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Russia Releases Photo of Detained WNBA Star; Biden Expected to Ban Russian Energy Imports; Andrei Kozyrev is Interviewed about Banning Russian Energy; Schools, Residential Buildings, Churches Among Destroyed Sites. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired March 08, 2022 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For Russia, for the president, for Russia, for Putin. An ariel shot shows a giant "z" made from the orange and black of the St. Georgia's (ph) ribbon, a traditional symbol of Russian military glory usually associated with victory over Nazi Germany.

By accident, or design, a character that doesn't feature in Russia's alphabet has become an iconic symbol of Putin's invasion and the propaganda campaign to win support among his people.

Phil Black, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Our thanks to Phil for that.

So, a new image obtained by CNN of American basketball star Brittney Griner as she is detained in Russia. We have new information on her fight for freedom, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New overnight, this photo of WNBA star Brittney Griner appearing on Russian state television. It shows Griner reportedly at a Russian police station holding a sign with her name on it. The two- time U.S. Olympian was arrested and detained in Russia on drug charges last month after Russian custom officials say hashish oil was found on her at an airport.

[08:35:09]

Joining us now is Adaora Elonu, who has played in the WNBA and most recently for a Russian team called Nadezhda Orenburg, and Mike Cound, women's professional basketball sports agent. Thank you both for being with us.

Adaora, I know you can't see that video we just showed, but it's a picture of Brittney Griner holding up a piece of paper with her name apparently in police custody.

How worried for her are you?

ADAORA ELONU, PLAYED IN THE WNBA AND RUSSIA: I was extremely worried. I was actually very hopeful that it was just, you know, a hoax, fake, false news that was, you know, being let out. But right now I'm just very, very concerned. Also knowing that she's been there for quite some time. I know she would definitely would love to be home with her loved ones as much as her family wanting her home. So, it's not a situation that anyone would want to be in.

BERMAN: Now, Adaora, you initially were not quick to leave Russia. How did that happen?

ELONU: Well, being in Russia, it was -- I was kind of in a bubble, I would say. I didn't feel unsafe. I felt as if there was not much happening in that country. I know there was a lot going on outside of the country, but as far as when I was in Russia, we weren't getting much news about what was happening aside from my family and friends and my agent, Mike Cound. You know, they were letting me know about what was happening. But it was just -- it was hard to balance what was actually happening and what I felt.

But once things started escalating, my agent was -- he was definitely pushing for me to get out. And I'm glad that I listened to his advice and got out as soon as I can.

BERMAN: Yes, do you feel lucky to be out now?

ELONU: Yes, I feel very fortunate. But there's definitely a lot of sadness just because, you know, I was so close to the situation. And with the situation with Griner, excuse me, the situation with Griner, with my teammates, just the whole situation and he whole -- it's -- it's one part where you feel very fortunate to be home with your loved ones, but then just knowing what's happening, it's -- it's hard to just be happy overall.

BERMAN: So, Mike, you know, we see what's happening to Brittney Griner and to see that picture there apparently in police custody as this invasion is going on.

In the United States, how much can be done as far as you know to help her, either from the league, through official or unofficial channels?

MIKE COUND, WOMEN'S PRO BASKETBALL SPORTS AGENT: I mean, this situation has just gone completely past anything I can do, her agents can do, Adam Silver, you know, her senator. As far as I'm concerned, this is completely out of the sports world's hands. It's a completely different situation from what Adaora was thinking about when she was leaving. This is another whole ballgame.

BERMAN: Yes, it really is. Terrifying.

And, Mike, just so people know the situation. One of the reasons why women basketball players go to Russia during the WNBA off season is to supplement their income, is that they're not making enough money in the WNBA, so they go there because they can get paid more, right? Doesn't that illustrate a pay issue here in the United States?

COUND: Well, certainly. Yes, that's a whole different situation there. I mean there's an opportunity for them to make more money.

Part of the -- part of the big problem is that the WNBA season's only four months. Four and a half months. So it's hard to perfect your craft and maintain your craft if you're off two-thirds of the year. So, part of it is a little extra income, and part of it is to continue to get better at what you do, right. So, it is -- there's -- it's a dual situation.

BERMAN: Adaora, again, you know, we've seen the photo. And it really is chilling to see someone holding a sign with their name on it in Russian custody, especially knowing the situation around the world right now.

You played against Brittney Griner. You know what she's like on the basketball court, but also off the basketball court. How do you think she's handling this situation right now based on what you know about her?

ELONU: Well, I can only hope that she's being strong mentally. She's a very kind-hearted, you know, fun-spirited person. But this is a situation where she's in a foreign country, a foreign land, not quite knowing how to communicate well with, you know, those that she's around. So I can only hope that she's just being very -- very mentally tough. And also to be aware that, you know, she has so many people behind her, supporting her, wishing her well, hoping that she's doing very well.

So I just want to just pray and hope that she's remaining very strong. That's really the only thing we can hope for right now. But I'm sure she's -- she's wanting to be home. And we want her home.

BERMAN: Yes, that's about all that can be done other than shining a spotlight on the situation right now.

[08:40:01]

Adaora Elonu, Mark Cound, thank you both very much for being with us.

COUND: Thanks, John.

ELONU: Thank you.

BERMAN: So, a former Russian foreign minister says, no, Vladimir Putin would not use nuclear weapons despite his rhetoric. He joins us live to explain why.

Plus, Senator Chris Coons just told NEW DAY moments ago that the White House will ban Russian oil imports. We just got confirmation of that. So, stand by for breaking news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BERMAN: All right, the breaking news, and this is big. In two hours, President Biden is expected to announce a ban on Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports to the United States. That's according to three sources familiar with the decision.

The U.S. will make the move unilaterally without its European allies. And that's due to disagreement among European nations about whether to ban Russian energy.

This as the price of gas, not adjusted for inflation, but the price of gas in the United States has reached record levels.

[08:45:04]

Joining me now is the head of petroleum analysis for Gas Buddy, Patrick De Haan.

Patrick, this breaking news just in. The U.S. banning Russian oil imports. What's the significance of that?

PATRICK DE HAAN, HEAD OF PETROLEUM ANALYSIS, GAS BUDDY: Well, certainly it causes a lot more strife at the nation's refineries that turn oil into gasoline because they're going to have to jump to other sources that they can find to make their feed stocks, their blend stocks into their refineries. So, expect a further jump in the price of oil with this announcement. It makes things a little bit harder, you know, but compared to the EU, which imports about 4.5 million barrels of Russian crude oil, the U.S. is relatively safe without Russian imports. But Europe certainly much more hostage to the Russians for oil.

BERMAN: Yes, the U.S. imports about 10 percent of its oil from Russia. Europe, 40 percent or higher depending. So, the United States somewhat insulated. Though you can imagine it will have a short-term effect.

What's your advice to consumers?

DE HAAN: Yes. Yes, it will have a short-term effect. And gas prices are going to continue going up as a result of that. We are now looking at $4.19 a gallon according to Gas Buddy data at this moment. I think this -- this sanction now on Russian energy will cause prices to climb closer to the $4.50 mark.

And the story that maybe few are talking about is that diesel prices are going to eclipse an all-time record here. Gasoline just did that yesterday. But diesel, the fuel of the economy, semitrucks, trains, boats, is going to soar over $5 a gallon in just maybe a week or two's time. And that's certainly going to have a trickledown effect that may be much more far reaching than gas prices that will likely climb to $4.50.

BERMAN: Patrick, what do you see as the ceiling here for gas prices?

DE HAAN: You know, it's hard given the circumstances and how quickly the situation can change. I think the one thing I'd be watching for is, you know, obviously Russia, yesterday, had made a threat to the EU that it could cut off the Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline. That would have tremendous impact. And Europe, of course, still could sanction Russian oil and energy itself. So, this is going to be a game of chicken, if you will, and I don't really see that we can have a cap. We could see a national average of $5 a gallon based on the Russian war in Ukraine. And it could go a little bit beyond that.

BERMAN: Yes, and that's, again, it's a global market. So the United States, even if only imports 10 percent of its oil, if Europe enacts measures of its own, that could cause the prices to go up even higher.

So your advice to consumers here as to what they can do. You sort of suggest, you've got to do the simple, easy things here.

DE HAAN: We really do. Whether that's slowing down, just five or seven miles an hour on the interstate, that's a heck of a lot better than what's going on with the people of Ukraine. We have to pull together in a way to alleviate the situation that's affecting us all. And driving more fuel efficiently, reducing your trips, I mean, we're at a point now at an all-time high. Remember what happened in 2008, people got out their bicycles and started walking places where possible. Americans need to go into conservation mode and cut our consumption to improve the situation. There's no other way around it.

BERMAN: Yes, again, I say easy. I know that this does create challenges for U.S. consumers. But you're not without power here to alleviate some of it on yourself, if you're willing to make some changes, some sacrifices in your life. And as you say, Patrick, look at what's happening inside Ukraine.

Patrick de Haan, thank you so much for helping us understand what's happening.

DE HAAN: My pleasure. Thanks.

BERMAN: So, more on this.

Plus, we're going to ask the former Russian foreign minister how Vladimir Putin will react to President Biden's move.

Stand by. Much more on the breaking news just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:53:06]

KEILAR: Joining me now is former Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev.

And I thank you so much for joining us, sir, on the phone here.

We've just learned that the U.S. is banning Russian oil imports. How do you think that Putin is going to respond to that?

ANDREI KOZYREV, FORMER RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (via telephone): Well, first of all, I welcome the news. It's right move to do. And, unfortunately, it's a little late than I would expect, but it's OK. And he will probably take it into account.

KEILAR: We have heard from the deputy prime minister there that they could cut off oil to Europe. Right now Europe is not on board with banning Russian oil. Do you think that Vladimir Putin is going to do anything to change that supply of oil with only the U.S. doing this?

KOZYREV: Well, I don't know. But I would not expect them to cut oil to Europe because, a, it's the source of money for them. And it's a shame, actually, that Europe continues to supply money to the aggressive regime. And, b, they see it as a tool to influence European politics. So, it would be just stupid on their side.

But in desperation, because they seem to have considerable difficulty in Ukraine, and considerable pressure from the NATO and western countries, economic pressure, so they probably, in desperation, could threaten that or maybe pause it for a short period of time, just to intimidate.

[08:55:04]

But, otherwise, it makes no sense for them.

KEILAR: Sir, I really appreciate the insight. Former Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev, thank you.

BERMAN: So, Russia makes the absurd claim that it's not bombing civilians even as we watch Russia bomb civilians. Civilians reeling from the shelling, including near Kyiv, where Matthew Chance takes us inside the home of one family.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Clearing up the broken debris of a shattered home. This, the devastation caused by a Russian attack on a residential neighborhood, in a small Ukrainian town. Bila Tserkva, 50 miles south of the Ukrainian capital, is nowhere near the front lines, but it has felt the rage and the pain of this war.

CHANCE (on camera): All right, well we've -- we've come inside one of the houses that was affected by what was apparently random artillery or rocket fire into this residential neighborhood. And you can see just how -- just how shattered the lives of the family here were. Look, I mean, the windows have all been blown out, obviously. All their belongings are -- have been left behind as they've sort of gone into hiding. There's a picture up there of what seemed to be some of the -- some of the people who lived in here. It was a family with some children. Apparently, they've survived this, which is good. But, of course, when you look at the situation and the way that Russians have been shelling residential areas across the country, so many people haven't survived. This is interesting. Come have a look. It's the -- it's the children's

bedroom. You see over here, look, the bunkbeds, the roof that has fallen down on to the top of them when that shell hit. And, of course, in the panic, and in the evacuation, the kids have left all their -- all their toys up here. You know, and it just shows you that no matter where you are in this country, with Russia attacking, tanks and cities across it, you know, lives have been shattered.

CHANCE (voice over): Svetislav is a close friend of the family who were nearly killed in their beds here. Godfather to the three children who escaped with their lives. Now he has one request, he tells me, for the United States.

Please, close the skies over Ukraine, he begs. If we can just contact NATO and ask them this, everything will be fine. Otherwise, he warns, Putin will cross Ukraine and threaten the whole of Europe.

In a bunker under the town, it's terrified children who are singing Ukraine's national anthem that keeps them calm. As Russia invades, a whole generation of Ukrainians is being united by this war, together as they shelter from the horrors above.

Matthew Chance, CNN, in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: It is just so important for people to see what's happening there, and for Matthew to take them inside so they can see the suffering.

KEILAR: They are just lucky they escaped. It's unbelievable.

BERMAN: So you heard people singing the Ukrainian national anthem as a show of defiance, really, and solidarity. We're going to leave you with something now, a touching moment from last night. Yo-Yo Ma beginning his performance at Washington's Kennedy Center by playing Ukraine's national anthem.

Watch this.

(VIDEO TAPE)