Return to Transcripts main page

First Move with Julia Chatterley

Ukraine: Russia Poised to make Massive Push in the East; New EU Sanctions Target Russia Economy; Le Marie: EU should Pass a Sweeping Ban on Russia Energy; Zelenskyy: Situation in Borodianka "Much Scarier" than Bucha; Civilians Defend City from Russian Troops; Today: Rocket to Take Private Citizens to ISS for First Time. Aired 9-10a ET

Aired April 08, 2022 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

JULIA CHATTERLEY, CNN HOST, FIRST MOVE: You're watching CNN. I'm Julia Chatterley in New York, a senseless attack on innocent people trying to

escape the war. Early today a rocket struck a train station in Kramatorsk filled with predominantly women and children.

CNN has seen the video of the aftermath of the attack some of it just so awful. We can't show it. Once again, a warning that the images you're about

to see are distressing. At least 30 people are known to have lost their lives including two children.

300 others were injured according to the government. Well, those numbers are expected to climb. The local mayor sees as many as 4000 people were

waiting at the train station. Images from four days ago show the sheer number of people desperate to escape the violence and the international

condemnation has begun.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen is calling it an appalling loss of life. von der Leyen is in Kyiv for talks today with

President Zelenskyy. He addressed Finland's Parliament a short while ago and asked, why do they need to hit civilians with missiles.

From the Kremlin, there's been a point blank denial that Russia is to blame. In fact, it says Ukraine is itself responsible for "provocation".

This eastern city was one of the first places to be targeted by the Russian military. And the evidence of alleged war crimes continues to grow.

A source telling CNN German intelligence claims to have intercepted radio transmissions of Russian troops talking about killing civilians, as well as

soldiers. And now Russia is acknowledging significant losses on its side too.

And the first of its kind admission, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called their troop losses a "huge tragedy". This, as British intelligence suggests

Russian forces have now fully withdrawn from Northern Ukraine, moving troops into Belarus and Russia.

Phil Black is in Lviv for us now, Phil, good to have you with us. What more do we know we've seen appalling images of this attack on the train station?

What do we know in terms of loss of life and potential injuries, the numbers?

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so Julia, the initial moments, those distressing terrifying moments that you showed there, they passed, and the

more recent video shows a scene that has been cleared of the injured, cleared those who survived and cleared the dead as well.

But there's some structural damage, there is evidence of the human cost blood on the ground, and so forth. The latest figures that we have still

suggest around 30 people were killed, hundreds more injured around 300. Perhaps we don't know the breakup between adults and children.

But we do know that from witnesses who were there that the vast number of people there were children and women. It has been noted that remains of

some of the missile is still there on the site, as well.

There's some writing on it in Russia, which literally means for the children. Now, the meaning there isn't absolutely clear, but logically it's

not. You'd have to say it doesn't mean that this was intended for the children.

But perhaps it was intended as an act of revenge, perhaps for children inspired by some alleged suffering that children have experienced. But we

don't know precisely what that refers to.

We don't know where that motivation fits in within Russia's extensive, disinformation campaign. But there is a tremendous irony in those words,

because if this was an act carried out on behalf of children in the name of children, it has struck at a site where women and children almost

exclusively were gathering in the hope of fleeing the danger of the ongoing war and moving to somewhere safer in the country. Julia?

CHATTERLEY: Yes. And we've heard on multiple occasions from international bodies, humanitarian organizations, that it's 90 percent of the people that

are trying to leave the country and are being displaced are women and children.

To your point about whatever this means the implications of this attack, all the more devastating for precisely who's been targeted and what's been

devastated in this situation.

It also knocks out a key evacuation route, arguably Phil, I was saying we were showing pictures just then of just the sheer quantity of people that

are trying to move at some of the worst affected regions of the violence. And that's now been damaged, you would assume to the ability to get people

out.

BLACK: We understand the strike took place, essentially outside the main train station building in an area where a lot of people were gathering,

waiting, hoping to board trains to safer territory.

So we haven't had any word that any of the you know, the equipment, the resources, the infrastructure itself has been damaged. So assuming that's

true then there is nothing in theory to stop that key train station continuing its job of getting people away from that region.

[09:05:00]

BLACK: But of course, this will make people feel very uneasy. This will make people feel scared, and very nervous about the idea of using that

sight to escape if it's been hit once, why couldn't it be hit again.

And so it could still, from that emotive point of view impacts people's willingness to use that key piece of infrastructure to get out of that

dangerous region. And of course, this is really important.

There's a real push to get civilians out of the east at the moment, because the expectation is that Russia is about to start launching much larger

offensive operations. Their officials from the east say they expect this to happen very, very soon.

And the longer those civilians stay there, the greater the chance that they could be caught up in the expected intensive fighting that is set to

consume that region, Julia.

CHATTERLEY: And it just adds to the fear that that people are facing at this moment. Phil Black in Lviv there for us, thank you. Now in the port

city of Mykolaiv, locals are sharing their stories of survival after repeated attacks by Russian forces, as CNN's Ben Wedeman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This has become Mykolaiv's daily routine, picking up the pieces sweeping away the

wreckage from Russian missile attacks. Random shelling throughout the city, with what appeared to be cluster munitions, glass shards and shrapnel tore

into Marina as she lies in a hospital.

Her thoughts are with her teenage daughter also injured now at a children's hospital. My daughter and I were caught between two bombs she recalls, it's

a miracle we're still alive. It was terrifying.

The hospital where Marina is recovering was hit in the morning. Dirt covers the blood from one of the injured. Closed circuit television video from the

city's cancer hospital captures the moment it was struck. Earlier this week of missile barrage killed nine people and wounded more than 40 at this

market.

WEDEMAN (on camera): We were able to count 23 impact points in a radius of just 100 meters. And each one of these incoming rounds sprays shrapnel in

every direction.

WEDEMAN (voice over): --was working in this store and rushed outside when he heard the blasts. Over there a woman was screaming help me her leg was

shattered, he says behind this store two people were killed.

Dried blood and flowers mark the spot where people died. Last week a bomb struck the regional governor's office killing 36 people. Every day in

Mykolaiv this relentless bombardment shatters any semblance of normal life.

Mid afternoon and people line up to escape the danger this bus bound for Poland. Victoria cradles her one year old daughter Ivana. Her husband stays

behind. Soon we'll be back home says Victoria. Everything will be alright. How soon that will be? Nobody knows. Ben Wedeman, CNN, Mykolaiv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHATTERLEY: More EU sanctions on Russia just approved a fifth wave the new measures shorter add and put pressure on an economy that the USA's could

contract by 15 percent this year.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy urging the West to go further saying today that measures akin to a sanctions Molotov cocktail are required. Clare

Sebastian joins us now. Clare, what do we know about the details on the timing, I think of these latest sanctions?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Julia timing is crucial. In terms of the detail, this is pretty much what was laid out earlier this week by

the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A full ban on coal imports from Russia.

What has changed is the estimate of how much revenue this would deprive. Russia of they're now saying its 8 billion Euros per year up from 4 billion

estimated earlier this week. That's $8.7 billion. Still not that significant in terms of how much money Russia makes from its energy exports

overall, but you know, it is a hit to one of Russia's main revenue drivers.

And the other key issue, as you said, is timing. How long will the wind down period B. We're hearing from an EU source that that will be about four

months and that this agreement on ending exports of Russian coal to Europe will take effect in August.

So this is clearly a start. This is a sign that that momentum is building in the EU to do more to really, you know, a target Russia where it hurts,

which is its energy exports.

And we know that they do plan to talk further. The EU's Top Diplomat Joseph Burrell, who is today in Kyiv said earlier this week that he expects to

start discussing the potential for an oil embargo on Monday, so that is very significant.

[09:10:00]

SEBASTIAN: And look, this is what has happened as a result of those horrific scenes coming out of the likes of Bucha and Brianka. I think this

attack today on the city of Kramatorsk will spur further action.

I want to bring you a tweet from the EU Council President, Charles Michel, he says more action is needed more sanctions and more weapons to Ukraine.

So I think it's clear in Europe that while there is going to be a wind down period for this coal embargo, there are many, many members of the EU who

want to do more.

CHATTERLEY: Yes, concentrating minds, certainly not before time. On the point of weaponry, we were all wondering what came out of the NATO meeting

yesterday and consolidated action, perhaps rather than just words of support. What do we know on the weaponry front to?

SEBASTIAN: Suddenly words of support. The NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg saying that more needs to be done heavier weapons as well as light weapons.

He's not really he's sort of making the distinction between defensive and offensive weapons.

Obviously, this is something that NATO wants to be very careful about. It doesn't want to be considered a competent in this war. He says all weapons

pretty much can be considered defensive since Ukraine is fighting a defensive war.

And this is something that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba went to Brussels specifically to ask for. He said that his key goal was,

"weapons, weapons, weapons", and that he came out of these talks, cautiously optimistic.

In terms of actual actions so far, not a great deal. We're hearing from Slovakia this morning that they are going to supply Ukraine with an S300

soviet era, air defense system. So that is fairly significant.

The U.S. is committing more in terms of defensive weaponry as well. But clearly, the commitment is there from NATO members to do more. We just have

to see whether this translates into more actions, Julia.

CHATTERLEY: Yes, it's the commitment may be there. The delivery is what matters. Clare Sebastian, thank you for that. Let me bring you up to speed

now with some of the other stories that making headlines around the world.

In Shanghai health authorities have reported more than 21,000 new COVID cases. That's a daily record and it pushes the city's total to 130,000 by

far, China's worst outbreak ever. City officials continue to enforce strict lockdown measures that are making life difficult for millions. CNN's

Kristie Lu Stout has this report.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Shanghai is buckling under a city wide lockdown that has no end in sight. Some residents have reached a breaking

point and they are speaking out. On Friday, Shanghai reported over 21,000 new cases of the virus.

And as cases rise, China continues to cling to a tough zero COVID policy of mass testing quarantines and lockdowns. It is taking a toll on both lives

and livelihoods. This video clip has gone viral in China, listen and watch how this man is venting his frustration in lockdown Shanghai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyday my business is shut, but my employees need to eat. I don't have money. I have to pay for mortgage. I don't care anymore.

Just let the Communist Party take me. Where is the Communist Party?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: CNN cannot verify the authenticity of the video and there is also mounting anger over food shortages. This video clips circulating on Chinese

social media shows a confrontation between residents under lockdown and police.

The residence are shouting, we are starving as it tried to break out of the compound. And again CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the

video. On Thursday the Shanghai government said it is doing its best to improve food distribution.

There is also rising anger after a health worker was caught on video beating a pet Corgi to death. This happened at a residential compound this

week after its owner was reportedly taken to quarantine, a resident filmed a COVID prevention worker hitting the Corgi three times with a shovel.

The dog died at the scene. Now CNN has reached out to the residential committee overseeing that compound. And they told local media that the

owner would be compensated. These viral video clips underscore the extreme measures taken in the name of zero COVID and the outcry is only growing.

Kristie Lu Stout CNN, Hong Kong.

CHATTERLEY: Israeli officials say two people were killed and more than a dozen wounded late Thursday at a bar in Tel Aviv. Security forces say they

found and killed the suspected gunman, a 28 year old from a Palestinian city in the West.

It's the latest in a string of attacks that have put Israel and the Palestinian territories on edge. Pakistan Supreme Court has ruled that

Prime Minister Imran Khan's efforts to block a vote of no confidence were unconstitutional.

Earlier this week, President Khan moved to dissolve parliament ahead of a vote against him that vote is now set to take place tomorrow. Straight

ahead five rounds of sweeping EU sanctions, yet President Putin seems defined as ever. French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire joins us now on

Ukraine's fight for its future, that's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:15:00]

CHATTERLEY: Welcome back. The world is reacting in horror to the latest attack on innocent civilians looking to flee the fighting in eastern

Ukraine. Ukraine those days at least 39 people have been killed, some 87 injured in this rocket strike at a train station in the Donetsk region.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister now warning that the anticipated conflict in and around the Donetsk region could be equal to World War II in terms of

intensity. NATO this week agreeing to send new advanced weaponry to Ukrainian fighters, allowing them to meet the Russian onslaught head to

head in this new phase of the fighting.

The EU is pledging more than $500 million more dollars in additional support to Kyiv. It's also passed a new round of economic sanctions that

target Russia's energy and financial sectors. The economic game changer would be for a complete EU ban on Russian oil and gas imports.

The French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has urged the EU to pass an energy ban within a few weeks. Although he admits himself it would take

time to build consensus among EU member states. And I'm pleased to say the French finance minister joins us now.

Minister, great to have you on the show, I want to get your reaction to begin on the attack that we saw this morning on Ukrainian civilians.

BRUNO LE MAIRE, FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER: I think that we are all deeply shocked by this new massacre after Bucha. I mean, all the French public

opinion, all the European public opinions are deeply shocked by what happened. This is a massacre.

It means that the people responsible for that must be identified, prosecuted and possibly convicted for these crimes. And it is up to the

criminal court of justice to take the lead on that and to take the necessary decisions.

CHATTERLEY: Does a massacre in your words like this justify further sanctions? Minister, beyond the fifth round that was just agreed you

yourself have said France is ready to ban oil imports but you're waiting for others in the face of tragedies like this more tragedies like this. Why

wait?

MAIRE: We don't want to wait. We just wanted to have European unity on this ban on Russian oil. But have a look first of all on what has been already

decided. We have already decided very strong sanctions at the European level.

[09:20:00]

MAIRE: This is the set of sanctions, the most heavy that we have decided, since the creation of the European Union. We have decided the ban on some

Russian products, we have decided to put the sanctions, oligarchs political are responsible, we have also decided abandoned some very specific

technological products.

So we have already taken very strong decisions. Now it's time to move on and - made very clear that as fast is concerned, we stand ready to decide a

ban on coal and on oil. On coal, it has been decided yesterday at the European level.

On oil, we want to build a consensus among the 27 member states because we need the unity of the 27 member states to decide this ban on oil. Abandon

oil on Russian oil would be clearly a game changer in the way we are responding to the Russian attacks against Ukraine. That's why we are fully

determined to go this way. But once again, we need to build the European unity.

CHATTERLEY: Oil, as you mentioned, is the game changer. I want to ask about coal. Just specifically, there are reports today that coal imports will be

banned from the second week of August that no new contracts can be signed from today. Can you confirm that Sir for me, please?

MAIRE: I can confirm that, we need to have four months of adaptation because of the contract. But the ban on coal will be decided that with the

unity of the 27 member states, this is a new step in the way we are responding to the Russian attack.

And I just want to recall that as France is concerned, we stand ready to go further and to decide a ban on oil. And I'm deeply convinced I'm convinced

that the next steps and the next discussions will focus on this question of the ban on Russian oil.

CHATTERLEY: 34 billion Euros is what Joseph Burrell said the European Union has paid to Russia since the beginning of this invasion. And the

confirmation last night that 1.5 billion Euros has been given to Ukraine in terms of support.

And in terms of weaponry, 34 billion Euros to Russia one and a half billion Euros to Ukraine. Minister you're saying France, the French people are

ready to do this for nations that aren't yet ready. Germany would be a great example, the biggest example, how do they justify that to their

people?

MAIRE: I think that once again, building unity takes time; we should first of all focus on what has been already decided. The strong sanctions that

has been decided against Russia proved to be very effective.

Just have a look at the level of growth in Russia, you have a very strong recession more than 10 percent as President Biden said a few days ago. We

want to go further. And what we have decided is already effective. But we want to go further.

We also provided 1.2 billion Euros of financial support to Ukraine. We have also decided to provide military equipments to the Ukraine Government. You

just have a look at the things and at the way we are changing in Europe.

This is the first time in the recent European history that the 27 member states decide to provide military equipments to a foreign country. This is

already a game changer. The way we are fighting against the Russian state and against Vladimir Putin through these very strong sanctions.

This is already a game changer in the way Europe is behaving. We are united. We are strong, and we stand ready to go further to be successful

through this political sanctions.

CHATTERLEY: It's Hungary on board with sanctioning energy like oil imports. Hungary.

MAIRE: Hungary, Hungary's on board because to have those decisions are being implemented. You need the unity of the 27 member states which means

that all the 27 member states, including Hungary must be on board.

It was the case for the sanctions against oligarchs for the sanctions on coal. It must be the case also the day we will decide a ban on Russian oil.

CHATTERLEY: And does that come this year?

[09:25:00]

MAIRE: We will see I cannot make a near prediction. But I think that - made it very clear that we have to go further, that all options are on the table

call, it has been decided, oil, we stand ready for that gas, this is already on the table.

All options are on the table, because we are fully aware of what is happening in Ukraine. We are all deeply shocked by what has happened in

Bucha and in this railway station. And we are totally determined to have the sanctions being implemented, being effective and having a very concrete

effect on the Russian power.

CHATTERLEY: Speaking of the effect, could you confirm something else we please. Russia has been demanding that payment for energy from unfriendly

nations comes in rubles. Has anything changed about the way that you're paying, and the way that the EU is paying for energy and hydrocarbons to

Russia.

MAIRE: No, the EU did not change the way we pay for our contracts. Contracts are contracts. And contracts EUs must be paid and will be paid in

EU, so we will continue to pay our contracts with Russia in --.

CHATTERLEY: And I want to pick up on your point about the weaponry that's been provided to Ukraine and NATO also announced yesterday, more advanced

weaponry will be provided to Ukraine too.

Are you confident is France confident that Ukraine now has the weaponry required to resist an advance that the foreign minister said yesterday

could be reminiscent of violence in World War II?

MAIRE: You know I'm not in charge of the Minister of Defense. So I don't want to enter into too much details. But the point on which I would like to

insist is that for the first time in the history of the European Union, we have decided to provide military equipments to a foreign country, to

support this country to support Ukraine, to support the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people.

So this is clearly a game changer in the European history. And you have all the European countries, including countries like Sweden, including

countries like Germany, providing these meter equipments to Ukraine.

CHATTERLEY: Minister, I apologize for asking you outside of your remit. These are extraordinary circumstances. It is important Frances stance on

all of this as you head towards presidential elections and the run offs, and the polls have tightened for France and for Europe.

I think the outcome of this presidential election has profound implications, Marine Le Pen - very different views on European security on

Europe, on the future of France on a position on Russia and Ukraine itself, what's at stake in this election for both France and for Europe?

MAIRE: I fully agree on your assessment. This presidential election will have a deep impact on the European history, and will have deep implications

also on the European policy. That's why I so much strongly support the reelection of Emmanuel Macron.

Because I really think that to ensure European unity, you need to have Emmanuel Macron as the next French president. If you want to stick to that

policy against Russian state against Vladimir Putin, you need to have Emmanuel Macron being reelected.

We don't want to have any ambiguity vis-a-vis the Russian state, vis-a-vis the Russian oligarchs, vis-a-vis the Russian banks and vis-a-vis Vladimir

Putin. There are some ambiguities among some other candidates.

It is not the case with Emmanuel Macron. He has been very clear from the very beginning on the necessity of preserving European unity. He has been

very clear on the necessity to fight against the Russian policy, vis-a-vis Ukraine.

So I think that what is at stake in this presidential election, the first one will take place next Sunday is the European unity, the determination of

the European Union to fight against the Russian state and the Russian decisions in Ukraine.

And the possibility of having all European continents being more independent, more sovereign investing in military equipments. And being

able to face the stakes of the 21st century's .

CHATTERLEY: Minister, are you confident he can win, yes or no?

MAIRE: I'm totally confidence that he can win. I'm confident that he will win and I will do my best efforts over the next days to convince the French

population that this is in the interest of France to have Emmanuel Macron being reelected.

[09:30:00]

MAIRE: Just have a look at the results of Emmanuel Macron's mandate. You have the unemployment rate going down. You have the attractiveness of the

French state and the French nation going up.

You have more jobs, you have more industrial jobs. You have more influence of France among European countries. This is why I strongly believe that

Emmanuel Macron is the best choice for the next five years.

CHATTERLEY: The French people will decide, Sir, thank you for your time today and I appreciate you answering questions outside of your remit.

MAIRE: Thank you.

CHATTERLEY: Bruno Le Maire, the Finance Minister of France. Now coming up, she made a dangerous trip to Kyiv just last week to meet President

Zelenskyy, the leader of the European Parliament joins us next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHATTERLEY: Welcome back, a Russian striker hit a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk earlier Friday. We must warn you these

images are disturbing to see. At least 39 people were killed many others injured.

According to the railway company, thousands of people civilians are waiting to board trains to take them out of what seemed now is a very dangerous

area. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Zelenskyy saying the situation in the town of Borodianka looks even worse than Bucha.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: So far the Russian state and the Russian military are the greatest threat on the planet to freedom to human

security to the concept of human rights as such. After Bucha this is clear they don't obey human rights. But now we see in Borodianka after it's even

scarier, even more bodies under the rebel Borodianka.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHATTERLEY: The Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy.

[09:35:00]

CHATTERLEY: It comes after the President of the European Parliament; Roberta Metsola also made the trip to the Ukrainian Capitol last week to

meet with the president herself. And she joins us now.

President Metsola, great to have you on the show, the first European to visit Kyiv to visit Ukraine in light of the violence, your reaction,

please, to what we've seen this morning.

ROBERTA METSOLA, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT: Yes, this, these photos are really quite terrible. And it's the message if I can say of hope that you

see in a baby carriage in suitcases of people fleeing atrocities in an unprovoked and unnecessary and terrible war, in the hope of finding a

better life.

Children's lives cut short, mothers and children, women and men bombed indiscriminately. What we are seeing there are crime scenes, international

war crimes being committed against a sovereign people who are simply fighting for democracy and for their country.

CHATTERLEY: Roberta, do you think it hardens the minds, the focus of European leaders to do more to take further action however painful perhaps

it is for their own citizens?

METSOLA: I don't think we have any choice. The reason why I travelled to Kyiv last week was precisely to speak to my counterparts in the Ukrainian

parliament, but then also with President Zelenskyy.

Because I wanted to be in the same room and say, we are not going to leave you alone. We will never ever do that. And we will never forget what has

happened, and what Russia has done to your country.

These images and what we've seen over these past few days, leave us with no choice. But to continue to insist, first of all, that Ukraine is fighting

our war for the same principles of democracy, fundamental freedoms, liberty and justice.

While at the same time, we are not yet delivering equipment fast enough. We are not yet delivering financial assistance and logistical assistance fast

enough, we are in a crucial period in this very, very difficult invasion. And it is up to us today, in these hours to stand up to be counted really

and not turn our backs.

CHATTERLEY: You know, I often think about this in light of the numbers, and I've repeated them many times on my show this week. But you actually know

what it feels like to look President Zelenskyy in the eye.

And know that Europe's providing 34 billion Euros to Russia fair energy that could be and can be used for weapons while providing one and a half

billion Euros to Ukraine for weapons and humanitarian aid and support.

Roberta just as an individual, even as a Representative of the European Parliament, but as an individual person, how does it feel to look in the

eyes of President Zelenskyy knowing that?

METSOLA: Well, the reality is that we are whether directly or indirectly funding this war. And we have funded a neighboring country, which was

preparing a tax that is unpredictable, that is aggressive, that does not respect international law that does not respect human rights.

That silence is the opposition and any minority and looking away. And we have to look at ourselves with responsibility and say, why did we not act

earlier? Why have we sheltered Putin, his family, the oligarchs and all the people who support him in our Europe by selling them our passports, our

citizenship by allowing them to hide their money in our countries.

And we need to make sure that this does not happen again. And this is why yesterday the European Parliament took the decision to ask for an immediate

embargo. Also on gas besides coal, and oil, why did we do this?

Because politically, we cannot look at our citizens in the eyes and say we fight for democracy in our countries. But we turn our back when a country

so close to us, with our brothers and sisters fighting for those same principles are doing precisely that.

There are difficult decisions, we will have very difficult weeks ahead of us, if not months, we will face food shortages. We will face stratospheric

energy and gas prices. But at the same time, democracy and freedom are priceless.

And we depart from that principle. We need to be ready at the leadership level to take make those sacrifices allow our citizens the protection that

they need to cushion the economic impact. But at the same time never look away from the fact that we are fighting for the lives of Europeans that we

thought my generation thought would never see war in our Europe, let alone in 2022.

[09:40:00]

CHATTERLEY: Yes, Europe proved it can do whatever it takes in the financial crisis and during the COVID pandemic. And I think to your point, we have to

look about look at this seriously as a far bigger crisis than just one country and the implications for Europe too.

I want to ask you about the candidacy for Ukraine. I know adding another nation to the European Union is convoluted. This has been discussed many

times. But can you give me any sense of timeline because even just candidacy for the EU would open up a number of programs that will be very

useful to Ukraine at this moment.

METSOLA: Absolutely, this is in fact or in fact dominated my discussions in Kyiv. Last week, with the advantages that once the first step is taken, and

the candidacy is opened, then young people, different parts of the country can access so many, so called pre accession funds, in other words, funds

that and programs that a country would be able to access before it becomes a member of the European Union.

And the parliament's position has been very clear. Any country that looks to Europe, as its home, we have seen our homes and our hearts being opened

widely over the past few weeks, in countries, both in the neighboring region, but really across the continent in order to welcome a fleeing

Ukrainians, something they never wanted to do.

But we are doing it on the ground and a great human humanitarian effort. Now, we also need to take the political step that if that country is

looking to Europe, then Europe needs to say that Europe is your home.

There are different steps. Each country has its own path. Ukraine has started its path. It's up to us now to respond to that, and that will

happen over the next few days. But for the parliament is clear and the place of Europe and Ukraine is in Europe.

CHATTERLEY: President Metsola, thank you for your time and thank you for your bravery in visiting Ukraine to the President of the European

Parliament. Thank you so much.

METSOLA: Thank you.

CHATTERLEY: Thank you so much, still to come, meet the 88 year old woman who stood strong when Russian troops invaded her city, her story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:45:00]

CHATTERLEY: Welcome back to a remarkable show of strength. Ukrainian troops, along with residents young and old fought off the Russian forces,

which invaded in early March. One 88 year old woman had a few choice words for the Russian soldiers who showed up, take a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIRA PARASENYK, RAKOVE, UKRAINE RESIDENT: I come out from the kitchen and I tell him, sorry for the language, - your mother. Has your Putin gone mad,

firing at kids? - is he mad? He is a bitch. He must die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHATTERLEY: And Ed Lavandera joins us now. Ed, you know, and I watched this and this is part of a much bigger report that the people should watch to.

It was a combination of smiling and crying for what they've been through. But oh, boy, that woman's a firecracker.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yep. You know what's really funny about all of that is that I knew it was funny. But I was waiting for the

translation to really understand exactly what was going on. So but I could tell her whatever she was saying, in that moment, it was going to be really

profound and dramatic.

But this is part of a bigger story as you mentioned, Julia. This was a battle that happened in a city about two hours north of Odesa, where we are

in south central Ukraine, and it's a little town called and bear with me, I'm pronouncing the name - is the name of the city.

And this was a two day battle. In early March, Russian forces about, you know, coming toward this city, there's a river that runs through it. The

Ukrainians there blew up the bridge so that the Russians couldn't get in.

And where that 88 year old woman was, was on an outskirt village on the road that the Russians came to. And she told that what she's referring to

there is that when the Russians first pulled in to the city, they came through her village.

And one of the soldiers drove a tape basically through her yard. And that was her response to the Russian soldier when he pulled into her yard and,

and she just gave him that verbal tirade.

CHATTERLEY: Did she tell you how he reacted? How the soldiers reacted?

LAVANDERA: Well, that street, what we found on that street where she is was a lot of elderly women. And they reacted by basically taking all of the

women out of their homes, they had to go find other places to live while the Russians were there in the occupied section of the city.

And they basically robbed their homes of food and, and clothing and various supplies. But we should point out that that battle lasted for about two

days. And in this incredible combination of Ukrainian military volunteer fighters, crafty civilians, who were basically running supplies acting as

spotters, telling them where the Russians were in the neighborhood, they were able to beat them back.

And the city is particularly important because it kind of sits at a crossroads in south central Ukraine. If they had made it across this river

and into that city, the Russian forces would have been able to move deeper into southern Ukraine.

So if you look back at the timing of all of this back in early March, and if you've followed the story here about how Russian forces essentially have

been stalled out halfway between Mariupol and Odessa in the south.

This city is responsible for partly responsible for that in large part so that's why this particular battle here was so significant.

CHATTERLEY: The heart, the bravery, the strength. Yes, that story has it all. And to your point about the laughter too, you could see them laughing

by the side and sort of a little bit embarrassed. Yes, I think she's earned the right to swear like a trooper if she wants to and Ed on the final point

on that. Go on.

LAVANDERA: No, just to say, you know, I also asked him if they're worried about the Russians coming back all this talk about you on a serious note of

Russians coming in from the east, if they're worried that they're going to come back and take revenge, will they stay she you know, they told us we're

not going anywhere.

I said, why won't you evacuate and they said over and over again, where will we go we have nowhere to go. This is our home. You know, but those are

some rather fierce ladies there in that neighborhood in that village.

CHATTERLEY: These ladies not for moving, Ed, thank you, Ed Lavandera, great to have you with us, more to come.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:00]

CHATTERLEY: Welcome back! Global financial markets wrapping up another turbulent week with the war in Ukraine and the Feds battle against

inflation still weighing on sentiment take a look at this, U.S. shares lower in early trading pressured by benchmark U.S. bond yields that have

risen to fresh three year highs yields are rising as key members of the U.S. Federal Reserve vow to aggressively reduce the Fed's balance sheet a

move that Deutsche Bank fears will lead to a U.S. recession as soon as next year.

Investors begin to hear from Wall Street's biggest banks next week too on their Q1 results and their projections for economic growth and of course,

the global implications of high food prices and inflation. Now in a space first tourists are blasting off for the International Space Station later

on Friday.

At the Kennedy Space Station in Florida, three paying customers and former astronauts are getting set for liftoff in a SpaceX rocket, though on a 10

day mission. It's an inaugural voyage of the commercial spaceflight company Axiom Space. Rachel Crane is there. You know, it's interesting when blasts

off start to become a little bit boring, a little bit normal.

This one's different, Rachel for many reasons, these people get stay there for several days and carry out experiments talk us through this.

RACHEL CRANE, CNN INNOVATION AND SPACE CORRESPONDENT: That's right Julia. Well, let me just bring you up to speed on where the mission is right now.

The astronauts are strapped into their seats, they are in the capsule. They close the hatch, but they had to reopen it because the seal the pressure

check, unfortunately, it did not pass. So they had to reopen that hatch close it again.

They're going through the leak checks once again, hopefully all will check out but of course safety is. But we are hopefully going to be having an

11:17 launch today. But what's so unique about this mission Julia is this has never been done before. It's a first of its kind.

All of the astronauts on board are private astronauts and space station for about eight days. Now they're not just going to be up there having a good

time and taking interviews which but of course they will be doing that.

They're going to be running about 25 experiments on board with the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic or the Canadian Army.

CHATTERLEY: OK, I think we've lost Rachel Crane there. Give it a few seconds while I let you watch ahead of this launch. But as she was saying

this is an Axiom SpaceX and NASA combined operation. They're going to spend eight days I believe orbiting the laboratory managed by a team of

international government backed agencies. Rachel have we managed to re- establish connections? Rachel, can you hear me?

CRANE: Oh, yes, sorry, Julia. We're having a few technical difficulties here. I don't know where you lost me. But I was walking you through what

has been happening so far. The crew, they're in that capsule, they're suited up, they're strapped into their seats.

And we are hoping for an 11:17 launch today but unfortunately there was a leak with the hatch they had to reopen that hatch.

[09:55:00]

CRANE: They closed it again. They're going through those leak checks. But you know, this is really a first of its kind mission Julia because these

are all private astronauts on board, this flight today and they will be taking in the views of course once they make it to the International Space

Station about 20 hours after their launch.

But they will also be conducting about 25 experiments. So they really these private astronauts, they are insistent on the fact that they are not

"Tourists" that they're private astronauts conducting incredibly important science onboard. And hopefully this launch will take off today, Julia, we

are all eagerly awaiting.

CHATTERLEY: Yes, fingers crossed. I have 20 seconds. Rachel, how much did they pay for a seat on the rocket very quickly?

CRANE: Well, all I can tell you it was definitely more than I can afford Julia and most people can afford. The rumored price tag is about--

CHATTERLEY: Two days in a row--

CRANE: $55 million Axiom has not confirmed that. But that's the rumor 55 million Julia.

CHATTERLEY: Done. Rachel, great to chat to you thank you. We're both getting into trouble hit. That's it for the show. Stay with CNN, "Connect

the World" with Becky Anderson is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END