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Explosions Heard Near Kyiv; CNN Captures Aftermath Of Intense Battle Between Ukrainian And Russian Forces; Fighting Rages As Russia Faces Fierce Pushback From Ukraine; U.S. Defense Official: Russian Forces Could Take "More Aggressive Approach" Towards Kyiv; Satellite Pics: 3-Mile-Long Russian Convoy On Roadway To Kyiv; Now: President Biden On Secure Call With Allies. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired February 28, 2022 - 12:00   ET

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

[12:00:00]

JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Hello, and welcome to Inside Politics. I'm John King in Washington. Thank you for sharing this very busy, very sober news day with us. Just moments ago, talks in Belarus ending. Heading into those talks, Ukrainian demand for immediate ceasefire, that clashing against, you hear it right there, a brand-new Russian barrage. Russian rocket sewing fresh round of fear and death in Kharkiv, that's Ukraine second largest city.

Across the country, some fierce fighting reported. Ukrainians having some success repelling or at least slowing Russian forces. But there is worry about another Russian military push just ahead. And now Ukrainian officials telling CNN, they see evidence Belarus planning to fight alongside Putin's army.

New satellite images show a stark three-mile-long Russian military convoy heading toward the capital Kyiv. And this morning, the French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking with Vladimir Putin for 90 minutes. Also today, a plea from Ukraine's president to the west, admit Ukraine to the European Union.

Now, that as the United States tries again to squeeze Putin add Russia's uber rich to try to make the case no one is sanctions proof. The escalating American sanctions now include, blocking transactions using the dollar with Russian central bank. Switzerland, get this Switzerland, a long-standing neutral voice and world affairs. announcing today it is freezing Russian assets in its bank, that more evidence of a remarkable global rebuke of Putin.

Let's get straight to the Ukraine for the very latest, beginning with our chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward. Clarissa, moments ago where you are large explosions, air raid sirens, what do we know?

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John. So, it had been a relatively quiet day, while those negotiations or talks on the border with Ukraine in Belarus were on going. But just as they finished, we heard two loud explosions. And I have to say they were louder than what we're used to. They seem to be a bit closer and certainly larger than what we've been hearing on previous nights. Although, they are still some distance from where we are here in the center of the capital. But that could very possibly be a signal, as it were, that those - that first round of talks has now concluded.

Now, I don't want to give the impression that the talks didn't go well. The statement coming from the Ukrainian deputy foreign minister's office, he was the representative there, seem to indicate that you know, there had been some initial progress in terms of both sides, delineating what their priorities are in these talks and what potential solutions might be to this war to this crisis.

Now, both sides have gone back to their respective capitals, where they will, you know, talk with their leadership, and then potentially go into a second round of talks. But let's be clear here, John, the longer this all takes, the more damage, the more destruction we're seeing. You mentioned Kharkiv, one woman killed today after her leg was torn off when a rocket hit her apartment building, tore into her kitchen just absolutely horrifying.

And here in Kyiv, even though it was certainly quieter today, you are seeing the effects of a city that is got Russian forces all around it, a long, long lines outside supermarkets, outside drugstores. And this is partly because of a 36-hour curfew that was in place that was finally lifted today

But what's extraordinary, John, is when you talk to people waiting in those long lines. They're not moaning. They're not frightened. They seem to be very much buoyed by recent victories that Ukrainian forces have had in repelling Russian forces who've been trying to get closer to the capital. They seem very confident that they actually can potentially win this war. And they're sort of bearing this whole situation with a grit and determination and steadfastness that, you know, was frankly pretty humbling to see, John.

KING: Clarissa Ward, live reporting for us in Kyiv the capital, of course, and stay safe. Bring us the latest as the explosions are starting to ring out this evening in Kyiv. As noted, that we have new satellite images of a military convoy, Russian military convoy making its way toward Kyiv. U.S. defense officials telling reporters a short time ago, Russian forces now about 15 miles away from Kyiv. Those first arriving Russian forces did meet considerable resistance as documented here by our senior international correspondent Matthew Chance.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right within the past few hours, there has been a ferocious battle here on the outskirts of Kyiv. And this is one of those Russian Soviet era vehicles, which is completely burned out. You can see, this is a bridge actually is an access point to the northwest of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. And the Russian column that has come down here has been absolutely hammered.

[12:05:00]

Obviously, we're still in a very exposed situation right now, but we just bring you along here. There's the debris everywhere, the twisted metal of these vehicles. This is obviously just the truck carrying supplies. We saw the armored vehicle in front there. I mean, looking around, absolutely. Look at this. I mean, what kind of munitions does it take to do that to a car, to a vehicle?

You know, I know that I've just been the local Ukrainian commanders here. They've been saying that they were using western anti-tank missiles to attack these columns. Look, so recent the battle, this vehicle is still smoking. There's still smoke coming out the back of that. Ammunition boxes on the ground. There are unexploded grenades in various, like pineapple grenades everywhere. You know, a real scene of devastation along this bridge.

According to the local Ukrainian military that I've been speaking to, there may be as many as ten, ten. I mean, look, I mean, it's a bit of a - almost a cliche, but obviously, somebody has brought a memento from home. You know, and now it's scorched and lying with the debris of that, in this case, failed attack. I mean, you know, all along this bridge, which is an access point, there are these vehicles that have been hammered by the Ukrainian forces, it's a bit of a Russian uniform there, lying on the floor.

I can tell you, I told this area earlier, and there are some terrible things that we can't really show you on camera in terms of dead bodies. Russians still lying here on the ground. This vehicle here is obviously from the Russia military. It's got the letter V. Door side looking tape or in paint, that I think that stands for Vostok, which is the Russian word for east, which implies that these military equipments, they came from the eastern divisions of the Russian military.

Whatever I was saying that, look, as evidence. And I am going to show you this, too much, but there's a body there. That's a Russian soldier. But he's lying there dead on this bridge. Lying there dead on this bridge, as his column has attempted to drive in and been thwarted.

KING: That's CNN's Matthew Chance there, obviously, emotional moment on the outskirts of Kyiv. Intense action also continuing this hour in Kharkiv, that's Russia's second largest city. Russia adding firepower. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Belgorod, Russia, watching the supply lines. Fred, tell us the latest.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, John. One of the interesting things that we have from our vantage point here in Belgorod, which is really the last place before you get to that town of Kharkiv, is we can kind of see some of the moves that Russia is making. And then essentially, a lot of those things actually do pan out on the battlefield.

One of the things that obviously happened today, is that we've had more shelling on the town of Kharkiv. So, the battle there is certainly intensifying. And we were able to see from our vantage point there, at the last check point before you get to that battlefield still on the Russian side, is we saw a lot of multiple rocket- launching systems being moved closer to Ukrainian territory.

Now, those rocket launching systems are called (Inaudible), which is sort of a medium level or medium range rocket launching system, their range is about, I'd say about 65 to 70 miles. And we saw at least three of those launchers being moved into that area. And also, a rocket loading vehicle also was with them as well.

So, you can certainly see the Russians moving that firepower closer to the battle in Kharkiv, which right now, as you've noted, and as Clarissa noted, as well, certainly seems to be one of the most intense ones, as this conflict continues to unfold and indeed, that continues to intensify.

The other thing that we're also seeing on the Russian side, as we continue to be actually seeing over the past couple of days, is that we see more and more Russian military vehicle seemingly broken down. We actually saw another multiple rocket-launching system broken down on the side of the road and also saw how it serve that seemed to have toppled over on the side of the road. Maybe one of the soldiers tried to maneuver that and didn't see how soft the ground was, but that seemed to be laying on its side.

By and large, however, what we can say from our vantage point is, the Russians seem to be rotating forces through onto the battlefield. They are in Kharkiv. We've seen a lot of forces go in, but also actually, a lot of forces move out very long columns as well. So, it seems as though, the Russians might be trying to replenish their forces, might also be trying to repair some of that equipment, which does seem to be having some issues as those battles continue.

And the other thing, John, and I think this is really important, is that the Russians do still seem to very much have the capacity to escalate all of this. We do see in the surrounding areas from that last checkpoint that there is a lot of Russian military equipment in those areas. So, a lot of soldiers in those areas as well, which obviously could be deployed to the frontline very quickly because it really isn't very far at all to get to the Ukrainian border, and to then get to the town of Kharkiv, John.

[12:10:00]

KING: Pleitgen, a critical reporting for us, just on the Russian side of the border. Fred, thanks so much. Please stay safe. Keep us updated, as you watch things play out. Up next for us. We map out exactly where the Russian troops have advanced. And what those new satellite images tell us about the next phase of the fight.

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KING: Closer look now at the changing battlefield in Ukraine. Russia's military advanced not as quick as Moscow anticipated, but there are some signs things could escalate soon. A senior U.S. defense official now telling CNN, it is possible that Russians could take a "more aggressive approach" in their attempts to take Kyiv.

[12:15:00]

Let's take a look at the map again. You're looking here at the entire country, it's 44 million people, the size of Texas from a landmass. Let's look at here, you see the red shaded areas. That's where the Russians have made advances over the past five days. Coming troops from Belarus, troops from Russia here, taking some land moving toward Kyiv. U.S. officials say, Russians are now about 15 miles away from Kyiv.

You see some Russian forces crossing and taking some land here in northern Ukraine, including where Fred Pleitgen just was from Belgorod and approaching Kharkiv battles here as well. And you see from Crimea annexed by Russia, some forces coming in, some from the sea as well to take some areas here in southern Ukraine, and a slight expansion of already held areas by pro-Russian separatists out in the Donbass.

Let's get some now insights from retired U.S. army General James "Spider" Marks. General Marks, appreciate your time. Let's look at it from this perspective, as the generals would say, even the best plan does not survive first contact. If you are the Ukrainians, and U.S. western officials, providing them with actionable intelligence.

What have you learned in these first five days that you should be doing now to slow what we know is? I'm just going to bring up this picture. There's a Russian convoy, you see the grainy pictures here, huge military convoy coming toward Kyiv. What have the Ukrainians learned in the first five days that they should be applying today?

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Great question, John. What the Russians have clearly demonstrated is that they tried to achieve success in far too many places. So, if you try to win everywhere, you're not going to win anywhere. So, they brought forces in across the border, as you demonstrated, both in the north from the east and from the south. They have not enjoyed success - sufficient success in any one of those locations.

Clearly, Kyiv is the center of gravity. That's where everything hinges on the success of the Russian forces there. And the success of the Ukrainian defense. If they can make Kyiv a deadly hard fight, Ukraine's going to enjoy some great success going forward. The challenge always is how much longer can the Ukrainian forces hold out.

As you've described, clearly, the numbers belong to the Russians, the persistence and the will, which has just been phenomenal belongs to the Ukrainians. And what you see with the Russian forces, you can really take advantage of them. If you can isolate a Russian force. If you can get them to end up fighting without supporting fires, either laterally from an adjacent unit, or indirect fire coming in.

The Ukrainians have demonstrated that they can take those forces on in a very tactical batter. This, however, has very, you know, a large operational component in a strategic implication. So, win as many tactical fights as you can. That's what the Ukrainians are demonstrating a need to continue to do.

KING: So, let's have at this stand from Putin's perspective. First five days have not gone as well, as you anticipated. Ukrainian officials say, they have intelligence that shows Belarus is about to add troops to the fight. Belarus, of course, a puppet regime of Putin. They recently trained with Russian forces, one would assume to work on command-and-control communications operations. From Putin's perspective, you could say things haven't gone that well, let's negotiate. Or you could say, I'm backed into a corner, I'm going to lash out. That's what U.S. defense officials fear that this will accelerate. What would you be watching for from the what'd you anticipate Russia would do next?

GEN. MARKS: Well, we think two things, right. I mean, to your first point, I don't think diplomacy is really a legitimate avenue that Putin wants to go down, even though there was this opportunity to have the negotiations in Belarus, with a delegation from Ukraine and a delegation from Russia. I think that's simply a head fake. That's off to the side. Well, we'll see what comes out of that.

But clearly, what the Russians are doing is they're increasing their presence with Belarusian forces coming down into the fight. As you indicated, those forces are fresh. And they've also been in training exercises with the Russians over the course of the last couple of weeks. That means that they're coming into the fight. And they'll come in probably, as you just drew there, John, from the west side, they don't want to try to separate the forces with the Nepa river, coming in from the east and from the west.

So, the Belarusian will come in, try to reinforce the arrowhead just outside Kyiv to the north and west, and then start to bring forces into Kyiv. When they get into Kyiv that becomes very, very tough fighting, as you know, starts to suck up manpower, when you get into an urban terrain. So, that's number one.

Number two is, Putin also has to continue to produce this disinformation for his population back home, that says everything's fine. We're doing great. And the Ukrainians are not acquitting themselves as well as you might want. Or you might think. He's going to have to keep that up.

[12:20:00]

KING: And General Marks, lastly, I'm just going to bring up a map here that shows members essentially around Russia and around Ukraine. Obviously, President Biden, NATO countries have said no NATO troops on the ground, no U.S. troops on the ground, but many of those countries are supplying right now military equipment to Ukraine.

We also know, of course, the best intelligence in the world right here watching what the Russians are doing. What is happening right now in the - at the Pentagon and in NATO military headquarters in terms of getting the Ukrainians what they need without crossing the no boots on the ground line?

GEN. MARKS: Yes. That's very, very tough. Now, A plus for the United States and NATO, getting on board, literally breaking some muscle memory that they've had for decades, in that they now are advancing military sales, military equipment, and they're moving that as far east as they can.

Two things, one is intelligence. There's tremendous intelligence that I know the United States is sharing with its NATO partners, even as a matter of routine under normal protocols. But I would anticipate that they're also breaking those protocols and giving the partners that much more deliberate and detailed intelligence that they probably have not given them before.

And then, the second thing is, how do you get that equipment, that new kit from staging areas, probably in Poland and Romania into the fight. That becomes very, very difficult. That has to be done by Ukrainian forces, and in many cases, fighting their way through Russian positions in order to do a link up with the equipment and bringing it back in. There's a real practical matter here in terms of how that support can be realized.

KING: A giant challenges, we watch day five play out. General Marks, it's grateful for your time and insight, sir.

GEN. MARKS: Thank you, John.

KING: Thank you. When we come back, just into CNN. It's a brand-new information coming in, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. And plus, more sanctions from the Biden administration, is the president now leading a global effort to isolate and to punish Vladimir Putin.

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[12:25:00]

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KING: Learning a bit more now about those talks that just ended between Ukraine and Russia. The discussions lasted over five hours that according to Russian state media, and both sides have agreed to meet again for another round of talks in the coming days. We will wait to see how that plays out.

Right now, President Biden is leading a call with U.S. allies to discuss next steps in this showdown with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Earlier, the Biden administration adding another wave to economic sanctions against Moscow, cutting Russia's central bank off from U.S. dollar transactions. Russia's Putin lashed out at the west today, calling it an empire of lies. The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee suggests, Putin is angry because his invasion not going according to plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA): I think, we all have been amazed but also stand firmly with the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian military. I mean, President Zelensky has been a profile and courage reporting from Kyiv. And I think if we look at virtually every component, things have played out better than we hope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: With us to share their reporting and their insights, CNN Dana Bash, Margaret Talev from Axios, and McClatchy's Francesca Chambers. The question is what next? The president on this call with European allies. I think from around the world, you hear people impressed with the coalition and sort of the global repudiation of Putin right now. You have some new reporting that the Ukrainians are happy, but they want more. What do they want?

MARGARET TALEV, MANAGING EDITOR. AXIOS & CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: They do. And John, we're reporting now, as Zelensky not only wants to no- fly zone but is asking Biden the White House America for no-fly zone, gave a statement to Axios through a spokesperson saying, he says Ukraine can beat the aggressor if the western allies do their part.

He says the sanctions are helping. They're heading in the right direction. But that if the west does this, meaning the no-fly zone, the Ukraine will defeat the aggressor with much less blood. We know that the White House is not ready to take the step, that most of Congress is not ready to take this step that it would be an aggressive move that could potentially engage the U.S. military. Why is Zelensky talking about it anyway?

Because he has seen number one, what the Russian assault could look like and how much worse it could get. And number two, he has seen what precise messaging in the moment has done to shift public opinion and he is not giving up on the state of play. He is not saying, OK, well, there are things the west won't do. He understands that the west may do more than they thought they were.

KING: He is central at the moment to rallying global opinion without a doubt as is - and the president United States has a big part in that. But you had a conversation yesterday with the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who was very wow on that idea of a no-fly zone or no boots on the ground. Let's just listen to a bit of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: The president has made clear that we're not going to put boots on the ground. We're not going to put American troops in danger. So, that means, we're not going to put American troops in the air as well. But we will work with the Ukrainians to give them the ability to defend themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The question is, we're on day five now, the situation has evolved dramatically. Will it evolve more?

DANA BASH, CNN CO-ANCHOR. STATE OF THE UNION: Yes. I mean, there was a time not that long ago, like five days ago, six days ago, where nobody thought that Germany would take steps to say, we're going to put a hold on Nord Stream 2, the pipeline. Never mind what the allies have done collectively, with this SWIFT banking system, but much more importantly with the sanctions in place or at least going to be in place on the Russian central bank.

[12:30:00]