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One World with Zain Asher
Zelenskyy: World Must Band Together To Stop Russian Aggression; ICE: One Dead, Two Injured In ICE Facility Shooting; Viewers Flock To Watch Jimmy Kimmel's Return To T.V.; Trump Administration Investigates FEMA Employees; Some Children Stay In U.S. As ICE Deports Their Parents; Rubio Meets With Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov; "Mootilda" Escapes From The Slaughterhouse; Aired 12-1p ET
Aired September 24, 2025 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:00:46]
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. You are watching the second hour of "One World."
Any moment now, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the United
Nations General Assembly.
It comes at a pivotal moment in Russia's war on Ukraine after the U.S. president signaled a dramatic shift on his view of the conflict.
In the social media post Tuesday, Donald Trump posted that he thinks Ukraine, with E.U. support, can win back all of its territory from Russia.
That's a major U-turn from Trump's repeated statements that Ukraine will have to cede territory to end the war.
Ukraine's president didn't specifically reference President Trump's post in his address to the U.N. Assembly, but said the world is living through the
most destructive arms race in human history. He called for increased support for Kyiv.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a
nuclear warhead. So we must use everything we have together to force the aggressor to stop. And only then do we have a real chance that these arms
race will not end in catastrophe for all of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is standing by in London, but let's begin with Kylie Atwood at the United Nations.
Kylie, just give us a sense of the reaction first in the audience there from President Zelenskyy's speech, where he signaled that friends and
weapons are the most important way to defend against this war and ultimately bring it to an end, and also stating this as expensive as that
supply of weapons may be prolonging the war is even more costly.
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And he had a pretty warm reception here at the United Nations today. He did put the fire
to the feet of these countries, saying that it is up to them to decide if there's going to be peace in Ukraine or if they are going to continue
funding Russia's war.
Effectively to those countries that are still making imports from Russia, including with their oil, that they need to stop doing that in order to
bring this war to an end.
As you were saying, he made the point that alliances are critical in order to drive an end to this conflict, but also that the world is going through
an incredible transition when it comes to arms, saying that they are facing the most destructive arms race in history, and making the case that yes,
Ukraine continues to need support from its European allies, of course, from the United States, but also that Ukraine has been working on its defense
production. And it has developed weapons that have been battle tested and that Ukraine is going to be ready to export those weapons.
The world is going to need these new types of drones that we have seen Ukraine develop and use on the battlefield. So making the argument that
please support us, but in the long-term with this challenge that the world is facing with these new weapons coming on stock, we are able to help you.
So that was interesting.
I think what we're watching to see now is how the next 24 hours develop after you were saying President Trump reversed his stance on Ukraine and
their capabilities to win all of their territory as part of this ongoing war.
He had previously been saying that they have to give up some of that territory in order to strike a peace agreement to end this war with Russia.
We're going to see the Foreign -- excuse me. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sit down with the Russian Foreign Minister here in just the next hour. So
we'll often see what Rubio's message to his Russian counterpart is as U.S. officials are telling us that part of this change in tone, this drastic
change in tone from Trump, is a negotiating tactic to try and get Putin back to the negotiating table with Ukraine. That is something that Trump
promised was going to happen following his sit-down meeting with President Putin in Alaska last month. But, of course, we have not seen any movement
today towards making that an actual reality.
[12:05:04]
Bianna?
GOLODRYGA: Let's bring in Nick Paton Walsh. And, Nick, yes, reassuring words from President Trump, obviously another key allies for President
Zelenskyy, but in terms of anything tangible that he walks away from this U.N. General Assembly with, is there anything to actually speak up right
now?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I mean, that Truth Social post was lengthy, and it had, I think, multiple points of
interest in it.
But ultimately, it didn't alter the level of assistance the United States is providing, either to NATO to then give to Ukraine or indeed to Ukraine
directly.
And in fact, it sort of said good luck to all at the end as kind of a sign off. And so I think within that, you can certainly take some heart if you
are a Ukrainian fending off the Russian invasion. That the United States now shares potentially for now the maximalist views of your president,
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had in the past suggested they could potentially take back all the land that Russia had occupied. But that was 18 months ago
prior to a counter-offensive in 2023 that didn't succeed.
And I think it's fair to say Zelenskyy's view of what's possible has significantly altered, as he's seen territory increasingly taken off hand
by Russia and indeed a manpower crisis, meaning that drone technology, he essentially sold to the rest of the world in that speech, has become so
much more vital.
Indeed, you might say that Trump had asked Zelenskyy to agree to the impossible task of ceding land to Russia. Now he seems to be asking him to
push forward with an even more impossible task of taking all the land that Russia's occupied back.
So it's interesting, too, I think that many in Kyiv will hear this extraordinary reversal of Trump's position. Probably take heart in it, see
that he's certainly clear on their side, but also potentially question how long indeed this may sustain.
We have seen Trump, it seems, often speak the things that maybe he's had said to him in the most recent conversation he was in at times. Is this
that? Or is this an evolution of transposition where he doesn't want to use sanctions yet because the damage that he caused in the U.S. economy,
particularly against India and China, further sanctions against India, I should say. Or is he indeed trying to put some kind of pressure on Russia
that emulates the European long-term position that you simply cannot suggest that Ukraine will accept any kind of defeat if you're able to
project the kind of strength you need to project to get Russia to end this war?
It's complex, but I think, ultimately, if you're in the Kremlin right now, you hear all this and you just wonder how long this new position will
indeed be sustained.
GOLODRYGA: And we may be getting a sense of the Kremlin's reaction any moment now, Kylie Atwood, when Secretary of State Rubio will be meeting
with Sergey Lavrov, his Russian counterpart.
It was notable yesterday that President Trump not only called out what he - - he thought was a -- a major Russian military not being able to accomplish what it set out to do in a smaller country, that is Ukraine, but also
talking about the hit to Russia's economy, which he said was significant, calling Russia a paper tiger that then was followed by a response from the
Kremlin, spokesperson saying that Russia is actually represented by the bear and there's nothing paper about a bear, et cetera.
How much focus will be on this meeting though with Rubio and Lavrov?
ATWOOD: There will be tremendous focus on this meeting, Bianna. It is the first meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lavrov since
earlier this summer when the two actually met, I believe for the first time in Malaysia.
And I was at that meeting watching the two interact. And it was actually just hours after they met that President Trump got on the phone with his
NATO counterpart and said that the U.S. was going to be shifting its policy to say we are going to give U.S. weapons to Ukraine that are going to be
funded by NATO.
So, it was clear that during that meeting with Lavrov that they previously had months ago, Rubio didn't get very much from Lavrov that was going to
contribute to the U.S. stepping away from Ukraine and thinking that diplomacy was actually going to be the outcome here. But we will watch and
see if Rubio shows his hand at anything he gets from Lavrov in that meeting today.
GOLODRYGA: And perhaps any notable attire that Lavrov chooses to wear, we remember what he -- he wore with that USSR vest in that meeting between
President Trump and President Putin in Alaska. No subtle -- no subtlety in that job there.
Nick Paton Walsh, Kylie Atwood. Thank you so much. Good to see you both.
All right. This is video you are seeing from Dallas, Texas where police say one person is dead and two people are hospitalized with injuries after a
shooting this morning at an ICE field office in Dallas.
Multiple law enforcement officials told CNN the person killed was a detainee. The FBI calls this an act of targeted violence.
[12:10:09]
FBI Director Kash Patel, posted a social media, a photo of ammunition found at the scene. You can see the words "Anti- ICE" on a bullet.
CNN's Ed Lavandera is in Dallas with the latest.
So we see this. We're hearing from the FBI director saying this was politically motivated and using this image of one of the bullet casings
there where you saw "Anti-ICE" written on it. What more are we learning at this stage of the investigation, Ed?
ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, so far, officially, authorities here aren't giving a great deal of detail as to
what unfolded. They just wrapped up a press conference here a short while ago.
Let's listen to a little bit of what officials here said this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE ROTHROCK, FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: FBI is investigating this incident as an act of targeted violence.
What I can also share with you is that early evidence that we've seen from rounds that were found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are
anti-ICE in nature.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LAVANDERA: So multiple speakers, including the -- the Mayor of Dallas, Senator Ted Cruz, and -- and various federal law enforcement officials,
quick to point out that this was a targeted attack against ICE agents.
It doesn't explain how -- why some of the victims appear to have been victims other than law enforcement agents here at -- at this point. So
we're still trying to piece all of this together.
Law enforcement authorities here, very reluctant to describe, even describing basic details who the victims were of the shooting.
Can I give you a sense of where we are? This is an interstate, prominent interstate on the west side of Dallas. The ICE facility is just a couple of
blocks away from where we are. And the back side of the building backs up to a commercial property law -- law offices and this sort of thing.
We've heard from law enforcement officers that the shooter had an elevated position and was able to -- to fire at the -- the group there at this ICE
processing facility just before 7:00 A.M. local time.
But it's hard to figure out exactly at this point why law enforcement authorities are reluctant to describe who the victims are in -- in this
case. But from what we have heard, there were three people -- three victims shot. One of them has died. One of those being a detainee that was being
processed here at this ICE facility.
And just also kind of give you a sense of the background. This is a place where immigrants who are here in the U.S. illegally are -- are taken into
custody. And then from here sent off to other detention facilities, more long-term detention facilities. So this is a temporary processing center.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Ed Lavandera live in Dallas for us. Thank you.
Influential podcaster Joe Rogan, who is credited with helping Donald Trump win over young male voters is staunchly defending controversial comedian
Jimmy Kimmel. Rogan says it is just crazy for conservatives to support censorship.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE ROGAN, PODCASTER: First of all, I definitely don't think that the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or
cannot say in a monologue. That (BLEEP) is crazy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: crazy.
ROGAN: Now, if the -- the problem is the companies, if they're being pressured by the government, so if that's real, and if people on the right
are like, yes, go get them. Oh, my God, you're crazy. You're crazy for supporting this because this will be used on you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Jimmy Kimmel was back on T.V. Tuesday night, returning from a brief suspension amid pressure from the Trump administration.
In a heartfelt monologue, he called out the powers that would seek to censor free speech and the media.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!": And it's not just comedy. He's gunning for our journalists, too. He's suing them. He's bullying them.
They want to pick and choose what the news is. I know that's not as interesting as muzzling a comedian, but it's so important to have a free
press. And it is nuts that we aren't paying more attention to it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: So, how are Americans reacting to Jimmy Kimmel's return to television? Our chief data analyst Harry Enten is here with that story.
You will never be muzzled. Mark my words, Harry Enten. We should also note that not all Americans who had perhaps wanted to watch Jimmy Kimmel last
night had the opportunity to a number of those affiliate stations still did not take his program. Nonetheless, he was back after a brief suspension.
How are Americans viewing all of this, Harry?
HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes. I'd say I believe it's about 25 percent of the ABC affiliates were not on the air, Sinclair, Nexstar, et
cetera.
But let's look beyond the television ratings. We don't even have those yet, but what we do have is the massive amount of YouTube views for Jimmy
Kimmel's monologue last night. What are we talking about here?
[12:15:00]
Well, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" video views on YouTube. What we normally expect, the median in the last year is about 260,000 per "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" video
on YouTube. Look at how many views, Tues -- I mean, yes, wow, it's already, already 11 million.
And I took this number, you know, what was that, about 25 minutes ago, that number might even be higher now. I took it this morning and it was
something a little bit less than seven million. It gained four million over the course of just five hours.
And I will note, Bianna, that this is by far, by far, the most viewed Jimmy Kimmel video in the last year. And, of course, it was only put out, what
about 12 hours ago? And it's already up to 11 million? My goodness gracious. It's just huge, huge as the president might say on YouTube.
But, of course, it -- there was also the television aspect. And while we don't have the ratings yet, I expect that those ratings are going to be
quite, quite high. Why do I say that? Take a look here.
Record high Google searches for the phrase, what time is Jimmy Kimmel? Well, you wouldn't search that phrase unless, of course, you weren't used
to watching the program.
People who normally watch it know it's on 11:35 Eastern time. But get this, this number of Google searches, for what time is Jimmy Kimmel, up 10,000
percent.
So when we get those ratings later on, I expect them to be quite high despite the fact that only about three quarters of Americans could actually
watch it on their local ABC station.
Now, of course, this isn't just a story about ABC, right? It's a story about their owner Disney. And there were a lot of folks who were very upset
with Disney for taking Jimmy Kimmel off the air, even if it wasn't for that long of a period of time.
And I think what's so important to note here is Google searches versus last week's peak for boycotting Disney, down 75 percent. How about canceling
Disney Plus? Down again, about 75 percent.
So the people who are on Disney's back who are very upset with Disney for pushing Jimmy Kimmel aside for at least a little bit, their anger seems to
have subsided just a bit as Jimmy Kimmel as at least on YouTube, rocketed to what was at yearly high in terms of YouTube views for his monologue
already talking about 11 million, Bianna. My goodness gracious.
GOLODRYGA: Second, only to the number of YouTube clicks you get every single time viewers want to go back if they've missed your appearance on
our show, Harry Enten.
ENTEN: That is true, but I would say if we put up video of you running that marathon, I think they could go even higher. And yes, I was saving it. I'd
hope you bring this salvo to me and then I could hit it right back at you because the bottom line is I don't know how you run those marathons.
I had enough problems running back to the office for a hit that I didn't think was going to happen this morning. I came in drenched. You though, you
would have gotten there 20, 30 minutes ahead instead of like 10 minutes before like I did.
GOLODRYGA: No. I think people were searching for Harry Enten. I may have just been. Not Harry Enten, Harry Styles. You know, it's easy confused --
to confuse the two of you. Harry Styles ran a very nice race as well.
Harry Enten, Shana tovah to you, my friend. Good to see you.
Happy New Year. Thanks.
GOLODRYGA: All right.
Well, CNN has learned at least seven FEMA staffers who warned Congress that the agency was at risk are now being investigated by the Trump
administration. They are among the employees who signed a public letter last month saying the overhaul at the federal emergency management agency
was undermining emergency response capability or capacity and putting the public in danger.
Of more than 180 people who signed that letter, only 36 signed publicly. Some of those were put on leave immediately workers for -- lawyers for the
workers say FEMA's actions amount to intimidation and violate laws designed to protect whistleblowers.
Joining us now is a former press secretary for FEMA, Jeremy Edwards. Jeremy, welcome to the program.
So when you see this report about employees being asked to sign non- disclosure agreements during an internal investigation, how unusual is that practice? Was that ever done while you were serving as press secretary?
JEREMY EDWARDS, FORMER FEMA PRESS SECRETARY: Thanks for having me on the program. But before I get into that, I just want to thank the brave people
who signed on to this Katrina Declaration, knowing full -- full well that this type of retaliation was possible.
And I think to answer your question, that's not anything that I saw during my time at the agency. You know, but I do think that what we're seeing with
regards to this administration, this DHS, this FEMA is a clear pattern to intimidate career civil servants into submission for simply speaking out
about their concerns going into hurricane season and more broadly.
GOLODRYGA: And just to once again sum up for our viewers what had happened, there had been whistleblower complaints. And what the government did
instead of investigating those complaints was investigate the whistleblowers themselves.
Now, the agency says these NDAs don't supersede whistleblower protection. But in reality, does that, in your view, still have a chilling effect on
those who may have wanted to come forward?
[12:20:04]
EDWARDS: Yes, most definitely. I mean, there are people within the agency that I've talked to personally who have talked about the dysfunction that's
happening, the toxic workplace environment that they've been placing on this administration.
You know, we're talking about people who are subjected to lie detector tests and then unceremoniously march out of the building in front of their
colleagues, place on administrative leave, in an effort to silence them so that they could not speak out about the things they're hearing.
And I -- I think what's really alarming about all this is it shows where the administration's priorities are. You know, what we saw is in Texas, it
took them nearly 72 hours to get urban search and rescue teams into Texas to help find victims in the floods. But it took them less than 24 hours to
place these people who signed this letter on administrative leave. So I think it is a matter of priorities.
And real quickly, just going back to your segment that led -- led before this, I think this also demonstrates a broader effort of this
administration to silence to set. You know, we saw what happened with Mr. Kimmel and the FCC is threatening to revoke T.V. broadcast licenses for
political content he doesn't deem in the public interest.
We see Mr. Hegseth over at the Department of Defense restricting press access based on new rules that he just put into place.
So I think what's happening at FEMA fits into that mold of this administration not being able to accept criticism and doing everything in
their power to silence it.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. And this could have major impacts on Americans throughout their -- their lives in terms of the government perhaps not responding to
what these whistleblowers are sounding the alarm on when natural disasters strike their areas.
Jeremy Edwards, thank you so much. Really appreciate the time.
EDWARDS: Thanks for having me.
GOLODRYGA: Well, after the break, we'll tell you how the Trump administration's massive immigration crackdown in the U.S. is impacting
real families and separating some children from their parents.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: We want to take a closer look at the Trump administration's massive immigration crackdown. Since President Trump started his second
term in January, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that two million undocumented migrants have either been removed from the United
States or have been self-deported.
Among them are parents, some of whom have left behind their children with no friends or relatives to care for them.
[12:25:01]
CNN's Kyung Lah has one family story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYUNG LAH, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: What happened to mommy?
ANGELO PEREZ, MOTHER WAS DEPORTED TO HONDURAS: ICE took them.
LAH (voice-over): For more than a month, six-year-old Febe, nine- year-old Angelo, and 14-year-old Isaac have been in Galveston, Texas, separated from
the only parent they have. ICE arrested and deported their mother to Honduras. The siblings can explain they miss their mother. Why it's
happened is what they don't understand.
ISAAC PEREZ, MOTHER WAS DEPORTED TO HONDURAS: Do you know what ICE is? Say immigration.
A. PEREZ: Immigration?
LAH: Do you know what that means? Did you guys get to say goodbye?
FEBE PEREZ, MOTHER WAS DEPORTED TO HONDURAS: Yes.
A. PEREZ: Yes.
I. PEREZ: Those two did.
LAH: Did mommy say something?
F. PEREZ: I love you.
LAH (voice-over): Those were the last words they heard at home. Their mother's arrest was just the beginning of their goodbyes. The eldest,
Isaac, is leaving. He came to the U.S. at age eight and is undocumented, now self-deporting to join their mother in Honduras.
LAH: Your brother is leaving tomorrow?
A. PEREZ: Yes.
I. PEREZ: Don't cry. Don't cry. You are strong, don't cry.
LAH (voice-over): Febe and Angelo in limbo. They're different from Isaac and their mom. They were born here and are U.S. citizens.
Their mother is Kenia Perez, who raised the kids alone after her husband died during the pandemic. She fled Honduras 10 years ago and was detained
at the border. She was eventually released. She had a legal U.S. work permit, no criminal record, paid taxes, never missed an ICE check-in.
What's happening to citizen children like Febe and Angelo is unfolding across the country. CNN found more than 100 U.S. citizen children, many
through public GoFundMe pages, essentially orphaned in recent months because of ICE enforcement. No one is tracking these children and experts
say it's just the beginning.
Estimates show nearly two million citizen children live in households where both parents are undocumented, vulnerable to ICE's new immigration
enforcement. These children met their new reality on June 4th.
I. PEREZ: Like I woke up to like calls and texts on my phone. It was my mom. She was like, run -- like run away as far as she can. I jumped out the
window. I just kept running because I'm like, if I -- if I -- if I get taken too, there's not going to be a way for Angelo and Febe to like figure
out what's going on.
LAH (voice-over): Without their mother, the kids were left in the care of friends like Jeff Chaney.
JEFF CHANEY, FAMILY FRIEND: This is my first time ever coming here.
LAH (voice-over): Who Kenia had asked to become a temporary legal guardian for the children one day before she was picked up by ICE.
CHANEY: If you would've told me, no, they're going to get families too, I'd say you're crazy. That's not going to happen.
LAH: But it is happening.
CHANEY: No, it's happening. It's happening now. It's -- it's shameful. It's -- it's shameful what our nation has become.
LAH (voice-over): Today, Isaac is leaving the U.S. for Honduras. We're following him on his journey.
LAH: What is it like to leave your siblings behind?
I. PEREZ: I hate it because I know my brother is going to be scared, my sister is going to be scared.
LAH: What is it like to say goodbye to them?
I. PEREZ: I was crying. I didn't want to leave them. I thought I was going to go with them to Honduras.
LAH (voice-over): Isaac is flying alone. His younger siblings were supposed to join him, but since they don't have U.S. passports yet, they can't
legally fly out of the U.S.
I. PEREZ: I never thought I would leave.
LAH: Are you worried about your brother and sister too?
I. PEREZ: No. I never wanted to leave them behind. I wanted them to come with me but --
I'm here now.
KENIA PEREZ, DEPORTED TO HONDURAS: I love you. Thank you for coming.
I am happy but not complete.
LAH: You're not complete?
K. PEREZ: No. I need my two kids. My daughter today tell me, "Mom, I need a hug. I need a hug." No, it's not easy.
LAH (voice-over): Kenia now lives in San Pedro Sula, a city in the northern part of Honduras. This country tops Central America in its murder rate.
[12:30:02]
LAH: This is a working-class community that is heavily controlled by gangs. The big concern about her kids coming back to this community is that the
recruitment age for gangs is between 13 to 15.
Hello, Kenia.
K. PEREZ: Hello. Good meet you one more time.
OK.
LAH: Yep.
K. PEREZ: Welcome for my new room. This is the bed for baby Angelo and me. Probably Isaac go for my mother.
LAH: All three of you will sleep here?
K. PEREZ: Yes. Yes. I need my kids here, my daughter, my son. Not easy. Not easy to see for the camera. He tell me, "Mom, it's OK. It's OK." But, no,
it's OK. No, it's OK.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:35:04]
Welcome back to "One World." I'm Bianna Golodryga.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting now with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
It comes just one day after President Trump once again shifted his stance on Ukraine, now saying he believes Kyiv can reclaim land occupied by
Moscow.
That statement marks a dramatic U-turn from just last month when Donald Trump said that Ukraine would need to give up some territory to strike a
peace deal with Russia.
Joining us now to talk more about this is global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw. Michael, good to see you.
Wanted to get your reaction first to what we heard from President Zelenskyy at the United Nations just a couple of hours ago. He appealed for more
military aid and warned that, quote, we're entering the most destructive arms race in human history, pointing to drones, nuclear risks, and even
artificial intelligence.
Basically, summing up by saying this war has proven to be very costly, they're very appreciative for all the support and help, but continuing the
war would be even more costly in terms of just overall expenditure and obviously the human toll and the loss of human lives as well.
How effective do you think that speech was?
MICHAEL BOCIURKIW, GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Good to be with you, Bianna.
Pretty good, although I would have frankly been much more blunt. I'll let Donald Trump and said, you know what European leaders, wake up, smell the
coffee, because if Mr. Putin is allowed to go -- is allowed to take Ukraine and go further, he will, and that will be the end of Europe. It will not
only be the end of Ukraine, it will be the end of Europe.
And, Bianna, that was the clear, clear message I just got. I came out of a closed door briefing of experts and former U.S. military officials. And
they said the problem is a lot of European leaders just can't get into their heads that if Ukraine isn't given everything it needs to stop Mr.
Putin, that's the end of Europe.
The other thing quickly, I -- I wish he would have been a bit tougher on Mr. Trump, is that Mr. Trump still seems to think that Mr. Putin can be
charmed. He can't. He -- he can't be persuaded. He's not malleable. He wants all of Ukraine. So it -- it isn't looking good at the moment.
And, you know, a lot of the -- the problem, of course, that you well know is a lot of European allies do not have the wherewithal financially or
militarily just to flip the switch and send everything to Ukraine.
GOLODRYGA: Or politically as well. And it was interesting to hear President Zelenskyy spend a great deal of his speech talking about Moldova,
obviously, a very vulnerable --
BOCIURKIW: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: -- country given that it is not a member of NATO or the EU currently being protected essentially by Ukraine and saying that this is
where Putin has his sights on and set on. They have a critical parliamentary election coming up just this weekend.
BOCIURKIW: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: Maia Sandu, the country's democratically elected president warned that independence of Moldova and all of Europe is at risk here.
Dozens were arrested by what they said were Russian backed plotters trying to stir political violence and unrest ahead of these elections. What --
what did you make of that?
BOCIURKIW: Yes. Well, I go to Moldova a lot because I'm based in Odesa. In fact, border guards on both sides recognize me.
But the feeling I picked up from what she has said, but really crucially I think from people really in the know and (INAUDIBLE) now is that things are
not looking good at the moment.
You're absolutely right. The Russians have poured in millions and millions and millions. And it's not only the money, Bianna, it's also the
sophistication of their techniques that they've done in other countries, but now they're doing in Moldova big time. For example, paying people to
pose as reporters to get people to say things they want. And also really dominating platforms such as Facebook, which is really widely used in
Moldova and -- and TikTok.
So, we may see replay of what happened in Romania next door where someone gets through -- certain parties get through because they had the advantage
online.
The other thing Maia Sandu said to her speech to the European Parliament just a few weeks back is she said, unfortunately Europeans, your election
observation missions are not mission ready purpose fit for today's day and age.
Election observers come there just before the election. They document what's happened and they tell the world, but you have to be there a long
time before to catch these bad actors, what they're doing and then take steps to counter it. But we're not at that point right now, unfortunately.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. And Moldova recently being accepted, I guess, towards the pathway for E.U. acceptance.
At this point, though, much bigger hurdles for the country ahead with these elections, continued interference by Russia.
[12:40:02]
And as we noted, quite stunning that they are literally being protected by Ukraine as Ukraine continues to be on the receiving end of more and more
attacks by Russia.
What do you think if anything is going to come out of this meeting between Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov? I mean, it was Marco Rubio when asked
yesterday whether the U.S. or whether NATO allies in his view should strike down Russian aircraft. I think he sort of leaned towards no until the
president freelancing said yes that none of this would involve U.S. interference, but nonetheless, that was quite a change in tone from
President Trump.
Do you think that Marco Rubio has picked up some cues from that going into this meeting?
BOCIURKIW: Well, this is an interesting one, Bianna, because what also happened a few hours after Trump's speech where he said Ukraine should
regain everything it -- all -- all of its territory should win the war, Marco Rubio contradicted him and said, well, actually, this war will be
settled at the diplomatic table. Possibly indicating that the land swap thing is still in play.
I don't expect much to come out of this meeting. Mr. Lavrov AKA the marble (ph) man, has been at this game for a long, long time. What he's going to
do is just repeat the Russian narrative that, you know, it's Ukraine that is the problem. They're the one -- one -- one's bombing civilians and stuff
like that.
But there's something that neither Mr. Lavrov or Mr. Putin can control, it seems, and that is Ukraine's incredible use of drone technology with lots
of power -- fire power and lots of range to bomb the Russian war machine, the Russian economy, especially those petrochemical facilities.
I heard a figure in that closed door briefing, Bianna, about 25 percent of Russian capacity is gone. And, of course, that's what they rely on to fund
their war machine. And you're also hearing stories in the outer regions at least for now of long lineups at gas station.
So Ukrainians have done a great job in bringing the war to the doorsteps for ordinary Russians. Whether that will translate into persuading Putin
one way or the other to change his tactic, I -- I'm not so sure.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. Putin doubling down on war spending including on drone warfare of their own, as well building them at home as opposed to just
relying on Iran for those drones.
Michael Bociurkiw, thank you so much. Good to see you.
Well, London's mayor is hitting back at Donald Trump after being one of the many targets the U.S. president took aim at during his speech at the U.N.
General Assembly. And Sadiq Khan is not mincing words during his address to world leaders on Tuesday.
The U.S. president falsely claimed that London is moving towards Sharia law under the leadership of Khan. First Muslim to be elected mayor of the
British capital. Khan spokesperson responded by calling the comments appalling and bigoted.
And earlier, the mayor himself took this swipe at Trump and his policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADIQ KHAN, LONDON MAYOR: I think, you know, President Trump has shown he is racist. He is sexist. He is misogynistic and he's Islamophobic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he called you a terrible mayor as well. Are you a terrible mayor?
KHAN: Well, listen, I'm just thankful that we have record numbers of Americans coming to London. Since records began, there's not been a period
where more Americans would come to London. There must be a reason for that.
You look at a number of different criteria. We're often the number one city in the globe when it comes to culture, when it comes to foreign investment,
when it comes to sports, when it comes to the ability for people to fulfill their potential.
I'm really proud that we are the greatest city in the world long way that continue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: And this isn't a new spat. Trump and Khan have been trading barbs for nearly 10 years ever since Trump pledged to institute a travel
ban on a number of Muslim majority countries.
Well, the Pentagon is terminating a decades-old advisory committee that offered recommendations on how to support women serving in the military.
The group had previously made suggestions for a properly fitting body armor for women and appropriate healthcare.
The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth decided to eliminate the group because it, quote, focused on advancing a divisive feminist agenda
that hurts combat readiness.
Still to come for us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AIMEE TAKAHA, OWNER, AIMEE'S FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY: I saw a post on Facebook of this extraordinary cow running for her life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Mootilda ran away from the slaughterhouse and straight into the hearts of a woman who witnessed her dash for freedom. Still ahead, the
utterly heartwarming story -- our brilliant and creative writers have to thank for that -- of the cow who is getting now a second shot at life.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:20]
GOLODRYGA: Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries. Recent data shows that more than 70 percent of its population lives on less than $2.15
a day, placing it among the four lowest income nations on earth.
In the face of such challenges, one family run company stands out. In today's Africa Insider, Satemwa Tea Estate is rewriting the story of social
responsibility, sustainability and innovation in Malawi's tea industry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOUTER VERELST, MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SATEMWA TEA AND COFFEE ESTATE: The first commercial tea in Africa was planted in Malawi and grown
in Malawi. So there is a long, long tradition of Malawi tea.
ALEX KAY, DIRECTOR, SATEMWA TEA AND COFFEE ESTATE: We're a huge employer of people. And there's no tea without people.
VERELST: We were the first Fair Trade certified tea estate in Malawi, the first estate employing woman in the tea industry in Malawi. I think we are
very proud of that.
ALICE NDENYA, FACTORY MANAGER, SATEMWA TEA AND COFFEE ESTATE: My name is Alice Ndenya (INAUDIBLE). I'm the factory manager at Satemwa Tea Estate.
When I was joining Satemwa, I never had that mentality of me being -- me managing the whole factory. It feels more (INAUDIBLE). Having in mind that
someone else there is looking up to me to achieve what I've achieved.
VERELST: It's the second biggest income generator in Malawi, the tea industry. So it's still very important. But we see that currently in the
current commodity landscape for tea globally, there is a lot of tea in the system.
And there is -- the demand is not always following the same parts or the same speed as the production. So we encounter very low prices for tea. And
to keep sustainable, we decided about 20 years ago to diversify into speciality teas, tourism, herbals and speciality coffee.
And we try to keep on innovating to be ahead of -- of the challenges we are meeting.
FADSON MANDALA, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER, SATEMWA TEA AND COFFEE ESTATE: Primarily, Fair Trade comes with the Fair Trade Market, which brings Fair
Trade Premium, which are funds that will be used for projects that will benefit the workers for Satemwa and farmers, those that are coming from the
surrounding villages.
VERELST: It's not only about tea, it's about, yes, the nature. It's about the wildlife corridors that we have here. It's about the value addition we
try to do. It's -- yes, that makes it very unique.
[12:50:58]
MANDALA: The -- the surrounding community of workers are looked after by way of providing them with education for the children, medical care
services.
NDENYA: Previously, people would have walked from like 10 kilometers to access the next healthy facility.
KAY: So our vision is really to contribute towards improving living standards of the workers and the communities around us.
MANDALA: So the impact is -- is -- is quite huge.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: All right. Now to the story you've all been waiting for. A cow in Arizona made a daring dash for freedom from a local slaughterhouse and
it was all caught on camera.
The escapee dubbed Mootilda is seen on video escaping from the food processing plant just days before she was supposed to be killed. She ran
for miles before she was captured by police and returned.
But as Mickaela Castillo with our affiliate KPHO reports, Mootilda's story didn't end there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TAKAHA: And there's Mootilda. She's always close by Adorable.
MICKAELA CASTILLO, REPORTER, KPLC 7 NEWS (voice-over): Meet Mootilda, a cow that has quite the legendary story.
TAKAHA: The remarkable extraordinary Mootilda. She's amazing.
CASTILLO (voice-over): Last month, Aimee Takaha, owner of Aimee's Farm Animal Sanctuary in San Tan Valley, saw Mootilda's daring dash from a local
slaughterhouse.
TAKAHA: I saw a post on Facebook of this extraordinary cow running for her life.
CASTILLO (voice-over): Mootilda trotted for several miles without stopping. Only to be caught again and taken back to the meat processing plant.
But Mootilda's story didn't end there.
TAKAHA: I contacted the slaughterhouse and said I'd like to take her. She's extraordinary. She has a will to live.
CASTILLO (voice-over): The owner of the slaughterhouse gave Aimee 24 hours to raise $2,500 to save Mootilda. That's when she took to social media and
made a plea to save her from landing on a dinner plate. And within hours, Aimee says they surpassed their money goal.
TAKAHA: We raised the money. And I was so excited. It was -- I was -- you can say I was deeply moved. Very deeply moved.
CASTILLO (voice-over): Now Mootilda is living her best life running wild and free moving to greener pastures living at Aimee's Farm Animal
Sanctuary.
[12:55:05]
For Aimee and Mootilda, it's a bond that is utterly inseparable.
TAKAHA: I ran -- I try -- I would run away from home to escape my trauma. Yet, I was always brought back and had to endure it. So I related to her in
a way that she was trying to escape from being killed, her -- her trauma, to be brought back.
I-- I -- I feel that on a deep personal level. And it's so -- so important to me that I see that she thrives and is happy for -- for all of her
natural life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: And we are all deeply moved by that story. I had to do that.
All right. That does it for this hour of "One World." I'm Bianna Golodryga. Thanks so much for watching. "Amanpour" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:00:00]
END
