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Witkoff Meets With Putin In Moscow; DOJ And Khalil's Lawyers Spar Over Arrest Warrant; George Santos To Be Sentenced For Fraud. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired April 25, 2025 - 10:00   ET

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[10:00:35]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news pushing for a peace deal, US Envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The late reporting and the crucial next steps as Russia slams Ukraine overnight with yet another round of deadly strikes.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And "said in jest" in a brand new interview, President Trump now claiming he was exaggerating with his campaign promises to end the war in Ukraine on day one. And in a shocking reversal of a decade of US policy, Trump says the illegally annexed Crimea by Russia will stay with Russia.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown and you're in the SITUATION ROOM.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking news.

BLITZER: Now we begin with the breaking news. A key moment in a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, meeting in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin. Their face to face talks come just hours after Russia unleashed another very deadly round of strikes across Ukraine. Those attacks coming despite President Trump's social media plea to the Russian leader, he said, and I'm quoting now, "Vladimir, stop." We're following all the late breaking developments.

CNN's Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen is in Moscow, CNN's Alayna Treene is over at the White House. Fred, what do we know first of all about this very important meeting in Moscow where you are?

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Wolf. Well, we know the meeting has been going on for more than two-and-a- half hours now, obviously taking place there inside the Kremlin. If we look at the video of Vladimir Putin meeting with the President's adviser, Steve Witkoff, then we see that it's a very warm atmosphere. Vladimir Putin actually greeting Steve Witkoff in English.

But one of the things that we can also see is that while Vladimir Putin has two senior negotiators, with him being Kirill Dmitriev, who's the head of the Russian direct investment fund, and then also the key senior Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, Steve Witkoff does not have any senior officials, US Officials with him. Now, the Russians are saying that they also want an agreement. They want a ceasefire deal for Ukraine. But they also say that they are not going to sign on to anything that would hurt Russia's national interests.

The Russians are saying they believe that things are on a good way, that there is progress being made. But they also say that there are still key details, as they put it, that need to be worked out, Wolf.

BLITZER: What can you tell us, Fred, about a senior Russian general being killed at a car blast?

PLEITGEN: Yes. You know what, this happened in a suburb of Moscow called Balashikha earlier today. And the Russians are saying that this general was walking past a car in that area when a bomb inside that car blew up. The Russians are saying that around 300 grams of TNT appear to have been used.

Now, this is a very senior Russian general, we have to point out. He's one of the deputy directors of the Russian general staff. So certainly someone who's also very close to the decision making as far as what Russia still calls its special military operation in Ukraine is concerned.

The Russian investigators say that right now they are obviously still on the scene. They're treating this as murder at the moment. But of course, this is not the first time that a senior Russian general has been killed in Moscow or the vicinity of Moscow. In fact, in December, another senior Russian general was killed also by a bomb as well. Back then the Russians blamed that on the Ukrainians.

Again right now, the investigation here still in the very early stages, Wolf.

BLITZER: I will watch it unfold. Fred Pleitgen in Moscow for us. Thank you very much. Pamela?

BROWN: And, Wolf, sources tell CNN the President is becoming more and more frustrated with how difficult it is to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. And this morning we're getting a glimpse of that in a new interview with Time magazine. CNN's Alayna Treene is at the White House.

So, Alayna, the President has made headlines with some of his comments to time. Walk us through some of the main ones.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, I think the main things, particularly when it relates to this potential deal between Russia and Ukraine, is exactly what the President views that deal looking like. And this is what he told Time. He said, "Crimea will stay with Russia." He also added that he thinks what caused the war to start is, "was when they started talking about joining NATO," obviously referring to Ukraine.

Now, of course, these comments in line with some of what he said yesterday, where he said one of the biggest concessions that Russia would be giving up would be stopping the war altogether and not taking over the entire country. I mean, these types of comments are not the type of comments that Ukraine and the United States, European allies, have been wanting to hear.

[10:05:13]

And it doesn't really ease their concerns that perhaps President Donald Trump is willing to give away more than they are when it comes to dealing with Russia. But look, we also have some new reporting today, Pamela, about how the President is feeling about this behind the scenes. And you're exactly right.

We're told that he's been frustrated behind closed doors and telling some of his advisers that this deal has been harder to negotiate than he had anticipated. And we're kind of starting to see some of that frustration boil over as the 100 day mark is quickly approaching. And that's really the deadline that he's told his team he wanted one of these -- this deal done by.

BROWN: And he also talked about relations with Iran. What did he say?

TREENE: He did. He made some news on Iran. One is that he said that he would be open to meeting with Iran's supreme leader. He also made it very clear that he's confident the United States can reach a deal with Iran to try and create some sort of nuclear deal to avoid them from building up their nuclear facility.

But one very key moment in that interview was when he said that he wouldn't let Israel drag him into a war with Iran, but that he would go willingly if a deal is not made, essentially saying he is very much willing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities if this deal is not struck. Pamela?

BROWN: All right. Alayna Treene, thank you so much, Wolf?

BLITZER: And there's more breaking news this hour. This month's consumer sentiment report has just been released. It's an indication of how Americans are feeling about the US economy on President Trump's on again, off again trade war.

Let's go to CNN Business and Politics Correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich who's watching all of this unfold. Vanessa, break down this latest report for us.

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Consumer sentiment fell for the fourth straight month, plunging 8.4 percent from March. And these readings really came out and the sentiment that this survey was picking out from picking up from the University of Michigan was right around when President Trump launched this trade war in April.

So there was a decline in current sentiment about where the economy is right now. But we saw the steepest declines in how people were feeling about the future. People said that they felt very nervous about their future outlook about their personal economy, and then the larger economy. Since January, sentiment has declined by 32 percent in terms of future expectations, that's the steepest three-month drop since the recession of 1990. People are concerned about the labor market, trade policy and what is

going on with the overall economy. This report notes that spending is unlikely to remain strong amid these numerous warning signs that consumers are seeing. And that is important because consumer spending makes up about 70 percent of US GDP. And often how people are feeling is a reflection of how they're going to spend.

People also were very nervous about inflation in this report still, even after the President announced that he was rolling back some of these reciprocal tariffs. The highest reading we've seen since 1981, people feeling very nervous about where inflation is heading right now, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Vanessa Yurkevich reporting for us. Vanessa, thank you very much. Pamela?

BROWN: Well, it's happening now. Court documents revealing the Justice Department and lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil are sparring over whether a warrant was needed when federal agents arrested the Columbia University graduate last month.

So let's go live to CNN's Gloria Pazmino. What are the two sides saying, Gloria?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDEN: Yes, Pamela. And it's important to remember that the reason that they're having this back and forth attorneys for the Department of Justice and Khalil's attorneys is because they are still working to have him released from detention. It was several days ago that an immigration judge in Louisiana found that Khalil is deportable.

Now, his attorneys are appealing that decision. But meanwhile, over in New Jersey, there is another federal case that is unfolding where his attorneys are challenging the legality of his detention attention and also seeking his release on bail. So now we are seeing in court documents that were filed in the court late yesterday in New Jersey that there's been a back and forth about whether or not immigration officers needed to have a warrant in order to execute that arrest that we're watching there.

And the Department of Justice is saying they did not need a warrant. And the reason for that is because they had determined that Khalil was a flight risk. Now, his attorneys have taken issue with that description of Khalil, given the video which shows that he cooperated with immigration officers, that he did not resist arrest, and did not show him attempting to flee.

This is all going to be likely considered by a federal judge in New Jersey as he weighs whether or not to issue a decision on a motion to have Khalil released on bail.

BROWN: All right. Gloria, thank you so much. Wolf?

[10:10:00] BLITZER: Happening now in New York, the expelled Republican congressman George Santos is in court and could be sentenced at any minute. Santos pleaded guilty last year to federal fraud charges. CNN's Brynn Gingras is outside the court. She's there this morning with the latest.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf and Pam, we're expecting the disgraced former congressman to go

in front of the judge for the sentencing any moment now. We do have somewhat of a glimpse of what we could expect at today's hearing based on court filings from both sides. Now, federal prosecutors are asking for 87 months behind bars for Santos after he pled guilty to the crimes you guys mentioned last year. They say in a court filing, he has really shown no remorse for what he has done to these victims and for the general public.

Now after they made that filing, Santos actually made his made some comments on X, a number of comments railing against the Department of Justice. And prosecutors followed up with those comments essentially saying this just proves that he shows no remorse and that he actually believes he's a victim in this case. They also mentioned in that in those filings that he has shown no way of paying back the money that is owed more than a half a million dollars.

Now in their own filings from the defense and George Santos himself, he says they want two years, the minimum sentence for the crimes that he pled guilty to. He also said he is trying to pay back that money, saying he's liquidated some personal assets, he's reduced his living expenses and he has really tried to make up some of that money. He also says don't expect today to hear from any family members victim letters in his favor. He says he takes this on himself.

So we will see what happens inside that courtroom. And it should be noted that the judge in this case could actually remand Santos after the sentencing happens or she could set a later date for him to report to prison. So we'll be on the lookout for that.

But it could happen any minute now. We'll get back to you with what she decides. Pam, Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right. Brynn Gingras reporting for us. Brynn, thank you very much. Pamela?

BROWN: Also happening today, Wolf, Luigi Mangione is expected to appear in a Manhattan federal courtroom to enter a plea in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione is facing charges including stalking and murder with which could send him to prison for life or to death row.

CNN's Kara Scannell is outside the courthouse. Kara, what are you seeing so far this morning?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Pam, we're already seeing some supporters of Luigi Mangione lining up outside the courthouse to get inside. There's only about a dozen or so of them there now. One of them, according to a court official, was here as early as 5:00 am all to try to get a glimpse of Mangione and a seat in the court room when he is arraigned later today, a few hours from now.

So, Mangione will come in. He will enter a plea to these federal charges, including charges of stalking, a firearm offense and murder through the use of a firearm. It's that charge that makes this case death penalty eligible. And the Justice Department overnight filing in court their official notice, that they intend to seek the death penalty in this case. They say it is justified because this alleged murder was -- the murder was by Mangione was intentional.

And they also say that it was done partially with the future goal of trying to rally political and social opposition to the health care industry. And part of that being these dozens of supporters that show up. And we expect this crowd to grow as we get closer to the arraignment time a few hours from now.

Now, Magione's lawyers have said that they think the Justice Department seeking the death penalty is barbaric and a political stunt. Mangione is also facing New York state murder charges. He has pleaded not guilty to those we expect him to plead not guilty today. Pam?

BROWN: All right, Kara, thank you so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: Canada has found an unusual unifying force right now, namely Donald Trump. Anger toward the president is bringing together Canadians from all parties just ahead of Monday's national election. Voters will decide if the Liberal Party remains in control or if Conservatives will take over.

CNN's Paula Newton is joining us from Ottawa right now. Paula, the polls are tightening just ahead of Monday's election. What more can you tell us?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, they are. But front and center for a lightning fast campaign, I should say, Wolf, five weeks it is Donald Trump who yet again both Wednesday from the Oval Office and again in that Time magazine interview says that he is absolutely serious about Canada becoming the 51st state. This is, of course, all part of this trade war that Donald Trump has ongoing.

What's happened here, Wolf, is something I have not seen in all my years of covering elections, is that this has become a central essentially a test of patriotism. Canadians looking to the right leader, that's what they're telling pollsters to decide which leader, Pierre Poilievre, essentially the leader of the Conservative Party, or Mark Carney, the former central banker who's took over for Justin Trudeau and the Liberals. Which of these two leaders would best to really, and I have to use the word here, fight Donald Trump on his threats to take away Canadian sovereignty.

[10:15:06]

Election on Monday, Wolf, already record turnout at advance polls, a lot of interest. BLITZER: Yes, very important indeed. Paula Newton in Ottawa for us,

thank you very much. And we'll all be watching the election results with keen interest.

And as someone who grew up in Buffalo, New York, right along the border with Canada, my family and I often spent a lot of time traveling to Canada, going across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo into Ontario. I was in Niagara Falls over the weekend, went from the US side of Niagara Falls to the Canadian side. It was a very powerful moment.

On the US side, this is on the Buffalo side of the Niagara River. Look at this, Pamela. The US and Canadian flags were flying both strong and tall. And it was a very important moment for me to see the United States and Canada working together, even though on the US side of Niagara Falls, people were saying to me that there's been a great big drop in tourism in people coming from the Canadian side to the US side since Trump made his comments about Canada.

And when I was in Niagara Falls, you know, on the Canadian side, people were saying they were really upset at the US that they were going to start boycotting trips to the United States because of Trump. But to see those flags flying straight up together was very moving for me.

BROWN: It's very powerful. And it's frankly sad that's what you were hearing, you know, on the border. And the fact that Carney himself says the relationship between the US and Canada is no longer what it was. So, of course, we hope that changes because Canada has been a close ally.

BLITZER: So many Canadians on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls were saying, when I walked around Niagara Falls in Canada, we're saying, why does Trump keep saying that Canada is going to be the 51st state? Why does he call the prime minister of Canada governor? They think it was just insulting to the Canadian people and they were very upset.

BROWN: Yes, that's not a surprise for sure.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: All right. Thank you, Wolf. And still ahead, going up against international law is the Trump administration's framework for a deal between Russia and Ukraine even legal.

BLITZER: And later, the democratic discourse on full display right now, what David Hogg's future could mean for the party. Stay with us, lots going on here in the SITUATION ROOM.

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[10:21:41]

BROWN: And back to our breaking news this morning. President Trump saying in a new interview with Time magazine that, "Crimea will stay with Russia." Those comments reverse a decade of US policy and are sending shockwaves around the globe. Russia illegally annexed Crimea back in 2014.

BLITZER: Yes. CNN's Chief National Security Correspondent Alex Marquardt is here with us in the situation. Alex, explain why this comment is so significant both in terms of US policy and international law for that matter?

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Because it's another major concession by the US. It is the US saying that Russia has a right to Crimea. And this is the kind of card that you keep in your back pocket during negotiations in order to get concessions out of the Russians. Yet, we now know that the only concession the US wants from the Russians is to simply stop the war. Not give back any territory or do more, but simply stop the fighting.

Guys, this goes against international law in that Crimea was taken by force back in 2014. I was there. It was one of the most remarkable stories I've ever covered. Russia taking this entire peninsula basically without firing a shot. It goes against what's known as the 1994 Budapest Memorandum in which the US recognized Ukrainian sovereignty and its borders in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons.

It goes against norms. It goes against what the first Trump administration, back in 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that they were rejecting the Kremlin's claim against of Crimea. So in practical terms, it probably doesn't mean all that much. It gives more heft to this Kremlin claim, and it separates the US from its key European allies, who will certainly not follow suit in recognizing Crimea as Russian.

BROWN: Of course, because of the concern of the precedent that that would set, right? And the timing is also notable because you have US envoy, Steve Witkoff, meeting with Vladimir Putin this morning. And this comes after Putin launched two major attacks on Ukraine, one on Kyiv and then you saw the president come out and say, Putin stop, and then another major attack after that. What message does this send?

MARQUARDT: Well, Putin continues to flout Donald Trump, who has not shown any inclination of applying any kind of real pressure or punishment for this continued Russian action. We now have Witkoff in Moscow today for these critical meetings. They're going to be trying to get the Russians to get to agree to some kind of truce, some kind of cease fire to agree to this framework that has been laid out.

But we've also heard from Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, who says that, yes, we're working towards a deal, but it needs to be fine tuned. And if you watch the Russians, that's essentially doublespeak for we're going to continue dragging our feet. We're going to continue stretching this out.

So while the US has made major demands of the Ukrainians in terms of handing over territory and not joining NATO, not having US Troops in Ukraine, they really aren't making any real demands of the Russians. So there's a major fear among Ukrainians and Europeans, I've spoken to a number of European officials lately who are worried, that Witkoff is going to come out of this meeting with Putin. Putin will have told him, well, these are, this is what we're insisting on.

And Witkoff will agree with him and take that message back to Trump and the Ukrainians will be the real loser here. And we've seen Witkoff and Trump sympathize with the Russian position in the past. So it's a major concern for Ukraine.

BLITZER: There was another really important statement that Trump made in this new Time magazine interview when he said Ukraine probably was almost certainly responsible for starting the war by even talking about the possibility of joining NATO down the road at some point.

[10:25:12]

Ukraine was invaded by Russia. Russia started the war. Let's just be precise on that. But this is a statement that Trump made that's going to anger a lot of people, not only in Ukraine, but also among the Ukrainian allies.

MARQUARDT: Yes, it really is extraordinary. And at this point, it's something that unfortunately, the Ukrainians and the Europeans have gotten used to, and that we have heard Trump in the past say that it was Ukraine's fault. He has called Zelenskyy a dictator. He said that Ukraine started the war.

Lately, we saw him admitting that it was actually the Russians start the war, but here in black and white, yet again insisting that it was Ukraine in trying to get closer to NATO, trying to join NATO, that prompted this war, essentially provoking Russia. Guys, that is the most Russian of talking points. And it really does drive home the point that the Americans, this Trump administration is trying to appease the Russians in order to get to some kind of peace deal.

But it is so important to emphasize that of course, it was not the Ukrainians who started this war. It was back in February 2022 when those Russian troops marched across the border. And we have seen time and time again the frustration, the anger, the demands for concessions being mainly directed at the Ukrainians rather than the Russians.

BLITZER: Important points. Excellent analysis, Alex. Thanks very much.

BROWN: Thank you, Alex.

MARQUARDT: Thank you.

BROWN: And coming up right here in the SITUATION ROOM, President Trump standing by his defense secretary. But could Pete Hegseth spell political trouble for him? That's next.

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