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Connect the World

Ukrainian and Danish Foreign Minister meet in Copenhagen; CNN Speaks With Danish Foreign Minister on Ukraine Support; Pyongyang Launches its Sixth Missile Test This Month; Germany: Consequences for Nord Stream 2 if Russia Invades; Giving Nature back to Nature. Aired 11-11:45a ET

Aired January 28, 2022 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: This hour with much of the world's attention focused on Ukraine. Its President addresses the public.

I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome back to the show. This is "Connect the World". Volodymyr Zelensky Speaking to reporters in Kyiv less than 24

hours after a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden that one Ukrainian official said did not go well.

This is Zelensky again downplaying a warning from Mr. Biden that a Russian invasion or further invasion of Ukraine may be imminent, explaining that

Ukraine has its own assessment of conditions along the border that it is not making public. Have a listen to part of what we heard earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: What do we know that Mr. Biden doesn't know? I believe that I as the president of an independent country

can have my own secrets as Mr. Biden have. We have quiet open relationship and our good services. They exchange information by pretty much you keep

the hand on files, you're see where troops are alone, or where they're built up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, Russia's Foreign Minister says that Moscow remains resolute in its demands that NATO not expand into Ukraine, or elsewhere, whilst

downplaying criticism of Russian troop buildups outside of its own borders, have a listen to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We are not present anywhere without an invitation from the receiving country in terms of troop's

deployments, and completely in agreement with international law. We stand by the commitments to the country receiving us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Sam Kiley has got the latest from Kyiv in Ukraine, Nic Robertson, with perspective from Moscow and Kylie Atwood is at the State Department

for you this hour in Washington. Let me start with you because the story of the hour is in Kyiv, Sam.

We've heard from the Ukrainian president much discussion about whether his call with the U.S. president in the past 24 hours had actually gone rather

badly when we heard from the man himself and not suggesting there was anything new in what we had. But certainly we are hearing the positions

from Kyiv, Moscow, and indeed Washington being reinforced at this point, your perspective.

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think reinforcing positions and reinforcing positions with regard to allies would appear

certainly from the Ukrainian perspective to be something of a priority. So once again, a repetition in public what he's believed to have said in

private to President Biden, which is please dial down?

I'm paraphrasing here dial down on the panicking type rhetoric of saying that there's a threat of imminent war imminent invasion of my country,

because it's rattling the markets.

And that is delivering to the Russians, effectively what they want to see at least in the early stages of any kind of campaign, which is economic

turmoil in here in Ukraine.

Now, on top of that, I think the very important aspect of this is that a large chunk of this country's Russian speaking as a first language, indeed,

the city of - which is on effectively on the line of conflict, just inside territory still held by Ukraine is 75 percent Russians speaking.

The Russians here and the Russians in Russia are very cynical sometimes about the attitude of the United States towards Ukraine. They like to see

Ukraine painted as a puppet of the Americans that the Ukraine will do exactly what they are told by the White House.

This is very much part of the playbook coming and part of the language coming out of Russia. So it's very important indeed, for President Zelensky

to show that he is a proud, independent leader of a proud, independent country that will make its own decisions, including about how to analyze

the same intelligence that the Americans are looking at.

And I think you combine all that you can then see part of the reason for why at least in public, he's not denying the frictions that went on in that

phone call allegedly with President Biden, but trying to kind of show a degree of strength independence of thought.

At the same time gratitude towards an ally and the need to put a handout a bit of a begging bowl frankly a military begging bowl should it come to

blows, they will need more help.

[11:05:00]

ANDERSON: Let me thank you, Sam. Let me come to you, Kylie, because Sam and I have been discussing, and as Sam has so eloquently been explained, you

know, the story of the hour is the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine at this point, this is really multi layered, isn't it?

Calm down, stop panicking, says Zelensky. He says he has his own secrets as does, of course, Joe Biden. I'm just wondering, and he says, by the way, he

knows more about what's going on the ground, and we paraphrase here than the U.S. president does.

And yet, as Sam rightly pointed out, there is still a hand there being, you know, held out for support and for help at this point. Just how will what

we've just heard in a very public setting in front of the international media and it goes on, by the way.

The Ukrainian president is still talking in public to the international media. How is all of this going to be received in Washington?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I mean it's a really fair question, because there are quiet frustrations, here in Washington,

surrounding the fact that the Ukrainians have been publicly rebutting what the Biden Administration has said, in such that there could be an immediate

invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

And the key there is, could be. The Biden Administration has said it could be imminent, but the fact of the matter is that Russia is really preparing

to do this. And then you have Zelensky really getting frustrated about you know, that that imminent descriptor there.

But I don't think it's altogether surprising, as you guys have been discussing that Zelensky wants to come out and seem like he is somewhat in

control of the situation there, tamp down the concerns domestically for him.

And one thing that he said is that he understands what's happening in Ukraine, and President Biden understands what's happening in the U.S. And I

think that that was a nod to the fact that President Biden isn't only talking about Russia's potential imminent invasion, because that is what is

in U.S. intelligence reports.

But it's also because of the domestic realities here in the United States. Republicans would just be crushing Biden, if he weren't paying attention to

this, putting this potential escalation, this potential war in Europe front and center. And so the Biden Administration has really taken to great

lengths to do that. And so that is a part of this larger puzzle that we are looking at.

But the bottom line here is that, even though there are those frustrations, within the Biden Administration about what Zelensky is saying publicly, it

isn't making the United States pull back the support that they have already offered to Ukraine and continue to offer to Ukraine.

But you also aren't seeing the Biden Administration change their calculus at all about the fact that they aren't going to put U.S. troops in Ukraine.

So they're maintaining the support and trying to be I think, patient, as we watch to see what happens here.

And of course, the question, looking forward to next week is what's going to happen on the diplomatic front, between the U.S. and Russia. The State

Department saying that they're watching what the Russians are saying about their written responses this week. But also saying that ultimately, all

that matters is what President Putin says, in response to those written responses.

ANDERSON: Is there any indication, thank you, Kylie. Nic yet, as to how Vladimir Putin is or will respond to those statements from the U.S.?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: It's really hard to read intentionally. So you know, when you listen to the foreign minister

speaking, you get the sense that maybe he doesn't even know quite what the President's going to do.

He's putting forward proposals from his department; he leaves the door wide open. He said, I'm not we're not can't say we're closing the door on

diplomacy. It took so long to get these written responses. We're working on finding our position.

You know, we're aggrieved about the way we're being addressed. We're not being properly understood. Our central issue isn't understood finding gaps

and faults between the United States and NATO.

You know, pointing out that United States can put more pressure on Kyiv and France and Germany who are involved in the Normandy talks are not putting

enough pressure on the Ukrainians.

You know if you try to read between the lines here and again, this conversation that President Putin had with President Macron of France

today. And one of the readouts from that was about you know, a legal guarantee, but a long term guarantee not a permanent guarantee a long term

guarantee that Ukraine couldn't join NATO.

[11:10:00]

ROBERTSON: Can you read that as a slight change and re emphasis on the language? Is this the direction of where diplomacy can go? Certainly that

there's the opportunity on the possibility of some of Russia's other concerns where troops are, where missile systems are, there's scope to work

there.

So that every option is left open for President Putin, that's what the foreign minister did. And it also begs the question of how much influence

the Foreign Ministry actually has inside the Kremlin.

ANDERSON: Thank you, Nic. Kiley, appreciate it. We are going to move on to my next guest at this point because this is important. The Foreign

Minister, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Lithuania says and I "basically we have to decide whether we want to deter a war. If not, then we have to

use another means then we have to keep sending ammunition supplies to defend themselves".

Gabrielius Landsbergis joins us now live from the Lithuanian capital. Good to have you with us. You went on to say that as Russia continues to raise

tension in the region, you are urging the EU to impose and I quote here "unbearable sanctions", by which you mean what would those sanctions look

like?

GABRIELIUS LANDSBERGIS, LITHUANINAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: Well, something that would not be bearable. First of all, and since the

discussion is still going on, there is a possibility that the consensus would be lower and the common denominator would be lower than one could

expect.

That would resend a real signal to Moscow. Therefore, I think and I speak for many countries in the region, we think that in order to determine the

sanctions have to be very serious.

ANDERSON: Calm down, don't panic. I know more about what's going on the ground than you do. Paraphrasing the Ukrainian President, who is as we

speak, holding a briefing about what came out of his call with the U.S. President.

It's not new that the Ukrainian president is saying that he wants to ratchet down on the rhetoric at this point. He doesn't want Washington

talking about an imminent invasion. And if you read between the lines to a certain extent, we have been talking now for some days.

And you could suggest that what the UK - the Ukrainian President is saying is look, you know, what I see from the U.S., NATO and the EU, is an effort

to ratchet up this rhetoric and actually in over involve Ukraine in what is going on.

There has been this perception hasn't there. And this is shared by many in the EU, that what Russia is doing here is effectively trying to spread

chaos and trying to put a wedge between EU, friends, U.S. allies. Do you see that as a strategy by the Russians at present? And were you in any way

shocked by what you heard from the Ukrainian president today?

LANDSBERGIS: Look, I think that there are a couple of things. First of all, we clearly see that Russians are trading with their efforts at creating

leverage to the west; they're at the table discussing the security strategy of the region. Obviously, this is what Putin and Kremlin wanted for many

years.

So this is what they already have. But on the other hand, the situation that we have on Ukrainian border and in broader region is unprecedented. We

have never seen that many Russian troops in Belarus for more than 30 years.

So basically, when we're talking in the Baltics and Lithuanians are talking about the current situation, we're not only talking about the security of

Ukraine. We're talking that we are in a different situation, that Lithuania is in different situation that we need support.

And we need to be reinforced, because basically, Russia already crossed many red lines since 2008. And who knows where they will stop at this time.

So I know that the situation might look different in Ukraine. And sometimes when we from the Baltics are talking, we're also talking about ourselves

and we do not feel secure, you know, 100 percent.

ANDERSON: Today, Lithuanians Defense Minister said plans are already in place for additional allied troops to go to Lithuania including where they

will be deployed. He didn't detail the plans. How many times troops is Lithuania planning to send and win?

[11:15:00]

LANDSBERGIS: Well, I don't think that this is public information yet, but there are plans to support Ukraine, but also we are talking that we need

support ourselves as well. There are troops being sent to other countries in the region. There are talks about troops being sent to Poland. But we

also very, very clearly state that Baltics need reassurances additional reassurances from the NATO countries.

ANDERSON: Have you made those requests specifically? I mean, have you asked for troops to be deployed to Lithuania?

LANDSBERGIS: Every time, every time to be honest is in every possible meeting, because this is the actual reality that we face. And when I'm

speaking about this, this is not just the government, I think that I can speak for, for many people in the region that with what we're seeing with a

buildup of troops in Belarus, where some of them are being placed right on the border of Lithuania and Belarus or Poland and Belarus, this is really

unprecedented and new.

So therefore, you know, just we cannot let that go unseen and pretend that nothing, nothing is happening. So I think that it's an important

development as well.

ANDERSON: Lithuania's President has said that your country and Germany are holding discussions on increasing Germany's military presence in Lithuania

in light of current events, and I quote here, can you fight, can you provide me any further details on that bilateral agreement specifically?

LANDSBERGIS: Well, as you know, Germany is the lead country for the troops that are placed in Lithuania. We have a German brigade that it says

currently in Lithuanian territory.

So there are talks with German government in order, you know, how can we increase the security situation in of Lithuania, but also it's not the only

country that we're talking with and their talks with, with other allies. Because I think that it's an important time that our allies could put send

a message of reinforcements.

ANDERSON: I have to ask you and press you here, you say you ask every time you get an opportunity, are you being rebuffed at this point? Are you

telling me that you are not getting the sort of support that you believe Lithuania needs from your partners and allies at this point?

LANDSBERGIS: I think that's a good question. But I think that there are a number of calculations that are being made. And I think that the most

vulnerable areas are being currently reinforced the most. But what we are seeing is that the situation is really changing in Belarus.

And somehow during the last year, Belarus was under radar a little bit, because we were always talking about the troops that were moving through

Russia, on Ukrainian border.

And just very recently and we're starting to seek this huge, massive buildup in Belarus. To add to that, you know, the bellicose rhetoric of,

Mr. Lukashenko even today, when he's speaking about, you know, the possibility of war and the possibility of, you know, getting Ukraine back

to the Slavic brotherhood, whatever that is. And even you're sending messages to Lithuania that, yes, that's worrisome.

ANDERSON: Let me press you on what Germany is up to at this point. Because it has been getting Berlin has been getting some criticism lately for its

stance on not wanting to provide military assistance in the form of weapons, for example, to Ukraine. How would you describe Germany's position

at this point?

And do you believe it needs to provide more support coordinate better be seen to be in coordination with other European allies and provide more

support for Ukraine during all of this?

LANDSBERGIS: Look, I have to say this, is that when we talk about the possibility of war in Ukraine, we have to understand especially those in,

in Europe, or in the broader West, that it's not the war against Ukraine. It's not just a war against Ukraine.

It's the war of Europe will be fought in Ukraine, if it will, if it will start. So I think it's in every country's interests to support Ukraine that

it can fight off their possible invasion. That is that will be fought on our border basically on a European border. German government is still

rather new government.

[11:20:00]

LANDSBERGIS: And it tries to continue the legacy of almost 16 years of the last government. So I think what the reality that took the new government

that greeted the new goal is quite different from what Germany faced during the last 16 years the stability is no longer there. The world is changing

very rapidly so. And therefore I think that new German government is adapting to a new reality.

ANDERSON: Sir, it's good to have you on. Thank you very much indeed for joining us, your insight and analysis and your thoughts at this point is

extremely important. Thank you.

LANDSBERGIS: Thank you.

ANDERSON: We're taking a break, back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: With Russia's steady military buildup along Ukraine's borders the Pentagon Press Secretary tells CNN that the U.S. is deciding if it should

bolster NATO allies with American troops already stationed in Europe.

NATO Defense Ministers are set to meet in mid-February at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels. Meanwhile, as we've been telling you the

Ukrainian President and other officials are once again try calm concerns.

They say Russia's military actions aren't actually that different from last year. What is radically different Ukraine's defense minister says is the

intensity of hybrid measures, primarily information.

My next guest literally wrote the book on Russian Hybrid Warfare, it's called Russian Hybrid Warfare Resurgence and Politicization, that's Ofer

Fridman. He's also a senior lecturer in war studies at King's College London as well as the Director of Operations at the Center for Strategic

Communication.

It is important that you are joining us today. And I'm so pleased that you've been able to make the time sir. From what you have been observing,

would you describe or how would you describe Russia's military capabilities right now? What are we watching going on? What is being revealed at this

point?

OFER FRIDMAN, SENIOR LECTURER IN WAR STUDIES, KING'S COLLEGE LONDON: Well, hybrid warfare it's quite confusing and misleading concept. In a shell it

implies combination of different hostile activity is below the threshold of real warfare based on kinetic application of military force.

So in a sense, habit warfare is everything that adversary does, excluding warfare. What we see currently in Ukraine is a good example of hybrid

warfare. There is hostile information in cyber operations, economic measures, as well as threat of using military force.

So, this is a good combination and a good - it presents a good case of hybrid warfare. However, if the conflict will escalate to a kinetic

application of force, then it will just become a traditional military operation.

[11:25:00]

ANDERSON: And the reason I asked you about you know how as we look at some of the images coming to us from the Ukraine border. The reason I asked you

about this sort of you know how you perceive the military buildup at present. Because we've heard from some officials that, that what they see

on the border is simply nowhere near enough to fight a traditional war.

Despite this being a significant military buildup, it is not significant, experts say enough to really assume a tactical advantage where they were

the Russians to decide to move in or further invade the country. So that opens up this idea about what we are seeing specifically.

Do you - is this classic, is this hybrid warfare that we are discussing today? Is it straight out of the Vladimir Putin playbook?

FRIDMAN: So first of all, Russian military is more than capable of conducting kinetic operation in Ukraine. And when we're talking about

kinetic operations, there is a spectrum of possible options that can be conducted by Russia.

On the one side of the spectrum, there is a full invasion and occupation of Ukraine. And on the other, there is a very limited operation based on air

capabilities, just intended to degrade military, Ukrainian military and infrastructure to change political status quo without boots on the ground.

But also quite a possible that Kremlin has no intention whatsoever to go kinetic against Ukraine and this is a very interesting, interesting point.

What happens if Russia does not go connected? And I'm not saying that they will not.

But if it doesn't, for whatever reason, maybe it was a successful deterrence conducted by NATO, or by Russians had never intended to conduct

this operation that does not necessarily solve the problem.

In fact, it creates a whole set of new, systemic and sophisticated problems. If Russia does not invade Ukraine, it can maintain troops on the

Ukrainian border indefinitely. Because the Kremlin almost nothing, and brings enormous political benefits.

Every military exercise, every movement, any new development, will continue to amplify the divisions between Eastern Europe and the Baltics that are

frantic with fair. Germany as we can see and some other Western European more moderate countries that incline towards reconciliation with Russia.

And the United States, that is, we need to acknowledge that it's too busy with itself and China. If the main goal of the Kremlin is to undermine the

cohesion among NATO members, and we all aware that this has been his goal for the last almost 10 years or even more, we should remember that it is

NATO, not Ukraine is the main problem of Russia.

In this case, 10,000 troops deployed indefinitely on the Ukrainian border without any invasion to Ukraine will create a very big problem that will

crumble NATO farther and farther. We can already see as I mentioned earlier--

ANDERSON: I'm going to need to leave it there, because I'm going to have you back, sir, because this isn't going away. This story continues. I've

got to take a break at this point at the bottom of the hour. But we'll have you back, Sir. Thank you very, very much indeed for joining us. I'm taking

a short break, back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

ANDERSON: Well, let's see if you're a regular view, you'll know that we've been closely following Russia's troop mobilization around Ukraine and the

efforts to ward off an invasion. But Russia's reach extends way beyond Eastern Europe.

You'll recall Russia played a big role in Syria's civil war backing the Bashar al-Assad regime. It also has a presence in oil rich Libya, which it

sees as a valuable economic military foothold in the Mediterranean.

Well, Libya as a country is gone from one crisis to another since he revolts that Assad Muammar Gaddafi back in 2011. Its politics are still in

turmoil. Last month presidential vote was postponed. And now some lawmakers want to remove the interim prime minister.

Well, my next guest met with Libya's National Security Adviser just a couple of days ago. He said on Twitter "we discussed the importance of

preserving momentum for elections as the best hope for national reconciliation and ensuring Libya's sovereignty and security".

Let me bring in U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland joining me now for an exclusive interview from Tunis. And it's very good to

have you on. Briefly if you will describe the situation on the ground as you understand it today in Libya.

RICHARD NORLAND, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR LIBYA: Thanks, Becky, for having me. The good news is that the ceasefire that was signed a little more than

a year ago is still holding Libya is at peace. The challenge they face now is trying to get elections back on track that were scheduled for December

24th and were postponed for a variety of reasons.

There is an effort led by the United Nations mission, Stephanie Williams, to hold to put things in place for those elections to be able to take

place, ideally, within the timeframe set by the political dialogue, the U.N. lead last year, that timeframe would end at the end of June.

So the thing to bear in mind is that there's something like almost 3 million people half the population who registered to vote who want to vote,

who were disappointed that the vote was postponed.

ANDERSON: Yes.

NORLAND: And any Libyan leaders who are seen as stalling in this process, I think are feel they recognize they're going to have to account to the

people for delaying that process.

ANDERSON: Let's be quite clear here. There is a real concern that whatever fragile peace. And I use that term, I underscore that term fragile piece

that we see on the ground at present will not continue when will elections realistically take place? And do you see any prospect at this point? They

will be free and fair.

NORLAND: I think there's a realistic process of prospect of elections taking place by the end of June if leaders make the necessary compromises.

The U.N. is leading intensive discussions to get there.

And there's that pressure, as I said of almost 3 million Libyans who feel that elections are the key to what their country needs to move forward now

to get the economy going to control the borders so that Libya is not a gateway for terrorists or for migrants. And there is a realistic process of

- prospect of this happening in June. The challenge is to make sure that you don't set a date that passes again and then loses credibility.

ANDERSON: Yes.

NORLAND: But not wait so long that Libyans lose faith in the process altogether.

ANDERSON: Do you support the Interim Prime Minister at present because there are many who want to see the back end of him at this point?

NORLAND: We've worked carefully and closely with Prime Minister Dbeibah. His mission as Interim Prime Minister was to set the stage for elections.

Our view is that the focus now needs to be on getting that electoral process in place as soon as possible. There are those who are focused on

trying to establish a new government.

[11:35:00]

NORLAND: There's a risk that that would be a distraction from the process of putting elections in place and, and could create a dynamic of parallel

governments such as you had a year ago. And nobody wants that.

ANDERSON: And Mr. Dbeibah had promised when he took on this role as Interim Prime Minister that he would not stand for elected office. And yet the

elections that in the end were postponed for December the 24th. He wanted to be part of these elections. So should he stand or should he be allowed

to stand or not?

NORLAND: You're raising an important question, which is summarized by the term controversial candidates, and there's more than one. One could say

that it was controversial candidates that in a way, was the main reason for the postponement of the elections.

And ultimately, only Libyans can decide this up. Should the president of Libya be somebody who's been indicted by the International Criminal Court?

Should the president of Libya be somebody who was conducting a military offensive on the Capitol a year and a half ago? Should the president be

somebody who made a pledge that he would not run? These are decisions only Libyans can make.

ANDERSON: Yes, you speak of course of Saif Gadhafi, of Khalifa Haftar who runs the Libyan National Army. And of course, you speak there of Dbeibah.

As we pointed out earlier, Russia continues to enjoy military presence in Libya. Take a listen to what the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

said just earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAVROV: We are not present anywhere without an invitation from the receiving country in terms of troop's deployments, and completely in

agreement with international law. We stand by the commitments to the country receiving us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: He was, of course referring there to Ukraine. But who is it as far as you understand who has invited Russian troops, or at least Russian

boots on the ground in Libya?

NORLAND: Well, you know, unfortunately, over the past decade, Libya has become something of a playground for international powers to exercise their

interests pursue their interests. Russia, of course, has legitimate interests in Libya.

What puzzles us is the role that the Wagner mercenary group has played. It's a rather destabilizing role, a divisive role. And it brings into

question Libya sovereignty, which is in charge of Libya. Is it the Libyans themselves?

I think the prevailing sentiment in the country is that all foreign mercenaries' foreign forces and foreign fighters need to leave. There's

been some progress made in recent weeks with the departure of some Sudanese mercenaries. And we hope to see more of that we are certainly going to

support U.N. efforts to help bring that about.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you on, sir, come back. And we need to speak further about this. We are of course still waiting for a date for Libyans

to get a chance to vote in what are these crucial elections. Thank you, sir. Still ahead, aiming for gold, we take a look at the Olympic Village

welcoming its first foreign athletes one week before the start of the Beijing Games.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: One week, that's all that's left before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. So far more than 4000 people have arrived including

over 400 international athletes. These are by way of the numbers of Australia's team and here is team USA preparing to board their plane.

One of the skiers - saw told CNN it has been super stressful dealing with COVID protocols. This is a serious problem for China as the number of cases

found in people arriving has risen to well over 100.

You see the Olympic Village where more than 50 of the cases were found inside what is known there as the closed loop bubble, meantime, Iran

through to the World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first team in the Asia region to qualify for the tournament, which of course is at the back end of

this ship.

The national team scored a one nil victory over Iraq to secure Iran's sixth appearance in the World Cup competition and it wasn't just men in the crowd

at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.

About 2000 women were allowed to watch in a female only section. It was the second time in decades that women were allowed to actually watch the

national team in person. Victory always tastes sweet, doesn't it?

And in the case of Rafael Nadal, he's got plenty of chances to get used to it. But this time, could be different as he walks towards the final of the

Australian Open. He has a different kind of achievement in mind. I'm going to let Amanda Davis tell you what he's hoping for.

Before you do, let me just tell you I saw him in action here at the Mubadala International just before Christmas. And I have to say he looks

completely different in this tournament. I mean, he was just back from injury of course before Christmas. And I really didn't feel like this was

the Rafa of all but he has absolutely bounced back Ella's.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, absolutely, Becky, you wouldn't be the only one to have really tempered expectations heading into this

Australian Open. There's not just injury but also COVID he has been fighting back from.

But he now stands on the brink of history, just that 21st Grand Slam title which would see him become the most decorated men's tennis player of all

time surpassing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the three of them tied on 20 Grand Slams at the moment.

But the man who stands in his way Daniil Medvedev said with a wry smile reminded everybody with a wry smile. He was the man at the U.S. Open who

stops Novak Djokovic, breaking that record in September.

ANDERSON: Amazing.

DAVIES: He's hoping to make it two from two.

ANDERSON: Well, whatever, Rafael is a beast as far as I'm concerned, given where he's got to in just last month, unbelievable. Thank you. That is

"World Sport". That's it from us this evening. We will see, when we see, Monday. Have a good weekend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:45:00]

END