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Isa Soares Tonight
Israel Strikes A Hamas Control Center Inside A School In Gaza; Russia Unleashes 367 Drones And Missiles On Kyiv Killing At Least 13; Several Football Fans Injured After A Car Plowed Through A Crowd Celebrating Liverpool's Premier League Title Win; Trump Not Happy With Putin; Russia Launches Largest Air Assault On Ukraine; Man Detained After Car Hit Pedestrians At Liverpool FC Parade. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired May 26, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, Israel warns of an unprecedented attack
on Gaza as ongoing strikes kill dozens, and evacuation orders are sending Palestinians fleeing once again. All this, as desperately-needed aid
remains very much in limbo.
Then the U.S. President calls Vladimir Putin absolutely crazy. The Kremlin says Donald Trump is on an emotional overload as the barrage of deadly
Russian strikes batter Ukraine. The worst aerial bombardment in three years of war. We have the very latest for you. Plus, I'll speak with the winner
of this year's International Booker Prize, we'll meet the firecracker author behind "Heartland".
And you have to hear her inspirational story. But first, tonight, it is hard to imagine the war in Gaza getting even worse for civilians struggling
to stay alive amid relentless bombings and a man-made hunger crisis. But Israel is issuing new sweeping evacuation orders today, warning of an
unprecedented attack ahead.
And the order pretty much covers part of the east and most of the south, including the densely-packed city of Khan Younis. An Israeli military
official telling CNN Israel plans to occupy 75 percent of Gaza within two months, as it goes after Hamas. And that would force more, but just put it
into perspective for you, that would force more than 2 million people into a fraction of Gaza's already tiny territory.
While some Palestinians seeking shelter near Gaza city school came under attack overnight as you can see here, at least 20 people were killed,
entire families, including children, by the way, were in these buildings that you see on fire, this after an Israeli airstrike. People frantically
still trying to rescue those trapped inside, one woman describing how a mother tried to save her son as he was burning alive. Have a listen to
this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We woke up from our sleep. They woke up and found the whole place in flames. He started screaming, mom, get
me out, get me out, she couldn't get him out. He was with his two little sisters. Mom, rescue me, rescue me, but she couldn't. She pulled out her
two injured daughters. They are there, but she couldn't save her son.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Meantime, a controversial U.S. Israeli backed plan for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza is supposed to begin today. But the head of the
foundation overseeing it will no longer be involved. He has resigned, saying he's proud of his efforts to alleviate the hunger crisis. But he
says it's now clear that the plan does not adhere to the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality.
The U.N. and other aid groups have been warning, even some right here on the show of the same thing in more direct terms, saying the mechanism that
bypasses established distribution methods would not meet Gaza's needs, would endanger civilians and would facilitate mass displacement. Israel and
the U.S. said it's needed to keep Hamas from quote, "stealing aid".
Gaza's Health Ministry says around 300 people have died from malnutrition and a lack of food as well as medicine since Israel imposed an aid blockade
back in March. Well, a country that has staunchly-backed Israel now says the extent of harm being inflicted on Palestinian civilians can no longer
be justified as a fight against Hamas.
Chancellor -- the German Chancellor, I should say, Friedrich Merz says Germany must speak out when, quote, "boundaries across and humanitarian law
is really being violated." He said he no longer understands Israel's goal in the Gaza war. So, plenty of strands for us to get through. I want to
bring in our Jeremy Diamond, who joins us now from Jerusalem with more.
And Jeremy, there's a lot for us to get -- to get through. So, let me just start, first of all, with these evacuation orders that we've heard from the
IDF warning, as we just reported of an unprecedented attack. What more can you tell us? Because as we clearly just outlined, it's been a truly
devastating few months and weeks, of course.
[14:05:00]
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Without a doubt, and clearly, this evacuation order is a harbinger of what is to come. And that is the
Israeli military's plans to occupy 75 percent of the Gaza Strip within the next two months, according to an Israeli military official speaking about
those plans. For the moment, the evacuation order that we've just seen from the Israeli military earlier today encompasses essentially all of southern
Gaza.
It includes Rafah, which was already evacuated months ago, but where there are still some Palestinian civilians who remain, as well as basically the
entirety of the city of Khan Younis and the Khan Younis governorate, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are currently living. It is the
second Israeli military evacuation order for that Khan Younis area that we have seen over the course of just the last week, and it is now coming with
an even more urgent warning from the Israeli military, which is vowing that there will be a, quote, "unprecedented" attack carried out by the military
against Hamas forces in that area, calling on Palestinians to move to that coastal zone in Gaza known as Al-Mawasi.
But clearly, it is reflecting these plans from the highest echelons of the Israeli government, which are now speaking in quite candid terms about
these plans to massively and forcibly displace the majority of Gaza's population into a tiny sliver of the Gaza Strip. And subsequently, to then
encourage, as they say, voluntary migration once they've been placed in effectively unlivable conditions.
So, the Israeli government, the Israeli military are being, you know, as clear as they ever have been about what seemed to be the true designs of
Israel's military plans in Gaza, and that doesn't just involve routing Hamas, but it also involves displacing enormous numbers of Palestinians,
and then trying to encourage them to leave the Gaza Strip altogether.
SOARES: And this comes, of course, as the aid continues to trickle in. And now, of course, we heard from the head of U.S.-backed aid group, the Gaza
humanitarian foundation, a man you spoke to, I think it was last week, Jeremy, correct me if I'm wrong. Why did Jake Wood -- what are you hearing
regarding Jake Wood's decision to resign? But that came at quite as a surprise.
DIAMOND: Yes, just over a week ago, I was --
SOARES: Yes --
DIAMOND: Interviewing him, and he was talking about why he felt that this mechanism was the only way forward to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. He
made very clear at the time that it was an imperfect mechanism. But he stood by its independence, and he also stood by the fact that he would not
be participating in it if he felt that it was going to be used by the Israeli government and the Israeli military to facilitate the forced
displacement of Palestinians, which is one of the accusations that humanitarians have leveled against this new mechanism.
But now, fast-forward, just a little over a week later, and Jake Wood has resigned as executive director of this foundation, citing his concerns over
the true independence of this mechanism, saying in a statement, quote, "it is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly
adhering to humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence."
And so, that seems to be at the crux of his decision to leave this Gaza humanitarian foundation. But following that statement, the board of the
Gaza humanitarian foundation put out another statement of its own, saying that aid deliveries to Gaza would in fact begin through this mechanism
today, on Monday.
We have yet to actually see evidence of that. But they say that they have plans to move forward, and they believe that they can ramp up to feed about
half of Gaza's population by the end of this week. But enormous challenges still remain for this mechanism. In terms of funding, given the fact that
the primary aid organizations at the United Nations that have been supplying the majority of food to Gaza over the last year-and-a-half have
vowed not to participate in this mechanism.
SOARES: Yes --
DIAMOND: And so, who will fund this mechanism going forward? Will they have the stocks to feed all of Gaza's population? And critically, for right now
as well, how much longer will Israel continue to allow some aid to flow in via the previous channels as we've been seeing over the course of the last
week before completely turning off that spigot and having the Gaza humanitarian foundation be the only way that Gaza's population gets fed.
SOARES: Yes, questions that you've been posing, that we've been posing here on the show. Jeremy, appreciate it, thank you very much indeed. Well,
Israel isn't just blocking the vast majority of aid from Gaza. It's also destroying the Palestinians' ability to produce their own food. A U.N.
assessment says less than 5 percent, 5 percent of Gaza's crop land can now be cultivated due to damage, as well as access restrictions you can see
lined out -- outlined in the map.
[14:10:00]
I want to get more now on the humanitarian crisis at large. We're joined by Joe English; an emergency communications specialist with UNICEF. Joe, good
to have you back on the show. Look, as you heard, probably from our correspondent there, it has been a truly devastating few weeks, months.
Just give me a sense of what you and your team on the ground, what they have been seeing, because we now have this fresh evacuation order ahead of
what the IDF is saying is unprecedented attack. What are you hearing from your colleagues on the ground?
JOE ENGLISH, EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, UNICEF: Yes, it's been another absolutely devastating 72 hours. And, you know, I really think we
need to sort of lay it out in terms of what the situation is for children and families. You know, Isa, you've reported from war zones, you know, I've
worked in war zones, and sometimes it can feel like it's chronic and it's grinding and it's there in the background, but there is no immediate live
threat.
But for children and families in Gaza, every single day is a day of terror and horror. You know, for anyone of your viewers, I want them to imagine
the worst day of their life. You know, it may be that they lost someone special to them. It may be that they went through a traumatic or a
stressful experience, it may be that they saw their child hurt or in discomfort or in pain.
Parents in Gaza have been going through this every single day for 19 months with no escape, with no respite. So, that is the kind of psychological
torment that families are facing day-after-day-after-day. And I wish I could say that there was hope that, that would improve. But --
SOARES: Yes --
ENGLISH: At the moment, we see it continues to get worse.
SOARES: It does continue to get worse, and it must be absolutely terrifying. I can't imagine what all these parents and these mothers are
going through right now. But let me just focus if I can, just on the evacuation orders, and it appears from what we understand that this
evacuation includes the entirety of Khan Younis, which for viewers is already densely-packed anyway with Palestinians who have been displaced
many times over.
And now, they've been instructed as our correspondent was saying there, to move to Al-Mawasi area, which from what I understand, Joe, and you can
explain this, it's a very narrow strip of land by the sea. But you know, huge concerns. I remember talking about this several months ago about
sanitation, infrastructure, tents, clean water. Can you speak -- can you paint a picture of this?
ENGLISH: Yes, it is, you know, and I think this is it, is that children and families need these basic necessities all -- any parent would want for
their child safe drinking water, access to medical care. You know, the threat of polio is still very real. And that's because we are forcing
people into ever smaller spaces without that key infrastructure around them.
You know, and I think many families, almost all families at this point have been displaced multiple times. And so, when you see an evacuation order
like this, you also have to think, what about those who cannot evacuate? What about a mother with a disabled child?
What about elderly or infirm people? What about people who, as we know because of the nutrition situation are being weakened and weakened and
weakened with -- every day, and you expect them to be able to pack up what is left of their belongings, you know, often in the middle of the night and
leave to somewhere where there is no sense of safety, there is no sense of security. They are stuck between two impossible situations and having to
make these calls on a daily basis.
SOARES: Yes, and look, in the meantime, we have been hearing from yourself and from others, you know, my show just last week, aid groups repeatedly
warning Joe, that the situation is becoming catastrophic, and now, we're hearing from the Palestinian Ministry of Health that malnutrition in the
enclave is causing a number of deaths, as of course, there's only a trickle of aid starts reaching the -- Gaza.
I just -- I just want my producer to play that video that while you were talking, Joe, was a UNICEF truck, and it just shows a level of desperation
as aid was coming and people trying to get their hands of a parcel of food. Can you speak just to that -- to that, of course, people have been waiting
for so many months for this.
ENGLISH: They have, you know, and I think this shows that the level of desperation of families, it shows what 19 months of absolute devastation
does, you know, and it's understandable. These parents are, you know, seeing anything coming in and thinking there is no guarantee that this will
be available tomorrow or the next day.
And so, of course, they're doing everything they can to keep their children and their families alive. And the way to address this, is to ensure that we
can scale up aid getting in so that families are not worried, that this delivery that they're seeing, this truck is the only truck that is likely
to get through. We need a flood of aid to get in so that they have that sense of confidence that they will not just be able to feed their child
today.
[14:15:00]
But today and the next day and the next day, because otherwise, we will continue to see these scenes of panic and anxiety when supplies are able to
get in.
SOARES: Yes, man-made. Worth reminding people every single day. Thank you very much, Joe, appreciate it, taking the time to speak to us here on the
show. I want to leave this conversation, have some breaking news we want to bring you now. There are reports that a car has hit a number of pedestrians
at a parade celebrating Liverpool Football Club's premier league title, that happened today.
According to Merseyside police, the driver stopped at the scene and has been detained. It's not clear how many people may have been hurt, but it
was a huge celebration, of course, earlier today, parade that lasted several hours along a very long route, I think I've seen 15 miles or so
this morning from the top of my head.
But details we're getting in, reports that a car has hit a number of pedestrians, pedestrians at this parade. This is according to Merseyside
Police. The driver has been detained. As soon as we have any more details for you, of course, we'll bring that to your attention. Now, only days
after Donald Trump expressed optimism that Russia and Ukraine on the brink of a ceasefire, it appears the U.S. President may be running out of
patience with Moscow.
In a rare rebuke of Vladimir Putin, he slammed his Russian counterpart following a massive aerial assault by Russia that killed dozens of people
over the weekend. In an online post, President Trump wrote that the Russian President has, quote, "gone absolutely crazy" as you can see there. The
Kremlin calls Mr. Trump's comments -- and I'm quoting here, "emotional overload".
The U.S. President says he's absolutely considering additional sanctions against Russia, something he has threatened before, but has not yet carried
out. Meantime, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says there are no longer any range restrictions on the weapons supply to Ukraine. That means that
Ukrainians can now strike military positions deep inside Russia.
The Kremlin says that would be, quote, "a dangerous move". Have more now from our CNN's international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't like what Putin is doing, not even a little bit. He's killing people. And something happened
to this guy, and I don't like it.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Outrage from the U.S. President on a weekend he had begun with hope, Russia and
Ukraine's largest prisoner exchange so far on Friday, he'd hinted possible progress towards his peace initiative. Instead, President Vladimir Putin
launched Russia's biggest sustained air assault on Ukraine, yet 13 killed by Saturday, 12 dead the next night during Russia's largest air attack yet.
Three hundred and sixty seven drones and missiles, prompting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to issue this warning, saying, "the world may
go on vacation, but the war continues despite weekends and weekdays, this cannot be ignored. America's silence and the silence of others in the world
only encourages Putin."
Trump responded Sunday, as he often does, putting Zelenskyy down, but also aiming rare criticism at Putin, calling him crazy.
TRUMP: I'm not happy with what Putin is doing. He's killing a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a
long time, always gotten along with him, but he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all.
ROBERTSON: Putin's response Sunday night, 355 drones killing four people, the largest ever Russian drone attack since their illegal, unprovoked full-
scale invasion began 39 months ago, Ukraine says.
DMITRY PESKOV, SPOKESPERSON, KREMLIN, RUSSIA: President Putin --
ROBERTSON: The Kremlin spokesman saying Putin is making the decisions that are necessary to ensure the security of our country in a situation with
"emotional overload", a jab at Trump. In Ukraine, as rescuers crunch through bomb-blasted glass, fear is everywhere. "My grandparents are in
there", a woman screams. Another shouting, "my mom and dad are still in there."
As Putin buys time for war, trading barbs with Trump. His bombs are tearing into the people Trump says he wants to protect. Nic Robertson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And still to come tonight, Trump pressing pause on a set of tariffs, this time on the European Union. We'll discuss what this move
means for global markets. Anna Stewart will join me. Plus, a viral video showing the French President apparently being shoved by his wife is gaining
attention in France and right around the world, we'll tell you what Emmanuel Macron and Elysee Palace are saying about that. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:20:00]
SOARES: It's called moving the goal post. Donald Trump is delaying his 50 percent tariff on EU goods from June 1st to now, July 9th. And this is the
latest instance of the U.S. President declaring an impending tariff, throwing markets into confusion once again, only to later walk back the
threats. Mr. Trump says this delay comes after a quote, "very nice call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the lady you're
looking there on your screen.
Let's get the very latest with Anna Stewart. Well, we've been here before, haven't we?
(LAUGHTER)
SOARES: We've been here before, so probably no surprise. But what do we know about this very nice call, Anna?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, we know that both sides have been actually really frustrated by the trade talks. The EU most recently in a
press conference, was saying they were frustrated by the lack of speed, and they wanted to get on with things. And then, of course, on Friday, we had
an absolute tirade from President Trump on social media.
And if anything, perhaps this will speed up trade negotiations. If we're trying to find some sort of positive or some sort of development that has
emerged from this, we know, for instance, that Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, was going to speak with the EU Trade Commissioner
today. Things are happening.
And there was a very nice call, according to President Trump, as you say, with the EU Commission President. So, talks are ongoing, very unclear
whether anything has actually been gained in reality in terms of the deal - -
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: What negotiations will take place? What sort of compromises could be made here? Will they reach a deal? That's unclear. And actually, the
deadline is exactly what it was, but the threats got bigger --
SOARES: That's exactly what I was going to ask you. I mean, wasn't it 90 days that then what's -- yes, anyway, we're back to almost 90 days, right?
--
STEWART: We're back to the 9th of July, which is exactly where we were on Friday morning.
SOARES: Is it clear from your vantage point and those -- and those people you've spoken to, Anna, what President Trump wants to see from the EU?
STEWART: I think key areas for President Trump will be things like tariffs on cars. Currently, for instance, U.S. cars aren't generally imported into
the EU for a variety of reasons, but one of the big ones for President Trump is, of course, there are tariffs from the EU on U.S. cars.
Something like that, perhaps there could be a zero for zero tariff situation on cars perhaps. Are there areas though aren't just to do with
goods and tariffs necessarily, the way the EU treats big U.S. tech firms, Facebook, Meta --
SOARES: Oh, we have, yes --
STEWART: Google, Amazon, whether it's anti-competition probes and huge fines, whether it's for some countries, digital services, taxes on their
revenues in EU countries, these are areas that could be dragged into the conversation.
[14:25:00]
SOARES: And very briefly, where is the red line for Europe? Do we know on any of those?
STEWART: It will be different. And this is why it's so difficult, it will be different for --
SOARES: Depending on the country --
STEWART: Twenty seven member states, which is why it does take a bit longer. And it's a lot more frustrating for a bloc like the EU --
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: To reach some sort of conclusion here.
SOARES: Anna, thank you very much indeed. Now, if you had just joined us in the last what? Ten, fifteen minutes or so, we had some breaking news out of
the U.K. There are reports that a car has hit a number of pedestrians at a parade that's been celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title.
According to Merseyside Police, the driver stopped at the scene and has been detained. It's not clear how many people at this stage may have been
hurt. Patrick Snell is with me. And Patrick, we brought the viewers the latest breaking news in the last 10-15 minutes. What more are you hearing?
Because the pictures we saw earlier were very much red colors everywhere, huge celebrations on the streets.
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORTS: Yes, hi, Isa, these are very concerning scenes, no question. This is a day or meant to be a day of jubilation, of
celebration for one of the most famous names in world football, Liverpool Football Club. What we do know this incident taking place at just after
6:00 p.m. local time, so about an hour and 25 minutes ago now, reports of a car being in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
Now, I know for a fact, Water Street right in the heart of Liverpool City center where there has, as I say -- there's been hundreds of thousands of
people literally in the Liverpool city center area on this day, the car stopping at the scene according to Merseyside Police, and a male has been
detained.
Let me give you some context around why those hundreds of thousands of fans were there in the first place. Liverpool celebrating their second Premier
League title since the inception of the English top flight in the early 1990s. It's a record equaling 20th top flight total overall level with
their great foes, football foes, I should make that clear, Manchester United.
So, huge joy and celebration there in one of the biggest cities in northern England on this day. And remember, Liverpool's first Premier League title,
that was in the COVID era in 2020, when they won it for the first time, due to the restrictions in place at that time, Isa, they weren't allowed to
celebrate in the way they would normally have done.
There were no fans in the stadium, and it really was. The build-up to the second title was all about right now we get to do the proper celebration,
and that's why we've been watching the scenes coming in from the Merseyside area right through this day. The open-top bus parade with Liverpool's elite
players on that bus weaving its way through Liverpool city center.
The open-top bus parade taking over three hours, such was the magnitude of the occasion, it was wonderful from a footballing perspective, wonderful if
you're a fan from the red half of the city, the thousands of flags along the route, the red smoke as well as the team on that open top bus weaving
its way through Liverpool city center.
And now, we are learning of this situation and what is transpiring in the early evening there, Liverpool time in north-west England. It is really
concerning to see because, as I say, there had been hundreds of thousands watching, cramming probably for hours on end, getting there hours before
this procession even started.
Just to get a place, just to get their spot, just to get a sneak peek at their beloved heroes from Liverpool Football Cub. This is continuing to
evolve. We are --
SOARES: Yes --
SNELL: Waiting to find out more and more, and we'll bring it to you, Isa, as we get it.
SOARES: Absolutely, I'm just looking as you're speaking, Patrick, and Merseyside Police on X -- just you know, before obviously, the parade
began. "Keep yourselves and other people safe during the parade by not climbing buildings, structures, scaffolding." And this was a long route,
it's saying here, and it's 10 miles or so, some 15 kilometers. Just speak - - I mean, we saw the images just now of the crowds. Speak to the -- to the safety concerns at events of this magnitude.
SNELL: Yes, you know, we've known for some weeks that Liverpool had clinched the Premier League title. So, we knew this moment was coming. It
couldn't take place until the end of the current season, which ended on Sunday, with all teams finishing up their program. But safety as always,
absolutely paramount front and center.
And that was the very clear message from Merseyside Police ahead of this occasion of huge magnitude. Liverpool wrapping up the season with a home
draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday. They would finish the season 10 points clear of second place Arsenal. So, we'd known about this day,
Isa, we knew it was coming for many weeks.
But as I say, this was the second Premier league title, Liverpool have been celebrating in the Premier League era, and the first since their 2020
triumph when, as I say, there were no fans. There were -- there were-- restrictions were in place, they weren't allowed to come out and celebrate
in this way.
[14:30:06]
So, this has been so special for the fans, collectively letting their hair down, basking in the glory of a title, getting level with Manchester United
as well just an extra boost.
But it's safety, it's paramount to everyone when you get these large amounts of fans in constricted areas, in some areas, and as I say, they
will have been out there hours before all of this trying to get a place. And we're certainly hoping very much and praying that this has some sort of
outcome that is not too disturbing.
At the moment, we're still waiting to learn a lot more about what is transpiring up there in Northwest England this evening.
SOARES: Absolutely. If I just show our viewers, stay with us, Patrick, our viewers the live images we had. Can we bring those up, Kate, again, my
producer? And this just gives you, -- this is the live pictures coming to us from Liverpool now, and it gives you an idea of the scale of the
emergency response. Right now, as Patrick was saying, we know a number of pedestrians have been affected. We do not know at this point, of course,
the severity of those people injured.
We know the police said that a man has been detained. Of course, we'll be across this. Merseyside Police said there were called after 1800, so 6:00,
about an hour and a half ago, after receiving reports that a car had collided with a number of pedestrians. I believe, I imagine that is Water
Street, the main street.
Patrick is across over, all across this. As soon as there any more details, we'll bring them to you. But we are also seeing from PA News Agency telling
us that the prime minister is being kept up to date on the situation. As soon as there are any more developments, of course, we will bring it to
your attention.
We are going to take a short break. Be back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: If you're just joining us, let me bring you up to date, the breaking news out of England. We are hearing reports that a car has hit a
number of pedestrians at the parade that is celebrating earlier Liverpool Football Clubs Premier League title. We probably saw the scenes earlier
today across our air, across many -- across TV, even social media of jubilation, of course, a celebration, of course, of Liverpool's title win.
Them winning the league.
According to Merseyside Police the driver stopped at the scene and has been detained. They were alerted to this at 6:00 London time, U.K. time. It's
not clear at this hour how many people have been hurt? But you can see here the -- this was the main street, one of the main streets, a long route, a
10-mile route, and you can see some of the emergency services still on that street after the incident. We do not know how many people have been
injured. We do not know the level of injuries.
But we have been told by Pierre -- we have informed that the prime minister has been kept abreast of the situation, Keir Starmer. So, we'll hopefully
get more details on that. We also know in the last few minutes that Northwest Ambulance said it was supporting an incident in Liverpool City
Center following reports of a road traffic collision, which we understood took place around 6:00 at least, where that's when Merseyside Police say
they were alerted to this. It's now, as you can see, 7:36.
And they say -- the Northwest Ambulance Service say, we are currently assessing situation and working with other members of the emergency
services. Out priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.
We'll stay across this, of course. We're hoping that everyone is well. As soon as we hear -- have any more details, we'll, of course, bring this to
your attention.
I want to return to one of our top stories this hour, because in a rare rebuke, U.S. President Donald Trump is calling out the actions of Russian
President Vladimir Putin after a massive error assault on Ukraine. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Yes, I'll give you an update. I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people. And I don't know
what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time, always gotten along with him. But he's sending rockets into cities and killing people,
and I don't like it at all. OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: For its part, the Kremlin isn't showing much restraint in Ukraine, but it is holding back a little responding to the U.S. president. It says
his comments were due to, quote, "emotional overload."
Joining us now is William Taylor. He's a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council. Ambassador, great to have
you back on the show. I wonder, you know, given what we've seen just over the weekend, what the message that -- what message do you think Russia is
trying to send here to President Trump and to Europe with this barrage of attacks, the largest aerial assault since the war began? What do you think
that message is, Ambassador?
WILLIAM TAYLOR, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE: Isa, said the message is clear, the message is clear, Putin and Russia do not want peace. They are
intent on dominating Ukraine. That's the message that they've been sending for three years, indeed, more than that, for 11 years since they first
invaded.
So, this message has not been changed. He has the same message as the beginning, that is he wants Ukraine to surrender, Putin wants, and there is
no doubt about it on how he is going about that, just battering them with these missiles and drones.
SOARES: And we are starting to see -- I wonder why do you think we are starting to see, I should phrase it, a change of tone from President Trump?
Because, you know, he said that Putin -- and you saw -- probably saw it, you know, has gone absolutely crazy. But President Trump has often spoken
this way, but that doesn't translate, Ambassador, into any sort of action or red lines. Do you think that these latest comments are any different? Do
you think that President Trump is finally understanding who Putin is?
TAYLOR: It could be, Isa.
SOARES: Yes.
TAYLOR: It could be. But you're right, there have been these statements, expressions of irritation, frustration coming from President Trump and
others in the administration before, even threats of sanction. But so far, nothing.
[14:40:00]
So, the question will be, is this time enough to have these sanctions actually imposed? And not just the sanctions, it has to be support for the
Ukrainian military as well. The message to President Putin has to be, you can't win. You're not going to outlast the Ukrainians, the Europeans, or
the Americans, and we've got economic sanctions and military support for Ukraine that will enforce that.
SOARES: Let's stick to those sanctions because I saw that more Senate Republicans, is something I'm hearing, are pushing now, Ambassador, for
tough sanctions are on Russian energy in particular. I think it was Senator Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, both renewing calls for Congress to
pass sanctions on Russia if these talks, they said, show little progress.
Do you think that this will make a difference to Russia's thinking? Do you think this will put pressure here on President Trump?
TAYLOR: It is a good message to both the Russians and to President Trump and the American people. It's a good message for Ukrainians. It's a good
message for Europeans. That is, the American people support Ukraine and oppose Russia. And the Senate reflects that. The Senate bill with, as you
say, those two sponsors and 81 co-sponsors. This is a bipartisan -- broad bipartisan coalition that is ready to impose these sanctions. The question
is going to be, will they do it this time?
SOARES: So, my question to you then, Ambassador, is, you know, we've had President Trump come out with these rebukes, of course, against President
Putin, but nothing has shifted. Where is the red line then for President Trump?
TAYLOR: When President Trump realizes that President Putin has no intent of negotiating with him. There's no intent of moving toward a ceasefire. That
President Putin is the problem. When President Trump understands that President Putin is the obstacle toward President Trump's highest foreign
policy priority.
President Trump, to his credit, has made this a high priority. Hasn't taken this actions that, as we said, but he has made it a high priority. He's had
his people there. He is done negotiations on phone calls. He needs to take the actions. But President Putin has been the problem. And when President
Trump understands that President Putin is not serious and only wants to continue the war, that will be the trigger.
SOARES: In the meantime, I'm sure you heard me say there, the Kremlin has kind of downplayed Trump's comments, calling them, quote, I think it was
"emotional overload." How do you see Moscow then, Ambassador, trying to negotiate Trump's kind of growing frustration, if this is what we're seeing
here?
TAYLOR: Moscow understands that they're in a hole. Moscow understands that they are not moving forward on the battlefield. They're not making gains.
They're making small grinding movements of a meter or two. But the only thing they can do is shoot these missiles and drones. That's the only
effective military tactic that they have. And that's not even a military tactic. It's against civilians.
So, the Russians are in a hole and they know that President Putin -- they can tell that President Putin is losing the support. And President Trump
could take some very serious steps if he just makes that decision.
SOARES: I wonder then what you make what Europe's message here on what Europe needs to be doing, because, of course, President Putin didn't show
up to that meeting in Turkey. We then had European officials saying, you know, there'll be more pressure. There were a seventh round, I believe, of
sanctions. But it does feel like Europe is holding back, constantly waiting for the U.S. What do you think that Europe ought to be doing in the
meantime? We are starting to see tougher language from the Germans in particular today with those long-range weapons being used.
TAYLOR: I think you're seeing the Europeans stepping up. I think the Europeans recognize that there has not been sufficient action by the
Americans, and they're going to -- the Europeans are going to have to take those steps, not only the sanctions, but as you say, the long-range
weapons, the Taurus missiles that the Germans have now provided without restrictions on the depth into which -- into Russia that they can shoot.
So, the Europeans are stepping up and they need to do more.
SOARES: Ambassador, really appreciate to get you on the show. Always appreciate your insight. Thank you very much indeed.
TAYLOR: Thank you, Isa.
SOARES: You're very welcome. We're going to take a short break. We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:45:00]
SOARES: If you are just joining me, let me bringing up to date, the breaking news, a report out of the U.K. out of Liverpool, in fact, to be
precise. These are images coming to us directly now from Liverpool. And you can see reports that a car has hit a number of pedestrians at the parade
celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title.
Now, according to police, the driver stopped at the scene and has been detained. It's not clear how many people may have been hurt. Now, we
understand from PA News Agency and in fact, I'm seeing it now from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been tweeting about it. Let me get it to my
attention, saying he's been kept abreast of the situation. And we also know he described it scenes in Liverpool as appalling, and it says his thoughts
are with all those injured or affected.
Let me just read that out what he says, the scenes in Liverpool are appalling. My thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to
thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I'm being kept updated on developments,
he writes, and ask that we give the police this space they need to investigate.
Patrick Snell was with me when the story broke. We've been reporting on it. And this, Patrick, from (INAUDIBLE), from Merseyside Police, they were
contacted at 6:00 p.m. today. Bring us up to date with the very latest.
SNELL: Yes, that's, Isa, an hour -- nearly an hour and 50 minutes ago, approximately, just under really concerning scenes on a day of what was
meant to be huge celebration and jubilation for the red half of the City of Liverpool. Liverpool having just become crown champions of England again
for the 20th time. A record equaling 20th time.
We are learning new details. That's -- this incident taking place on Water Street, which is right in the heart of Liverpool City Center. Hundreds of
thousands of people gathering at the Liverpool City Center area to come out and see the team's open top bus parade. In fact, I can tell you per P.A.,
per the Press Association, Liverpool City Councilor John Hughes estimating in excess of 1 million people attending, Isa, beating the 750,000 or so who
are present for the team's 2019 Champions League triumph.
This is a very different celebration though for Liverpool. They won the Premier League title in 2020, but that was during the COVID era. They
weren't allowed to celebrate at all with the fans due to the restrictions in place at that time.
So, for weeks we know that Liverpool were going to be crown champions of England. They'd got the job done, they ended up their season on Sunday by
drawing with Crystal Palace ending the season 10 points clear of second place Arsenal. But it's just the celebration the fans have been looking
forward to this day for weeks and weeks and weeks, as I say, since the Reds had the celebration in the bag, they had the title in the bag.
Safety absolutely paramount whenever you get a crowd size of this magnitude, and that had been the clear and present message from Merseyside
Police ahead of this celebration.
[14:50:00]
Let me just tell you, speaking about Merseyside Police, let me just get you the statement from them. We were contacted at just after 6:00 p.m. local
time there, as I say, that's approaching two hours ago now, Isa, following reports the car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water
Street. The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. We are waiting more from the Merseyside Police on that.
And from the Northwest Ambulance Service as well, just a short while ago, it says it's supporting -- it is supporting the incident in Liverpool City
Center. We are currently assessing the situation, working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive
the medical help they need as quickly as possible.
That is the live images there of Liverpool City Center. It's an area I know well. It's where I studied many years ago. It's where I lived for a period
of time during the city. I can tell you sports is a massive passion to the red and the blue half of the city.
And, Isa, at times like these rivalries go to one side, the football, the beautiful game of football comes together as one. Let's just hope and let's
just pray that the situation is not as disturbing as -- well, let's just see what happens. Let's see what comes from the Merseyside Police and the
emergency services over the next few hours. Back to you.
SOARES: Patrick, indeed. Thank you very much, Patrick. We'll have much more after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: I want to go back to Liverpool with our breaking news. Police there say a man has been detained following reports that a car hit a number of
pedestrians at the parade celebrating Liverpool FC's Premier League title today. We have yet to hear this hour formally how many people, if any, have
been hurt. We have heard though from the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Max Foster is monitoring and keeping abreast of the latest news. Max, just give us a sense of what you are -- what more you know, as we are looking,
of course, at the scene, pictures of the scene. I understand -- I imagine this is Water Street, according to Merseyside Police. That's the road they
were called on. But what more do you know at this hour?
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: So, hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans were out on the street celebrating this cup win. This was
right at the heart of it. There would've been -- it was absolutely full. So, what people are obviously asking on social media is how on earth a car
managed to get into that crowd? So, that's one question.
[14:55:00]
Obviously, the first responders are trying to figure out on Earth what's going on. There might still be rescues going on right now, we should be
aware. But the fact the prime minister's come out with a statement is very telling, saying, the scenes in Liverpool are appalling. My thoughts are
with those who are injured or affected. Crucially, he's been kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to
investigate.
They have apprehended someone. So, there's some sort of progress there. The area is being cleared, for obvious reasons. And people are being asked to
keep away from the car. As for the reason for this or any motive, we have no idea whatsoever. But away from anything else, how on Earth was a car
allowed to get into a major European event that we knew was happening.
SOARES: Absolutely. And we've got about 30 seconds left on the show. But at the Liverpool City Council, Max, saying about a million people attended.
And we saw the scenes earlier today of pure jubilation, right?
FOSTER: You've been to Liverpool, you know how much they love football. And this was a major cup win. And it's a massive celebration. It could -- it --
you got to remember, Liverpool Football Club is one of a handful, which has a global following. This is going to be a huge shock to so many people and
people just asking why.
SOARES: And that's a question we'll be asking after this short break. "What We Know with Max Foster" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
