unfolding today in SW19. The men's side of the draw was thrown for a loop on Tuesday as second
seeded Matteo Berrettini was forced to withdraw following a positive COVID test joining me to help us knock around all the big stories today is CNN
tennis contributor Ben Rothenberg.
I mean, there are so many intriguing stories. And it's only day two. Let's start with Serena Williams. What type of Serena will we see after a year
out?
BEN ROTHENBERG, CNN TENNIS CONTRIBUTOR: We really don't know it's tough to really calibrate expectations for Serena right now because obviously as you
said, she's probably the best tennis player in women's tennis history without a doubt.
But at the same time, we haven't seen her in a year that Ross is going to be thicker on Serena's game that ever has been before and she's now 40
years old. So it wouldn't be fair to expect her to be moving and recovering maybe the same way she did in her younger age.
So we'll have to wait and see what to get from her could be amazingly brilliant. It could be tough to watch at times, you really don't know that
there's a big range of possibilities here which is going to keep people on their toes.
ANDERSON: You always wish you the best. We are really short time. So you had some news that we've got to get in this hour. So I'm going to leave it
there, but thank you very much.
It's terrific to have you on, we'll have you back. It's a two week tournament of course. Thank you for tonight's parting shots. Singer Billie
Eilish made history on Saturday.
She became Glastonbury's youngest solo headline act after three pandemic hit years it was the perfect way to welcome back to music festival. Fans
were treated to performances by legends like Diana Ross and Paul McCartney.
You've graced the Pyramid Stage with their best hits. But this year's event was about more than just music politics was a key performer to Ukraine
front and center President Zelenskyy made a virtual appearance and several performances marked the war in Ukraine.
But on the issue on many American artists mine this weekend was not Russia's war. It was the overturning of Roe vs. Wade the landmark case it
granted abortion rights.
Kendrick Lamar and Phoebe Bridgers use their acts to criticize the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, a 19 year old Olivia Rodrigo was possibly the
loudest voice of all, take listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIA RODRIGO, AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER: I'm devastated and terrified. So many women and so many girls are going to die because of this. And I
wanted to dedicate this next song to five members of the Supreme Court who showed us that at the end of the day, they truly don't have - freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the music has stopped at Glastonbury, but the conversation around a woman's right to choose of course continues. And these artists
through their lyrics and melodies are helping to give the issue plenty of attention.
Well thank you for joining us. Wherever you are watching in the world that was "Connect the World". CNN's coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and
our other top stories continues on an early edition of Amanpour after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
