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One World with Zain Asher
Trump Welcomes Turkey's President Erdogan to the White House; Trump Administration Presents Gaza Peace Plan to Regional Leaders; Former French President Sarkozy Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison; DHS: One Detainee Killed, Two Injured in ICE Facility Shooting; Trump: Erdogan and I will Discuss F- 16s and F-35s; President Trump Meets with Turkish President Erdogan. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 25, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Turkey's President arrives at the White House with a multi-billion-dollar wish list. "One World" starts right
now. As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to sit down with his Turkish counterpart, Ankara is hoping to convince Washington to green light a key
weapon deal.
And a stunning downfall for France's Former President, a Paris court sentencing Nicholas Sarkozy to five years in prison. And drones disrupting
operations at an airport in Denmark for the second time in a week, we'll have a live report with the latest on the investigation. Hello, everyone.
Live from New York. I'm Bianna Golodryga. You are watching "One World".
Fighter jets and diplomacy are on the agenda for Donald Trump today. Any moment now, he'll be welcoming President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to
the White House. It is Erdogan's first trip to the White House in about six years. Then, according to Trump, they'll discuss Turkey's plan to buy F-16
and F-35 fighter jets, which he says will likely conclude positively.
The only wrinkle there are U.S. sanctions that Trump himself put in place during his last term over Turkey's acquisition of a Russian missile defense
system. The two men agree on Syria, with both the U.S. and Turkey backing the central government there. However, they disagree sharply on Israel's
attacks on Gaza, which Turkey calls a genocide.
Our Betsy Klein joins us live from the White House in Washington with more. So, Betsy as we're anticipating, this reunion, it's important to note that
while differences obviously are afoot between these two men on certain political issues, namely over Israel. They do genuinely like each other and
have gotten along in the past. What can we expect today?
BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Brianna, I think -- Bianna, I think back in during President Trump's first term, they described
this as a bromance between Presidents Trump and Erdogan. They share a very warm relationship, so when he welcomes him to the White House, any moment
now for a bilateral meeting.
We do expect that warm relationship to be on display. And we are expecting a warm welcome at the entrance to the West Wing. Any moment now, the two
leaders will then go into the Oval Office for more formal meetings where there is expected to be press coverage, and we'll be watching this closely
on a number of issues as you just laid out where they both are aligned, and not including the conflict in Gaza.
This comes just days after President Trump gathered with Arab and Muslim Leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations earlier this week, where he
and his Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, laid out a plan for Gaza. In that plan, the president stressed that the war needs to end
immediately.
He called for the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire. He said Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and they detailed what it
might look like to govern without Hamas. All of this before, President Trump is expected to host Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu here at
the White House this coming Monday.
But they do have some diverging views on this. And we heard as Erdogan addressed the United Nations in his remarks, this very stark statement, he
said, quote, anyone who fails to speak out and take a stand against the barbarity in Gaza shares responsibility for this atrocity.
We also expect Russia's war in Ukraine to be a diverging issue, in part because the president has been calling on NATO, countries of which Turkey
is a member, to stop buying Russian oil. Turkey, of course, is a major importer of Russian crude oil, but there are areas of alignment, as you
mentioned, including Syria.
They both support this post Assad regime. Erdogan is also expected to press President Trump to allow his country to buy F-35 fighter jets. That's
something that's been very critical to him, key point of tension. And the President Trump, has indicated that he could be open to that. He said in a
post to social media that he expects that that could conclude positively.
He will also highlight a multibillion-dollar purchase of Boeing fighter jets. They are expected to discuss trade. And as you mentioned, this is the
first time that President Erdogan has been welcomed to the White House in about six years. During the Biden Administration, there was a cooling in
relations, in part due to concerns over human rights abuses, as well as some backsliding on democracy.
So, President Trump and President Erdogan back together. This will be a very closely watched moment Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: We will indeed be watching it closely. Betsy Klein, thank you.
[11:05:00]
Let's get some more perspective on the U.S. Turkey relationship. We're joined by Steven Cook. He's a Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at
the Council on Foreign Relations. Steven, it is good to see you. So, as we've noted, Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 over its
purchase over Russia, S-14 -- S400 systems, as we heard President Trump allude to the fact that that could change today.
How likely do you think that is? And you have sanctions standing in the way. Sanctions, we should note that the president supported during his
first term. Are we likely to hear from Congress if the president does decide to bring them back into that program?
STEVEN COOK, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES, CFB: Indeed, a number of members of Congress have sent a letter to the president warning
him to be careful in negotiations with Erdogan. It's clear that President Erdogan is after the F-35. The sanctions were part of the National Defense
Authorization Act, essentially forced the president's hand, and it will take an act of Congress to lift those sanctions.
So, although the president may be positively disposed towards letting the Turks out of the F-35 jail, Congress is another story. It will be,
certainly it will be a fight. What we know from the president's track record, though, is he's often gotten from the Republican controlled
Congress what he wants.
GOLODRYGA: Erdogan has already paid over $1 billion for these jets. He's also going to argue that it's unfair to punish a NATO ally, especially at
such a pivotal time right now, in the midst of two major wars going on. One not so far away, and talking about the war in Ukraine there, given where
Turkey is uniquely positioned.
At the same time, the S400 purchases is something that all other NATO countries have said is a deal breaker, aside from U.S., Congress. Do you
see this as any leverage that he may have these two arguments, that he's already spent over a billion dollars and that he's a NATO member, and that
should be allowed?
COOK: Well, the fact that he spent a billion dollars and is a NATO member is immaterial to the fact that he bought an S400 system that was
specifically designed to shoot down NATO aircraft. And in fact, when the Turks took delivery of the S400, the Turkish press, which is mostly
controlled by the government in Turkey, had headlines and graphics showing which NATO aircraft that the S400 could shoot down.
The Turks are going to have to give up the S400 for them to get back into the F-35 program. At least that's what the sanctions say, and that's what
leading members of Congress have said so far.
GOLODRYGA: Do you think that's what they'll do ultimately? I mean, do the president will just say, listen, this will be easy for us to sign, seal and
deliver. You just get rid of the S400s.
COOK: Well, the Turks have been looking for a creative way to get rid of the S400. They recent conversations about selling the S400 back to the
Russians, but it is a deal breaker. Those the existence of them, even though they haven't been uncrated or put into operation, the very existence
of them on Turkish territory purchased by a NATO ally, is the reason why Turkey is not in the F-35 program.
GOLODRYGA: Let's move on to some other issues of alignment between these two leaders and these two countries, specifically over Syria right now,
they're more aligned over Syria than they have been in years, both backing the post Assad government there with Al Shiraz, the Interim Leader.
How durable is this alignment, in your view, especially with Turkey's red line over Kurdish autonomy, and that is something that the president is
getting a lot of pressure from, as you know, from members of Congress as well.
COOK: Yeah, I think that the administration's preferred path here is to essentially say we support the change in Damascus and let the regional
partners, the Turks, the Saudis, the Emiratis and others, work out the problems and the political system in in Syria.
Right after Bashar Assad fell in December 2024 before the president was even inaugurated, he said, this isn't our fight. And that can be
interpreted as look, from his perspective, trying to engineer Syrian politics from so far away is not a good use of American resources.
And I think that remains his position, which is why he has looked to President Erdogan and other leaders in the region, notably Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, to play an important role in Syria's reconstruction.
But as you point out, they have hit a snag because there are minority concerns in Syria with the new leadership, specifically coming from the
Kurds. And the Kurds have their friends in Congress, and that's where pressure is coming on the administration to find some formula and to
negotiate some formula that would peacefully integrate Kurds into new Syrian political institutions.
[11:10:00]
GOLODRYGA: And yet the defining fault line between Ankara and Washington is Gaza. Erdogan at the U.N. this week calling Israel's war in Gaza a
genocide. How might these starkly different positions on Israel complicate the relationship and the conversation were expected between these two
leaders.
Or do you think that perhaps we'll see Trump do what he did with Keir Starmer publicly before the press last week and say this is one of the few
issues we'll disagree to disagree on?
COOK: It strikes me that both leaders want this White House encounter to go well. I think that President Erdogan has long been extremely critical of
Israel. His reference to genocide, his support for Hamas over many years is nothing new. And so, because of that, and there's nothing that the United
States seems to be able to do to move the Turks away from their support for Hamas.
I think they're going to try to avoid that conversation. Perhaps the president will say, well, I disagree that of course, President Erdogan
sometimes doesn't have the -- never misses an opportunity to get into it with other world leaders. But I think he has a lot at stake here,
especially the president's support on F-35 so I'm expecting that they will try to avoid that issue as much as possible.
GOLODRYGA: Can I just quickly ask you Erdogan's hold of power and his -- how he's received within Turkey right now? Obviously, he has been called an
autocrat by many. He is what many describe as an original populist and also has really struggled, not only with numerous coups attempts over the last
several years, but also an economy that has really bore the brunt of inflation and other issues. How is his standing right now at home?
COOK: Well, Erdogan has essentially consolidated his power and is Turkey's strongman. There are elections in Turkey, but President Erdogan has
overseen a slide into authoritarianism and Islamism in Turkey. Along with that, he has done a lot of damage to the Turkish economy through his
populism, most notably in the previous decade or so, he has pursued low interest rates, which has fueled inflation.
Now that some of that has come under control recently, but still, there's been tremendous amount of damage to the Turkish economy. Yet he remains a
relatively popular, strong man. His last presidential election was contested. It went into two rounds, but by all measures, he did win that
election fairly and squarely.
What he is doing now is undermining and arresting the leadership of the main opposition party as he looks forward to elections in 2028. Elections
that he's not supposed to stand for because he will have already served out his two terms, but he's clearly looking to change that so he can stay in
office forever.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, and hence the democratic backsliding that the Biden Administration had pointing to and wanting to avoid furthering relations
between Biden and Erdogan. But today will be quite a reunion. I guess we'll see any moment now, between President Trump and President Erdogan of
Turkey. Steven Cook, thank you so much. Good to see you.
COOK: Thanks, Bianna, good to see you.
GOLODRYGA: Well, our wounds are deep and our calamity is great. Those were the remarks for the Palestinian Authority, President to the U.N. General
Assembly just a short time ago. Mahmoud Abbas says Israel's aggression in Gaza would go down in history as quote one of the most horrific chapters of
humanitarian tragedy in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The 89-year-old Leader said Palestinians have been facing destruction, starvation and displacement for nearly two years. Abbas addressed the U.N.
by video because the Trump Administration refused to grant him a visa to travel to New York. He also condemned the Hamas attacks of October 7th,
saying the targeting of Israeli citizens and hostage taking do not represent the Palestinian people or their struggle for freedom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT: We want a modern civilian state that is free of violence, weapons and extremism. One that respects
law, human rights and invests in people, development, technology and education, not in wars and conflict.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Abbas' remarks come just two days after the U.S. unveiled a new peace plan for Gaza. Donald Trump shared his vision with Leaders of Arab
and Muslim majority countries, including Turkey's President, Erdogan.
On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, diplomats say regional leaders made suggestions on what they want included in any proposal,
including, according to sources, some of the 21 points in the U.S. plan a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, a framework for how Gaza can
be governed without Hamas and Israel's gradual withdrawal from the Enclave.
[11:15:00]
And separately, French President Emmanuel Macron said, Mr. Trump agrees that any Israeli plan to annex the West Bank would be a red line for
Washington. Let's bring in our Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Oren Liebermann. So, we heard from Mahmoud Abbas. We're expecting to hear from Prime Minister
Netanyahu tomorrow.
He is already on his way to New York for his presentation and speech at the United Nations that will be followed by a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet
with President Trump. Oren I'm wondering how Israel and how this government is responding to this 21-point plan for peace?
If -- from what you're hearing, it's something that Prime Minister Netanyahu has signed off on as well. And the announcement from President
Trump that there will be no annexation of the West Bank, this was clearly something that Prime Minister Netanyahu was holding off on making any
decisions about until he heard from President Trump.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: We haven't seen a lot of politicians weigh in, not from the left or from the right, and that's
because they're waiting for exactly what we're waiting for the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump.
Yes, there is Netanyahu speech at the U.N. within 24 hours. Netanyahu just touched down in New York a short time ago. But it's not that speech where
the important decisions will be made. It's between Trump and Netanyahu.
Trump effectively sets the limits and gives the green light to whatever it is that he will allow Netanyahu to do when it comes to retaliatory measures
for the number of states, including France, the UK, Australia and others that have formally and officially recognized a State of Palestine.
Netanyahu's far right coalition partners are pushing for annexation for all or parts of the occupied West Bank. There are now growing signals from
French President Emmanuel Macron and from the U.S. Administration, that that's either off the table, or at least mostly off the table.
The key question here is Netanyahu gets one more chance to try to convince Trump of whatever he wants to convince him of, so maybe Netanyahu will see
what he can get in that direction, or he shifts and looks for something else. The key point here, though, is that it's that Monday meeting where
everything is focused.
It was the French President who said to French media, after speaking with Trump, that annexation was a red line. That's also one of the points the
Arab states tried to make when they met with the Trump Administration, when the administration put forward its 21-point peace plan.
There was a lot of overlap there, which, at least in principle, is a good thing in terms of the release of the hostages the end of the war, post war
governance. But the Arab states also talked about more humanitarian aid, stopping any form of annexation, maintaining the status quo in Jerusalem.
U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff also said there might be a breakthrough in the coming days. We've heard that promise before, so there's very good reason
to be skeptical here about any major developments in the coming days. And the crucial point here Bianna is that there is no diplomatic track for a
breakthrough to occur on, right?
Qatar is not hosting talks after the Israeli strike in Doha targeting Senior Hamas Leaders. So, it's not clear where this breakthrough would
come. But crucially, especially after the U.N. General Assembly, the topic of Gaza a ceasefire the West Bank, those are back, perhaps not at the top
of the international agenda, but they're clearly back on it now.
GOLODRYGA: Right. And as the majority of countries have publicly come out, if they haven't already in recognition of a Palestinian State. It is
notable that both Israel and President Trump the United States are saying that that recognition now only emboldens Hamas and perhaps prolongs the war
from coming to an end as well. Oren Liebermann, good to see you. Thank you so much.
And still to come for us, a stunning fall from grace in France, Former President Nicolas Sarkozy is heading to prison after being found guilty of
conspiracy. We'll have details straight ahead. Plus, European Leaders divided over what to do about what they said about repeated Russian
incursions and what President Trump said to reporters about just that. We'll have the details ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
GOLODRYGA: A stunning downfall and a historic first in France for an influential figure in right wing politics. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy
has been found guilty of conspiracy and sentenced to five years in prison for a plot to finance his 2007 campaign with funds from the government of
the Late Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi.
And in major surprise, the Paris court ruled Sarkozy must go to jail, even if he appeals. Sarkozy, who has been on trial since January and has denied
all wrongdoing, lashed out at what he's calling politically motivated case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLAS SARKOZY, FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT: What happened in this courtroom of the correctional court of Paris is in extreme gravity for the rule of
law and for the confidence we place in the justice system. I would assume my responsibilities. I will comply with any summons to appear in court, and
if they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison, but with my head raised high, I am innocent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: No Former French President has ever spent time behind bars. CNN's Melissa Bell joins me now live from Paris. And Melissa, this is not
Sarkozy's first conviction, not even his first prison sentence, but the first time where he will actually be forced to go to prison directly.
We heard him continuing to say, standing by his wife there, that he is an innocent man, but put into perspective for us, the magnitude of this moment
and exactly what he was charged and convicted of?
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a huge deal in France Bianna, because never before had a president been sent physically
to jail, even when he received you mentioned a couple of convictions he's had already, even when he'd received a prison sentence back in 2021 when he
was found guilty of having bribed a judge back in 2014 he was allowed to serve out his sentence at home wearing an electronic bracelet.
So, this is very different, since we're going to have that image of a former president actually behind bars, and that is something quite new and
very surprising here on the French political scene, where there had always been the sense of impunity for former heads of state and Nicola Sarkozy has
faced a number of legal challenges.
This arguably, was always the most serious. What it had to do with Bianna was allegations that in 2005 when he was still France's Interior Minister,
he had sought out Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, looking for funds with which he then financed his winning 2007 presidential bid. And what he was found
guilty of today was that conspiracy to plot.
So, he did they -- he was found guilty of that plot. And what the judge decided was not simply that he was had been found guilty on that charge,
cleared on a couple of others, but that, interestingly, no matter what the appeal, and as you say, he's already announced that he will appeal, he will
serve time in jail.
What's going to happen now Bianna is that he will find out on October 13th exactly when that prison sentence is going to start, but it will be a
startling image, and it comes in the context, I think it's important to note also, of another very high-profile legal case ongoing at the moment
here in France.
[11:25:00]
You'll know that the far-right Marine Le Pen is appealing a ban on her running for office for five years that was concluded at the end of her
trial, where she was accused found guilty rather of having embezzled European funds. So, you've got two very high-profile court cases here in
France that have gone against either former presidents or would be future presidents, since she hopes to stand in 2027.
And have come out very forcefully against them, with the French judiciary really showing that it is willing to hold all to account, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: Never a dull moment in that city or country where you are right now. Melissa, you're one of our hardest working correspondents, covering
every single angle coming out of France, and they are coming out hot and fast. All right. Thank you so much, Melissa good to see you.
BELL: It never stops.
GOLODRYGA: No, it doesn't. All right, well, turning now to breaking news and a potential watershed moment here in the U.S., in what President
Trump's critics say is a campaign of retribution. Sources say the Department of Justice could decide today whether to indict former FBI
Director James Comey. Those sources tell CNN Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal prosecutors have concerns about the case against Comey.
Federal prosecutors are examining whether Comey lied to Congress in 2020. He maintains that he was truthful under oath. Democratic critics have long
accused Comey of tipping the 2016 election to Trump for his controversial decision to disclose the reopening of an investigation into Hillary
Clinton's e-mails just days before voters cast their ballots.
Since then, the Former FBI Director has become a top critic of Trump and one of the presidents and -- one the president has repeatedly attacked and
accused of wrongdoing. The possible Comey indictment isn't the only threat the Trump Administration could carry out very soon.
The White House is also telling federal agencies to prepare for mass firings if lawmakers fail to get a funding deal done by the September 30th
deadline, if not, the U.S. government is set to shut down at midnight on Tuesday.
Well, right now, both sides still seem to be far apart, and Democrats are standing firm on their health care demands. The Senate Minority Leader is
calling the White House memo threatening to fire rather than furlough workers who aren't -- who aren't line with the president's agenda, an
attempt at intimidation. We'll continue to follow this story.
Still up next for us on "One World", a deadly shooting at an immigrant detention center. We'll have more on the suspected shooter and a potential
motive in the attack. Plus, unauthorized drones in NATO airspace the investigation into who's involved and what member countries are saying
about it. That story just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
GOLODRYGA: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Bianna Golodryga in New York. Here are some international headlines we're watching today. Donald Trump is
sitting down with Turkey's President at the White House. President Erdogan is expected to work out a deal for F-35 fighter jets and 200 commercial
planes, but they'll have to deal with the current sanctions in place to prevent that.
They'll likely also discuss the situation in Gaza, on which the two men have differing views. Trump and Erdogan also diverge on the subject of
Russian oil. Trump wants Europe to stop buying it, but Russia is Turkey's largest supplier of gas imports.
The U.S. is also unveiling a new 21-point peace plan for Gaza. Donald Trump shared his vision with the leaders of Arab and Muslim majority countries on
the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Sources say it includes a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages, among other things.
Diplomats say regional leaders made suggestions on what they want included in any proposal. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is heading to
prison after being convicted of criminal charges. The 70-year-old was found guilty of conspiracy in a plot to seek 2007 campaign funds from Libya's
government. Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years behind bars, has denied any wrongdoing.
U.S. investigators are trying to figure out why a shooter fired at an immigration detention facility in Dallas, Texas, yesterday? The Department
of Homeland Security says the gunman began firing indiscriminately at the ICE building Wednesday, killing one detainee and seriously injuring two
others while the victims were detainees.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the shooter apparently wanted to harm ICE officers. The suspected shooter was found dead at the scene
from what authorities say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. President Trump has blamed the attack on, quote, radical left Democrats. CNN's
Priscilla Alvarez is tracking the investigation and what we know about the suspect. So, some 24 hours later, Priscilla, what have we learned?
PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bianna, we're learning a little bit more from the FBI Director Kash Patel, who, earlier this morning,
posted on X some of their findings in this ongoing investigation. Let me read to you four specific points that the FBI Director makes.
He says that the suspected shooter downloaded a document titled quote, Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management that
contained a list of DHS facilities. The director goes on to say that the shooter conducted multiple searches of ballistics and the quote Charlie
Kirk shot video in late September.
Goes on to say that in around mid-August, the shooter searched apps that tracked the presence of ICE agents. And one of the handwritten notes were
covered, according to the director, read, hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror to think. Quote, is there a sniper with rounds on that
roof? Now, the FBI Director, who outlined what they have found in this ongoing investigation also notes or says that it indicates a high degree of
pre attack planning.
Now, up until this point, all that we had was that the FBI Director said and showed a photo of shell casings, one of which said anti-ICE on the
casings. The Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem similarly citing the ramped-up attacks on ICE personnel and ICE facility as again, the
investigation and ongoing questions about the motive are ongoing. Take a listen to what she told CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTI NOEM, U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The indication and the evidence that has been revealed to the public so far indicates that it is
someone who is very much against our ICE officers and the work that they were doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ALVAREZ: So, Bianna, there are still ongoing questions here. And this is an ongoing investigation, so there may be more that is revealed about the
motivations of the suspected shooter, or not, as you mentioned, he died yesterday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after this shooting
took place.
[11:35:00]
So, this is still something that investigators are looking for. And again, those who were shot in this incident were immigrant detainees, one of whom
died, two of which we were last told, were in critical condition still.
GOLODRYGA: Priscilla Alvarez reporting live from Washington. Thank you. Police in Denmark are confirming the unauthorized drones flying in its
airspace are now gone. Those drones caused Aalborg Airport in Northern Denmark to temporarily shut down Wednesday. Police are investigating drone
reports near at least three other airfields yesterday and today.
Similar sightings forced airports closures in Copenhagen and in the Norwegian City of Oslo earlier this week. Europe has been on high alert
since Russia breached NATO airspace last week. The Danish Prime minister suggested Russia could be at it again. Moscow is denying any involvement.
Joining me now is CNN Producer Sebastian Shukla. Sebastian, what more are we learning about these drones shutting down airports and Russia continuing
deny any involvement?
SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN PRODUCER: Yeah, that's right. Bianna, what we're hearing from the Danes is that they have called this a hybrid attack, and
that it bears the hallmarks of what took place in other European and NATO nations earlier this week and this month, in particular Romania and Poland.
But what the Danish authorities are not doing is saying yet, who exactly is behind this? They're leaving that open to a little bit more speculation.
But what they have said is that this is clearly the work of a professional actor. Those are the words of the Danish authorities.
And the words that the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has used is the suggestion that potentially Russia could be behind this. The Russian
Embassy in Denmark Bianna, we should note, has said that it is an absolutely absurd speculation to think that Russia has anything to do with
these recent violations of Danish airspace and also these airports in particular.
But taking a step back Bianna, I think it's important to look at what we're seeing in Europe more generally at the moment, which is clearly a button
pushing, a testing of limits, a pushing of the line by actors, state actors, in this case, and in a couple of instances, appears to be Moscow as
testing NATO's resolve.
And it's forcing other European and NATO nations to sit up and take note. I want you to take a listen, in particular, to what the German Defense
Minister had to say about that today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS PISTORIUS, GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER: It comes as no surprise, even if my colleague Mette Frederiksen in Denmark obviously cannot say anything
where these drones come from. The suspicion is obvious. This is part of Vladimir Putin's strategy, without us being able to say anything concrete
in this case, as I said.
But it is part of what we experience every day. We are not at war, but we also no longer a complete peace. We are being attacked hybridly in
disinformation campaigns and now also by drones. That is the reality we are facing and dealing with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SHUKLA: And so, there we have the German Defense Minister saying today that these nations and all nations are being tested. And what the Defense
Minister, Boris Pistorius, actually said there he echoed yesterday in the Bundestag here in Berlin, where he said German frigates alongside Swedish
ones in the Baltic Sea, operating there in a training exercise, had also been surveilled by Russian reconnaissance drones.
All of this is bringing us to the point, though, Bianna aware Article IV this long unknown piece of the U.N. NATO, piece of the NATO charter, is
raising its head and is becoming considered to be implemented and action more often, where these nations are effectively saying that they want to
bring the council together to be able to talk about these actions and how they should respond as one voice.
The problem, the issue is lots of these nations also, though, are considering what they do. How do they combat it? Shooting down a Russian
drone, if indeed they are Russian, is a whole other kettle of fish altogether, and opens up a can of worms that many European nations may just
not want to go down. But it is clear that there is now a systematic campaign going on across different parts of Europe, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, it's a subject of major conversation here at the U.N. General Assembly as well, that is for sure. Sebastian Shukla, thank you so
much reporting for us, live from Berlin. And still to come for us, while Tropical Storm Umberto has people along the U.S. East Coast concerned a
nearby disturbance has forecasters on heightened alert. Meteorologist has the very latest.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
GOLODRYGA: All right, we want to take you to the White House now, where President Trump is meeting with Turkish President Erdogan.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: -- uses a lot of our equipment, and it's an honor to have him at the White House. We're
going to have a lunch together. We're going to have a discussion, big discussion. We do a lot of trade with Turkey, and we're going to continue,
we're going to do some additional trade.
They want to buy F-16s, F-35s and some other things. And we're going to talk to them about that. And we're just going to have, I think, a very
interesting couple of hours. We're going to get a lot done, but I have great respect for this man, and we've had a very good relationship for a
long time.
If you remember, he led pastor Brunson. He freed Pastor Brunson. Pastor Brunson was put in jail for 35 years before I got there. This was a group
that should have stopped it, and the president, after I called him, released him, which was a great thing for our Christian community, our
evangelical community. The evangelicals really, really wanted that.
It was very important to him. So, I always remembered that. But he released him from 35 years in prison, and Pastor Brunson now is healthy, happy and
well. We're very happy about that. But it's a great honor to have the President of Turkey with us. And how are you?
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, TURKISH PRESIDENT: Fine.
TRUMP: say a few words, great guy.
ERDOGAN: Thank you. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
[11:45:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, to first Mr. President, I am very pleased that this visit actually coincides with the 80th UNGA. So, I am very pleased to
be here with my colleagues and friends. And as we have said, during the first term of your presidency, and during your second term, we are able to
carry Turkey and U.S. relations to a much different level and process.
And as you said, we have an opportunity here today to be able to discuss some of the issues regarding the F-35 the F-16 and also the hot pot case.
And we will have an opportunity to thoroughly discuss them. And based on what you have mentioned regarding the haven out of school, we are ready to
do whatever we can. That falls on our part.
And I will, when I get back, try to discuss this issue with the esteemed Mr. Barfolomos, to discuss how we can move forward on that.
TRUMP: OK, very good. I would like to be able to do this. The Greek Orthodox Church was here, and they would really like to have some help.
They need some help. And I said I'd mention it. We appreciate it. So, this is a tough man. This is a guy who's highly opinionated.
Usually, I don't like opinionated people, but I always like this one. But he's a tough one. And he does an amazing job in his country. And we've had
tremendous relationships, both having to do with war and having to do with trade, and I guess today we're talking about both. I'd like to have him
stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues this rampage against Ukraine.
And they've been fighting. They've lost millions of lives already, and for what you know, for what disgraceful. And I said yesterday, let it keep
going, because their economy is absolutely terrible right now. And I think it's -- I think it's a shame that they're doing that, killing a lot of
people unnecessarily.
7818 people were killed last week, mostly military people. They're people and Ukrainians. More Russians actually, than Ukraine, a little bit more,
but it's such a waste of human life, and so he ought to stop. Putin ought to stop. And with that, we'll get to a little bit of a discussion.
We're going to make some great trade deals for both countries. We do a lot of business with Turkey. They build great products. They build beautiful,
great products, really fantastic manufacturers, and we buy a lot from them, and they buy a lot from us. Would you have any questions please?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- called out Obama and Biden Administration for their stupid decisions. One example you gave was a refusal to sell the patriot
missile defense systems to Turkey, which resulted in the explosion of the country from their certified program. Now you are known to be a great deal
maker in Turkey. What can you do to undo this through painting, yes.
TRUMP: CNN, because you sounded like a nice guy, but CNN is fake news. But you sound like the real deal to me. So, I'll answer the question. We're
going to be discussing the patriot system, which is the best system. We'll discuss that. We're going to discuss the F-35.
We'll be discussing all of the things that you know about, and that some of that you mentioned. And I think he'll be successful with buying the things
he'd like to buy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).
TRUMP: Well, we'll have to see. I have to -- we haven't even started yet. But I know he wants -- he wants the F-35 and he's wanted that, and we're
talking about that very seriously, and the F-16, were in great shape. Certain other things he needed, as you know, and I'm going to see to it
that we get that to him. He needs certain things, and we need certain things. And we're going to come to a conclusion. You'll know by the end of
the day. Go ahead, please.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible).
ERDOGAN: (FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
TRUMP: I haven't learned this language yet. What did he say?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The gentleman is asking, Mr. President, you have referred to President Trump's peace efforts, and you have also contact with
many leaders in the region. And what do you think that you can do about this? And Mr. President has said that, yes, I believe in the peace efforts
that President Trump is leading, and together, we will be able to overcome the challenges in the region.
TRUMP: I think it's true. He's got tremendous influence in the region. Yeah, please.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, when are you planning to lift Qatar sanctions, against sanctions against Turkey?
TRUMP: Sanctions against Turkey? Could, be very soon.
[11:50:00]
We have a good meeting, almost immediately.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- removing tariffs on U.S. goods, and what impact it would be in U.S. production.
TRUMP: Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Turkey.
TRUMP: Actually, we have a lot of people from Turkey here, because I like the questions very much. Actually, they're very nice questions. We'll see
you about tariffs. We're going to be talking about tariffs.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you are going to remove that?
TRUMP: Well, we're going to be talking about that.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How even if not all NATO countries stop purchasing Russian oil?
TRUMP: We're going to be seeing about that. The NATO countries were disappointing in that regard, but they've been very amazing in other ways.
They did, as you know, they went from 2 percent to 5 percent GDP, and that's a big step, and it's paid. I mean, they have the money there.
We're selling a tremendous amount of military equipment to NATO. We're selling. We're not giving, like Biden did. We're selling it to NATO, and
it's a lot. They're buying a lot. And I assume they're giving it to Ukraine. They could buy it for other reasons too, but I assume they're
giving most of it to Ukraine.
But they're buying highly sophisticated weaponry. And they're paying for its full price, and that's how we're involved. Biden gave $350 billion
look; this war would have never started if I were president. if I were president, this war would never be happened, would have never happened.
Yeah.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you on the same page Mr. Erdogan, for Palestine, Israel?
TRUMP: Well, I don't know his stance. I can't tell you about that. I just say that we want to get Gaza up with. I had a great meeting with the
Leaders of that area, of that region, generally speaking, the Middle East. We had a great meeting the other day at UNGA, as you know, and I think
we're -- I think we're close to getting some kind of a deal done.
Yeah, we want to -- we want to get the hostages back. I have to get the hostages back. We're the ones that got the hostages, all of them that we
have now. But it looks like there are 20 living hostages and probably 38 or so dead hostages, pretty sad.
And the parents of those dead souls, those dead mostly men, boys, many cases, like literally boys. They want those bodies back so badly, as much
as though they were alive. And so, we had a -- we had a very good meeting with the representatives of the most powerful countries in the Middle East.
And I think we're going to be close to a deal.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, we noticed that in the Ukrainian war and during the Israeli Iran war, the airspace of the NATO countries is very
fragile, and it needs to be stronger. And in that sense, Turkey being the second largest army in NATO, it needs to support its Air Force and Air
Defense. How do you look at this issue in general, as a nation?
TRUMP: We're in NATO, and you know, they're paying now 5 percent of GDP. Nobody thought that was possible, and they agreed to that six months ago,
when I was there. And the relationship is very good. The NATO countries, I mean, with us is the strongest it's ever been.
We used to complain that they're paying 2 percent but they're not paying. The United States was paying almost everything, and now they're paying 5
percent and they paid, and that's trillions of dollars. You know, we're talking about trillions of dollars. And they're spending that, giving that
money to us, and we are giving them great defensive, you know, the patriots and all of the different javelins, all the different missile systems and
everything else that they want.
But it's a -- you know, it's trillions of dollars. So, we appreciate that they did that. So, they went from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP. And that
was something that nobody even would bring up. Biden should have brought it up a long time ago, because under Biden, we paid $350 billion and all it
did is make things worse. So, we'll see.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Turkey fighter jets F-35s?
TRUMP: We're talking about the fighter jets for Turkey. Yes, we are.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible) we going to see any studies going to be taken today about the issue, about the things are going on in the Gaza
Palestine?
TRUMP: It could be today. Yeah, could be today. We have a very strong dialog going on with the Saudi Arabia with -- I would say, you have four or
five real leaders that are being good.
[11:55:00]
As you know, I met with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE. We met with Jordan. The King of Jordan was there. We had -- we had great -- we had a really great
meeting. I think a lot was determined at that meeting. And I have to meet with Israel, and I have to do that also.
They know what I want. And we think -- I think we can get that one done. I hope we can get it done. A lot of people are dying, but we want the
hostages back. We don't want them back, one this week, one and two months from now, three later. And you know, like the way it's been going.
We got them all back. We got a lot of them back. We got our American -- the American Alexander. We got the American hostages back. But we have now 20
plus, 38 bodies, dead bodies, and we want them all back. We want to back at one time.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).
TRUMP: Do I think what?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).
TRUMP: I don't know if he'll help in that. I don't really think we have. I don't think it will be necessary in this case. I think we're going to be in
a pretty good position. There are a lot of people that want that done. I met with great leaders. Look over you saw the people that were there and
great leaders.
Egypt was also represented. We met with the leaders of that part of the world, and they want to see if they can get something done. And I'm going
to have to tell Israel, let's go. We want to get the hostages back. They want -- everybody wants to see that war over with, by the way, everybody.
So, we're going to see what happens.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, how do you see a joint initiative with President Erdogan to bring the President of Russia, Putin and President
Zelenskyy with Israel --
TRUMP: Well, I can tell you that President Erdogan is very respected by both of them. Everybody respects Erdogan. They really respect Erdogan. I
do, and I think he could have a big influence if he wants to. Right now, he's very neutral. He likes being neutral. So, do I like being neutral.
But he's somebody that, if he got involved -- the best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia. If he didn't -- if he did that, that would
be probably the best thing he knows Putin, like I know Putin. I thought Putin, I settled, as you know, seven wars. And it's probably more than
that, if you really want to know the real facts.
But seven wars, and I thought this would be among the easier ones to settle but I'm very disappointed in Putin. And he's been fighting hard. He's been
fighting long, and they lost millions. They lost like a million soldiers, and you know, they've with all of the heavy bombardment over the last two
weeks, they've gained almost no land.
Think of that. They've gained almost no land. And I'm not going to ever call anybody a paper tiger, but Russia spent millions and millions of
dollars in bombs, missiles, ammunition, and lives, their lives and they've gained virtually no land. I think it's time to stop. I really do.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- a few months ago, you met with --
TRUMP: To where?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You met with Aliyev -- Azerbaijan President Aliyev and -- can you follow up on what you want to say about current --?
TRUMP: No, I can't. I just.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President.
TRUMP: I like this guy. I like him. He's from CNN, fake news, the worst fake news. But I like him.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- two countries last decade. And you said the future of Syria is in Erdogan's hands back in I think December and January. And the
countries are in the process of integrating retail fractures into the main government. When do you want to see that happen?
TRUMP: Well, I think President Erdogan is the one responsible for Syria, for the successful fight in ridding Syria of its past leader. And I think
this man is responsible. He doesn't take the responsibility. But it's actually a great achievement. They've been trying to do it for 2000 years.
I said, he does it. He did it. I mean, they're your surrogates. I think you should take the credit for it. I told him, take the credit for 2000 years,
you've been trying to take over Syria. He took over Syria, and he doesn't want to take the credit.
END
