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One World with Zain Asher

Zelenskyy's Top Adviser Resigns After Anti-Corruption Raid; White House Ramps Up Immigration Crackdown After DC Shooting; National Guard Member Dies After DC Shooting; Trump Administration Says Vetting Of Afghan Suspect was Insufficient; Israel: Investigating Deadly Military Shooting In West Bank; Pope Leo To Celebrate Mass In Beirut During Lebanon Visit. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired November 28, 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)

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Live from London, I'm Christina Macfarlane. Zain and Bianna are off today, and you are watching "One

World". And we begin with breaking news out of Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, has just resigned.

It comes hours after anti-corruption officials raided his home. Yermak has often been considered the second most powerful man in Ukraine. He's been by

Zelenskyy side since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, and has been leading the Ukrainian delegation during recent talks in Geneva

with Washington.

Let's go to our Chief International Security Correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, been following all of these developments. So, Nick, a deeply

problematic moment for President Zelenskyy, perhaps, though not an unexpected move. What do you know?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, I mean, at some point I think this corruption scandal was likely to cause

some real political damage to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I'm sure he would have hoped that it wasn't in the days preceding key negotiations about this

peace proposal.

Andriy Yermak, his office and home raided by investigators for the anti- corruption Bureau this morning. It wasn't clear in their statements that they will specifically raid related to the ongoing energy kickbacks

corruption scandal that's blighted the Zelenskyy Administration.

Let's face it, it probably was. And I think many after hearing of this raid probably had a sharp intake of breath, thinking that this was getting

increasingly close, not just to Zelenskyy is inner circle, but to Zelenskyy himself. This is his right-hand man, his number two, the guy he was a TV

producer with back when they worked in media, who followed them all the way through the administration here.

And this corruption scandal has grown around Zelenskyy even before this moment to leave him the most politically vulnerable he's been since the war

began. And you know, in normal times, this would be damaging in wartime, it potentially could be existential. We haven't heard from Yermak himself, yet

this has been phrased as a resignation.

Zelenskyy himself has talked about how there's a need to essentially have no distractions here and no doubts at all. Let me read you what he said

during the announcement. I want no one to have any questions about Ukraine today. There will be a reboot of the office of the president, and the head

of the office, Andriy Yermak, has written a letter of resignation.

This is clearly, I think, something that's designed to shield Zelenskyy, perhaps to draw a line under this to be ensured that whatever comes of

further investigations is distanced from the presidential administration doesn't become a talking point, but there will be critics of Zelenskyy who

say, well, hang on, there's some smoke here.

Is there fire? Is this a reflection of how deep the issues go? And it will also feed Russian talking points about Zelenskyy legitimacy, false and

nonsensical as they are. Putin just yesterday, talked about the need for elections in Ukraine, how they couldn't do a deal with the Ukrainian

government until they were?

MACFARLANE: And as you say, it couldn't really have come at a worse time. Where does this leave the prospect for peace talks, the fact that Yermak

was heading up these peace negotiations --

WALSH: I mean, I think it's important not to think that suddenly everything stops because Yermak is out of the picture. In fact, the statement made by

Zelenskyy goes on to outline who's going to be going to any future talks. The exact nature of these a little opaque.

Still, we know that the Americans and Ukrainians are going to be meeting in the days ahead. Yermak has, you know -- leading the team there, as well

many other individuals who can carry on the work. But make no mistake, if the key guy explaining their position shielding Ukraine from pressure from

the Americans is suddenly gone in not the best circumstances, that damages your negotiating position.

And it certainly will feed a Russian narrative that they don't want to talk to the Ukrainians. They don't think they're legitimate. And it will

certainly, I think, be something that President Trump pays attention to. Now he's been notably more pro Ukrainian in the past months, but the plan

we saw emerging in the past weeks was rapidly pro-Russian.

And his envoy, Steve Witkoff is going to Moscow in the early days of next week. This is bound to become part of what they discuss.

[11:05:00]

There will certainly be pressure from Moscow and possibly Washington on Kyiv to make more concessions, possibly territorial ones, to get a deal

over the line, and having the word corruption involved in any way shape or form with this negotiation on the part of Ukraine is just damaging to their

position.

MACFARLANE: Yeah, definitely not the time to be having a reboot of the office of the President of Ukraine.

WALSH: Yeah.

MACFARLANE: Nick, appreciate it. Thanks. OK, turning now to Hong Kong, where families, friends and entire communities are waiting for any

information for as many as 200 people still unaccounted for following a devastating fire in the suburban community of Tai Po.

You see the flower tributes that so many students and others are leaving for the more than 128 people who are confirmed dead. The blaze, which

quickly consumes several apartment buildings and rage for more than a day is now under control. The cause of the fire, meanwhile, has yet to be

determined.

But the impact of this tragedy is being felt throughout the densely populated city, over 7 million people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRYSTAL HO, 22-YEAR-OLD UNIVERSITY STUDENT: Hong Kong is very small. Even if at this moment, we don't personally know anyone there. Friends of

Friends definitely do. So, the people affected this incident feels really close to us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, authorities want answers. Eight more people have been arrested, including two directors of a consultancy firm and two project

managers. Here's Hanako Montgomery.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hong Kong's worst fire disaster in decades, left seven high rise residential towers standing only

as burned-out shells. Well over 100 people are dead.

MONTGOMERY: The Hong Kong authorities said that by Friday morning local time, the fire was completely extinguished at the housing complex behind

me, but they say that around 200 people still remain missing, and they fear the death toll could go up in the coming hours, if not days.

MONTGOMERY (voice-over): Over 48 hours after the disaster, some new detail as to how the fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex spread so quickly and so

severely. With an investigation set to take up to a month, early questions have focused on construction cladding that had covered the buildings for up

to a year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It ignited the mesh nets and quickly spread to the polystyrene boards around the windows, resulting in the fire in other

floors and buildings.

MONTGOMERY (voice-over): Authorities have also said they are investigating whether the fire alarms were functioning properly on the day of the blaze.

Several residents who spoke to CNN, said that the alarms in their buildings never rang. And some only discovered there was a fire when they looked

outside.

Authorities believe the blaze began close to ground level on building six, around 02:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Images have surfaced on social media

of the early embers of what would become a raging inferno, creeping up the clotting then spreading to the other buildings.

MONTGOMERY: Have you seen a disaster like this in your careers?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have served in the auxiliary medical service for about 10 years. I joined a team at 16, and now I'm 26. I have never seen such a

shocking scene appear in front of me.

MONTGOMERY (voice-over): Survivors have described their panic, many unsure of how to escape the burning buildings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is my home. Look over there, the 10th floor. That's where my home was, by the hills. That's where it used to be. I

really want to go back, but my home is probably gone now. They won't let us go back. My heart feels so heavy.

MONTGOMERY (voice-over): This domestic worker watched for her employer's high-rise apartment as the fire took hold.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was so panic. I was so scary because the fire burned so big at first, yeah, so scared and bad.

MONTGOMERY: And now, how are you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, when I think about it, I'm grateful because I'm still alive.

MONTGOMERY (voice-over): Hong Kongers will band together to help the victims of a disaster which is not yet over. Hanako Montgomery, CNN, Hong

Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Turning now to an ambush style attack in Washington, DC that has added further fuel to Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. There's

been a new tragic development, one of the two National Guard members shot on Wednesday, has died.

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years old. Law enforcement officers, line the streets for the transfer of her body. The other National

Guard member is fighting for his life. 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. The U.S. Attorney for DC says the suspect will be

charged with first degree murder and could face other charges.

The 29-year-old Afghan national arrived in the U.S. in 2021 after working with the CIA in Afghanistan. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she would

seek the death penalty in his case.

[11:10:00]

CNN's Brian Todd joins us now from the scene in Washington. And Brian, you and I were speaking just after that wide ranging press conference yesterday

held by the FBI Director and others saying that this investigation is now going coast to coast in the United States. What more are you learning about

its scope?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. Christina, it is a coast-to-coast investigation. They are working search warrants and sources here in

Washington, DC, but also on the West Coast. They executed search warrants at the suspects home in Bellingham, Washington, yesterday and on Wednesday

evening.

And they have also executed search warrants and talked to people in the area of San Diego, California. We pressed officials on what his connection

is to San Diego, whether he has relations there or friends or possible accomplices, they would not answer those questions.

But we do know that this investigation spans from Washington, DC to Bellingham, Washington and San Diego, California. Also, Christina You

mentioned a short time ago, he does face upgraded charges now in murder, to murder in the first degree. Here is Jeanine Pirro, she is the U.S. Attorney

for the District of Columbia.

She spoke to Fox News about that just a short time ago. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANINE PIRRO, U.S. ATTORNEY, WASHINGTON, DC: There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to

murder in the first degree. And we are hoping that the more information we can get, and the more investigation that is going on, 24/7 now, around the

clock in Washington.

The more we will find out about what actually happened in terms of this individual even being in this country and being in a position to ambush and

shoot down an innocent young woman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: And again, to reiterate, this suspect, his name is Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He will face charges, according to Jeanine Pirro, of murder in

the first degree. Now he had already faced three counts of assault with attempt to kill while armed, and one count of possession of a firearm with

intent to commit violence.

Those charges could still hold, since there are two service members who he attacked, and one of them in critical condition, and we can update you on

that as well. A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force, DC, which oversees the National Guard deployment here in Washington, said that Andrew Wolfe,

the other guardsman who was wounded in the attack remains in critical condition at a local hospital.

The spokesperson said she was not aware at the moment of any pending surgeries or procedures, but is working to nail that down. So, he's still

in critical condition, and they're working to see if he's going to have additional surgeries or procedures. So, we hope to get an update on that

maybe a little bit later today, Christina.

MACFARLANE: That's an important update, Brian, we appreciate it. Thank you. And following that shooting, the U.S. President vowed to quote permanently

pause migration from all third world countries. In a series of social media posts, he also slammed multiple aspects of U.S. immigration policies.

The Trump Administration now says it will reexamine all green cards issued to people from 19 countries, besides Afghanistan, the countries include

Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Venezuela, and Cuba, just to name a few. And the Department of Homeland Security says it will also review all asylum

cases that were approved under Former President Joe Biden.

Let's dig a bit deeper into this with Patricia Gossman. She is the Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, and she joins us now from

New Haven, Connecticut. Thank you so much for your time. First, I just want to get your reaction to President Trump's permanent pause on migration from

what he calls all third world countries beyond obviously just Afghanistan.

As a result of one person's actions, what impact is all of this going to have?

PATRICIA GOSSMAN, ASSOCIATE ASIA DIRECTOR AT HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: Well, this is a terrible result, and it shows that the administration is taking

precisely the wrong lesson from this tragic event. Why impose a kind of collective punishment on so many people, vast, vast majority of whom have

come because of their fear of persecution in the country's concern.

Particularly speaking of the Afghans, many of them have worked with the U.S., and U.S. has an obligation to ensure that these people do not face

persecution in Afghanistan. So, this is not the response the administration should be reaching for at this moment.

MACFARLANE: We've also been learning some new details about this Afghan shooter, this individual who was part of a CIA partner force called the

Zero Unit. And it's being recruit -- reported actually that he was recruited at the age of 15 into this unit. I know you authored a report on

this unit for the Human Rights Watch in 2019.

[11:15:00]

So, I want to ask, what does this point to and what context might this provide for law enforcement as they're going about their investigation

right now?

GOSSMAN: Well, these Zero Units started from the very beginning of the U.S., after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, they were CIA recruitment

that expanded then after about 2014 to combat growing Taliban gains. But they operated very much off the books, under the radar, outside the normal

chain of command of the U.S. military.

Which was the problem, because what we found in our investigation was that these units, which were accompanied by U.S. special forces in their

operations, were implicated in a whole pattern of abuses, including summary executions of civilians. What has never happened is any thorough

investigation these kinds of atrocities.

And we're seeing now, maybe the impact of that, but in the sense that we have the legacy of that and no justice, no accountability and no answers

for many abuses that occurred during the U.S. long intervention in Afghanistan.

MACFARLANE: And as you'll know, Patricia, there's been a lot of focus, a lot of blame passed around over the vetting process for this individual

that came to the United States following that chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. But was actually granted asylum just earlier this year

under the Trump Administration.

Given what you're saying, the fact that your report documents 14 cases in which CIA backed Afghan Strike Forces committed serious abuses between late

2017 and mid-2019. Given what you're saying that there was no meaningful investigation into that, any reckoning with that.

How do you link that to where we have got to now in this debate over the vetting process and the reckoning of this individual?

GOSSMAN: I think there are two different things, but what I am saying has never happened with any investigations into abuses committed in Afghanistan

by both U.S. social forces and by the Afghan forces they partnered with. And we know how these forces were recruited.

We know who recruited them. And we know how they were brought to the U.S. under the CIA. So that's separate from the kind of vetting that most

refugees take, that takes place for them. And as I said, the vast majority of whom were escaping feared persecution in Afghanistan.

So, I don't think we want to equate those two, but what we do need to see is genuine accountability for serious abuses in Afghanistan by either U.S.

partner forces and by U.S. forces. That has never happened. It's not too late, and it should happen now.

MACFARLANE: OK. Patricia Gossman, we appreciate the context. Thank you very much. U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening a new phase of military

action against alleged drug traffickers in Venezuela, speaking to act as service members on Thursday. He said strikes inside the South American

nation will be starting quote, very soon.

The comments suggest the president has made up his mind on a course of action after several high-level briefings on the matter. The U.S. has

amassed more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops in the region and has killed more than 80 people in boat strikes in what the administration is

calling an anti-drug trafficking campaign.

But so far, the White House hasn't provided any evidence. OK, ahead on "One World", a fully-fledged war crime. That's what the Palestinian Authority is

calling the killing of two men who in the West Bank who appeared to be surrendering. What Israel is saying about it coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:20:00]

MACFARLANE: Syria says at least 13 people have been killed in an Israeli raid on a village in the south of the country. The IDF released the

following body cam footage of the overnight attack, and we want to warn you, it is disturbing. The footage shows Israeli troops firing bursts of

gun fire across a village road Damascus is calling it a quote, savage and deliberate bombardment.

Israel says the attack was aimed at capturing members of a Lebanese militant group. It's believed to be the deadliest foreign attack since

Bashar Al-Assad was ousted from power last year. Meantime, Israel says it's investigating the shooting deaths of two Palestinian men in the West Bank.

Israeli forces fatally shot both men as they appear to be surrendering. In this video, you can see the men come out of a building with their hands

above their heads. They're surrounded by what appear to be Israeli soldiers. Later, the two are seen on the ground as multiple rounds of gun

fire are heard.

We're not actually showing that moment. The IDF says the men were wanted for alleged terror activities. Well, the Palestinian Authority is sharply

condemning these killings. This follows Israel's wide scale military operation in the West Bank. CNN's Nic Robertson is joining us now from

Jerusalem.

So Nic, what more can you tell us about the video and about the investigation?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, the Palestinian Authority is calling it a flagrant a flagrant violation of international

law. Hamas is calling it a cold-blooded execution. The IDF and the border police who were involved in this yesterday, very quickly, put out a joint

statement saying that it would be investigated.

And an investigation does appear to be under way, but remembering here that the border police who were directly involved report directly to the

Minister of National Security, the hard right-wing nationalist Itamar Ben- Gvir. He spoke about this even before the investigation began, and said that the troops or these police had his full backing and support.

He subsequently said that the investigation should be abandoned, and he said as well that these forces were only doing what was expected with

terrorists, which was in essence to kill them. The video speaks very loudly of precisely what has happened here. The statement from the border police

and the IDF spoke about a hours long arrest sort of procedure going on where they'd had to batter and open a garage door.

But what you see on the video are two men who are on the ground, who are following the instructions of the soldiers around them, getting down on

their knees, and then when the soldiers tell them to get up -- getting up off their knees, and then, and then being directed by the soldiers to sort

of walk back into this garage entrance of twisted steel.

And at that moment, the guns of the soldiers turn on the men when they're walking away and have been under the orders and control, it appears of the

troop says it's very, very damning video, and you know, we haven't heard anything from the prime minister about it.

We haven't heard from leaders of the opposition, but some members of the opposition have called this very disturbing and important for this military

investigation to carry through.

[11:25:00]

I think, broadly speaking, this has really something we don't see a lot of, you know, you don't get videos of this sort of thing happening often. The

border police and the IDF say that they've over in these operations this week. They've arrested 40 people they describe as terrorists.

The operations are ongoing, but it really speaks to people's concerns about the way these operations go. And clearly, when the minister in charge is

calling for the investigation just to be scotched and abandoned, that does cause wide concern in the West Bank as well.

MACFARLANE: Yeah, it is deeply concerning, and we will, of course, continue to follow it. Nic Robertson, appreciate it. Thank you. Pope Leo has met

Catholic bishops and church goers in Turkey part of his first official overseas trip. The six-day tour is focused on unity and peace, especially

between people of different faiths.

On Sunday, he will arrive in Lebanon, another country that has a majority Muslim population. Yet it is also home to ancient Christian communities.

Ben Wedeman is in Beirut, where people are eagerly anticipating the pope's arrival.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's evening mass in the Monastery of Saint Maron high in the mountains of

Lebanon. For centuries, the mountains have provided a refuge for the Christians here in times of trouble.

Protecting and preserving a community almost as old as Christianity itself. Pope Leo is scheduled to visit this monastery during his three-day visit to

Lebanon. Hopes are high that visit will change the fortunes of this battered country. He brings his blessings. He strengthens our faith, says

Saud Khuri (ph).

And we are praying to our Lord that peace prevails in Lebanon and throughout the whole region. Lebanon is pulling out all the stops to ensure

the success of this papal visit, the third of its kind in almost 30 years. The high point will be a huge mass led by Pope Leo Tuesday on the Beirut

waterfront.

Lebanon has 12 officially recognized Christian sects, Catholic and Orthodox. At this Greek Orthodox Church in Beirut, we found two nuns

praying in Arabic.

WEDEMAN: Pope Leo comes to Lebanon after a period when the Lebanese Christians as well as Muslims have suffered from a series of seismic

shocks, first, a failed revolution back in 2019 followed by an economic collapse, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the catastrophic

Beirut port blast and most recently hit by yet another war with Israel.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): A war that ended it might appear with a U.S. brokered ceasefire in November 2024. But just days ago, an Israeli air strike killed

a senior Hezbollah military commander in Beirut. Israeli drones and war planes have been hitting alleged Hezbollah targets almost daily over the

last year.

Israel claims Hezbollah is rearming and regrouping. Hezbollah has until now, held its fire. War has driven many from Lebanon, but increasingly, the

young are fleeing abroad because of a lack of jobs in a country run by an elite seen as corrupt and incompetent. Father Nehmi Saliba believes

religious leaders, with the help of the likes of Pope Leo, could change that.

NEHMI SALIBA, INTERFAITH FACILITATOR OF ADYAN FOUNDATION: There is a voice for the church and for religious leaders. There is a big voice in Lebanon

for the religious institutions to say that we need a clean Lebanon, not just from garbage on the street, but from the garbage is our head and our

hearts.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): The calls for change here across the religious spectrum have rung loud and clear. Perhaps Pope Leo will lend his voice,

and those in power will finally hear. Ben Wedeman, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Coming up, a diplomatic flurry of activity is another new round of talks to end the war in Ukraine prepares to get underway, but each side

is discussing a different plan.

A live report just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

MACFARLANE: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Christina Macfarlane. Here are some of the international headlines we're watching today. One of the

National Guard members shot in an ambush style attack near the White House on Wednesday has died. U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was 20 years

old.

The other National Guard member shot in the incident Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. Authorities say the suspect, a 29-year-old Afghan

national, will be charged with murder. President Trump has announced harsh new crackdowns on immigration, stating on social media, the administration

will reexamine the green card status of residents from what he calls third world countries, including Afghanistan, where the alleged DC shooter came

from.

Police in Hong Kong have arrested eight more people in connection with a devastating fire that broke out Wednesday and consumed several buildings.

The arrests include two directors of a consultancy overseeing the renovation project and two project managers. 128 people are confirmed

killed, and as many as 200 others are missing.

The Palestinian Authority is denouncing a deadly West Bank incident as a war crime. Two men who appear to be surrendering were shot and killed by

Israeli soldiers in Jenin on Thursday. Israel says they were wanted for alleged terror activities. Now, two different plans, two separate rounds of

talks, but as of yet, no one consensus on how to end the fighting in Ukraine.

Despite the latest diplomacy flurry spearheaded by the U.S. to get a peace style deal signed. We're now getting what may be our clearest indication

yet that Vladimir Putin has no intention of compromising. The Russian President on Thursday, doubled down on his maximalist demands and

threatened to seize more territory by force, unless Kyiv withdraws from land claimed by Moscow.

[11:35:00]

The U.S. President, meanwhile, says his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will hold talks with the Kremlin as soon as next week, and Army Secretary Dan

Driscoll is expected to travel to Kyiv. But the gap between both sides remains wide, with each of them discussing a different plan.

The flurry of diplomatic activity comes amid a major shakeup in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's cabinet with one of the president's closest

aides, Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, resigning just hours after Ukrainian anti-corruption police raided his home.

Yermak has been a presence by Zelenskyy side since Russia's full-scale invasion began. He's also been leading the Ukrainian delegation during

recent talks in Geneva, focused on the U.S. plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine. Now, some Ukrainians are concerned, the investigation into Yermak

could influence the negotiating process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Certainly, it will undermine the international community's trust towards Ukraine. It will also influence the negotiation

process. It does not depend on us, the people of Ukraine, but we support Ukraine under any circumstances, and want the negotiation process to

conclude with the just peace for Ukraine.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, let's dig a little bit deeper into this. Global Affairs Analyst Michael Bociurkiw joins me now live from Cape Town, South Africa.

Great to see you, Michael. So first we have to talk about the resignation of Andriy Yermak, just in the last hour or so.

The second most powerful man in Ukraine, you know we were saying has been at the side of President Zelenskyy before the war broke out, even longer

than that, and leading these negotiations and peace talks. Your thoughts on his removal and just how precarious a moment this is for the president?

MICHAEL BOCIURKIW, GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Yeah, good to be with you, Christina. Pretty, earth shattering. Yermak should have been gone or sacked

a long time ago. He's being blamed for not doing very well in terms of negotiations, but also being a micro manager.

He was not liked by the media. He's certainly not liked by Ukrainian diaspora leaders. In fact, some suspect he's a little bit too close to

Russia. So, you know, and he also had the nickname in the Ukrainian media as the great cardinal. He was so close to Zelenskyy, I am not sure where

this leaves Mr. Zelenskyy, for sure, it leaves him much, much more isolated, because, as you pointed out, he's been by his side since before

the start of the war.

And you know, we have U.S. Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, scheduled to return to Kyiv this weekend, and Yermak was the key interface person there.

Now, piece of good news, there's a lot of talent around to replace him. And top of mind is Oksana Makarov, or the respected Former Ukraine Ambassador

to the U.S., but not very liked by the Trump circle.

Yuliya Kovaliv, the Former Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, also, she was Deputy Chief of Staff to Zelenskyy for a while, and maybe even Dmytro

Kuleba the Former Foreign Affairs Minister, very widely respected.

MACFARLANE: Yeah, but I mean, Yermak was leading that push to carefully woo the United States on this new revised 19-point plan, but to have the word

scandal corruption, a reboot of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

BOCIURKIW: Yeah.

MACFARLANE: Which is what Zelenskyy has just come out and said, this is going to be happening at a time when Witkoff is due to meet President

Putin. Surely this is going to damage their position in some way.

BOCIURKIW: Yeah, you know, and I was thinking about it, the Russians couldn't have scripted this any better to their liking, because it puts

Ukraine in a very, very difficult position amid all of the donor fatigue that we already had, right? So, it's the timing is horrible.

And the other thing, Christina is, we're not really sure how Zelenskyy is going to operate solo for a while. He said he might take a few days to find

a replacement, but he is really untested as a solo president that dependent on Yermak for leading everything from diplomatic negotiations, key

appointments, you name it.

But look at the end of the day, people have to understand, including the current occupant of the White House, that Mr. Putin is not pushed back.

This war will go further. They are already involved in a very aggressive hybrid warfare from off coastal UK waters to in various parts of Europe.

So, we're hoping that everyone, I think, hopes that they can, for the time being, put this aside, but the Zelenskyy government has to recommit

themselves to these corruption investigations. And for one final point here is, ironically, it was Yermak and Zelenskyy who tried to decapitate the

very two corruption investigation bodies that raided Yermak's house.

[11:40:00]

MACFARLANE: It's good point. And look, this is could not come at a more crucial week, the stakes could not be higher for this meeting between

Witkoff and Putin in Moscow. And yet, even before this announcement of Yermak, there was very little hope that this meeting would result in any

change for Ukraine, right?

BOCIURKIW: Yeah.

MACFARLANE: Because, as we heard from Vladimir Putin yesterday, Moscow's maximalist demands are still intact, and, you know, have certainly not been

met in their mind. So, what are your expectations for that meeting this week?

BOCIURKIW: Well, I think it will be a replay of what we've seen in the past. Witkoff goes to Moscow, sits with Putin and he comes out singing

Putin's tunes. And you know, we see a lot of dysfunctionalities, I think, in the Trump team's approach to dealing with this so-called peace plan.

I think you have different priorities, different interests within the Trump team itself, for example, between JD Vance and Mr. Trump as well. And you

know, I think a lot of Ukrainians deservedly are skeptical of U.S. intentions that they're going to give too much away to the U.S. there.

They are still very, very traumatized from what happened with that Budapest Memorandum where Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal for security

guarantees from the U.S., UK and others. Look what happened to that. So that's going to be key in anything that appears before the Ukrainian

President, is what are the security guarantees?

And just quickly, Christina, a bit of one of the points that the Russians reportedly are raising is to be readmitted back into the G7 block of

wealthy nations, which, of course, would make it the G8 they were booted out when they invaded Crimea. But, you know, I recently talked to a senior

South African -- minister here at the G20 and I asked him, so should Russia be admitted back in.

He goes, yeah, of course, because it's better to have them in the room than outside. And I think they're not thinking in isolation. That's kind of the

current mood right now is, oh, maybe things will work out better if we have the Russians here. And one other thing that's very, very upsetting to the

Ukrainians, the Russians are insisting on amnesty from all war crimes, well over 1000 documented war crimes. So yeah, they're going for their Maximus

position.

MACFARLANE: Yeah, that certainly was a surprise and shocking aspect of the 28-point plan, for sure.

BOCIURKIW: Yeah.

MACFARLANE: And Michael, we'll wait to see what happens. Appreciate your analysis, though, as always. OK, coming up, it's time to whip out the extra

layers and the fuzzy stocks as the post-Thanksgiving winter storm brings chilly winds across the U.S. We're bringing you the latest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:45:00]

MACFARLANE: For those traveling back home after Thanksgiving, a word of warning as a cross-country winter storm could wreck your plans, as the most

widespread storm of the season is expected to fall across the Northeast and Midwest this weekend.

More than 20 million people across the northern tier are under winter storm warnings, creating hazardous travel conditions. For more on this,

definitely bring in CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar. How bad is it going to get, Allison?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we take a look. You'll see a lot of these states that are impacted. All of these colors right through here

show where we have those winter weather alerts in effect. So, it's going to start out to the west and then gradually spread off to the east as we head

through the rest of the holiday weekend.

Here's the thing, though, for the Northeast, they're still wrapping up the first storm that is yet to be done, so you can see still a lot of lake

effect snow that's taking place across areas of the Northeast and the Midwest. So, we're going to be looking at least a few more inches of snow

from this first system before the next system begins to move in.

And here's what's kind of taking shape right now. So, it may not look like all that much at the moment, but once we get to tonight, that system is

really going to start to strengthen, get its act together and begin to spread into portions of the Midwest. So, here's a look at Saturday morning.

You can see a lot of this dark purple that indicates incredibly heavy snowfall. The pink is a little bit of a mix, so you could have some rain,

some snow, perhaps some ice as well. The farther south you go, the warmer the air is going to be, although I wouldn't necessarily call it warm, per

se, just warmer.

So, you're going to have the potential for some showers and thunderstorms there, and maybe even a few strong to severe thunderstorms, especially for

Texas and Louisiana. By Saturday night, the system continues to spread eastward. Now you're talking about heavy snow across areas like Chicago,

Detroit and even into Cleveland.

Still a lot of the heavy rain there along the south before that system finally begins to push into the northeast and mid-Atlantic region. We are

talking a pretty substantial amount of snow for some of these areas. Anywhere you see this pink color right through here, you could be looking

at 8 to 12 inches of snow.

Mind you, some of these areas had several inches of snow from the previous system, so this is going to be on top of what they had just a few days ago.

Wind is also going to be a big concern. You'll get a little bit of a break in the Northeast, but late tonight, early tomorrow, after that first system

exits.

But it's not going to take long before those winds start to tick back up in the Midwest, across the Ohio Valley and eventually into the Northeast from

the next system, you're looking at 30, 40, maybe even as high as 50 mile per hour wind gusts. What that's going to do is it's going to take all that

snow, especially in these areas, and blow it all around that's going to make visibility incredibly low and very difficult to drive.

So unfortunately, on the roadways, you're not really looking at some ideal conditions for some of these states. So, here's where the line is drawn.

Everywhere you see the purple and the pink color, that's where the focus is really going to be on the snow, especially the pink, that's where the heavy

snow is expected to come down.

And then farther down to the south, it's mostly going to be rain. But keep in mind, it's not just rain. You're also looking at the potential for some

of those strong to severe thunderstorms as well.

MACFARLANE: Goodness me, I think time to stay home finish those Turkey leftovers and keep the wooly stocks on. Allison, we appreciate it. Thank

you. And move over, Moo Deng there's a new viral sensation capturing hearts across the internet. Will introduce you to Francisca after this short

break.

[11:50:00]

MACFARLANE: A baby elephant seal is making waves in Uruguay. The pup named Francisca was born on a public beach last month, and both mum and baby

quickly became a viral sensation. So, when mum recently returned to the ocean, many feared Francisca might not survive, but as CNN's Dario Klein

reports, she's alive and thriving.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DARIO KLEIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Her name is Francisca, and she's from Uruguay. She's the first elephant seal known to have been born in the

mainland of this South American country, and very far from where these mammals usually live. A little over a month ago, her mother arrived

pregnant on the sands of Piriapolis, looking for a quiet spot to give birth.

Of course, she didn't quite find what she was looking for, but rather a public beach close to the lights and noise of this resort town, very far

from Antarctica and its near -- Islands, where these species typically breathe in isolation and colder condition. So, the national authorities are

trying to protect her, together with volunteers, set up a perimeter and try to give her some level of calm. So, we work 24 hours taking care.

RICHARD TESORES, SOS FAUNA MARINA: Yes.

KLEIN: With volunteers at the local authority.

TESORES: Yes, with winds, with rain all the time.

KLEIN: And that's how the baby was born. The locals first name it, Francisca, thinking it was a male and later Francisca, or Pancha, in honor

of the founder of this city, Franciscopedia. Her mother was able to nurse her for about 25 days. The images of mother and daughter spread like

wildfire.

And thousands of people followed Francisca's development, almost in real time. She was seen being born, then growing playing with her mother,

learning to swim, until nature decided it was time her mother left her on the sand and returned to the ocean. Here she's resting in this stream.

Sometimes she goes out to discover, to explore, and they have to bring her back.

KLEIN (voice-over): She discovers everything, investigates everything. She doesn't need to eat yet.

KLEIN: But the story didn't end up there. Now, just a few meters away from Francisca there is another elephant seal, but this one arriving on its own.

But beyond the story itself, Franciscas and Marina, that's the name that the local food carter raises several questions.

Why do you think these mammoths are here at the coast where there should be.

TESORES: Well, the problem is influenza avian, Patagonia -- Island, the protection oil, or petroleum industry is all our problem --

KLEIN: And now Francisca or Pancha is how they call her. She rests, she gains strength, she explores, she discovers, and she prepares to face the

wild world out there at the sea. Dario Klein, CNN at Piriapolis, Uruguay.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Love that story. Now in Stockholm, a Gingerbread Winter Wonderland on display at Stockholm's Museum of architecture and design.

It's hosting its 35th annual Christmas gingerbread house competition and exhibition.

[11:55:00]

This year's theme, love of art, of design and architecture. Submissions include a scene from Titanic, the Taj Mahal and the October Louvre Heist.

Very inventive. All fully edible, but perhaps too beautiful to eat. Winners will be announced on December 14th. And a single egg is expected to fetch

more than $26 million at auction next week.

This is the 112-year-old winter egg made by Faberge in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's made of clear quartz that you can see there, but that's not

what explains its astronomical price. That's a matter of rarity. Faberge only made 50 eggs for Russian czars Alexander the third and Nicholas the

second.

They were commissioned as Easter gifts between 1885 and 1916. Now this winter egg has twice broken auction records, first in 1994 and then again

in 2002. The hand carved flowers inside this egg make it even more unique, as most Faberge eggs have mechanical surprises inside, like a steam train

or a clockwork bird.

The winter egg will go up for auction at Christie's in London on Tuesday. And I will not be there because I cannot afford it. Stay with us. I'll have

more "One World" after this quick break.

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END