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The Brief with Jim Sciutto
CNN International: Israel Strikes Syria's Military Headquarters in Damascus; Russia Launching Hundreds of Drones in Ukraine; Trump Unlikely to Fire Jerome Powell; Epstein Files Triggers Split in Trump's Base; Latvia Sends Military Aid to Ukraine; Trump Says U.S. Will Stick to 25 Percent Tariff on Japan. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired July 16, 2025 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
ERICA HILL, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from around the world. I'm Erica Hill in for Jim Sciutto. Jim
will be joining us in just a moment from the Aspen Security Forum. You're course watching "The Brief."
Ahead here this hour, Israel serious military headquarters in Damascus, as the U.S. says it is working to put an end to the fighting. Russia launching
hundreds of drones at key regions in Ukraine, including President Zelenskyy's hometown. And President Trump downplaying talks of a trade deal
with Japan. I'll speak with the CEO of Japanese drinks giant Suntory.
We do begin though this hour with the day of deadly Israeli airstrikes in the Syrian capital of Damascus and the Trump administration's efforts to
diffuse the crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio writing on X, we have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying
situation to an end tonight.
A Syrian broadcaster was live on the air, as you see in this footage here, when those attacks began. Israel says the strikes were in support of
Syria's minority Druze community, which of course has come under attack from Syrian government forces in the southern part of the country. Here's
Jeremy Diamond now with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Israeli bombs rock the Syrian capital of Damascus, striking the defense ministry in an
area near the presidential palace. At least three people were killed and 34 injured in the strikes, according to the country's health ministry.
The defense headquarters suffering a serious blow, but the true cost of these strikes may not yet be known. Threatening to derail new U.S. brokered
security talks between Israel and Syria.
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We think we're on our way towards a real de-escalation and then hopefully get back on track in helping Syria
build a country and arriving at a situation there in the Middle East that's far more stable.
DIAMOND (voice-over): The attacks came after days of clashes in Syria's southern city of Suwayda, between Bedouin tribes and the Druze community, a
religious minority whose members also live in Israel and Lebanon.
Dozens of people have been killed in the clashes in recent days. Syrian troops soon entered Suwayda with the government saying it was looking to
stop the violence. But some Druze leaders saw the approach of government forces as a threat. And so, did Israel, which struck approaching Syrian
tanks, rocket launchers and trucks carrying weapons, saying it was acting to prevent a massacre against the Druze.
But Israel isn't just striking to protect the Druze.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We are committed to keeping Southwestern Syria a demilitarized zone.
DIAMOND (voice-over): Israeli troops captured this buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli occupied Golan Heights after the fall of the Assad
regime last year. But Israel has also demanded Syrian troops remain out of Southern Syria altogether.
In Israeli-held Golan Heights, the large Syrian Druze community here is deeply impacted by attacks on the Druze in Suwayda.
FAEZ SHKEIR, ISRAELI DRUZE: My wife is in Syria. My uncles are from Syria, and my family is in Syria in Suwayda. I don't like to see them being
killed. They kicked them out of their homes. They robbed and burned their houses, but I can't do anything. It's very hard on me.
DIAMOND (voice-over): That sense of helplessness, driving hundreds of Druze to take matters into their own hands, pouring across an Israeli security
fence and into the Syrian buffer zone on the road to Suwayda.
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Ukraine says Russia launched 400 drones to target cities across Ukraine overnight. Those areas include President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's
hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Ukrainian military says it intercepted or disabled about 350 of those drones. Take a look here at some of the aftermath
though. This from an attack in the Donetsk region that came later on Wednesday. The Ukrainian governor says at least two people were killed and
nearly 300 -- 30, rather, others injured in a Russian strike on a shopping center. Here's more from President Zelenskyy.
[18:05:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): This just a terrible, stupid Russian terror. There is no military sense in their
attacks, only an attempt to take as many lives as possible. The whole of today's Russia is about such vile attacks. We will respond. We will work
with our partners to force Russia to end the war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Moscow's latest attacks, of course, come on the heels of recent comments from the White House where President Trump said Ukraine will be
receiving those Patriot missile systems, the batteries in a new configuration that will actually run through NATO allies. He also, of
course, talked about that 50 days that he is giving Russia to agree to a peace deal or he threaten to impose tariffs and additional sanctions.
Jim Sciutto, as I noted, is live at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado this week. And, Jim, I know you have much more, not just on this, but a
number of important stories specifically affecting the security community.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF U.S. SECURITY ANALYST: Thanks so much, Erica. So, many officials from the U.S. and around the world here in Aspen
discussing the issues currently rocking global stability from the Middle East to Ukraine and beyond.
I'm joined now by the former director of the CIA, David Petraeus. We appreciate you coming on the show.
GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS (RET.), FORMER CIA DIRECTOR AND U.S. ARMY (RET.): Good to be with you, Jim.
SCIUTTO: So, if we could begin with the Israeli strikes in Damascus. How much of a threat are these strikes, in your view, to the tenuous quiet that
we've seen in Syria in recent weeks and months?
PETRAEUS: Well, I think they're really part and parcel of the real challenges that the new Syria faces, where this government in Damascus has
to reckon with all of the elements of the Middle East, all the fault lines, the ethnic, sectarian, tribal, and so forth, run through Syria.
The Druze in this case who are contiguous to the Israeli controlled area, they're of concern to the Israelis, the government forces trying to impose
more control on them. They've often had autonomy over the years. Again, it's a very small Shia offset. Maybe 700,000, 800,000 there, some more in
Jordan and Israel. And so, this a case that is going to have to be repeated many times throughout Syria, which is to figure out what is the modus
vivendi going to be? How are we all going to get along together? And there are numerous such cases.
Again, this a government that we want to succeed. We want to see them form a government that is representative of all, again, of these ethnic
sectarian and tribal elements with minority rights, not just majority rule. But it lays out the magnitude of the challenges that face the new Syrian
government.
SCIUTTO: During your command in Afghanistan, you fought against groups very much like the one the current leader of Syria used to lead in Syria, do you
believe the U.S. can build a lasting relationship with his government, given his background?
PETRAEUS: I think it's actually possible. Actually, it's even more than that. He was in detention in our facility when I was commanding the surge
in Iraq, and then did have an affiliation with ISIS then broke away. Al- Qaeda broke away. Then HTS, again, a heavily Islamist.
But again, he has said the right things. I think everyone wants to give him every opportunity to succeed. And that's what's going on right now. But
Israel's going to get his attention as they did today with this strike on the ministry of defense. You can't impose yourself overly much. And that's
the kind of situation they'll have this up with elements that are affiliated with the Turks, with the Syrian Democratic forces, the Kurds
that we are still enabling up in Northeastern Syria. And we can draw many, many other locations where this will be the case.
SCIUTTO: I suppose, add to Syria -- although it was already, add Syria to the list. Quite a long list of where Israel can strike with relative
freedom now, including inside Lebanon, against Hezbollah, inside Gaza, against Hamas.
PETRAEUS: In Iran.
SCIUTTO: And Iran, of course.
PETRAEUS: Yes.
SCIUTTO: Can you describe that shift?
PETRAEUS: Yes. Look --
SCIUTTO: In just a few months' time?
PETRAEUS: Yes, yes. Look, I think what 7 October did is change the entire Israeli strategic mindset, and I'm not sure we all completely understand
that yet. They will never allow a real threat, not just in their neighborhood to manifest itself, but in the region itself and against Iran.
I think we'd all like to see nuclear talks succeed with Iran where they can enrich and there's good inspection and so forth from the International
Atomic Energy Association. If that doesn't take place, and if Israel sees something that worries it, it's going to strike.
It has air supremacy. Iran is not going to be able to reassemble an air and ballistic missile defense, such as they had prior to the Israeli strikes on
it. The Russians certainly don't have any assistance to spare. So, they're in a very tough position. And Israel, if it needs to, I'm sure, will not
hesitate to take further action.
SCIUTTO: Do you see circumstances under which President Trump, that the U.S. might strike Iran again?
PETRAEUS: I certainly wouldn't rule it out, and I think he would not rule it out because he wants that threat to be there in the background to try to
get them to the table to agree to the kind of restrictions that should be placed on their nuclear enrichment, i.e., no nuclear enrichment. You want
to do atomic energy power generation, we will give it to you, this kind of thing.
[18:10:00]
And then, it's very important to have the inspection rights. No restrictions, that the IAEA can go anywhere, anytime without limit.
SCIUTTO: A word now about Ukraine. You've long been a supporter of robust U.S. support for Ukraine's defense, and we saw in recent days, President
Trump says that he will continue for now U.S. military support for Ukraine. Do you believe that this a lasting change from President Trump?
PETRAEUS: You know, I think so. I hope so. I think it's very, very important statement. And I don't really even care what mechanism gets the
U.S. assistance to Ukraine, whether it's through NATO coming, however. We work out the accounting and all the rest of that.
But keep in mind that the U.S. has not only provided the most security assistance, although the E.U. and other European countries have provided
more in aggregate, if you take other categories, it's the source of the most important of the air and ballistic missile interceptors for the
Patriot system.
And were they to run out of those, Ukraine would be truly battered. It's getting hit very, very hard. Recent weeks have seen the highest numbers in
history of this war of combination of drones and missiles of various types. We need to ensure that they can continue to intercept these missiles.
SCIUTTO: To that point then, given the severity of those strikes recently, and they've been severe for three years, but they have definitely amped up.
Is 50 days too long of a deadline for the U.S. and for President Trump to impose on Putin?
PETRAEUS: I think it's a reasonable deadline as long as we're providing the assistance in the meantime. That's the real key. Again, it shouldn't wait
until that. I think 50 days, OK, we see if there's one last chance for someone who the president seems to realize has been playing us, and then
start to impose the much more severe sanctions, the secondary sanctions on those who support Russia and so forth. And that would be great. And I'd
like to see the seizure of the $300 billion of frozen Russian assets in European banks just given to Ukraine to enable them to make even more
drones.
They'll make 3.5 million drones this year is the estimate. I asked the Ukrainian commander a couple of months ago when I was in the country, how
many drones did you employ against the Russians yesterday? And he said, 7,000. Do the math. It's just amazing. And of course, they're into Russia
every single night as well.
The airport -- the main airport at Moscow has been shut down many days in recent weeks because of the drone threat.
SCIUTTO: Yes, we're seeing the dawn of drone warfare in Ukraine.
PETRAEUS: Very much so.
SCIUTTO: General David Petraeus, thanks so much for joining.
PETRAEUS: Great to be with you, Jim.
SCIUTTO: And, Erica, you get a sense there of the number of topics that are dominating the discussion here. Ukraine, certainly at the top of the list.
America's broader position in the world, security infrastructure of Europe, but also continuing to watch the Middle East very closely.
HILL: Yes, absolutely, Jim. Really appreciate it. We'll continue to check in with you, of course, throughout the hour.
We are also closely following developments in Washington concerning Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after the U.S. president said, it is highly
unlikely he'll actually fire Powell. But the statement, it's important to note, comes on the heels of new reporting that the president had informally
polled some Republican lawmakers on that very idea Tuesday night. He was then asked about it Wednesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I don't rule out anything, but I think it's highly unlikely, unless he has to leave fraud. I mean, it's possible
there's fraud involved with the $2.5, $2.7 billion renovation. This a renovation. How do you spend $2.7 billion? And he didn't have proper
clearance, et cetera, et cetera. So, you know, that's going on. So, you know, there could be something to that, but I think he's not doing a good
job. He's got a very easy job to do. You know what he has to do? Lower interest rates.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Now, for context, there is no evidence Powell has committed fraud. That would be the one of the only ways that President Trump could legally
fire him. A reminder, he can't oust Powell simply because he doesn't agree with the Fed chair when it comes to interest rates.
President Trump, of course, appointed Jerome Powell to this role as Fed chair. That happened during Trump's first term, although he was publicly
criticizing Powell as early as 2020. And the ire has continued with the president's push for the Central Bank to lower interest rates. Donald
Trump, of course, had also promised to lower those rates during the 2024 campaign, but once again, important to note, it's the Fed that makes that
decision independently.
Phil Mattingly is joining us now from Washington. So, Phil, there was a fair amount of public backlash today at the idea of firing Powell from some
Republican senators, including a warning that this would actually crash the markets. Is there a sense in Washington that some of these more public
comments are coming too in an effort to make sure the president hears them?
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CHIEF U.S. DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENT: There's no question about it. I also think you can go back to JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimond's
public comments during his earnings call yesterday. And this actually connects a couple threads here that I think are really important.
If you think back over the course of this administration, I know it's been a long six months and certainly no shortage of interesting news throughout
that six months.
[18:15:00]
The one thing that -- on the economic side of things caused the president to completely reverse course on one of the kind of central cornerstone
items of his economic agenda was the markets, leading up to Trump's decision to pause those Liberation Day tariffs as he did. Jamie Diamond was
on Fox Business the morning before and made very clear the risks that he viewed were almost certain to kind of consume the market if Trump did not
put in place a pause. That mattered at the time, I was told.
Trump advisers saying that Trump saw that, it registered with him. Very shortly thereafter, the bond market getting really jittery was kind of the
final straw that made him decide to pause. This a moment where the public comments, particularly from people like Senate Majority Leader John Thune,
from bankers that Trump respects like Jamie Dimon, they matter. They certainly are funneled into things, but so too does the market.
And I think if you're thinking about the things that forced Trump to change his preconceived notions or maybe his kind of most radical ideas, and I
don't mean that in a critical manner, I just mean it in a -- these aren't things that have been tried before, the market and people he respect
saying, maybe don't do that, are often the only two things that really carry the day, particularly in this second administration.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. I also want to talk to you about this issue of the Epstein files, right? We know the president would really like this story to
go away, sort of working overtime, it would seem, to try to downplay it. And yet, he was asked about it again today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: It is all been a big hoax. It's perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so
they try and do the Democrat's work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: So, that's what we're hearing from the president again on Wednesday. Although for a number of years, of course, Epstein was a major focus for
the president and also for his supporters. Here's just a reminder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: A lot of people think that he was killed. He knew a lot on a lot of people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was killed. I think.
TRUMP: Do you think so? Yes, I'd be inclined to do the Epstein. I'd have no problem with it.
J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: Seriously, we need to release the Epstein list. That is an important thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: So, in terms of where we stand politically at this point, Phil, I mean, how significant is the fallout here for the president and potentially
for his party?
MATTINGLY: You know, I am always -- I think I learned probably around November of 2016 to be very cautious about trying to sketch out what I
think is going to happen based on past precedent or history or anything. And with President Trump, that's certainly the case because he seems almost
like immune to karmic backlash on some level.
I was talking to a Republican senator about that the other day, and this has been the first time where I've seen him tell his base explicitly, we
are moving on. This not something we're dealing with anymore. I am done with it. And see really critical voices who have never kind of demonstrated
a shred of non-loyalty come back at him and say, oh, no, no, we're still here and we're not going anywhere.
Now, I don't know what this means from the broader coalition going forward perspective, but what I do know is that the president's kind of superpower
has been his ability to take issues where he almost seems to run into the fire and then manage to get out of the fire and bring everybody with him
whenever he feels like it. This has -- that hasn't been the case on this.
And I think the degree to which this an animating feature, not the only, but a critical animating feature of certain elements of his base, and
probably more importantly, really critical voices of his base has made it very difficult to do so. He's not putting this to bed and it doesn't seem
like he's going to put it to bed anytime soon.
And how that plays out given his ability to turn the page on things, I think is a very new moment and environment for him to be in and will be
fascinating to watch in the days ahead.
HILL: Yes, it really is because what he does do so effectively, to your point, is get everybody to fall in line and to listen when he says, go,
when he says stop. And clearly, it's not happening. Phil, always good to talk to you, my friend. Thank you.
MATTINGLY: Yes.
HILL: Just ahead here. After the break, Latvia supplies military equipment to Ukraine to defend against Russia's invasion. And you'll hear from
Latvia's foreign minister who says her country still stands with Kyiv in deeds as well as words.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:20:00]
SCIUTTO: NATO ally Latvia has announced the shipment of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, part of its continued commitment to Ukraine's defense.
The Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have been some of Ukraine's biggest defenders since Russia's full-scale invasion in February,
2022.
Joining me now to discuss that commitment, the future of the war in Ukraine is Latvia's foreign minister, Baiba Braze. Thanks so much for taking the
time.
BAIBA BRAZE, LATVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Thanks for having me.
SCIUTTO: First, I wonder, you've been observing the -- President Trump's changes of approach to Ukraine. Most recently, he says, U.S. weapon
shipments will continue to Ukraine going forward, particularly air defenses. Do you see that as a lasting change from the U.S. president?
BRAZE: I think what President Trump said that he will push for peace and he tried and we supported him, the whole world was in favor of really hard
push both on Russia and, you know, getting President Putin himself to sign up for genuine peace efforts, and what we also saw in parallels that there
is not a single indicator that Russia wants peace, that all the power structures within Russia are aligned towards war, whether that's military
or political or economy or private sector media, it's all about pro-war. It was visible that President Putin was just not serious.
So, obviously, that's a pity. That's a pity. So, we agree that there should be still continued push on Russia to make sure that its war fighting
capacity is weakened. So, the bill and the sanctions that President Trump is talking about and that Senators Graham and Blumenthal have put forward
in their bill is fully supported from our side.
In the same time, of course, we also need the effort of ensuring Ukraine's self-defense. Ukraine is defending herself against an external aggression.
Russia is violating any laws of behavior between states. It's just unbelievable what is happening.
So, self-defense, we are on the safe side. We are covered by international law, by the U.N. Charter because the right to self-defense is guaranteed
there. So, for Latvia that is crucially important. But also, in the same time, we have to make ourselves stronger because, obviously, the
production, the defense industry, but also the capabilities to having those air defenses, layered air defenses produced to have the ammunition, to have
the long-range precision strikes, the various capabilities that we need from drones to strategic capabilities, that all cost money.
[18:25:00]
SCIUTTO: Yes. The conventional wisdom has been for some time, and this in U.S. intelligence assessments as well, that Vladimir Putin still believes
he's winning this war. And therefore, sees, not only does he have no desire for peace, in their view, but he doesn't see a need to negotiate. Is that
still his view? Is that your best assessment of his view?
BRAZE: Yes, I think it's his mistaken view currently still. And all the indicators are that they are not winning the war. The three-day war is a
campaign, you know, that they thought would lead to taking Kyiv where they are. They have lost about 1.2 million people, killed or severely wounded,
114 million people, countries not able to move more than a few kilometers ahead in Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainians are becoming more and more inventive, you know, with the FPV drones, you know, that cost thousands each. They were able to take out the
Russian strategic bombers. So, Russia is not winning. Sanctions are working. There is a pressure. But we need more pressure to make sure that
actually Russia is forced to the negotiations table, because that mistaken understanding that Russia is winning is still there.
SCIUTTO: You were at --
BRAZE: So, President Trump is right. We are fully supportive in all the ways for -- both for keeping the possibility to negotiate, but also on
imposing sanctions, supplying Ukraine, but also pushing allies to the 5 percent of defense spending.
SCIUTTO: You were at the NATO summit, and there was a great deal of concern going into that summit, and it's been there for some time, going back to
Trumps election -- re-election, I should say, last November, that his commitment to Europe was unstable. Did you leave that summit believing that
Trump truly sees the value of NATO today in a way that has questioned in the past?
BRAZE: I think U.S. doesn't have more committed and closer allies than those in Europe, and that's been there since the First World War, Second
World War, after the Second World War within NATO. What it means is that we have our militaries working together, hand in glove. We have
interoperability of forces. We have political alignment. Our intel services are sharing both military civilian intelligence information. There is no
other organization that works like that.
U.S. has a leading role, but it also getting back a lot from the allies. It's not only about money, it's actually the knowledge, the experience, the
capability, the way U.S. forces exercise in Europe, the various sort of experiences, the top of the world capabilities that they get in Europe,
that is something that is very valuable also for the U.S.
So, those relationships are built throughout many, many decades and they're very valuable. So, I think President Trump understands that. But of course,
for the U.S., there has been irritation by all the administrations that not all European allies were ready to spend seriously on defense.
SCIUTTO: And do you believe that that commitment will be a serious one from European allies?
BRAZE: So, what we agreed in the Hague declaration in NATO summit was that we will spend 5 percent on defense, and it will involve at least 3.5
percent of GDP for hardcore defense capabilities, for NATO capability targets. But it also involves cyber defenses. It involves infrastructure.
It involves all types of other expenses.
For Latvia, we spent, by the end of this year, will be more than 4 percent already on core defense spending. And we are an external border country.
So, we defend both E.U. and NATO for others, just like the Finns, just like Estonians, Lithuanians, Poles and others.
So, we are strengthening that border both in civilian terms with technology, with our border guards, with everything that we have, but also
in military terms, with obstacles, with Baltic defense lines. So, the vested interests by all allies are there. So, that's why we also ask for
more E.U. funding, but also for NATO funding to make sure that everybody is there.
SCIUTTO: You were literally the frontlines, the Baltic states, in particular. Foreign Minister Braze, we do appreciate you joining the show.
BRAZE: Thank you so much.
SCIUTTO: Please do stay with us. Just after the break, we're going to go to Ukraine and speak to a member of the Ukrainian parliament joining me here
in Aspen about their view of not just U.S. and western support, but the current progress of the war.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:30:00]
HILL: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Erica Hill. Hers a look at some of the international headlines we're watching today.
Syrian officials are calling Israeli airstrikes on Damascus a dangerous escalation. At least three people were killed. Dozens more injured. The IDF
says it launched air strikes to protect the Druze-Arab minority. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was calling for de-escalation.
U.S. President Donald Trump says it is highly unlikely he will fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, although he refused to rule it out entirely,
suggesting Powell might have to, quote, "leave for fraud." This, of course, is a notable change in tone from a private meeting the president had with
lawmakers just the day before, where sources tell CNN Trump indicated, at that meeting, he was ready to fire the Fed chief.
In Gaza, at least 20 people have been killed in a crush at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial
Israeli and U.S.-backed organization. The foundation says the people died in a, quote, "chaotic and dangerous surge," which it says was driven by
agitators in the crowd.
Russia unleashing a massive drone assault, sending some 400 drones to strike cities across Ukraine, including president Zelenskyy's hometown of
Kryvyi Rih. Ukraine's military says it did manage to intercept or disable around 350 of those drones. The Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region,
though, says at least two people were killed. Nearly 30 others injured in a Russian strike on a shopping center there.
Jim Sciutto is with us again from the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Where, Jim, I know, of course, Ukraine is right at the top of those
important topics for you this week.
SCIUTTO: Right. Barely one conversation goes by here where Ukraine is not mentioned as central, not just to European security, but relevance to U.S.
security and even security of Asian partners. Joining me now is someone who knows this Ukraine war all too well, a member of the Ukrainian parliament,
Halyna Yanchenko. Joining me now for "The Brief." Thanks so much for taking the time.
HALYNA YANCHENKO, UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER AND HEAD OF INVESTMENT TASK FORCE FOR DEFENSE INDUSTRY, UKRAINE: Yes. Thank you for your invitation.
[18:35:00]
SCIUTTO: Of course. There was a time, and it's not long ago, this if you go back to February this year, following the Oval Office meeting between
Zelenskyy and Trump, then I spoke to Ukrainians who were truly distraught and fearful, fearful that there was a clean break between Ukraine and the
U.S., and that the U.S. wouldn't help defend them anymore, it's a much better place now, not just in that relationship, but now, President Trump
saying he will continue -- the U.S. will continue to supply arms. Do you feel more hopeful now about Ukraine's future?
YANCHENKO: Well, I feel hopeful after every statement that Trump is doing in favor of Ukraine and in favor of the war to be over. I really hope that
this statement he made this this week sustain, and he doesn't change his mind shortly. This very important.
Actually, Ukrainians are sick and tired of the war. We really want this war to be over. But unfortunately, we can't do it ourselves. It's Russia who
keeps on the occupation, who keeps on shelling Ukraine on a daily basis, or actually, they do it at night. Like every night we wake up at 2:00 a.m.
because of drones attacks, because of missiles attack, and we have to move from our beds, moving our children from our beds and go to corridors or
bathrooms, putting our children in bathtubs to make sure that they are protected with two walls. This not, you know, a fun thing to live in this
kind of condition. So, Ukraine really wants to have this war over.
And moreover, as a person who spent a lot of time here in U.S., I really believe in this country. And I also believe that an only country in the
world who can actually end Russian unprovoked war or Russian unprovoked aggression in Ukraine, and only country is U.S.
U.S. has all the tools to stop this war. And the main tool is U.S. dollar. About 70 percent of global trade is being conducted in U.S. dollar. So,
secondary sanctions, when President Trump and U.S. will say, OK, you choose either you are in the system of global trade and trading through -- using
U.S. dollar system, banking system, financial system, or you work with Russia? This question will give absolutely no chance to Russia.
SCIUTTO: The trouble is that option is not on the table right now. And as you know, President Trump, he's given another 50 days for the application
of 100 percent tariffs. The Senate bill that was working its way through was going to be many, many times that. Do you think that President Trump is
applying too little pressure? If he believes the U.S. is the secret to ending this war, is it not applying the pressure that it needs to?
YANCHENKO: I believe that President Trump -- over the past half a year, President Trump was given so many opportunities for Putin and for Russia to
actually -- what is going on? Russians here?
SCIUTTO: They must be listening.
YANCHENKO: Just kidding. Yes. So, the fact is that over the half -- the past half a year, Trump was given so many opportunities to Putin to
actually end the war. Putin has neglected each and every opportunity, which means that his real intentions are not about the end of the war. He's not
interested in the end of the war. Moreover, he is not interested to become a part of, you know, civilized world.
He feels himself much more comfortable in such a company as basically North Korea or Iran, because they speak the same language. Yes, the language of
repressions, the language of war, the language of neglect to all human rights and stuff like that. So, that's why, I mean, all these opportunities
that were given to Putin, they were neglected.
So, it means that we only have an only option, it's peace through strength. This something that Trump was actually saying already. So, now it's time to
implement this politics.
SCIUTTO: Before we go, do you believe it's possible this war ends this year?
YANCHENKO: I hope so. Fingers crossed. And once again, I believe that if secondary sanctions will be introduced, the war will definitely be over
this year. Trump will be the person who ends this war. And all the chances for Nobel prize. I will be the first person to actually open the bottle of
champagne to congratulate Trump with such a success.
SCIUTTO: Well, we can we can certainly hope. Halyna Yanchenko, thanks so much for joining, and we wish you and your country peace.
YANCHENKO: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: Erica, that's just one measure there of the exhaustion, right, that Ukraine has with this war. You'll often hear from some that Ukraine
somehow wants to continue it as much as Russia, but when I speak to Ukrainians, that's very far from the truth.
HILL: Yes, it would be a bit of a head scratching moment to think that anyone would want to continue to live under that threat on a daily basis.
Jim, appreciate it, of course.
Still to come here on "The Brief," President Trump offering little hope for a last-minute trade deal with Japan. What could that mean? We'll take a
closer look at the state of the talks when were joined by the CEO of Japanese beverage giant Suntory. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:40:00]
HILL: Welcome back to "The Brief." Taking a look at today's action on wall street. U.S. stocks finishing higher after an encouraging read on wholesale
inflation and some strong earnings from Goldman Sachs. Stocks did fall briefly on reports that President Trump was close to firing Fed Chair
Jerome Powell. But Trump later denied those reports, although he did continue to accuse Powell of mismanaging renovations at the Fed building. A
number of Republican Congress members though today warning firing Powell would have disastrous effects on the financial markets.
President Trump today downplaying hopes of a last-minute trade agreement with Japan, suggesting that 25 percent U.S. tariffs against the country
will in fact take effect on August 1st. The Japanese government says it will continue to seek a bilateral trade deal that would benefit both
countries. Some economists fear Japan will fall into recession if no deal is reached. Higher U.S. tariffs will only complicate business decisions for
Japanese exporters like beverage and spirits giant Suntory Holdings.
Tak Niinami is the CEO of Suntory Holdings and joins me now. It's good to have you with us. I know you're also a senior economic adviser, of course,
to the Japanese prime minister and chair of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives. When we look at where things stand, you've been
critical, frankly, of the way that Japan has handled these trade talks with President Trump. What do you think they got wrong?
TAK NIINAMI, CEO, SUNTORY HOLDINGS, CHAIRMAN, JAPAN ASSOC. OF CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR ECONOMIC ADVISER TO JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER: I think
the president had very high expectations for Japan. And the president thought that Japan will align the present requests to open the country and
increase of the agricultural products to import for Japan to increase. So, I think Japan didn't work with the president pretty well. So, kind of -- I
think the president, I think, got disappointed about the Japans posture.
HILL: President Trump being disappointed, in your words. Do you see a path for Japan to regain some leverage here or to perhaps repair that
relationship in such a way that there can be a deal that is mutually beneficial?
[18:45:00]
NIINAMI: Well, definitely. Japan is willing to agree with the U.S. ASAP. But before the very big elections, which are coming on July 20th, such as
agricultural products, the government wants to keep the votes from the farmers and the lots of constituents are making things complex for the
Japanese government to agree, like agricultural products.
But I think at least Japan must show openness to discuss such as to open the country like automobile, because we have the non-tariff barriers like
too much high security standards, for example. So, we should show the posture that we want to change for the sake of -- to agree with the
administration of the U.S.
I think we should do it because the big delegation will be coming to Japan for the export on the 19th of July. And that will be led by Secretary
Bessent. So, that is the important moment for us. But one day before the big upper house elections. So, I'm skeptical that the government of Japan
can go into many details of the negotiation.
HILL: When we look at where things stand, there are, as you well know, concerns about potential recession, depending on what happens and how this
plays out. There are also just concerns from a pure business perspective about what this doing for investment in the U.S. You've noted that Trumps
tariffs are, quote, "killing the appetite" for investing in the United States. Is there a number for you that would make trade with the United
States cost prohibitive?
NIINAMI: Well, to be honest, we are under the huge pressure to keep investing to the United States. And we are talking with the government what
kind of investments can we increase. I think one key thing is the U.S. is still in high productivity and the best country for us to invest. Another
factor for us to invest in the United States is still the U.S. is the center of invention and innovation. So, we have strong appetite to invest
in the United States.
Having said that, U.S. economy is in this kind of tumbling times because of the Trump's tariff policy, which is not the stable yet. So, key thing is we
are willing to do it and to increase the investment in the United States. So, we need to see tariff issues be settled ASAP. Then we will keep
investing to the United States, and Suntory is willing to do it. And we have such a plan to invest to the United States.
HILL: So, you continue to have that plan, to continue to invest. The fact that you are raising these concerns and you have been so public about it,
do you believe that Japanese officials have heard your concerns?
NIINAMI: I think so. But again, elections, that's so important because the government and its backbone, LDP, the ruling party, is now losing the
competition in the upper house elections. So, the prime minister is in the stalemate in terms of the negotiations of the trade issues with the United
States. And he can't take bold decisions at this moment.
So, I understand the government is stuck in the middle. The government is willing to settle this tariff matters, issues ASAP. But the because of the
current election situation, which is not good for the LDP, I mean, ruling party, is a hindering these bold actions.
HILL: Tak Niinami, great to have you with us on "The Brief" today. Thank you.
NIINAMI: Thank you.
HILL: Still ahead here, golf fans getting ready for the 153rd edition of the Open Championship teeing off in Northern Ireland tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:50:00]
HILL: The fourth and final major of the year for golf is set to begin tomorrow at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, and all eyes will be on.
Rory McIlroy, who is born and raised less than 100 kilometers away. It is coming off, of course, that emotional Masters triumph in April.
Fans are also watching for 29-year-old American golfer Scottie Scheffler, who's already won Olympic gold and three majors. CNN World Sports Don
Riddell spoke to some of the big stars of the game, who opened up before the tee off.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORTS: Top athletes speak with the media all the time, but it's pretty rare that they truly open up and are totally honest
about their feelings. But ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this week, the stars of the game were in a refreshingly
philosophical mood.
The world number one, Scottie Scheffler, is a three-time major champion who has totally dominated the world of golf for the last few years. But when he
spoke with the media this week, he began by musing out loud, what's the point?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, WORLD NUMBER ONE: It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes. It only lasts a
few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. And like to win the Byron Nelson Championship at home, I literally worked my entire life to become
good at golf, to have an opportunity to win that tournament. And you win it, you celebrate, you get to hug my family, my sister is there. It's such
an amazing moment. And then it's like, OK, now, what are we going to eat for dinner? You know, life goes on.
This -- is it great to be able to win tournaments and to accomplish the things I have in the game of golf? Yes. I mean, it brings tears to my eyes
just to think about because its literally worked my entire life to become good at this sport. And to have that kind of sense of accomplishment, I
think is a pretty cool feeling, you know, to get to live out your dreams is very special. But at the end of the day, it's like, I'm not out here to
inspire the next generation of golfers. I don't -- I'm not here to inspire somebody else to be the best player in the world, because what's the point?
You know, this not a fulfilling life.
It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it's not fulfilling from a sense of like the deepest, you know, places of your heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIDDELL: Well, there must be something in the water this week because the defending champion, Xander Schauffele, also spoke about how fleeting the
highs can be and how reluctant he is to dwell on them. As is customary with this tournament, he returned the Claret jug this week, but it doesn't sound
like he's really going to miss it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
XANDER SCHAUFFELE, DEFENDING OPEN CHAMPION: What am I going to do with it? I don't really invite people over my house. So, what am I, just like, go
look at it myself? Like, oh, yes. You know what I mean? That's just my -- like that's how I feel about it. You know, it's like, I'm not going to,
like, walk into a trophy room and be like, oh, like, look how great I am. You know what I mean?
You know, I think I was just -- I was just raised to think that way. And it's kind of stuck. My wife hung up some pictures of me in my gym, of me
like winning the Olympic medal and she put it so high up I can't reach it. And, you know, I have to get a ladder now, and it bothers me, you know,
like, if anything, you know, put up like me in a Masters' jacket, like that would me off. You know what I mean?
Something like that is more motivating than, like, all right, that's not great. Like, I don't want to look at that. You know what I mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who would you rather be up on the wall?
SCHAUFFELE: A photo of my dogs or nothing. A clock, maybe. I'm always late. So, maybe a clock would be good for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[18:55:00]
RIDDELL: The Open Championship was always going to be fascinating, but even more so now. Who's going to win it? Does anyone want to win it? We'll find
out soon. Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: All right. Don, thank you. OK. Well, we could get a dog for someone. In today's Good Brief, "Superman" hit theaters last week. Stick with me for
the dog here. Its biggest star, though, may actually be a four-legged hero.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good dog. Home. Take me home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: That, of course, is Krypto the Superdog. And his star turn has driven up interest in dog adoption. Get this, more than 500 percent. That's
according to the Wrap (ph). Krypto's characters based on director James Gunn's rescue dog Ozu. Warner Brothers Pictures, of course, we have the
same parent company, got together with Best Friends Animal Society to cover the pet adoption fees earlier this month for people adopting a dog, which
helped to find homes for more than 450 pets across the United States. If that is not a Good Brief, I don't know what is. You know, life is better
with dogs. We really don't deserve them.
Thanks so much for joining me today on "The Brief." I'm Erica Hill. Stay tuned. Much more. CNN is ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:00:00]
END
