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One World with Zain Asher

Witkoff and Kushner to Meet Russian President Putin in Moscow; Zelenskyy in Dublin for Meeting with Irish Prime Minister; Ukrainian President Speaks to Irish Parliament; Lawmakers Want Answers About Second Strike on Alleged Drug Boat; Tanzanian President Defends Use of Force During Protests; Follow-up Boat Strike Draws Intense Bipartisan Scrutiny. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired December 02, 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)

ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: U.S. negotiators to sit down with Russia's President Putin today. "One World" starts right now. A U.S. delegation is

expected to meet with President Putin on a possible path towards ending the conflict in Ukraine. We are live for you in Kyiv and Moscow with the very

latest.

Plus, a defiant Tanzanian President defends security forces who've been accused of killing hundreds of unarmed demonstrators following disputed

elections in October. And we'll look at whether the U.S. missile strikes on alleged smuggler boats are curtailing the flow of drugs into the United

States.

Right, coming to you live from New York, I'm Zain Asher. This is "One World". We begin with high stakes diplomacy aimed at bringing peace to

Ukraine after nearly four years of conflict. Donald Trump's most trusted negotiators, his son in law, Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, are in

Moscow this hour.

Here you see them strolling through red square with a Kremlin representative. They're due to sit down with Russian President Vladimir

Putin. And they're expected to show him the latest version of the U.S. backed proposal for peace. A 28-point draft proposal was initially

criticized by European officials.

And U.S. lawmakers as being one sided in favor of Moscow, but we're told it was modified in recent U.S. negotiations with Ukraine in Geneva and

Florida. Just hours before today's meeting, the Kremlin reiterated that any deal must resolve its core demands. What it describes as the underlying

reasons for its invasion.

For his part, Ukraine's President says, now more than ever, there is a chance to end the war. He is in Dublin this hour to discuss trade and

security after shoring up support from the leaders of France and Britain. We are covering all angles of this very fast-moving story.

We've got our CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, who's in Kyiv, Ukraine for us. But first, let's begin with Matthew Chance in Moscow. So, Matthew, we know that

Vladimir Putin has been quite set in his ways, just in terms of really sticking to this maximalist approach when it comes to this peace deal.

What incentive does he have at this point, to be willing to accept any concessions here?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think the incentive would be that he could achieve the goals of his military

operation in Ukraine, that the Ukraine war without actually doing any more fighting. And do it through this U.S. backed diplomatic process, if, and

the Kremlin has made this clear.

If the U.S. proposals can deliver to the Kremlin the objectives of their military operation inside Ukraine, then that's acceptable to them. But

otherwise, they've also made it quite clear at the Kremlin that if they don't get their goals through diplomatic means, they're quite prepared to

press ahead on the battlefield and achieve them there, because Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin, the Russian military, believes that it is making

headway and has the upper hand on the ground in Ukraine, and will ultimately be successful.

I think, one of the big challenges that Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy and his son in law, Jared Kushner, who are both in the Kremlin right

now. Although I've just heard from the Kremlin within the past few moments. And they've told me that even though it's just past seven o'clock at night,

local time, the meeting has still not begun.

The big challenge, though, is for them to try and convince the Russian President, to consider some of the proposals that have been discussed and

hammered out in intensive negotiations between the U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators over the past week or so in Geneva and at the weekend in South

Florida as well.

That might be able to sort of circumvent some of the Ukrainian red lines when it comes to NATO membership, when it comes to surrendering territory

and convince the Russians to stop the war. But we'll see, you know, what Putin's reaction is, if we get a reaction as at the end of these meetings

once they begin, but again, the Kremlin is saying it is likely to be a very late night, Zain.

ASHER: Right. Matthew Chance, stand by for us. Nick, let me bring you in, because Ukrainians obviously want an end to this war. Their biggest fear,

though, is this idea of the Russians regrouping, re invading at a later date. They also don't want to capitulate when it comes to land, giving up

land and also not being able to join NATO.

[11:05:00]

Is it possible, or rather, how realistic is it for both sides to find common ground here, and for there actually to be a peace plan that goes

forward at the end of this?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: It really depends on the nature of the concession that Witkoff is carrying with him.

And this is clearly a proposal that, certainly when it left South Florida, likely had some element of Ukrainian consent to it.

Although I should point out Zelenskyy has sort of been framing this as a U.S. proposal to Russia, and talking about the difficulties of some of the

amended 20-point plan that he saw, how there still work to be done. I think clearly it sounds like that the Ukrainians have tried to assist Witkoff

with presenting something that might approach giving Putin an element of what he wants.

But what is also remarkable is given the leaks of the past weeks that the precise details of what Witkoff is carrying with him aren't already in the

media for people to begin to berate or approve of. So, it's going to be a delicate task for Witkoff may be a short one. If Putin simply says, as

we've been seeing, the Kremlin's messaging over the past 24 hours, claiming the capture of the key strategic hub of Pokrovsk.

If Putin simply says, well, look, I am not getting what I want from this document, but I am getting it militarily. I'm not interested. But

Zelenskyy, I think, also positioning himself to respond quickly to whatever Witkoff emerges from saying that his team he will meet with American

negotiators after this particular meeting, even -- impossibility he might - -

ASHER: Back to you. Nick, I have to interrupt you because the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is actually speaking to the Irish parliament. Let's

listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: Thank you for providing home and protection to our people when they needed it most, once the war broke out

back home. While in some societies, the fatigue from news about the war is growing. We do not feel that your voice, the voice of Ireland, is turning

quieter.

Thank you. Our peoples, Ukrainian and Irish, are among the few in Europe who spent centuries fighting for the right to remain themselves. And now

for nearly four years of Russia's full-scale war against our people, our children, the most devastating war for freedom in Europe since World War

Two, Ireland has stood firmly and clearly for our independence and for a just end to this war.

So, thank you for your steadfast support, for these years of standing with us. And thank you for not losing faith in us, just as we do not lose faith

that the day will come when we will welcome all our friends to Ukraine in peace, and when we will welcome home all our people who were forced to flee

back to a peaceful Ukraine back home, and we are working to make it real.

This morning here in Ireland, our team delivered a full briefing following the meetings in the United States, and we are fully engaged in

negotiations, and we are only stepping up our efforts. Our team is now looking ahead to next, very important meetings. Today, Ukraine is closer to

pill than ever before.

And there is a real chance, but we must seize this chance fully, the whole world, not just one of another powerful country. Ukraine, wants peace.

Ladies and gentlemen, one strong country can start a war. Another strong country can help to stop the war, but to restore justice and defend what's

right.

We need a community, a world made up of many different nations. It is the community of nations that decides united by shared sentiments, shared

inspirations, a shared desire for justice. It is a community of nations that makes peace truly lasting, geographically large or small, politically

influential or playing a different role, economically powerful or not.

[11:10:00]

When these different voices stand together on the side of justice, on the side of free people, there is only one possible outcome, peace and justice

must prevail. When you have a true community of nations on your side, you cannot be crushed and your rights can be restored.

No one can break the world alone, not even Russia, not even with its few bodies. No one can lie to the entire world forever. Not even Putin. No one

can stand against everyone else. And that is the truth, but also true one can inspire everyone else, and that is why Ukraine is fighting for every

voice in the world, for every community in every region.

We are trying to reach every heart to answer every doubt, to counter every accusation, with facts. And we are sourcing for and finding friends

wherever we can. We have managed to unite the majority of the world, and that unity has become our main weapon in protecting life, and we have kept

the world's attention, and that gives us time to resist Russia's attempts to destroy us.

We are involving everyone we can in diplomatic efforts, and that is the best path forward. It is a great honor for me to stand here today in a

country that understands the price of freedom, understands better than many, many Europe, better than many, many in the world, and that shares our

belief that every voice counts, every nation matters.

Ireland is doing so much to help others understand why it is important to stand, to stand together, to remain a community based on shared values.

Thank you for that. And we will continue to coordinate with you and with everyone who can help and to inform all those who can influence the outcome

so that one day we can achieve what many still believe to be impossible.

Not just silence instead of bombs, not just clear skies instead of Russia's drones and missiles, not just a pause between strikes, but lasting peace,

guaranteed security and true justice. Human memory is often short, and the attention can be fleeting. So please remind the world every time it is

needed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a criminal and unprovoked Act of Aggression which cries for justice.

It happened for one reason only, because Russia wants to treat Ukraine as its property, and Ukrainians as if they belong in its backyard, like

livestock, so that no politician in Europe or somewhere else falls into amnesia, forgetting everything we have achieved together through our

defense.

And I urge you to oppose any decision that we can pressure on Russia for this war, as long as war and occupation and the propaganda of hatred

continue. All the pressure on Russia must remain in place, so that Russia does not believe it will be rewarded for this war with stolen Ukrainian

land or kidnapped 1000, kidnapped Ukrainian children.

Please continue supporting all efforts to make the tribunal for Russia's aggression a reality, so that one day it truly begins its work, and so that

Russian killers cannot freely travel the world as if they have done nothing wrong. We must protect the unity that has existed since 2022, a unity of

different nations, united and the protection of life and justice.

[11:15:00]

And we are speaking about the future. There is no good future for Europe without this unity. Ukraine wants to stand together with those whose

history values struggle reflect our own we want to stand alongside Ireland in the European Union as equals, and I am confident that this will happen.

Europe cannot run away from its own values. It must stand up for them, and Ukraine is doing exactly that today on Europe's behalf. Ladies and

gentlemen, dear Ireland, please remember your voice matters, from Ireland's vote at the United Nations to the wars in your medium, from your thoughts

here in Dublin to every home in the global Irish community around the world.

That's millions of people who can influence hundreds of millions more. When the most powerful apply pressure, the global community helps guide that

pressure in the right direction, just as there is no capital in the world unaware of what St. Patrick's Day is.

There should be no capitol that does not know that the Irish, together with the Ukrainians and many other nations, are united for real peace. Appease

without humiliation and based on something truly real, on shared values. And those values are not business as usual, not appeasement of killers, not

turning a blind eye to what has happened among those values is this.

The aggressor must be held accountable for what was done. Please take an active role in making the tribunal for this aggression a reality, not just

joining, but pushing working, insisting that justice might begin with accountability. Please continue to advocate for every form of sanctions

against Russia, and it's time for Russian assets to serve the cause of peace, to help defend and rebuild Ukraine.

This a long overdue decision, and it must be implemented. And please call on everyone in the wall to help return all the children abducted by Russia

and all the prisoners still held in Russian jails, jails and camps, many of whom have been there, not just since 2022 but since 2014.

When Russia launched its hybrid war against us and occupied our Crimea. This has gone on far too long to simply close our eyes and tone the page on

Russia without a just peace, hatred will not fade. It will continue to smolder and provoke new, new violence. History has seen this before, and

this time, it must be different.

We need real peace. Help us achieve it and never lose your faith in Ukraine. Thank you. Thank you, Ireland. Glory to Ukraine. Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ASHER: All right, you've just been listening to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressing the Irish parliament. He had essentially one

clear message to thank the Irish people for their continued support, both moral and material, for essentially sticking by Ukraine throughout the

entire three years of this war.

[11:20:00]

We know that earlier he met with the Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin as well. Worth noting that Ireland does have a tradition of military

neutrality, but they have provided assistance to Ukraine in other ways, including non-lethal assistance, be it protective gear, body armor, but

also, and this is really crucial for this visit humanitarian aid.

Ireland has housed a number of Ukrainian refugees giving them housing and social services. I want to go now to Shashank Joshi, the Defense Editor at

"The Economist" who's been listening to this speech. It's interesting, because this is taking place at a time when Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Envoy,

and also the president's son in law, Jared Kushner, are in Moscow.

I believe they are literally at the Kremlin now waiting to meet with Vladimir Putin. They're going to present him with a modified, I guess, a

watered-down version of the 28-point plan. It remains to be seen whether or not Vladimir Putin accepts this plan. However, it has been clear throughout

this entire process that Europe has been sidelined.

Europe's number one priority in all of this is security guarantees for Ukraine to ensure that Vladimir Putin does not sort of regroup, recycle and

reinvade. What are the consequences for Ukraine the fact that Europe doesn't have an important seat at the negotiating table here?

SHASHANK JOSHI, DEFENSE EDITOR AT THE ECONOMIST: Well, good morning. I think it's important to note that Europe has been sidelined in one sense,

but it has also fought back. It's fought back to try to inject a European perspective, and helped along by Ukraine, who wants Europe at the table

into these negotiations.

And so, you saw this meeting in Moscow, preceded by earlier talks, for example, in Geneva, where European, Western National Security Advisors met.

And I think what we see from the peace proposals that have evolved since that original 28 point, very controversial proposal, is a set of proposals

that much more closely reflect European concerns.

And I won't go into all the details, but for instance, lots of the bilateral demands around the normalization of Russia, Russian-American ties

have been stripped out of that original document. So, I think the challenge now, in fact, is not really, is there enough of a European voice in these

talks?

It's how will the Kremlin respond? And I have to say, I'm not expecting much out of Moscow. And you've mentioned, Kushner is there, Witkoff is

there. They've just been shopping in Moscow, I think in the last few hours, because we have seen Vladimir Putin just today, perhaps indeed, as

Zelenskyy was speaking in Ireland, say that Europe is not interested in peace.

And I think fundamentally, the expectation is that these proposals not going to be acceptable to the Kremlin in their current changed form.

ASHER: Yeah. I mean, listen, it's a lot of people, a lot of experts watching this, have said, look, Vladimir Putin has adopted this very

hardline approach. He appears to be very maximalist in his stance towards these peace negotiations. And also, I think more importantly, he doesn't

really have an incentive based on what's happening on the battlefield.

The fact that Russia is willing to lose soldiers at a much higher rate than Ukrainians are means that they do effectively, at least in terms of the

numbers and the sheer army size of Russia, they do have an advantage. However, Europe's opinion and its voice in all of this is important,

because Europe does bear the long-term costs of regional instability, especially when it comes to refugees, for example, and just sort of the

economic fallout of this war between Russia and Ukraine. Walk us through that aspect of this.

JOSHI: I think that's all completely right, but it's not just bearing the costs of this campaign. Europe is also the most important supporter of

Ukraine's ability to survive, economically and militarily at this stage, and your viewers may not appreciate, at this stage, America is no longer

providing military aid to Ukraine.

It isn't. It is selling weapons to Europe at cost price, some of which are then being sent to Ukraine. But the cost of this is being born almost

entirely by Europeans. And so that question of how long can Ukraine sustain itself without American help, that depends enormously on Europe's ability

to keep finding the consensus that generates the financial support the military support for Ukraine.

And indeed, if this war goes on for another two years, it will be really down to Europe to find the means to keep Ukraine solvent. It is no longer

an American led process, although America, of course, does sell weapons that are absolutely crucial for Ukraine, such as patriot interceptor

missiles and GPS guided rockets.

[11:25:00]

ASHER: Right, Shashank Joshi from "The Economist", thank you. Thank you so much for your perspective. We appreciate it. All right, after the break,

Tanzania's President blames protesters and back security forces after that deadly post-election crackdown. We'll have a live update for you after the

break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: All right, later this hour, President Donald Trump will gather his cabinet at a crucial time. He's facing growing questions about a possible

war with Venezuela. The president huddled with his national security team on Monday, but he's not saying what if anything was decided.

Lawmakers are concerned about a string of deadly U.S. strikes on what the White House says with drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean. Some are

questioning whether a crime was committed when a second strike was carried out on a boat that had already been hit once.

Sources tell CNN there were survivors essentially clinging to the boat after the first strike, the second, killed them all. The White House says

it was not Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who gave the order for the second strike, but U.S. Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley. Hegseth posted that he stands

by the combat decisions Bradley has made on September 2nd mission and all others since.

Betsy Klein is at the White House for us with the story. It's also on top of that, this idea that when Pete Hegseth ordered the strikes in the first

place, that there weren't any survivors. And you know, there's this important nuance as to whether or not he did order those strikes before

knowing that there were survivors.

Had he ordered the strikes knowing that there were survivors and then order them to be struck a second time, that would be much more serious in terms

of what the White House is adding to this?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Sure, I think that is one of the very key questions that the White House is facing so much scrutiny

about the legality of this double tap strike on an alleged drug vote in the Caribbean on September 2nd. We are also facing questions about Secretary

Hegseth's role in that strike.

And we've seen a steady stream of cabinet officials arriving here at the White House within the last hour, as the president is preparing to convene

his cabinet for a meeting, and we are going to be watching those dynamics extremely closely, but our reporting indicates that that boat was struck,

and afterward it was assessed that there were survivors. There was then a second strike, known as a double tap.

[11:30:00]

CNN has reported that Secretary Hegseth, in his original order, said that everyone on the boat should be killed. It is not clear, as you just laid

out, whether he knew that there were survivors before that second strike. That is the big point of question here. Now a double tap strike, is not

necessarily illegal, if it is determined that those survivors did not pose a threat to the United States.

That raises the possibility that it was in violation of international law and it could constitute a war crime. Now, the White House says the admiral

Frank Mitch Bradley was the official who ordered that second strike, and they say that he was working in his authority. They argue that

presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting.

And the White House has not laid out any legal justification or evidence for this second strike. All of this prompting lawmakers to ask for the

release of the full tranche of video and audio around this strike, they are calling for investigations and oversight here. The president himself says

that he wouldn't have wanted a second strike, but I want you to listen to Senator Roger Wicker. He is the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services

Committee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ROGER WICKER (R-MS): We're going to conduct oversight, and we're going to try to get to the facts, and to the extent that we're able to see videos

and see what the orders were, we'll have a lot more information. I've spoken to the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, I've spoken to the

Secretary of Defense, and we'll be speaking to the admiral that was in charge of the operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KLEIN: Now, all of this as the president continues to weigh next steps in Venezuela, convening his cabinet just moments from now, we'll be watching

that quite closely, Zain.

ASHER: All right. Betsy Klein live for us there at the White House. Thank you so much. The President of Tanzania is defending security forces

following deadly violence in the aftermath of the October elections. President Samia Suluhu Hassan says that without evidence, demonstrators

were paid and that protest planners intended to actually bring down her government.

An exclusive CNN investigation found that police and gun wielding men on patrol shot at groups of unarmed protesters, in addition, satellite images

and video shows signs of possible mass graves north of Dar es Salaam. The government has dismissed CNN's reporting.

For more on these developments, let's bring in CNN's Larry Madowo, who's following the story from neighboring Kenya. So, the president there is

essentially saying that these are not protests, that this is actually was, was violence back in October with malicious intention.

Saying that, number one, the violence that the security forces carried out -- in her words, wasn't that bad. And number two, the intent was to

overthrow the government. What evidence did the Tanzanian President provide, Larry?

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She provided no evidence, but she went on this long, bizarre, hour-long tirade against the youth, civil society, the

opposition, the media, foreigners. President Samia Suluhu Hassan appears to inhabit this alternate reality where her government and security forces and

the police bear no responsibility for the killings that happened.

We don't know the exact number, because her government refuses to put a number to it, the opposition claims as many as 2000 people could have been

killed, probably more. The government says that's hugely exaggerated, but they will not provide an alternate number.

Instead, President Samia Suluhu Hassan says the use of force was proportional because these people were burning government buildings, police

stations, public transport, private businesses, and she seems to equate private property damage to human life. She did offer condolences to those

who died, but then spent the next hour justifying that, saying that it was a threat to her government.

They planned a coup d'etat, and they stamped it out. She also had very strong words for the European Union parliament and any foreigners that have

been criticizing the Tanzanian government the human rights situation in that country. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANIA SULUHU HASSAN, TANZANIAN PRESIDENT: Because of the shame that they would have lost the election, they have made up excuses supported by

foreigners. They're shameless. Those foreigners keep saying Tanzania should do 1, 2, 3, then something will happen.

They think they're still our masters, our colonizers because of the little money they gave us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: President Hassan does not want any foreigners criticizing her government and the human rights situation there. She falsely claimed that

the opposition refused to participate in this election, which she claims of one of 98 percent of the vote. That's just simply not true.

The opposition was barred from running the main Chadema Party and its leader, Tundu Lissu, who remains in prison, charged with treason since

April. If he's found guilty, he faces the death penalty.

[11:35:00]

The second largest party ACT-Wazalendo did not participate as well. And so, she claims, because they smell defeat and decided not to participate in

that. And that's a backdrop where this new outrage in the country over this alternate reality she's presented, Zain.

ASHER: All right, Larry Madowo live for us in Nairobi. Thank you so much. Right, still to come, Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth face growing scrutiny

over the legality of missile strikes in the Caribbean. We'll have details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: All right. Welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher from New York. Here are some headlines we are watching for you today. Any moment

now, U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a meeting of his cabinet his ninth since the start of his second term.

It comes at a time when there is growing concern over his war like rhetoric towards Venezuela. And the deadly U.S. strikes on boats the White House

claims are smuggling drugs. Donald Trump's trusted negotiators are waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow right now.

They're expected to go over a U.S. backed peace proposal aimed at ending Russia's war on Ukraine. Here you see U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and

the president's son in law, Jared Kushner, strolling through Moscow's Red Square. Louisiana is expected to be the next target in the Trump

Administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Officers were seen entering a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility near New Orleans on Monday. The Department of Homeland Security is

expected to deploy 250 agents -- the states. And did American forces commit a war crime?

[11:40:00]

That question being raised by some U.S., lawmakers were calling on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to testify before Congress. This controversy

surrounds a decision in September to strike an alleged drug boat twice. Sources tell CNN, the U.S. military was aware that survivors remained

before carrying out a second strike.

After more than four months of escalating military pressure, the U.S. standoff with Venezuela appears to be consuming Washington. President

Donald Trump has accused Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro of orchestrating drug trafficking, and says he's tasked U.S. forces with eliminating the

smugglers.

Early September, U.S. military strikes have killed at least 76 people and destroyed about 20 boats. A series of attacks which focused at first on the

Caribbean Sea, shifted in recent weeks to the Eastern Pacific Oceans, with officials believing this is where they can disrupt transport routes for

illegal cocaine shipments.

My next guest is Dr. Rahul Gupta. He was U.S. Drug Czar under President Joe Biden. Dr. Gupta, thank you so much for being with us. What comes out of

Venezuela is largely cocaine, and what comes out of Mexico is fentanyl? A lot of experts say that the cocaine coming out of Venezuela is actually

mostly, not all, but mostly destined for Europe, because drug smugglers can actually fetch a lot more money for the same number of kilos of cocaine.

Obviously, the sort of main focus of the past few months has, of course, been the legality of these strikes in the first place. Is it even legal to

strike individuals without any due process in international waters, let alone a second strike, in terms of what we what happened on September 2nd?

But that question aside, are these strikes actually having any effect whatsoever on the number of drugs that are being trafficked into the United

States at this point?

DR. RAHUL GUPTA, FORMER DIRECTOR OF U.S. OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY: Thanks for having me, Zain. Well, the fact of the matter is that we

have about 2500 tons of cocaine that comes to the United States each year, and 90 percent of that comes through land borders, through actually Mexico.

So, while there are hundreds of boats each day on the high seas with small volume of cargo carrying cocaine, having a 1z and 2z's, maybe a couple of

strikes a week. It may be symbolic, but it's really not going to make a dent in the overall conditions. At the same time, we have to ask the

question, what about the demand signal that is coming out of the United States, because of which these drug traffickers are sending 2500 tons of

cocaine to the United States.

ASHER: Yeah, that is an important question about the demand. But also, I mean, obviously you mentioned that striking these drug votes are, it's a

symbolic, you know, symbolic action there's not actually going to have any sort of meaningful impact on the number of drugs coming into the United

States.

Also, when you kill the people on board, you're depriving yourself, just in terms of the U.S. potentially shooting itself in the foot, you're depriving

yourself of valuable intelligence, just in terms of being able to perhaps capture some of these people who are doing the smuggling, doing these sort

of boat runs, you can obviously interview them and find out a bit more about the cartels that they're working for.

GUPTA: Yes, Zain, I think not only the intelligence loss, but human intelligence pieces happen, but also sometimes we don't even know until we

board that carter that looks like drugs isn't drugs. And then finally, the drug sometimes you have to know by the labeling, when you see it from which

cartels they're coming so we can understand the patterns that keep shifting.

Now, what we do know from our -- about half a century of history on, this is the drug traffickers and producers are very clever. What they do is they

may pause, but then they will figure out, for every one vote that goes down, they'll create three more votes, whether they are smaller, or they

are semi-submersible, or they change routes, but they're not going to stop.

So, we have to wonder, is the splash enough to address the undercurrent, which means that this is a tactical action. Where's the strategy? That's

what the American people would want to see, is a transparent strategy that goes beyond symbolism.

ASHER: And then just in terms of fentanyl, I mean, the U.S. is biggest problem. I mean, obviously cocaine is a massive problem, don't get me

wrong. But the biggest problem in this country is, of course, fentanyl that comes via Mexico and that comes actually across land.

And the Trump Administration has tried various tactics, including weaponizing tariffs as one strategy to get the Mexican government to try to

limit the amount of fentanyl pouring over the borders.

[11:45:00]

But what is the most effective strategy in your mind to limit the amount of fentanyl coming in from Mexico?

GUPTA: I think you're correct, about four out of five deaths that are happening amongst Americans is because of fentanyl. And we made a lot of

progress, yet the -- what we have learned is that it is the collaboration, whether we ask the Chinese government to put his foot harder on his pedal

to stop the criminal elements from shipping raw materials to Mexico, or work with the Mexican government to ensure that the production of fentanyl

is not happening.

The trafficking of fentanyl across our U.S. southern border is not happening. A lot of this requires look today the fact is, this synthetic

problem is a global threat, and we were able to get 150 countries together to collaborate, share intelligence as well as their operational aspects

together, because the bad guys are united working, you know, with each other.

So, we have to actually collaborate with nations, partner nations, and to bring this global scourge to an end, that includes dismantling networks,

reducing supply chain, and going after the money this cartels, other class national criminal organizations.

ASHER: Right, Dr. Rahul Gupta, so appreciate having your perspective on this story. It's a unique one. Appreciate it. Thank you so much. Right,

people in parts of Asia are dealing with deadly floods right now. Coming up, our Mike Valerio has details from some of the areas that have been

hardest hit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: All right. Breaking news into CNN, the much-anticipated meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and

U.S. President son in law, Jared Kushner, has now begun. It is just before eight o'clock in the evening in Moscow. Right now, they're meeting at the

Kremlin.

You see them, they're seated at the table. Witkoff brought with him the U.S. proposals for ending the war in Ukraine. We know that the initial 28-

point plan that was considered to be highly favorable to Moscow has been revised water down to account for some of Ukraine's demands.

It at this point is it remains to be seen whether or not Vladimir Putin is going to accept the new proposal or not. A lot of people are doubtful,

because at this point in time, Russia has had a very hardline approach, just in terms of wanting to stick with some of its own red lines as it

pertains to what it wants before it will accept peace in Ukraine.

[11:50:00]

All right elsewhere in Asia, devastating storms have left more than 1200 people dead, while hundreds are still missing and tens of thousands have

been forced out of their home. Cyclone Senyar brought untold destruction to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand with a week of heavy rain, leaving entire

communities cut off and hampering rescue efforts.

In Indonesia, landslides and flooding kills more than 600 people. Southern Thailand has reported nearly 200 deaths. And amid a separate storm in Sri

Lanka, the death toll from floods and mudslides has reached at least 410. Our Mike Valerio has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Across flood ravaged Sri Lanka, the military called into airlift fuel for families cut off from the

rest of the country by Cyclone Ditwah. Social Media video from Sri Lanka's Air Force showing a child rescued pulled up to safety as neighboring India

and Pakistan also send an aircraft to help.

In Indonesia's West Sumatra, signs of Cyclone Senyar's human toll are everywhere. Orange body bags carried by rescue and recovery teams. This man

lost both his mother and mother-in-law, saying they were sick and could not walk.

MUHAMMAD RAIS, PALEMBAYAN RESIDENT: This building used to be my house. This was a mosque, and that was my parent's house, a rice mill, my younger

brother's house and my in-laws.

VALERIO (voice-over): This is a before view of Songkhla province in Thailand from October. And this is a view from Sunday. A snapshot of West

Sumatra from the summer, and one from over the weekend. Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emphasizing the scale of the

catastrophe.

ANURA KUMARA DISSANAYAKE, SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT: As a country, we are facing the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history. We also

recognize that what we are undertaking is the most difficult rescue operation in our nation's history.

VALERIO (voice-over): In Sri Lanka, more than 24,000 police, army and air force personnel are still trying to reach families stranded by floods,

authorities said.

SUNETHRA PRIYADARSHINI, GARMENT FACTORY WORKER: In the night, things were normal. By the next morning, everything was under water, including our

house. Seven of us, including children, took refuge on the top floor. There are another 15 adults still there. Their houses are completely under water.

VALERIO (voice-over): Back in Indonesia, mud in some areas seen coming up to the top of door frames. This woman says her child was the one who

rescued her, and the flood was as high as the attic. She's gotten no food from the government yet, only from relatives. All as hundreds remain

missing across the worst hit areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Mike Valerio, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ASHER: Time for a quick break. We'll be right back with more in a couple of minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:55:00]

ASHER: All right, let's go to the White House, where President Trump is holding a cabinet meeting. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: -- I'm right about everything. But some people like to correct me, and they say 48 years. I

say it's not 48 years, it's much more, but they say it's the worst inflation that we've had in 48 years. I say, ever, but whether it's 48

years or ever, it's pretty bad.

We had the worst inflation that we've ever had. Since last January, we've stopped inflation in its tracks. And there is still more to do. There's

always more to do, but we have it down to a very good level. It's going to go down a little bit further. You want to have a little tiny bit of

inflation.

Otherwise, that's not good either. Then you have a thing called deflation. And deflation can be worse than inflation, but we have it almost will soon

be at a perfect level, but we inherited the worst inflation, but we have 20 states that are now selling gasoline at less than the $2.75 -- think of

that $2.75 and it was at $5 under sleepy Joe.

Grocery prices are down with the cost of Thanksgiving turkey this year down 33 percent, it was lower than 33 percent lower than under the Biden

Administration. Egg prices are way down 86 percent. Thank you. And mortgage rates, despite the fact that we have an incompetent Chairman of the Fed, a

real dope, who should reduce rates or so?

Even Jamie Dimon said he should be reducing rates. I never saw Jamie Dimon say that. I wonder why he said that. But he really said it, because he's

right, but we have a guy that's just a stubborn ox who probably doesn't like your president, your favorite president, but they're going to be

coming down.

We'll be announcing somebody probably early next year for the new Chairman of the Fed. I talked to Scott about taking the job, and he doesn't want it.

You got the greatest job here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.

TRUMP: Right? He said, no, I want to stay Chairman -- I want to stay right where we are treasury. And I think we're doing really great, aren't we?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're doing great, sir. It's a great team to be part of --

TRUMP: Yeah, it's amazing. Under my executive order to lower prescription drug prices, which I think is the single biggest thing we've ever done that

nobody writes about because your fake news. I've made unprecedented deals, along with Bobby and Oz and all of the people that work on it.

Lot of people that you wouldn't even think work on it, but they do to slash drug prices by 200 percent, 300 percent, 400 percent, 500 percent, 600

percent, 700 percent, 800 percent nobody's ever heard of it before because I instituted favored nations, and no nation agreed to do it.

And then I said to the nations, if you're not going to do it, I'm going to charge you 100 percent tariff, which is more money than we're talking

about. And they said, sir, we'd love to do it. Please, we would be honored to do it. And they agreed that they would go along with the whole thing.

Nobody thought you could do it, because they felt, number one, you couldn't get the drug companies to do it. So, we're paying as an example for the

let's call it the fat drug. The fat drug, FAT for fat people. Anybody uses the table, don't ask. But the fat drug was $135 think of that, for certain

people, $1,300 for certain countries, $1,300 in New York.

So, in New York, it was $1,300 and in London, it was $135 and a friend of mine called me said, what is this? Why is it he got used to paying $1,300.

Well, now what we have it down to is Bobby, what's the number like, 150 or something we have it down to a low number --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah --

TRUMP: -- So, we got it down from $1,300 to $125 to $140 depending on various countries. In other words, we're paying the lowest price, tied for

the lowest price in the world. Its people said you could never do that, because you couldn't get the countries to agree to it. I did.

[12:00:00]

END