Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

Horrific Scenes Emerge in Borodianka after Russians Retreat; EU: Paid Russia $38 Billion for Energy Since war Began; U.S. Sanctions Russian Banks, Putin's Daughters; War in Ukraine Driving Food Insecurity Globally; Yemen's Warring Parties Sign 2-Month Ceasefire Agreement; Pop Star Bjorn calls on Europe to take care of Refugees. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired April 06, 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]

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome back to "Connect the World". This hour NATO Foreign Ministers set

to meet in Brussels after the horrors uncovered in Bucha spark global outreach.

We will be live at NATO headquarters for you. Those crimes catalyzing Europe and the U.S. to go after Russia's energy I'll speak to the U.S.

Presidential Adviser on Energy Security. And this crisis spreading far beyond Ukraine's borders as food supplies take a major hit before the

invasion.

Russia and Ukraine major exporters of food globally accounted for 12 percent of total calories traded in the world Russia, also one of the

world's biggest exporters of fertilizer. Later in the show, we'll go live to Beirut with Lebanon's Minister of Trade on the toll this is taking on

his country already struggling with severe food insecurity.

Well, it is day 42 in Russia's war on Ukraine and Foreign Ministers from NATO and other G7 nations are meeting as we speak to discuss ways to

further support Kyiv militarily, and what are the actions sort of sanctions can be taken against Moscow.

The EU is set to unleash your fifth round including banning Russian coal imports and it is now also eyeing oil and gas. The U.S. also unveiling a

slate of new sanctions all this as international outrage widens over the atrocities committed in Bucha outside Kyiv, as images provide clear

evidence of potential war crimes.

No letup in the fighting particularly in Ukraine's east 27 strikes in the Kharkiv region reported overnight. Experts say Russian troops may be trying

to claim some sort of success for President Putin ahead of Russia's Annual Victory Day next month.

We'll witness this new pictures from Borodianka a town on the outskirts of Kyiv provide more evidence of a pattern of brutality, deliberate targeting

of civilians, execution style murders, especially men of military age, and rape. Once again, we must warn you some of the images that you are about to

see in this report are graphic. And you may find them disturbing. Fred Pleitgen reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine, few places have suffered

more than Borodianka occupied by Vladimir Putin's troops since late February, recently taken back by Ukraine's army board

PLEITGEN (on camera): Borodianka was held by the Russians for a very long time. And just to give you an idea about the scale of the destruction, you

have houses like these that were completely destroyed, but if we look over here, you can see that even large residential buildings have been

flattened. This entire building was flattened. It was connected with this one before but now there's absolutely nothing left of it.

PLEITGEN (voice over): And the Russians made sure to show they owned this town, painting the letter V on occupied buildings even the facing

Borodianka's city administration. V is the letter the Russians used to help identify their forces that invaded this part of Ukraine.

Oksana Kostichenko and her husband just returned here and found Russian soldiers had been staying in their house. She says they ransacked the

place. Alcohol is everywhere she says empty bottles in the hallway under things they smoked a lot put out cigarettes on the table.

They also showed us the corpse of a man they found in their backyard. His hands and feet tied severe bruises on his body, a shell casing still

nearby. Russia claims its forces don't target civilians calling reports of atrocities fake and provocations.

But these body collectors are the ones who have to remove the carnage Russia's military leaves in its wake. In a span of less than an hour they

found a person gunned down while riding a bicycle a body burned beyond recognition. And the man still stuck in his car gunned down with bullet

holes in his head and chest.

He was believed to be transporting medical supplies now strewn near this road. The most awful thing is those are not soldiers laying there just

people innocent people - says for no reason I asked yes for no reason killed and tortured for no reason he says.

The road from Kyiv to Borodianka is lined with villages heavily damaged after Russia's occupation destroyed tanks and armored vehicles left behind

but also indications of just how much firepower they unleashed on this area.

[11:05:00]

PLEITGEN (on camera): The Russian say this is a special operation not a war, and that they don't harm civilians, but look how much ammunition they

left behind simply in this one single firing position here. This is ammunition for heavy weapons with devastating effects on civilian areas.

PLEITGEN (voice over): That devastation cuts through the towns and villages north of Kyiv, where the number of dead continues to rise. Now that

Vladimir Putin's armies have withdrawn, Ukraine's leaders still believe many more bodies could be buried beneath the rubble, Fred Pleitgen, CNN

Borodianka Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, Borodianka, Bucha and Mariupol and now Mykolaiv some of the places devastated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the Southern City

of Mykolaiv local officials say Russian troops shelled a children's hospital on Monday. The security footage appears to show the moment the

strike hit an ambulance parked outside and a team of doctors from "Doctors without Borders" was nearby and confirmed the attack at that Children's

Hospital.

Well, officials say fighting is raging across Eastern Ukraine. Ivan Watson is in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast of the country. He joins me now live.

Well, you are on the ground. What are you witnessing? I know that you've been to a local hospital. And I know there you have witnessed terrible

injuries. What are people telling you?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think that there was a small bright spot here today in that the International

Committee of the Red Cross, which has been trying for five days and four nights to reach the besieged Southeastern City of Zaporizhzhia.

They were able to finally return back here to sorry, Mariupol, the besieged City of Mariupol. They were after those five days, which include being

detained overnight at one point by Russian security forces were able to turn here to Zaporizhzhia in a convoy, bringing about 500 Ukrainian

civilians to safely evacuate themselves from Russian occupied territory.

Many of these Ukrainians originally escaped that City of Mariupol; take a listen to what the member of the Red Cross team told me a couple hours ago

here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LUCILE MARBEAU, SPOKESPERSON, ICRC: At first, we really see the emotion and the relief when the buses arrive. We arrived yesterday; some people were

waiting since five o'clock in the morning. And once they were in the buses, many started to cry, but it was cries of relief, really.

And some don't really know exactly where they will be going. Some also still are extremely anxious for those that they have left behind. Of

course, as I was talking about this teenager, her parents are still there. There's almost no connectivity. So how is she going to know if they're safe

and well?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now according to the Red Cross, according to international law, civilians trapped in that war zone in that city that the Russian military

has encircled and besieged for a month now. They should be allowed to leave when they want to.

But international aid organizations are not being allowed to go in to bus people out. Again, the ICRC was turned around. And not everybody has their

own vehicle to drive out some private vehicles are being allowed to escape. And as you heard, some people are just simply going on foot. What happens

if you're elderly?

What happens if you're an invalid? What happens if you're pregnant? And there are estimates of more than 100,000 people currently being trapped in

that city besieged, encircled and under Russian bombardment day and night, Becky?

ANDERSON: Yes. Ivan Watson's on the ground for you. Well, NATO Secretary General is warning that the war could last years because according to him,

the Russian President still wants the "Whole of Ukraine". Jens Stoltenberg spoke ahead of a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers today in Brussels.

They are discussing ways to ramp up support for Ukraine including more weapons and more sanctions and in a show of support some non-NATO members

are also attending the meeting including officials from Ukraine, from Finland, Sweden and Australia.

Well, our International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson is monitoring the meeting. He joins me now from NATO Headquarters in Brussels. We'll talk

about new sanctions in a moment what can we expect to hear about any new support for Ukraine on the military front Nic?

[11:10:00]

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: There's recognition that what's been done so far is working; the Javelin anti-tank missiles

have been successful. There's recognition as well that the surface to air missiles and sophisticated systems like that are a great benefit to the

Ukrainians that they need them.

There is also a recognition that Russia over extended left itself vulnerable to attack by these weapon systems. Russia is regrouping and

we'll come back and perhaps fight slightly different tactics.

There's going to need an adjustment a recognition that Ukraine may have a tougher fight on its hands, it may not score the successes that it seems so

far that this will require a different type of approach, not only logistics, supply lines talking here about helmets, flak jackets, fuel,

making sure that the Army's Ukrainian army has all the things a normal army would have when it's fighting a long campaign.

But also more sturdy fighting vehicles, possibility of tanks pilot, we know that Australia has said that it will provide armored vehicles as well to

support Ukrainian forces. So this will be the focus it will be doing what's been successful, but sustaining for a long protracted and pretend and

potential battle.

It could be much more grueling on the Ukrainians could overwhelm them in places and could shift back to locations like focusing on Kyiv, again,

potentially in the future. So NATO's it taking a longer view, but also seeing what else can be done listening to the Ukrainians, of course, as

they do.

ANDERSON: Yes, bottom line, though, this is a war that those gathered there in Brussels today have agreed is a war that Ukraine needs to win itself

without, of course, you know, active NATO involvement either on the ground or in the air.

And that is a huge frustration to not only the Ukrainian president, but I'm sure to people on the ground in Ukraine, but the military support is

clearly having some effect. What isn't working? Certainly not as effectively, as was hoped. Are these sanctions on Moscow, on the rationally

- and wider on some of the banking system and some of the energy system?

There is talking that Russian oil and gas that hasn't yet been in the firing line as it were, by the European blog. Isn't it now being eyed as

possibly ready for being sanctioned? Is that going to happen, Nic, because there isn't, is there any unity amongst European bloc on how to go after

that Russian energy, which are effectively paying Russia a billion dollars a day for.

ROBERTSON: Very significant different countries, Lithuania, for example, has already said it's going to cut itself off from Russian gas supplies,

Latvia nearby similar size more dependent and not able to do that not able to cut itself off.

So of course, the difficulty at the European Union, what can they find common ground on coal value $4.3 billion a year to Russia from the European

Union that's being targeted?

We've heard from the British today saying that they will cut oil and coal by the end of the year. But it's much harder for a big group like the

European Union to come together on that on the energy issues because there are varying needs.

What we did hear from Josep Borrell, the High Representative vice president here the top diplomat in the EU, if you will, was just give a very clear

understanding of what's being given to Ukraine versus what is going to Russia in terms of oil, oil, gas and coal spending, he laid it out this

way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEP BORRELL, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF: We have given Ukraine 1 billion Euros, it might seem a lot, but 1 billion Euros is what we pay Putin every

day for the energy he provides us. Since the beginning of the war, we have given him 35 billion Euros compare that to the 1 billion Euros that we have

given to Ukraine in arms and weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: So 35 billion Euros that's 39, $38 billion compare that to the $4.3 billion that Russia won't now get from the EU orders of magnitude

difference. And that's where there's so much focus that the EU on what else they can do.

They're talking about looking at oil; the French earlier today were saying they're looking at gas as well. But what we're seeing today and the

discussions going on at the EU is a sense of difficulty to find that common and strongest round it's not happening as quickly as some might have hoped.

ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Brussels for you. Look, we are seeing a widening of international condemnation of Russia's actions. And this is

important Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is called the killing in Bucha a war crime tweeting that.

[11:15:00]

ANDERSON: And I quote here, it is impossible to remain indifferent in the face of the horrific images in Bucha, I strongly condemn it. And India's

Representative to the United Nations, remember, these were - both countries that hadn't come out and initially condemned Russia for its invasion of

Ukraine.

So India unequivocally condemns these killings and has called for an open investigation, a marked change of tone for both countries. The question is

we looking at a turning point in this conflict?

Well certainly this condemnation coming thick and fast after those horrific images coming out of Bucha and other cities that have shocked and seemingly

galvanized the world but Russia continues to claim that the videos are fake, despite satellite image proof. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says

Ukrainians are Whipping up hysteria. A warning power report from Matthew Chance contains graphic content.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): If you think Russian soldiers are humans, he says just look at this, the shocked

words of a Ukrainian driver recording these appalling scenes on the road into Bucha.

But what took place here is beyond words beyond average. Ukrainian officials say the bodies being retrieved are of civilians killed by Russian

forces in the tank. Some with their hands tied behind their backs before being shot dead.

Evidence of war crimes charged the Kremlin and its propaganda machine is categorically denying. This is how one of the top anchors on Russian state

television explained the massacre. It must have been the work of British specialists, he says, because the town of Bucha and the English word

Butcher sounds so similar. Maybe it's a joke, but no one's laughing.

Certainly not the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who's dubbed the killings a well-staged tragic show and a forgery to try to denigrate the Russian

army. A huge amount of data he told journalists clearly indicates this is faked staged; say Russian officials after their troops had left.

But satellite images of Bucha first published by The New York Times show bodies had been strewn across the streets there for weeks, at least from

March the 18th when the town was under Russian control, photographic evidence that contradicts the Kremlin's claims.

It's also raising concerns that more killings will be unearth as Russian forces withdraw. The Ukrainian president seen here visiting Bucha accusing

Russia of trying to hide the traces of their crimes in other parts of Ukraine that remain under Russian control. It makes a peace deal even

harder.

Every day we find people in barrels strangled or tortured in basements, President Zelenskyy says, it's very difficult to negotiate when you see

what they have done here yet.

It is sickening to accept that the sacrifice of these people may have actually pushed back the chances of peace in Ukraine instead of bringing

this appalling conflict to an end. Matthew Chance, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, Russian President Vladimir Putin's children feel the pinch hit with new U.S. sanctions. I want to speak to U.S. global security

official about the latest concerted effort with the European Union to punish Russia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BJORN ULVAEUS, FOUNDING MEMBER OF ABBA: The three little children were like ghosts, pale and serious and hollow eyed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Pop legend Bjorn shares his story with me on take me in a Ukrainian refugee family in Sweden.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:20:00]

ANDERSON: Today, the U.S. in coordination with the EU and g7 nations has announced some new sanctions on Russia. The U.S. has placed sanctions on

Russian banks and on Russian President Vladimir Putin's adult daughters amongst others.

This comes after the EU announced plans for a fifth sanctions package. An import ban on Russian coal for now and may include oil and gas going

forward. And EU source tells CNN European ambassadors are meeting in Brussels now to approve the sanctions package very quickly.

But let's take a deeper look at the implications of what is going on today with Amos Hochstein, who is the U.S. presidential coordinator for Global

Energy Security joins us live from Washington. It's good to have you with us.

The European Union announcing today that it will place further sanctions on Russia, Russian coal in the first instance, potentially, on Russian oil and

gas, going for details not clears at this point, your response?

AMOS HOCHSTEIN, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL COORDINATOR FOR GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY: Well, first, it's good to be with you, Becky, thank you for having me.

Look, I think that the most important thing that is happening over the last several weeks, and quite frankly, even before the war started, is the unity

that has been displayed and achieved between the United States and Europe between the United States within the context of the g7 and NATO.

And President Biden's insistence that we must do this in order to be strong versus Putin and Russia in this barbaric war, we have to be united. And the

sanction packages that you're seeing, it doesn't always mean that we do the exact same sanction, because we have different circumstances.

But we have been aligned and working together round the clock on making sure that the pressure continues to build. And that Putin and the Russian

people understand that there are going to be continued consequences for these actions as long as the work produced.

ANDERSON: There are clear disagreements, though, aren't there within Europe about what to do with regard Russian oil and gas. Do you worry that these

disagreements could fracture the unity that we have until now seen amongst members of that block?

HOCHSTEIN: So look, I think you have to there's no doubt that energy is a critical issue because it directly impacts consumers and economies in

Europe and quite frankly, in the United States as well. So energy is critical to not just heating and electricity, but for industrial output for

costs and homes, as well as for food security.

There's a direct correlation. So it's such a central issue and really Russia's economy has devolved into basically nothing except for things that

come out of the ground that's all they do.

[11:25:00]

HOCHSTEIN: So this is the leverage point, after years of policies that increase the dependency on Russia, unwinding that now is very, very

difficult.

But as a result, if you look at not just a disagreement, but the United States announced last week, the president announced the largest ever

release of oil from our strategic reserves at 180 million barrels, that is, by far a historic move that we've never done before.

And we are now tomorrow, likely to see the results of round the clock negotiations with our partners around the world, through the International

Energy Agency, where large parts of Europe and other countries around the world will join us in that effort and increase that supply into the market.

That is intended to allow making sure that Putin feels the pressure of anything that happens in the energy markets, and not European and American

consumers. So we have to place more pressure on Russia.

But we have to be careful not to do it in a way that undermines to a great extent, our own economies so that we can keep the unity, keep the public

focused on the pressure on Russia, and not starting to doubt these issues and allow Putin to use this as leverage.

ANDERSON: You point out that the U.S. has already tapped its reserves twice, actually in the past couple of months. But prices have yet to call

by much he told Bloomberg recently that the market is short about 2 million barrels a day, if not more, from Russian supplies into what is this global

market.

What is the solution here because OPEC plus, of course, led by Saudi Arabia, including the UAE, where I am refusing President Biden's calls to

counter soaring prices by pumping more oil. So what is the solution here?

HOCHSTEIN: Well, look, we're not. President Biden's been very clear that when you are in a war like this, initiated by Putin in Russia, there are

going to be costs, so we can't mitigate all the costs.

But what we are doing is to work together as an international community to do as much as we can to mitigate. The prices had soared to over $130 a

barrel; we're now backing down to 100. So that is actually a significant reduction in price.

And remember that just a few weeks ago, some of the leading banks in the United States and around the world predicted $185, a barrel of oil, which

would have been very disruptive for our economy. And we're now talking about lower prices.

So it's not about bringing the price down to where we wish it was, but making sure that it is lower than it was before. And changing the

trajectory from increasing to holding steady as far as what else we can do moving forward.

So we did the release from the U.S., there's going to be another major release from the international community this week. We will continue to

work to make sure that we have diversified our resources away from Russia. And we have to use every crisis as an opportunity to realize where our

threats are. And we're vulnerable, and we need to start reducing our demand on oil altogether.

ANDERSON: I get that. Let me just follow up on something you said there's going to be another big release from the international community this week

from where?

HOCHSTEIN: Through the IEA, they had, as you know, they had published that they had a meeting on Friday, they are still working on making sure that we

know what those numbers will look like. I don't have that as of yet.

But that will be announced by the IEA later this week. But the president said last week that the million barrels a day that he was releasing the

United States was releasing was going to be joined by our allies through and I can tell you, there have been round the clock negotiations and

conversations with our allies who are all in the right place.

It's just that these are really complicated issues, Becky, you know this, these are things that normally take money. We were doing them in days.

ANDERSON: Yep.

HOCHSTEIN: And that's extraordinary.

ANDERSON: It is extraordinary. Meantime, we also know in the Europeans have admitted that they are spending a billion dollars a day on Russian energy

at this point.

So they continue to be, you know, accused by for example, Ukrainian president of financing this war effectively not effectively cutting off

these income sources for Vladimir Putin and his war machine. Thank you, sir. It's good to have you on. Please come back. Like you say this is long

term stuff.

HOCHSTEIN: Anytime Becky, thank you for having me.

ANDERSON: Thank you. And when we come back sanction is designed to create hardship on Russia, but could bring food shortages to many other countries

around the world. I'll talk with Lebanon's Trade Minister about that in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONIO GUTERRES, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL: The war in Ukraine is one of the greatest challenges ever, to the international order, and the

global peace architecture founded on the United Nations Charter. Far beyond Ukraine's borders, the war has led to massive increases in its price, in

prices of food, energy and fertilizers because Russia and Ukraine are linchpins of these markets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: The Secretary General of the U.N. reminding the world that away from the battlefield this war is having a huge and lightly devastating

impact amid food shortages and skyrocketing prices. You will have heard this figure before.

Wheat supplies from Russia and Ukraine accounted for almost 30 percent of global trade before the war began. This has already shaken the food supply

chain system globally. But what you may not have heard is how food exports from Russia and Ukraine account for about 12 percent of the total calories

traded in the world, making it essentially the breadbasket region of the world. That is remarkable.

And it's not just wheat that we're talking about here its corn, its barley, sunflowers, cereals, and many other essential food commodities that the

world relies on, particularly in this region of the Gulf and Middle East where I am.

According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, countries in the Middle East and North Africa import over 50 percent of their cereal

needs and a large amount of wheat and barley from Ukraine and Russia.

And Vladimir Putin and the Russian government are acutely aware of this. In fact, Ukraine's president says Russia is using hunger as a weapon. Take a

look at these images. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcoming Representatives from the Arab League in Moscow earlier this week. And to no

surprise, the food crisis was front and center in that meeting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMED ABOUL GHEIT, ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL: Many Arab countries import large amounts of wheat and seed, whether from Russia or Ukraine,

this commodity needs will be affected or have been affected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: So without food imports you've got to plant your own crops with which you will need fertilizer a product.

[11:35:00]

ANDERSON: Well, Russia is also a lead exporter of. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin warned his country that certain supplies including

fertilizer, seeds and fuel should be regulated by the government.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: It is obvious that this year due to the global food deficit, we will need to be more diligent in our food exports

to monitor closely the volumes of those exports to countries that pursue hostile policy toward us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: So the shortage in food and fertilizer you are basically left with nothing. For a region already imploding under economic hardship The

Middle East is extremely vulnerable, particularly right now during the month of Ramadan for the millions of Muslims breaking their fast this year.

The cost of their meals will be significantly higher than it was just a few weeks ago. One country expected to be hit particularly hard in this crisis

is Lebanon. I'm joined now by Amin Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Economy and Trade.

And like much of the Middle East, North Africa, yours is a country heavily reliant on imports for its basic needs, including food. How concerned are

you about the impact of this war and its consequences for Lebanon at this point?

AMIN SALAM, LEBANESE MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND TRADE: Hello, Becky, for sure, Lebanon, due to all the reports that came out, most recently is the most

vulnerable state in the MENA - region. Lebanon due to many different factors is being impacted negatively very much by this crisis first of all,

because Lebanon lost its national reserves after the Beirut blast that were positioned in the port of Beirut.

So this created an additional layer of challenge to Lebanon because so far we've been using the private sectors silos to store wheat, Lebanon imports,

about 80 percent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.

And we've been struggling most recently looking for new markets that have the qualifications that the wheat that is used in Lebanon to produce bread

and other products that are sister products of Arabic bread. In addition to the wheat, we're having challenges that we're concerned about more after

two months from today that includes sunflower oil, and sugar.

ANDERSON: We're talking about food prices already up somewhat 600 percent since the crisis started 2019, 2020 and now this; you say that you are

looking for alternative sources. And I know that is a story that I am hearing across this region of the Middle East, - and North Africa. Who are

you talking to? And how are you trying to mitigate this?

SALAM: Well, we've been in talks with a number of countries, including the United States, including in France, in the Kazakhstan. Some of the major

players in the wheat industry and food products, because we really need small quantities in Lebanon, given the size of the population.

We use no more than 650,000 tons a year compared to sister countries like Egypt that use this quantity on a monthly basis. This is our annual need.

So we're hoping that those countries will be able to support us with the supply chain to keep the flow of this commodity to Lebanon because it is

very challenging on the pricing side, Becky, because Lebanon in addition to the crisis itself, has not recovered yet from all the inflation, the global

inflation on food, commodities and food products after COVID-19.

Now we have this issue that adds another layer of difficulty at a time where Lebanon is struggling with the economy. Purchasing power is very low,

and many other challenges including the big number of refugees per capita that we have in Lebanon, that adds another layer of challenge.

So we've been receiving some positive feedback from all those countries. And we're working on a major program with the World Bank that should see

the light in the next few weeks.

[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: We had Salam has denied reports that Lebanon central bank run by him for the last 30 years is bankrupt. Is it? And what are you doing as far

as the IMF support is concerned? I know that you've, you've been putting a plan in place, and the country desperately needs that international

support. Are you getting it?

SALAM: I could, I could assure you Becky, that up till today, even though the war between Russia and Ukraine has been sending indirectly, messages to

Lebanon, that you trade now is a priority for the international community.

But we still feel, and we are confident that the international community is still very supportive of Lebanon does not want Lebanon to fall apart this

past two weeks, including this week.

We've had extensive meetings with the IMF, the negotiating delegation is still in Beirut, we are concluding our meetings with them on Thursday. So

far, everything is moving very positively, we're hoping to have very, very soon a staffing agreement in place, which puts the train on the tracks.

And that helps us to move towards a final agreement, despite all what you mentioned, about the negative messages that have been going out in the

media about the central bank, the economy and et cetera, et cetera. But we know the challenges are there. We know that our national reserves are at a

very difficult place. But we are very confident that those solutions the IMF agreement will help Lebanon get out of its crisis.

ANDERSON: Right.

SALAM: The biggest challenge we have is timing. And we're hoping to keep that under control.

ANDERSON: I have to ask you, and I need a yes or no. Is the central bank bankrupt or not? Yes or no?

SALAM: No, no, the central bank is not bankrupt. But the central bank is at the stage now, where he's looking at the national reserves that directly

impact all the depositors. And now we're very concerned how we will manage working with that. That is why it's important for us and very important to

put the IMF together now to avoid getting into this difficult spot.

ANDERSON: Got it. Sir, thanks for joining us. We wish you the - we wish in the Lebanese people, the best of course. Yemen is another nation struggling

from food insecurity after the conflict.

They're left millions on the brink of starvation. But there are signs of a reprieve. Now, thanks to a let up in that nation's long civil war. Yemen's

warring parties signed a two month truce on Friday marking a significant step towards ending the country's conflict or at least that is the hope.

The internationally recognized government supported by Saudi led military alliance and the Iran aligned Houthi militia have been locked in a violent

power struggle since 2015. The U.N. is welcoming the truth which can be renewed past the two month period; it's still unclear how those troops will

practically translate on the ground.

I spoke to the U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking earlier who was in Riyadh meeting with both Yemenis and members of the Saudi led coalition.

This is an important conversation. I started by asking whether we have reached the end of this seven year conflict, have a listen.

TIM LENDERKING, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR YEMEN: And we don't know that this war is ended. This is going to take a lot of hard work, particularly from

the parties, I think of the Saudi led coalition, the Yemen government and the Houthis inside Yemen.

They've really taken some big steps made some important and tough decisions, just in the last couple of weeks to allow the U.N. to announce

this truce over this weekend if the parties adhere to the terms of the truce, if we can get to a durable ceasefire and build that inclusive Yemeni

political process. This really allows Yemen to turn the corner toward a brighter future. And that's where U.S. support is going to be firmly

arrayed.

ANDERSON: What will that durable ceasefire take at this point, sir?

LENDERKING: I think the first thing is to secure the terms of the troops. I mean, Yemeni people have been suffering from seven years of intense

warfare. There have been more than 400 attacks against Saudi Arabia last year and against the UAE in January.

This is really a crisis situation. You do have elements of Al Qaeda still inside Yemen, elements of ISIS as well. So the stakes are actually very

high. And their requirements at all the parties they made agreements publicly to carry out certain responsibilities. We're going to be pushing

them to do so. And then I think the Yemeni people will see relief.

[11:45:00]

ANDERSON: Well, that is certainly their hope; you are in Riyadh right now. What are Saudi Arabia's demands at this point?

LENDERKING: Saudi Arabia's key demands are, you know, particularly to see its southern neighbor on a more stable footing. And for there not to be any

attacks from Yemen, against Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia also has responsibilities.

They have responsibilities under this under the terms of this truce as well, the Yemen government does, they've made public commitments to support

and uphold this truce.

That means the movement of goods and people that are supposed to be enabled by this truce. And I think, again, what the Yemeni people are looking for

is not another piece of paper, not another agreement that gets signed and violated and discarded. They want the real thing.

ANDERSON: It's reported that you have said that the U.S. is committed to the defense of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf

allies that face threats to their national security from this militia group. How, sir how is the U.S. committed? After all, the relationship

between Washington and the kingdom at this point and that of the UAE has been described as stressed at best.

LENDERKING: You know, in the past, a lot of Iranians supplies, training equipment have gotten into Yemen by various means, have enabled the Houthis

to fire with more accuracy, and precision and greater scope and range. And this is so this is a very difficult situation.

And so the administration is I think, doing its utmost to fulfill its pledge to provide the Saudis and the Emiratis with defensive capability.

And I think that's, that's a very important statement that when America, you know, says it's going to stand by its allies, it does so.

ANDERSON: Is that relationship broken at present?

LENDERKING: I wouldn't say, I wouldn't say so at all. I think both sides are looking for the other to do more. And I think that's, that's

reasonable. But no, you look at the amount of engagement. It's not because it's broken, or because it needs mending. It's because these are essential

partners.

And if we look at the Yemen conflict, for example, Saudi Arabia's role is very important as vital to a solution in that country.

ANDERSON: Saudi Arabia, as an OPEC plus leader has been leant on heavily. Let's be quite frank by Washington, U.S. President, the White House to help

ensure orderly oil markets during this incredibly unstable period, with the war in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russian oil.

Saudi Arabia has said it cannot be responsible for supply shortages while it continues to be attacked by the Houthis. Do you understand that? Do you

sympathize with that position?

LENDERKING: I understand the importance of the U.S. Saudi relationship. And I think, you know, leaders who have been here from Washington over the past

few months, have talked about a full range of issues with the Saudis.

And so that's why I absolutely insist that this relationship should not be characterized as broken, if anything that the two sides you know, we're

talking about such a wide range of issues that benefit the security and affect the security of both countries.

From my foxhole, here in Yemen, I do see the Saudi embrace of the truce as a significant step. It was a difficult decision. And similarly on the side

of the Yemenis, also a difficult decision when he has gotten everything they want, there's compromise. And what it's going to show is tangible

progress, and that's where U.S. diplomacy is going to continue to exert itself.

ANDERSON: Timothy Lenderking speaking to me earlier. Well, up next they are fighting for us, beyond formerly of ABA calls on Europe to come together in

support of Ukraine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:50:00]

ANDERSON: Well that is Swedish singer Cornelia Jakobs performing at a benefit concert in Stockholm over the weekend. That raised over $8 million

for Ukraine. Well, Bjorn, a founding member of the Swedish pop group, ABBA opens the concert with an impassioned speech about the invasion of Ukraine

calling for support for refugees.

And he matched those words with actions providing housing for one Ukrainian family in his hometown in Sweden. We're not going to be - the photographs

of the family ever concern for their privacy and their safety. But just have a listen to Bjorn's experience meeting them for the first time.

ULVAEUS: I went down there and met a family that came from I don't know where I from exactly but they didn't speak a word of either Swedish or

English. But they were so lost and there were three little kids and I was so incredibly taken by it, but now they have a temporary home down there

but as everyone else they just want to go back home.

ANDERSON: How are they Bjorn? And what's the family's emotional state?

ULVAEUS: When they arrived, my daughter Anna who lives down there said that they were the three little children were like ghosts, pale and serious and

hollow wide. And the parents were all so fragile.

And it's so terrible to see because you don't really; you realize that they've lost absolutely everything that we take forgiven. I mean, all they

have was some small rucksack and the clothes on their bodies that was all. They lost everything, home, school, friends, everything. It's

incomprehensible.

[11:55:00]

ANDERSON: You just opened a benefit concert over the weekend, Sweden in solidarity with Ukraine. And I just want to read a bit of the speech you

gave. You said I imagine the humiliation of being silenced and helplessly dependent on the arbitrary decisions of power hungry officials and

Political Commissar.

So I understand those who are fighting with their lives at stake in the effort to maintain freedom in Ukraine at the moment, just explain how you

felt when you were writing that?

ULVAEUS: Well, I felt that Ukraine, this liberal democracy is fighting a proxy war for us for the other liberal democracies of the world. And we are

suddenly awakened from our slumber because we have taken democracy for given for such a long time. And we're reminded, and now we need unity in

Europe around that. We have to support Ukraine because they are fighting for us.

ANDERSON: You have thrown your weight behind support for a Ukrainian family. I mean, Sweden opening its doors as other European countries is.

How concerned are you about the psychological damage that these Ukrainian refugees will feel and the medium to long term impact at this point?

ULVAEUS: Yes. When I saw those children, and they were so serious, and that we were sitting in a restaurant when I came down to see them. And I don't

know what they've gone through. I mean what traumas and how that wills, that will you know, happen to them in the future.

But my I had my two and a half year old grandchild there, Hedwig. And she took them on a dance to the restaurant. And in there, they could laugh, and

it was so comforting in a way. And even the parents could smile a little. And it was a wonderful moment, thinking about you know, what they had gone

through.

ANDERSON: You all, ladies and gentlemen, that's it from us. Stay with us for continuing coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END