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The Brief with Jim Sciutto
CNN International: U.K. PM Starmer Stands Down; Britain to Get Its Seventh Prime Minister in 10 Years; U.S. Eases Sanctions to Allow for Iranian Oil Sales; Lead Negotiators Wrap Up High-Level Talks in Switzerland; U.K.'s Economic Challenges; Former U.S. Fed. Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan dies at 100; Colombia's Presidential Race; "Save Ukraine" Works to Rescue Those Allegedly Abducted by Russia. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired June 22, 2026 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta, Jim Sciutto is
off. You're watching "The Brief."
Just ahead this hour, Britain's revolving door of politics turns yet again. Keir Starmer is stepping down as prime minister, setting the U.K. on course
for its sixth prime minister in seven years. In Colombia, a Trump-backed far-right populist leads the race for the presidency. And the World Cup
effect. Could football soar in popularity among American sports fans? We'll have that story and plenty more coming up.
We begin in the U.K. where Prime Minister Keir Stelmer has announced his resignation following months of pressure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEIR STARMER, OUTGOING BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general
election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: This means Britain will get its seventh Prime Minister in just ten years. Newly sworn in Member of Parliament Andy Burnham is widely
expected to succeed, Mr. Starmer. The 56-year-old former Greater Manchester Mayor, nicknamed the King of the North, won an election only last week.
Burnham's potential rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is now backing him to become the next Labour leader and prime minister.
Our Max Foster is following all the developments and joining us now live from London. Great to have you with us, Max. So, Britain is about to get
its fifth Prime Minister in four years. It's head-spinning that Stelmer is out after that landslide victory less than two years ago. What went wrong?
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: Well, he had that landslide victory. Actually, if you look back in modern history, it was probably the most
successful one because he built it so quickly. So, Tony Blair had a landslide victory, but it took him several terms to get to that point. But
he just -- when he got into office, it didn't translate into policy or any sorts of change. He didn't seem to have a strategy or a plan.
So, quite often he would come up with policies which were very unpopular. Then he would go into U-turns. Most famously, you know, the Mandelson
affair, appointing Peter Mandelson, standing by Peter Mandelson, and only reacting very late to that. So, he could have perhaps managed that better
if he obviously hadn't appointed Mandelson in the first place to Washington, but then had reacted more quickly.
But there were all sorts of national issues with his leadership, and gradually he lost support, which is interesting, Lynda, because on the
international stage he was actually very successful. But here's not here is a phrase you would often hear because he was so focused on the
international stage. And ultimately, his popularity sank to such a point, the parliamentary party just thought he had to go. And then, they ended up
in a situation where who is the only senior Labour politician that has a positive approval rating?
And it was someone that wasn't even in the parliamentary party, someone outside the parliamentary party that had to bring Andy Burnham in
effectively.
KINKADE: Yes. So, I have to ask you about Andy Burnham. A mayor from Manchester. Certainly, he seems to be a beloved character, but what do we
know about his foreign policy, and what could his, you know, election to the prime minister mean for the U.S. and Ukraine?
FOSTER: Well, he's been very successful in the northwest of England, not just in terms of popularity, but in terms of his policy. He's been very
effective in bringing in new policies there. And he famously last week beat reform, which is the hard right party here, led by Nigel Farage in an
election. And that's effectively what Labour needs to do at the general election in a couple of years' time.
Whether you can translate what happens in Manchester or Greater Manchester to what happens here in London is very different, but it is a gamble
they're effectively taking because you ask about foreign policy, we don't even know about his national policy.
But the only indication we've really had is that, you know, Keir Starmer was voted in on this Labour manifesto, and he seems quite loyal to that.
So, in reality, despite the fact he was campaigning against the Labour Party and Westminster establishment during the election last week, he's
actually got very similar policies to Keir Starmer.
[18:05:00]
I think what the Labour Party is thinking is he may be able to be more effective. in the role. That's really what we're looking for here. But
primarily it's popularity and charisma which Keir Starmer just didn't have. They're hoping that might work and bring some light into Downing Street.
KINKADE: Exactly. He'll be bringing the charm offensive. He certainly needs to. Max Foster for us outside 10 Downing Street. Good to have you
there for us. Thank you.
Well, the U.S. is easing up on its sanctions on Iranian oil as it reports progress on diplomatic efforts for a final peace agreement. The negotiators
are heading home, leaving behind teams to hash out the details. Vice President J.D. Vance's talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland have
laid a very good foundation for a final deal. He also says Iran has agreed to let U.N. nuclear inspectors into the country, although Iran is pushing
back on those comments.
Just a short time ago, reporters asked the U.S. president about the potential economic fallout of a drawn-out military operation in the region.
President Trump replied that the threat of a nuclear weapon is a greater concern for him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Depression is real bad. Nuclear weapon will cause depression much more quickly. The way we're doing it, we have the
opposite of a depression.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Our Nic Robertson has been following this closely and filed this report from Switzerland.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Look, I think the Iranians are also trying to sell the successes of their time here in
Switzerland to their audience. We've heard from the foreign minister saying the test of this is going to be on how well the ceasefire works in Lebanon.
They came into this saying that they wanted a ceasefire in Lebanon. They refused to come to the talks that have been scheduled for Friday.
And there has been an agreement around that of sorts. A deconfliction cell has been created to try to, you know, stop sudden escalations of violence.
It's a band-aid, but it keeps the memorandum of understanding on track, if you will. It sort of fattens down that part of the agreement for now. So,
he's selling that to the population that way. The foreign minister of Iran has been selling to the population as well that they're getting some
sanctions relief. There's been pushback on the U.S. side about that. J.D. Vance explained their view.
This is where we're at. The memorandum of understanding was signed last week. But there's very, very little action that's actually happened to
advance anything. There have been disagreements, as we've heard, about the role of the IAEA. That's all a detail that has to be hammered out. The
sanctions relief, when and how it happens, the frozen assets relief, how and when it happens, all of those are details that get hammered out along
the way.
Where we're at, they've agreed up here a structure, you know, sort of a high body to oversee, a monitoring structure, a grievances structure, some
sort of lower-level groups on the sanctions, on the nuclear issues that agree at technical level. They've got this structure, technical reports to
political, political reports into that overall body, the sort of high-level committee that it's called. But the actual stuff that really needs to get
agreed, the wording was found to get this memorandum of understanding.
The real stuff in that has to be agreed. It doesn't really feel as if we've moved forward on that. But given the tensions over the weekend, that
agreement, the MOU is still in place, both sides telling it to their populations, there are differences of opinion, and that's how it's going to
be until it finally gets nailed down on what's what and what the specifics are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Our thanks to Nic Robertson. Well, to discuss the latest developments in the Iran negotiations and the wider regional fallout. I'd
like to welcome U.S. Congressman Johnny Olszewski, who is on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and joins us now live. Good to have you with us.
REP. JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI (D-MD): Thanks, Lynda.
KINKADE: So, Congressman, as we were just hearing there from Nic Robertson, you know, U.S. and Iranian negotiators talking about this
framework of a deal. But you've previously warned that a ceasefire masquerading as a deal is of risk of collapsing. Just explain your
concerns.
OLSZEWSKI: Yes, absolutely. I'll start just by saying this MOU is nothing more than a ceasefire dressed up as a deal. And all that we're hoping to do
is get back to a point where we stop hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
And in the meantime, we're likely giving up a lot. I was deeply concerned to see the Treasury Department announce those easing of sanctions on
Iranian oil. That is a huge windfall both for Iran and for China. And we really get nothing in exchange. And what's really scary is that just last
week, the State Department, in fact, warned Congress that the proceeds of those oil sales often fund the military operations of Iran, as well as
terror networks. And so, I'm deeply concerned. And while rooting for success, we've not seen a lot of progress, as you just pointed out here.
[18:10:00]
KINKADE: And, Congressman, we've certainly heard analysts describe the clear comparisons between this current framework of a deal and President
Obama's Iran deal in 2015 that the Trump administration the first time tore up. Do you see those comparisons in terms of, you know, the nuclear limits
in exchange for sanctions relief? And if it is very similar, what does that mean as to the position we're in right now?
OLSZEWSKI: Yes. First, we have to remember that because President Trump tore up the JCPOA, that's when Iran accelerated their nuclear program.
That's when we lost the inspectors. That's when the strait was opened and then became closed after the war started. So, this in many ways was created
by President Trump.
But yes, we should absolutely measure any deal or potential deal against that JCPOA. It was an imperfect agreement, including being silent on use of
funds towards the funding of terror proxies and terror networks. But, you know, this current situation that's happening with the Trump administration
has me worried that we're not going to get even as good of a deal as we had under President Obama.
Again, I'm hopeful. We'll wait to see what happens. But I absolutely think that after President Trump spent so many years trashing the Obama deal,
that he has to come back with something better, especially after what Americans have gone through to pay for it.
KINKADE: Donald Trump held a press conference a short time ago and again said, you know, if Iran doesn't hold up its end of this agreement, you
know, there will be other consequences. You've said that members of Congress are receiving very little detail in terms of negotiations. Do you
believe Congress is being properly consulted on the decisions that could reshape the next moves, either militarily or the economic commitments in
the region going forward?
KINKADE: Yes. I'm sorry to say, unfortunately, not both throughout the conduct of the war as well as any of the potential diplomatic negotiations.
Congress, at least this member of Congress has been completely left out. I know my Democratic colleagues have been out of the loop, and many of my
Republican colleagues don't even know what the next moves of the administration will be.
I don't think that serves the American interest very well. We should be working at this together. We certainly are worried about Iran having
nuclear weapons and the sponsorship of terrorism that they have done, and we want to push back against that.
But when a president goes off on his own, especially a president with such a knack for lying, he's lied about the war, he's lied about lowering costs
on day one, he's lied about the Epstein files. When Congress is not in the loop, given his difficulty with the truth, I'm especially concerned in that
environment.
KINKADE: Congressman Johnny Olszewski, we appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us.
OLSZEWSKI: Thank you.
KINKADE: Well, still ahead, can the King of the North turn the U.K. economy around? The economic challenges facing Andy Burnham, when and if he
becomes the next U.K. prime minister.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:15:00]
KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. In today's Business Breakout, a mixed day on Wall Street, the Dow posted gains with the NASDAQ tumbled more
than one and a quarter percent. Big tech names sold off on concerns about their A.I. spending. Alphabet closed 5 percent lower, its worst session in
over a year. SpaceX tumbled more than 16 percent, its third straight day of losses. Shares of Elon Musk's rocket firm are now up 14 percent from their
IPO price of $135.
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his handling of the British economy Monday during his resignation announcement in London. He
says the country is in a much better place since he's been in power.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STARMER: Look at what we've achieved in just two years, an economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers, wages rising faster than inflation
in every single month since we came to power, investment secured, infrastructure being built, an end to austerity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: The U.K. economy grew at a respectable six-tenths of a percent annual rate in the first quarter, but its borrowing costs are on the
highest in the group of seven wealthiest nations. A British industry group sees unemployment rising to its highest levels in more than a decade.
And the cost-of-living pressures are rising. Starmer's resignation comes one day before the 10-year anniversary of the U.K. Brexit referendum, which
led to the country's withdrawal from the European Union. Economists largely agree that Brexit weakened the U.K. economy and continues to be a drag on
growth. One estimate says Brexit has reduced U.K. GDP by as much as 8 percent.
So, Andy Burnham is poised to become the next U.K. Prime Minister and recently discussed the economic impact of Brexit and his hope for the
future.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY BURNHAM, BRITISH LABOUR MP: My view is that Brexit has been damaging, but I also believe the last thing we should do right now is rerun those
arguments. Britain will be stuck in a permanent rut if we're just constantly arguing and people are pulling away from each other. It is time,
surely, isn't it, to bring people back together, to focus on what we've got in common, to get the growth coming to all places.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Quentin Peel joins me now. He's an associate fellow at Chatham House and former foreign editor at the Financial Times. Great to have you
with us.
QUENTIN PEEL, ASSOCIATE FELLOW, EUROPE PROGRAMME, CHATHAM HOUSE: Good evening.
KINKADE: So, Quentin, Britain is heading for yet another leadership transition with Andy Burnham in pole position to become the next prime
minister at this point in time. Is the U.K. in a period of genuine reset for the country or could this just be another turn in the cycle of
political instability and potentially weak growth?
PEEL: Well, the problem that is facing Andy Burnham, and he's the man that everybody already assumed is going to become the next prime minister, is
that the problems have not got any easier. In fact, they've almost certainly got more difficult, partly thanks to what you've already been
talking about in the news, clearly the war in Iran, the price of oil going up and the insecurity in the global market, and that's really affected the
U.K. as much as anybody.
So, growth is still very feeble, really. And the truth is that Britain has been badly affected from way back in the 2008 financial crisis. Then we had
Brexit, then we had COVID, and it's struggling. So here comes a man who really wants to talk up the prospects of getting growth going. But the
problem is that balancing the books is going to be very difficult. So, he's got a huge challenge ahead of him.
KINKADE: He certainly does. You know, Keir Starmer in his resignation address took credit for the positive data we're seeing in the economy. But
we heard from Donald Trump a short time ago, the US president saying that the biggest issues for Keir Starmer were immigration and energy. He took
note of the wind farms. What do you think were some of the biggest issues for Keir Starmer?
PEEL: You know, I think it's possibly slightly different. I think that a real problem has been Brexit.
[18:20:00]
And what Brexit did to Britain was hugely divided the political families in the country. It divided the Conservative Party, it divided the Labour
Party, and it got people used to rebellion. So, when Keir Starmer came to power with a huge majority, he had a potentially very rebellious Labour
Party in Parliament, and they were used to rebelling over Brexit, and they kept rebelling.
Brexit, because it was decided by a referendum, actually fundamentally undermined parliamentary democracy. And so, we've had this ridiculous
situation where we've had a string of prime ministers, just as if Britain was Italy, where they never could keep a prime minister for more than a
year.
KINKADE: Yes. And I have to wonder, so far markets has been relatively calm, but analysts, you know, are pointing out the fact that repeated
leadership changes risk undermining the long-term confidence in the U.K. Do you see that as a factor? What's your assessment?
PEEL: Yes. I mean, the real reason for this coup, and it is a coup d'etat against Keir Starmer by Andy Burnham and his supporters, because suddenly
an overwhelming majority of the Labour Party in Parliament saying, we want to change.
Now, the real reason for that coup is the rise of the far-right Brexit Party. The party -- sorry, the now reform U.K., but used to be the Brexit
Party. And that's what really worries the Labour Party. And Keir Starmer had shown that he simply didn't have the political leadership, clarity and
charisma necessary to see off the Reform U.K. and Nigel Farage.
Now, what Andy Burnham has shown in coming to Parliament is that he can beat Reform U.K. So, there is this desire for change within the Labour
Party, anything to keep out Nigel Farage and Reform UK. But it's a very divided political scene.
KINKADE: Yes, it certainly is. Quentin Peel, Associate Fellow at the Chatham House, we appreciate your analysis. Thanks for joining us.
PEEL: Take care.
KINKADE: Well, I want to check some other business headlines today. The so-called Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance is out with a sober new warning
on artificial intelligence. The group says governments must improve cybersecurity defenses within months before new generation A.I. models are
released. It says new models will only accelerate cyber threats that could harm governments and businesses.
EasyJet has rejected a new takeover bid from an American investment company. The budget airline says the bid from Castle Lake is a, quote,
"Opportunistic attempt to acquire easyJet on the cheap." It's the third time that easyJet has rejected a bid from the firm.
The economic world is remembering Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman nicknamed the maestro. Greenspan died at the age of 100 on
Monday. He led the US Central Bank for more than 18 years under four US presidents. He was highly praised while in office, but critics say his
policy choices helped lead to the global financial crisis in 2008. CNN's Erin Burnett looks back at his life and legacy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR (voice over): When he left the Federal Reserve in 2006 after 18 and a half years at the helm, Alan Greenspan was a legend.
GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: He has dominated his age like no central banker in history.
BURNETT (voice over): First appointed Fed chairman by President Reagan, Greenspan oversaw some of the markets most tumultuous times. Just two
months into the job, on October 19, 1987, the U.S. stock market crashed, plunging 22 percent in one day. Black Friday. Greenspan was credited with
reassuring investors and later helped steer the U.S. economy through an Asian financial crisis, the dot com bubble implosion and the September 11th
terror attacks.
But after he left the Federal Reserve and the subprime mortgage meltdown threatened to collapse the world economy, some praise turned to blame.
Critics said Greenspan's policy of low interest rates fueled the housing bubble, and argued that he failed to rein in risky mortgage lending.
ALAN GREENSPAN, FORMER FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: Do I like people making unkind remarks about me or my colleagues or things? Of course, I dislike
it. But that doesn't make it true. And the fact that other people have misunderstandings of how the world works, I'm not going to fret about that.
It's not my job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you solemnly swear?
BURNETT (voice over): Called before congress in 2008, Greenspan didn't admit fault, but acknowledged the free market let him down.
[18:25:00]
GREENSPAN: I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interest of organizations, specifically banks and others, was such as that they were
best capable of protecting their own shareholders. That, as I said, shocked me. I still do not fully understand why it happened.
BURNETT (voice over): Born in 1926 in New York, Greenspan first pursued a career in music, touring with a swing band before giving it up to study
economics.
GREENSPAN: Looking back in retrospect, I kept taking the right path all the time and ending up where I never expected to be.
BURNETT (voice over): He became a consultant on Wall Street, later advising Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan.
ANDREA MITCHELL, ALAN GREENSPAN'S WIFE AND NBC CORRESPONDENT: Hello, everybody.
BURNETT (voice over): Greenspan also found time for love, marrying NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell in 1997. As Fed chief, his words were
carefully chosen and often sphinx like, but he always moved markets.
In 1996, wondering if stocks were overvalued, Greenspan posed this question during a speech in Washington.
GREENSPAN: How do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values?
BURNETT (voice over): Within hours, stocks around the world sold off, cementing his reputation as a global economic force.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The testimony you are about to provide --
BURNETT (voice over): In 2010, Greenspan himself offered this assessment of his career in public service.
GREENSPAN: I was right 70 percent of the time, but I was wrong 30 percent of the time. And there are an awful lot of mistakes in 21 years
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, extreme temperatures are spreading across Europe. A heat dome is sitting over the continent for the second time in two months.
That's when high pressure systems trap hot air and push it down. Heat alerts have been issued in 26 countries, stretching from Ireland to Greece.
The U.K. could even reach an all-time high for June. And in Spain, a World Cup fan zone was closed due to the excessive heat. Only about 20 percent of
European homes have air conditioning.
In France, temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit in some places. CNN's Melissa Bell is in Paris with how authorities are
handling the heat.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is an intensifying heat wave that is spreading across Europe from Greece all the
way through to the west of the continent. Here, in the world's fastest warming continent, we are seeing a heat wave that authorities are warning
will not just intensify but could prove much longer than average.
Already here in France, we've been seeing sweltering temperatures for the last few days, including here at the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. Normally,
you're not allowed to swim, but they made a special exception, with many people just seeking a little respite from these temperatures.
Some of the highest expected here in Paris today, with authorities predicting they could be some of the French capital's highest ever on a
record. We saw it already on Sunday. France had its national music festival, the Fete de la Musique, across the country. In those hardest-hit
parts of the country, the public consumption of alcohol was ordered to try and protect people's health. Authorities are really warning people to stay
at home as much as they can.
What we're seeing are these alerts across the continent and across, with red alerts here, across half of France. They're the highest level of alert,
with things only likely to get worse. What we expect is an intensification through to Wednesday, Thursday, by which time the heat wave should move
northwards. It is in the United Kingdom that they expect their heat wave to come Wednesday and Thursday.
Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, straight ahead, a man nicknamed the Tiger halls now a leader in Colombia's presidential election. We'll tell you how U.S.
President Donald Trump played a role next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:30:00]
KINKADE: Welcome back to "The Brief," I'm Lynda Kinkade. Here are the international headlines we're watching today.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is calling it quits. He announced his resignation today amid a revolt in his party. Mr. Starmer has been on the
job for less than two years. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely considered to be the frontrunner to replace him.
Heat alerts have been issued in 26 European countries stretching from Ireland to Greece. A heat dome is sitting over the continent for the second
time in two months. The U.K. could reach all-time high temperatures for June. And in Spain, a World Cup fan zone was closed due to the excessive
heat. Only about 20 percent of European homes have air conditioning.
Legendary music producer Clive Davis has died at the age of 94. Davis worked alongside superstars including Whitney Houston and Billy Joel.
Davis' family is remembering him as, quote, "a towering figure" whose influence changed music forever. He was known in the industry as the man
with the golden ears.
A man who calls himself the Tiger, Abelardo de la Espriella, is narrowly ahead in the preliminary vote count for Colombia's next president. His
rival, left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda, is filing an appeal on the vote count. Trump has endorsed de la Espriella, who is a dual U.S.-Colombian
citizen. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: When people like me, I like them. It's very simple. It's a very simple formula and I like them. He said really nice things about me and the
job we've done in the United States and very, very powerful. And he won an election in Colombia that, I don't know, some people were surprised because
he was a little bit further down the pack.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Stefano Pozzebon has more now from Barranquilla.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes, we think that both campaigns in terms of mood are trying to maintain calm, are trying to quiet down the
situation. There were actually fairly big protests in some cities of Colombia. Of course, not here in Barranquilla, which is the hometown and a
bastion of Abelardo de la Espriella. But, for example, in the city of Cali or in the south, southern periphery of Bogota, which are areas closely
associated with the left, when we did see some clashes and some protests overnight, minor ones, by the way.
But I think that both campaigns are trying to say, let's just wait for the results. Let's just wait for the electoral authority to give back to us.
And normally here in Colombia, that is a process that takes between three and four days. And just to give you context, this is the very first time in
Colombian history that an election, a second round of a presidential election is so close, actually too close to call with a preliminary result.
Normally, the discrepancy between the preliminary results and the official vote count is less than one percentage point. And so that's why most
Colombian politicians would accept the preliminary results as a reliable indicator of who won the election.
[18:35:00]
But given that this election in particular is so tight, with less than 250,000 votes that are separating the two candidates, well, of course, both
campaigns are trying to be careful. And even speaking with members of Abelardo de la Esprielia's team this morning, we got a sense that they are
still trying to keep their cards close to their chest and understanding how to move forward in this couple of days before the electoral authorities
will give back to us and publish the officials and final results.
In the meantime, de la Esprielia spoke last night here in Barranquilla, for example, and he seemed to pivot from the vitriolic rhetoric that propelled
him to this victory to an image of a more cautious, almost like a statement, and making a direct appeal to the people that voted for Cepeda.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABELARDO DE LA ESPRIELIA, FAR-RIGHT COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (through translator): Petro and Cepeda, by disregarding the verdict of the
ballot boxes, you are not challenging the Tiger, you are challenging millions of citizens who freely gave victory to Jose Manuel and me at the
polls in a democratic process. The campaign ended today. Petro and Cepeda refrain from unleashing social unrest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POZZEBON: So, we said a candidate that has aligned himself very closely with Donald Trump, with the Make America Great Again world. Yesterday, for
example, at his campaign, we saw a lot of people with a hat saying we are Making Colombia Great Again, similar to what we see in Brazil when we go to
Bolsonaro's rallies or Argentina when we go to Milei's rally. It seems like there is a regional trend here in Latin America of people moving to the
right and to this particular flavor of the right, the MAGA world, but also, de la Espriellashowing caution and perhaps trying to appeal to the 40
million Colombians, 35 million Colombians that actually did not vote for him directly.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Thanks to Stefano Pozzebon there. Still to come, an exhibit of 20,000 teddy bears, each for a child allegedly abducted by Russia. We'll
take a look and a talk with one teenager who says she was detained for nearly a year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Welcome back. Ukraine has a new target in its effort to beat back the Russian invasion. It's hitting energy targets in Crimea, which Russia
seized from Ukraine back in 2014. This is drawing footage of an attack on an oil depot in Crimea. The attacks have led to fuel rationing and power
outages across the Black Sea Peninsula. Kyiv hopes that making life difficult in Crimea will put more pressure on Vladimir Putin to negotiate
and end the conflict.
[18:40:00]
And here in the U.S., a public installation of 20,000 teddy bears on the National Mall, each representing a Ukrainian child allegedly abducted
during the war. Our Jim Sciutto speaks with one organization that's trying to rescue and return them to their home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 20,000 teddy bears on the National Mall, each one, say organizers, representing a Ukrainian
child abducted during the ongoing war with Russia. I've covered the Ukraine war since Russia's invasion and have heard firsthand how the war has broken
families apart.
KATYA PAVLEVYCH, ADVISER, RAZOM FOR UKRAINE: The Ukrainian government has verified, I think, to date, 20,570 cases of abduction of children. But this
number is growing as they verify more cases.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): Anastasiia was one of those children.
ANASTASIIA CHVELOVA, RESIDENT OF KYIV (through translator): I was 15 years old. I was studying in college. And I was in Kherson. At that time, Kherson
was invaded by Russian. And that's when everything happened.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): As the war began, Anastasiia was planning to flee Kherson before Russian police stopped her at a checkpoint. She says she was
held in Russian captivity for roughly 10 months before she managed to escape with the help of her mother and the non-profit Save Ukraine.
CHVELOVA (through translator): I had to survive violence towards me and abuse. They allowed themselves to do anything they wanted. For example,
they could enter our rooms when we were taking baths. But the condition of this dormitory was so dire. There were happening inhumane things, as well
as the rape of a 13-year-old girl whom I know.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): Russia has denied its carried out mass child abductions, claiming they transferred Ukrainian children to Russia for
their own safety. Ukrainian advocates say Russia is intentionally capturing the children to erase their Ukrainian identity.
PAVLEVYCH: All the children have been subjected to reeducation and indoctrination. And then there's also more harsh realities. Some were taken
to military camps where they went through very aggressive militarization.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): Since Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Save Ukraine says it has rescued more than 1,300 children through what it
calls an underground railroad.
MYKOLA KULEBA, FOUNDER AND CEO, SAVE UKRAINE: The war in Ukraine has traumatized our children physically, emotionally, and culturally. Our
recent report, Return Every Child, gives a devastating picture on how Russia's aggression targets not just territory, but the very identity and
future of Ukraine's youngest generation through forced indoctrination and trauma.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): In March, the U.S. allocated $25 million towards identifying, tracking, and returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has helped with the return of some two dozen Ukrainian kids.
MELANIA TRUMP, U.S. FIRST LADY: As you can imagine, this is not an easy feat. But I applaud leadership from both nations in working with my
representative and me to bring love and safety back to each individual who has been displaced as a result of this horrible war.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): However, many thousands remain left behind. Anastasiia's message to them is don't give up.
CHVELOVA (through translator): I really ask everybody who is either trapped in occupation or are looking for their children who are trapped in
Russian control, do not believe those words that I've been told by them. Do everything that you can to escape or rescue your loved ones.
SCIUTTO (voice-over): Jim Sciutto, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Thanks to Jim for that report. I'm going to have much more news in just a moment. Stay with us. You're watching CNN.
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[18:45:00]
KINKADE: Welcome back, I'm Lynda Kinkade. Lionel Messi has become the all- time leading scorer in World Cup history with his two goals during Argentina's win over Austria. He has now scored 18 goals, surpassing the
record held by Brazil's Mata in the women's tournaments with 17. Kylian Mbappe is only a few goals behind Messi, as France lead Iraq 1-0 in Group
I. Though the game has been temporarily suspended because of a downpour, and in about an hour, Norway is set to take on Senegal.
Well, Don Riddell joins us with more. Good to see you, Don. So, I want to start with Lionel Messi. At 39 years old, he is still breaking records and
making history. Just give us some perspective. What does this mean in terms of another achievement in the history of his epic career?
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. You know, Lynda, it's honestly getting harder and harder to find the words to describe what he's doing. I mean,
let's just wind it back four years to the World Cup in Qatar, where in his fifth World Cup, he finally led his country to the world title that had
proved so elusive throughout his career.
And we all just assumed that that would be it, and he'd be going out on top. But no, here we are four years later, and to be honest, he looks even
better than he was four years ago. Remember, he started off this tournament with a hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria. That was a first for
Messi. He'd never scored a World Cup hat-trick before. It just so happened to become in his 200th game for Argentina on the 20th anniversary to the
day of his very first game and first goal for his country.
And now, here we are in the second game with another brace against Austria. Could have been even better. He actually missed a penalty in that game. But
anyway, he got two. He has scored all five of Argentina's goals now in this tournament. No-one else has got a look in. As you say, he's 39. Actually,
almost. He's going to turn 39 in just a couple of days' time. And he now has the World Cup record. Miroslav Klose had the men's World Cup record of
16 goals before today. It's now 18. We're only two goals into this competition. So, I would imagine he's just going to keep going with that.
And he also, by the way, is looking for one more assist. He is tied for the World Cup record in that regard as well with the other Argentina legend,
Diego Maradona. So, one more pass leading to a goal, and he'll set that record.
But Kylian Mbappe is hot on his heels because a couple of goals more from him, and he's going to have the old record, and he'll be pushing Messi all
the way in this tournament, no doubt.
KINKADE: Yes. Kylian Mbappe, certainly central to France's attacking form and success. They've certainly started the tournament really strong. Can
they go all the way with Mbappe?
RIDDELL: I mean, I don't see why not. They've got an unbelievable squad, and as you say, their front line is incredible. They had a big win in their
opening game against Senegal. Today is Kylian Mbappe's 100th cap for his country, and he's already scored in that game against Iraq in Philadelphia,
although, as you mentioned, the game has been suspended for a weather delay. It's not so much the rain, it's more the danger posed by the
electrical storms in the region. So, that game still has another 45 minutes to go.
France could be doing better in that game. I think they'll be concerned that they're only a goal up, but a little bit like their opening game
against Senegal, they were much stronger in the second half than in the first. Can they go all the way? I mean, of course they can. They've played
in the last two World Cup finals. They won it in 2018. They only lost to Argentina on penalties four years ago. They certainly have the talent to go
all the way, but it's early days, and there are a lot of strong contenders in this tournament, Lynda.
KINKADE: There certainly are. A long way to go. Don Riddell, as always, thanks so much. Well, with two straight wins in the 2026 World Cup, Team
USA are already through to the knockout stage, and many are now asking, could the American team go all the way? They certainly have the home-field
advantage, and the team's momentum has sparked huge fan interest.
[18:50:00]
Just look at the nearly 67,000 people who packed Seattle Stadium to watch USA win against Australia.
Also, could Major League Soccer catch up to the NFL? It seems unlikely on a financial scale. The NFL is roughly ten times bigger with reportedly more
than $20 billion in revenue in its last fiscal year. But the MLS is more competitive on total live attendance because it plays more games.
I want to welcome Jonathan Spector. He's a former pro soccer player for Team USA and was part of the U.S. squad at the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa. He's now head of the international player recruitment for Atlanta United. Great to have you with us, Jonathan.
JONATHAN SPECTOR, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT, ATLANTA UNITED AND FORMER PRO FOOTBALLER: Thanks, Lynda. Great to be here with you. And as
promised, I will not mention the U.S.-Australia match, of course.
KINKADE: Do not mention it. The good thing is Australia is still in with a chance, let's hope. I'll be watching this Thursday.
Of course, you played for the U.S. national team for over a decade. You also played for European football at the top levels for Manchester United
and of course West Ham to name just two. Just put us in the shoes, Jonathan, of a World Cup soccer player playing at this level.
SPECTOR: Yes. First and foremost, it's a long road to get just to this stage through qualifying in their respective regions. And then once you get
here, first of all, there is an immense sense of pride for these players to be at the highest level representing their countries on the world stage.
But also, make no mistake, these players are feeling the weight and the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on their shoulders. And it's going to
be the ones who can cope with that and rise to the occasion that are going to be most successful.
KINKADE: Yes, no doubt. You've seen soccer's growth in the U.S. firsthand. For this World Cup, we're seeing massive audiences, packed stadiums and
record-breaking viewers. Just according to FIFA, the United States opening match against Paraguay became the most watched football match ever in
broadcast history here in the U.S. Is this the moment soccer truly becomes a mainstream sport in terms of broadcast here in the U.S.?
SPECTOR: Yes, I think it already is. And the fact that it's already overtaken baseball in popularity, I think that shows that U.S. soccer is
well and truly in the mainstream. And both the success of the United States national teams on both the men's and women's sides, of course, but also the
success and growth of the MLS are key factors in that.
KINKADE: And give some sense of your perspective, Jonathan, as the top recruiter for Atlanta United. What the World Cup means to recruiting for
all these soccer players, the best in the world coming here, playing in America and, of course, Canada and Mexico, seeing the world-class stadiums
that we have here. I mean, does it make it more of an attractive destination for some of the top players?
SPECTOR: Yes, without a doubt. We have, you know, 45 MLS players competing in the World Cup, which is more than at any other time in history. In
addition to that, 15 of MLS training facilities are base camps for World Cup teams. So, we have world-class facilities here and world-class
infrastructure in the United States. And it really does help. And it really puts, I think, soccer on the map and in the minds, at the forefront in the
minds of a lot of these players who perhaps haven't played here in the United States.
I think in addition to that, some of these other events like the Premier League Summer Series, these teams come here and they use our training
facilities. For example, we had West Ham United training at Atlanta United's training facility. Now, we have the Uzbekistan national team
training there.
So, I think these players see it and they see the world-class facilities that we have and they want to be part of that.
KINKADE: And talk to us about the new U.S. training facility here in Atlanta and what that sort of investment means for the sport.
SPECTOR: Yes, absolutely. Well, now, you know, with that, I think Atlanta is the hub of soccer in the United States. And I don't think I can
overstate the impact that Arthur Blank has had. He brought Atlanta United here in 2017 in their inaugural season. Follow that up with the opening of
the United States National Training Facility, the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center. And now we're going to get a women's team in 2028 in the
NWSL.
So, Arthur Blank has really put Atlanta on the map and he has made, single- handedly, Atlanta the hub of soccer in this country.
KINKADE: Yes, very exciting. I've got to practice and play with my girls a bit more so they one day can reach those great heights. So, just quickly,
Jonathan, a few weeks into this World Cup tournament, what have been some of the biggest surprises for you or the most enjoyable games so far?
SPECTOR: I have to say Cabo Verde. The fact that they've gone two games now unbeaten. I know they haven't won a game yet, but they've been
unbeaten. I don't think anyone would have expected, you know, them being able to get any sort of result against Spain.
[18:55:00]
You know, they managed to get a draw there. So, I think their performances have been admirable and they've been really fun to watch as well.
KINKADE: Yes, exactly. And to have a goalkeeper who is kind of making it in the latest stages of his career is just fantastic. Really wonderful to
see. Jonathan Spector, great to have you on the program. The top international recruiter for Atlanta United. We appreciate it.
SPECTOR: Thanks, Lynda.
KINKADE: Well, as the hottest World Cup mascot entering the world of politics, Merlin the Duck showed up at Mexican President Claudia
Sheinbaum's weekly news conference on Monday. Merlin has become widely popular in Mexico for wearing the colors of the national team. And like any
good politician, President Sheinbaum was smart enough to attach herself to the popular waterfowl, posing for a picture with Merlin and his working-
class family.
Well, thanks so much for your company. That does it for this edition of "The Brief." I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. I'll see you next time.
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