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New Day

Train Station Attack in Ukraine; Biden to Speak with Zelenskyy; Monkeypox Spreading amongst Children; Extreme Rain in Southeast; United Airlines on Travel Mayhem. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired August 25, 2022 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Look, the pace of this back and forth has certainly accelerated. And, of course, it is notable, it's all taking place while the U.S. and Iran are engaged in a level of diplomacy, trying to restart the Iran nuclear deal.

Oren Liebermann, I know you're going to stay on this. Thanks so much for your reporting.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And, today, President Biden is going to be speaking with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to update him on a U.S. arms shipment and to talk about Ukrainian independence day, which was yesterday. This call is going to come after a Russian missile attack on a train station in southeastern Ukraine that killed 25 people at least including two children.

CNN's senior international correspondent David McKenzie joins us live from Kyiv.

David, what can you tell us, the latest that you're learning on the ground, about this train station attack?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kaitlan, this is certainly another hideous toll of this ongoing conflict. This train attack, several rockets, according to officials, striking the train, also striking residential areas in that part of eastern Ukraine in a small settlement. Now, at least two children are killed, an 11- year-old and a six-year-old, at least 25 people are killed and multiple injured.

It came on the day of the anniversary of the independence from the Soviet Union here and it put a very dark pal (ph) over that celebration here because we've been expecting rocket attacks because of an overall intelligence warning here in the country. Now, it also seems that Putin is trying to expand his propaganda efforts to have these show trials, as the State Department is calling it, in Russian occupied Ukraine. They've put cages up. They've hinted they may -- might start these trials soon for POWs. The State Department weighing in, saying about (INAUDIBLE) tribunals in Russian-controlled Mariupol against Ukraine's brave defenders. The Kremlin is attempting to deflect responsibility for President Putin's war of aggression. The embassy of Russia and Moscow - embassy of Russia in the U.S., I should say, is hitting back, saying that is unfair criticism by the U.S. and they want to prosecute these POWs.

Katelin.

COLLINS: That seems straight out of the Russian playbook.

And, David, President Biden and President Zelenskyy will speak today. I know the White House has been warning about Russia conducting these sham referendums. What are you expecting them to discuss today? What have you heard?

MCKENZIE: I think this is an important phone call at an important time because President Zelenskyy has warned in the recent days that he worries that the commitment of the international community, including the U.S., could wane as this war drags on.

Now, that certainly isn't the case in recent days as the White House announced up to $3 billion in military assistance to Ukraine for military hardware and training. But there is also this issue that he will discuss, I'm sure, with the president, which is that Russia is trying to put some kind of legal veneer on its occupied territory in these referendum -- you know, the show trials. The trials could be included in that overall issue.

The president here in Ukraine has said that any moves to try and codify territory will be a non-starter in terms of any kind of discussion with Russia for a ceasefire or an eventual agreement.

So, I think we are at an important phase of this conflict as Ukraine tries desperately to get more assistance and at least some allies might be tiring of this conflict.

Kaitlan.

COLLINS: Yes, that is a concern, western fatigue.

David McKenzie, thank you for that update. We'll stay tuned for more on that call between Zelenskyy and Biden.

BERMAN: And with us now is veteran foreign affairs correspondent Reena Ninan.

Reena, on that very subject, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in his independence day address to the Ukrainian people of what he called war fatigue. And he is clearly concerned that the international community will start tiring of the level of assistance.

REENA NINAN, FORMER ANCHOR, ABC NEWS AND CBS NEWS: Yes. The good news, especially in this talk with President Biden and Zelenskyy, is here in the U.S. support is still very strong. There was a University of Maryland polling that showed something up to 63 percent of Americans still support it.

But what David addressed in his report in Ukraine is so true. I think the big concern right now is coming out of Europe. Energy prices now are 16 percent higher than they were and we haven't even started winter yet. They're looking down the road and they know that they can't lose the support, particularly of their European allies.

Here in America, Americans are willing to continue supporting this, even if it means higher energy costs for Americans here. That's according to recent polling.

But our energy situation is not the same as Europe. And I think they're very conscious of that in Ukraine.

COLLINS: And especially with winter approaching, that's been a massive concern for the White House that that fatigue growing even stronger.

NINAN: Yes.

COLLINS: When it comes to these sham elections that the White House is warning could start any day now, and as David was saying there, it's kind of this veneer of some kind of legitimacy for this, that is basically what you've seen Russia do in the past. So, it's not really that surprising but it still could be impactful.

[06:35:00]

NINAN: You know what's so interesting to me, Kaitlan, is -- it's hard to believe -- but there's independent polling out of Moscow (INAUDIBLE). And what they've seen is support for president - for this war, 75 percent. Support for President Putin, equally as high.

So, when you look at the Russian community, they are really behind Putin on this war. And part of it is the psychology of it all. They believe this -- these areas are theirs and they should take it back and reclaim it. And Zelenskyy, in his speech, said - and really powerful. I mean he is really magnetic and able to really rally public sentiment. He said these missiles are not going to stop our will and what happened on February 24th was a rebirth of our nation.

And he has that support. I mean they've lost so much. Nine thousand people have been killed in Ukraine according to Ukrainian defense sources. And the fact that they are still able, despite the casualties, despite the loss, despite the situation to their military, they're still able to keep fighting. And that says everything about a country that's still struggling to maintain their independence.

BERMAN: The missiles are still falling.

NINAN: The missiles are still falling.

BERMAN: Of course, there was the hit on the train station, killed at least 25 people, and that's growing, obviously. Civilians being hit there. You know, and - and there's a sense among the Ukrainian people and U.S. officials and it's often on purpose when the Russians do this.

NINAN: Oh, yes.

BERMAN: And it gets to a question I asked Ned Price from the State Department yesterday, what's the line between survivability for Ukraine and victory? NINAN: Yes. And if you looked at Zelenskyy's speech yesterday, victory

is no short of -- not just maintaining what they have, but taking back what was already annexed from Russia, which is a huge bar.

BERMAN: Twenty percent.

NINAN: Yes. Yes. Something - 20 - 22 percent. It's really significant. And what you saw in David's report out in Ukraine, that sense there, the Ukrainians are very worried that the allies in Europe are going to back down, especially when the cost becomes harder for their public.

COLLINS: I want to ask you about the Iran deal and the idea that now it seems like they are closer than ever potentially to reaching a deal, which once seemed unlikely, and this idea that if a deal is reached and if the Iran deal is put back together that it could potentially help Russia evade sanctions.

NINAN: Yes.

COLLINS: We know we've heard that from some critics of the idea of this - if this deal happening again. Is that something that you think U.S. officials are concerned about?

NINAN: I think it's something Israel is concerned about. I think it's something that other countries as well are concerned about because you've set up this system to sort of block Russia and then now unfreezing these assets in Iran, allowing them greater mobility with their economic system, which is in tatters right now, that could be a problem because it gives them an out and sort of let's a little bit of the air out for them.

But that -- you're right, Kaitlan, that is a huge concern at this moment.

BERMAN: And, of course -- and this is all connected -- you can see the different tentacles of these world issues connecting with each other. This back and forth in Syria between the U.S. and Iranian-backed militias, it's accelerating. The back and forth is just getting very hot at this point.

NINAN: Yes. And you mentioned, John, there's this whole Iran nuclear deal being negotiated and this is still happening in spite. It just shows you how tensions are very high.

But this has long been a pressure point, right? When the Russians -- we're seeing their influence with Iran. These are Iranian backed militias. When they want to hit back at the U.S., it's constantly U.S. installations, targets, military in the Middle East that they can hit back on. This is something they've done for quite a long time and this is exactly what we're seeing.

And this was tough talk from the Pentagon. Not just tough talk, I should say action.

BERMAN: Yes.

NINAN: Action, saying it doesn't matter what we're negotiating, you're going to attack us, we're going to stand our ground and fire back.

BERMAN: Reena Ninan, great to see you this morning.

NINAN: Good to see you guys.

COLLINS: Thank you.

BERMAN: Thank you so much for coming in.

New concern about the possible spread of monkeypox in schools after an elementary student in Georgia tests positive.

COLLINS: And an update overnight when it comes to teachers in Columbus, Ohio, who are now heading back to the classroom as their strike has ended. We'll give you the details on why after dozens of meetings that's happening.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:42:52]

BERMAN: An elementary school student in Georgia has tested positive for monkeypox. So, with children across the country returning to school, how concerned should parents and school officials be about the virus possibly spreading?

CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard joins us now.

Jacqueline, what is the level of concern?

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: Well, John, I spoke with school superintendents and they said right now the level of concern is still low. And here's why. Across the nation there are more than 16,000 monkeypox cases, but among kids the number is 17 for children younger than age 15. So, you see here on the screen, six cases have been identified in children younger than five, seven in children ages six to 10 and four in children ages 11 to 15. That gives us a total of 17 nationwide. So, the message to parents is, there's no need to panic. The risk to kids is still low.

But on the school officials' side of the conversation, superintendents I spoke with said that they are keeping a close eye on cases in their counties. And they do have infectious disease protocols in case there is a case, an infection identified within their schools. And those protocols include disinfecting surfaces and, of course, contact tracing to see who an infected person has been in contact with.

And the message from parents, now this is from the National Association of School Nurses. They said parents who are concerned can take these steps, familiarize yourself with monkeypox symptoms, keep children home if they develop a fever and rash. But, keep in mind, several illnesses can cause a fever and rash, so talk to your child's doctor. Of course, if there is a case, avoid blaming or excluding that child based on fear or stigma.

And, finally, wash your hands. Clean and disinfect surfaces and maintain those healthy habits to keep you and your household safe.

But, overall, John, like I mentioned, the number of cases among kids thankfully is still low, but this is something school officials are watching closely.

BERMAN: Yes, very low. And some of the precautions parents are supposed to take, very familiar, what you should do any way.

HOWARD: Exactly.

BERMAN: Don't send your kid to school if he or she has a fever.

Jacqueline Howard, great to see you. Thank you.

[06:45:01]

COLLINS: New this morning, the teachers strike in Ohio's largest school district has just ended. Columbus teachers will go back to the classroom next Monday after the union and school board reached a tentative agreement early this morning ending the strike over what teachers said were miserable classroom conditions, not just for them but also for the students. Teachers described some of the schools as dilapidated with a lack of heating and air conditioning, leaving students sweating in the summer and shivering in the winter. Students started this first week of school remotely.

Uvalde school's police chief Pete Arredondo has also just been fired exactly three months after the Robb Elementary School massacre. We have details from inside the nearly 90-minute termination hearing, next.

BERMAN: Vanessa Bryant wins her lawsuit over pictures shared of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter's crash site. Her reaction to the verdict ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:50:05]

COLLINS: The relentless rain is not done soaking the southeast yet. Trust me, I'm aware, my family's been complaining about it almost every single day. And more storms are expected today, creating a very dangerous flood threat.

So, let's go to CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray, who is joining us live from rain-soaked Mississippi.

Jennifer, tell us what you're seeing there. Clearly a lot of rain that we don't really see an end in sight to yet.

JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right, Kaitlan. Jackson area has received about 10 inches of rain in the last three days, causing folks to have to release water from the reservoir behind me through this spillway, but do it at such a rate where they don't flood neighborhoods downstream. So, it is a very tricky process here.

This weather is brought to you by Safelite, your vehicle glass and recalibration experts.

So, let's get to the forecast because more rain is expected. Here is the radar and you can see showers and storms across southern Louisiana, southwestern Mississippi. That's going to continue throughout the day. The rain accumulation, you can see the highest amounts really farther south than Jackson. We are going to continue to get rain here, but I don't expect the rain totals that we have seen over the past couple of days.

However, there is a flood watch still in effect and a lot of that has to do with the spoils just being so saturated. Any additional rainfall, if you get a storm with two to three inches of rain within it, you're going to be in big trouble as far as the flash flooding goes. So, that's something to watch throughout the day.

Guys.

COLLINS: Absolutely. And we learned very clearly from what happened in Dallas just a few days ago.

GRAY: That's right.

COLLINS: Jennifer Gray, thank you for being there and try to stay as dry as you can. Thank you.

BERMAN: Those roads were crazy.

COLLINS: It's really bad. Well, it comes up very quickly. It's actually really scary because it's not always predictable.

BERMAN: Yes, two or three inches of rain an hour creates very dangerous conditions.

COLLINS: Yes.

Well, in addition to the weather, the cruel summer of frustrating travel logistics also is not over yet. We are talking about flight cancellations, lost baggage, no end in sight to either of those issues. CNN does have an exclusive interview with the CEO of United Airlines, next.

BERMAN: And a newly obtained email details just how long the National Archives has been trying to get Donald Trump to return documents. A long time. And it raises new questions about the former president's defenses.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:56:35]

BERMAN: If you have been traveling this summer, you know it has been tough to say the least. Airport and airline staffing shortages have led to thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

CNN's Pete Muntean spoke exclusively with the CEO of United Airlines about all of this. And Pete joins us now live from, what, a United hub, Denver International Airport.

Pete, how did this conversation go?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Labor Day is right around the corner, John. A big rush. And they're expecting really big numbers here at Denver International Airport, 2.6 million passengers on United Airlines alone. But, remember, this past Monday was one of the worst days for flight cancellations that we have seen in weeks.

So now the big question is whether or not the travel system is up to the task. So we got this exclusive look from United Airlines at what it is doing and we pressed CEO Scott Kirby for answers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MUNTEAN (voice over): Another week of air travel pain across the country is turning up the pressure on airlines to perform, with the Labor Day rush fast approaching. This past Monday alone, more than 1,400 flights were canceled nationwide, the fourth highest of the summer. Both Southwest and American Airlines delayed more than 40 percent of all their flights.

SYLVIA IBARRA, PASSENGER: Our flight was canceled.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yesterday.

IBARRA: Yesterday. Now we're back again today. It was canceled this morning. And now we're back again.

MUNTEAN: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says hiring here at its training center in Denver has made its pandemic recovery quicker than others. Since the start of this year, United has hired 1,500 new pilots in hopes of alleviating staffing shortages and canceled flights. In total, U.S. airlines have canceled more than 44,000 flights since June.

SCOTT KIRBY, CEO, UNITED AIRLINES: All airlines are not created equal.

MUNTEAN: In an exclusive interview, Kirby put some of the blame back on the federal government. Last week the Federal Aviation Administration said a shortage of air traffic controllers delayed flights into Newark, JFK and LaGuardia by up to two hours.

KIRBY: Frankly, the bigger challenges are not the airlines themselves, they're all the support, infrastructure around aviation that hasn't caught up as quickly.

MUNTEAN (on camera): Let me push back on that just a tiny bit because United has had 5,000 cancellation this summer. What do you say to somebody who does see this as an airline issue rather than some other cause.

KIRBY: Well, first, I would say, we're doing everything we can to get the airline running reliably. We know that's the most important thing for our customers. It's our number one priority. When the FAA says you can't land airplanes at the airport, you're going to have delays and cancelations.

MUNTEAN (voice over): Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg insists air traffic control issues do not account for many cancellation this summer. In a letter to airline executives, Buttigieg says the level of disruption Americans have experience this summer is unacceptable and is telling airlines to review their customer service commitments to passengers.

PETE BUTTIGIEG, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: I'm calling on the airlines to step up their game before we have to do even more.

MUNTEAN: For United, that starts with training that focuses on quality, something I got to try in a Boeing 737 simulator.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nice.

MUNTEAN (on camera): I feel like that was a little hard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, that was good.

CAPT. MIKE BONNER, UNITED AIRLINES PILOT: Our growth plan, the most aggressive growth plan of any airline in the history of aviation, is really the driver behind the need for our pilots.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MUNTEAN: I also asked Scott Kirby if he's feeling the pressure from passengers.

[07:00:01]

And he says customer satisfaction scores are going up, but they're not quite to where he wants them just yet.