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Economic War on Russia; Refugees Wait to Cross into Poland; Isabelle Khurshudyan is Interviewed about Odessa; Demands Release of WNBA Star; Signs of Putin's Use of Nuclear Force. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired March 09, 2022 - 06:30   ET

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

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[06:34:06]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking news. Just moments ago, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, quote, the United States has undoubtedly declared an economic war on Russia, and they are waging this war.

This comes after President Biden announced an oil embargo, a ban, on oil imports to the United States from Russia and more and more U.S. companies stop doing business there.

CNN White House correspondent John Harwood joins us now.

What do you make of this rhetoric, John?

JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, it's hard to argue that colloquially the United States is in that state with respect to Russia. The question is, what does Peskov mean to signal by saying so. Obviously, the steps that the European Union and the United States have taken have decimated the Russian economy, and there's going to be more of that to come.

[06:35:02]

You know, Russian markets were closed for days. The ruble has plummeted. People are being forbidden from taking their foreign exchange out of their bank accounts in Russia. The total is very great.

But one of the questions that the United States has been trying to stay on the other side of is the question of, is the United States a participant in this war? That's the sensitivity around that deal for Polish -- for jets with Poland that you were just talking about with General Clark. The United States wants to do -- and its allies want to do what they can to support Ukraine in the fighting without crossing that line and becoming directly in a complication with Russia. Does Peskov mean to signal that the United States has crossed that line? You know, as -- he said that's defacto true. Well, it is defacto true.

The question is, what does that imply for Russia? And he was a little elliptical in his response when he was asks, how is Russia going to respond? You know, Russia has signaled, John, that, while we may deny oil and gas exports to Europe. You know, something that the -- from the other side, Europe and the United States have been saying, well, we may not buy or we may sanction your exports.

Russia could do that. It would hurt Europe. But it would hurt Russia a lot more. That's how they make money. So, you know, what you don't want to have is a spiral, an escalatory ladder that can't be stopped. It bleads from the economic to the military. But I think that's unknown at the moment.

BERMAN: Right. I mean this certainly can be read as a sign that Russia's feeling the sting here.

HARWOOD: Oh, no doubt.

BERMAN: The question is, is Peskov signaling a new posture?

HARWOOD: That's right. And I think it's difficult to know. And, you know, obviously, everyone's been speculating about what is Putin's state of mind and concern that the more cornered and desperate he becomes, you know, how does he respond to that? Does he respond rationally and say, well, I'm decimating my own economy, I need to get out of this, or do oligarchs put pressure on him in whatever ways they can to say, we need to get out this -- out of this. You're hurting not only us but ordinary Russians. Or does he lash out. And that's -- that's something that has been very difficult to gauge. And, you know, U.S. intelligence has done a phenomenal job in the run-up to war. But one of the things they haven't known precisely is exactly what is Putin's frame of mind as he pursues this conflict.

BERMAN: Yes, but make no mistake, this is a clear sign that what is happening with these companies and the U.S. economic efforts being felt acutely in Russia right now.

HARWOOD: Yes.

BERMAN: John Harwood, thank you very much.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Ukrainians fleeing their homes after days of shelling, uprooting their lives, carrying their children and a few possessions, traveling for days across their country. But nearing the border, they find their ordeal is far from over.

CNN's Scott McLean is joining us now from a train station in Lviv.

What is the scene there, Scott?

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Brianna.

Yes, so we know that the humanitarian corridor from Sumy to Poltava worked out yesterday. According to officials in Ukraine, about 5,000 people and 1,000 cars were able to get out. And we know that more than 700 of them were foreign students who were trapped inside the city while the bombing and the shelling was taking place.

Well, now, some of those students, at least the first wave of those students, has arrived here at the train station in Lviv where they're, obviously, trying to get out of the country.

And I just want to speak to one of them really quickly.

This is Blessing. She is an international law student from Nigeria. And I just want to know, how are you feeling now that this ordeal is hopefully almost over?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm so happy and I'm so sad at the same time because here in Ukraine I was (INAUDIBLE) life myself, like to do it myself. And I also met some amazing people, some amazing ladies, my lecturers, they were -- they were like mothers to me. They have been so great all this while. So I just -- I know and I pray that Ukraine is going to keep on standing strong. And me being here doesn't mean I've given up on Ukraine. We are still going to fight and stand strong and I'm supporting Ukraine all the way.

MCLEAN: When the first shelling started, when the bombing started, what went through your mind? I presume you were -- you were going to the basement of your building?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First of all, when it started, it was like a jolt (ph). Just not like close, close to Sumy but not like where we are, but it was -- we all run out. We took our luggage and of course we didn't know what to do and (INAUDIBLE) go back and go back and (INAUDIBLE) close to this place and they would get (INAUDIBLE) and stuff. But we all know it was really coming very, very close to us. And as (INAUDIBLE) it was like, (INAUDIBLE). And we -- we head -- we were inside a bunker.

[06:40:01]

Our head like the shake of the (INAUDIBLE) it was so massive. And that's when the panic like grew and grew. Like I want to leave by all means. And that's really (INAUDIBLE) like (INAUDIBLE) because we don't know what the next thing holds for us. So, that was it.

MCLEAN: What was going through your mind when that shaking was happening and you were hearing the bombs outside?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For me, I -- I have to stand strong because I know there were other Africans. For first -- for me I was feeling like, I know that we were going to make it out. I (INAUDIBLE) we were going to make it out. What I would ask -- at the same time I was so scared because not (INAUDIBLE) me for all that people, many parents who call in and they were so angry. They were like, what is going on? Do something. Do something. And the president was -- maybe because I'm my school representative. So they were calling, calling (INAUDIBLE). I didn't know what to do at that moment. But I'm so glad that it's over because right now it might -- I don't know. I don't know what to say because I'm so overwhelmed. I'm going to enjoy what (INAUDIBLE), like what's sad because I don't know what's going to happen back home to people (INAUDIBLE).

MCLEAN: Was there ever a moment where you questioned that you would get out safely? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. So many moments. Because they are going to

promise, OK, you guys are going to leave today, OK, tomorrow. And we are all packing our bag and running and, like, OK, no, you guys are not leaving. Call this embassy. Call this one.

MCLEAN: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And many people were like calling me and, you know, (INAUDIBLE) the embassy. And so it was quite --

MCLEAN: Stressful?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was quite a stress.

MCLEAN: Well, I appreciate you talking to us. And, of course, we're very happy that you're safe. And best of luck getting out of the country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much. Thank you.

MCLEAN: I think you're going to Hungary, is that right, you said?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes.

MCLEAN: That's right.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.

MCLEAN: So, John, this is, you know, just one of many stories that we've heard over and over again. One student told me that while they were driving out of the humanitarian corridors, they had to drive past, you know, hundreds of armored vehicles, tanks, things like that. Obviously, a terrifying experience just to get out of the city as well. Obviously, we're glad that they're all safe here in Lviv.

KEILAR: Yes, so much relief. You can hear it there.

Scott, thank you.

So, while many have fled their homes, others are refusing to leave, choosing instead to stare down the Russian invasion.

Plus, we'll be speaking live with the mayor of Kyiv as the Russians encircle the Ukrainian capital.

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[06:46:26]

BERMAN: So, new satellite images just in to CNN. This is an oil tanker in the Black Sea, still smoking days after it was hit by an apparent Russian strike. The Moldovan-owned tanker is floating about 20 miles east of the Ukrainian city of Odessa.

Joining me now from Odessa, down here, foreign correspondent for "The Washington Post," Isabelle Khurshudyan. Odessa, Isabelle, is your ancestral home. You've always wanted to

visit. But now under these circumstances. What's that like?

ISABELLE KHURSHUDYAN, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Yes, it's definitely not how I imagined my first visit here kind of going. I -- you know, just the fact that I'm here, you know, as a reporter means that this place is in danger. You know, for now it's been pretty calm. We definitely hear air raid sirens on occasion.

And then sometimes you'll hear some booming thuds in the distance. And we're told that's the air defense working. And our understanding is it's, you know, the Russians kind of trying to test the air defense. So, everybody knows this is a place that is going to eventually come under attack, is a critical Black Sea port. And, you know, it's a no doubt target for the Russians. And they're kind of just preparing right now.

But, for the moment, it's still pretty calm. And, like you said, it's my ancestral home. So, I'm sitting right now in my great aunt's apartment.

BERMAN: Again, as you say, everyone knows what's coming here. The Russians almost definitely will attack Odessa. But there are people, like your great aunt, Babazina (ph), right, 81 years old, who are staying. Why is Babazina staying?

KHURSHUDYAN: You know, she says she doesn't want to go. This is her home. She loves this city. All of her siblings, including my grandfather, moved to the United States at some point. And she visited four different times. And every single time she came back.

You know, the people I've talked to here, it's almost like Odessa is a little bit separate from the rest of Ukraine. Like, yes, this is Ukraine, but, you know, they consider themselves almost their own nationality and their love for their city is really strong. There's a saying, Odessa mama, which literally kind of encapsulates this feeling of -- that the city is this matriarch that's going to protect you.

So, you've seen a lot of people stay and a lot of people are mobilizing. You know, there's sandbags, metal hedgehogs, you know, these metal anti-tank barricades all over the city, on downtown streets that, you know, are usually filled with stylish cafes and people walking around. The city kind of looks a little bit like it probably did in World War II, where it's fortifying itself, it's getting ready.

BERMAN: The opera house is a fortress now, which is not how it's supposed to look, that beautiful building.

And I know you tried to go see your grandparents' home. What happened?

KHURSHUDYAN: Yes, we couldn't get through. You know, all the roads to that area are blocked. And it's kind of by the opera house, which, like you said, is a fortress. It's probably the most fortified building in the city, which kind of tells you the personality of Odessa and how much it loves its arts and culture. This is kind of considered one of the culture capitals of Ukraine.

But we did try to get there. We even parked the car and tried to go on foot and were stopped by soldiers with the territorial defense who said, you know, you can't -- sorry, that's my grandmother behind me.

[06:50:00]

They said that you can't, you know, go through here. That it's -- you know, these are kind of defense operations. And we, you know, tried to reason with them. Babazina even said like, you know, she's from America. She might never get to see it again. They said, come back when it's normal.

BERMAN: Come back when it's normal.

Isabelle Khurshudyan, give a hug to Babazina for us. Please, all of you, stay safe.

KHURSHUDYAN: Thank you.

BERMAN: So will he or won't he? We have an expert assessment on just how seriously the world should take Vladimir Putin's threat of nuclear war.

Plus, a hymn in the Ukrainian city of Lviv this morning.

(VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: CNN's Jim Sciutto posted this video just moments ago. Jim tells us, the words they're singing are based on my testament by the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. It begins, when I'm dead, bury me in my beloved Ukraine.

We're live in Lviv ahead.

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[06:55:23]

KEILAR: A Texas congresswoman says enough is enough. She wants WNBA star Brittney Griner and other detained Americans released and is calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be tried as a war criminal.

Andy Scholes has more in today's "Bleacher Report."

Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Brianna.

So, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Griner's hometown of Houston, says President Biden should demand that Russia release the basketball star immediately. She said in a statement, it is clear that Putin chooses to use American citizens as pawns and has detained many other Americans on false charges. He is now waging a vial, evil, immoral and vicious war of terrorism, and now may be choosing to use the celebrity status of Griner to threaten the west and threaten the United States.

Now, Griner has been in custody since last month after customs officials say they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. The Russian government didn't release the video of the screening until last weekend, and it's still not clear exactly when Griner was arrested or when she will stand trial. Griner faces up to 10 years in Russian prison if convicted.

And, on Monday, House Armed Services Committee Member Congressman John Garamendi said here on NEW DAY, it's going to be very difficult to secure Griner's release as there are no diplomatic channels right now with Russia.

KEILAR: Yes, I know a lot of people are watching this. So many people care.

Andy, thank you so much for that report.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: So, Russian President Vladimir Putin sparking alarm around the world with the threat of a very dangerous escalation in the Ukraine conflict. Now U.S. officials are hunting for signs of whether Putin is seriously considering using nuclear force.

CNN's Nina dos Santos with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN EUROPE EDITOR: As Russia's tanks rolled into Ukraine, Vladimir Putin made a threat not heard since the height of the Cold war.

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): Russia's response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences never experienced in your history.

DOS SANTOS: Then, days later, he raised the alert level of the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

SERGEI LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): Everyone knows that a third world war can only be nuclear.

DOS SANTOS (on camera): Only nine countries have nuclear weapons. The theory is that they are preventative mechanism, hopefully never to be needed in battle. According to the Arms Control Association, Russia has the largest number of warheads at just over 6,000. While the U.S. isn't far behind, no other country, not even Israel or North Korea, has anywhere near this type of capability.

Now, most of Russia's warheads are not currently on missile bases. Just over 1,400 of them are deployable at the moment. These find themselves on weapons like intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine launched missiles and also on bombers.

DOS SANTOS (voice over): But would Russia's president really use them? Britain's defense secretary told the BBC he thinks Putin is bluffing.

BEN WALLACE, British DEFENSE SECRETARY: He reminded everyone he's got nuclear weapons, which, as you say, starts to set off people being worried. But, secondly, he distracted from what's going wrong in Ukraine.

DOS SANTOS: This expert says the mere threat itself is designed to change the dynamics of the war.

PROFESSOR MALCOM CHALMERS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: He is in a corner. Somebody in a corner, in that situation, does become more dangerous, is more prepared to take risks. Still, it's most unlikely. And I don't want to alarm people unnecessarily. The probability of this happening is low but it's not zero.

DOS SANTOS: The last time nuclear weapons were unleashed by the U.S. in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, more than 100,000 died. At (ph) a U.N. disarmament conference, Japan expressed grave concern about Russia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As the only country to have suffered atomic (ph) bombings during war, Japan is fully aware of the catastrophic human (INAUDIBLE) consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. We stress once again that such tragedy must never be repeated again.

DOS SANTOS: While Russia says its nuclear intentions are purely defensive, that brings to mind its previous assurances that it had no intentions to invade Ukraine.

LAVROV (through translator): It's in the minds of western politician that nuclear war is going on, not in the minds of Russians.

DOS SANTOS: Only President Putin knows how far he would really go. In the meantime, it's a gamble that the west can't afford to take.

Nina Dos Santos, CNN, in London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

[07:00:02]

BERMAN: Good morning to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. It is Wednesday, March 9th. I'm John Berman, with Brianna Keilar.