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Christians Celebrate Easter Sunday; Ukraine: Fighting Continues Despite Putin' Easter Truce; Netanyahu Vows To Continue War; Trump Brings Corporate Sponsors To White House Event. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired April 20, 2025 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:17]

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to all of our viewers that are watching around the world, perhaps streaming live on CNN Max. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York, where it's coming up on 3:00 a.m.

And ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM:

Christians around the world, they are celebrating Easter Sunday right now. And at the Vatican, we're waiting to see if Pope Francis perhaps will make one of his surprise appearances.

And in war torn Ukraine, Easter is being observed in Kyiv, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia is violating a short term ceasefire.

And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promising to continue the war in Gaza even as opposition and protests continue back home.

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SANDOVAL: All around the world, Christians, they are gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday.

Some live pictures right now coming out of the Vatican, where you see the faithful there are gathering right now. Cardinals will be leading services there in Saint Peter's Square in the next hour or so. Catholics are waiting to see if Pope Francis, who's still recovering from his illness, will make one of those surprise appearances we've seen recently.

And then the other side of your screen there, war-torn Kyiv, despite the fear of drone attacks, the faithful, they are still determined to come together, still determined to celebrate one of Christianity's most important days amid that war that continues to rage on.

And this year, a rare calendar alignment for the Western and orthodox branches of Christianity, as Easter falls on the same day for both, Ukraine was supposed to get a break from fighting on Easter. You'll recall that Russian President Vladimir Putin actually declared a holiday ceasefire on Saturday night. Hours ago, though, he attended an orthodox service at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral.

As Matthew Chance reports, the ceasefire announcement came at a crucial time for U.S. peace efforts.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, this Russian ceasefire comes as a frustrated President Trump threatens to walk away from his attempts to forge a peace deal in the Ukraine war. The Kremlin timing, perhaps intended to ease criticism of its own foot dragging.

But the ceasefire, which the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin, says he expects Ukraine to follow, is for less than two days. Thats far off the 30 days that President Trump has demanded. And, of course, to which Ukraine has agreed.

One immediate issue is whether it will even hold. Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of violating the recent agreement to avoid targeting energy infrastructure in the country. And already, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has called the latest announcement yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives.

But there's a much bigger question, too, which is whether this offer of a short ceasefire can be extended and perhaps even mark the beginning of the end of the Ukraine war.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And what was supposed to be the relative peace of an easter truce?

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Well, it was interrupted by the sound of emergency sirens ringing out in Kyiv on Saturday night, as Ukraine said that Russian attacks continued across their country. President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has seen hundreds of instances of Russian shelling and more than a dozen ground assaults since the ceasefire supposedly went into effect.

He says Moscow is trying to create the impression of a truce while attempting to advance in some areas.

CNN contributor Jill Dougherty says that the Russian president has a long track record of breaking ceasefires.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: President Putin has had numerous ceasefires, truces, I should say. And all of them have been broken. And it's Easter. It's nice that he is announcing this, but I actually don't think it's going to have a whole lot of effect.

You already see that the Ukrainians are saying, you know, they're still being hit. So, I think we do have to look at the timing of this. You know, after the Trump administration showed that it's getting a little tired of this back and forth and wants a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire, ASAP.

You know, there is -- there is the possibility that the White House, President Trump simply says he already has, you know, held it out there along with Secretary Rubio, that they would simply walk away.

[03:05:07]

That if this is not going to happen, if the sides are not serious, and usually that message is more toward the Ukrainians. If these sides aren't serious. Weve been spending a lot of time. We're out of here unless they get serious and we get an agreement very soon.

And I actually think that that is a possibility. I mean, it is very complicated to get some type of real ceasefire. And, you know, President Trump could say, I'm washing my hands. I tried -- I tried. They're not serious. And then he could put it on the shoulders of the Europeans, which he's already been doing to a certain extent. So, it's -- it's not looking good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And amid the pains of war of Ukrainian civilians, they are still holding on to hope that the conflict with Russia will soon, after all this time, be brought to an end.

For some, despite living alongside the front lines for more than three years, many are continuing with their easter celebrations with their traditions, hoping that the holiday will lift their spirits even if it's just for a weekend.

CNN's Ben Hunte continues our coverage.

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BEN HUNTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A bakery in the Ukrainian city of Sumy in shambles, hit by a Russian drone strike on good Friday as Ukrainian easter cakes were being prepared. The cakes, still sitting on trays covered in dust. One person was killed in the attack.

In Ukraine, no traditions are spared from the war. More than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the country's Christian community is once again marking the easter holiday.

Russia declaring a 30-hour easter ceasefire this weekend. Sirens sounding in Kyiv soon after the announcement on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling it another attempt by Putin to play with human lives. And despite U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal, Russian attacks have only intensified in recent weeks, with civilians paying a particularly high price.

But that's not deterring some Ukrainians from continuing their customs. In Bucha, three years after Russia's brutal occupation, another batch of easter cakes is in the oven. Most of the men who once worked here got drafted. This woman says.

OLHA BURKIVSKA, SON WAS DRAFTED (through translator): When my son got drafted to Ukraine's armed forces, he said, mom, you're the boss now. The bakery must remain operational and it's great that the house is working. People like our bread. We bake from our hearts.

HUNTE: The cakes are also a welcome comfort to some people in the Russian occupied region of Luhansk in Ukraine, who either remained in their homes or have returned to them. Volunteers delivered boxes of the breads to residents who say they hope this holiday will be their last one at war.

VIKTOR BOGACH, LUHANSK RESIDENT (through translator): We can't wait for a truce. We don't just hope for it. We can't wait for it. We wait for it like for manna from heaven. We are so tired of this.

HUNTE: One Ukrainian brigade says it recently dropped the Easter treats to soldiers in the field by boxing them up and delivering them using a drone. A small taste of home to try to blunt the bitterness of this war.

Ben Hunte, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Cakes by drone.

Well, much of the world now, it is Easter Sunday, including at the Vatican, which is preparing to celebrate the holiest day of the Christian calendar. Live pictures of Saint Peter's Square. You can see some people, plenty of the faithful, now gathering, preparing to celebrate Sunday mass, Easter Sunday mass. It should be starting in the next hour.

This time it will be led by designated cardinals as Pope Francis continues to recover from his double pneumonia. Still, though, among these crowds, many questions and much anticipation to see if the Holy Father himself will make one of his surprise appearances.

CNN's Christopher Lamb with a preview.

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CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's been a different Easter for Pope Francis this year. He has not led the major services of Holy Week and Easter. The Easter vigil, the high point of the church's year, took place on Saturday evening in Saint Peter's. The pope wasn't present, but he did pay a visit to Saint Peter's just before that vigil took place. He greeted some pilgrims from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while there.

So, Francis, although he's not been leading the major services, has been making these appearances, has been trying to show his presence during this extremely important time for Christians around the world. Now, on Thursday before easter, the pope went to a prison. He met inmates there. He made a surprise visit to that prison. And on Easter Sunday, Francis hopes to be there in Saint Peter's for the traditional Easter blessing that only he can give.

[03:10:08]

The Vatican says he hopes to be there, provided his health allows him to.

Now, during this Easter weekend, the vice president of the United States, J.D. Vance, has been in Rome, and on Saturday he met with senior Vatican officials, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Vatican foreign minister.

Of course, this meeting with Vice President Vance and the Vatican officials comes after Pope Francis offered a stinging rebuke to the Trump administration on its immigration policy. The pope released that intervention just before he went to hospital. There is some speculation that the pope could greet Vice President Vance on Easter Sunday. Well, that's not been confirmed. And he did not meet the vice president on Saturday.

This has been a different easter for Francis, but he has shown himself determined to be present and visible where possible.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Shifting gears to nuclear talks. A White House official says that the U.S. and Iran have made what they're describing as very good progress in their negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Both countries expressing optimism following a second round of indirect talks in Rome on Saturday. Iranian officials say the high- level discussions will continue next weekend.

CNN's Ben Wedeman offering some insight on those talks from Rome.

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BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was a productive meeting as how Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described the second round of indirect U.S.-Iranian talks held Saturday in Oman's embassy here in Rome. The talks lasted about four hours with Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, shuttling between the two delegations inside the embassy.

Afterwards, the Iranian foreign minister announced technical talks will be held at the expert level next Wednesday in Oman, and that the two senior delegations will meet for a third time next Saturday also in Oman.

Iranian officials have complained that the Trump administration is sending mixed messages. President Trump, after earlier bellicose language has indicated his preference is a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff.

Recently, "The New York Times" reported President Trump had rejected a plan put forth by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conduct a day's long multi-pronged attack on Iran's nuclear facilities that would have required direct American involvement. The details on the Rome talks remain scarce, yet it does appear the atmospherics were positive. The long-feared showdown over Iran's nuclear program may yet be averted.

I'm Ben Wedeman, CNN, reporting from Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Israel's prime minister vowing to continue the war in Gaza as opposition for it grows at home. In a prerecorded video on Saturday, Benjamin Netanyahu pointed to Hamas's recent ceasefire rejection as a reason for the continued bombardment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYUHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I have ordered the IDF to respond firmly and further increase the pressure on Hamas. We are in the war of rebirth, the war on seven fronts. This war has very heavy prices because any such loss is a world in and of itself. But we, as people who desire life, have no choice but to continue fighting for our very existence until victory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: You can see how that address was received on the streets as growing protest against the war.

Recent polling showing that many Israelis feel a hostage deal should be a priority, even if it means ending the war. A late March poll by Israeli media indicating that nearly 70 percent of Israelis support the idea, while 21 percent said that they are against ending the war.

Here's what one protester shared.

(BERGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have still 59 hostages in Gaza, dead and alive. Many of them died because of the pressure, the military pressure, the military pressure is not bringing the opposite. The military pressure is killing them.

So, this war is just a war that had to end many, many, many months ago. There is no purpose. There are no achievements anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: While protests in Israel continue, bombardments in other parts of the Middle East continue as well. An Israeli airstrike hit a displacement camp in southern Gaza on Saturday.

[03:15:03]

One displaced man from Rafah that was staying at the camp says the residents received warning before the attack. This follows a recent string of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza. Palestinian authorities say at least 30 people were killed in strikes on Friday. Nearly 1,800 Palestinians have been reported killed in Israeli strikes since the fighting resumed on March the 18th.

Well, for the first time, companies are paying top dollar to advertise at this year's White House Easter egg roll, a big tradition.

Coming up, the story behind the South Lawn's controversial approach this year.

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SANDOVAL: All right. Let's take you to Mexico now with this colorful Easter tradition. This is the Sayones parade in the town of Tetela del Volcan. For 300 years now, they've been holding this pretty amazing parade featuring brilliant colors. The costumes representing roman soldiers and other figures from ancient Christianity. What a sight.

And for the first time in its 147-year history, the annual White House Easter egg roll will be covered in corporate logos. The Trump administration invited companies to spend up to $200,000 to put their branding on this traditional family event.

Here's CNN's Betsy Klein with the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: Well, this all started back in march when I obtained this pitch document, nine pages from an outside event production company called Harbinger, laying out potential sponsorship opportunities for this years easter egg roll. Ranging from $75,000 all the way up to $200,000 for potential sponsors.

Among the opportunities, it offered, naming rights for key areas or elements, sponsor logos featured on event signage, custom branded baskets, mentions in official event communications. But it was really unclear up until now whether any companies would sign on and what this would look like.

We are now getting a better picture of what to expect at the Easter egg roll on Monday. Now, there are companies that are big tech. There are also associations representing things like toys and the confectioners association.

But we are really seeing companies that underscore the close relationship that their leaders are seeking to build with the Trump administration. And also, they've been impacted significantly, losing billions of dollars in value, some of them as a result of President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

But according to an official press release from the office of the first lady at the White House, among the sponsors, a reading nook courtesy of Amazon. The bunny hop stage courtesy of YouTube, and A.I. powered experience and photo opportunity, courtesy of Meta and a ringing of the photo bell opportunity, courtesy of the New York Stock Exchange.

Now we know that all of the money that is raised by Harbinger is going to go to the White House Historical Association.

[03:20:05]

Anything left over will be used for future events at the White House, like Halloween and the 4th of July.

But talking to a wide range of ethics experts and lawyers and people who served on both sides of the aisle in previous White Houses, there's a lot of concern about the rules and regulations detailing the use of public office for private gain.

I talked to Richard Painter, who was a lawyer in the Bush administration, and he said that a document like this would not have passed muster back in his time. But we have just consistently seen this White House openly flout norms and regulations. And even last month, as President Trump was highlighting Teslas on the South Lawn and back in 2020 on the south lawn grounds as he hosted the part of the Republican National Convention.

Betsy Klein, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Amid a current wave of anti-Trump protests that we've seen throughout the country this weekend, the White House is still trying to deport a group of Venezuelans detained in Texas, despite the Supreme Court's late night ruling yesterday temporarily blocking deportation under the Alien Enemies Act.

On Saturday, administration lawyers asked the court for authority to deport the group under other laws while litigation proceeds over the controversial 18th century act. Texas Representative Gregorio Casar told CNN that the case is as much about preserving civil rights and the rule of law as it is about immigration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREGORIO CASAR, U.S. HOUSE DEMOCRAT: These issues aren't just about immigration. They are about the civil liberties and the basic rights of every single American. These are the sorts of things that affect not just immigrants, not just non-citizens, but the basic rights of every single person. The president must follow the laws of the land and follow orders from the Supreme Court.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Now to the latest community struck by gun violence in the U.S., Florida State University students returned to campus after a mass shooting.

CNN's Nick Valencia reports on the aftermath of this gun tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was an emotional return this weekend for many students who came here to this memorial to reflect on legacy walk. At one point, this was the closest students could get to the scene. So, this is one of the most significant memorials here on campus.

And everyone who's come back here, we've seen many of them with tears in their eyes. Some of them have come back with their parents. Of course, this being Easter weekend.

One of the students who I spoke to, who visited the campus for the first time was Reid Seybold, and he actually knew the shooter. And I asked Reid what it was going to be like to go back to class on Monday.

REID SEYBOLD, FSU STUDENT: Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to go to class on Monday. I -- I don't feel safe right now being on campus. I don't know where -- how we're going to do it. But, you know, there's a reason that Florida State is unconquered. We're stronger together. We will always move forward, whatever that looks like.

VALENCIA: As for the alleged gunman, we believe he is still in the hospital, and we don't know exactly when hell make his first court appearance. But we know that when he does, he'll be facing first degree murder charges. And there's still no motive for what happened here on Thursday.

Nick Valencia, CNN, Tallahassee, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Still ahead on this Easter morning in Jerusalem, orthodox Christians, they are gathering for a ceremony that many consider miraculous in the lead up to Easter. More on this in just moments.

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[03:25:20]

SANDOVAL: And you're looking at an Easter celebration unlike anything anywhere else. Two rival churches in Greece facing off in their annual rocket war. That's what they call it.

At midnight local time, just as Easter Sunday rings in, members of the churches traditionally launch thousands of homemade fireworks at each other. The goal here to strike the opposing church's bell tower while services are being held inside. Now, the origins of this tradition, they are still unclear. As cool as this is, but both churches have engaged in this pitch battle for more than 130 years.

Orthodox Christians celebrated easters holy fire ceremony in East Jerusalem on Saturday. The Greek Orthodox patriarch emerged from what is believed to be Jesus's tomb, with a candle lit by what is called the Holy Fire. Now the participants consider it a miracle that occurs annually, the day before orthodox easter Sunday. A ray of sunlight is believed to shine through the window in the ceiling of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and lights a lamp that's placed in the tomb. This church is traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. All right, so animals at a zoo in England are having a bit of easter

fun of their own. Celebrating easter with what they're calling this enormous egg hunt, to the amusement of plenty of people. They put out baskets filled with painted eggs and decorations with treats for some of the animals to enjoy. You got ferrets, lemurs, all of them. Getting to practice some of their foraging skills while penguins, getting to snack on fish on top of imitation eggs. The zookeeper said that they're always coming up with new ways to encourage the natural hunting impulse of some of these animals.

And a much-needed cooling off period for some big cats in northwestern India. Tigers at a biological park splashed around sprinklers to help stay cool amid a blistering heat wave there. Authorities also installed air coolers and also gave the animals a water-based diet to try to avoid dehydration. This heat wave season, its arrived sooner than usual for hundreds of millions of people in India and in Pakistan, and its expected to stick around for a while. In India this week, temperatures crossed 40 Celsius. That's well above 100 Fahrenheit.

I want to thank you for joining us. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York.

"Quest World of Wonder" is next. Then, there's much more CNN NEWSROOM with Kim Brunhuber in Atlanta. That's in just 30 minutes.

(QUEST WORLD OF WONDER)