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NATO's Stoltenberg Makes Remarks On Ukraine Standoff; NATO Chief: We Are Ready For Dialogue; Stoltenberg: NATO IS Not A Threat To Russia; NATO Chief: Not Too Late For Russia To Step Back From Brink; Ukrainian President Visits Mariupol on "Day of Unity"; LGBTQ Athletes Complete Amid Censorship and Harassment Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired February 16, 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]
JENS STOLTENBERG, SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO: Because NATO is unique, essential and indispensible transatlantic forum for our friends and
security. And with that, I am going to let your take questions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's start with BBC here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks very much Secretary General, Jonathan - BBC. You talked about new battle groups. Are those going to happen regardless of
what Russia does? And can you give us a timeframe of when we might see forces sent to Romania, Bulgaria elsewhere?
And then also, I think you just said I regret to say, this is the new norm. What is the new norm for European security, you say it's in crisis, you're
essentially saying it's going to be in crisis for a long time?
STOLTENBERG: Well, the new normal is that Russia has demonstrated that it really is willing to contest some of the fundamental principles for our
security, the right for every nation to choose his own path.
And also, of course, the right for NATO allies to defend and protect each other. They're actually suggested a legally binding treaty violating those
principles. And they have used force the biggest concentration of combat force since the end of the Cold War, to underpin and to try to intimidate
other countries in Europe to turn away respect or to accept the Russian demands.
So this is a normal a new normal, which is violating core principles, which has been important for the security and the stability of Europe for
decades. And therefore, I regret to say that we don't know what will happen.
But we know what has already happened. And that is that Russia has demonstrated will to use force to try to coerce other countries and to try
to change some fundamental principles that are important for our shared security.
And that's reason why we need to also consider more longer term adjustments of NATO's posture in the east, I will not preempt any final decision. We
have also NATO commanders to provide advice and, and provide more details on the scale and the scope.
Including all potential new back groups in the East, in the southeast, in Romania, and the Black Sea region, and also other potential adjustments
over more longer term presidents in the East.
But I think it's important to understand that we now have launched the work on a more longer term adjustment or posture in these our presence in East.
That is just one element of what we have done over the last year or months.
After 2014, we implemented the biggest reinforcement or collective defense, by the by establishing the battle groups in the Baltic countries by
modernizing the NATO command structure by tripling the size of the NATO Response Force.
And also by starting to invest more in defense, this has already happened over the last year since 2014. Then over the last weeks and months, we
have, first of all, deployed more NATO troops in eastern border lines, more troops, more ships, more planes, under existing authorities and structures
under soccer.
And that is to make sure that we are able to monitor to follow up Russia is doing and to also reassure allies in Eastern part of the alliance that has
already happened, then we have also increased the readiness of the NATO Response Force.
So we can quickly reinforce with even more troops and forces in the eastern part of the alliance. So, so it is not as if we are waiting for something
to happen. We are already done a lot. But then we will consider more longer term adjustment.
And we will have the advice from the Military commanders within weeks, and then we'll make decisions after that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Reuters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much. Just a clarification, I know that the tasking is only just beginning, but these battle groups are they are
likely to be similar to what we've seen set up in the Baltics and Poland.
And as a second point, if I may, is this not the sort of thing that would antagonize Moscow and therefore should be avoided at this critical time?
Thank you.
STOLTENBERG: NATO is a defensive alliance. NATO is not a threat to Russia. And we have been clear for years and months that we are ready to sit down
and also listen to Russian security concerns and to address issues like for instance, arms control, if they are concerned about missiles and offensive
weapons.
The best way to deal with that is to sit down and engage in good faith in talks about how can we limit, reduce the number of sides but that has to be
balanced and verifiable.
[11:05:00]
STOLTENBERG: We have been able to do that before it is possible to make agreements with Russia, not least on arms control. We have seen that with
the INF Treaty back in 80s, that actually banned all intermediate range weapons that was extremely important for European security.
Then a few years ago, we saw the demise of the treaty, but that was because Russia deployed intermediate range missiles in violation of the INF Treaty.
But of course, we can go back to a regime, we banned categories of weapons, if this is balanced and verifiable.
We are proving before that we can limit the number of long range missiles. And there are strategic talks going on between the United States and
Russia. So we are not a threat, we are ready for dialogue.
And we have put forward a long list of specific topics, where we believe it's possible to find common ground, and to address some of those concerns
that Russia has raised. And we have no plans in order to deploy offensive systems in Ukraine.
So this is what we're ready to do. But of course, we cannot, we cannot compromise on a core principle that we have all subscribed to year after
year. And again, and again, starting with the Helsinki Final Act and then and then in the Paris Accord and then in the Istana agreement.
And many other times, all countries in Europe, including Russia, and also United States and NATO allies have signed two agreements treaties, stating
that all countries can decide themselves to have the right to decide themselves, whether they want to be part of an alliance as NATO or not.
So, so what we do is defensive. But when we see this massive Russian Military buildup, combined with threat, the rhetoric, proposing something,
which is actually formulated as a kind of ultimatum, that if we don't accept this, and that, then there will be what they call Military Technical
consequences.
And we know the track record of Russia using force against the neighbors, then, of course, we had to take that take that seriously. And that's the
reason why we in a defensive way, have increased our presence in East and are considering to increase it further to make sure that there's no room
for miscalculation or misunderstanding about our willingness to protect under federal laws.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, that's Bloomberg, that's --.
NATALIA DROZDIAK, BLOOMBERG REPORTER: Bloomberg, Natalia Drozdiak. Thank you for the question. I just wanted to follow up on the term new normal is
the concern that the troop buildup at this scale could be the new normal. Could you clarify that?
And separately, I want to ask about the cyber attack that hit Ukraine yesterday and today, which, according to Ukrainian officials, is turning
out to be one of the worst in its history. Does NATO have any evidence that this is tied to Russia? And could this be the start of a larger Military
campaign? Thank you.
STOLTENBERG: So we have not seen any withdrawal on any Russian de- escalation on the ground. We think actually, it gives some reason for optimism, some cautious optimism that they have indicated a willingness to
engage in diplomatic efforts.
But the paradox is that while of course, this is something we think is, is something we should actually take seriously and see if there's possible to
make progress in the diplomatic on the diplomatic track. What we see on the ground is no withdrawal of troops and forces equipment.
But actually what we see is that Russian troops are moving into position. And we saw the cyber-attack. And these are the kinds of actions and
measures that we expect will come in advance or bigger Military intervention into Ukraine. So of course, this is of concern.
And that's the reason why we continue to call on Russia to deescalate and to follow up on what they say, to engage in good faith in diplomatic
efforts. So I think that was your question, was it?
DROZDIAK: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much, coming back to the issue of withdraw. Now there's word against words, you're saying that Russian troops
are still there. And even Russia continues to escalate while Russia claims the opposite. So my question was, why should the word believe what you say
instead of saying what the Russian pictures also show?
[11:10:00]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the second question, am I right, you are still not sure whether to install those new better groups. And it's still possible if
the situation changes that you won't install for the better groups in southeast Eastern Europe. Thank you.
STOLTENBERG: So first, we have been very transparent. And the intelligence we are sharing is actually confirmed also with open sources with satellite
imagery from commercial satellites. So I think it's very hard to dispute that Russia has amassed well over 100,000 troops, and a lot of heavy
equipment.
And this is actually something that was predicted by our intelligence several months ago. So what we predicted some months ago has actually
happened, despite that Russia denied that that was the plan.
So what you're seeing so far is that we predicted a significant Military buildup, and that has happened, then we have never said that we have
certainty about intentions. What we do know is what they have, the capabilities they have the forces they have.
But of course, we don't have certainty about what they will do with those capabilities. But this, this is the biggest concentration of combat troops
with all the neighbors and all the support we have seen in Europe since then the Cold War, and that is in itself concerning.
Then what I say is that, since there is no certainty of what will happen the next days and weeks, I'm saying at least two things. One is that if
they use force, it will come with a high price, sanctions will be imposed. We have provided NATO allies abroad support to Ukraine.
So they are better trained, better equipped, better commander now than in 2014. And then, of course, we also make sure that there is no room for
misunderstanding, miscalculation, on NATO's willingness and readiness to protect and defend NATO allies.
But even if we see a gradual or some kind of development, where Russia decides not to use force, and we call on them to don't do not, don't do
that.
Just the fact that I will be willing to amass all these troops, and combine that with a message that they are threatening an independent country and
actually attracting NATO allies, that if we don't violate core principles, row security, there will be serious consequences.
That in itself, is serious. And that's the reason why we need to consider, so more longer term adjustments, so our posture in the east. But we have
some time to consider that. Because we have already implemented measures, we have already increased our presence.
But that's more immediate response to the current crisis. The other issue is whether we separate from that, we'll have some more longer term
adjustments. Well, no final decision has been made.
But I visited Romania on Friday, they are ready to host a battle group, France is ready to lead the battle group and other allies also expressed a
willingness to be part of that. So there is a strong will there is a strong readiness.
But the final decision has not yet been made, we will make that based on advice from military commanders. And of course, it will not necessarily be
exactly the same as the battleships or as we have in the Baltic countries, but it's based on some of the same concept multinational forces, NATO in
the east.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you very much. This concludes this press conference. The next session starts in two minutes. Thank you.
STOLTENBERG: OK, thank you.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, you've been listening to the NATO Secretary General making some remarks, he repeated what he has
said that this is the most serious crisis in Europe in decades.
He said we do not see any sign of de-escalation on the ground on the part of Russia. No withdrawals of troops or equipment, though he conceded that
this may change, but he said what we see is a massive invasion force ready to attack.
He said this is the biggest concentration of forces since the Cold War and he said from the start, and NATO have said this aggression will have high
costs. It's not too late. He said for Russia to step back from the conflict and adopt a path of peace.
But NATO will not compromise on its core principles. And he said our steps are defensive. NATO is not a threat to Russia, but Russia, he said has made
it clear that it is testing all that being NATO's capabilities. This is regretfully the new normal in Europe.
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: And he said that NATO is considering establishing new battle groups in parts of Europe. He was asked about those new battle groups and
asked what he meant by this being the new normal in Europe.
Let's bring in our correspondents to assess how he responded and to provide some further insight on what we have just heard. In a programming note, we
are expecting a new statement from President Zelensky of Ukraine, coming up.
Joining us now are International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, he's in Moscow. Sam Kiley is live from Ukraine for you. Melissa Bell is in
Brussels. John Howard is live from the White House.
Nic, you were listening in to what Jen Stoltenberg has just said, just pick apart what we heard, if you will.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, I think that the key there, and the message to Vladimir Putin here in Moscow is what you're
doing is creating the opposite effects. NATO is not going to compromise on its core principles about letting Ukraine enjoy, indeed, what is now being
considered.
And this has gone back to defense chiefs to work out some of the details of these new battle groups, he said for Eastern Europe, for Central Europe for
southeastern Europe.
And he noted that Romania has said that it will is ready to receive a battle group. And he said that France was ready to provide a battle group,
he didn't get into the specific details of what a battle group would look like.
But the implication appeared to be similar to what's been established in the Baltics, for example. So we're talking around about, you know, 1000
troops or so that are rotated.
So they're not permanently based, but their equipment is there, over a long period, they rotate from, you know, if it was Romania, in France, the
French troops would establish, would establish, you know, a temporary Military base with equipment, the troops would come in, and they'd be
replaced over time with other troops.
So this is essentially beefing up or considering beefing up NATO's forces, and he didn't say how many battle groups. But of course, this is what
President Putin has said is Russia's concern that he doesn't want NATO expanding.
He doesn't want them getting closer, getting closer to Russia, he feels that this is a threat to Russia security. There was a comment there by the
Secretary General, saying that since 2014, an additional $270 billion has been spent on defense spending of the NATO nations.
And that that again, I think, speaks to the commitment and the unity of NATO at the moment in this messaging and in this planning. And you know,
the questioning of what's actually happening with Russian forces on the ground.
But this new normal, this new normal that Russia will create a threat and say if you don't do what we want to compromise on your core principles,
then the alternative will be Military legal measures.
And this is being interpreted very clearly as a threat and not one that's going to go away that seemed to be at the core of what he was defining a
new normal, Becky.
ANDERSON: Let's bring in John Harwood, who is at the White House and our steps are defensive nature is not a threat to Russia. But Russia has made
it clear that it is testing our capabilities.
You heard what the NATO Chief just said and NATO leaders have been meeting with the U.S. Defense Secretary in Brussels. Is it clear whether the U.S.
president will be prepared to provide any additional forces to any new battle groups as just been laid out by the NATO Secretary General?
JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, that hasn't been made clear by the administration. We just heard those words a few moments
ago. But it would be surprising if they did not. One of the things that we've seen consistently through this process is a united front between NATO
and the United States.
As Nic Robertson was just explaining, the NATO has been sending a message as President Biden has, that Putin rather than dividing NATO has been
uniting the Western alliance in terms of standing up for the principle of territorial sovereignty for Ukraine.
We've seen this continued back and forth of messaging between Russia and the West, Russia sending out mixed messages saying, well, there's more time
for diplomacy but not actually pulling back troops.
And in fact adding troops masked on the border. From the U.S. perspective, President Biden has been emphasizing the costs to Russia, along with NATO
if they do choose to invade.
And also calling our what U.S. Intelligence shows that Russia might do, so it's an information battle proceeding what potentially could be a battle on
the ground between Ukrainian forces and Russian forces.
[11:20:00]
HARWOOD: But at the moment, the opportunity for a peaceful resolution is still there. And both sides have articulated that. President Biden made his
remarks yesterday to multiple audiences, assuring the Russians that the United States has no aggressive designs with respect to Russia, telling
Vladimir Putin that the United States maintains its resolve.
And telling the American public that it may cost us something higher energy prices, for example, but freedom isn't free. And we've got to be prepared
to stand up for our NATO allies. And that is a pretty coordinated message right now.
ANDERSON: Thank you, John. Let me get to, to Sam Kiley. And before I get back to Brussels, and to and to Melissa, Sam, the NATO Chief was also asked
not just about his assessment of Military preparedness by Russia, and he said he sees no evidence of de-escalation.
He was also asked about the potential for further cyber-attacks from Russia. What's the perspective there? We certainly get the sense that
Ukraine at this point is less worried about a Military full scale invasion and more concerned about the damage that Russia can do to its economy and
the kind of wider energy story through these cyber-attacks.
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think you're absolutely dead on with that analysis there. Becky, as the Secretary
General of NATO said, the new normal is this idea that you can, if you're Russia, park you have a large numbers of troops on a bordering on a
nation's border and then expect to get political results you can do effectively.
And I'm paraphrasing here, using bully boy tactics to get political results. Now the Ukrainians are very familiar with this.
As indeed any student of recent Russian foreign policy should be, this is part of the full spectrum of war right through from interfering in
political processes, which the Russians have been accused of in the United States and the United Kingdom and elsewhere, right through to invasion,
which is what they did when they seized the Crimea.
So what they're worried about here deeply worried about is not the necessarily the imminent threat of an invasion, but the effect of the
threat of an invasion. That is what is the new normal being referred to there by the NATO Secretary General.
The new normal is this permanent threat, which means that a country like Ukraine will struggle to attract investment, will suffer periodic cyber-
attacks, or the one that in the last 24 hours, not yet directly tied successfully to Russian hackers ret fairly low level of disruptive.
But psychologically effective attack would have been much more effective in terms of material damage that has been done in the past.
But it's constantly stirring the pot, constantly making Ukraine feel a little bit unbalanced, troubling Investors, meaning that only the most
risk, risk, friendly investors are likely to come into a country, making sure that Ukraine in the long term cannot stabilize as an economy much less
a democracy.
A stable and successful West leaning economy in the Ukraine is an existential threat to the continued power of one Vladimir Putin. That
ultimately, really is what the Secretary General's hinting at there.
Everything's been couched in this process about whether or not Ukraine can join NATO. But really, what are the motivations for Russia? Why is this,
the new normal, because permanent instability in the land of its rivals, particularly this rival, is success as far as Vladimir Putin is concerned?
So that in the longer term is very clear to the Ukrainians, they keep talking about it. And of course, first in that wave of continuing a wave,
should I say, of continuing that sort of sense of instability is this cyber disruption, this idea that a hidden hand could reach out from somewhere and
turn the lights off, Becky?
ANDERSON: And we know, thank you, Sam, I'm going to let you go, because it looks awfully cold day. So do find yourself a little bit of warmth for the
next few minutes. Let me bring in Melissa in Brussels.
The NATO Secretary General wanting to make it very clear as he is surrounded by those NATO defense leaders and the U.S. Defense Secretary,
you know, who is at the core of that, of course, wanted to make it very clear that NATO, the U.S. Europe is absolutely united in its positioning
here when it comes to the threat from Russia be that Military or the cyber threat.
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Is that the sense that we get those? Certainly it's a message that NATO Secretary General wants to be made loud and clear. But is that
the ultimate atmosphere that we are seeing here is their total unity at this point?
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have seen a difference of messaging these last few weeks Becky from various NATO allies.
With Europeans and Europeans further to the west, more reticent, perhaps in Eastern Europeans and the United States and the NATO Secretary General to
be as bullish in their pronouncements about the assessments and their belief in what Moscow's intentions might be.
And those are long standing divisions that we know have long divided Europe. They have long divided NATO.
But I think what we just heard from the Secretary General; there was a determined attempt to show not only unity, but that by his actions of the
last few weeks, and by that Military buildup that was aimed, said Moscow, because it was worried about Ukraine's potential membership of NATO.
What it had, in fact, achieved is not just a greater sense of NATO unity on these questions, but a determination to shore up militarily, the alliances
eastern flank, that as Nic was saying a moment ago, the exact opposite, perhaps, of what Moscow's intentions might have been, were, in fact,
achieved.
And when you look at the map of those countries, where there's new deployments discussed, once again, today, here at the headquarters of NATO,
towards the eastern flank, are there quite substantial deployments to places like Romania to Poland, to the Baltic States, precisely the kind of
thing that should be worrying Vladimir Putin since he brings NATO troops and Russian troops closer to one another, and in a confrontational way,
much more so than anything we've seen these last few years.
And then there's the question of Poland directly on the border with Belarus, where those Military exercises will continue until the 20th of
February, where we know that allied forces have now moved east to the - river.
Those two forces on one hand, NATO forces on the other Russians now directly opposite, opposite each other along the single border, so an
extremely worrying picture. But yes, I determined effort to show unity, where perhaps before there had not been such unity.
If you go back a few months within NATO, where within Europe, in the approach towards rush, if when Vladimir Putin has achieved one thing these
last few weeks, it is to bring NATO together fairly forcefully behind that line that it will stand firm.
And again, as we've been saying that that open door policy and it applies, of course, to future potential States, like Ukraine is something they
intend to stand fast by, Becky.
ANDERSON: Melissa is in Brussels, Nic Robertson is in Moscow. We've let Sam go, because it was awfully cold where he was. And John is working his
sources. I think we made you know; we had a discussion, which has really flushed out this cyber war.
And the ability to wreak havoc with cyber-attacks or the threat there of is something that has been at the top of NATO's priority box now, not just in
the past weeks or months. But for years, are we seeing that play out, potentially here. We're going to take a very short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Commercial satellite images confirm Russia has not withdrawn troops from the Ukrainian border. NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg making those
comments just moments ago on the sidelines of meetings today between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO Defense Ministers.
Exclusive new intelligence from the Ukrainian Military painting a similar picture it suggests the Russian true build up near the Ukraine border
continues though it's not sufficient. This intelligence report suggests for a full scale invasion.
Well, all of this coming after Moscow released this video. They claim shows Tansen troops returning from Crimea on a train after exercises. I'm joined
now by CNN's Nathan Hodge, formerly our Moscow Bureau Chief and Kurt Volker, who's former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, also the former U.S. Special
Representative for Ukraine negotiations.
You will have both heard the latest from Jens Stoltenberg. And so I just do want to allude to some of what he said, including this idea of new battle
groups, Mr. Volker on the - in Europe. And this sense from Jens Stoltenberg that this that we are experiencing today is the new normal, he says, for
Europe, what do you make of his remarks?
KURT VOLKER, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO: Well, I agree with that. And first off, Russia has put in place a massive Military force in and around
Ukraine, and they remain there. This doesn't mean that we know what Putin's intentions are.
He could very well launch in Ukraine, he could well leave them there to apply pressure and to create all of this diplomatic activity and seek
concessions. It could be that he stands them down briefly for a while rotates the troops, but stands them back up again.
We saw that there was a major build up in April of this year, he left some of the equipment there, but took some troops out, put them back again in
the fall and then is increased even more now over the winter.
So I think we do have to learn to live with the fact that Russia is in a very aggressive posture. It is a Military posture, and we have to be
prepared to defend our NATO allies and deter any Russian aggression elsewhere.
ANDERSON: It is in a Military posture, as you rightly suggest. And although Ukrainian intelligence suggests that that military positioning with 148,000
or so troops on Ukraine's border isn't sufficient for a full scale invasion.
It's clear at this point that NATO's assessment and the assessment of the Ukrainians is that there is no drawdown in those troops. Nathan, I want to
bring you in at this point.
I mean, you are an expert in the sort of reading the tea leaves, if you will me keep using that, Sir, and apologies for that of the Kremlin and of
Vladimir Putin is our former Moscow Bureau Chief.
What do you make of what we are hearing at present? And of the news that we've just heard that Tuesday cyber-attack in Ukraine, nobody can suggest
where that has come from, to date. But that cyber-attack is the biggest in its history.
NATHAN HODGE, CNN FORMER MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: So Becky, first, I mean, it's important to say that, you know, if there is a full on assault by Russia,
and that's the big if here, you know, it's going to be the first one that will have been signaled in advance on Tic-Tok because not only do we have
pronouncements, you know, from NATO from the Biden Administration, we have overhead imagery that's been gathered that for CNN - that we've been
showing our viewers that provides this evidence of this massive Military buildup.
[11:35:00]
HODGE: But we're also seeing evidence of it on, you know, Russian social media, of Military hardware, sort of moving to and fro inside of Russia.
Sometimes being filmed by you know, irate people who are parked behind columns of Military equipment as they're being shuffled around.
And of course, you mentioned that earlier today, the Russian Ministry of Defense did release these images saying, you know, this is hardware that's
being moved out of Crimea.
But we don't know the amount of that hardware if other people are falling back in where that equipment previously was, and where that stuff is being
repositioned now.
And so, you know, I think in the minds of many, we're asking a lot of questions is, is, for instance, something like this cyber-attack. And
again, we don't have a lot of information on attribution, but could potentially a cyber-attack be a way of sort of, you know, preparing the
battlefield for something like this.
And furthermore, we've seen in the past couple of days, sort of, from Putin himself, in his own words, signaling some things that could be seen as
something of a pretext for, you know, for Military action.
Yesterday, he said it, you know, at a press conference that he considered the situation in Donbas to have the hallmarks of genocide again, using that
word loosely, I think, in our understanding.
And today, we've seen his investigative committee as sort of a top law enforcement agency weighing in as well as saying that they were going to be
investigating the indiscriminant shellfire, they allege in the Donbas region.
So, a lot of what we see here is this sort of signaling on the one hand, we had some fairly friendly and receptive comments from Dmitry Peskov, the
Kremlin Press Secretary this morning, when asked about, you know, Joe Biden speech last night saying that the Russians, people are not our enemy.
And he said, well, we're receptive to that. But at the same time, he also said that the danger remains high. So we're seeing sort of the Kremlin in
this case. And again, they're not transparent to us, keeping all of its options open, whether it's the path of diplomacy or whether it's this
option of the use of force, Becky.
ANDERSON: Biden in his speech yesterday, speaking directly to the people of Russia, as Nathan pointed out there, let's just have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: We're not targeting the people of Russia. We do not seek to destabilize Russia, to the citizens of Russia, you are not our
enemy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, I'm going to pull out of that, because President Zelensky of Ukraine is delivering a statement. Let's listen into that. All right,
well, we are trying to get the audio on that for you. And you'll appreciate that we are doing our best to keep you bang up to date.
With all of the developments a statement by the Ukrainian president who is visiting the port city of Mariupol is important. He has declared this Unity
Day. He's been doing the rounds of the areas that are close to the border.
And we are trying to get you some sound on that. As and when we get it, we will get it to you. What should we do? Should we get back to let's get back
to our guest. Kurt Volker is with me and Nathan Hodge is with me as well.
We were running some sound from Joe Biden in his speech yesterday, and we pulled out of it, but I mean, I think our viewers sort of got the sense of
what he said. There are those who suggest that Joe Biden with that speech running the risk of inflaming tensions further with Russia. What's your
analysis?
VOLKER: No, I see it exactly the opposite. I think it was a very clear, firm and calm message from President Biden.
ANDERSON: OK. I am going to stop you there. As I said, I'm doing my best to get the viewer's everything that's happening. This is a fast moving story.
Let's get back to President Zelensky who is now speaking. And we do have audio, let's listen.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: We are all united by our power by your will, your dedication and your courage and your wisdom. We are all
united and we have been united by this in the last eight years, especially now. We are not afraid of any kind of enemies.
[11:40:00]
ZELENSKY: We know that we will protect ourselves. And on the 16th of February and in March in April, it doesn't matter what March will date and
demand doesn't matter. 2022, that's what we are talking about. It's not 2014. And this is important to remember.
Over these eight years, we have become so much stronger in umpteenth time. So you know, without you, we would have not have a country like this, we
would have not had the nation like this. Without you, our future is just, we are not interested in our future we have you.
ANDERSON: Well, apologies, we have the sound, we have lost the sound. This is what happens with live TV, folks, you're with me every step of the way.
Let me get you back with Nathan Hodge, who is standing by our former Moscow Bureau Chief.
This is a day declared as Unity Day by the Ukrainian president, an appeal there to the people of Mariupol and to the people of Ukraine, it seems for
some patients may seem to be suggesting he understands that people are concerned.
We were talking just earlier before we went before we took that short statement from the Ukrainian president about where things stand at present,
Joe Biden spoke and address the Russian people directly last night.
And we've heard from the NATO Secretary General today, you see, he says they see no sign of de-escalation. Russia, of course, Nathan absolutely
determined that it is drawing down its troops. At this point, is it any clearer what Russia's intentions are?
HODGE: Well, Becky, I think we're probably going to be getting a little bit more of a, let's say, a better sense. Or at least, let's say perhaps a few
new markers in the coming days. Now, there are still these major Military drills that are underway, for instance, in Belarus.
And we heard earlier today from Belarus's foreign minister saying that there would not be any Russian troops or equipment, not a single piece left
behind once these exercises end.
And of course, the Kremlin has said as well that, you know, Russian troops will go home and again, leave Belarusian territory. But then there's a
whole lot of territory inside of the Russian Federation that is adjacent to the borders of Ukraine.
And that doesn't necessarily deescalate things. It just means that, you know, we may be able to say or the let's say the Belarusians and the
Russians may be able to say, you know, these exercises are over.
It's the 20th February, they've gone and scheduled. But we could still be in a situation, you know, kind of where we are today, where there still may
be clear signs of heavy Russian Military troop presence on the ground.
And sort of adding to the complexity of this, you know, we here in Moscow, we're not in an information vacuum. Russians as well are hearing what
President Biden is saying.
This is sort of a peculiar sort of postmodern autocracy here, where a lot of the world news does get filtered down; it gets a very different
interpretation on state TV. And of course, the Kremlin works very hard to spin it its own way.
But we're sort of in a situation where we have to understand we're in the middle of, of a wider information battle here and that factor into the
calculations of both sides.
You know, there were reasons and this has been stated publicly, for the U.S. to be more forthcoming about the intelligence that it had to basically
be on the front foot, as opposed to other scenarios involving Russia where, you know, Russia has been very much on the front foot when it comes to
surprise disinformation.
So you know we are living and trying to you know make the best sense of this situation not only as it unfolds but sort of cut through this thicket
of spin on one side.
[11:45:00]
HODGE: But also, you know, sort of a little bit of the deniability and deception that we've, we've become used to when we're talking about the
Russian Military. And again, they will put out a press release that says we're moving a certain number, you know, we're moving troops.
But you know, we don't get a whole lot of specifics about the numbers, where people are returning to. And again, the big question again, the one
that that's sort of in sort of, that's never right, very clear, clear to our view, is, is what the intent is.
And that's the intent of President Putin, who seems to for the time being have kept a lot of his options open, Becky.
ANDERSON: Kurt Volker is still with us, the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO. You are, of course, also the former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine
negotiations. I just wonder, finally, I mean, this is a young, relatively inexperienced, relatively young, new President of Ukraine, how's he holding
up at this point?
VOLKER: Well, I think he's doing a lot of the right things right now. It's important that he's visiting Mariupol. If you look at some of the scenarios
of what land area Putin might want to seize from Ukraine, that adjoins Crimea, Mariupol is right in the middle of it, but it's an important place
to go.
That's a good boost of confidence for the population there. He's also trying to project confidence and resilience for Ukraine as a whole. Yes,
even if Russia does attack, Ukrainians will fight and in the end, Ukraine will survive and prosper.
And I think that's an important message as well. I think the risks that we see now, this hasn't come up yet, is just yesterday, the Russian Duma
passed legislation that encouraged Putin to recognize the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics as independent States.
He urged the German Chancellor to push Ukraine to make these places autonomous, and at the same time is now wielding the option of recognizing
their independence. That's something else we might see play out over the next few days while he keeps his Military forces deployed.
ANDERSON: To both of you, thank you for standing by persevering as we went in and out of a number of different events. I really appreciate it.
Appreciate your analysis and your insight really important for the viewers.
I'm going to take a very short break at this point. You're watching "Connect the World. I'm Becky Anderson, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, the Head of the International Olympic Committee met on Wednesday with members of the U.S. figure skating team. They discussed
Russian skater Kamila Valieva who tested positive for a banned drug but is being allowed to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing.
American Olympic officials have been particularly vocal in saying Valieva should not be competing. Her team has offered an explanation for that
positive drug test. Here is CNN's Selina Wang with the very latest for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This whole situation is just devastating. Kamila Valieva, Russian figure skater and favorite to take
individual gold at these Olympics raced into deleted the women's singles skating competition in the short program Tuesday, taking the ice despite
testing positive before the games for a banned drug. Valieva blamed her positive drug test on a mix up with her grandfather's heart medication.
[11:50:00]
DENIS OSWALD, CHAIR, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION: He presented elements, which brought some doubts about - if he
would miss the competition. At these games, the damage could not be repaired.
WANG (voice over): The 15 year old stumbled on her first jump, but still easily sealed her place in Thursday's free skating program. Valieva is
emotional when she finished her routine. Valieva returned the drug test on Christmas Day, but it was only last week that the sample was reported to
have come back positive for the drug trimetazidine.
After she and her teammates had already won gold here, it was further revealed that Valieva declared use of two other substances, one of which
the U.S. anti-doping agency tried to ban due to its performance enhancing capabilities.
TRAVIS TYGART, CEO, UNITED STATES ANTI-DOPING AGENCY: Having these three two declared and one obviously testing positive that wasn't declared the
one that is prohibited just raises you know significant red flags and alarm bells.
WANG (voice over): The world anti-doping agency says it will also be investigating her entourage. If she medals as expected, the award will be
put on hold with no ceremony during these games.
TYGART: There is someone behind whether it's coach, Doctor or the state that's helping this young athlete in teaching this young athlete to use the
substances in order ultimately to increase and enhance performance.
WANG (voice over): A glimpse behind the glimmering surface into the murky world of Russian sports.
DICK POUND, FOUNDING PRESIDENT, WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY: Maybe it's time for a time of Russia in the Olympics. You simply say sorry, you will not be
invited to the next games. Yu will not be able to host any, you know, Olympic sport events and so forth, that that will get their attention.
WANG (voice over): Not holding back in a statement, "this appears to be another chapter and the systematic and pervasive disregard for clean sport
by Russia'. The Russian figure Skating Federation President is labeling the decision common sense and justice, but other athletes slamming the decision
as a mockery of clean competition.
And an Olympics dogged by politics and China's human rights record, this doping scandal tainting the sport here as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Selina Wang reporting from Beijing. Well, these winter games reportedly include a record number of openly LGBTQ athletes
35. But they are competing against what is the backdrop of censorship and official harassment, which is in sharp contrast, of course, to the Olympic
messages of unity. CNN's David Culver has a story for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Together for a shared future, that's how Chinese organizers have branded these Beijing 2022 Winter Games,
promoting themselves and being welcoming to all.
YANG YANG, CHAIR OF ATHLETES' COMMISSION, BOCOG: I am confident that our Athletes Commission will actively work with the diverse athletes to support
their display of diversity.
CULVER (voice over): The Commission's Chairwoman told CNN a message that in words appears to build upon the Tokyo Games which had the most LGBTQ
representation of any Olympics so far. But outside the so called Olympic bubble in Beijing that shared future is less inclusive.
As we saw over the weekend, many on Chinese social media furious over the censorship of the wildly popular TV show Friends. As the show officially
released on local streaming platforms late last week, Chinese fans noticed missing plotlines.
Starting with the first episode, discussions of the character Ross's ex- wife being a lesbian scrubbed entirely. There's been a consistent targeting of China's LGBTQ community in recent years.
Last summer, dozens of LGBTQ organizations say their WeChat public pages were banned overnight, that sudden closing of a relatively safe social
space in China's cyberspace followed the abrupt end in 2022 to China's longest running annual celebration of sexual minorities. Shanghai Pride,
one source telling CNN the organizers were under pressure from local authorities.
CULVER (on camera): Here we are Beijing 2022, what do you say?
CULVER (voice over): We spoke with one of the organizers behind the now cancelled Shanghai pride. He asked us to conceal his identity fearing
retaliation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's obviously no clear line or clear 20 point and then things started to clamp down at some point to.
CULVER (voice over): That clamping down is happening online and in movie theaters. Gay content is regularly deleted here denounced by sensors as
abnormal sexual relationships and behaviors.
CULVER (on camera): As Beijing tightens its grip over society, Chinese public television now even prohibits showing men viewed as effeminate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In general, they just don't want this to be a topic or craving any influence that doesn't fit essentially culturally.
[11:55:00]
CULVER (voice over): Some online have pushed baseless claims that LGBTQ groups in China have been infiltrated by foreign forces to corrupt young
minds and destabilize society. Some now worried that foreign athletes calls for tolerance and understanding may give even more bite to the backlash.
GUS KENWORTHY, OLYMPIC SKIER AND LGBTQ ADVOCATE: I want to be, I guess, a beacon of hope or a light for someone who might be struggling in the
closet, just to know that they are worthy and that they can exist as their true authentic selves in the world and in sports.
CULVER (voice over): But official embrace of that authenticity might just be confined to the Olympic bubble as Chinese censors work overtime to erase
every trace of LGBTQ existence in public. David Culver, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It's been a very busy couple of hours of news. Thank you for staying with us and for watching "Connect the World'. "One World' with Zain
Asher is next. And stay with CNN.
END
