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New Day

Family Of American Being Held In Russia Joins New Day On War; U.K. Sanctions More Russian Oligarchs, Including Chelsea Football Club Owner; Survivor Stories From Ukrainians Bombed By Russia. Aired 7:30- 8a ET

Aired March 10, 2022 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Jaime, thank you so much for being with us. I really, really appreciate it.

JAIME NADAL, U.N. POPULATION FUND'S REPRESENTATIVE IN UKRAINE: Thank you very much.

KEILAR: New this morning, a Russian billionaire sports teams owner just slapped with crippling new sanctions. Plus, CNN on the ground in the Ukrainian city getting pounded by Russian artillery.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. This is Alex Marquardt back in Lviv, Ukraine.

I want to take you now to Edgartown, Massachusetts where we are joined now by Elizabeth Whelan, the sister of Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen who is currently imprisoned in Russia. He's been held there since 2018.

[07:35:00]

The family says the Biden administration should not forget about him and fellow American detainee Trevor Reed when discussing sanctions against Russia because of this war in Ukraine.

Whelan is a former Marine and police officer. He was arrested in Moscow in 2018 where he was planning to attend a friend's wedding. And now he's being held on espionage charges which he, of course, denies.

His family says that he's been held in harsh conditions and has been denied the medical treatment that he so critically needs.

Paul Whelan's sister, Elizabeth, joins me now. Elizabeth, thank you so much for being with us this morning.

ELIZABETH WHELAN, SISTER OF PAUL WHELAN WHO HAS BEEN DETAINED IN RUSSIA SINCE 2018 (via Webex by Cisco): Thank you so much for having me.

MARQUARDT: Elizabeth, what do you know about Paul's health at this point? As we just noted, he hasn't been getting the treatment that you say he needs.

WHELAN: Well, Paul's health is actually stable at this time. He had a very severe illness this past year and also had previously required emergency surgery. At this point, he is doing as well as can be expected in a forced labor camp in the middle of Russia unlike Trevor Reed, who is currently coughing up blood and potentially has tuberculosis.

Paul is hanging in there. He is very strong and very courageous. But the conditions in the prison camps are terrible. And Paul is maintaining his health but it is at great cost.

MARQUARDT: How do you believe this war in Ukraine by Russia has impacted Paul's case or Trevor Reed's case?

WHELAN: Well, to begin with, they are both being held on false charges. They are wrongfully detained and Russia shouldn't have them in the first place.

In terms of the impact on them, we're not sure, but the family has many sleepless nights worrying about what is going to happen. We certainly feel that the sanctions that are being placed on Russia are potentially a vehicle that might help Paul get home.

But this is -- this is Russia's fault that Paul is in prison. He has not committed a crime, but a crime has been committed against him. And this hostile action is not just about Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. It is a hostile action towards the United States and towards American citizens in general.

MARQUARDT: And now, Elizabeth, we have another name joining your brother's -- Brittney Griner. She was arrested by the Russians supposedly for drug possession at the Moscow airport. Have you spoken with her family and either way, do you have any advice for them?

WHELAN: Well, we feel so -- I mean, just heartful sympathy for their situation. This is an awful situation to be in. I believe that the Russian authorities are throttling access to prisoners -- American prisoners across Russia, so I'm not sure if he is being seen by the embassy or what is going on. We haven't talked to her family but would be willing to.

However, I'd like to say in general that I would urge Americans to be very skeptical of any statement that comes out of a Russian official's mouth about Paul, about Trevor, and about Brittney. They are stacking up Americans to use as pawns. This is called hostage diplomacy and we need to bring an end to it. It's a national security issue.

And, of course, we would like to see Brittney come home, Paul come home, Trevor come home as quickly as possible.

MARQUARDT: Yes, political pawns.

All right, Elizabeth Whelan. Thank you so much. Our thoughts are with you, with the Reeds, and, of course, with the Griners. Thank you so much for your time. WHELAN: Thank you for having me today.

KEILAR: The United Kingdom announcing a short time ago sanctions on seven more Russian oligarchs and politicians. Among them is Roman Abramovich. He is an owner of the Chelsea Football Club, which is a storied franchise in the world's most popular sport. His assets now frozen. He is barred from selling the team as he said that he would do with a promise to donate the proceeds to Ukrainian war victims.

I am joined now by Liz Truss, the U.K. foreign secretary. And we certainly appreciate you coming in to talk to us at such an important moment in all of this.

This bombing that we are seeing -- and we have some new video of it -- of this maternity and children's hospital in Mariupol -- is this an inflection point in the war in your opinion?

LIZ TRUSS, U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY: Well, this is absolutely appalling what Putin is doing in Ukraine. And he isn't making the progress he expected in Ukraine. He expected to be able to take cities much quicker. He didn't reckon on the bravery of the Ukrainian people fighting so hard. And he didn't reckon on the tough sanctions the west was going to put in place, which are debilitating the Russian economy and cutting off funding for his war machines.

[07:40:05]

So, what we're seeing is him resorting to more and more violence -- appalling techniques to try and intimidate the people of Ukraine, and it really is horrifying to see what's happening.

KEILAR: You're speaking this afternoon at a think tank in Washington and I read a preview of your remarks where you're expected to say that you see this moment as a pivotal moment akin to 9/11. Is that right? Is that what you're going to say?

TRUSS: That's right. We went through a period after the Cold War where we all thought that peace would be inevitable. That we could reduce defense spending. That we could focus on growing our economies. We became dependent on authoritarian regimes if you look at Europe and our dependence on Russian oil and gas. That has been a huge problem.

So what we need to do now is completely change our approach. That's why we've put in place these tough sanctions.

And today, I've announced that we're sanctioning Roman Abramovich as well as other major oligarchs placed in the Putin regime. We need to take this head-on. There can be nowhere to hide for these individuals. And we cannot carry on with business as usual as we have been doing for the past 20 years.

KEILAR: I know that you're seeing these pictures that we're seeing of mass graves in Mariupol. So many civilians killed that they're having to bury them in trenches. And this bombing at this hospital.

Are these war crimes? TRUSS: We absolutely believe that war crimes are being committed. We've referred the case to the International Criminal Court, along with 37 other nations. And we never expected war like this to be taking place in Europe again. This is why we need such a tough international response.

The United Kingdom has also announced we're sending Starstreak missiles to help the Ukrainians defend their country. We were the first European country to send defensive weapons to Ukraine.

And we are doubling down on our sanctions, being tough on banks. We're putting in place an elimination of oil from Russia into the United Kingdom.

But we need to do more with our allies because Putin has to lose in Ukraine. That is vitally important. And it's just appalling the suffering we're seeing on the streets of Ukraine.

KEILAR: There is, of course, a legal process to determining if something is a war crime. It is internationally determined. There is an investigation. But the U.S. has not gone so far. They're not saying that these are war crimes that we're seeing.

TRUSS: Well, what we think is there is a case that they are war crimes. We've been clear about that and we are working on gathering the evidence with our international allies.

KEILAR: Would it be helpful if the U.S. went so far?

TRUSS: We're working with all of our allies, including the United States on this -- on this issue.

But what we can see is appalling atrocities taking place. There is now talk of the use of chemical weapons. We've seen Russia do that before. And we're determined to call Russia out for this appalling invasion.

We warned against it taking place and the Russians said they had no plans to invade. They're now claiming there isn't a war. We cannot trust a word they say. And we strongly believe there is evidence that appalling crimes are taking place and we are doing all we can to collect that evidence.

KEILAR: You mentioned chemical weapons. Is that a redline? What will the U.K. do if they're used?

TRUSS: What we are already doing is supplying huge amounts of defensive weaponry to Ukraine. We are working with our allies on cutting off the funding to the Russian economy. And we are very concerned about the potential use of chemical weapons.

Now, of course, we've seen Russia use these weapons before in fields of conflict. But that would be a grave mistake on the part of Russia, adding to the grave mistakes already being made by Putin.

KEILAR: Could Britain support a limited no-fly zone with a very narrowly-defined humanitarian mission? TRUSS: The issue with a no-fly zone is that would bring NATO into direct conflict with Russia, however limited that no-fly zone is.

KEILAR: Is that avoidable?

TRUSS: What our view -- what our view is, is the best way to help the Ukrainians with their air defense is to supply equipment like the Starstreak, which we are supplying to the Ukrainians. That will help Ukraine defend their own country. It will help them defend their skies. But it won't bring NATO into the conflict.

KEILAR: And I certainly hear you saying that is not what Ukraine wants. And there's also concerns that without a no-fly zone, how do you get them those Starstreak missiles? How do you get them the Javelins, and how do you get them the Stinger missiles?

[07:45:00]

TRUSS: Well, we have been very effective at getting missiles to the Ukrainians. The U.K. has supplied over 3,000 NLAWs -- the anti-tank weapons. We supplied other weapons.

So, we are working with our allies and partners. The U.K. held a donor conference to get more countries to send weaponry. The Germans are now part of that. Other countries around Europe are supplying weapons as, of course, the United States are.

The best way that we can help the Ukrainians is by supplying those defensive weapons, by supplying humanitarian aid, and by cutting off funding to the Russian economy. That's why it's so important we sanction oligarchs like Roman Abramovich. It's why it's so important that we get a full SWIFT ban as well. And it's why it's important that we reduce dependency on oil and gas.

There has been complacency in the west over the past 20 years. That complacency has to end. And if we don't pay the cost -- which there will be costs for our -- for our public right across the west. If we don't pay that cost now it will be even higher later. Because what we know is that if Putin doesn't stop now and isn't stopped in Ukraine, the consequences will be even more damaging for European security, but also for global security.

KEILAR: Foreign Secretary Truss, we really appreciate you joining us.

TRUSS: Thank you so much.

KEILAR: More on our coverage ahead. Brand-new video just in to CNN. Civilians in the southern Ukrainian town of Odessa training to fight against a Russian invasion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:47]

MARQUARDT: New video in to CNN shows intense fighting to the north of the strategic city of Mykolaiv. That's where Russian troops have tried unsuccessfully, so far, to get into the city itself. Now, their indiscriminate shelling has taken on an increasingly staggering toll on the civilians of that city.

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is in nearby Odessa and he has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR (voice-over): This is probably when Russian forces tried to cut off Mykolaiv, pushing to its north to encircle it. Ukrainian shells here not holding them back.

The governor told locals to bring tires to the streets, which they did, fast. And in the dark, Russia's punishment of just about everyone here did not let up.

An airstrike flattened this warehouse. And if you needed proof the Kremlin seeks to reduce all life here, 1,500 tons of onions, beer, and pumpkins were an apparent target for a military jet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (speaking foreign language).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (speaking foreign language).

WALSH (voice-over): So were Zhenya (ph) and Ludmila (ph) in the back bedroom when a missile hit. Zhenya built this home himself 43 years ago and knows he lacks the strength to do so again. Ludmila says she doesn't even have her slippers now.

The hospitals are steeped in pain; their corridors running underground.

Svetlana (ph) lost three friends Tuesday when Russian shells hit the car they were traveling in to change shift at a disabled children's home. When she ducked, she saved her life. She names her three dead friends.

SVETLANA (speaking foreign language).

WALSH (voice-over): Nikolai (ph) was badly burned by a missile in his yard.

Moscow targets hospitals and so they perversely need their own bomb shelters where sick children wait for the sirens to end.

Staas (ph) is 12 and alone but he doesn't know the reason his father is not here just now is because he is burying Staas' mother and sister.

STAAS, MOTHER AND SISTER KILLED (Text): I was in the neighbor's basement when the bomb hit the roof on my side. We ran to my granny's house. Another hit there. My arm is broken.

My dad and neighbor brought me here. I was in a coma for two days.

WALSH (voice-over): Sonia has shrapnel in her head, causing her to spasm. Her mother explains they were outside taping up the house windows when the blast hit, while all the time trying to get Sonia to keep still.

SONIA'S MOTHER (Text): I cut the tape, turned around to hear a noise, and I saw the missile flew behind us. And I said, "Sonia, let's go." We ran, Sonia in front of me, and then I heard the blast.

Little Sonia, quiet, quiet. Sonia, little Sonia, don't worry. Everything will be OK.

[07:55:00]

SONIA: I am cold.

WALSH (voice-over): Outside it is cold and loud.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALSH: Now, you actually join us here in Odessa and the fight and the suffering in Mykolaiv is very much focused on this strategic port city in Russia's aspirations -- clearly, for it. And you join me in the middle of an air raid siren here.

We'll just let you see this is a surreal sight of what's basically a vacation center for Russians in the summer. Tank tracks lining its main street. This runs all the way down from the main opera house. There are sandbags further out there.

It is quite startling, Brianna and Alex, just to see a big tourist destination like this, rich in history, bracing itself for what could be the worst. Back to you.

MARQUARDT: Sadly, a very familiar sound for people all across Ukraine. Just a devastating report. Nick Paton Walsh in Odessa, thank you very much.

Now, Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken just moments ago. She was in Poland speaking alongside the Polish president. We will bring you what she had to say.

And then, talks between the top diplomats of Russia and Ukraine have just wrapped up in Turkey, but no deal to end the bloodshed.

We'll be right back with more.

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