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Isa Soares Tonight

Trump Administration Says There Are No Plans For A Trump-Putin Summit In The Immediate Future; Colombia's President Petro Tries To Ease Tensions With The U.S. After Washington Threatens New Tariffs; U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance Says The Gaza Ceasefire Is In A Good Place Despite Recent Violence. U.S. Marshal Injured In L.A. Incident; Vance In Israel For Fragile Ceasefire; Hamas Hands Over Two More Deceased Hostages; Israel Under Pressure To Free Prominent Palestinian Doctor; Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan's First Female Prime Minister; Former French President Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired October 21, 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, the Trump administration says there are

no plans for a Trump-Putin summit in the immediate future, a decision which seems to be a U-turn for Mr. Trump's announcement just last week. We'll

explore why there's been a change in course.

Then Colombia's President tries to ease tensions with U.S. after Washington's threatened new tariffs. I'll speak to a former President of

Colombia, Andres Pastrana, for his take. Plus, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance says the Gaza ceasefire is in a good place despite recent violence.

We'll have that and much more ahead.

But first, tonight, the superpower summit is off for now. A U.S. official tells CNN, there are no plans for President Donald Trump to meet with

Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Trump, if you remember, had teased a possible summit after the two had long phone

call to talk about ending the war in Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was supposed to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to hammer out details of that summit, but that

meeting has also been put on hold. Our Kylie Atwood has been working her sources on this. And Kylie, it seems, you know, this anticipated meeting is

not going to happen, at least not in the immediate future from what we understand with the source, I understand, telling -- saying that Rubio-

Lavrov had divergent expectations. Basically, the position, Russia's position perhaps hasn't changed. What are you hearing?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. So, what we're hearing is really two-fold. First of all -- and the biggest news

coming from an administration official saying that there is no immediate plan for President Trump to meet with President Putin, which is obviously a

change from where the White House was at last week, late last week, after President Trump held a phone call with President Putin and said on the

record that his expectation was that the two would meet within the next two weeks in the very near future.

Now that has changed, and also, the other part of this is that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who were expected,

according to Trump, to have a meeting this week to set the stage for the leader-level meeting. They are also not meeting with administration

officials, saying that, that in-person meeting would not be necessary at this moment.

They did say that they had a productive phone call between the two. But as you said, a source told us that Secretary Rubio and Lavrov have divergent

perspectives on how to bring an end to the Ukraine war. I also spoke with a senior administration official who explained that the administration

effectively doesn't want to put all this effort into a big meeting between the Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister if they don't

believe that it's actually going to be all that productive.

They don't believe that Lavrov is someone who is highly influential in the Russian system, and therefore, phone calls are just as effective to

understand where the Russian side is at with regard to the Ukraine war versus putting all that effort into organizing a meeting between the two.

It's still possible that they meet in the next few weeks.

It is likely that Rubio and Lavrov will both be in Asia. There are some leader-level summits happening there. They're both expected to be there, so

they could have a pull-aside meeting. We'll watch and see where that goes. But of course, this all comes as the Ukrainians are saying that it is their

belief that Russia is even less interested in ending this war, driving a diplomatic solution, because the United States has been talking about

giving Ukraine more support on the battlefield.

So, we'll have to watch and see how this all plays out. But President Zelenskyy and President Trump did have a tense meeting last week at the

White House, and there were no new commitments made during that meeting when it comes to continued U.S. support for Ukraine militarily.

So, there are a lot of moving parts right now, and we're trying to figure out exactly the direction in which President Trump is headed at this moment

in time. We had seen that change multiple iterations over the course of the last ten months or so.

[14:05:00]

SOARES: Yes, we have seen several shifts just in the last few weeks, in fact, Kylie, you know, and these divergent expectations is this -- the

source was saying, I mean, surely the President, President Trump would have been made aware of Putin's Maximalist position when he spoke to him last

Thursday, right? The day after, he, of course, at the White House, he welcomed President Zelenskyy, speaking about carving up -- not in those

words, Ukraine.

I mean, surely, you would have known that there had been very little movement before he actually came up with the idea of this summit. So, what

has shifted in that period?

ATWOOD: Yes, I think he would have known where Putin stands, but also, Putin is known to be highly manipulative. And President Trump also said

after that phone call last week that he believes that Putin actually does want an end to this conflict. You talk to other U.S. officials, the U.S.

Intelligence assessment, it doesn't reflect that belief.

So, well, there may have been conversations that Trump had with his cabinet that have shifted kind of where he's at following that conversation. But it

was also interesting, he was asked in the Oval Office when he was meeting with Zelenskyy, who is a better negotiator? President Putin or President

Zelenskyy?

And he didn't directly answer that question. So, it was very clear that at that moment in time, he was really vacillating between the two sides, and

you know, trying to drive an end to the conflict and which side he was going to be willing to put more pressure on.

SOARES: Yes, at moments, very awkward indeed. I know you'll stay across all the latest lines, Kylie, appreciate it. Thank you. We're going to stay

across the story because U.S. President Donald Trump is holding firm on his stance that Russia and Ukraine could accept current battle lines as a

starting point for ceasefire talks.

Leaders of European allies, including Britain, France and Germany, say they agree with Trump's position that the fighting should stop immediately and

current lines should be the start of negotiations. They also stressed in the statement released today that they remain committed to the principle

that international borders must not be changed by force, and that force continues as thousands of Ukrainians huddle in bomb shelters using

generators for power.

There are signs Russian drones are repeatedly hitting energy and water supplies. The same supplies time and time over. President Volodymyr

Zelenskyy says the tactics are being used to terrorize people during cold weather. Joining us now from Odesa, Ukraine, is Michael Bociurkiw; he's a

former spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and the founder of the

World Briefing Report on Substack.

Michael, great to see you. Let me pick up with the conversation that, you know, that we've been following breaking news here for the last 20 minutes

or so that Kylie Atwood was mentioning. There are no plans for immediate meeting between President Trump and President Putin. What do you make of

that? I mean, the source telling us that Rubio and Lavrov had, quote, "divergent expectations" about a possible end to the war.

MICHAEL BOCIURKIW, SENIOR FELLOW, ATLANTIC COUNCIL: Well, good to be with you again, Isa. Well, you know, here in Ukraine after watching the two

leaders in Alaska compare their size and range of their respective presidential aircraft, we were all looking forward to seeing how Mr. Putin

evades EU sanctions with his aircraft, and perhaps, the two leaders sharing a bowl of Hungarian goulash in Budapest.

That isn't going to happen. And I think that will come as relief to the Ukrainians, because they see that Mister -- as Kylie pointed out, Mister --

actually, Mr. Trump who can be manipulated to listen to Mr. Putin's side of the story, and also, Ukrainians had other fears, for example, their

pipelines here in Ukraine, which are still being used to transfer Russian oil to Hungary and to Slovakia.

That being reintroduced into the bargaining table. I think what we might see ahead is a diminished role of Mr. Trump, after all, he wants to be

master of the art of the deal. He was looking forward to settling his ninth war. The center of gravity shifting more to this region. European leaders -

- but after seeing the role, the central role of Mr. Erdogan of Turkey in the Gaza negotiations, maybe he'll step back into this one, and we'll see

more progress.

SOARES: Unless it's a negotiating strategy, I don't know, I'm just throwing out there. I'm trying to make sense of why he sours in one moment to

Ukraine, and then decides a policy shift all of a sudden. Because I remember you and I were speaking -- the last time we spoke, we were looking

ahead, of course, to that meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy at the White House, and the possibility at the time --

BOCIURKIW: Yes --

SOARES: We discussed of Tomahawks missiles, which, of course, Zelenskyy did not get. In fact, I believe he probably walked away with even less, right?

As he called for Ukraine to --

BOCIURKIW: Yes --

SOARES: Be carved up. Just following that meeting, and now you're in Odesa for us, give us a sense of how those words from President Trump, how that

is being received where you are first of all.

[14:10:00]

BOCIURKIW: Well, I've got to say this was, if I'm not mistaken, their third meeting this year. And it was a humiliation at the end of the day, if the

reporting is to be trusted of what happened behind closed doors, Mr. Zelenskyy was once again humiliated. So -- and you know, he -- you're

right. He wasn't given the Tomahawks and some other things, but he did walk away with what's still very important to everybody here in Ukraine is the

Intelligence sharing, but also those Patriot missile defense systems.

Because without that, Ukraine is going to really suffer. Now, if you were to ask me what Mr. Zelenskyy should do next, I would say, stop flying over

the Atlantic, focus your energies on Europe. And there are a couple of things could happen. Germany has still not agreed to hand over or to sell

to Ukraine those powerful tourist missiles that would really help them out.

And secondly, whatever happened to the 100 billion-plus euros frozen Russian assets that the EU was talking about giving to Ukraine, the fiscal

situation here, and the state of the economy are very dire, and it gets worse by the day, Isa, by the pounding received by the Russians. One more

quick thing, to give you a very concrete example.

You and I are lucky we're actually talking because internet here has really diminished, and now we're -- some of us are exclusively using mobile data.

That's how the power situation has worked its way down the chain to affect everyone on a daily basis.

SOARES: Yes, and temperatures dropping in Ukraine with Chernihiv(ph) even not --

BOCIURKIW: No --

SOARES: Being hit, but very quickly here, Zelenskyy turning to Europe. Of course, you mentioned there, they were told -- they put out a statement

today, the 11 leaders saying they committed the principle of the international borders. But very clear, saying the international borders,

pardon me, may not be changed, must not be changed by force.

On the question of the money, this still depends on one country, right? In terms of Belgium allowing -- being able --

BOCIURKIW: Yes --

SOARES: For this to be -- to be lifted, right? Unfrozen.

BOCIURKIW: That's correct. And the Belgian leader is very nervous about that. I think we talked about that last time --

SOARES: Yes --

BOCIURKIW: But you know, you and I have talked about this as well is, I think the European leaders -- OK, statements are nice. But I think they

have to actually act and act quickly, because I think the time -- the clock is ticking very loudly for Europe to act, because the longer they wait to

deliver what they promised, and they should have delivered everything at the start of the war, the more territory Russia could seize, the more

difficult Mr. Putin and his forces will make it on Ukraine, and especially through a Winter that is forecast to be very cold and harsh.

SOARES: Michael, good to see you, I'm glad you were able to come up for us live there from Odesa. Thank you, Michael. Well, Romania --

BOCIURKIW: You're welcome --

SOARES: And Poland have detained eight people suspected of planning sabotage on behalf of Russia, though among those arrested are two Ukrainian

citizens allegedly working for Russia's Intelligence service to send parcels containing explosives to Ukraine. Authorities say the packages were

disguised as everyday items and designed to be remotely triggered.

The suspects were caught while trying to ignite the devices at the headquarters and not the post, Ukraine's largest private courier company

located in Bucharest. Extremely dangerous escalation. That is the warning of U.N. experts who are condemning U.S. intervention in Venezuela,

cautioning that the long history of external involvement in the region must not be repeated.

But tensions are rising with Venezuela alone as the U.S. continues to flex its military muscle in the Caribbean, the diplomatic feud between

Washington and Colombia has only escalated, culminating in a meeting today between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S. Charge d'Affaires John

McNamara, all in an effort, of course, to defuse tensions that have grown over the last few days.

On Monday, the friction between the two saw the Colombian ambassador to the U.S. get called back to Bogota for what the embassy called consultations,

and that followed the explosive war of words that emerged between President Trump and President Petro. The latter accusing American officials of murder

over attacks on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean.

Then Mr. Trump threatening new tariffs on Colombia and describing Colombian President as a drug leader. Well, my next guest is one of two former

Colombian Presidents pressing Mr. Petro for answers. In a joint statement, Andres Pastrana and Alvaro Uribe quote, say the following: "demand that

President Petro clearly define his relationship with the man they say leads the Los Soles Cartel" -- Cartel Los Soles, "Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro

Moros".

And former Colombian President Andres Pastrana joins me now. President Pastrana, welcome to the show. We just showed our viewers a little clip of

that statement you put out. When you say you're demanding that the President Petro define his relationship with the head of Cartel de Los

Soles, Nicolas Maduro Moros, you're insinuating what?

[14:15:00]

ANDRES PASTRANA ARANGO, FORMER PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA: I think -- good night, Isa, thank you for inviting me. I think that you have to be aware

that for the first time, a President of the United States declared that the President of Colombia is a leader of a drug cartel. I think that's the

worst thing that has happened in the relations between United States.

Because if you declare the President of Colombia as one of the leaders of narco-trafficking in the region, at the same time, he is declaring that

Colombia is a narco state. This exactly the same thing that is happening with Nicolas Maduro. Nicolas Maduro, as we always said, he's a narco

dictator. He is the one that runs the cartel of Los Soles.

So, now, what is Trump doing is putting Petro in the same stage that is Nicolas Maduro today. And I think that's the worst thing that could happen

to Colombia. You have to see that Petro is an illegitimate President. Petro was elected with the money of the drug cartels, and that's not what I'm

saying, is what his son said that Petro had in his campaign money of the drug lords, and at the same time, his brother went to visit in the jail,

the largest cartels in Colombia, one of them, what is called El Cartel del Golfo.

And he proposed -- we don't know at the end what was the agreement between Petro, his brother and this drug cartels. But he said that because of the

meeting with these cartels in jail, he got more than 1 million votes. And is -- and if you see the results of Colombia, Isa, that's the exactly the

same number of votes that gave Petro the president of Colombia.

SOARES: And I imagine you heard this -- I don't know whether this proves, of course, any sort of alleged involvement though with Nicolas Maduro as

your statement does say, because previous, I know that you had said that Petro was, quote, "the most loyal partner of the narco dictator, and on

that complicity, he has built Colombia and its foreign policy." Can you expand on that?

ARANGO: Yes, I think that, Petro, I always said that Petro is like the foreign minister of Maduro, and Petro is so close to Maduro's regime that

most of the trips that Petro has made outside of Colombia has been to Venezuela. And why? Because in Venezuela, Maduro is giving support, and is

giving coverage to the ELN, a guerrilla group, is giving support to the FARC, is giving support to the paramilitaries, is giving support to the

drug cartels.

And that's why you could see that, that's the closest relation between Petro and Maduro. And something, Isa, that I think that we have to be

aware, if the President of the United States say in a statement that one of the leaders of the drug cartels in the world is Gustavo Petro, for sure, I

smell an indictment.

For sure the United States will indict President Petro because of what he has been doing and because of what happened in his campaign with resources

of the drug lords in Colombia, but also, as it was said in the United States some days ago by El Pollo Carvajal, that he also --

SOARES: Yes --

ARANGO: Received a lot of money from PDVSA and from Nicolas Maduro.

SOARES: Well, this is quite an accusation, Mr. President, I hope you don't mind me saying for a President who, for a democratic country that voted for

its leader, I don't know how that would be received in Colombia. What we do know and what -- and we know this because we have reported on this in the

show, is that Colombia, one, has been decertified, of course, by the United States saying that -- and I'm quoting here, this is from the United States,

that "Colombia had failed demonstrably in its obligations to fight drug- trafficking".

Why is it -- and I think this is worth explaining, trying to explain, of course, from your position, that, you know, in the nine -- you know, in

nine years, of course, after the peace accords, 30 years or so after Plan Colombia, why is it so difficult to prosecute those cartels, to go after

the drug traffickers and cocaine production, which I believe has increased something like 50 percent in the last five years?

ARANGO: Isa, as you know, I was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar --

SOARES: Yes --

ARANGO: And one of the only survivors of a kidnapping of Pablo Escobar because I've been fighting drug cartels since I was a journalist. But you

have to hear to hear, to see the figures. When I was elected President of Colombia, we had 180,000 hectares, more or less 750,000 acres of cocaine

plants in Colombia.

[14:20:00]

I proposed to President Clinton, and we worked with President Bush, in which I called Plan Colombia. And with Plan Colombia, we got from the

United States closely of $15 billion. And we came from 150,000 hectares of cocaine plants in Colombia to 40,000 hectares. We were winning the war.

What happened, President Santos, when he was elected president, the FARC, the guerrilla movement, said to Santos, if you want to sit in the table of

negotiations, you have to ban eradication and fumigation of the coca plants.

And what happened? Santos gave to the FARC, the fumigation and eradication --

SOARES: Yes --

ARANGO: First year of Santos, we came from 40,000 to 90,000. Second year, 90,000 to 150,000 hectares, third year more than 250,000 hectares. And

today, we are close to 300 or more hectares of coca plants in Colombia.

SOARES: And we are running out of time, but I do want to get your take on where you stand on the U.S. striking these boats, of course, in the

Caribbean. As you know, as you heard --

ARANGO: Yes --

SOARES: From the U.S. President, he's going after Venezuelan drug cartels. We -- I think there's been seven strikes, if I remember correctly. And

there were reports earlier on, and I think President Petro may have tweeted about this, there could have been Colombian nationals. What is your

position on the strategy by the U.S.?

Because today, the U.N. has said that, quote, "covert action and threats using armed forces against the government of Venezuela by the U.S. violates

Venezuela's sovereignty and the U.N. charter." So what -- what is your position on whether this is the right strategy?

ARANGO: Isa, very quickly. What the U.S. is doing is interdiction, avoiding boats to come into the United States with drugs. We have agreements between

Colombia and the U.S. Navy to -- and we have been doing this for many years, and it's not only the United States, Isa. If you see what happened

in San Martin, in Martinique, the French Navy is doing exactly the same thing as the United States, interdiction.

If you go to Aruba, and you go to Curacao, the Netherlands, they have their own Marine doing exactly the same, interdiction to avoid the drug to come

into Europe. So, what President Trump is doing is what we have done --

SOARES: Yes --

ARANGO: For many years, agreements between different Navies. He had agreements with Venezuela, with Colombia --

SOARES: Yes --

ARANGO: With Ecuador to try to insert them, interdict drugs coming into the United States.

SOARES: Well, just to -- just to say very clearly for our viewers, the President Gustavo Petro has responded to the letter, of course, that you

put out. He say, "out of respect for the judge and the justice system in Colombia, this letter should not be answered for two former Presidents

about whom there are suspicions of ties to one of the largest businesses in Colombia, and two, because one has been convicted and is serving a sentence

by the justice system."

But I put a request here for President Petro to come on the show, of course, and to take some of the questions and accusations that you have

thrown on him. President Pastrana, thank you very much indeed for taking the time to speak to us. Appreciate it.

ARANGO: Thank you very much.

SOARES: Thank you. Still to come tonight, "Nobody's Girl". The explosive memoir from Virginia Giuffre putting convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

and his associates under renewed scrutiny. More details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:25:00]

SOARES: And one of the most prominent victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sex- trafficking ring, Virginia Giuffre says she was brutally beaten and raped by an unidentified prime minister. In her posthumous memoir, "Nobody's

Girl", Giuffre details the abuse she allegedly suffered as a teenager and the years she spent fighting to get justice for herself, and indeed, other

survivors of abuse.

Giuffre died by suicide in April. She was 41 years old. The memoir intensifies a Trans-Atlantic scandal about just how close some of the

world's most rich, as well as powerful were to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. Today's publication also puts fresh scrutiny on

Prince Andrew, the disgraced British royal accused by Giuffre of sexually assaulting her.

Prince Andrew vehemently denies all the accusations against him, despite claiming to never met her, the prince reportedly paid millions to settle a

civil case with Giuffre in 2022. Our royal correspondent Max Foster is with me now. And you and I were discussing this yesterday, now we've got a copy

of the book. I know you haven't had a chance to fully go through it, to fully read it, obviously, it's quite chunky. But what -- tell us what you

glean from the book that we didn't know already.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: There's some information we talked about yesterday about Prince Andrew. A lot of it was already out there in

the public domain with more detail. I think what you get is the sense of how broad this abuse was. Alleged abuse. So, she mentions lots of other

men. She only gives the name of Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein.

And I think the hardest part to read is about this rape that you just mentioned. So --

SOARES: And -- yes, prime minister --

FOSTER: She was trafficked by Epstein to a man who raped me more savagely than anyone had before. She described how she had put this person in legal

filings under prime minister. This is in the U.S. book, actually, in the U.K. book, it's just referred to as a minister. "But he repeatedly choked

her until she lost consciousness and took pleasure in seeing me in fear for my life".

That's the only bit we can really share here, because it gets so gruesome and it really haunts you once you've read it. But she's not naming him. And

the co-writers view is that she shouldn't have to name him because the name has been handed in to the authorities, it's in the Epstein files. The

authorities should publish the Epstein files, so we find out who this is.

Also, you know, there's obviously names going around now about who --

SOARES: Yes --

FOSTER: The prime minister is. So, it does seem like a public interest case to, you know --

SOARES: To release --

FOSTER: Take to release the information --

SOARES: The file, yes --

FOSTER: Otherwise innocent people could be accused.

SOARES: Yes, and that's one strand, and I'm sure you'll see a lot of names being circulated, of course, we will need the Epstein files to get a better

sense of who exactly this prime minister is or was, pardon me. Do you -- where are we on the investigation that we were discussing yesterday, the

police investigation here in the U.K.?

FOSTER: So, Prince Andrew, there's an investigation. They're looking at evidence which is based on an e-mail, which is from Prince Andrew talking

about asking a police protection officer in the palace to dig dirt on Giuffre, suggesting she had a criminal record. The police are looking at

that. I now know from my sources in the palace that the head of protection at the time moved from that job into a very senior role in the palace.

So, we don't know whether he's done anything wrong, the police will investigate that. But it just shows how the royal family can't keep this

away. It's so central, and people are questioning, frankly, what the royal family knew when, and broadly questioning the sanctions that they've

actually put on Prince Andrew. Is it enough?

Should he be allowed to stay in the house? Should he be allowed to keep the prince title? It's just not going anywhere. And it's just this drip. It

just feels like it's going to continue.

SOARES: Yes, they can't shake it off, and it seems political pressure now is growing, of course, on the titles. Max, thank you very much indeed. I

want to bring you some breaking news from Los Angeles. A suspect has been gravely wounded and a U.S. Marshal assisting with an immigration

enforcement operation was injured early on Tuesday. That is according to a law enforcement source.

[14:30:16]

Here's what we know so far. Agents opened fire on the suspect after an individual apparently rammed into a vehicle that was part of a team of ICE

personnel and U.S. Marshals engaged in immigration enforcement. That's according to the source.

So, suspect, if you're just joining us, has been gravely wounded and a U.S. Marshal assisting with an immigration enforcement operation was injured.

That is all we know so far. We're reaching out to the Los Angeles Police Department and U.S. Marshals for more information. But concerning situation

out of Los Angeles, we'll have much more, of course, in the next few minutes as we continue to chase, of course, on -- from the Los Angeles

Police Department.

In the meantime, though, a public show of confidence despite growing private concerns. We'll tell you about the Trump administration's latest

efforts, of course, to shore up a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Welcome back now to a public show of confidence meant to ease growing concerns about the future of a shaky ceasefire. U.S. Vice President

J.D. Vance says the truce between Israel and Hamas is going better than expected, despite a flare-up in deadly violence. He joined envoy Steve

Witkoff and Jared Kushner, you can see there, in Israel today.

[14:35:00]

A clear sign of just how important it is to the Trump administration that the ceasefire hold. Vance would not give deadlines for key requirements

like the disarmament of Hamas, and it's said it's too early to talk about critical issues like the long-term governance of Gaza. But he says he's

optimistic about the road ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: What we've seen the past week gives me great optimism the ceasefire is going to hold. And if we get from where we

were a week ago to a long-term, durable peace between Israel and Gaza, there are going to be hills and valleys, there are going to be moments

where it looks like things aren't going particularly well.

But given that, and given the history of conflict, I think that everybody should be proud of where we are today. It's going to require constant

effort. It's going to require constant monitoring and supervision. That's part of the reason that Admiral Cooper and his team is here, is to mediate

these disputes, to mediate these disagreements as they come up.

But look, right now, I feel very optimistic. Can I say with 100 percent certainty that it's going to work? No. But you don't do difficult things by

only doing what's 100 percent certain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, phase one of the ceasefire is still unfolding. As we speak, just a short time ago, Hamas turned over the bodies of what they say are

two more deceased hostages. Earlier today, U.S. President Donald Trump said numerous allies are standing by, enthusiastically waiting for the chance to

go into Gaza and straighten out his words, Hamas, if needed. We don't know who those countries may be. It's just one of the many, of course,

unanswered questions that we have, and that you may have, of course, as you're watching this.

But despite the show of confidence before the camera, sources tell us that behind the scenes, some U.S. officials are worried the ceasefire could fall

apart. Our Jeremy Diamond is in Tel Aviv for us this hour. And, Jeremy, our viewers will remember this because the ceasefire, of course, survived a

major test, right, of the weekend, and Vance's presence in Israel, I imagine, is to make sure it doesn't fall apart.

I read one U.S. official characterizing his trip as Bibi-sitting. What did you take away from what we heard from him, who was very clear, Vance, of

the challenges that they may face?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, no question about it. And I think in many ways, the vice president's visit here has been an exercise

in shoring up this ceasefire by simply projecting confidence in it, by having the number-two U.S. official coming to Israel, making clear that the

United States stands behind this ceasefire and that the United States doesn't want to see violations by one side or the other result in the

ceasefire collapsing altogether. And that's, of course, a place where we came very close to on Sunday after two Israeli soldiers were killed in what

Israel said was a Hamas attack, Israel then unleashing a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that killed at least 45 people.

And so, you have, entering into the picture now, the vice president flanked by not only Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but also Admiral Brad Cooper,

the head of the United States Central Command. And they were standing in this huge facility, which the United States has stood up, about 15 miles

away from the Gaza border, where the U.S. military, in coordination with militaries from other countries, are meeting with Israeli military

officials, officials from COGAT, who handle humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, and humanitarian aid organizations themselves.

You know, this centralized kind of coordination center that is meant to ensure that the ceasefire is smoothly implemented and that when there are

issues, as the vice president said, that there will be a constant effort by the United States to try and mediate those disputes and avoid them from

derailing the ceasefire altogether.

The vice president made very clear, though, that he has no illusions about the difficulty ahead. He said implementing the next phases of the ceasefire

will take a very, very long time. He offered no timeline for Hamas being disarmed and said it's not something, frankly, that should be rushed.

And lastly, he also made clear that recovering the remaining bodies of deceased hostages is going to take some time. That was another piece of

important messaging for an Israeli public that has been frustrated by the slow pace of those bodies being handed over. Isa.

SOARES: Yes, and as we understand, the Red Cross on the way to receive several deceased hostages as we speak in Gaza. Thank you very much, Jeremy,

for us live in Tel Aviv.

Well, Amnesty International says Israel is making a mockery of the ceasefire by continuing to hold Palestinian medical workers without charge,

including a prominent hospital director. Nada Bashir looks at efforts to win the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia that have so far gone in vain.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This Gaza's leading pediatrician, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. From the outbreak of the war in Gaza,

his life-saving work providing emergency medical care had been widely documented and shared with the world.

[14:40:00]

This footage was filmed in November 2024. Dr. Abu Safiya had been on an almost daily basis recounting the harrowing realities inside Gaza's Kamal

Adwan Hospital, where he was director, as the facility became the focus of an Israeli military siege on northern Gaza. Just weeks later, he would be

detained by Israeli troops.

At the time, Israel claimed that he was suspected of being a, quote, "Hamas terrorist operative." And the hospital was used by Hamas as a command

center. But no evidence has since been provided linking him to the militant group. Now, his legal team says his detention has been extended by another

six months.

BASHIR: This behind me is Israel's controversial Ofer military prison, where Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is currently being detained. NGO Physicians for

Human Rights Israel says the renowned medic has not been brought before a judge nor interrogated, not even informed of the legal grounds of his

detention. A lawyer for the NGO has also reported that Abu Safiya has been subjected to abuse and starvation and has had medical care withheld despite

a pre-existing heart condition.

BASHIR (voice-over): The Israel Prison Service declined to comment specifically on Abu Safiya's detention, but provided a statement saying,

all inmates are held according to legal procedures and their rights, including access to medical care and adequate living conditions, are

upheld.

Those closest to him, however, have been left with little reassurance over his treatment or his possible release.

My innocent father is facing great suffering and humiliation, Dr. Abu Safiya's son, Elias, says. He is not guilty. He is not a criminal to

deserve these forms of torture and deprivation inside the prison. My father was simply a doctor who was committed to providing medical and humanitarian

care to children, patients and the wounded. He is not guilty of anything to justify his detention or to be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

With the recent ceasefire deal, there had been hopes that Dr. Abu Safiya, along with other Palestinian healthcare workers, would be released and

returned to Gaza. Among those who had been desperately waiting for positive news is Aya. She says her father, Dr. Marwan al-Hams, and her sister, Nurse

Tasneem al-Hams, were both abducted earlier this year. Their whereabouts or possible detention by Israeli forces remains unclear.

Where is the protection of doctors' rights during war? Aya says. Is it their crime that they are humanitarians treating the wounded and the sick?

What did they do?

CNN has reached out to the Israel Prison Service for comment on those cases. The detention of healthcare workers from Gaza, like Dr. Hussam Abu

Safiya, is viewed by many humanitarian organizations as part of the systematic targeting of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure by the Israeli

military. The Israeli military has rejected claims that it detains medics on the basis of their profession. In a previous statement, it said, such

allegations ignore the activity of terrorist organizations in Gaza.

The U.N. World Health Organization and several NGOs, however, have widely documented assaults on medical staff and facilities in Gaza since the war

began. The charity Medical Aid for Palestinians says an average of two healthcare workers a day have been killed since the start of the war.

Meanwhile, NGO Healthcare Workers Watch Palestine says at least 115 healthcare workers from Gaza are still believed to be held in Israeli

detention facilities, including at least 15 senior specialist doctors. Israeli non-profit Physicians for Human Rights Israel has also reported

accounts of torture and starvation while in detention.

While Israeli authorities have offered little clarity over the fate of Gaza's detained medics, calls for their release are growing louder, both at

home and internationally. And as the fragile ceasefire continues to hold, the need for unhindered access to medical care for so many remains

desperate.

Nada Bashir, CNN, in the occupied West Bank.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:45:00]

SOARES: History being made today in Japan as its parliament elects the nation's first female prime minister. In a landmark moment, Sanae Takaichi

was formally appointed by Emperor Naruhito on Tuesday. Hanako Montgomery reports on her remarkable rise to power.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This hugely historic for Japan. For the first time ever, the country's parliament has elected a woman as prime

minister, Sanae Takaichi. At her first press conference as premier, she pledged to, quote, "revive Japan," a bold promise for a nation at a

crossroads.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANAE TAKAICHI, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): For the nation and its people, I will work boldly and tirelessly, unafraid of

change. I will build a strong Japanese economy and protect Japan's national interests at all costs through diplomacy and security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: Her victory marks a milestone many here thought they'd never see. Because we have to remember, Japan is deeply patriarchal. It

consistently ranks the lowest among G7 nations when it comes to gender equality, especially in politics.

Takaichi herself has talked about the challenges she's faced as a woman in a male-dominated world. But while many are celebrating this symbolic

moment, critics say Takaichi's record doesn't necessarily align with feminist ideals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I don't really support Ms. Takaichi herself. I have a strong image of her as a woman who was raised

among conservative men. Even though she is a woman, I feel structurally nothing will change.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: And as we heard just then, Takaichi is indeed a conservative politician. For nearly three decades, she served in Japan's ruling Liberal

Democratic Party, which, despite its name, leans to the right. For example, she supports increasing Japan's defense spending, revising its pacifist

constitution, and has opposed same-sex marriage. She's also hawkish on China, accusing Beijing of growing military aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

At the same time, she's maintained close ties with Taiwan, the self- governing island that China claims as its own. That's ruffled feathers in Beijing, and sparked concerns her leadership could strain relations between

Tokyo and China. But experts I've spoken to say that Takaichi might soften her tone and take a more pragmatic approach once she's in office.

Beyond politics, she's one of Japan's more colorful leaders. Unlike many of her predecessors, she doesn't come from a political dynasty, but she spent

years in parliament and held multiple cabinet posts. Her mother was a police officer, her father worked for a car company, and she's also a

longtime fan of heavy metal and motorcycles.

Now, her first major foreign policy test will come soon, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to visit Tokyo later this month. It'll be

an early and consequential test for the new prime minister. She'll need to navigate Trump's unpredictable style and ongoing trade tensions following

U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods.

She and Trump are both conservatives and both in favor of boosting Japan's military strength. Now, whether she reshapes the nation or reinforces the

status quo, Takaichi's win is certainly a defining moment for Japan and its women.

Hanako Montgomery, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Well, as one politician rises, another one falls. And I'm talking specifically about France, because it's been a historic day as former

president of the country is now in prison.

[14:50:00]

Nicolas Sarkozy walked from his home to a police car and waved to supporters before police motorcade drove him to a Sante prison in southern

Paris. Mr. Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy. Our Saskya Vandoorne has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN PRODUCER: An unlikely home for a former head of state. Nicolas Sarkozy will be the first French president ever held behind

bars. He's been handed a five-year prison term and will soon start serving it here at La Sante in Paris.

Now, 70, Sarkozy is expected to be placed in isolation, in a separate area for prison where he'll have no contact with other inmates.

A typical cell here looks like this: a bolted metal bed, a small desk, a fridge, a television, a shower and a phone.

Pierre Botton, a former businessman sent here for embezzlement in 2022 and a longtime friend of Sarkozy knows exactly what awaits him.

PIERRE BOTTON, FORMER LA SANTE INMATE (through translator): That's when you hear two sounds no inmate ever forgets. The lock going clack- clack as it

bolts shut. That's the moment you know you're locked in. From then on, nothing happens until 7:00 a.m. the next morning. You're alone with the TV

and the noises.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): It's the same prison that once held Panama's former dictator, Manuel Noriega, and international terrorist, Carlos the Jackal.

Sarkozy was sentenced after he was convicted of criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic

favors, a verdict he calls political persecution.

I am innocent, he said, vowing to sleep in his cell, quote, "with his head held high."

VANDOORNE: Behind these walls, Sarkozy is likely to receive the same treatment as the other inmates, as set out in France's prison code. 22 to

23 hours a day alone in his cell with two walks in the courtyard and a few visits from the family during the week.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): His arrival kit will include two blankets, a towel and basic toiletries.

BOTTON (through translator): On his first night, the guards will come by every two hours. They'll wake him up. They'll turn on the lights and make

him raise his hand to show he's alive.

VANDOORNE (voice-over): Sarkozy's lawyers are working to shorten his time behind bars. But it's a stunning fall from grace for a president who once

prided himself on being France's crimefighter-in-chief.

Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And our thanks to Saskya for that report. We're going to take a short break. We'll see you on the other side.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:55:00]

SOARES: A remarkable moment of joy for a patient with Parkinson's disease as she played the clarinet while undergoing brain surgery. Have a look at

this. Hold on, we're trying to get --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: I mean, she plays the clarinet, we can't even play the video, that says everything, but it's just amazing. 65-year-old Denise Bacon had been

experiencing muscle stiffness caused by her Parkinson's disease.

And during a four-hour operation, surgeons at King's College Hospital in London, look at that, implanted electrodes into Denise's brain while she

was awake to help relieve her symptoms, and the movement in Denise's fingers improved immediately, allowing her to play the clarinet much more

easily. Ending on a beautiful story. So important right here.

Thanks for your company, do stay right here. "What We Know" with Max Foster's up next. Of course we'll see you tomorrow. Bye-bye.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END