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First Move with Julia Chatterley
Ukraine Seeks Soldiers, from Russia Brigade in war Crimes Probe; Serbia Calls Russian Natural Gas Deal "Advantageous"; Greece Works with Big Tech to Increase Investments; Beijing: COVID has Resurged after 1 Community Case found; Biden Speaks About Ukraine, Gun Control; Colombian Presidential Runoff Takes Place June 19th. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired May 30, 2022 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN HOST, FIRST MOVE: You're watching CNN. I'm Eleni Giokos in Dubai. Welcome to the show. And we begin with the latest on the war in
Ukraine, Russian forces advancing in the City of Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian officials say at least two people were killed and
five others were injured in the latest Russian attacks.
As you can see on this map, this as Russian Foreign Minister says liberating the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, "Absolute priority" for Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits troops on the front lines in the country's second largest city on Kharkiv on Sunday, and
it was his first trip outside the Capital Kyiv region since the Russian invasion began in late February.
In Southern Ukraine, the country's military releasing this video saying it has launched a counterattack near the key port city of Kherson. Ukraine
claims Russian forces were pushed back about 10 kilometers there. Matthew Chance is live in Kyiv, worth more, Matthew, good to see you. I want you to
give me a sense of the latest with regards to the battle that we're seeing in the eastern parts of the country and some of the messaging coming
through for Moscow.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, that battle continues to rage in the Donbas region in the east of the country,
particularly around a city called Severodonetsk, which is in the Luhansk region that represents the region that makes up about half of the Donbas.
And there has been fighting on there for several days that's continuing, but there is slow, significant progress by Russian forces to slowly take
control in the face of very strong resistance we have to say, from Ukrainian defenders of that region.
But there is an advanced taking place by the Russians. And of course, the Russians have said Lavrov, Sergei Lavrov the Russian Foreign Minister
saying this in an interview recently with French television that taking the Donbas is a priority for Russian forces.
The Russians reiterating that is one of the aims of this conflict that they launched back in February. Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr
Zelenskyy, has made a unique visit really the first trip he's taken outside of Kyiv since the conflict began, and he's made it to Kharkiv, which is a
Ukrainian city in the east of the country very close to where the fighting is now taking place, but a scene of ferocious battles over the course of
the past couple of months.
So Ukrainian forces eventually pushing back Russian troops that had come in to conquer the place and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, you know, talking
about the destruction that had been wrought there by Russian forces, meeting the soldiers that are still there engaged in counterattacks against
Russian forces and thanking them for the sacrifice that they continue to make. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: I would like to thank each one of you for your service. You risk your lives for all of us and our country.
Thank you for defending Ukraine's independence. Stay safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: All right. So as that fighting takes place in the Northeast of Ukraine and as that presidential visit ends, of course. There is more
fighting taking place elsewhere in the east of the country. So as Russian forces advance in the northeast corner of Ukraine in the southeast corner,
Russian sorry Ukrainian officials say that their forces are launching a counter offensive there and trying to recapture some of the territory
that's been conquered by Russian troops over the course of the past couple of months. And so it is a very dynamic front line at the moment and it is
ebbing and flowing between the Ukrainian and the Russian side, Eleni.
GIOKOS: Very fluid situations Matthew thank you so much for that update. Now to an exclusive CNN report into alleged war crimes in Bucha and the
images which shocked and disgusted the world. We're learning more about the investigation of the Russian brigade believed responsible. CNN's Melissa
Bell is in Ukraine with the story.
[09:05:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Russian tanks entering the village of Lypivka in late February now in charge here of life and of
death. Six weeks later now back in control of the village Ukrainian authorities begin counting the dead.
I can't look says one mother it was only after the tanks had withdrawn that Ukrainian prosecutors were able to start piecing together what had
happened. They now suspect these men have crimes in violation of the rules and customs of war.
RUSLAN KRAVCHENKO, REGIONAL PROSECUTOR, BUCHA: On this street, nine soldiers of the 64th brigade imprisoned unarmed civilians. They detained
and tortured them for 10 days, inflicting bodily harm and carried out mock executions.
BELL (voice over): We wanted to see for ourselves where some of these alleged crimes might have been committed. Going door to door with pictures
of the soldiers we meet Andriy, who recognizes one of them.
BELL (on camera): Is it locked?
BELL (voice over): He leads us down to a cellar where he says Russian soldiers tried to kill a group of men and women who'd been hiding. They
used grenades and rifles he says. But the civilians managed to survive by heading further into the darkness.
BELL (on camera): This is the scene of just one of the alleged crimes of the men of the 64th brigade. It is littered with cigarettes and bullet
casings.
Back in Lypivka we show Mykola - local resident, a picture of Commander Valterovich Litvinenko. He recognizes him immediately and invites us into
what's left of his home. He and his family hid in the woods he says, while his home was destroyed by the Russian artillery that killed his neighbor.
When he tried to come back he says the commander seemed surprised. He said what are you doing here? You should have been burnt alive. Mykola still
doesn't know why he decided to let him live?
IRYNA VENEDIKTOVA, UKRAINE PROSECUTOR GENERAL: --people turn up if people for what? Because they wanted to scare civilians scare our citizens of
towns, village's cities.
BELL (voice over): After withdrawing from the Bucha area the brigade's men were promoted by Moscow. The Kremlin denies any involvement in the mass
killings. The 64th brigade was created after the Georgian war, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
The soldiers of this brigade, he says were noted for their robberies and rapes. But instead of bringing order to the brigade, the Russian command
armed it he explains with modern weapons and sent it into Ukraine. Beyond working out exactly what the Russian soldiers who occupied this area north
of Kyiv might have been responsible for. The big question for Ukrainian prosecutors now is where they are?
BELL (on camera): Even as Ukrainian military intelligence suggests that some of those men may still be alive and back in Ukraine fighting,
prosecutors are focusing on what evidence they can gather beyond those war crimes that they're seeking to prosecute them under Ukrainian law. They're
also gathering evidence they say that they hope to bring it to the ICC which is carrying out its own investigations, and will be in a position to
decide whether or not to look into possible crimes against humanity. Melissa Bell, CNN, Kyiv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIOKOS: Well meanwhile, Europe's unity against Russia is being tested by disagreements on a Russian oil ban. EU leaders are arriving this hour for a
crisis meeting on the war. The block remains deadlocked over the embargo that would be the key plank of fresh sanctions. Anna Stewart joins me now.
Anna you've been following all the rounds of sanctions since the very start. And we know some are really difficult to agree on. We know that gas
is out of the question right now. But oil has been the big one on the table and it's receiving a lot of pushback from some countries. What are we
expecting from this meeting?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: So the EU Commission announced a potential ban of all Russian oil a month ago now and ever since it's been negotiated and
discussed by EU leaders with lots of fierce opposition, particularly from the likes of Hungary, of course a landlocked nation. It relies a lot on
Russian oil. EU leaders are arriving today for a two day summit.
We've just had the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive. He says that he is optimistic that the EU will stand together against Russia. He says
everything is pointing towards consensus. But just two hours ago, the Estonian Prime Minister said actually it's not realistic to expect an
agreement on the sixth package of sanctions today.
[09:10:00]
STEWART: It is largely regarding the idea of an oil embargo and at this stage it looks like already a big compromise has been reached not just
giving some of those countries opposing a total ban more time to get there, but actually removing pipelined oil from the equation altogether, so maybe
only banning seaborne oil.
Now to give you an idea of what that would mean, 27 percent of the EU's oil comes from Russia, about 35 percent of that is actually delivered by a
pipeline. And that represents a lot when you're looking at certain countries like Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Slovakia for instance, gets 100 percent of its Russian oil via pipelines. So this is why this may be the big exemption, it weakens of course, the
overall effect though, of banning Russian oil, particularly with Russian sorry, with oil prices high, it does mean that Russia is able to get a lot
of revenue even from the small amounts of oil, they would still be able to export to the EU.
There are other elements in this round of packages, more sanctions and certain individuals cutting off three Russian banks from Swift, the global
payments network that includes Sberbank, the biggest bank, and also removing some consultancy and financial services from Russian entities.
Now, again, this is an area we may see some compromise because that was expected to include removing the ability for European insurance firms to
insure oil tankers that have Russian oil on board. Now that would have had a huge cost for countries like Malta and Greece.
So you can see that while the EU with all of its 27 member nations may agree politically on the impacts they want to have with Russia, they want
to show unity. When it comes to the economics it's a very different story. And that is what they have to contend with over the next few days. You can
see the arrivals right there, Eleni?
GIOKOS: Yes, Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary arriving as well, and as you mentioned, Hungary being one of those countries, that has been
very resistant to an oil ban, but as you've said Anna, a really interesting list that we're looking at and of course, a double edged sword in terms of
impact on European countries. Anna thank you so much. We'll be catching up on this much later. I appreciate it.
Now, the European Union is trying to hammer out its ban on Russian oil, one non EU nation Serbia has struck a separate deal with Russia to provide it
with natural gas. Serbia says the three year agreement provides it with the cheapest prices in Europe.
We've got Clare Sebastian joining us now, Clare, really good to see you. I mean, this is where we're starting to see polarization occurring where some
people, you know, countries are looking at the economic ramifications and they're looking at cheapest gas supplies and they're looking to Russia. But
what does this mean, politically here for Europe?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Serbia is not an EU country, as you say Eleni. It is an EU candidate, though it has been so since 2012. But
during the war in Ukraine, it has maintained a neutral stance; it hasn't sort of officially come out against Russia. It hasn't imposed any sanctions
on Russia.
And clearly it is sticking with that political stance, the Prime Minister of Serbia in a conversation with President Putin last night, the Kremlin
saying that it's going to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to Serbia. The Prime Minister also saying that this is just the first part of a new gas
contract this three year deal.
Question, of course, you know, aside from the political neutrality, and it's well, why the stance that will Serbia in Russia, of course, have sort
of historic ties, the Slavic people, the Eastern Orthodox Church, there's also been the sort of lurking issue of Kosovo in this war.
President Putin has consistently referred to the NATO intervention of Kosovo not only in this war with Ukraine, but previous conflicts involving
breakaway republics like those in Georgia as a sort of way of, justifying his intervention, NATO's sort of pretext that it wanted to protect the
Albanian majority in Kosovo from a genocide.
Putin has said we're trying to protect the people of the Donbas from genocide. So there's that historical link here. But clearly Serbia setting
out its store and I think this taken together with the fact that the EU has yet to sort of reach an agreement on that text package shows just how much
leverage Russia still has, when it comes to its energy supplies?
GIOKOS: Yes, a really interesting. You know, you mentioned quite a few elements there. So it's the economic justification here. And then, of
course, you've got politics in the middle of all of this. Soviet being an EU candidate what have we heard in response from the Europeans? Because
many countries are actually going ahead with what is on the UN sanctions list. And it's becoming more and more difficult to do any business with
Russia, but of course, gas isn't on the list right this minute.
SEBASTIAN: Yes, you know, we haven't heard much from the European Union, in terms of this new gas deal between Serbia and Russia, frankly, the European
Union is, very busy with other things at the moment. But you know, I think the politics of this are striking especially since Serbia is an EU
candidate they continue to work towards that.
[09:15:00]
SEBASTIAN: It is of course a very long process we see that reflected in discussions over Ukraine potentially joining the EU, as I said; they've
been a candidate since 2012. But they are a landlocked country, as you say.
So there are sort of economic elements in this as well, they are very reliant on Russia, for their gas, and they did say like this will be
advantageous. These will be some of the cheapest prices in Europe that again, is reflected in the discussions that we see between EU members
today.
The price of Russian gas and oil invite, it is critical as well, because if some countries continue to import from Russia, they will then have an
advantage over others who don't. So an extremely complicated issue, but I think Serbia is significant in the fact that you know they are aligning
themselves through this economic deal.
GIOKOS: Yes, exactly speaks volumes, doesn't it? Clare Sebastian, thank you so much. Good to see you. All right, and these are the stories making
headlines around the world. Victims of last week's Texas School massacre beginning to be laid to rest today the first of the funeral services for
taking place 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza and also 14 year old Dinorah Rodriguez local funeral home set it will take weeks to bury the victims.
The World Health Organization says it has received reports of more than 250 confirmed Monkeypox cases. And 120 other suspected cases globally. Most are
in Europe and in North America, and no deaths have been reported so far. The W.H.O. caused the global public health risk level moderate.
And straight ahead as Europe works to ban Russian energy I speak to Greek official about making up for the shortfall. And lifting locked down
Shanghai plans to ease some COVID restrictions for businesses on June 1st that's half the months of shutdowns were live in China.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GIOKOS: Welcome back now Europe's united front against Russia is starting to crumble warns Germany. This as differences over a Russian oil ban
threatened to fracture the bloc's response. EU leaders are meeting in Brussels this hour to discuss the Ukraine crisis and fresh sanctions to
unlock those they need agreement on an oil embargo.
Joining me now is Christos Dimas Greek's Deputy Minister of Development and Investment Deputy Minister thank you so much really good to see you.
[09:20:00]
GIOKOS: Look, this is an important moment. We're talking about the sixth round of sanctions when it comes to Russia. And we're seeing disagreement
on some of the sanctions on the list. Estonia says that they're not hopeful we'll see an agreement. Germany seems to be a lot more hopeful about what
they'll see at this meeting, even though they're worried about a fractured unified agrees.
Where the Europe rather, where does Greece stand with regards to the summit right now and signing off on all the sanctions.
CHRISTOS DIMAS, GREEK DEPARTMENT MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENTS: First of all, allow me to say that Greece has condemned putting war in
Ukraine from day number one at the EU summit meeting. Prime Minister Mitsotakis is working in order to see how Europe can be transformed as soon
as possible into an energy independent continent, whereas Putin's goal is to divide Europe and try to break this unity on the issue.
GIOKOS: Deputy Minister is Greece pro all of the sanctions that are currently on the table right this minute.
DIMAS: Of course, Greece is - Greece is in favor of the sanctions. And we are taking a lot of initiatives inside the country in order to see how we
can be less dependent in Russian oil. So we are creating floating storage and regasification units.
We are also fully developing a new pipeline connecting Greece and Bulgaria supplying it with gas from Azerbaijan. We are fast tracking infrastructure
for renewable sources of energy, which have been a priority for this government.
But we are also undertaking important developments for creating electricity, undersea electricity cables to import electricity from Israel.
So we are making a very big effort in order to be less dependent on Russian gas and oil.
GIOKOS: Yes, absolutely. Look, we know that the German specifically the Economy Minister said and fears that unity was starting to crumble. Does
your government share the same anxieties?
DIMAS: Yes, of course it does because we have a lot of concern from many European Union leaders about the sanctions. But we are all very hopeful
that today's EU summit meeting will help all of the EU member states understand that peace, stability and security and standing up on our values
are extremely crucial.
It is a priority for the entire world. So we are hopeful that today's EU summit meeting will have a very good final result.
GIOKOS: How concerned are you Deputy Minister that Serbia has just signed a three year gas deal with Russia?
DIMAS: Of course, we are concerned because we want to have a common stance not only within the European Union, but in the European continent. So we
would like to have support from all of the member countries not only of the Union, but of the European continent.
This is an international issue. It is of paramount importance for everybody. And all of the countries should agree that the invasion in
Ukraine is something that they should condemn, not only in words, but in action.
GIOKOS: You are currently in New York, and we know that you know, Greece and likely - delegates have been on a road show so to speak. This follows
Prime Minister Mitsotakis's visit and address to Congress. What is your message in the U.S. and what are you trying to achieve?
DIMAS: I am currently at New York attending the New York Mediterranean business summit of The Economist. Our message is that Greece is a pillar of
stability in southeastern Europe and the Balkans.
But at the same time, apart from being a global touristic destination, we are open for business there are important business opportunities in Greece.
We have had one of the largest growth rates in the European Union, we have significantly decreased unemployment.
So we do hope to see how we can attract more and more businesses, more and more investment in the country and continue the trend that we have had in
the last two years.
GIOKOS: I really want to talk about Turkey as well. And President Erdogan recently said that Prime Minister Mitsotakis doesn't exist to him anymore.
Turkey is also making it very clear that they do not want the Swedes and the friends to join in NATO.
[09:25:00]
GIOKOS: Greece is a very important NATO member, one of the biggest contributors to NATO. What is your stance right now in terms of the
challenges that could be emerging with your neighbor, not only from rhetoric, but also action?
DIMAS: Greece wants peace and stability and respect of international law and human rights in the area. So we always make sure to respect
international law. We are working with our NATO allies and our EU allies in order to achieve these goals.
It would have been much better if we could work with all of our neighboring countries in order to support such actions. Unfortunately, President
Erdogan made these statements a couple of days ago.
I hope that the tensions between Greece and Turkey are scaled down everybody wants a peaceful well-being between the two countries in the
area. So I'm quite sure that in the near future, this will tone down.
GIOKOS: Thank you very much, Deputy Minister, really good to see you much appreciated for your time. That was Christos Dimas, Greek Deputy Minister
of Development and Investments.
Alright, and coming up summertime scorcher U.S. motorists hitting the roads this Memorial Day weekend as gas prices hit record highs. And they're not
the only ones feeling pain at the pump, the outlook for global petrol prices coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GIOKOS: Welcome back. Now U.S. stock markets are closed for Memorial Day and they will be back up and running on Tuesday. German and French stocks
have begun, the trading week firmly in the green, a continuation of more positive mood that we've seen for global equities in the past week.
[09:30:00]
GIOKOS: Asia finished Monday session with gains as well shares in Japan and Hong Kong jumped more than 2 percent. Oil is higher as well. Both Brent and
U.S. crude are up about half a percent.
There's no stop in Brent crude, look at that. $116 a barrel receding at multi year highs as the European Union discusses, a sweeping oil ban
against Russia. The rising price of gasoline not far from the minds of U.S. motors since Memorial Day.
The unofficial start of the summer driving season, the price at the pump is now at record highs in the States and no relief is inside for motorists in
other parts of the globe, as well.
Rahel Solomon joins me now. Record highs, I mean, this is a shocking scenario. We've seen petroleum reserves released to try and alleviate some
of the pressure, clearly not having an impact right now.
Could you give me an idea of what it's like just this minute to fill up your tank and how different it was say at the beginning of the year to what
we're seeing today?
RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Eleni, good to be with you. The difference is if you didn't notice the cost at the pump before, you
absolutely are noticing it now. It's hard not to notice prices are right now across the country an average of $4.61 a gallon.
And every state in the U.S. Eleni, prices are at least $4 a gallon. That is the first time that has ever happened. And so we want to you know, add a
caveat. Of course, this is not what some of our European neighbors are experiencing much lower when you think about per gallon costs.
But when you think about the fact that top line inflation is much higher here in the U.S., so you couple these gas prices with rising prices for
food, rising prices for accommodations or shelter in terms of where you live.
Rising prices for essentially everything, you start to understand the sort of squeeze and the pressure that Americans are finding themselves in. And
then you start to understand why there is so much pressure on U.S. President Joe Biden to do something about it.
And so Eleni yes, you mentioned that he has already tapped strategic petroleum reserves didn't make much of a significant impact in terms of
what else goes into the price of the pump.
I want to re-bring up that that graphic we just had for you just to give you a sense of sort of exactly what goes into the price that you see at the
petrol pump. So you see taxes at the top of that graphic.
And there have been calls for a federal gas tax holiday, not a ton of support for that. So we may see some of that happen at the state level,
we're finding 17 percent of the cost we see, there have been calls for increased refining capacity.
But experts that I talked to say that would take time, that's not something that would help in the short term. And then of course, the bulk 60 percent
crude oil and so much of that dependent on supply and demand.
And Eleni there have also been calls to increase domestic production, unlikely to create much of an impact in the short term. Either a Dallas Fed
report recently saying that even under the most optimistic view, increase in domestic production would be a proverbial drop in the bucket, so not a
lot of great options on the table for U.S. President Joe Biden.
In terms of the outlook, every single expert I spoke to for this story, when I asked, look, what are your predictions for the short term for the
next six months? They're not optimistic because of course, you have the war in Ukraine that appears to be unfortunately dragging on and you don't seem
to have a ton of support from OPEC in terms of increasing production.
OPEC, having said in the past that they feel like prices are in balance. Although over here in the U.S., they're feeling quite tight Eleni. So it
doesn't look like there's much on the horizon to ease some of that pressure at the pump.
GIOKOS: There's something amiss with regards to the price and the supply demand scenario that we're hearing from OPEC and various countries. And I
wonder how this is going to play out, but really great analysis.
Thank you so much Rahel, good to see you. Now authorities in Beijing are saying that they are going to be lifting some of those COVID restrictions
even though COVID has surged after its single case was detected outside quarantine centers.
Now some 2 million people in that part of the city will be required to work from home. And it comes a day after Beijing allowed some public venues to
partially reopen.
Shanghai meantime, also plans to ease restrictions on businesses later this week. We've got Selina Wang with us in Beijing for more. Selina, you've
been going through so much since you arrived in China.
I want you to give me a sense of what you're seeing right now in Beijing and also just the differences in response, I guess by government, right
because the restrictions have been absolutely aggressive.
It has been halting economic growth that's been stopping people's lives and you know, the zero COVID policy, I guess still stands.
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, we're hearing this word reopening but it's more like the slow lifting of restrictions because this is a
country that is still sticking to zero COVID.
[09:35:00]
WANG: So even one new COVID case counts as a resurgence in the outbreak. So for instance, in Beijing, just one new case was found. And that resulted in
hundreds of people in his building getting sent to a centralized quarantine.
Around 5000 people in his community get locked down at home, and about 2 million people in his district all having to work from home. So that just
goes to show how even though restrictions can be easily loosened how quickly and easily they can also be re tightened and people get sent back
into lockdown.
But cases across China nationwide, they have come down significantly to just over 100 on Sunday. That's down from more than 800 last week.
In Beijing, the reporting just more than a dozen cases on Monday. So we've started to see these public venues like parks and malls partially reopened
with limited capacity.
And all people who go and visit them have to show a recent PCR test taken in the last 48 hours. So people they are starting to come back out but
again this is cautious because our lives are still very much restricted.
I'm regularly standing in line waiting to get a COVID test, so I can have a green QR code that allows me to enter these venues. And I have to scan that
code everywhere I go so essentially we are all tracked everywhere we go.
So if there is an outbreak authorities they can very easily backtrack figure out where that--
GIOKOS: Alright, just in, President Biden talked about Ukraine and gun control in the United States as he returned to the White House from
Delaware a short time ago, let's take a listen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:40:00]
GIOKOS: Alright. Welcome back and we're just affording getting those comments from President Joe Biden a short time ago. And I believe that he
was talking about Ukraine as well as gun control in the United States as he returned to the White House from Delaware a short time ago.
He has been very vocal, firstly, on Ukraine, and importantly on the shooting that happened in Texas. And of course, his government working very
closely with lawmakers to try and figure out a way forward when it comes to gun control issues. We are going to try and get that commentary for you in
just a short time, as we work on that. We are going to be alright, we're very close to getting this commentary as well, as we say, OK, here we go.
I'm going to listen in now with you, Joe Biden.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The folks who are victimized the family; they spent three hours and 40 minutes. They waited
all that time, and sometimes two hours early.
And the pain is palpable. And I think a lot of it's unnecessary. So I'm going to continue to push. And we'll see how this works.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you going to send long range rocket systems to Ukraine?
BIDEN: We're not going to send the Ukraine rocket system weapon straight into Russia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, do you think there's anything different in how Republicans will approach the gun reform question now, given the
circumstances?
BIDEN: Since I haven't spoken them, I don't know. But my guess is that they have them? Yes, I think they're going to have to take a hard look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there one element? Is it - is it red flag? Is it some component that you think could be most successful now?
BIDEN: Well, that's hard to say, because I have not been negotiating with any of the Republicans yet. And I deliberately did not engage in a debate
about that with any Republicans.
And - we're down and so many families affected. So in don't know what has been most how far so. I know that it makes no sense to be able to purchase
something that can fire up to 300 rounds.
And I know what happened when we have rational action before back in --. It is significant shutdown now serving. And so there's only one reason for
something they can fire 100 shots.
And I was - when I first started doing hearings on the issue of what rational gun laws could be, it was during a period when I was a senator,
and the death rate was going up.
Not that many more people will be shot but the death rate was up. I want to - I am not sure if - on a hospital in New York, whatever the largest trauma
hospital. And I saw with a trauma doc.
I asked him I said, what's the difference? Why are so many people not that many more people have been shot, this is not 20 years ago, 25 years. I said
why are they dying? And they showed me X-ray.
He said a 22 caliber bullets are lodged in the lungs, and we can probably get it out maybe ever going to save the life, a nine millimeter bullet
blows the lung out of the body.
[09:45:00]
BIDEN: So the idea is high caliber weapons - there was simply no rational basis for in terms of what we knew about self-protection funding. I guess,
I remember the constitution; the second amendment was never absolute. You couldn't buy cannon when the Second Amendment was bad.
You couldn't go out and purchase a lot of weapons. And those who not many are saying anymore, but there was a while there were people who are saying
that, you know, the fear of liberty is watered with the blood of patriots.
And what we have to do is we have - on the government when they're wrong. Well, to do that, you have enough 15, you know, you need --. I mean, so
it's just, I would say, I think things have gotten so bad. Well, everybody's getting more --.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So I know you want Congress to act which you believe as president, you have a particular responsibility now?
BIDEN: I know - I was the Constitution, I can take this stuff. I can do the things are done. And then executive action I can take I'll continue to say,
well, I can't outlaw a weapon.
I can, you know, change the background. I can do that. And you know, my whole career ever doing it. Persuasion, yes, you know, there's been a few
things happening.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: McConnell has ordered a directed Senator Cornyn to search for a compromise. You really think there's something there? Or they
just make a noise?
BIDEN: I don't know. But I think there's a realization on the part of rational Republicans and I consider McConnell irrational Republican --.
I think there's a recognition as far that - can't continue like this. We can't do this. I've got to win, I got to go --.
GIOKOS: Alright. President Joe Biden there talks extensively about gun control, and also mentioning, Ukraine and Russia. He spoke about where he
stands on gun control. He says that he hasn't been negotiating with Republicans just yet.
He doesn't know where they stand. And it's his guess that we're among rational Republicans at this point in time, there must be some kind of
realization that there needs to be movement on this as well.
With regards to Ukraine and Russia, he said that he won't send anything that can be fired into Russia. So this is a stance that the U.S. has taken
for quite some time. Interesting, he also mentioned back on to gun control.
He says that the second amendment was never absolute, and you can buy the type of weapons that are available right now when the Second Amendment was
created.
And he says I can't outlaw a weapon, but lots of work needs to be done on that and of course, you'll need assistance from both sides of the aisle.
Alright, still to come. We're going to go to a short break and we'll bring you more news after this break, stay with CNN.
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[09:50:00]
GIOKOS: A controversial Israeli march through Jerusalem sparked fresh clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians on Sunday. Dozens were
arrested and the Palestinian Red Crescent says 80 Palestinians were injured in Jerusalem alone.
Atika Shubert has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, JOURNALIST (voice over): Jerusalem Day is a day that shows just how bitterly contested the city is. For Israelis, particularly Jewish
nationalist, it has become a date to mark Israel's capturing of the entire city including East Jerusalem in the 1967 War and the holiest site in
Judaism, the Western Wall.
Thousands upon thousands converge on Jerusalem's old city marching through with Israeli flags. Some chant death to Arabs, this is one extreme among
the marchers. Others here say the day should be a celebration, not a provocation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Most of the people want to live in peace. And as you can see, we live in peace I didn't come to provoke someone. You understand that
I didn't come for it.
I'm not making problem, I'm not shouting die to the Arabs, so the guy that wanted Arabs to be dead. I told him not because I don't want them to be
dead. I want them to be my neighbors. But you know I don't want them to kill me at the same time.
SCHUBERT (on camera): But for Palestinians, this is a day of provocation. When the Israeli flag March goes through one of the most disputed areas of
East Jerusalem. And it's almost inevitable that tensions will boil over.
SCHUBERT (voice over): Thousands of Police are deployed but scuffles still break out in the narrow cobblestone streets, police fire pepper spray and
swing batons. Palestinian residents say they feel angry, frustrated and exhausted.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We cannot live, no peace at home, no peace in the shop, no peace in the street and office anywhere. Now a subtler could come hit
me, he will go and arrest me. Where is justice?
SCHUBERT (voice over): In a sea of flags, there is one that cannot be flown. The Palestinian flag, Israeli police quickly tackle the elderly man
who dared to unfurl it. Is the march of flags went ahead Hamas warned it would fire rockets from Gaza, watch the skies the militant group warned.
What came instead was a small gesture of defiance instead of rockets, keeping Jerusalem's uneasy peace for another day, Atika Schubert for CNN in
Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIOKOS: A leftist former griller and a social media star ahead us for the next round in Columbia's presidential election. Left Wing Gustavo Petro
will face off against the populist and self-proclaimed king of TikTok Rodolfo Hernandez on June 19.
The runoff comes after the first round of voting. Over the weekend, Stefano Pozzebon joins me live with more. Stefano, I have to say I can't recall a
time where I had such interesting candidates to look into what can you tell me about the first round of voting?
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Yes, Eleni really surprised we're expected and we did have surprise in yesterday's historic election here in Colombia.
I think there are three things that need to be highlighted.
The first one is that the election itself was peaceful and quiet. In March, we had a congressional election to elect lawmakers here in Colombia. And
there were widespread allegations of voter fraud yesterday, instead, or the candidates accepted their results and congratulated each other swiftly,
which speaks well of Colombia's democracy.
The second one is that the Colombian political houses have fallen; this country has been ruled for the best part of the last 60 years by a closed
group of politicians largely divided between conservatives and the liberal.
Now, none of these historic party that have ruled the country for so long have a seat at the table, which brings me to my third point, which is that
uncertainty looms ahead for Colombia.
You have two outsiders fighting for the presidency. One is of course, Gustavo Petro, which we know already because he's at the third beat for the
presidency. But Rodolfo Hernandez really is an incognito, really is an open question about what he will do once in power.
[09:55:00]
POZZEBON: He really came out nowhere in the last three to four weeks to force his way into a runoff. And it's always tricky to compare local
politics with international politics. But if you wish there is a sort of like Bernie Sanders versus Donald Trump type of contest looming ahead here
next month.
And that means that everything that we've been taken for granted about Colombia is now put into question from the economic development that the
country will take in the next four years, but also on its alliance with the United States Columbia, one of the strongest alliances of - allies of
Washington in South America now taking the unbeaten path.
GIOKOS: Stefano Pozzebon, thank you so very much, great to see you. That's it for the show. "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson is up next. I'm
Eleni Giokos in Dubai. Take care.
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END
