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Isa Soares Tonight

Leaders From France, U.K. And Germany Rally Around Volodymyr Zelenskyy As The Kremlin Praises America's Tough New Posture On Europe; A Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake Strikes Off The Coast Of Japan With A Tsunami Warning Issued For Coastal Areas; Syrians Take To The Streets To Celebrate the Fall Of Bashar al-Assad's Government A Year Ago; Trump: Zelenskyy Hasn't Read U.S. Peace Proposal; Zelenskyy Meets With European Leaders In London; Louvre's Water Leak Damages Hundreds Of Books. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired December 08, 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, leaders from France, the U.K. and

Germany rally around Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the Kremlin praises America's tough new posture on Europe. We've got all the details for you.

Plus, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off the coast of Japan with a tsunami warning issued for coastal areas. And one year since the fall of

Bashar al-Assad, Syrians take to the streets to celebrate, we'll find out how much has changed in the past 365 days. But first, tonight, European

leaders are once again standing with Ukraine as U.S. President Donald Trump puts the pressure back on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end a war.

And as questions swirl over whether peace talks with Russia may be heading toward collapse, the Ukrainian President met today with his British, French

and German counterparts in London, as you can see there, in a very high profile show of unity. And he stressed the importance of both U.S. and

European participation in the negotiations. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE: Things which are very important for today, I think unity between Europe and Ukraine, and also unity between

Europe, Ukraine and the United States. There are some things which we can't manage without Americans, things which we can't manage without Europe.

That's why we need to make some important decisions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: And that meeting comes just hours after the U.S. President said he was disappointed with Mr. Zelenskyy for not reading the U.S. peace

proposal, but it's unclear exactly which version of the plan he was referencing. And despite the U.S. suggesting a deal is very close, the

Kremlin says radical changes -- their words, are needed.

As talks go on, so do Russian attacks in Ukraine. Kyiv says strikes over the weekend killed at least ten civilians and injured dozens more. Our

Clare Sebastian is with me now. And Clare, you were at Downing Street, what we saw today, the images clearly symbolic, yet --

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes --

SOARES: Again, a show of solidarity as we've just outlined, President Zelenskyy is getting squeezed and squeezed further. Take a step back for

us. Where are we in terms of moving this forward? What is your sense from European leaders of what was achieved today?

SEBASTIAN: So, I think there's two parts to this, right? We have this burst of diplomatic activity that's happened over the past couple of weeks, been

two and a half weeks since that 28-point peace plan first leaked out. And we have this back-and-forth, we've got the two tracks, the U.S. and

Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia.

I think very telling that it was up to Ukraine, by the way, to fill in the Europeans who have been completely sidelined from what's happened over the

past two and a half weeks. And the Europeans are uneasy. The atmosphere was despite the sort of warm hugs and, you know, expressions of solidarity.

There was a clear sense of unease. Keir Starmer; the U.K. Prime Minister said, look, we want a settlement that's going to be lasting and just as he

has so many times before. If we get that far, I thought it was a very telling expression. And take a listen to Chancellor Merz of Germany what he

had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRIEDRICH MERZ, CHANCELLOR, GERMANY: I'm skeptical about some of the details which we are seeing in the documents coming from U.S. side, but we

have to talk about that. That's why we are here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: So, he's skeptical. And we know now from Zelenskyy who is talking on the plane on his -- on the way to his --

SOARES: Yes --

SEBASTIAN: Next stop, that --

SOARES: Yes --

SEBASTIAN: They've whittled down the 28 points to now 20. He says the anti- Ukrainian points were removed. Look, I think what we're seeing from Europe and from Ukraine today is, they want to keep up this momentum. They're a

bit uneasy about the content. And obviously, we know Russia has said that radical changes are needed.

I think time will tell over the next few days, perhaps weeks, whether this is just another burst of diplomatic activity in this war that then fizzles

out, right? But the second part of this is, Europe, because --

SOARES: Yes --

SEBASTIAN: They now have to take serious action. The pressure is mounting on Europe. They have not got a concrete plan at this point, or at least

consensus on a plan to fund Ukraine through the next couple of years. And that's the big decisions that they need to make.

SOARES: And exactly, because the questions that we've had in the last two weeks remain, right? There's territory and security guarantees.

[14:05:00]

But this is a moment of clarity, no doubt, for European leaders, that they need to step up and they need to do more. I wonder what that is, though,

given, like you said, that they are being sidelined by the United States, and given the strategy by the United States so far, not to even include

them in this.

SEBASTIAN: Yes, I think if there was ever proof, I think for Europe, that now is the time to act, and they have been acting and stepping up, and

they've managed to fill in the void left by direct U.S. support for Ukraine --

SOARES: Yes --

SEBASTIAN: Over the past year to some extent. But as I said, Ukraine needs to be funded through the next couple of years. There's a huge budget

deficit. Europe has committed to covering it, but what they cannot agree on at this point is whether or not to use those frozen assets. So, we've seen

Chancellor Mertz has come out very much in favor of that.

He was in Brussels at the end of last week, speaking to the Belgians who are very uneasy about this.

SOARES: We have been talking about --

SEBASTIAN: Europe, yes --

SOARES: This frozen assets --

SEBASTIAN: Yes --

SOARES: Clare, for months, though. It's not --

SEBASTIAN: Yes --

SOARES: Like it's something new. Viewers who were watching the show would have known. We've been talking about this for months, so --

SEBASTIAN: Yes --

SOARES: It's still the same sticking point, isn't it?

SEBASTIAN: And -- but it feels like it's coming to a crunch point, right? Because --

SOARES: Yes, they do --

SEBASTIAN: Either they do this or they're going to have to go back to their own taxpayers to come up with further funds. So, I think Europe obviously

sidelined by the U.S. continually ridiculed by Russia, is now in a real bind. And President Zelenskyy talked about, you know, difficult decisions

are going to have to be made.

SOARES: Yes, and like you said, Putin rubbing his hands with glee, of course, as he sees the Europe -- Europeans being pushed further away from

the United States. Clare, I know you'll stay across it for us. Thank you very much. Really glad you were able to be with us. When we're around 20

minutes time also, I'll be speaking to Elina Valtonen.

And she is the Finnish Foreign Minister, I'll be getting her take on the peace proposal negotiations, as well as President Trump's new national

security strategy, which largely sidelines Europe. We'll have more on that in 20 minutes. And any moment now, U.S. President Trump is expected to

announce a $12 billion farm aid package at a round table.

Crop farmers will be in attendance alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. This comes as Trump administration's tariffs have hurt farmers'

ability to trade freely. Although Secretary Rollins is blaming former President Biden, saying his policies are what have caused farmers to need

assistance.

Farmers have previously balked at the idea of aid, one of them telling CNN, quote, "farmers don't want free aid. We want free trade." We'll stay across

any new lines that come from that. Well, a peace agreement brokered by President Trump is in danger as fighting resumed today between Thailand and

Cambodia, both sides signed a ceasefire deal in October.

The Thai Foreign Minister tells CNN, another plan could be hammered out, but the U.S. may not be involved. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHASAK PHUANGKETKEOW, FOREIGN MINISTER, THAILAND: We'll continue with the military operation until we feel that our sovereignty and territorial

integrity are not challenged. We're not really convinced that the joint declaration is working according to its intention. I think this is

something that we have to work out with Cambodia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Both sides have accused each other of launching attacks along their disputed border as Ivan Watson now reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): This latest round of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia marks the potential

unraveling of a peace plan presided over by U.S. President Donald Trump less than two months ago. Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each

other of strikes along their disputed border Monday morning, and of spreading fake news about the conflict.

(EXPLOSION)

WATSON: A Thai military official says that their air strikes were retaliation for a Cambodian attack earlier on Monday that killed a Thai

soldier, and Thailand says it only targeted military infrastructure. Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense has denied those allegations,

calling them false information in a statement on X.

The Royal Thai Air Force says around 70 percent of Thai civilians have been evacuated from border towns. One civilian is reported to have died during

the evacuation due to a preexisting medical condition. Winding back the clock a little. Thailand and Cambodia fought a five-day border conflict in

July that killed dozens of people and displaced about 200,000.

It was the deadliest violence in recent years, stemming from a border dispute that goes back generations. The two countries agreed to an initial

ceasefire in July, after both the Thai and Cambodian leaders held calls with U.S. President Trump. An extended ceasefire declaration was signed in

late October on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

It was witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. President Trump saw this as a major diplomatic victory, but on the ground,

tensions began to rise again within just a couple of weeks.

[14:10:00]

And now, with the ceasefire on the verge of collapse, it's unclear whether the U.S. President will again personally involve himself in this conflict.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Well, a tsunami warning has been issued after a 7.6 earthquake hit Japan. The quake struck around 11:15 p.m. local time in northeastern Japan.

That's about 70 kilometers, as you can see off the coast, about 44 miles or so. The tsunami warnings are in place for the coast of Hokkaido, Aomori.

One official describes the government's response after the quake.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MINORU KHARA, CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY, JAPAN (through translator): Immediately after the earthquake, the government established a response

office within the Prime Minister's crisis management center and convened an emergency team of bureau level officials from relevant ministries and

agencies.

Based on the Prime Minister's instructions and under the principle of prioritizing human life, we are making every effort to assess the damage

and implement emergency disaster response measures, including rescue and relief operations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Let's get more on the story. Hanako Montgomery has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): A magnitude 7.6 earthquake was reported off Japan's northern coast, and a tsunami warning

has now been issued for three prefectures, Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Now, a tsunami warning in Japan means that we could see waves

of up to 3 meters hitting Japan's shores.

The Japanese government has warned residents living especially close to the shorelines of Japan, to get to higher ground, to evacuate to safety, while

they still have time. Now, the Japanese Prime Minister has also urged her government to respond to this disaster wholeheartedly and also putting all

their efforts into responding to this. Take a listen.

SANAE TAKAICHI, PRIME MINISTER, JAPAN: Working closely with local authorities and under the principle of human life first, the entire

government must devote its full efforts to emergency disaster response measures, including the rescue and relief of victims.

MONTGOMERY: Japan is no stranger to earthquakes, given that it is one of the most seismically active nations in the world. But of course, when a

huge earthquake like this one does hit Japan, it is extremely shocking for its residents, especially those who live close to the epicenter. We've seen

videos of people's homes looking, of course, completely tossed and turned in this earthquake.

People shouting and obviously fearing for their lives. Now, I myself live in Tokyo, but I even felt the earthquake. I was actually just getting ready

for bed when I felt my entire apartment shaking for at least 30 seconds. The earthquake actually felt quite long, which can be jarring again for

residents living in Japan.

Now, we are getting some preliminary reports about potential injuries, about potential damage. The chief cabinet secretary saying at a press

conference earlier on Tuesday morning, local time, that there are some reports of injuries in Aomori prefecture. He also added that there were

some calls made to ambulance services, and also some fires reported in that prefecture.

He also added that the bullet train service between Aomori prefecture and Fukushima prefecture has been suspended for now, as they are continuing to

respond to this disaster. Hanako Montgomery CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Well, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to deport the worst of the worst in his immigration crackdown. But the numbers tell a

very different story. New data released today shows nearly 75,000 people detained by ICE have no criminal record. The data was compiled by the data

deportation project from Trump's inauguration day in late January until the middle of October.

CNN has conducted its own analysis that finds less than 10 percent of those taken into custody have any serious criminal convictions. CNN's Maria

Santana is tracking this story for us. And Maria, I mean, these are very worrying numbers, right? This is very troubling. Just talk us through this

data that you've come out, and what the response has been.

MARIA SANTANA, CNN REPORTER: Well, yes, you know, this is a pattern that I have seen even in my own reporting. I focus on, you know, at least, half a

dozen families that have had pretty much everything in common. They have had no criminal records. The persons that have been detained by immigration

officials. And many of these people have lived in the United States for decades.

For example, two parents in Chicago with four children had been in the country for over 18 years. They were held for over two months, only

released after a judge in Chicago ordered the release of over 600 people that were caught up in the administration's operation there in that city.

But a review by CNN showed that they had no criminal record.

[14:15:00]

And this is a story that has repeated itself over and over again. And now, new data shows that they are far from isolated cases. According to the

numbers from Deportation Project, a research group associated with the Berkeley School of Law, of the 220,000 arrests that have happened in these

last nine months under President Trump, nearly 75,000 people had no criminal records.

And this is a period, you know, operations that the administration has repeatedly framed as necessary to protect Americans from violent criminals.

They say they are going after the worst of the worst people who represent national and public safety threats. But this latest data shows a different

story, and it actually mirrors earlier CNN reporting that found that less than 10 percent of immigrants taken into custody since last October, had

any serious criminal convictions.

The overwhelming majority had clean records or only minor infractions. This is something that advocates in especially Democratic-led cities have said

for months that more people, more family members, more parents, hard working residents of those areas have been caught up in these sweeps, much

more than anyone with any criminal record.

And we did get a response from the Department of Homeland Security. They said that these numbers don't show any criminal convictions that people are

facing in their home countries, although they didn't provide evidence of people that have been detained who do have these criminal records in their

home country.

They say they have arrested 600,000 criminal illegal aliens since January 20th, and say that 70 percent have criminal convictions or pending criminal

charges in the U.S. and also in their home countries. Isa?

SOARES: Maria Santana, thank you very much for breaking it all down for us. Appreciate it.

SANTANA: Yes --

SOARES: And still to come tonight as Europe voices its continued support for Ukraine as Russia's onslaught continues, the Finnish Foreign Minister -

- Affairs Minister will join me live to discuss what comes next as a ceasefire remains elusive. And then fireworks and festivities in Syria. The

country is marking one year since half a century of iron-fisted rule by one family came to an end. Those stories after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: The U.N. says it was the first real chains -- chance in generations to reshape the future of Syria. Now, that country is celebrating one year

since a lightning rebel offensive toppled the long-time dictator Bashar al- Assad. Troops are marching and tanks are rumbling down streets across Syria today, as people turn out for military parades.

[14:20:00]

Others are driving in a caravan of cars, waving flags out of the windows and honking as you can hear them. Their horns were pure joy. Rebels led by

Islamist Ahmed al-Sharaa seized Damascus, if you remember, on December the 8th last year, ending nearly 14 years of a brutal civil war and a half a

century of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family.

Al-Sharaa, who is now President began the day by performing prayers at dawn in military fatigues. Since he took power, he's managed to reshape Syria's

foreign ties, and is promising to build an inclusive government at home. But despite all the hope and joy, there's a real sense that the country,

fractured by war still has a very long way to go. Our Christiane Amanpour spoke with the President in Doha over the weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A broad idea of when we'll have actually proper representative elections, like for a President

or a Prime Minister. You say it takes a while, but how long would you say?

AHMED AL-SHARAA, PRESIDENT, SYRIA (through translator): After the liberation of Damascus, we organized a national conference. And we have a

declaration for the constitution as a result of this declaration, until we have a final constitution, gave the current President a mandate of five

years, and then there will be elections.

During these five years, many laws will be enacted, and the constitution also will be drafted during these elections, and it will be presented

during this period -- sorry, and it will be presented to the people. So, the constitution, as you know, will be the main source of power, so, I

would say in five years. There's already one year that's gone. We still have four years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: President there. Well, before Syria fell to the rebels, it may have been hard to imagine that the former jihadist would one day trade his

military fatigues for western-styled suits on the world stage. CNN interviewed al-Sharaa just days before Damascus was captured in 2024. Our

Jomana Karadsheh takes us back to those revolutionary times.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): So, this was the last time anyone ever saw this man as he was known as Mohammed al-

Jolani, a designated terrorist.

People listening to this are going to wonder why they should believe you. You are still a specially designated global terrorist by the United States

with a $10 million bounty on your head.

Right after our interview, a statement declared that he would be known by his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and just three days later, he would become

the President of a new Syria. We got so many questions after our exclusive interview, and I think now, a year on, it's time to answer some of those

questions.

How did we get that interview? Well, senior producer Gifty Susse(ph) and I have covered Syria and the region for many years. And as we watched those

lightning fast advances by rebel forces, we felt this was different. Aleppo, the second city was captured in days. And no matter what this was,

we knew we had to get in there and see what was happening for ourselves on the ground.

Thanks to contacts we built over the years, the two of us and cameraman, Breeze(ph), the name, made it in. We were the only western journalists

inside Syria during the offensive, and the last western journalist to enter a Syria under Assad. It was a high risk assignment. It took a lot of

planning by CNN. But that's what we do.

It was a historic moment, and CNN was there. Another question I got was why I was wearing a hijab during the interview, and not when I was reporting

from liberated Aleppo during that same trip. We can now reveal that interview took place in Idlib Province, not Aleppo. It's a place throughout

the war had been under the control of Islamist groups, and female journalists have always covered our hair out of respect for the local

culture and norms.

Al-Jolani or al-Sharaa did not ask me to wear it, his advisors did. Meeting him and his advisors gave us a glimpse into their confidence and morale. As

we were leaving, they said, see you in Damascus. And three days later, they took the capital. A year on, I look back at this and it still feels

surreal. It was through our interview that the world was introduced to a man who had undergone an incredible transformation, from jihadist to now a

leader on the world stage.

Syria still facing a lot of challenges, and some of its minorities have endured a year of horrific events. Al-Sharaa is still promising a Syria for

everyone after Assad, but his message has been clear they need the world's support to make that happen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:25:00]

SOARES: And our thanks to Jomana Karadsheh for that report. I want to turn to our top story this hour. Europe has signaled its continued support for

Ukraine after President Zelenskyy gathered with his British, French as well as German counterparts in London earlier today. Leaders working on, quote,

"complementing" the U.S. plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

That is, according to the French presidency. And this comes after a long week of diplomacy that yielded really no major breakthroughs. And as the

gap widens between the United States and Ukraine after President Trump accused Mr. Zelenskyy of not having read the U.S.-backed peace proposal.

Meanwhile, as talks slowly grind ahead, Russia continues its onslaught on Ukraine with ten people killed and dozens more injured in the past day. At

the top of the show, I promised you that I would get to Elina Valtonen; who is a Foreign Affairs Minister of Finland. She joins me now. Foreign

Minister, great to have you back on the show.

Let me pick up really with what we are seeing out of Europe, this meeting clearly very symbolic, a show of unity, but no concrete proposals. Is that

all that this is, a show of symbolism, a message to United States. Just your reaction.

ELINA VALTONEN, FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, FINLAND: Well, thanks so much for having me again. Well, let's see what comes out of this. But I think it's

so important for the world to understand that obviously, this peace deal will have massive implications not only for the security of Ukraine going

forward, but for that of Europe.

And I would say essentially for the entire world, because, for 80 years, we've had the rules of the United Nations where I'm actually now just

sitting, which implies that every nation has the right to full sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity. Now, if we let go

of these principles, then clearly, this will have global implications.

SOARES: The mood I sense, Foreign Minister, I hope you don't mind me saying this, this is just from my conversation that I had with our -- well, our

correspondent who was at Downing Street today is somewhat somber. Even Chancellor Merz, I think he said he was skeptical, were his words about the

documents he's seeing coming from the United States.

So, I wonder whether this -- where this leaves Europe diplomatically in terms of pressure points, because as my correspondent -- our correspondent

was saying here today, it feels like Europe has been sidelined. Just your take on this.

VALTONEN: I think Europe's strategy for the past almost four years has been exactly the right one. So, we have been supporting Ukraine. We have been

draining Russia's war machine through sanctions, and we have been ramping up our own defense and deterrence. And this is exactly the right strategy.

Also, going forward, whether there's a peace deal or no, I think the President or the -- well, President Trump's goal of ending the killing, to

stop the killing is exactly the right one. And I think the next most important step to take in that direction would -- to impose a full

ceasefire, because that would show that Russia, at the end of the day, could potentially be interested in peace, which so far I haven't seen any

sign of.

And that time could be used to really negotiate a proper peace deal because, it must be said that for President Trump, he of course, keeps

emphasizing that this is not his war. Well, indeed, it's not his war. But the peace deal will be President Trump's peace. And every day thereafter,

he will be also judged by that.

So, it's very much in the interest of President Trump as well and the United States that we work together on a plan which makes this peace, not

only just, but very much sustainable also.

SOARES: And it seems the stumbling blocks haven't really changed that much, Minister. I'm just looking at -- it's very much still territory security

guarantees. And at the heart of it, the Kremlin and President Putin wants the entirety of the Donbas region, right? We know that is a red line for

Ukraine. But what is your sense?

Is it your sense that the U.S. thinks that this can happen, that Ukraine can and ought to give away its territory? I just -- I just wonder what your

sense is from what you're hearing, because President -- French President today referred to Europe having, quote, "a lot of cards in our hands". So,

I'm just wondering what the strategy is here.

VALTONEN: Ukraine's fate is for the Ukrainian people to decide. And Ukraine has a constitution, obviously, the President cannot by himself decide on,

for instance, conceding land, and that certainly should not be in the interest of the international community either, for the reasons I listed

because it would clearly be in violation of international law and set the precedent for the rest of the world also going forward.

[14:30:07]

Now, I think what the Ukrainian people have shown over the course of the past four years is incredible resilience, but also that they are prepared

for a future as a full democratic country. They of course have had to endure decades of Soviet oppression, and the people are now sick and tired

of that.

And they know it's not just about conceding territory or, you know, making other concessions towards Russia, because if Russia doesn't let go of its

goal of subjugating the entire Ukraine or taking over the entire Ukraine, that is certainly not peace, that is not anything that durable, you know,

security can be built on.

SOARES: Yes. And, Foreign Minister, the reason I was asking about your thoughts about what the U.S. strategy may be, because I'm not sure if you

saw, the U.S. has outlined its national security vision, I think this is 33 or so page report, and on its section in Europe, I'm not sure whether

you've seen it, it says the European nations face, quote, "economic decline that could be eclipsed by real and stark prospect of civilizational

erasure." It then adds, that over the long-term, it's more than plausible within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become

majority non-European.

What do you make of this U.S. national security vision, your response?

VALTONEN: Well, first of all, Europe, unfortunately, has economically not grown so much over the past 15 years, as perhaps the rest of the world. But

I think this should be an invitation for our friends here in the United States to collaborate even closer, economically in trade and through

investment within the transatlantic bloc. Because essentially, the European Union has set no tariffs against U.S. goods and services, but the U.S. now

has. And certainly, the European market is much more attractive to American companies and investors than, for instance, Russia is.

And together, as the free world, we could build and continue building on our prosperity, which for decades has been built on a, you know, fair

market economy, by which each and every individual independent of their background can, you know, build themselves up to fortunes. And I think that

is certainly something we should use as our power.

At the same time, of course, building on our military resilience, because we know that Russia is going to be a threat to the transatlantic alliance

for the long-term. And they, unfortunately, so far only respect power.

Also, in the case we have seen since President Trump took office, of course, for Putin, he doesn't have any trouble speaking with Trump. On the

very contrary, it's an honor for him to be looking eye to eye to the most powerful man in the world. And of course, he does respect the military

power of the United States. But certainly, he despises the American way of life, which grants freedom to all citizens. And certainly, that's also the

European recipe. And also, incidentally, something that the Ukrainians are after as we speak.

So, together, we should fight stronger for the free world. And of course, within this family, if we have, you know, a criticism towards each other,

we can certainly discuss that. But at the end of the day, we should stick together.

SOARES: Foreign Minister, as always, wonderful to have you on the show. Thank you. We're going to take a short break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:35:00]

SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. One of the founding members of Russian punk collective Pussy Riot is documenting her activism in a new memoir. Masha

Alyokhina grabbed the world's attention back in 2012 when the group performed in a Moscow cathedral wearing colorful balaclavas and screaming,

Mother Mary, please drive Putin away.

Alyokhina and two other members were found guilty of hooliganism for the performance and sentenced to two years in prison. Alyokhina pleaded not

guilty to the charges. Since her release in 2014, Alyokhina has continued to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin's government. She's been

arrested several times over the last decade for her performances with Pussy Riot.

Then in 2021, Alyokhina faced a new prison sentence, this time for encouraging protests in support of Russian opposition leader Alexey

Navalny. This sentence saw Alyokhina placed under house arrest. Shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian officials

requested her sentence be changed to actual prison time for violating the terms, including removing her electronic bracelet. To avoid imprisonment,

Alyokhina fled Russia.

In 2024, a third criminal case was opened against Alyokhina in Russia for anti-war performances, including the song "Mama, Don't Watch TV." Russian

prosecutors allege the song conveys false information about Russian soldiers killing Ukrainian civilians. Alyokhina denies committing any crime

and says the charges are politically motivated. Well, in September, she was sentenced to prison in absentia by a Moscow court.

Alyokhina recently joined me in the studio with her memoir for our Book Club.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Joining us today on the book club is Masha Alyokhina, the author of "Political Girl." Masha, great to have you with us. What a treat. Thank you

very much.

You are not just an author. I think this is your second book, right, Masha? But you're also a political activist. You're also an artist. And you're, of

course, the founding member of the Pussy Riot group, the Russian punk group. You're now out of Russia. You've written this book and it's still

very much you continue to protest, right?

Let's focus on your departure, how you escaped Russia, because it was very dramatic. I actually had in 2018 a travel ban. At the same time, I had a

set of performances in Russia because it was very dramatic.

MASHA ALYOKHINA, AUTHOR, "POLITICAL GIRL": I actually had in 2018 a travel ban.

SOARES: Yes.

[14:40:00]

ALYOKHINA: At the same time, I had a set of performances in Edinburgh, Fringe. So, avoiding travel ban, I traveled on a magic pony to Edinburgh

and then came back. I never wanted to leave my country. So, you're completely right by saying that it was very dramatic.

I was under a criminal case. I had electronic Anki plus ankle. Electronic bracelet from house arrest. Plus, I was arrested all the time for 15 days.

It's permanent chain of detentions when they catch you on the street, detain you. Then you go out, they detain you again. And this 15 days, 15

days, 15 days in jail. Carousel was not stopped. And I even did not do anything. I was not holding any protest banner or I didn't write anything

on social media that was for nothing.

SOARES: Yes.

ALYOKHINA: So, the war started in 24th of February, 2022. Two days after they put me to detention center. Then the first month of the war, I spent

there together with political activists, just people who went with the protest against this war in Russia. And then I had this situation when I

had the surveillance all the time. And on the night when I had to -- you know, had to go and I wanted to support Ukraine, my apartment was

surrounded by three cars of political police. So, I had to change clothes to the food delivery service costume.

SOARES: So, you were wearing costume like a food delivery? That's how you - - yes.

ALYOKHINA: Yes. And not only this, to change the phone, to use the back door, to go to, let's say like apartment X or kind of hidden place from

where, from there, the car, which had been aggrandized by my friends, took me, bring me to the border of Belarus and Lithuania.

Then I tried to go through the border, but I didn't have documents because my passport was confiscated because I had a criminal case.

SOARES: Yes. You said not only was it dramatic, Masha, but that decision of leaving, how tough was that? What made you decide I have to get out now? I

know you had a criminal case looking at potentially a long time, right, in jail, potentially. You could tell me this. But what was it? What was the

turning point you felt that I have to get out?

ALYOKHINA: I wanted to support Ukraine, actively supporting. That's actually what we are doing for three and a half years since I left the

country. Actively support Ukraine, speak out for Ukraine, send money for hospitals and army units. And in Russia, that's possible only from prison,

because in my case it will be huge.

I just received a third sentence in my life. It's 13 years and 15 days in abstention for anti-war song, which we recorded just after we left the

country and for anti-war performance in Germany last year. So, this is the price. You can politically exist here, but physically, like -- I mean,

those people who are in the country physically, they cannot be political. They cannot express their political views because the price of that is

endless prison term or death.

SOARES: You know, that decision for you to leave, you have a little boy, well, was a little boy. He's no longer a little boy. How hard was that on

you initially? How did you explain that to him?

ALYOKHINA: Well, I think in the bottom of my heart, I knew that if I will leave the country, I definitely will move him and his father, because

again, full-scale war means an obligation to serve.

SOARES: Conscription. Yes.

ALYOKHINA: So, I mean, he's a boy. So, since 18, he will be obligated to serve an army. That means that he will be turned into Russian soldier

occupant and sent to Ukraine to kill innocent people. And it's not the future which I want for my son.

[14:45:00]

So, I crossed the border in the end of April and in September, I moved. Because FSB started to go to his father's apartment and ask about what

Maria is doing abroad.

SOARES: Did your son ever ask you why we're doing this? He understand what you were -- what your aim was?

ALYOKHINA: When we did the bank prayer, he was five. So, yes, I mean, he asked, yes. And I think when we had two long visits in the penal colony,

which is allowed for all the prisoners, your family, they should be like official members of family, allowed to visit you for three days. You live

in a special room with kitchen. And this is actually means a lot, because during investigation and trial, you are not able to speak even on the

phone. It's their way to force you to sign papers.

So, we talked definitely. And he -- when he was like back five, six years old, saying that mama sang a loud song against Russia.

SOARES: A load song.

ALYOKHINA: In the church, and that's why she is in prison now. So, that's what he understood. But it's hard because during all these years he's seen

-- he was watching how these groups of, I don't know, higher Nazi groups beating me, how they endlessly detain me, how I go to the protest and each

time I end up in the police cell. Then this house arrest situation. So, he witnessed quite everything, which is in the book.

SOARES: Incredibly grateful for you being here. I'm going to pass you our pen. I'll give you back the book and then you can sign it. Thank you very

much, Masha.

ALYOKHINA: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: The world's most visited museum has had some pretty big problems recently. First, it was a jewel heist in broad daylight, then the

uncovering faulty security failures at the Louvre, and now a water leak has damaged hundreds of books. Our Melissa Bell has more for you from Paris.

[14:50:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: More difficult headlines for the Louvre Museum here in Paris, as the world's most visited

museum, it seems, had some sort of water leak back in November that caused damage to some 300 to 400 books in its Egyptian antiquities department.

We understand from museum directors that none of these were particularly precious first editions, simply 19th or 20th century books that were

consulted by Egyptologists, and there is some hope that many of them can be restored. Still, another difficult headline just weeks after that

spectacular October heist that so captured the world's attention.

Even now, the jewels have not been recovered. There have been a number of arrests, however, four of the suspected burglars and several of those

believed to have been their accomplices have been arrested. The search continues, though, for the jewels themselves.

There was also, we understand, in the autumn, one of the galleries that houses Egyptian vases and certain offices that had to be closed because of

structural concerns. And what we saw just a few weeks ago was the publication here in France from France's public audit body, the Cour des

Comptes, accusing the museum of having overspent on acquiring art at the expense of refurbishing its ancient infrastructure. That report, of course,

coming after the heist and really pointing to a lack of deficiencies in the updating of the museum's infrastructure and security.

And if all that were not enough, there will also now be a strike by some of the museum staff on 15th of December. They are complaining about working

conditions and the difficulty that comes from that poor infrastructure that I mentioned. So, a difficult few months here for the Louvre Museum in

Paris.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And still to come tonight, the best of the movies this year. We will tell you which films scored coveted Golden Globe nominations.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: The first of Hollywood's big awards shows has weighed in. The Golden Globe nominations were announced today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They got her. Now, they're coming after us. I'm sorry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't ask for this. That's just how the cards were rolled out for me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not cards. You don't roll cards. It's dice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad, what is wrong with you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're right. Let's go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: "One Battle After Another" leads the field with nine nominations, including nods for Best Musical or Comedy, Director, Screenplay, and

Numerous Acting Nominations.

[14:55:00]

The other Best Musical or Comedy nominees include the Timothee Chalamet film, "Marty Supreme," that will open Christmas Day, as well as the Korean

film, "No Other Choice." The Best Drama list is led by "Sinners," which scored seven total nominations. Three of the six Best Drama nominees are

foreign language films, including Iranian director Jafar Panahi's acclaimed "It Was Just an Accident," which we mentioned to you last week. I can tell

you I've watched none of those. That says a lot more about me than anything else.

And finally, tonight, a giant of photography. That's how legendary British photojournalist Martin Parr has been described by the British Journal of

Photography, after it was announced on Sunday that the artist had passed away, age 73. Best known for his ability to capture the nuances of British

life and culture, Parr leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, encapsulated in more than 100 published books. His often satirical and joyous work made

him one of Britain's most acclaimed photographers, featuring in collections from New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Tate, right here in London.

And that does it for us for tonight. Do stay right here, "What We Know" with Max Foster is up next. Have a wonderful day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END