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Putin Meets with Russian Security Council; White House: Biden Agrees "In Principle" to Putin Summit; European Union Foreign Affairs Council Meets in Brussels; Cooper: UAE Capable of Defending Itself; 50 Years after Nixon Visit, Countries are Intense Rivals. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired February 21, 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)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN, Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: This hour the U.S. continues to say all signs on the ground point to an imminent Russian invasion of
Ukraine, but they insist diplomacy is still not dead. This is "Connect the World" and for those of you just joining us, this is the very latest for
you.
Russia's President upping the stakes and the standoff with Ukraine with new accusations of Ukrainian violations in separatist areas of the east of the
country. This is evidence on the ground appears to show Russia moving ever closer to an invasion.
Vladimir Putin speaking at a highly choreographed news conference after meeting with his Security Council claiming that current hostilities have
now compelled him to consider a request for independence from the leaders of two areas Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ukraine calling Russian claims of shelling from the Ukrainian side a deliberate provocation and just minutes ago Ukraine's Interior Ministry
challenging another Russian claim that a Ukrainian soldier was captured and others killed after crossing into Russia asking for the name of the
soldiers and for an image of the bodies.
Well, new satellite pictures show increased Russian troop activity along the border, the U.S. National Security Adviser warning today and extremely
violent invasion could happen. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We believe that any military operation of the size, scope and magnitude of what we believe the Russians
are planning will be extremely violent, it will cost the lives of Ukrainians and Russians, civilians and military personnel alike.
But we also have intelligence to suggest that there will be an even greater form of brutality because this will not simply be some conventional war
between two armies. It will be a war waged by Russia on the Ukrainian people to repress them to crush them to harm them.
And that is what we laid out in detail for the UN because we believe that the world must mobilize to counter this kind of Russian aggression should
those tanks roll across the border, as we anticipate they very well may do in the coming hours or days.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That was Jake Sullivan was speaking earlier. There is though still hope we are told for a diplomatic solution. U.S. President Joe Biden
agreeing in principle to hold a summit with President Putin and Russia's Foreign Minister saying he'll meet his American counterpart on Thursday.
Well, diplomatic efforts may not yet be exhausted, but its little comfort for people living in Ukrainian towns bordering rebel controlled territory.
Residents of one village told CNN's Sam Kiley, they fear that if Russia invades their homes will be hit first of all, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In a small town called New York in Eastern Ukraine, and a short flight for a motor
bomb from rebel territory, lies Slavyansk a straight after eight years of war so close to the frontline homes here are almost worthless.
These houses haven't been smashed by war. They've been destroyed by the poverty conflict brings torn down and sold as recycled bricks and tiles.
Locals tell us that these houses sell for about 70 bucks.
KILEY (on camera): This is the end of Slavyansk Street now just down there is the checkpoint and beyond that is rebel held territory. And in the last
hour or so we've heard at least eight explosions.
KILEY (voice over): She's out amid the shelling with her mum lending a hand playing with the family pump through a gate riddled with shrapnel holes
from a shell that landed before she was born. Her parents tell her that the latest barrage is Thunder, but it is something to worry about.
Andrey is a rescue worker. He's acutely aware of the surge in recent shelling. According to Ukrainian authorities, there were at least 70
strikes along the frontline that Saturday.
KILEY (on camera): So what kind of life do you think your daughter's going to have?
[11:05:00]
KILEY (voice over): The increased Russian backed rebels shelling the kill to government soldiers on Saturday is being seen as a possible prelude to a
Russian invasion, perhaps along this very street.
Across the road - draws water from a well, this community is sliding back into the 19th century. And fear bears down on everyone.
KILEY (on camera): Is there much shelling? You've had this for a long time. Are you feeling frightened now there?
KILEY (voice over): But many living in Ukraine's New York are trapped by these war time blues. Especially watch yours.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Sam Kiley connecting us from Kharkiv, in Ukraine. Kylie Atwood but it's at the State Department. Sam is in Kharkiv. Your reports revealing
realities of a population grinding out a life in the crosshairs of not just the ratcheting up of this crisis but as you point out a conflict lasting
eight years as the claims and counterclaims continue. Is it clear what is actually going on, on the ground at this point and what the likely
consequences might be?
KILEY: What is clear, Becky, I don't think there's any doubt at all about the assessments not just of U.S. and British intelligence. But actually
we've seen it with their own analysis of satellite imagery, there is a very substantial force a very, very substantial force of Russian troops
gathering just 25 miles plus from here where I'm standing, just the other side of the border, and what likely if there is some kind of military
advance.
A route that they would take in to try to cut off Kharkiv, this city of a million and a half people the second largest city in the country and at the
same time as releasing this data. The United States and indeed, the United Kingdom have also published data which the U.S. has taken to the United
Nations Human Rights Commission.
Now alleging Russia and plans to not only tried to capture the capital, but also to kill or imprison large numbers of people allegedly on lists of
people who need would need to be taken out of the equation entirely in the event of a Russian invasion, because they will be deemed to be the sorts of
people that might run a resistance against a Russian invasion or even indeed an occupation a very, very sinister development.
There is no independent confirmation of that the United States UK haven't published the details of these allegations, but they clearly are raising
the prospect of something really very dark.
ANDERSON: Kiley, the U.S. and Europeans NATO allies threatening a raft of sanctions against Russia, should they invade Ukraine? But I'm willing to
press the button on those plans yet, at least I want you to have a listen to what Ukrainian President Zelensky told our colleague, Christiane
Amanpour at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: We are being told that you have several days and then the war will start. And I said OK. Then apply the
sanctions today. Yes, they say we apply sanctions when the war will happen. I'm saying fine. But you are telling me that it's 100 percent that the war
will start in a couple of days when then what are you waiting for?
We don't need your sanctions, after the bombardment will happen and after country will be fired for after we will have no borders? No after we will
have no economy or the parts of our countries will be occupied. Why would we need those sanctions then?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, he clearly feels extremely strongly about this. U.S and its allies do have a different viewpoint. Can you explain their position?
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, I think the U.S. officials have empathy for the position of the Ukrainians here they
fully understand the point that President Zelensky is making. At the same time, as you said, Becky, they just view it differently. They think that
the threat of sanctions is a deterrent here.
So Secretary Blinken said yesterday that if you implement sanctions that take the deterrent off the table, there's very little that the United
States and its European allies can do after they implement the sanctions, which are the big costs that they can impose on Russia. So they don't want
to do that until a Russian invasion has actually happened.
[11:10:00]
ATWOOD: At the same time the Biden Administration is saying that they want to engage diplomatically they are open to more diplomacy with Russia, even
though they believe President Putin has made the decision to go ahead and invade Ukraine.
They say they will continue engaging diplomatically until those tanks are rolling over the borders. Listen to how Blinken put it yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: While we believe President Putin has made the decision that the die is cast until that die actually settles
and until the tanks are actually moving, the planes are actually flying. The bombs are actually dropping, we're going to do everything we can with
diplomacy and with deterrence and persuasion to get President Putin to reverse the decision that we believe he's made, and part of that is making
very clear what he risks in terms of sanctions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ATWOOD: Now, the question is, if Secretary Blinken actually meets with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov later this week, as they are planning to
do, of course, that'll only happen if a Russian invasion hasn't happened by that time.
But if they do meet, can they actually gain any steam in these diplomatic conversations Blinken was asked over the weekend, if the United States
would consider recognizing parts of Eastern Ukraine, Crimea as territories of Russia as a diplomatic way out here.
He said simply put, no, he said that is not on the table. And of course, is there a conversation that could actually be had about NATO membership?
President Putin saying today indicating that there was some sort of message that he heard from President Biden, about there being a moratorium on NATO
membership senior Administration official telling us that Biden never made any such suggestion.
But is there any forward movement on the NATO front? It doesn't seem so right now, but we will continue to watch. And they are working behind the
scenes to try and advance that diplomacy Becky.
ANDERSON: Kylie Atwood is at the State Department; Sam is in Kharkiv to both of you, thank you. Well, Ukraine, calling Moscow's allegations that it
sent saboteurs into Russia disinformation. Russian state news agencies say there was a deadly clash earlier Monday in the southern Rostov region
allegedly between Russian border guards and a Ukrainian sabotage group.
Some of the Ukrainians were reportedly killed the Ukrainian Interior Ministry quoting now saying let them name the names of the saboteur show
the bodies and hand them over to their relatives in Ukraine. And if this does not happen, then this is another fake of Russian propaganda.
Well, at the same time Russian President Vladimir Putin says, he's considering recognizing Ukraine's breakaway regions have a listen?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: The purpose of our meeting today is to listen to the colleagues and determine our next steps in this direction,
meaning both the appeal of the leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republic's to Russia with a request to recognize sovereignty and the state
Duma's resolution on the same subject calling on the Head of the state to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the DPR and the LPR.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well CNN's international Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson back with us from Moscow and our International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh
is in Western Ukraine. And Nic Robertson a couple of hours ago, it was extraordinary to watch that highly choreographed drama play out.
It was Putin Security Council meeting. And if the future of Europe security is at stake, because we are constantly told here, what we saw was this sort
of drama, play out in front of our eyes, I just want you to assess what we heard and its significance, if you will.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Hugely significant because the whole spectacle wrapped up with President Putin suddenly being
cut off after he said, we'll take a decision later.
Obviously, this was a meeting that played out behind closed doors and an edited version was presented for the Russian population, that we saw a
parade of Vladimir Putin's top officials, and come out and speak about narratives about points of view about opinion, all of which we'd heard
before from a range of issues from President Putin laying out that he hadn't got satisfaction from NATO on his core demands.
And that he didn't know that if he was going to get that from President Biden from his interlocutors who've negotiated with the Ukrainians and with
the with the French and the Germans about a piece the Minsk Agreements in, in Ukraine over the separatists Donbas region which the whole conversation
was about.
And from him, we heard the position laid out that really the Ukrainian government's not interested in Donbas anymore.
[11:15:00]
ROBERTSON: It's not interested in that region, it's given up on it, it sees it as a Ukrainian Russian issue. So the ground was being set in this sort
of big theater piece for the Russian people for the international audience to understand that President Putin is getting the advice that he can now
switch from trying to get his political objectives by forcing Ukrainian leadership into talks with the leadership that are pro Russian separatists
in Donbas, he can now switch tactics, he is poised, it appears and we don't know if he'll do it today or not.
But it's been teed up now, to, to now, except what the rebels are asking for which is to be recognized as independent to have their independence
granted, in essence by Vladimir Putin. And if he does that, then that ends that political track.
And essentially, the narrative about Ukraine changes and the ground appears to be set for that it becomes more militaristic for one less political, we
don't know if Vladimir Putin is going to go down that track. But that appears to be the point he is at right now.
ANDERSON: Nic, and the claim and counterclaim about what is going on the ground talk of a summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents, at some
point soon. We are constantly being warned that this is a dangerous moment, you know, an historic crisis for European security.
When you step back from your vantage point where you are now, are we any closer do you believe at this point to assessing where this goes next?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think today seeing Vladimir Putin at times dress down his closest advisors, he told the deputy presidential
administration to speak up at one point and shut someone else down.
I mean, it was a testy exchange, it seems and he certainly didn't. At the end of it appear to have not made his mind up; it was a fairly abrupt end.
And so I've always been slightly skeptical of the necessary use the strategic point of Russia recognizing the separatist's territories, they've
always wanted that.
And this may be the time that Moscow feels that is some sort of small gain; it can get out of this. But it does essentially risk getting Moscow
sanctions and then an awful lot of benefit, because they already control their separatists territories anyway, they just have to do so more
formally, going forward with possible sanctions.
So a lot of cases, as Nic was saying, were laid out there. We've seen today there's continue narrative growing on the border areas where the FSB, the
Russian border services, security services that run the borders as well talking about five Ukrainians trying to get into Russia and an act of
sabotage staunchly denied by the Ukrainians.
And minimal evidence, frankly, for that presented a tool and another incident involving accusations of shelling as well. That persistent
narrative being presented that we've seen over the past days with other highly dubious incidents being presented by separatists inside separatists
territories too.
A map doe's signal where this may be going, this is always going to been a process of steps where the narrative is started possibly in separatist
territories. And then things begin to build. And it is quite clear to that there's no sign the military forces on Ukraine's borders, de-escalating
their momentum appears short in one direction.
I've always been skeptical that there is a broader strategic gain for Vladimir Putin necessarily launching an offensive inside Ukraine, and
that's shared by many Western officials who even say he's about to do it. So it is clearly his decision.
He said he paused before he said --subordinate today in Russian about when he would make that but it appears he is making it as we speak. And the
choreography today was unmistakable.
That briefing, that meeting laid out on Russian state television a matter of minutes after the leaders of the separatists republics broadcast video
messages, asking for recognition from Moscow and it is quite clear the next stage the narrative is upon us. We just don't know what the storyteller of
this; Vladimir Putin wants it to end with.
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh and Nic Robertson, to both of you, thank you. Well, just a few hours ago, I interviewed Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, U.S.
Vice Admiral, Brad Cooper, asked him what the role of the U.S. Navy will be, should Russia further invade Ukraine. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VICE ADMIRAL BRAD COOPER, U.S. NAVY: Well, you've seen a commitment from all our senior leaders, to NATO and that alliance, and article five of the
alliance and that's where that's where our orientation lies at this point. We're a global force. I wouldn't walk into the hypotheticals for right now.
Our role is to simply be vigilant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: More of our conversation on the United States role in this region, in this region is just ahead. And also it's a question of trust.
Why our CNN White House Reporter Stephen Collinson says that could make or break this forthcoming summit between these two men scheduled or promise at
least Thursday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Russia's president during the focus of his standoff with Ukraine and to the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Two breakaway Republics there,
well, Vladimir Putin saying Ukraine is violating the Minsk accords aimed at keeping peace in that region.
Ukraine is calling a Russian claim of an incursion into Russian territory false and challenging Russia to provide proof. Well, our Stephen Collinson
writes the extreme distrust shared by all parties to the conflict Russia, Ukraine and Western allies' means this diplomatic breakthrough are hang by
a thread.
Recent U.S. and Russian exchanges have been characterized by contempt, suspicion and sarcasm, so there's hardly a guarantee here of success,
Stephen Collinson joining me now from Washington. And some will say we can't blame certainly at the U.S. or its Western allies for trying this
diplomatic route. So explain your thoughts, if you will.
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Right, Becky. I think this is a risk for the president both politically and strategically. You know, of
course, any U.S. president will try and avert war; a war that the U.S. says would cause great numbers of civilian casualties and would have a political
impact in the United States in terms of rising gasoline prices and inflation that could really hurt the president politically in a midterm
election year.
But strategically, Biden would go into any summit if it happens, and people here are very skeptical that it actually will go ahead at some point. And
risk, of course, going to a summit it failing.
And then Vladimir Putin going home and invading Ukraine anyway, that will encourage all sorts of claims of appeasement and Neville Chamberlain
comparisons. The President would also meet Putin very unclear about exactly what could come out of this potential summit.
The two sides are so far apart. The Russians essentially won a rewriting of Cold War post-cold war Europe, which the United States says will never
happen in concert with its NATO allies. So that's the strategic problem politically back home.
If the President goes into a summit, he's going to face accusations that he's rewarding Putin for aggression around Ukraine, that he is weak, and
that is something no president could afford, politically domestically, especially at a time when his own approval writings of tanking.
He has been criticized internationally and in the United States over the withdrawal the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and again he's facing
those midterm elections.
[11:25:00]
COLLINSON: So a lot of people, I think, inside and outside the administration while giving, you know, a chance for a summit succeed, a
very skeptical that it could happen, and then it could be a success.
ANDERSON: Yes, it's interesting isn't because the irony here is that on the one hand, it sort of damned if he does damned if he doesn't. On the other
when we're talking politics, and you know that sort of reception to this current tack in Congress. He does seem to have bipartisan support for or
certainly, to this point for his strategy, does he not?
COLLINSON: I think he has bipartisan support. To an extent there are hawkish Republicans who are supporting the president's move. They support
the idea of punishing sanctions on Russia if it does invade the Atlanticist; they agree with the President that, you know, NATO is
sacrosanct.
But there are Republicans who would like him to go further, many of them want him to put sanctions on Putin. Now, the administration says that is
not a good idea, because the sanctions are the leverage to try to stop the Russians invading Ukraine.
And there is actually a split in the Republican Party itself. More pro Trump wings of the Republican Party are questioning why the United States
is potentially getting involved in another crisis abroad.
If you watch conservative television, it's very striking how ex-President Donald Trump's fealty to President Vladimir Putin when he was president.
Has the Russian president being treated almost as a hero in some sectors of conservative media?
They support his strong man attitude. They question why, you know, Ukraine has any rights to move towards the European Union and NATO. So there is a
very volatile political cocktail in Congress and the Republican Party on this.
And any sense that Biden is weak that he's being outwitted by Putin, even those Republicans who are currently supporting him up to a point will
certainly turn against him very quickly for political reasons.
ANDERSON: The political and strategic risks that the U.S. president faces, set out there by Stephen Collinson, good friend of the show, Steven, thank
you and more of Stephens analysis of course, is online@cnn.com.
Well EU foreign ministers have been meeting in Brussels this morning to discuss this crisis, including potential sanctions. We've just been
discussing those with Steven against Russia, what could they look like and when might they be imposed? We get the very latest from Brussels up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Hi, welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson. This is "Connect the World'. Foreign Ministers from the European Union and Ukraine have been
meeting in Brussels today to discuss the situation with Russia.
Earlier the EU announced a $1.3 billion support package to, "strengthen Ukraine's resilience'. Well, ministers have also been discussing what is a
tricky issue of sanctions against Russia with a full package of sanctions now reportedly is ready to go a major sticking point is being when they
should be applied.
Well, Scott McLean standing by for us in Brussels with the latest. I mean, the Ukrainian President was very clear he wants a package of sanctions,
announced and released now. The U.S. holding back not prepared to pull the trigger, hoping that that will be a deterrent to avoid a further escalation
of this a further invasion by the Russians.
That's a U.S. perspective. We are waiting to hear from the EU Chief Josep Borrell about what was discussed today, but we've just got in just coming
into CNN according to the Austrian Chancellor, EU sanctions in the case of it, a Ukrainian invasion would include Nord Stream 2. That's significant.
Why?
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you're absolutely right, Becky. And that's something that has been bantered about and talked about for what
seems like the last few months, Germany has been sort of non-committal on that issue, up until this point, sort of always dancing around the exact
language that might be used in terms of Nord Stream 2.
Because of course, Europe is heavily dependent Europe and especially Germany is heavily dependent on Russia for things like natural gas. And
Germany has already gone and spent the money to twin the existing natural gas pipeline that connects Russia and Germany.
Today, 27 foreign ministers from the 27 EU Member States spent about 90 minutes with the Ukrainian foreign minister, Becky talking about the
situation in Ukraine trying to get more information and of course, high on the agenda was sanctions.
And we haven't gotten the European perspective on how exactly those talks when you mentioned there's a press conference we're expecting in about 30
minutes from now.
But Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister from Ukraine gave his perspective earlier today. And he seemed to echo the sentiments that came from the
Ukrainian president over the weekend. And that is that sanctions should come right away, not after a Russian invasion of Ukraine, even if they are
partial.
He also said that they discussed what would actually trigger the full set the full package of sanctions to come into effect. There were two other
concrete things that came up from today's meeting, Becky, and that's that Ukraine will be getting more help from Europe to help shore up its cyber
security defenses.
And two there will be European troops that will have a non-combat advisory role on the ground in Ukraine. But again, we're trying to get more clarity
on what exactly that might entail.
There was also a meeting again on the energy file with European foreign ministers with the Saudi foreign minister today and officials from other
Gulf countries. And of course, they had plenty to discuss outside of the Ukraine issue.
But of course, Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat could not avoid mentioning the elephant in the room. And that, of course, is energy. Europe
needs it and pretty soon they might not be able to get it from the place where 40 percent of their natural gas comes from. And that of course, is
Russia. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSEP BORRELL, EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: It shows the importance of the Gulf countries in developing not because at the moment,
we have some security concerns related with energy, but because in a permanent basis, European Union has to engage more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLEAN: And Becky, remember as well, on Friday, the Italian prime minister said that any package of sanction and sanctions imposed by Europe should
not go after Russia's energy sector for the exact reason that Europe is so reliant on it. Of course, we have the Nord Stream 2 issue as well.
And in general, the EU has been quite vague on what exactly the sanctions package might entail. And the European Commission president though Ursula
von der Leyen told the German television station just last night that if Russia were to invade the sanctions would essentially cut Russia off from
the global financial system from the rest of the world's global financial markets.
And we know one other thing as well in part from the Belgian Prime Minister last week who said that look these sanctions that the EU has drawn up they
are ready to go.
[11:35:00]
MCLEAN: They just need to be approved by the member States. Those sanctions are being coordinated by with the U.S. with Canada and with Switzerland as
well, so that it doesn't leave Russia much wiggle room to try to get around these sanctions somehow, if push comes to shove, Becky.
ANDERSON: You're on the ground in Brussels, is good to get the perspective from there. Thank you. And we do await that press conference from Joseph
Burrell. It's important, this package of sanctions from the EU is clearly you know, a big stick that the allies are wielding in the hope that that
will be enough to convince Vladimir Putin that any further invasion is a bad idea.
Well, CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward has done extensive reporting from both Russia and Ukraine. She's in Kyiv for us
today. And whilst we wait for further detail on these sanctions, and as we were just discussing, the Ukrainian President certainly determined that he
would like to see you know, this stick being wielded as it were earlier, rather than later.
He wants to see the U.S. and Europeans release the sanctions, put these sanctions on the table and remind Russia what it is that they face. Should
they go any further? A big sticking point, as far as the Kremlin is concerned, of course, remains this Minsk agreement, the Kremlin insists is
the only way to resolve the crisis.
Just explain what's going on here. Let's just step back for a moment and get your sense, Ukraine sees it as a hastily devised agreement that it was
forced to accept, they say at gunpoint.
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Becky. So the Minsk agreements, which are essentially a sort of ceasefire
agreement, that's very shaky ceasefire agreement, have traditionally been seen as very much in favor of the Russians.
Because they would essentially allow for self-determination for elections and for those breakaway republics to become de facto autonomous regions,
which could then present problems for Ukraine going forward if it was, for example, trying to seek membership with the EU or NATO or a number of other
organizations.
So traditionally, it's always been thought that President Putin's primary course of action would be to try to ensure that the Minsk agreements were
implemented. But what we were seeing today, in that sort of lavish theatrical production, that was the National Security Council meeting,
which was televised live, went on for over an hour.
And involves President Putin taking the counsel of his various ministers and security advisors was that he was being given advice by many of them,
that Minsk would never be effectively implemented because the Ukrainian government is essentially against it.
And that therefore, President Putin should strongly consider recognizing the independence of these two breakaway republics. Now, the concern, of
course, is that if President Putin did decide to do that, and he has said at the end of that meeting, that he would make that decision later today,
that that could then invite a Russian Military presence or movement into those areas.
And those areas, if you look at their original constitutions, there are parts of what they consider to be their territory that are now under the
control of the Ukrainian Military. So this could potentially set in motion, a chain of events that could rapidly escalate.
But at this stage, Becky, we don't know yet if that is what President Putin is going to do. Or if he is simply using this as a lever to try to extract
concessions and put maximum pressure ahead of the meeting between his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, to
try to see Minsk implemented.
There has been speculation behind closed doors here, that Ukraine's leadership has been coming under some pressure actually to go ahead and to
effectively implement the Minsk agreements. And essentially, you know, allow the Russian side some kind of concessions, something that might avert
some kind of a catastrophe.
But for now, it appears when you look at the signs on the ground, and you see the number of false flag operations, that the Kremlin is really laying
the groundwork for possibly, and we don't know if it will happen.
But possibly certainly not ruling out the option giving themselves the possibility to recognize those States as being independent stateless, if
you will, Becky.
ANDERSON: Clarissa Ward is in Kyiv. Your analysis and insight is extremely important. Clarissa, thank you. This is what U.S. Pentagon Press Secretary
John Kirby folks had to say to CNN earlier.
[11:40:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KIRBY, PENTAGON SPOKESPERSON: Look, if he goes in big, which is certainly an option available to him with conventional ground forces
preceded by air and missile assaults in advance; this is going to be bloody. I mean, this is not a Military that is known for respecting
innocent civilian life.
It's not a military that necessarily ascribes to the law of armed conflict and doesn't really care about the kinds of casualties that it incurs. So we
would expect that you could see significant casualties on the ground in Ukraine.
I think you'll also see Russian casualties as well and he's going to have to answer to his own people for the dead and wounded Russian soldiers that
he's going to be sending back to back to Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: John Kirby for you. Well, coming up and away from this Russia Ukraine crisis and the United States is busy in this region of the Gulf
considering increasing cooperation with Israel here, the significance of that, and what that might look like with the Vice Admiral of the fifth
fleets, that interview is coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, as the world keeps a close eye on Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, the United States has just wrapped up its biggest maritime
exercise in the Middle East. The drills included partners from 60 nations and international organizations including notably Saudi Arabia and Israel.
It comes with an uptick in security concerns after a series of Houthi missile attacks targeting the UAE where I am, the Houthi zone, Iran backed
militia operating in Yemen. And since those attacks the U.S. has ramped up Military support to its partners in the region, including sending the USS
Cole to support the UAE's Navy.
Well, the fleet's Commander, U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper was here in Abu Dhabi with me just a few hours ago. And I started by asking about those recent
terror attacks by the Houthis and what the U.S. is doing to counter them, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: We strongly condemn the attack by the Houthis against UAE. It's destabilizing in nature. And we know for certain that the seriousness of
that impact affects us all here regionally. So what are we doing about it?
First, I'd like to highlight that the Emiratis are an incredibly capable force of defending themselves. Our role here is to support their defense as
our Defense Secretary said USS Cole is part of that.
We have a decade's long strategic relationship with UAE; we have a decade's long relationship at the Navy to Navy level with armor and variety navy. We
will continue that that's what we're doing today, including joint exercises, really positioning ourselves to be supportive in defense of the
overall --.
ANDERSON: Let me just dig a little deeper because the UAE has called on the U.S. to expand and improve what they call the proactive umbrella for the
UAE for U.S. assets in this region and for other Gulf allies. So is USS Cole's presence here the extent of that intensified cooperation, or is
there more?
[11:45:00]
COOPER: Yes, I think you get a broader perspective, we have both the coal as part of that effort, we've had the recent deployment of fifth generation
F 22 fighters who are here. And then we have a continuation of this decade's long in the relationship.
Last week, we conducted the largest maritime exercise that we're going to conduct in the Middle East, 60 countries and organizations participated. I
think that level of leadership and that commitment, and that resolve is symbolic of where we are today.
And what we'll do in the future as a sub component of that exercise. We also had the world's largest unmanned exercise with 10 countries. So this
is a real strength. And as we go forward, you know, our goal is to increase our deterrent posture by strengthening partnerships, and by innovating in
new and unique ways.
ANDERSON: U.S. Navy, considering that adding unmanned Israeli boats to its joint Middle East operations. Do I understand that to be correct?
COOPER: Yes, I think I think it's better said, we look to work with the Israelis, bilateral and multilateral basis, using the equipment that they
have today, unmanned systems and - unmanned systems, just like we do with our cruise ships, where we have exercises with our cruise ships and others,
and we do it on a multilateral basis.
ANDERSON: The Iranians will see Israeli involvement as a threat.
COOPER: Where the regional threat lies, it's well understood, and I think Israel brings an enormous capability. And you've seen that manifest in
recent visits at very senior levels, both here to UAE and in Bahrain.
ANDERSON: Let's consider that threat. What is the threat scenario, from Iran to this region, at present?
COOPER: Well, at present, it mostly manifests, manifests itself in a couple of different ways. Its ballistic missiles, as you will know, here, its
cruise missiles, as you will know here in its UAVs, as you will know, you're in the proliferation of those systems, and the proxy activity.
So this goes back to why I think we need to strengthen the partnerships, and really look at an accelerated innovation to get after that.
ANDERSON: How significant are Israel's contributions to unmanned tech at this point? And how involved or interested are you in those defense
capabilities?
COOPER: Some have more advanced technologies than others. Israel is a good example. They have some advanced technologies that they can use. And we're
looking to team with that with we're looking to team with the big team that we already have. And move this capability forward by essentially putting
more eyes out on the water so that we can see what's happening in a more vibrant way than we can't.
ANDERSON: So how does that new technology fit into the current sort of stock that you have?
COOPER: Yes, it's very complementary. So we will continue to use our ships in the way that we use them in this partnered way. The new unmanned systems
simply augment this. And essentially put additional eyes out on the water in ways that we haven't been able to do before, because of the technology
is brand new.
In some cases, six to nine months new, where we can now sustain platforms at sea that are unmanned, for months at a time just looking and bringing
information in and this is where AI comes in. These platforms bring a lot of information, you have to use AI to dissect all that information, and
bring it down to the human for decision.
ANDERSON: Is the U.S. Navy playing catch up at this point?
COOPER: We're leaving at this point.
ANDERSON: Bahrain spoke of as yet unnamed international cooperation or coalition comprised of 34 countries, which will include an Israeli
Minister. Is the U.S. to be part of that coalition? And what's the mission of this new coalition?
COOPER: Yes, for clarification, this coalition is called the combined maritime force. In addition to being the Fifth Fleet Commander, I'm also
the commander of the combined maritime force.
It's been around for some time, it's primarily focused on maritime security in the region, as well as counter piracy, both which missions I believe are
going well, these days. I would expect the number of nations in that coalition to expand here in the months and years ahead.
But this is the mission that is co-located within my own headquarters, and we have these 34 countries, you know, nearly as many liaison officers and
about 200 international partners at the headquarters.
ANDERSON: To those who suggest that the U.S. is simply not as involved will not be as committed to this region of the Gulf and the wider Middle East
going forward. You say what?
COOPER: We are going nowhere. And last week's leadership of the largest exercise that we will perform in this region with 60 countries, I think is
a very firm demonstration of our resolve and our commitment and our continuing great effort with all our partners in this region will only
increase.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Vice Admiral Brad Cooper speaking to me here earlier. Well, meantime Iran's leaders say nuclear talks have made significant progress.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said there are two to three matters remaining that need to be resolved. The Iranian foreign minister spoke with
CNN earlier.
[11:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOSSEIN AMIR-ABDOLLAHIAN, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: We are very optimistic about the results of the Vienna talks. But why are we optimistic? It is
because the administration of the new President of Iran, Dr. Raisi has this serious will to achieve a good deal with the other side in as the result of
the Vienna talks.
Now we are at a very sensitive time and the other side should be realistic. And if the talks fail, we believe that it is the Americans on the other
side that are responsible for it. And the summit - Iran has shown its seriousness and has shown that it really wants to deal to be done. And we
have been trying to reach the deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And you can see that full interview with Iran's foreign minister a few hours from now that is 6 pm in London, 10 pm Abu Dhabi time, if you
are watching here locally. Ahead it's been 50 years since Richard Nixon became the first U.S. leader to visit China. Today is the Winter Olympics
close that tensions dominate that relationship, more on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, Beijing closing out the 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Sunday with a dazzling spectacle. Well, fireworks lit up the night sky spectators
danced and cheered.
The Chinese government heavily invested in making these games successful both for its tightly controlled internal public image and for the world
stage, especially while tensions continue to escalate between the U.S. and Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. CNN's David Culver takes a closer look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Beijing Winter Games closing on the eve of a momentous anniversary, one that paved the way for a
new era in U.S. China relations. February 21 is marking 50 years since the historic visit of President Richard Nixon, the first U.S. leader to visit
the People's Republic of China.
Before that, the role of agrarian nation struggled on the home front. After its founding in 1949, under the Chinese Communist Party, disastrous
policies led to millions of deaths and the great famine and the Cultural Revolution.
For more than two decades, China remained largely closed off to the west. With millions of Chinese being told every day to prepare for war with their
number one enemy, U.S. imperialists, Nixon's trip changed that, he called it the week that changed the world.
ROBERT DALY, DIRECTOR, KISSINGER INSTITUTE OF WILSON CENTER: This really gave Chinese and Americans permission for the first time since 1950. To
encounter each other across the whole scope of their humanity and it really opened up the floodgates for the period of engagement for Chinese and
Americans working together.
[11:55:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: he gate to friendly contacts has finally been opened.
CULVER (voice over): Nixon traveled along with the First Lady and Henry Kissinger, his top aide. He met the country's supreme ruler, Mao Zedong. -
Joe mao's longtime Lieutenant showed Nixon around.
The President taking in a ping pong match at the Capitol Indoor Stadium, the same venue repurposed to host the recent Olympic figure skating
competitions, Mrs. Nixon getting up close and personal with China's iconic pandas. As a parting gift, China's sent two of the beloved creatures back
to the U.S. after the presidential visit.
CULVER (on camera): Nixon's visit sparked off panda diplomacy between the United States and the People's Republic of China, something that has
continued 50 years later.
CULVER (voice over): On his visit to China's Great Wall, Nixon noted the symbolism.
RICHARD NIXON, THE 37TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Whether they are physical walls like this, or whether they are other walls, ideology or
philosophy will not divide peoples in the world.
CULVER (voice over): But today, barriers are backup. From a digital Great Firewall restricting Internet access in China to the COVID controlled
bubble that hosted the Olympic Games. It seems both ideology and philosophy are dividing once again, amplified under current President Xi Jinping.
DALY: 50 years after the opening, we are in a position in which relations are at least as bad as they were then.
CULVER (voice over): Xi is bringing a return to the undisputed leadership held by Mao during the Nixon years. Under Xi's control, China's flexed its
Military might in the South China Sea and around the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory?
Domestically, China's become a surveillance state monitoring people's every move. Censorship is at an all-time high, and it's accused of suppressing
its own people, including ethnic minorities, like Tibetans and Uyghurs. Economically, Beijing continues to tighten its grip over the domestic
private sector, while there is an ongoing trade war with the United States.
DALY: We need wise leadership now in both countries to figure out how to manage this competition, such that it doesn't descend into conflict.
CULVER (voice over): Likely not the path envisioned by Nixon as he prepared for his visit 50 years ago.
NIXON: That is why I have undertaken initiatives in several areas to open the door for more normal relations between our two countries.
CULVER (voice over): Five decades on, that open door appears to be closing. And some argue it's now China who holds the key. David Culver, CNN,
Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And that's it from us. Well, "One World' with Zain Asher is next. Good night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
