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Isa Soares Tonight

Israel Considers Further Expansion Of Gaza War; A Special Trump Envoy Prepares To Head To Russia As Deadline For Ceasefire Looms; Huge Blazes Across Canada Sends Air Quality Plummeting In Northeastern U.S. Steve Witkoff Traveling To Moscow On Wednesday; Trump Announcing He's Repositioning Nuclear Subs; Russian Fighter Jets And Weapons Depot In Crimea Hit; Wildfire Smoke Drifting Across The U.S. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired August 04, 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 considers further expanding the

war in Gaza while hostages and Palestinians face starvation. We'll speak to Ami Ayalon; a former director of the Israeli security agency.

And the countdown is on for the Kremlin as President Trump's ceasefire deadline draws closer, and a special envoy prepares to head to Russia.

Plus, huge blazes across Canada sending air quality plummeting in the northeastern U.S. We'll have the very latest for you.

We begin this hour with what could be a very consequential week for the future of Gaza, its 2 million people and the dozens of Israelis still being

held hostage. Israel is considering expanding the war amid outrage over propaganda hostage videos released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

An Israeli official tells CNN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning towards escalation, pushing to free the hostages through the military

defeat of Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu says he will convene top security officials soon. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (through translator): We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war

objectives. The defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.

Later this week, I will convene the cabinet to instruct the IDF on how to achieve these three objectives, all of them, without exception.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, Israel is asking the International Red Cross to bring food as well as medical care to the hostages after those propaganda videos

surfaced. And we do want to warn you, the following images are disturbing. The videos show two male hostages weak, emaciated. The Red Cross says it

would need a ceasefire to try to reach the hostages safely, but talks for now are stalled.

Hostage families are also demanding a ceasefire, as there have been for such a long time. They are warning the government against escalation,

saying claims it will free the hostages through military victory are a lie. And in an extraordinary move, hundreds of retired Israeli security

officials have signed an open letter calling for the war to end, saying Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel.

We'll speak to one of those signatories in just a moment. Hamas meanwhile says it will -- it's willing to allow access to the hostages, but only if

aid corridors are permanently opened into Gaza, where experts say a famine is unfolding. The Gaza Health Ministry says five more people have now died

from starvation, bringing the total number to 180, and that includes 93 children.

The Ministry also says 29 more Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid just in the past 24 hours. I want to bring in Matthew Chance

from Jerusalem for us for much more on all these threads. And Matthew, you know, we -- our top line here tonight is understanding that Prime Minister

Netanyahu is considering expanding this military operation in Gaza.

Just exactly -- explain exactly what they mean. What are you learning about expanding how exactly?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I mean, first of all, as you pointed out, that decision has not yet been made. It's

something that we're being told that, you know, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister has decided he wants to do. But it's not a one-man

rule country.

He has to get cabinet approval in order to enact that. And so, we'll see what comes out over the coming days in terms of a decision. But certainly,

the issue of what to do with Gaza is one of those things that is very divisive in Israel. And those divisions have been made even more acute with

the release of the latest hostage videos from Gaza, showing two Israeli captives in a very emaciated state in appalling conditions.

And as you say, it's led to these opinions about what to do in Gaza resurfaced. The hardliners in the country want Israel and its military to

double down in Gaza and to take the whole Gaza Strip and to defeat Hamas militarily. In that way, the hostage families deeply concerned that time is

running out for their loved ones, want the Israeli government as soon as possible to do a deal.

[14:05:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EVYATAR DAVID, HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

CHANCE (voice-over): The fragile figure of Evyatar David, one of the surviving Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, now 24 years old, and

just skin and bones. "I haven't eaten for days", he says, in this latest Hamas propaganda video, crouched in a tunnel. "Not enough food, barely

enough water. Look how thin I've become", he says.

(on camera): And this here is your brother, right here.

ILAY DAVID, BROTHER OF EVYATAR DAVID: This is Evyatar --

CHANCE: Those two photos of him.

I. DAVID: Yes --

CHANCE (voice-over): Family members have approved use of the images released at the weekend, but his brother Ilay, told me, he could only bear

to watch a few solitary frames.

I. DAVID: Brother was a young, healthy man before he was abducted, even a bit chubby, and now he looks like a skeleton. A human skeleton buried

alive. That's how he looks, and I don't exaggerate.

CHANCE (on camera): Do you think he's being starved? Because there is a shortage of food in Gaza? Or do you think he's being starved intentionally

by his captors?

I. DAVID: I'm sure he is intentionally --

CHANCE: It's such an issue right now --

I. DAVID: I'm sure he is intentionally, cynically being starved by his captors. We know that his captors have plenty of food, they haven't lost a

pound, and they are doing the same to their own people, to the people of Gaza. They are starving them, although they have food.

CHANCE (voice-over): On an Israeli television, the newly-released videos of emaciated hostages held captive since October the 7th, 2023, a provoking

outrage amid calls for negotiations with Hamas to quickly restart very quickly. This is 22-year-old Rom Braslavski, another Israeli hostage shown

writhing in pain in his Gaza prison.

"There's barely anything to eat. I can't sleep, I can't live", he sobs. His own mother, who approved the release of these latest horrifying images,

says her son's weak voice sounds like he's accepted he may never come out alive. And now hostage families are calling for renewed international

pressure on Hamas, not just Israel for the agony in Gaza to end.

I. DAVID: If they want the people of Gaza to starve, they'll do it. And they are the ones to blame, and we cannot -- we cannot blame only Israel

for that. Hamas is holding all of us hostages right now. All of us, the people of Gaza as well, and they need to be out of the picture.

CHANCE: "What I'm doing now is digging my own grave", says Evyatar David, as he scrapes at the dirt in his cramped tunnel. "Every day, my body

becomes weaker and weaker", he says, "and time is running out".

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE: Well, Isa, as you say, potentially very consequential week because we're going to be seeing and witnessing exactly which direction the Israeli

government is going to go to. More negotiations, more military operations, very tough series of decisions for the Israelis in the days ahead.

SOARES: Indeed, and in the meantime, we mentioned this briefly at the top of the show, Matthew, we've seen hundreds of retired Israeli security

officials, including former heads of Intelligence agencies, urging -- writing a letter and urging President Trump to pressure Prime Minister

Netanyahu to end the war, saying, and I'm quoting here, Matthew, "it is our professional judgment that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to

Israel."

How are -- you know, how are this -- how is this letter, the signatories, they're heavyweights right there in their industry in Israel. How is that

playing out? How is that being received?

CHANCE: Well, I think when you talk about the majority of Israelis, the Israeli public, for the most part. I mean, they would stand very much

behind that. I mean, this is a conflict which has, you know, obviously drained Israel in terms of blood. It's drained it economically, the entire

country is exhausted because of the ongoing fighting.

In the military itself, they're having trouble, sort of, you know, rotating the ranks because people are expected to serve, you know, for so many

months at a time. And so, I think there's a lot of support amongst Israelis for the war to end as soon as possible. But there's a political divide

again, just like on how it's best to return the hostages safely.

[14:10:00]

There are hardliners in the Israeli coalition that do not want a deal with Hamas, and they do not want the war with Hamas to end. And Benjamin

Netanyahu depends on those hardliners to -- for the survival of his fragile government coalition. If he goes one way or the other, I mean, the future

of his government sort of hangs in the balance.

And so, for a long time, many Israelis have accused Benjamin Netanyahu of perpetuating the war to keep the coalition together. Again, those

allegations have resurfaced with vigor with these new videos that have come from Gaza, with the surviving hostages apparently looking very -- in a poor

state indeed.

SOARES: Horrifying images as well as you brought us there. Matthew, appreciate it, thank you very much indeed. Well, let's stay with the story.

I want to bring in Ami Ayalon, who is the former chief of Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet. He was among the hundreds of retired Israeli

security officials who just signed a letter calling for the war to end, and he joins us now from Haifa.

Thank you very much, Admiral, for taking the time to speak to us. Like you -- we just mentioned, you are one of numerous signatories to this letter.

Just make it clear for our viewers around the world, what is your message to President Trump?

AMI AYALON, ISRAELI POLITICIAN & FORMER DIRECTOR, SHIN BET: Our message is that this war must end, and this is the only way that we can see a better

future for Israel. This war started two years ago as a just war. It was the immediate result of a massacre and horror of Hamas. But after 12 months, we

achieved all our military goals.

And from the very beginning, by the way, our government, especially our Prime Minister did not agree to send us a message. What is the political

goal of this war? And today, we achieved all our military goals. There is no political goal and there is no day after. We understand that this war

will not bring back our hostages.

And this war -- you know, we are sending our children, many of them are dying in the battlefield. We are not blame -- we shouldn't be blame off,

but we are responsible to a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. We are killing innocent people. And this is not a just war.

So, we believe that President Trump, who announced before he was elected that he is going to end wars and not to send America to another war in the

Middle East, it is not only an Israeli interest, it is a regional interest, and it is an interest of America as well as international community. So,

this is what we expect. We expect him to do all what he can in order to end this war.

SOARES: Admiral, you know, I'm not sure whether you heard the top of our show because what we -- what we are hearing now to CNN reporting that Prime

Minister Netanyahu is possibly considering the opposite of what you're trying to suggest here. He's actually considering expanding the military

operation in Gaza, putting Palestinians and the hostages lives further at risk. Well, how do you react to this?

AYALON: Well, my reaction is very simple. Netanyahu is, you know, acting against the will of the Israeli people, 70 percent of the Israeli people

are demanding ending the war and bringing back all our hostages. We understand today that it is a total contradiction. You know, we understand

that our hostages are dying as a result of the continuation of this war.

And this war became a political goal. He's doing it only because he understands that the moment that this war is over, he will lose his

coalition and he will be on trial. So, it is a personal issue. It is a political issue. This war is not a just war. It is against the will of the

Israeli people. And as long as war, it was only an Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we did not have any address.

Today, we understand that it is a regional conflict, will shape the -- you know, future of this region, will shape our identity if we shall go on this

-- with this war without changing our policy. We are, you know, we shall not have peace with Egypt. We shall not have peace with Jordan. And we

shall find ourselves with eternal war against the -- you know, Islam or the -- all the -- all our neighbors.

[14:15:00]

So, I think that it is clear to us, and it is clear to the international community, it is a regional conflict.

SOARES: Yes --

AYALON: It will create a global impact on economy, on instability, and this is the interest of the international community as well as it is our

interest.

SOARES: Let me pick with what you just said, because in this letter that is written and is signed, I should say by yourself, the former director of

Mossad, former commissioner of Israel's police, IDF Generals, diplomatic corps, you write -- you all write, "it is our professional judgment that

Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. And our experience tells us --

AYALON: Yes --

SOARES: That Israel has all it takes to deal with its residual terror capabilities, remotely --

AYALON: Right --

SOARES: Or otherwise. You've just spoken about the risk of the region, what this will mean. We have seen -- and you would have seen, Admiral, just last

week, in fact, several allies of the United States, of Israel, U.K., France, Canada all heading towards recognizing a Palestinian state.

AYALON: Right --

SOARES: Do you fear that Netanyahu's actions in Gaza are alienating Israel? Speak to that.

AYALON: Look, in this case, when we speak about the future of two states, I'm presenting my personal view, we did not discuss it among ourselves,

probably some people believe that we can end the war and to deal with Hamas in different tactics or strategies. My view is that that's the only way to

defeat Hamas, is you know, to recognize Palestine as a state alongside Israel based on, you know, U.N. Security Council resolutions, and of

course, the Arab Peace Initiative. This is my personal view.

SOARES: Yes.

AYALON: Hamas -- I mean, Netanyahu is totally against it. I think that he understand not because he does not believe in it, in the past, he supported

it, but today, it became a political issue. You have to understand, once he was accused and he is on trial, he understands that the moment that he will

lose his coalition, he might find himself in jail.

So, we believe that today, he is not thinking about the future of Israel. He's not thinking about the -- you know, security or the identity of

Israel. He's thinking about himself, his family and his coalition. And this is why we understand that the only way to deal with it, we do not execute

our leaders. You know, it's a democracy. And we have to -- you know, to organize ourselves to elections. But we need the assistance of the

international community.

SOARES: What would you like to see from the international community? I was putting out, of course, what we heard from several of the countries and

what there may be considering and the question of Palestinian state. We have seen polling --

AYALON: Right --

SOARES: Admiral, just last week from CNN --

AYALON: Right --

SOARES: Let me just tell you, this polling. Americans are increasingly skeptical of Israeli actions in Gaza. Only 23 percent of Americans have

said that Israel's actions have been fully justified. So, you know, you have this platform here. What would you like to say to the international

community? What would you like to --

AYALON: I --

SOARES: See from international leaders?

AYALON: What I expect from international leaders is to come to Jerusalem and to talk to the Israeli people, not to the government, exactly what

Sadat did years ago, and to tell us we can help you, we can assist you to create a different reality in this region, which will be based on two

states within a religion -- regional framework.

This is what I expect not to send us a message of sanctions, but to promise us a better future for Israelis, for Palestinians, for the whole region and

for the international community, when they will come and say it in a clear message. I believe that this will be the beginning of creating confidence -

-

SOARES: Yes --

AYALON: Because until today, we didn't hear it from the American President. And I think that this is a time to say -- to say it. This is leadership,

this is statesmanship.

SOARES: Thank you very much, Admiral, I really appreciate you coming on the show and taking the time to speak to us. Thank you, sir.

AYALON: Thank you.

SOARES: And still to come tonight, the U.S. President fires a top Labor Department official after the release of his job numbers. He just didn't

like the potentially chilling long-term impact the decision may have.

[14:20:00]

President Trump's deadline for peace in Ukraine, meantime, is now just days away as the U.S. special envoy heads to Moscow. We ask what the Kremlin's

next move will be. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Well, three days after U.S. President Donald Trump made the unprecedented move of firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

the aftershocks of that decision are still reverberating as you can imagine across Washington. Unhappy with Friday's jobs report, Mr. Trump abruptly

sacked the commissioner, accusing her without evidence by the way of manipulating the numbers in a political vendetta.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We'll be announcing a new statistician sometime over the next 3-4 days. We had no confidence. I mean,

the numbers were ridiculous what she announced. But that was just one negative number. All of the numbers seemed to be great.

KEVIN HASSETT, DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: They could be politically manipulated because they're so un-transparent. There's a black

box system out there making the jobs numbers that needs to be improved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, it is worth pointing out that the same, that same commissioner, in fact, Erika McEntarfer was in charge during the release of

earlier numbers that Mr. Trump seemed to be pleased with. She was overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate last year in bipartisan fashion,

which included the backing of then Senators J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio.

For more on the chilling impact of the firing, I'm joined now by CNN's Politics senior reporter Stephen Collinson. And it was quite something on

Friday, Stephen, seeing this report, of course. And you know, my first response was the sort of thing that we see in autocratic countries. But it

also remind me of the attack that we've seen by this President on the Fed, on the Federal Reserve. So, speak to just how chilling this is, and kind of

the long-term impact of this.

STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, I think those are the right illusions to draw. What happened is that this report came out and it

contradicted President Trump's belief or proclamation that the American economy is the hottest in the world, and that the United States is moving

into a new golden age.

That was why he fired this top official. As you say, there was absolutely no evidence that there was any political interference. It's almost

impossible to have political interference in this issue, because these are surveys that are collected by around 2,000 staffers and put together.

[14:25:00]

The reason Kevin Hassett was there, was talking about this is a black box system. The reason it's a black box is so that people in the White House

can't come in and fiddle with the figures for political advantage. So, what you're seeing there is a president who was publicly embarrassed and

contradicted, and he took the step of firing the person that was producing the good-faith figures.

So, this is troubling, both from a political aspect. We've seen Trump throughout his six months in office, really go after science and expertise

and facts inside the government. The government really only exists in Trump's mind as an organ to pursue his own political and personal

aspirations. And there are also economic implications here, because the United States is prosperity and roll as the world's biggest economy has

been built on the idea that it's stable, that it's fair, that you can trust the numbers.

These are numbers that are used by companies. They're used by the Federal Reserve to set economic policy, and they reverberate around the world. So,

you have a real encroachment, I think here, of autocratic government. So, as you say, that you wouldn't be surprised to see in a developing world

tyranny or a totalitarian state.

SOARES: Yes, my first thought, I mean, like you -- like you have written is -- it's a big economic risk, but you know, whoever is then put in this

position, are we ever going to trust those numbers? That was my --

COLLINSON: Right --

SOARES: Initial, my first thought when -- whoever he nominates. But you write this, such political interference must -- might bolster Trump's ever

growing power. But it could backfire by eroding the trust of investors, companies and organizations that depend on accurate and truthful statistics

on the economy's health to make major decisions that can impact the lives of millions of people.

So you touch on that, but I want you to expand, I mean, this is -- this is not just risky for the President, but it's a huge economic risk here, too.

COLLINSON: Yes, and I think to some extent, it's a political risk that won't pay off, because if you're living in the United States, you see your

friends or family or you lose your own job, see people laying off, you see the prices going up. It doesn't really -- you know, most Americans don't

sit there once a month waiting for the jobs numbers to come out.

They understand the state of the economy. What this does, though, it reminds me a lot of the 2020 election. It's almost an exact parallel. The

results came out and Trump was embarrassed. He expected to win, and he didn't. And the fact of the election differed with the one he'd been

spinning for the voters.

And then he came out and said, well, the election isn't fair. It's politically rigged. He used the same word in relation to the Labor

Department report, rigged as he did for months and months about the 2020 election. That's why it's an erosion of democratic principles. And that,

you know, you look at countries, Argentina, for example, Greece --

SOARES: Yes --

COLLINSON: They falsified their economic statistics on issues like inflation, and eventually it led them down a road into a financial crisis.

If that were to happen to the United States, the implications would be massive. Those crises actually rocked the global economy. If the United

States that was seen as the bulwark of stability and a haven for everybody else's money were to go down that road as well, that would have massive

implications, I think --

SOARES: Yes --

COLLINSON: For global economy.

SOARES: Economic shockwaves. Very briefly here, do we know then, when -- who the next person potentially would be who votes on this? What's the next

stage of this?

COLLINSON: Trump said today, he expects to name somebody else within 3 or 4 days. But to your point, when the next figures come out, what's he going to

do if they're bad or they're revised downwards as they were this year for the previous months? Is he going to fire that person, or if the figures are

much better, do we believe it?

SOARES: Yes, exactly, I'm sure he'll find a reason. Thank you very much, Stephen, good to see you.

COLLINSON: Thanks.

SOARES: And still to come tonight, the countdown is on for the Trump administration's Friday deadline for Russia to make peace. But is the

Kremlin taking Mr. Trump's threat seriously? We'll have the view from Moscow with Fred Pleitgen, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:32:43]

SOARES: Welcome back to what could be a pivotal week for Ukraine. President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Moscow on Wednesday,

and that is according to the White House. The trip comes just days ahead of Mr. Trump's Friday deadline for Russian president Vladimir Putin to make

peace with Ukraine or face new U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. president is also threatening secondary punishments on countries that buy Russian and energy, and that includes India as well as China. The

goal would be to disrupt how the Kremlin finances its war effort. But over the weekend, Ms. Trump seemed to cast out on how effective those sanctions

could actually be. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Well, there'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. You know, they're Wiley characters

and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions. So, we'll see what happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: The Kremlin meantime has responded to an order by President Trump to reposition two U.S. nuclear submarines. The Kremlin saying everyone

should be, quote, "extremely careful with nuclear rhetoric" and that it isn't seeking to be drawn in.

Our Fred Pleitgen is with us this hour from Moscow. Fred, good to see you. So, last time that Witkoff was there and he met -- I think it was in the

Kremlin, was back in April, that didn't yield much in terms of results. Didn't really move the needle. What are we expecting from this visit here?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think not very much. It's been quite interesting, Isa, to listen to some Russian

politicians outside of the sort of Kremlin sphere of things here in Russia who were saying -- also saying that they don't expect very much to come out

of this meeting, that nothing magical was going to come out of this meeting.

And essentially, a lot of the positions that we're hearing both from the Trump administration and from the Kremlin are very much set. It's been

quite interesting to hear the Kremlin over the past couple of days, really trying to tone down that rhetoric after President Trump sent those nuclear

submarines. Also, some of the things, of course, that the former president has -- Dmitry Medvedev of Russia has said.

But at the same time, one of the things that's very clear for the Russians is that they are not going to back down as far as Ukraine is concerned.

Here's what we're learning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN (voice-over): Russian and Chinese warships side by side in a major show of force. Military drills and anti-submarine warfare just days after

President Trump says he repositioned U.S. nuclear subs following threats from Russia's former president.

TRUMP: And a threat was made and we didn't think it was appropriate. So, I have to be very careful. So, I do that on the basis of safety for our

people.

[14:35:00]

PLEITGEN: With the once cozy relations between President Trump and Russian leader of Vladimir Putin recently taking a nose dive, Trump threatening

massive sanctions by the end of this week. There's no ceasefire in Ukraine. Moscow eager to end the nuclear saber ratting.

We're extremely cautious with any statements regarding nuclear issues, the Kremlin spokesman says. As you know, Russia maintains a responsible

position.

But Kremlin controlled TV not so much, frequently touting Russia's massive nuclear arsenal like this well-known host last year.

DMITRY KISELEV, RUSSIAN TV PRESENTER (through translator): So, the main question is, will Russia use it? And there is a clear answer, it will use

it. The conflict with the west of Ukraine is growing so much that for Russia, it is already a matter of life and death.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): And Putin himself put Russian nuclear forces on alert just days after launching what he calls the special military

operation in Ukraine in 2022 in response to Western criticism.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Top officials of leading NATO countries are indulging in aggressive statements directed at

our country. Therefore, I order the minister of defense and chief of the general staff to put Russia's army deterrence forces on high combat alert.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): On Moscow streets, folks telling us, President Trump's nuclear moves and sanctions threats don't scare them.

PLEITGEN (through translator): Trump said he wanted better relationship with Russia, a trade deal, lifting of sanctions, flights between the U.S.

and Russia and now he is sending nuclear submarines because of the escalation between the U.S. and Russia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Look, I think he says one thing and does something else, and he predicts the future developments based on

something completely different.

PLEITGEN (through translator): Trump said that if no ceasefire is reached in Ukraine, he will impose stronger sanctions in Russia. Are you worried?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): No, I am not worried about this. I live in my country and I know it will protect itself and those who it

promises to care for.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Your sanctions are useless. Everything is still fine.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): But even as the Kremlin touts its gains on the battlefield in Ukraine, Moscow claims its keen to engage in diplomacy with

the Trump administration.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN (on camera): So, that was the mood earlier today here in Moscow. And of course, one of the things that the Russians have been saying, Isa,

is that they're very much looking forward to Steve Witkoff coming here on Wednesday. President Putin apparently saying he's always happy to see Mr.

Witkoff here in Moscow, and that the talks the Russians believe could be important and very impactful. Isa.

SOARES: Let me pick up with what we heard from President Trump. We played a clip just before we came to you where he -- you know, he spoke about what

was happening in Ukraine. He said, I think it's disgusting what they're doing. I think it's disgusting him. But then he went on to say, yes, we're

going to put sanctions, but you know, they know about sanctions. I know better than anyone about sanctions and tariffs and everything else. I don't

think -- I don't know that sanctions bother him, President Putin.

What would be the impact, if any, at all, Fred, on the sanctions on Russia, which is already heavily sanctioned, but on those secondary sanctions or

the likes of India, of course, and China? Have you got a sense of that?

PLEITGEN: Yes, India and China especially. And of course, the U.S. has already tried to put pressure on India with those possible sanctions as

well. Of course, saying that the Indians are accusing India of buying Russian oil and then actually selling some of that on international

markets. Certainly, the U.S. believes that secondary sanctions, so sanctions against countries that buy oil from Russia or gas from Russia,

for that matter, that those could have a massive effect on those countries buying those hydrocarbons from the Russian Federation.

We have to keep in mind that both the Chinese and the Indians are buying a lot of these hydrocarbons from Russia. And certainly, it's been very good

for their economies. In fact, the Russians and the Chinese are building a pipeline right now to do even more of that. So, that certainly could have

an effect on those countries. It could cause those countries to possibly buy less of that. But one of the things that the Russians also keep

pointing out is that, of course, big sanctions like that could also have massive implications for the world's economy. If all of a sudden there are

less hydrocarbons on the market internationally, it could raise the prices everywhere, including the United States.

At the same time, I think one of the things that President Trump was alluding to is that there are already so many sanctions against the Russian

Federation, and certainly, it seems as though their economy is still very much afloat. They've known how to get around these sanctions, how to work

with these sanctions. And certainly with -- especially China in their corner, they're still definitely able to prosecute what they call the

special military operation in Ukraine, despite those sanctions as well.

[14:40:00]

So, President Trump a couple of months ago threatened what he called devastating sanctions against Russia. Now, it seems as though he's maybe

not walking that back, but maybe sort of -- taking sort of on the wind out of the sails of that and saying, look, the Russians know how to get around

those sanctions. So, it's unclear how big the effect could actually be.

However, the Russians, Isa, and I think it's important to point out, Vladimir Putin is preparing the Russians for the possible impact of those

sanctions. He did come out a couple of weeks ago and said, look, any sort of new sanctions will certainly have an effect on Russia. But at the same

time, he also said that the Russians are very capable of dealing with that, Isa.

SOARES: Fred Pleitgen for us in Moscow this hour. Good to see you, Fred. Thank you. Well, Ukraine says it hit Russian fighter jets and a weapons

depot in a nighttime drone operation in Russian occupied Crimea. Drones have played a vital role on the battlefields for both sides. As CNN's Nick

Paton Walsh reports, that includes the incredible rescue of an injured Ukrainian soldier pinned down by Russian attacks. Have a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR (voice-over): This Russian assault, brutal, even throwing land mines into the bunkers, had

left all three of his fellow soldiers dead in the trench next to him.

And Andriy, with his leg wounded, unable to run, thought like so many Ukrainian soldiers in tiny isolated positions pinned down by Russian drones

that he was done.

ANDRIY, RUBIZ BRIDGADE (through translator): I didn't think I would get out of there because I couldn't move. My leg was seriously injured. I couldn't

walk.

WALSH (voice-over): But back at his command bunker watching on drones, they had an idea. Maybe Andriy had the strength to cycle out. So, they attached

an electric bicycle to a drone like this, moving it slowly, perilously in pieces to the front. It was dropped to Andriy whole, and then remarkably,

he cycled out.

ANDRIY (through translator): I thought, do or die. Either I make it or I don't. I was just riding in one direction. Whatever happens, happens. If I

make it, good. If I don't, so be it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Come on, "Tankist." Speed up, speed up. As fast as you can. As fast as you can.

WALSH (voice-over): The Ukrainians who try to ensure the skies were free of Russian drones, but that wasn't enough. Andriy hit a landmine. The drone

operator's heart sank, had it all come to nothing. But then this tiny figure emerged limping out of the smoke, somehow alive, walking on his

bandaged leg visible.

ANDRIY (through translator): It grazed my forehead a bit. The wheel and fork were torn apart, but I was fine. I just fell on my side. That's all.

WALSH (voice-over): Greeted by a Ukrainian and helped into another bunker where he had to wait two more days for rescue. Necessity is the mother of

invention in Ukraine, but nothing can beat luck.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And still to come tonight, wildfire smoke drifting across the U.S.- Canada borders generating hazardous air quality. Meteorologist Derek Van Dam joins us from the Weather Center to pinpoint the alerts. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:45:00]

SOARES: While smoke from Canadian wildfires is moving across large areas of the United States, official monitors say air quality indexes haven't

reached unhealthy levels in the Northeast and the Great Lakes region, along with alerts in at least nine states the wildfire smoke is also reducing

visibility.

Our Derek Van Dan joins us now from CNN Weather Center. So, Derek, good to see you, first of all. When we speak about reaching unhealthy levels, what

are we talking about here?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, so there's vulnerable people who are more at risk. We're talking about elderly, young children, and people

with upper respiratory problems. You see wildfire smoke is so small that it can get ingrained deep into your lung cavity and cause those respiratory

illnesses to get worse, right?

So, what you're looking at right now is just kind of a suffocating actual live shot. This is Cleveland, Ohio. All right. So, we've been watching this

all morning. You can see the hazy hues in the background that is just part of the landscape here the past couple of days across the Great Lakes and

throughout the Northeast. This has really been a serious problem for so many people across the Northeast, and it stretches into Canada as well,

where the fires that are creating this smoke actually originate.

So, here's the current air quality. And I want you to see these little red dots here across the State of Michigan, throughout the Great Lakes into

portions of Ontario, this is some of the unhealthy category that Isa was mentioning just a few minutes ago. And this morning, Detroit, Michigan in

the United States actually had some of the worst air quality of the larger cities across the planet. It ranked at about number three. So, that's

really saying something.

So, not only is the quality of the air degraded, but so is the visibility, making it very challenging to see great distances. Detroit at eight

kilometers right now. You can see Green Bay across Lake Michigan at eight kilometers, roughly about 10 to 15 kilometers, and it is all because of

that hazy horizon that really stretches from the northeastern United States, the northern tier of the U.S. through Manitoba and into Alberta.

And this is where the wildfires really are underway. We're talking about over 200 that are currently out of control, roughly making up about 730

active wildfires across Canada at this moment in time.

So, if you do encounter this wildfire smoke, there are some things you can do to protect yourself, the most vulnerable people, children, of course,

the elderly, but you could stay inside. If you're driving around, you could also hit that recirculate button on your air conditioning. That helps keep

the air clean within your -- inside of your vehicle. Consider using an air purifier too. That's a good idea. And you can limit your time outdoors so

you don't inhale this small fine particulate matter into your lung cavity and aggravate any upper respiratory issues.

So, the smoke, unfortunately, not going away anytime soon. This weather pattern that's locked in the cool air over the eastern third of the United

States recently has locked in the smoke getting funneled in from Central Canada, from the wildfires you saw just a moment ago. So, we anticipate the

smoke to stick around for the next few days. Places like New York City, Boston, Toronto into Detroit, and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

So, Isa, it is a hazy and unfortunately bad quality of air that people have to deal with for the next few days.

SOARES: Listen to that advice. Very important indeed. Derek, good to see you. Thank you very much.

VAN DAM: Thanks, Isa.

SOARES: At least four people are dead after intense rain triggered flooding and landslides in southern Taiwan, nearly 6,000 people have been evacuated.

Officials say the island recorded more than a year's worth of rain just over the past week. Taiwan's premier visited the region today and promised

special funds for relief efforts. Parts of Taiwan are still recovering, of course, after a typhoon hit the island just last month.

And still to come right here on the show tonight, how long would you wait to live in a dream apartment in Paris? Details ahead on the unique

arrangement offered by some elderly homeowners that is becoming popular once again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:50:00]

SOARES: Well, part real estate part roulette. Interest in surge -- is surging in the French property market for discounted listings that include

both the seller's age and life expectancy. The reason behind this is a century's old French property scheme called viager that few foreigners know

about. Seniors run up against higher living costs. Our Saskya Vandoorne explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN PARIS BUREAU CHIEF: On the day that Andre dies, will he be pleased that you'll be able to move in?

Buying an apartment in Paris isn't cheap, but there's a quirky, slightly morbid loophole that could land you on at half the price. You're

essentially betting on how long the seller is going to stick around. It's known as Viager.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): Ylla was hoping to finally buy a dream home in Paris. After nearly a year of searching, she found a gorgeous south facing

place for half the price of the others.

YLLA HERON, BUYER: And I think it's really well arranged.

ANDRE HELMAN, SELLER: For such a small apartment, it's exceptional.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): This place is owned by Andre who has no intention of moving out.

HELMAN: I needed the money and I needed the place. So, this system allowed me to stay here as long as I wanted and get the money I needed

VANDOORNE (voice-over): To buy Andre's apartment, Ylla gave him a single deposit in the range of 200,000 euros.

HELMAN: Once a year there is a party here, the neighbor's party. It's very pleasant.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): But in a typical viager, a buyer pays an upfront sum and then small monthly payments to the seller who keeps living in the

home until they die. Viager sales make up just 1 percent of the French property market, but interest surged during COVID, and it's not just locals

rolling the dice, more and more foreign buyers are getting in on the gamble too. Homa Raevel, an American-Iranian, already has four viager homes for

her kids and she's eyeing her fists.

HOMA RAEVEL, BUYER: I think in the beginning, friends and family were like, oh, really? You got involved with that? But this is helping the person,

like, I mean, this is a comfortable situation for them.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): But it's quite a bet, the longer the seller lives, the more you end up paying. And that upfront discount starts to shrink.

VANDOORNE: And you are comfortable with it being a gamble?

HELMAN: Oh, quite. After my death, I really don't worry about myself. The gamble is mainly for the owner.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): It's all remarkably transparent. Listings don't just include the seller's age, they often estimate their life expectancy

too.

Most cases are uneventful, but in one instance, a buyer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a case involving madeleine and the death of an

elderly seller.

[14:55:00]

VANDOORNE: So, does it take a special type of person or a special type of mindset to accept the viager system?

HELMAN: Because of the death issue, I think that's why people are feeling uncomfortable. It's not my case. As I said, I'm very lucky.

HELMAN (through translator): I'm really happy to have met you like this. I'm delighted.

HELMAN: For me, death is not an issue. It's just the end of life, and it's OK.

VANDOORNE: Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Great piece there from Saskya. And finally, tonight, you'll know her as a CNN business and royals correspondent and a favorite with our

team. But tonight, we'd like to bring you some breaking news about Anna Stewart herself.

Anna and her husband, David, have welcomed a lovely baby girl, Antigone, known as tea. You can see there. She's absolutely beautiful. We'd like to

wish this gorgeous girl and her parents the very best of luck for the next few months of sleepless nights. I know -- I remember those. Congratulations

to Annie -- to Anna, to David, and of course to Tiggy. Look at her, beautiful. Look at all that ginger hair she has on her. We are sending you

all our love.

That does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here. "What We Know" with the man himself, Max Foster, he's back from holiday. Look very intent

indeed. He's up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END