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Russia Reasserts Right To Use Nuclear Weapons In Ukraine; Elementary Students Surprise Beloved Ukrainian Custodian; Ketanji Brown Jackson Inspires A Generation Of Women. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired March 28, 2022 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:32:21]
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Russia outlining what it believes -- what it says is its right to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
The country's deputy Security Council chairman Dmitry Medvedev saying that Russia is entitled to use nukes in several specific cases including, quote, "When an act of aggression is committed against Russia and its allies, which jeopardize the existence of the country itself, even without the use of nuclear weapons, that is, with the use of conventional weapons."
Joining us now to discuss -- to put this into context, very importantly, is CNN national security analyst Andrea Kendall-Taylor.
OK, I think anyone just listening to Medvedev saying that, it -- who is a layperson -- it sounds incredibly alarming. How do you see it?
ANDREA KENDALL-TAYLOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, it is alarming to hear these constant threats coming from the Kremlin about a potential use of nuclear weapons. These are threats that they've been making even since -- before this war began. You remember right before they invaded they did this big strategic nuclear exercise, and the goal of that is to really signal to the United States and NATO stay out of Ukraine. Don't get involved.
I think with this statement from Medvedev it doesn't add anything that we don't already know. This really is a longstanding Russian nuclear doctrine and the four categories that he gave for a potential use of nuclear weapons really do fall into the two things that are explicitly stated in Russia's nuclear doctrine, which is an attack on Russian soil. Even if it's not nuclear they still reserve the right to respond in a nuclear way. And if the existence of the Russian state is under threat.
Those conditions aren't going to apply here. And so, I think that's the good news.
I still continue to believe that the risk of use of a nuclear weapon is low. I understand that the U.S. administration is taking the threats, though, extremely seriously. And what they're doing is very vigilantly monitoring for any actions that suggest that Russia would be moving towards the use of a nuclear weapon.
We've heard words. There has been an absence of any actions. So again, I think that just underscores the potential use is still low.
KEILAR: I do think it's interesting to think of Biden's comments in Poland now where he was saying -- and it appeared to be an adlibbed rift --
KENDALL-TAYLOR: Yes.
KEILAR: -- that he was doing that Putin can't remain in power, right? That might be something that Putin would perhaps consider an existential threat if he believed that Joe Biden meant it.
How do these things interact?
KENDALL-TAYLOR: Well, I think, you know -- so, yes, I think that's the one case where it gives people a little bit of pause and worry. So because Putin has been in power for 22 years, I think he has begun to kind of equate himself with the state. So you could imagine if he feels threatened and feels -- but I think the way that you get there is not because of comments from President Biden. It's going to be on the battlefield.
[07:35:08]
And if President Putin is worried about a very blatant perception of loss -- that they're not doing well -- then that's when I think he believes his own power is jeopardized. And I think that is the case in which the potential risk of a nuclear weapon is highest if Russia really is performing poorly and Putin feels he has to prevent this perception of loss.
But again, I think the statement about that Putin must go -- it didn't add anything new from President Putin's perspective. And in Ukraine, the stakes are already high so Putin already understands that his fate is very much affected by and tied to their performance. And so, the fact that President Biden made this comment didn't somehow all of a sudden raise the stakes of this conflict.
KEILAR: That's very interesting, Andrea, to hear you basically say simmer down.
KENDALL-TAYLOR: Yes.
KEILAR: You're not -- you're not freaking out over it.
KENDALL-TAYLOR: I'm not freaking out.
KEILAR: I think that's important to note.
You said the risk of the use of a nuke you believe to still be low. Why do you believe it is low? But also, how would things perhaps get potentially out of hand, which is what happens when there are calculations in a nuclear situation?
KENDALL-TAYLOR: Yes. So I think the risks are low for a couple of reasons.
One is just the international condemnation that would -- that Russia would face. And yes, we can see that Russia is already isolated on the international stage but it still has some backing. India has been on the fence but really, notably, China is still very much in Russia's corner. And if Putin were to use a nuclear weapon that would, I think, entirely jeopardize that very important relationship.
And then if you think about a potential use of a nuclear weapon against targets in NATO member states, that would require the United States, the U.K., and France to retaliate. And I do believe that Putin takes Article 5 and that kind of collective defense commitment very seriously.
And so I think he would understand that especially, if it were targeted at a NATO member state, that then the risk of retaliation would be great. And that is a deterrent because he still takes that NATO threat and the deterrent of NATO very seriously.
KEILAR: Andrea, great analysis. Thank you so much.
KENDALL-TAYLOR: Thanks.
KEILAR: Andrea Kendall-Taylor with us -- Berman.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, the air raid sirens here in Lviv are a regular occurrence and just this weekend there was a missile strike just past that hill behind me. It was a scary moment for this city, which has not seen the worst of the war, which only made it more stunning to see thousands of people packing the streets not too long after.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN (voice-over): Defiance comes in many sizes, in many shapes, in many sounds, and sometimes it's not about being anything other than just being.
BERMAN (on camera): You're not going to stay inside?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Yes, because our child wants to breathe fresh air. We want to breathe fresh air. And we don't want to spend such a beautiful day inside.
BERMAN (on camera): Even though not 24 hours before, this city was a target of a Russian missile attack. You can see the smoke still rising.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But again, look at those flames. They are just roaring.
BERMAN (on camera): And you're out walking on the streets enjoying the day. Why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because I think any person gets used to such sounds, trying to get rid of fear and to lead a usual life. I think so. So I'm here because I believe in my army.
BERMAN (voice-over): Roman, a street musician, is donating half his proceeds to Ukrainian soldiers.
ROMAN, UKRAINIAN STREET MUSICIAN (through translator): They should see that they cannot defeat our people. We are not scared. I have a friend in Mariupol and he captured a Russian soldier. And they asked this officer why are you doing such things with our cities? And he answered because you need to be afraid of the Russian army.
BERMAN (on camera): Why are you wearing wings?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Because this is a symbol of unity for Ukraine's freedom and independence.
BERMAN (on camera): Out here on the streets, we're really not far from where these missiles hit. It's about a mile and a half from here just past that T.V. tower you see there in the distance.
BERMAN (voice-over): For many -- even the majority we spoke with -- one reason they're relatively unphased is because they've seen worse.
Elana (ph) came here from the devastating Kharkiv.
ELANA (through translator): I never thought that I can get used to such things, and when I saw it, it was far away. The smoke is far away. I wasn't scared.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The feeling is familiar for us because we are coming from Kyiv and we know how explosions sound.
Ludmilla (ph) and Arena (ph) are here from the hard-hit Sumy region and they have survived so much.
LUDMILLA (through translator): Even though there could be explosions, we will go outside because we want to show that we are strong. We are not scared. We will fight for our land and we will not give any centimeters of land territory to later (ph).
BERMAN (on camera): Can you show me your flag?
LUDMILLA (through translator): It's her birthday today.
BERMAN (on camera): It's your birthday today?
BERMAN (voice-over): Her sixth birthday -- one she will never forget. Thankfully, not for the bombs but for the Barbie.
And one more thing. She got a puppet, she told me. A puppet that is all hers, like this day for the Ukrainians, that no one can take away.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: Was that the secret, Berman, that she whispered to you?
BERMAN: Arena whispered in my ear that she got a puppet. She wanted me to know that she got a puppet. Of course, I don't speak Ukrainian. I don't know the Ukrainian word for puppet so there was a lot of negotiating after to what exactly she had said. But she really wanted me to know and I just felt like it was so special.
There's something so sweet and poignant about her taking ownership of her birthday. This is her day, dammit, and no one's going to take it away -- not Vladimir Putin, not with his missiles.
Look, I get it and they all get it that there are places in this country that are seeing much, much worse -- much worse. There are cities that have just been devastated. But the people here feel like when they can, living their lives is one of the best ways they can resist.
KEILAR: Yes, we're seeing that in small ways, too, in other places that have been harder hit. That's something that has struck me from the reports that we're seeing from our correspondents out there across Ukraine this morning.
That was a beautiful report, Berman. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
BERMAN: Thanks so much.
So, President Zelenskyy says Ukrainian troops have discovered Russian ceremonial uniforms. What that says about Russian plans for a quick victory. Plus, a school in Georgia surprising its head custodian with a touching display of solidarity for Ukraine.
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[07:47:32]
BERMAN: In a touching show of support, students and staff at an elementary school in Georgia surprised their head custodian, who is from Ukraine and still has dozens of family members here, by covering the hallways in drawings of sunflowers -- a symbol of hope here in Ukraine.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning, honey.
LANA GASHENKO, CUSTODIAN AT OAK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, COVINGTON, GEORGIA: Thank you. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And if you noticed we even have your family's name and stuff on some of this.
GASHENKO: Yes, thank you. I really do appreciate it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Oak Hill Elementary School head custodian Lana Gashenko joins us now. Lana, thank you so much for being with us.
What did it feel like when you saw all of that in the hallway?
GASHENSKO: It was really surprised me. You know, they really make a secret. They start doing before I left and I'm thinking what -- some kind of project they're doing. You know, elementary school -- they have a project. But at the morning, I was really shocked and I was really surprised.
Because war -- this is not like you read a book or you watch in some kind of movie. This is real. Real people dying and, you know, dying children. It's hard.
We just need prayer. And I'm just asking everybody to pray because God can change. God can stop this war because this is terrible.
KEILAR: Lana, I know you have so many family members still in Ukraine. We heard that in the video mentioned that your family members' names were on there. Can you tell us a little bit about them -- where they are and if you've been able to touch base with them?
GASHENKO: Yes. Usually, I'm doing like a once-a-week calling them and talk to them. They not really far from Kyiv. They are between Kyiv and Zhytomyr. They live in the country.
And right now, they can hear like neighbors is bombing but people who run away -- they come into their houses. They try to help and make a shelter for them. They -- sometimes, people run and don't have nothing -- nothing in hands. Just running to be alive, and they try help. And we try send some money, some clothes -- whatever we can do to help them.
[07:50:08]
And we ask just pray and pray and making sure God stop that.
BERMAN: Lana, I know it must be so hard for you.
GASHENKO: Right now, they OK but --
Yes.
BERMAN: Thank God they're OK.
I was just going to say I know how hard it must be for you. I know your heart must be here in Ukraine where I am. Your heart is here and, you know -- yet you're so far away. What's that been like?
GASHENKO: You know, I think my mind fight there, my heart fight there, but my Oak Hill family -- they help me. You know, kids in hallway -- they stop me, they hug, and they said Miss Lana, we praying for you. What do you -- what do you want to ask more when children -- this is elementary school -- they little. They don't understand but they hug you and they say they praying for you -- for your family. This is a lot mean to me.
KEILAR: And I imagine, Lana, you could be going through your day having a very different experience. Your family is someplace where you worry about their safety. And having those people who are not in that position telling you they're thinking of you gives you so much support as you're far away from your family.
GASHENKO: Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. They supported me. They have flag Ukrainian support, yes, and prayers.
BERMAN: You know -- you know, Lana, these kids may not fully understand what's happening in Ukraine but I'm sure they understand love and they understand caring. And they're proving that they are loving and caring and they're helping you along the way and it's so wonderful to see. It's also proof of how wonderful you must be to all of them.
So, thank you for being with us this morning. We are thinking of you as you and your country --
GASHENKO: Thank you.
BERMAN: -- goes through this.
GASHENKO: Thank you.
BERMAN: What a lovely gesture and how much a difference it can make.
Coming up, we do have breaking news here in Ukraine. The head of Ukraine's military intelligence is warning President Putin could be looking to carve the country in two, like North and South Korea.
Plus, Chris Rock says he's not going to press charges this morning after Will Smith hit him on stage at the Oscars. This has got to be one of the most stunning things that has ever happened at an awards show. We have much more information about what is developing with this, coming up.
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[07:56:20]
KEILAR: The spotlight on Supreme Court justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson has been intense. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman seated on the bench in the high court's 233-year history, breaking barriers and serving as an inspiration for many.
I want to bring in CNN's Adrienne Broaddus. I think part of last week, Adrienne, we lost a little sight of how historic this is, but it is an incredibly historic moment in the days ahead here.
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Brianna and Judge Jackson isn't only changing the image of justice, but the image of beauty.
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BROADDUS (voice-over): Unfolding on a small device --
KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, U.S. SUPREME COURT NOMINEE: My parents were public school teachers.
BROADDUS (voice-over): -- a big moment in America.
JACKSON: They gave me an African name, Ketanji Onyika, which they were told means lovely one.
BROADDUS (voice-over): The Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson capture Chicago stylist Portia Egbon --
PORTIA EGBON, CHICAGO STYLIST: That's empowerment. That's empowering.
BROADDUS (voice-over): -- and her client, Lauren Buford.
LAUREN BUFORD, ATTORNEY: Seeing her potentially become a justice is inspiring. To be able to see yourself and see what's possible.
REP. AYANNA PRESSLEY (D-MA): She is overqualified and this confirmation is overdue.
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): Not only will you make the court look more like America but hopefully, think more like America.
BROADDUS (voice-over): She thinks like other moms.
JACKSON: I've tried to navigate the challenges of juggling my career and motherhood and I fully admit that I did not always get the balance right. I love you so much.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Across the city --
ARLANDA DARKWA, OWNER, ACHOTI SALON: The acceptance that others are giving her just to be herself is just a beautiful thing.
BROADDUS (voice-over): -- admiration despite the grilling.
JACKSON: These are very horrible crimes and --
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Do you have anything to say about the test case? I'm asking you specifically about the test case.
SEN. JOSH HAWLEY (R-MO): So my question is do you regret it or not?
BROADDUS (voice-over): If confirmed, Jackson becomes the first Black woman serving as a justice.
IDA NELSON, MOTHER IN CHICAGO: It's almost like one of those kind of power to the people moments for all of the Black women who have been denied opportunities.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Ida Nelson --
NELSON: Did I get it right? Yes.
BROADDUS (voice-over): -- a parent advocate who sparked a new hair discrimination law in Illinois, says the judge's first name breaks barriers. NELSON: Each of my children had names based on whether or not it was going to pass the resume test. I was considering names that would look good on a resume or that would allow them to get a job.
She stands for the essence and the embodiment of blackness. I think what she symbolizes is the pride in embracing who you are.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Embracing what the salon can't change hasn't always been easy. Representative Iyanna Pressley gets it.
PRESLEY: She is wearing her hair in a style -- a protective style called sisterlocks. It's also incredibly an important and powerful statement.
DARKWA: Locks have been seen as negative for so long.
BUFORD: It's not just hair. I mean, I'm a woman who has practiced law for 15 years and in the beginning of my career, I wore my hair straight. Like, I wasn't able to be my authentic self in the workplace.
BROADDUS (voice-over): To understand requires walking in their shoes.
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): It's hard for me not to look at you and not see my mom. Not to see my cousins. I see my ancestors and yours.
BROADDUS (on camera): Is this about more than hair?
NELSON: Oh, absolutely.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Hair is essential to black culture and often misunderstood. And now, a reflection of themselves changing the image of justice and beauty.
BUFORD: Beauty and professionalism was basically just exemplified by fair skin, straight hair. And everybody who didn't look like that was breaking their neck to try to fit that mold. I just see a shifting in the tides and it's great to see.
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