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Isa Soares Tonight
Ukraine's Allies Hold News Conference At Paris Summit; Witkoff: Security Protocols On Ukraine Largely Finished; Danish PM Warns U.S. Against Attacking A NATO Ally; Trump Celebrates Maduro's Capture; Colombian President Accuses U.S. Of Colonialist Ambitions. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired January 06, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
STEVE WITKOFF, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR RUSSIA-UKRAINE & MIDDLE EAST: So that the people of Ukraine know that when this ends, it ends forever. But
we also think critically, that we are very close to finishing up as robust a prosperity agreement as any country has ever seen coming at conflicts
like this.
It will aspirationally mean large possibilities for the Ukrainian people. For people coming home from war, who will find wonderful jobs out there,
we're working with BlackRock, Larry Fink in this endeavor. And we think it's going to be very important for the people of Ukraine.
And we believe that a robust economy correlates and works directly with these security protocols. It makes Ukraine a strong independent nation, and
we think that's really important in terms of the long term future. Jared and I are prepared to do anything necessary to work with our European
colleagues.
Prime Minister Starmer, you've been incredible, as has Chancellor Merz, and all of the European nations who we met today, who we spoke with. It's all
been an important -- an important meeting today. And we think we've made a lot of progress.
We heard President Zelenskyy and some of the others -- people here talking about land options. That will be the most critical issue. And that's -- and
we're going to be continuing with -- on with those discussions, and hopefully we'll be able to meet or come up with certain compromises with
regard to that.
But I do want to say this, we are here to mediate and help in the peace process, and we're prepared to do anything necessary to get to that place.
President Trump strongly, fervently believes that this killing has to stop, that the carnage has to stop, and we're determined, all of us up here to be
a part of that.
JARED KUSHNER, DONALD TRUMP'S SON-IN-LAW: Nothing to add. That was perfectly said. OK.
WITKOFF: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's now then --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One question by delegation. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I'd like to say good evening to everybody. You have said for the 15th time, Mr. Macron, that you have met
for security guarantees, and that with America. But this has not actually come about yet. The Europeans are getting a bit worried about the
Americans, especially with the claims made about Greenland.
And over and above the declarations or statements made this morning about Greenland. You did not actually condemn the military aggression in
Venezuela either. How do you see all that?
EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT, FRANCE (through translator): Well, first of all, on the question of Venezuela, I think it's quite alien that to the
subject of today's meeting, I think you have to see that as a whole, and the French diplomacy has been very clear about that.
On the question that we've discussed today, the presence of the special envoys from the U.S., the commitments made by President Trump himself, or
at least on the basis of his statements made at Mar-a-Lago at the end of last year. They have made engagements for security.
This Coalition of the Willing marks a step forward in what we defend, and which is in line with the desires of America. What we want is more
independent Europe, which has more defense capability. That is to say, Europe looking after its own defense more at the same time as NATO.
President Trump has always been saying that the other members of NATO have to take more responsibility, which is absolutely consistent.
[14:05:00]
And all the work we've done over the last months under the umbrella of the Coalition of the Willing, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and other
countries, Japan, and in particular the Canadian Prime Minister was with us today. That's a very strong signal.
They are supporting this coalition. So, this coalition is the beating heart of security guarantees for Ukraine. And we are saying after peace is
declared, these are the kind of arrangements which we are putting in place which will deter new aggressions, multinational reassurance forces.
In that context, the support of America for the U.S. is very important for a lot of countries, very important for NATO member countries, especially
since the U.S. capacities have an exclusive power. This is absolutely key. This week has really meant a change as Chancellor Merz said in our meeting
in Berlin.
This has meant we have advanced there, and then Sakhir(ph) and the American Generals who are in charge of the American forces in Europe, as well as the
American participation in NATO were with us. And so, today, we have various layers of guarantees, and each of them have clarified their responsibility,
particularly with regard to monitoring of the frontline.
And this is absolutely determining factor on the part of the U.S. Over these last months, we have crafted a complex of arrangements, and we are
doing that with America. This is something we want for the first time, we have a Coalition of the Willing, which is guaranteeing.
But we very much welcome the participation of the U.S., especially in terms of the famous backstop arrangements. And then at the meeting at Mar-a-Lago
with President Zelenskyy at the end of last year, we discussed the chain of command and everything that we discussed with Mr. Kushner is absolutely
essential for securing peace.
And I should like to thank them for that -- for that commitment. They have spoken very robustly about that, and I'd like to thank them for -- I'd like
to thank them for the work they have done. And as far as the U.N. Charter is concerned, we are all European allies with the U.S., and they have
worked very hard with us by our side in the last weeks. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello to everyone, Asank Gachanka(ph), Ukrainian "Channel 1+1". I have a few questions. First one for Ukrainian President.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): President, could you please say that these security guarantees are already ready for implementation, for
realization? How do you see the legal organization in Ukraine? Would there be any invitation for the contingents? Also, Christian --
Specifically, what would be a contribution from each of your country? Can we name a number of troops and mandates they will have? And to the American
side, if I may. What does it mean being a backstop in this security guarantees? And when are you going to present them to President Trump and
to the Russian side? Is there any specific date for meeting? Thank you.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE (through translator): Thank you for your question. First of all, I believe that security guarantees from
the Coalition of the Willing need to work together with the guarantees of the USA. This is how we work on this. So, there has to be Biden guarantees
with regard to American side.
Our -- to cite security guarantees will hopefully be supported by the Congress. The U.S. Congress(ph) let us hope we'll get to that point. We are
preparing the documents. So far, we cannot disclose the details. But with regard to the declaration, that is the first step.
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It's a very important step. We sign the declaration as well. We are starting the actual process, and the legally -- the documents would be
legally binding. For the most countries from the Coalition of the Willing, their parliaments have to support this. After the declaration, after the
process, the countries will come to their parliament and the support will be supported.
KUSHNER: So, with regards to the security guarantees, there was extensive conversations about that with President Zelenskyy and President Trump at
Mar-a-Lago in December. And I think that they really resolved most, if not all the issues that are outstanding on that.
These have been really designed over the last -- really month, in consultation with the Ukrainians, with the Europeans. I will say, I think
today was a very big milestone. And I thank President Macron for assembling this and for all the work that everyone here has done behind the scenes to
bring this together.
This does not mean that we will make peace, but peace would not be possible without the progress that was made here today. Meaning that if Ukraine is
going to make a final deal, they have to know that after a deal, they are secure. They have obviously a robust deterrence and there's real backstops
to make sure that this will not happen again.
One of the reasons why President Trump is comfortable with the -- with where the security guarantees are headed towards is because based on his
assessments and his conversations with President Putin, is that if we can make the right deal, it would mean a deal where both sides look to de-
escalate.
That there's a real monitoring mechanism, real ability, if there ever is a violation to have deconfliction and hopefully, you know, de-escalation. And
obviously, you create a robust deterrence. You know, peace through strength where it's unlikely that somebody will ever go and start this again.
So, this is a really important building block towards an eventual peace deal. And I think that it's a big milestone that was reached today between
the Europeans with Coalition of the Willing, and I really want to just thank the DOD and the whole amazing team in the U.S.
Obviously, you saw last week the incredible capability of the U.S. military, and that's just a small piece of what they're capable of doing.
And so, they've been really thinking about this, and they believe that a real peace here is possible and there are ways to stand behind it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James Mates(ph), "ITV News" from London. Mr. Starmer, Prime Minister, today's commitments by the United States are already being
called a game changer. And I know there's a reluctance to talk about Greenland today, but what value do these commitments have on the very day
that at the highest levels of government in Washington, they are talking about seizing the sovereign territory of a fellow NATO member?
Mr. Witkoff or Mr. Kushner, if I may ask you, the commitments made today, does President Trump commit to coming to the aid of any European forces
deployed in Ukraine were they to come into conflict with Russian forces? Will you -- will President Trump have their back?
And President Zelenskyy, if I may ask you, is this enough? You said before today, you were 90 percent of the way towards a peace agreement. How close
are you now?
KEIR STARMER, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Well, let me start on the question of Greenland. I've been very clear as to what my position and the
position of the U.K. government is, both in statements I made myself yesterday and in the statement that was put out earlier today.
I've been equally clear that the relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. is one of our closest relationships. Particularly on issues on defense,
security and Intelligence. And we work with the U.S. 24/7 on those issues. So far as today is concerned, the Coalition of the Willing was set up just
under a year ago now with the aim to bring about a just and lasting peace.
And we knew that, that would require security guarantees. We worked on military plans which were prepared over the early months of the year to a
point of several months ago, we were able to set them out with clarity. Today, we've made real progress on the political commitment, declarations
and commitments that have been made today.
The biggest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in terms of the number of leaders here and the first meeting of the coalition where we've been --
sat together with our American colleagues around the same table, hammering out these issues. So, this is the political declaration that goes with it.
And we've made some real progress on those security guarantees.
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They're set out in the documents we've issued, but they include on issues such as working with the U.S. on ceasefire monitoring, on binding
commitments to support Ukraine and on the operations headquarters here in Paris. And as Jared said a moment ago, and I thank Steve and Jared for all
the work they've done in recent weeks, particularly on the security guarantees and for being here today at our meeting.
But peace is only possible because of the progress that we're meeting -- making in these meetings of the Coalition of the Willing and that we've
made here today. And I'm really pleased that nearly a year after we begun this work with the Coalition of the Willing, that we've got this far now
with security guarantees.
Of course, nobody is saying that is job done. Of course, there's more work always to be done, but we've made some real progress today. And that is a
good thing for Ukraine, it's a good thing for Europe, it's a good thing for the United Kingdom, because, of course, this is about our security, our
defense, our freedoms, and the impact that it's already had. Over four long years on Ukraine, on Europe and back in the United Kingdom.
WITKOFF: The President strongly stands behind security protocols. Those security protocols are meant to aid, deter any attacks, any further attacks
in Ukraine. And be, if there are any attacks, they're meant to defend, and they will do both. They are as strong as anyone has ever seen.
Everyone on this panel -- on this stage up here has acknowledged that, as has almost all of the countries that sat at the table with us today. The
President does not back down from his commitments. He is strong for the country of Ukraine and for a peace deal.
And we will be there for the Ukrainians in helping them to get to that final peace. And we're confident we will get there. Do you want to say
something, Jared? Perfect.
ZELENSKYY: Thank you very much for you information. The -- so, first of all, we have declaration, and I think this is a huge step forward, because
one year ago, we couldn't even -- you know, think about it. And now, we have this step. Yes, of course, not enough. Not still enough.
We will have documents which will be supported, I hope, I'm sure between us. We'll be supported by European parliaments, and that will be enough.
Then we have really very good dialogue with American side, thanks again, Steve and Jared.
So, we really have good steps forward. Yes, 90 percent, but we are each day a little bit closer. It's still not enough to have a peace because enough
when the war will finish, will end in Ukraine, we still have losses, so, it's still not enough. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very good evening, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. You have been listening -- we are going to continue to listen,
of course, to members of the Coalition of the Willing who continue to give a news conference in Paris.
The time is 18 minutes past 8:00. Let me give you a sense whilst Chancellor Scholz speaks as to what we have heard so far. Positive words, it seems,
coming up from all the leaders, from Scholz, from Zelenskyy, President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer as well as the U.S. delegation led by Steve
Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner who is obviously -- who is also President Trump's son-in-law.
And I want to pick up with really what Jared Kushner said in the last few moments, he said today was a big milestone. And what we have heard for the
last, what? Twenty, twenty five minutes is the Coalition of the Willing after a year, as you heard from Prime Minister Starmer, of talks and
discussions, have reached an agreement on security guarantees.
Let me give you some of the sense of the words. Macron saying the security agreement has been reached. This is if and when the war ends, when there is
a ceasefire. From what I understand, from what I heard from President Zelenskyy, some questions of over territorial issues have been discussed,
but that still needs to be worked on.
But Starmer making clear, and this is something I heard from not just Starmer, but also President Zelenskyy, is a step forward, he says. Starmer
says that we are closer than ever to peace in Ukraine. We have made significant progress.
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Talking about a declaration of intent, who will be surveying it, who -- the boots on the ground potentially, if there is, and the protocols in place.
Now, I will say just from listening to them, we're very little in terms of details. And there is one point important to make, I think, that we do not
know where President Putin, how he'll accept this.
Will President Putin accept some sort of international force? Will he tolerate international force? Now, the U.K. and Germany seem to be the ones
that will be putting up international force. Merz, Chancellor Merz is speaking right now, said the German troops could join multinational force,
but not inside Ukraine.
So, the details of what we're lacking right now, but clearly a significant step, significant progress as it's being made. And as we take questions
from journalists at this hour, you would have heard two questions from two journalists. One, I understand, was from France and three questions today.
The other, the other was from Ukraine, and the third from U.K., all tied around Greenland, all three dodged. Let me just listen in to see what the
question is next. Let me listen, and they have concluded, as I was saying, the three questions that were taken on, of course, the agreement that has
been reached here, but all tied to really the elephant in the room, and that is Greenland.
The questions of Greenland and the language we have seen from the United States in the last 24 hours, an interview, in fact, right here on CNN with
my colleague Jake Tapper, all dodged. I want to get Nic Robertson who's been listening in. Melissa Bell is in Paris. Melissa, let me go to you
first. Progress has been made. Very little details. What did you take away?
MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think there was a great deal of enthusiasm here, certainly on the part of the French, that the
American emissaries, for the first time in this nearly yearlong process of Coalition of the Willing, were attending in person. Isa.
And that does appear to have borne its fruit. The idea that there will be this surveillance mechanism, this peacekeeping mechanism along the
frontline that will be under American leadership, for instance. The fact of a multinational force, no doubt, British and French troops way back from
the frontline, still a declaration now signed with President Zelenskyy between the British and the French.
It does appear that progress has been made by just having the Americans in the room, and listening there to the emissaries, there did seem to be a
fair amount of unity. Of course, the background to all this was Greenland, and how much disunity was being achieved within NATO, even as they were
trying to achieve it around Ukraine.
We spoke a short while ago, the Secretary-General of NATO, he said Greenland had not been mentioned at all. They focused very much on Ukraine,
but certainly, in the 11-month process that this Coalition of the Willing has gone through as it tries to cobble together these ironclad binding
security guarantees, there does appear to be certainly consensus that what was achieved today appeared to be a milestone and will allow them together
united, in terms of their surrounding of Ukraine and its future stability.
To take the points to Moscow, to see how seriously -- how serious the Russians are about any willingness to negotiate. Isa.
SOARES: Stay with us, Melissa. Let me go to our diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson, who's been listening in. So, Nic, just give us your take on what
you heard. But there was talk, of course, Zelenskyy saying there are some questions over ideas on territorial issue. We need to work on that.
The question of territory that has always been a huge point of contention, of course, but it does seem, they were united after a year of discussions.
They have seen the needle has moved somewhat step forward, as Zelenskyy said. What did you take away, Nic?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, I think having the Americans at the table really forced the Europeans, and perhaps that's
why the Americans were invited, because the Europeans had finally sort of coalesced and converged, I think was the word that the interpreter used to
describe how President Macron spoke about it.
To get to this declaration of intent, a declaration of intent that will allow if there is peace or when there is peace for a multinational force to
go into Ukraine. And as you said, Melissa said that would be a long distance from the frontline. Keir Starmer; the British Prime Minister
described it as being French.
And British troops, that they would be at a number of different locations in the country. So, that piece seems to be set, and that was a really
awkward disagreement between the Europeans, everyone saying, yes, we're going to do it. We're going to provide this International Stabilization
Force boots on the ground.
We were hearing that, you know, when they first had the meetings here in the U.K. in the end of February, early March last year. So, the problem
that had been until now that the Europeans couldn't agree who would do what? Who would go where? And we heard Zelenskyy saying, look, it's not
enough.
But I do believe when this plan goes to the European parliament, a different parliaments for all these different countries, they'll be able to
sign off on it.
[14:25:00]
So, what the leaders have done is, they've committed what they believe that they can politically commit, get authorized and commit back home. So, I
think -- I think that part, it is important, it's significant. But there's this talk again about the economics -- you know, we heard this from
Witkoff, this prosperity deal, this phase that would come up afterwards, that really sort of lacks specificity, sounded very much in a sort of
American part of the plan.
There'll be, you know, if you sign up to this, we'll put money in BlackRock, Larry Fink will be there. One supposes from the American
perspective, these are totems of economic progress. And this is what they're sort of selling the Ukrainians, go along with this and this
prosperity part will come along.
That's not finalized. That's still out there. That's a gray zone. And I think the important one there for Zelenskyy, of course, is, you know, what
happens if you put all this in place and it does appear that the United States did want, you know, some Europeans monitoring along the line of
control, whatever that will be.
We've had that before back in 2014 and 2015, Russia didn't abide by those terms. So, some movement there. But it's not finalized yet. What will the
international community do if Russia attacks and then the territory part of it, as Zelenskyy said -- still questions there.
So, I -- you know, big bit done, but a huge amount to go really, and the devil being in the detail.
SOARES: Exactly. And Melissa, let me go to you. I'm just seeing the comments by Donald Tusk. He's saying, "today in Paris, Europe, the U.S.,
Canada and others spoke with one voice on security guarantees and the future of Ukraine." "But I'm still skeptical", he writes, "about Russia's
intentions.
What we need is strong pressure on them with all economic and political measures we have at hand." That is the question, right? We have so much --
so, progress clearly being made as we heard from the leaders here. The question is, would Russia accept? Where are we on the negotiations between
Russia and the United States? Just bring us up-to-speed on that front?
BELL: That's right. Well, we've seen over and over again when these cycles, almost, of negotiations have come about. Is progress being made,
and when the proposals are put to Moscow, it is a simple no. I think the idea and the optimism here in Paris today comes from the fact that they've
all been around the table.
They've been much further, for instance, the Secretary-General of NATO was just telling us, than they had during Minsk after the 2014 invasion of
Crimea, in guaranteeing together with the United States and Europe, the future security of Ukraine.
The idea that if along that contact line, there are any breaches, there are any further aggressions, that Kyiv can feel reassured that there will be
sufficient backing from NATO allies to prevent that from going any further. And that really was the big breakthrough.
The question now, Isa, to your point, with that unity, with that solidity, with that backing of Ukraine, what does Moscow make of the outstanding
issues? They are, of course, where the contact line should be. We know that it remains steadfast in its determination that it should include the parts
of the Donbas that it has not yet taken.
And how does it feel today, now that it's had very firmly the United States stand behind the idea of a European boots on the ground presence. What does
Moscow make of that? Having discounted so far the possibility of any NATO boots on any of Ukrainian soil so far.
Those will be the key questions. And once again, Europeans will be counting very much on the American ability to speak to Moscow, perhaps in the shape
of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, perhaps in the shape of President Trump himself. And to see what movement there is on these issues. So far, we
haven't heard anything from Moscow that suggests that there is. Isa.
SOARES: Melissa Bell there for us in Paris, and Nic Robertson, thank you to you both. And still to come tonight, questions were asked, as you heard
there, about Greenland. Coming up, I'll ask a former Danish Foreign Minister where the U.S. President's comments on Greenland leave relations.
That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:31:53]
SOARES: And welcome back, everyone. Returning to our top story this hour. In Paris, where the Coalition of the Willing, as we just showed you, says
it made significant progress to secure Ukraine's future.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a Ukrainian delegation will stay in Paris for further talks. Also, top of mind for European leaders, well, the
threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to annex Greenland from Denmark. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian
and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warns that these threats against Greenland put the very existence of NATO in jeopardy. In a
joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany, Spain, and others, made it clear that Greenland, a Danish territory, is part of NATO and its security
must be protected by the alliance collectively, including by the United States.
Joining us now for more insight is Jeppe Kofod, a former Danish foreign minister. Jeppe, great to have you back on the show. Let me first get your
reaction.
JEPPE KOFOD, FORMER DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER: Thank you.
SOARES: Look, we've heard strong language from the United States, but we are now hearing it very bluntly, very clearly. How alarmed are you, first
of all, Jeppe, by the comments by President Trump that the U.S. needs Greenland for -- from a standpoint of national security?
KOFOD: Well, I think it's a huge provocation of course because Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic Nation, Greenlandic people, first of all. It's
not something somebody can take from them. But secondly, U.S. have had Greenland since 1951 when the Kingdom of Denmark and United States made a
defense agreement that practically meant for almost 75 years that a U.S. can operate freely, militarily in Greenland. They have a base there, of
course, Peterrific space base, and they have had many bases and many troops in Greenland --
SOARES: I think you have frozen, Jeppe. I'm going to try and see if Jeppe is with us. We're going to try in this connection. Look, this is important
and I'll tell you why, because not only of the rhetoric that we have seen from the United States, but also of course because what we have heard from
European leaders.
Jeppe, I'm going to pick you up. See if you've got -- see if you've got again. Great. You are -- give us a bit of historical context here, but
clearly you are alarmed.
KOFOD: Yes. And what I wanted to emphasize is that the U.S. since 1951, when there was a defense agreement done by the United States and the
Kingdom of Denmark, practically has free access militarily to Greenland, have many, many troops there. Even today. There is a military base
Peterrific space base in Greenland.
SOARES: Yes.
KOFOD: Yes. And, therefore, I wanted to emphasize that if national security is a concern -- sorry.
[14:35:00]
SOARES: No, I'm not talking, you go ahead.
KOFOD: Yes, if national security is a concern, which it should be to all of us in the Arctic, in Greenland, then we should continuously work
together, United States, Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland, and of course the other NATO states, because we have to remember in the Arctic region, four
out of the five Arctic coastal states are NATO states. So, United States, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway.
And we are all backed by NATO, the strongest military alliance in the world, and we are all investing heavily in the Arctic security, and we
should do it together. So, therefore, of course, if Trump is concerned about security, yes, we are also, let's work together on that.
SOARES: I then wonder what you make, not just what the United States has said, but also what the European allies are saying. I'm not sure you could
hear the Coalition of the Willing, we had the breaking news at the top of the hour, it was focused on Ukraine, but all the questions that were asked,
not only in Ukraine, but had -- you know, but also asked about Greenland for reaction, every single one of them, and I can't speak to Chancellor
Merz because I did not hear the translation, were asked about Greenland, every single leader dodged it.
What is your -- I mean, why are European leaders being slightly more forceful with their language? Because all they wrote in it, their strongest
line in their statement was, it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. Should they be
slightly more forceful in their language with the United States here?
KOFOD: Well, I think all of Europe, including France, United Kingdom, Germany, other of the great powers in Europe, should say very
straightforward to President Trump, forget it. Greenland doesn't belong to the United States. Greenland doesn't belong to Denmark. Greenland belongs
to the Greenlandic people.
And together, we have a security alliance that has been there for decades. And yes, we could step up, and Denmark has stepped up and should step up
even more. United States should also step up, and other NATO countries should step up the security in the Arctic region, including Greenland,
because we have more Russian activities. And of course, we should take that concern very seriously.
So, when I was foreign minister, we -- under the Trump 1 administration, there was similar concerns, and we managed to work closely together. And I
think we should get back to that constructive track again.
SOARES: Let's talk about the constructive track then, because obviously President Trump's deputy White House chief of staff said, I'm going to
quote, "nobody's going to fight the United States military over the future of Greenland." If this is the sort of language, how do you get on track
then with this sort of language? How should the Danish government proceed, given the transactional nature of this president? Any further opportunities
that perhaps Denmark will want to dangle to this president, a bigger U.S. president? I don't know, presidents, I'm just -- I'm coming up with ideas
here.
KOFOD: Yes, yes. Well, frankly speaking, the more this provocations, harsh language of taking over Greenland, not excluding any means, military,
economic, or any type of pressure, that will only alienate Greenlandic people, Danish people, Europeans, because it's against all the rules and
values that we share with the United States. And I also see in the United States, very strong voices, Republican, Democrats, broad segment of
society, reacting against this idea that the U.S. should take over Greenland.
Greenland, as I said, belongs to the Greenlandic nation and people, and we have a common shared interest and responsibility, United States, Denmark,
Greenland, and the NATO as such, to protect our security. And we can do that. I mean, it's -- Trump is right that we need more, we need more
security in the Arctic region. And we should work on that. And Denmark has done it.
And I also look forward to constructive proposals from the U.S. side, how they want to increase in concrete terms, their Arctic security. Is it more,
is it more naval ships? Is it more surveillance from the air? What is it that they want? And let's talk about that instead of this stupid idea that
the United States should take over Greenland, because Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people.
SOARES: Stupid idea, as you put it. Thank you very much, Jeppe. I appreciate you taking the time to speak to us on the show. Great.
KOFOD: OK.
SOARES: Last time you and I spoke were many, many, many years ago. It's great to see you once again. Thank you very much, Jeppe.
KOFOD: You too. It's a great pleasure.
SOARES: Thank you. We're going to take a break. We'll see you on the other side.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:00]
SOARES: Welcome back. Amid a mixture of chaos and uncertainty, Venezuela's capital is on the edge in the aftermath of former President Nicolas
Maduro's capture by U.S. forces. And the sound of gunfire overnight only added to the tension.
Video verified by CNN shows anti-aircraft fire over Caracas. Sources say some of the gunfire near the presidential palace was related to confusion
between paramilitary groups tied to the regime. A government official also said police fired at drones that were flying without permission.
While U.S. President Donald Trump is once again insisting he is in charge of running Venezuela after Maduro was removed from power over the weekend.
When asked by a reporter who will be the top person if there is one, the president responded, me. In a speech to House Republicans today, Mr. Trump
celebrated the mission to capture the Venezuelan leader. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: People are saying it goes down with one of the most -- it was so complex, 152 airplanes. Many, many talk about boots
in the crowd. We had a lot of boots on the ground. But it was amazing. And think of it, nobody was killed. And on the other side, a lot of people were
killed. Unfortunately, I say that soldiers, Cubans, mostly Cubans, but many, many killed. And they were -- they knew we were coming and they were
protected. And our guys weren't. You know, our guys are jumping out of helicopters and they're not protected. And they were -- but it was so
brilliant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get more now. Our Paula Newton has reported extensively on Venezuela and joins me now. Paula, great to see you. You and I have
reported for many, many years on Venezuela. And I wonder whether, you know, what kind of -- what are you hearing from inside the country? Because I've
been speaking to my contacts inside and they say they are seeing militia, the colectivos patrolling streets, cracking down on dissent. Give us a
sense of the tension inside the country.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Listen, Isa, you and I know that those colectivos, those paramilitary groups that are really embedded inside the
neighborhoods. I mean, just to give people an idea, you can have a neighborhood on the top of a hill in Venezuela. It will have its very own
colectivo, its paramilitary group, along with weapons. And it is those groups that are exerting themselves, making their presence felt again in
those neighborhoods.
And why, Isa? Because of what they saw with Delcy Rodriguez, right, the vice president, now being installed as acting president of Venezuela. The
inner circle is intact. And more than that, that they are now saying plainly that they are actively hunting down people who may have
collaborated with the U.S. in the attack.
[14:45:00]
I mean, look, for Donald Trump, much has changed, right? He believes there's now an open door to restore Venezuela to some kind of, you know,
economic prosperity. But it does not seem to me that anyone from the Trump administration has articulated anything to do with human rights, freedom of
speech, a transition that includes a democratic process.
And Venezuelans, as you and I both know, Isa, who have suffered so much, have been able to come to terms with the fact that so much under this are
looking at this thinking, hmm, perhaps some deal has been hacked between the U.S. and Venezuela, but it does not involve a change in our lives, at
least not so far.
And, Isa, I'm sure you've seen the same irony as I have had for years. The Venezuelan -- those operatives attached to the regime have told us that,
yes, the United States wants to invade, and that's why we have to have a strong, firm hand in this country. Yes, the CIA is here, they're operating
covertly. Well, now they seem to have been vindicated, right? They have some kind of proof that the United States is on some imperialist crusade.
And that is the kind of rhetoric that people inside Venezuela are hearing again within these groups that have such a strong hold.
I will add as well, you know, you and I have stood beside Venezuelan protesters risking all on the streets, right, whether it's rubber bullets
or tear gas or, you know, risking their livelihoods to protest against this regime. And yet, President Trump has not come to their defense at all,
unlike what he has been saying about the Iranian protesters.
SOARES: Yes, and nothing also, not just about democracy, which is crucial here, but all the political prisoners, some 800 already arrested. We've
seen Edmundo Gonzalez calling for that, but nothing from the U.S. president. Paula, do you stay with us? I want to go to Kristen Holmes, who
joins us from the White House.
Paula was talking about, you know, this administration lacking or not articulating some thoughts and some strategy on key points. We did hear
from the president today, Kristen, lauding the operation in Venezuela as an amazing military feat. Are we getting any more clarity in terms of not only
what does in charge mean, but what Stephen Miller described, let me get it, the U.S. involvement is an ongoing military operation. What does that mean?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well, that was really a striking moment because one of the things we had heard on and on
from the administration was this idea that it actually wasn't a military operation. The entire legality, the premise for their extraction of Maduro
was that it was a law enforcement operation. There was an indictment against Maduro from 2020, and they were following through with that
indictment. And that's why they didn't need congressional approval, because it wasn't technically a military operation. And then you have Stephen
Miller coming out and saying it's ongoing military operation.
Essentially, what the basis of what he was saying is that the U.S. is going to control Venezuela through weapons, through the military and through the
threat on their economy. Of course, as we know, there have been sanctions on Venezuela that have been crippling to Venezuela. Those right now are
staying in place. They are being used as leverage over Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president, so that America, so that the U.S. can get what they want
from this administration, from this regime in Venezuela, which, of course, as you guys both noted, is not really a regime change. Sure, it is a leader
change, but it's not as though the inner circle has left in any way.
But then the other part of this was this kind of threat from Miller, saying that they're going to do what we want because we have these weapons, we
have this armada off the coast of Venezuela. So, using that military power.
But beyond that, beyond this idea of we are threatening, we are using our leverage over Delcy Rodriguez to get her to do what we want her to do, we
still have no answers on what exactly this means for the U.S. involvement in Venezuela, what this looks like on a day-to-day basis. You have
President Trump talking a lot about oil.
Well, one of the things we know is that in order to get any real significant oil out of Venezuela, they're going to have to repair the
infrastructure within the country. That's going to cost a lot of money. President Trump has floated this idea that private companies are going to
come in. We have not heard of private companies agreeing to come in and spend the funds that are required to create the level or volume of oil that
would actually make a profit for some of these companies.
So, there's still a lot of questions here as to what exactly the game plan is. Now, we're 72 hours after the capture of Nicolas Maduro.
SOARES: Kristen and Paula, thank you to you both ladies. Appreciate it. And still to come tonight, the president of Colombia says President Trump
is aiming to turn Latin American nations into U.S. colonies. We'll have a live report from Bogota next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
SOARES: Well, as the Trump administration openly mulls military action in other countries, one of Venezuela's neighbors is pushing back. Colombian
President Gustavo Petro has accused the Trump administration of colonialist ambitions. He's vowing to take up arms if the U.S. attacks. Colombia's
acting foreign minister says there's a meeting today with the U.S. representative in Colombia. She's expected to file a sharp response to
American officials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSA YOLANDA VILLAVICENCIO, ACTING COLOMBIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (through translator): We have also stated that we reject all threats made
against any country and that we reject colonialist-style administrations once we have achieved national sovereignty. An offense against the
president is an offense against our country and a violation of all the democratic processes which have been going on for years. This is our
position.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Stefano Pozzebon has been our live from Bogota. Stefano, good to see you. Look, those words from Villavicencio, very similar, I think, in
tone to what we heard from the Colombian president who, since those alleged drug boats, has been really a loggerhead with the U.S. president, right?
Just give us a sense of the mood inside the country and how the government of Colombia is seeing the U.S. move inside Venezuela.
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, the government is seeing its move against the Venezuelan government and, in particular, the seizure of
Nicolas Maduro and his wife as, once again, a return to the Monroe Doctrine, where, of course, Washington ruled supreme over the shores.
In a tweet, for example, Petro, who is a consummate tweeter, by the way, he posts on X at every hour of the day and the night. He once again spoke
about the intention from Washington to return to an era of colonies in a tweet that he posted in the last few hours. And also speaking to local
press here in Colombia, Petro has said that he would not be afraid to take up arms again if, indeed, Donald Trump moved against him personally.
I say again, and Petro said that again on purpose, purposely, because, of course, you probably remember that Gustavo Petro is, yes, the current
president of Colombia, but is also a former leftist guerrilla who did at some point wage the arms struggle against the state that he now leads and
represents.
In terms of how the country is reacting to it, well, Colombia is fairly divided at its core between those who support Petro and the left-wing
government that is now in power and those who are against it. So, if you speak with a leftist or a person who is a Petro sympathizer, they will tell
you, of course, that it's important to show some backbone and stand up to the enemy of the north, that, of course, being Washington. Well, instead,
if you speak to conservatives, people on the right, or even to the center, they will say that Washington is also entitled to come down here and to
curb the drug trafficking that has been, frankly, a problem in the relationship between Washington and Bogota since at least the 1960s or the
'70s. The '60s was the bonanza of the marijuana trade, and then from the '70s it was cocaine that took over.
[14:55:00]
One last thing, Isa, before you let me go, tomorrow on Wednesday Petro has called for a national movement, a rally in every major square in every
major Colombian city to defend the fatherland, to show up with their flags, and as a show of a sort of nationalist pride that we so often hear and see
here in Latin America, where the left is actually the most nationalist of the two sides in the political spectrum.
So, we'll bring those images to you if indeed a lot of people from Colombia will show up at least here in the capital Bogota.
Petro, of course, is almost at the end of this mandate. He will relinquish power one way or another in August. There are now two leading candidates,
Jocelyn, for the Colombian presidency. The election will take place in May --
SOARES: Yes. It will be certainly interesting to see what those images look like, Stefano, if you're still with us, tomorrow, of course, given the
words and the rhetoric we've heard from President Petro, as we believe Stefano was saying, him and President Trump really haven't seen eye to eye
at all.
That does it for us for this hour. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
