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CNN International: Vance Accuses European Leaders Of Attacking Free Speech; Trump Blames Biden & Ukraine's NATO Ambitions For Russian Invasion; Russian Foreign Ministry Praises Trump's "Realism" On Ukraine. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired February 14, 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)
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Hello, and a very warm welcome to our viewers around the world. I'm Isa Soares in London.
Just ahead right here on CNN Newsroom, the U.S. Vice President delivers a scathing criticism of America's European allies, saying the threat from within is more alarming than any danger from Russia or China. We are live in Germany with the very latest. Plus, Israel names the three hostages set to be released from Gaza this weekend. We have the details for you live from Jerusalem. And a flurry of resignations at the U.S. Justice Department because of an order to drop corruption charges against this man, New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Welcome, everyone. We are standing by for a critical meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vice President J.D. Vance, following some really, truly stunning remarks made by the U.S. Vice President. We will bring those to you, of course, as soon as they get underway. World leaders, including Vance and Zelenskyy, had gathered in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Earlier, Vance spoke at the conference while leaders were waiting really for clarity on the U.S.'s plan for Ukraine. Instead, they were slammed, with Vance accusing them of attacking free speech. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: The threat that I worry the most about, vis-a-vis Europe, is not Russia. It's not China. It's not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Now, before the conference, Vance told The Wall Street Journal, America could use what he called economic and military tools of leverage if Russia doesn't negotiate a peace deal in good faith. And that tougher rhetoric really is in contrast with President Trump's recent comments. Let me remind you of what he said on Thursday. He largely blamed the conflict on Biden and Ukraine's push to join NATO.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Russia has taken over a pretty big chunk of territory, and they also have said from day one, long before President Putin, they've said they cannot have Ukraine be in NATO. They said that very strongly. I actually think that that was the thing that caused the start of the war, and if a better deal can be negotiated, if they are able to make a deal where they can do that, that's fine with me. I really don't care. I want that bloodshed to stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Meantime, Ukraine's President says he doesn't believe the United States has a, quote, "readymade plan" to end the conflict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (Interpreted): As for President Trump, we had an hour-long conversation, a long conversation, enough conversation to talk about some details, not enough to make a plan, definitely not enough. We hear each other. We talk very positively. It was a really good conversation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: All of this on the heels of what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says was a Russian drone attack on the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl. He says, a strike hit the concrete shelter that protects one of the plant's destroyed reactors. According to Mr. Zelenskyy, radiation levels remain normal. The Kremlin denies being involved in any attack which Ukraine is describing as a war crime. Chernobyl was, of course, the site of one of the world's worst nuclear disasters back in 1986.
And we have, in fact, in the last few minutes, just heard from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who made some very strong comments about what it's like to deal with President Putin. He made those comments while on stage with influential U.S. senators. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have spoken on the phone. You were briefed on the conversation. Is this a risk for yourself, of course, but also the U.S.?
ZELENSKYY: Phone calls between Putin and Trump was risk for United States, I think not risk for United States, I think for Trump, because he is stronger than Putin, I think so, I think risks for all the world, because the priorities -- and I mean, we have much more risks than risk for the United States, with all respect for all of us, with all the big guys, and I think it's very necessary. As I said at the very beginning, I had good conversation with the President Trump. We had some phone calls and he had a phone call with Putin, and he said to me, I think that he, -- Putin, that he wants to solve the war. I said to him that he is a liar and -- yes, you can count on it. [11:05:00]
I hope that you will pressure him, because I don't trust him. We had such conversation with Putin, a direct conversation about ceasefire. So, just ceasefire, we don't need just ceasefire. This is global problem, worry. So, we had ceasefire. It was my direct decision, and we made a decision that it will be ceasefire and exchange all the prisoners, and he didn't exchange all the prisoners. Yet, we have been very happy that was first step when we brought home more than 100 guys to their family. It was very necessary between us, even because of this one reason, I had to come to the France in 2019 and bring back our people.
But, he will not just ceasefire, and that's all. That's why I said to President, yes, but I think phone calls are phone calls. Let's forget about it. I think what is very important, the meeting, not to make any decisions about Ukraine, without Ukraine. This is principal position. We will never accept it. And when I said that, we will never accept, I'm not speaking just about me. I'm speaking about all our people, all our nation. People will not stop. We will give him pause. Without the real security guarantee, we will give him pause. I don't want to be those person in the history who helped Putin to occupy my country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Very strong words indeed from President Zelenskyy there.
I want to welcome into the show Andris Spruds. He is the Latvian defense minister. Minister, Thank you very much for coming on the show. Just a heads up, we are waiting to hear from President Zelenskyy and from Vice President J.D. Vance. So, apologies in advance if I have to interrupt. But, let me just pick up and we will talk about Ukraine, and that's where really the conversation ought to start.
But, I need to ask you about really the comments we heard from Vice President J.D. Vance, who said that the threat in Europe -- Europe's threat is from within, more alarming, he said, than even Russia and China. And then he started talking about a conflating issue, a series of values, censorship, what he believes is free speech, culture wars too. What was the message you think that he was trying to convey to Europe?
ANDRIS SPRUDS, LATVIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: Thank you for having me. Let's be clear, and this view, of course, is shared here in the conference, that existential and fundamental threat to all of us, to all our democracies. Of course, it is threat from outside. It is Russia, first of all, aggressive, revisionist dictatorship which invades other countries, which has complete disregard for human life and human dignity and international norms. Of course, this is a threat.
At the same time, yes, Munich Security Conference is a place where people, governments, government representatives meet. As in democracies, we also have changes, transitions in the governments, and I think this is a place where to have a frank discussions, exchange of views, and sometimes, there might be some differences. But, I am absolutely sure that we will be finding those adjustments and finding commonalities and common language, also on those fundamentals, fully understanding what is existential threat to all of us. First of all, outside, first of all, those revisionist instincts.
SOARES: I hear. Differences of opinions are very important in these discussions. But, what we heard from the U.S. Vice President really comparing European leaders to Cold War tyrants. You were sitting there along so many other European leaders. How did you take his words? How did -- what was the message that he was trying to convey?
SPRUDS: Well, of course, we have shared values. We have shared values of freedom, democracy, free expression of thoughts, ideas. This, of course, is a major fundamentals of what we all are building our democracies. Yes, sometimes, of course, there might be some differences in details, how we approach things. Yes, Europe has made -- or put a strong emphasis on protecting us its information space, exactly due to the fact that we have those external threats from outside, where Russia tries also to sometimes manipulate or frequently manipulate with the public thought and even with elections. But, that's why, of course, protection of freedoms is absolutely must in this regard.
SOARES: Let's turn our attention, Minister, to what's happening in Ukraine. Of course, we are seeing right now a flurry of diplomatic activity around, of course, Ukraine. And while we were expecting to hear from J.D. Vance, Vice President, about Ukraine, we heard very little, in fact, very little from Ukraine and very little about Russia. But, we have been reminded again today, Minister, of the realities on the ground, Russian drone striking, of course, a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl.
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A reminder, according to President Zelenskyy, we had a little clip from there just now, that Putin is definitely not preparing for negotiations. Do you agree with his view?
SPRUDS: Absolutely. Putin is encouraged by weakness. Putin is not acting in good faith. Never did it. Never acted in good faith. Of course, that's what we are dealing with. And the only way, the only thing, the only approach, how we can deal with aggressive dictatorship, in this case with Russia, is, of course, from positions of strength. So, the peace through strength is absolutely the basic principle. Any other approach would be actually encouraging the Russia to move forward with some sort of salami tactics, be it geographically, be it strategically. Russia must be stopped in Ukraine. Russia must be stopped anywhere. It is trying to encroach the freedoms or encroach the integrity of other nations.
SOARES: On that point that you made, I mean, it's clear that President Trump has ruffled some feathers as of late, and we've heard -- I've heard myself comments on my own show, described President Trump's words regarding Putin and Ukraine as appeasement, that President Trump has emboldened Putin, that he has given away leverage even before meeting with President Putin. Just picking back on -- speaking back on what you're saying, do you think that the United States has given away too much of its leverage and shown its hand before these negotiations even started?
SPRUDS: I think, of course, we should first of all focus on commonalities, and there are a lot of commonalities between us in (TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY) Russia is a threat, existential threat, that we should speak from positions and act from positions of strengths. We should also negotiate wrong positions of strength. Peace through strength. Yes, of course, we might ask questions. Is it the best strategy? Also negotiating strategy start with potential concessions with regard to Russia. So, there is no way to start from positions of weakness. Once more, of course, position of strength is absolutely the way how to deal with aggressor country.
SOARES: So, let me just pick up on that -- on the concessions you're talking about, is the comments we heard, which have kind of being back tracked. It's kind of misleading what we've had the last 48 hours, regarding NATO, regarding the 2014 lines. Are you somewhat confused about where the U.S. stands on this?
SPRUDS: Well, of course, for Latvia, it's absolutely clear. The Ukraine must be supported, Ukraine's future within European Union and NATO. But, of course, already in the past years, we see formula. We see -- we saw approach that Ukraine will become irreversibly the member of NATO when allies agree in conditions. So, here and there, I would say, not such a news, because certainly there are allies which are in disagreement on this -- in this regard. Of course, for us, the principle of territorial integrity, this is absolutely the -- one of the main principles of rules-based international order.
So, here, yes, we would like to see additional details, also what would be put on a table by Trump administration. But, of course, we would stick to those principles that it must be a just peace, first of all, also accepted by Ukraine, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, with also very close and active participation of European members of the European Union and European community.
SOARES: Yeah, and that's exactly the message I've been hearing from other defense ministers and foreign ministers on my show that the Ukrainians to have a seat at the table, has to have a voice at the table, and that Europe needs to be sitting alongside it. That is crucial.
Thank you very much, Minister. Really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. Thank you.
SPRUDS: Thank you for having me. Thank you.
SOARES: You're very welcome.
Now, some European countries have been pushing back against the Trump administration's stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But, the White House is winning praise from Moscow. President Trump has largely adopted Vladimir Putin's position. The Ukraine's NATO ambitions are to blame for Russia's invasion. We showed you that little clip a bit earlier. Russia's foreign ministry says that, quote, "speaks of realism". Here is a reminder now of what President Trump is saying about why the conflict started. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I believe that's the reason the war started, because Biden went out and said that they could join NATO, and he shouldn't have said that. From day one, long before President Putin, they've said they cannot have Ukraine be in NATO. They said that very strongly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get more from Frederik Pleitgen, who is in Moscow for us this hour. And Fred, now that I think I'd say the words and the platitudes after that phone call, they've gone away, have had time to be processed. What has been the reaction so far from the Kremlin, from what you're hearing to those contradictory message that we seem to have been hearing in the last 48 hours?
[11:15:00]
I was talking to just with the Defense Minister of Latvia, because today we're also hearing, and this is being reported, Wall Street Journal interview with J.D. Vance, that Russia could be hit with economic and military tools of leverage if Putin doesn't negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine in good faith. What are you hearing about that?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, and specifically you said the Vice President J.D. Vance also saying that there could be even a case where the U.S. would send troops into Ukraine as part of any sort of mission. And certainly, that is something that the Russians sort of believe, is confusing messages coming out of Washington as well. I actually asked the spokesman for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, about that just a little while ago, and he actually texted me back right before we went to air here, and he said that the Russians are, I can actually quote from it, "hoping to clear up everything through direct contact". So, essentially, what the Russians are saying is that in all of this,
they will listen to what President Trump says.
It's very hard to overstate how euphoric political Russia has been since that call took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Trump. The Russians feel that there is a real chance for them to get back on the international stage, for sanctions to be dropped. One of the things that the Russians are talking about is, as quickly as possible, setting up a direct meeting in a third country between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In fact, the Kremlin also saying yesterday, they believe that something like that could happen as early as in a couple of weeks.
And so, right now, they understand that these mixed messages are coming in from members of the Trump administration, not just from J.D. Vance, but, of course, also from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who seems to be changing his tune a little bit as things go along, as he is traveling through Europe. Nevertheless, for the Russians, right now, they are preparing an effort to drastically improve relations with the U.S. and of course, specifically with the Trump administration. Here is what we're learning. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PLEITGEN (voice-over): Kremlin-controlled TV Jovial (ph), even the anchor surprised by the concessions President Donald Trump offered Russian President Vladimir Putin in their 90-minute phone conversation and extensive talk about ending the war in Ukraine, while seemingly sidelining Ukraine's leader. Not a word about Zelenskyy, the host says, or rather, if there were words, they were only negative ones, Ukraine will not get back its territories. Ukraine will not join NATO.
TRUMP: And I think they have to make peace. That's what I think.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): Moscow more than willing to take up President Trump's offer for immediate peace talks to end the three-year war. Russia saying it's already starting preparations for possible direct meetings between the U.S. President and the Russian leader, the first time in four years the leaders of the U.S. and Russia would meet face to face.
The current administration, as far as we understand, holds the view that everything must be done to stop the war and for peace to prevail, the Kremlin's Press Secretary says. We are much more impressed by the position of the current administration, and were open to dialog, dialog apparently without Kyiv at the table, Ukraine's President growing increasingly frustrated and concerned. It's important that everything does not go according to Putin's plan, Zelenskyy says. He wants to do everything to make his negotiations bilateral. But, many Ukrainians fear that's exactly what's happening, feeling President Trump is selling them out.
TRUMP: President Putin wants to have peace now, and that's good, and he didn't want to have peace with Biden. You tell me why that is. OK?
PLEITGEN (voice-over): Trump's plan is to rob Ukraine as much as possible, this woman in Kyiv says, not to make peace here. It looks like Ukraine is being betrayed, this woman says. In what is being said now, I do not see anything good for Ukraine. It's very sad.
Ukraine's army is steadily losing ground to the Russians, mostly due to manpower and weapons shortages. Russian forces already occupying more than 20 percent of the country, territory the new U.S. Defense Secretary bluntly says, Kyiv most probably won't get back, much to the dismay of America's close NATO partners and the Ukrainians.
PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: There is no betrayal there. There is a recognition that the whole world and the United States is invested and interested in peace.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): America's allies in shock, Moscow pleased. Russia's Foreign Minister praising President Trump when I asked him at a press conference.
PLEITGEN: Are you more hopeful now that there can be real and fundamental change and improvement in U.S.-Russian relations? This is how you should communicate with Russia, he says. Perhaps that is why many in the West, including the leaders of the European Union, were shocked when a simple, normal conversation took place between two polite, educated individuals.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:20:00]
PLEITGEN: So, you see there, Isa, the Russians certainly also taking up some of the talking points that we're hearing from Donald Trump as well, essentially blaming the Biden administration for sidelining Russia on the international stage for a lot of the sanctions that have been levied upon Russia as well. Of course, we heard at the beginning of a report there, President Trump talking about the Biden administration allegedly wanting Ukraine to be a NATO. Of course, one of the things we always need to point out is that talk about Ukraine being a member of NATO really only got momentum after, well after Russia started its full-on invasion of Ukraine. It really wasn't much of a topic either in Europe or in the United States before that.
But, the Russians certainly latching on to that. But, the Russians also still have a lot of optimism right now that you can feel about possibly really improving relations with the United States very, very soon. Again, the first thing that they want to get going is a face-to- face meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and they certainly believe that the certainly believe that the chances of making that happen very quickly are very high, Isa.
SOARES: Frederik Pleitgen for us now in Moscow. Thank you, Fred.
Well, the defense -- the U.S. Secretary of Defense is also answering questions about Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Asked earlier if there could be a settlement that restores Ukraine to its pre-February 2022 borders, Pete Hegseth said all options are being considered.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEGSETH: I think anything is possible. I, as the Secretary of Defense, have a specific lane of the portfolio of what America is representing inside these negotiations. So, my job today and in Brussels was to introduce realism to the conversation. The reality that returning to 2014 as borders as part of a negotiated settlement is unlikely. The reality of U.S. troops in Ukraine is unlikely. The reality of Ukraine membership in NATO as a part of a negotiated settlement, unlikely. And I stand by the comments that I made on that first day in the Ukraine Contact Group.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Hegseth was criticized earlier this week for comments that appear to indicate concessions to Russia before negotiations even began. He later clarified that he didn't mean to place any restrictions what might emerge from those negotiations.
And still ahead right here on the show, the families of three hostages in Gaza could be just hours away from holding their loved ones again after, of course, what has been an agonizing separation. We'll have the very latest on that. Plus, the Pope's bout of bronchitis is now being treated in the hospital in Rome. The latest word from the Vatican just ahead. You are watching CNN.
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SOARES: The next critical test of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire comes just hours from now when three more hostages are set to be released. Israel has named the individuals it expects to be freed, all the men who were seized from a kibbutz that was overrun by Hamas militants on October 7th.
[11:25:00]
Hamas says 369 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange. Israel warned it would restart fighting in Gaza if three living hostages weren't released by Saturday's deadline. Hamas has threatened to delay their release, accusing Israel of violating the truce. U.S. President Donald Trump responded to that by demanding Hamas release all remaining hostages in Gaza by noon Saturday, or the ceasefire would be off.
Our Nic Robertson is in Jerusalem for us, and he joins us now. And Nic, for a while, this latest release of hostages looked pretty uncertain, but now seems that is back on track. We now have the names. What do we know about the hostages to be released tomorrow?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah. Sagui Dekel- Chen, 36-years-old, an American-Israeli, his third daughter was born while he was in captivity. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, has been campaigning strongly for him and all the other hostages, as so many other hostage families have. Jonathan Dekel-Chen has been to Washington many times, met with many senior officials in President Biden's administration, continued that that heavy engagement with U.S. officials to get his son released.
The other two, one of them is a Russian-Israeli Sasha Alexandre, if you will, Troufanov. He is 29-years-old. His brother, Eitan, by the way, is still held captive, or will still be held captive, if and when he is released tomorrow. And interestingly, for him, his family right front and center in the October 7th attacks. His father was killed in those attacks. His grandmother, his mother and his girlfriend were also taken hostage by Hamas. They were released in November 2023.
And a 46-year-old Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn is the other person who is expected to be released, and I apologize, it's his brother, Eitan, who will still be held captive when they are released, if and when they are released, as expected, relatively early tomorrow morning.
And as you said, 369 Palestinians, 333 of them were detained inside of Gaza, 36 of those -- of that total 369 were serving time in Israeli jails on charges of -- or they were serving life sentences in Israeli jails. So, those sort of senior, if you will, among the Palestinian prisoners who are being released. And interesting to see how Israel deals with them, how precisely their release, where they -- those prisoners serving life sentences will be released, Isa.
SOARES: Such an important moment for all these families, and we have been seeing protests in Israel, of course, because many were so worried that this -- the latest round of negotiations, the latest round of hostages would not be released, which begs the question, Nic, I mean, where are we on the second phase of these negotiations?
ROBERTSON: Really, it's difficult to see how things have moved forward. I think what you can say is that the process hasn't fallen off the rails. The process is behind, that it was supposed to be after the 16th day, that was early this week, that the phase two negotiations should really get underway.
Meaningfully, what has really happened this week has really been an Egyptian effort along with Hamas to try to move the process along, President Trump, for his part, putting his demands, clearly those demands that all hostages be released by noon Saturday are not going to happen. The process of phase one remains, apparently, on track, but phase two, the details of that really in the public domain. It's not clear what actually has been discussed, and it's questionable if anything meaningful has really been put forward, the discussion by both sides, something that they could both agree on.
I mean, we're continuing to hear from Hamas that what they were expecting in terms of the ceasefire deal itself in terms of heavy lifting equipment to lift rubble. That amount of equipment, they say, has not been allowed inside of Gaza, the pre-fabricated housing that they were expecting to go inside of Gaza has not been allowed to go in. The Israeli authority that deals with bringing equipment into Gaza says that 18 -- more than 18,000 trucks have been allowed in since this process began, more than 8,200 of those this week -- 6,200 of those this week alone.
[11:30:00]
So, these mark a significant increase in the amount of some aid getting in, but it still falls short of what both the Egyptian interlocutors and Hamas is saying should be coming in. Israel, of course, challenges that. So, this is every bit as contentious in detail over phase one, never mind phase two.
SOARES: Still very much, very fragile. Nic Robertson for us in Jerusalem Thanks, Nic. Good to see you.
Now, it's a push for peace. World leaders, including Ukraine President Zelenskyy, meeting right now to discuss ways to end the conflict with Russia. We'll go back to Munich for the very latest for you. Plus, far from those talks, the situation on the ground in Ukraine remains the same. I'll speak to security experts about the conflict. That is next.
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SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. You are watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Isa Soares in London. Here are some international headlines we are watching for you today.
The European Union says it will react firmly and immediately if the United States applies what it sees as unjustified tariffs on imports from the E.U. U.S. President Trump has threatened to slap what he calls reciprocal tariffs on goods coming from America's trading partners. On Thursday, the President signed an executive order, instructing federal agencies to investigate the levies that other countries impose on U.S. goods. He is promising to impose equal levels of tariffs on trade moving in the opposite direction.
India is one of the countries President Trump has called a possible tariff abuser due to the imbalance in their trade. He met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday. Speaking alongside President Trump, Mr. Modi said India and the U.S. would work on a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the aim of doubling the two countries' bilateral trade to $500 billion a year. And he echoed Mr. Trump's language by saying he wanted to, quote, "Make India Great Again".
Apple is partnering with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to roll out AI services in China. Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai said Apple chose his company to provide AI capability to its phones after considering tie- ups with other Chinese companies. The move ends months of uncertainty for Apple. The partnership meets a Chinese government requirement that AI services must be operated in partnership with a local supplier. China is the world's biggest market for mobile phones.
And U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, as the U.S. says it's determined to initiate talks for peace between Ukraine and Russia.
[11:35:00]
A short time ago, he stunned European leaders at the summit when instead of clarifying the U.S.'s approach to the conflict, he strongly criticized European governments, which he accused of trying to squash free speech. Vance is expected to meet with President Zelenskyy shortly. The Ukrainian President is warning that Russia is preparing to attack a NATO country next year, saying the plan was uncovered by Ukrainian intelligence.
And that's where we're going to continue this hour. I want to go to Munich, and our Chief National Security Correspondent Alex Marquardt with us. And Alex, let me pick up with that speech that really we heard from the Vice President. That was quite a speech, or rather a lecture for those European allies who perhaps are waiting, looking for some sort of clarity and unity on Ukraine. How was that received where you are?
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think stunning is absolutely the right word, Isa. This is a national security conference. This was not a national security speech. He did not talk about adversaries like Russia or China. He didn't really even address the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, he took direct aim at some of the U.S.'s closest allies in Europe. He talked about allies like England and Germany, among others, suppressing free speech, including cracking down on social media. He talked about allies cracking down on the freedom of religion and the right for people to pray however they want.
He said that the biggest threats to these countries are not from the outside, but from the inside, saying that it is really migration that is the biggest crisis in Europe, and he pointed to the attack that took place yesterday, right here in Munich, that was carried out by an Afghan migrant, in order to make that point. He also took particular aim at Romania and the recent annulment of their election in December.
Take a listen to a little bit more of what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANCE: You can believe it is wrong for Russia to buy social media advertisements to influence your elections. We certainly do. You can condemn it on the world stage even. But, if your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn't very strong to begin with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUARDT: So, Isa, that was part of his diatribe, really, about opening up social media. I think one of the more stunning lines was also saying that the words disinformation and misinformation are part of the Soviet-era. So, essentially dismissing them. But, what he was talking about in that soundbite was Romania's highest court annulling the first round of the presidential election in December because there was a candidate who was believed to have been pro-Russian, who won that round. But, certainly, when you look at the crowd, you look at the reaction here, just the blistering speech by Vance. There was quite a bit of silence, stunned faces, and very little clapping in response to what Vance had to say. Isa.
SOARES: Yeah. Truly mind-boggling from what I've heard from several ministers.
Let's talk about what we didn't hear. You touched on that. We didn't hear anything about Russia. We didn't hear much on Ukraine. So -- in specific, Russia's U.S. position vis-a-vis Ukraine. This as we continue to face a bit of whiplash or contradictory messages regarding the U.S. What are you hearing regarding from European allies there? What the U.S. message is? Because there seems to be a lack of cohesiveness here.
MARQUARDT: There certainly is. And the White House, it appears, is trying to clean things up after a number of different messages have been put out by different U.S. officials this week. I think we will see some of the focus here in Munich turn back towards the war in Ukraine, because we are waiting any moment now for Vice President Vance to sit down with President Zelenskyy.
But, there is certainly a lot of concern about what the Defense Secretary had to say just a few days ago, when he said very clearly that Ukraine will not be a part of NATO, that U.S. troops will not be part of a peacekeeping force, that the U.S. should not be part of any security guarantees. Instead, it should fall to the Europeans to prevent another invasion by Russia.
So, those were some pretty strong statements that certainly scared the Ukrainians, concerned the Europeans. We have heard now from the Vice President, who, earlier today, in an interview, said that that certainly economic tools can be used to bring Russia to the table. We took that to mean sanctions on military tools as well. So, he seemed to allow for the possibility, and this is really the point that the U.S. is trying to drive home now, is that everything is on the table. I think there is some walking back of what Pete Hegseth said, because that constrains the administration. So, now what we're hearing from Washington, essentially, is that everything is on the table, except perhaps the question of membership in NATO for Ukraine.
[11:40:00]
That is something that the President said just yesterday, almost certainly won't happen, but there are major fears among the Ukrainians that the U.S. is essentially barreling ahead with some kind of ceasefire agreement or a peace plan without including Ukrainians. We have heard from President Zelenskyy today repeating that nothing can be said or done without the Ukrainians at the table, and that they would refuse to agree to anything if they are not included in this process. So, there will certainly be renewed pressure by President Zelenskyy on Washington in this meeting with J.D. Vance in just a short time, Isa.
SOARES: Yeah, and that's the message I've also heard from foreign ministers and defense ministers throughout the week on this show.
Alex, appreciate it. Thank you very much indeed.
I want to bring in this hour Neil Melvin. He is a Director of International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based defense think tank, well, on face on the show. Good to see you here, Neil. How are you? You well?
NEIL MELVIN, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES, RUSI: Well, thanks.
SOARES: Look, there is a lot for us to get to.
MELVIN: Absolutely.
SOARES: Let's start with what we've heard today, because there is a lot of diplomacy here, but behind the scenes, we are continuing to see these daily attacks. Today, concerns you probably heard from President Zelenskyy of an attack in Chernobyl just up here. We've also seen an attack in Kyiv this week and around Odessa. Give us a sense of what is happening while the diplomacy push is going ahead.
MELVIN: Yeah. Listen, what's been happening, really, for the last year is that Russia has been on the offensive. So, we haven't heard much about the frontline in the news, but every day, they've been taking territory bit by bit. Last year alone, they took 4,000 square kilometers. So, they began to push. They're pushing all along this line every day, taking a few more kilometers, but suffering very high casualties, something like 1,500 casualties every day the Russians are taking, but they are making ground, and the Ukrainians are having to retreat. The big focus at the moment is Pokrovsk. The Russians are just south
of Pokrovsk. They're trying to encircle that, and that's what they've been doing, really, now for over 12 months. They're taking small towns, villages bit by bit, enclosing them. So, Ukrainians are struggling because of manpower issues, fundamentally, but also a lack of weapons, and this is why I think the issue of territorial recognition has come up in -- already in negotiations.
SOARES: I will go back to that. Let me just get a closer up shot of the Eastern Front, because this is where we've seen the majority of our fighting. I had a discussion with our Nick Paton Walsh, who would just come back and focus on Pokrovsk and really the push that we have seen on this front. Why is this so vital and so crucial right now for the Russians, Neil?
MELVIN: Well, part of President Putin's claim is that this is Russian territory, and the Donbas in particular is core Russian territory. So, this is what they held up until 2014, the shaded areas that they've expanded that. What they want to do is close out the last remaining areas in the Donbas area, to say that, because they've already officially in Russian legislation, recognize that this is territory that they've annexed as Russian territory. So, they're trying to push, really, to close the last kilometers to take those borders.
SOARES: And really the Ukrainians outgunned and they outmanned, which is something that we have seen throughout on the Eastern Front. If we could go back to the first map, because what we've heard this week already from Secretary Hegseth talking about Crimea. The lines have been taken, right, in 2022. How -- he said that's not realistic. One minister told me yesterday, we've all thought it, but we've never said it basic terms. Is that the right thing to do, given how difficult it is even to maintain the territory they're currently fighting?
MELVIN: I mean, realistically, I think even the Ukrainians recognize that taking back this territory is going to be almost impossible. They've made an incursion up here in Kursk --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- to take some territory they'd like to, I think, trade for some parts in the Donbas and so on. But, the real question, I think, is, is this going to just be a ceasefire that sort of de facto settles where we are now, or is there actually going to be recognition of Russian ownership?
SOARES: How do you see it on that? Because there seems to be a lot of ideas being flown around, potentially European boots on the ground. But then, who would oversee it? What has been -- what do you think is being discussed at this stage when we're talking about a peace plan?
MELVIN: I mean, there is a lot of different things moving. On the security guarantees --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- this is one of the most important issues, and Secretary of Defense Hegseth sort of put this really in the Europeans' lap this week, and said it's up to you guys now to sort this out. But, we're talking about 150,000, 200,000 boots on the ground. The Europeans are not able to do that. So, it would probably end up actually a bit like the Biden plan, which was to have Ukraine as this famous porcupine idea, is that it would be -- it's about Israel supported by the West, but not with boots on the ground. But, probably, there will have to be some kind of monitoring force. There has been discussion it might even be an international one with the UN --
SOARES: UN. Right.
MELVIN: -- possibly China, possibly India, or it involves possibly South Caucasus countries.
[11:45:00]
SOARES: And U.S. overseeing it from above? How would -- what would -- what role with U.S. play? No boots on the ground here so far.
MELVIN: Well, so far, they've been clear that they would have no U.S. forces --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- in Ukraine, although we've seen that, as we just heard --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- now, some pushback, and --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- there is a bit of confusion exactly what that position is. But, that, I think, has been the starting point they've suggested. So, they're looking for the Europeans, fundamentally, to do that. But, of course, if it's a UN operation, then U.S. would have control through the Security Council --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- and so, of course, with the Russians and the Chinese, who would be there, and this, of course, would be the weakness of the --
SOARES: Yeah.
MELVIN: -- whole deal, is that the Russians could pull it off at any time.
SOARES: Baby steps, but at least where diplomacies start on the front.
Neil, great to see you.
MELVIN: Thanks very much.
SOARES: Thanks very much for coming in. Thank you. And a quick programming note for you, Christiane Amanpour will
interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That's Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. That is at 10:00 a.m. in Munich, and you can see right here, of course, on CNN.
The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated from bronchitis at a hospital in Rome. The 88-year-old pontiff will also undergo medical exams. He has made a number of visits to the hospital in recent years, and over the past several weeks, his struggles with respiratory illness have forced him to seek aid -- ask aid, really, to finish speeches for him.
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POPE FRANCIS, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SOVEREIGN OF THE VATICAN CITY STATE (Interpreted): I would like to ask the priest, the reader, to continue reading, because with my bronchitis, I cannot read still. I hope that next time I can.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: And the Pope has dealt with lung-related issues from much of his life. As a young man, he suffered from severe pneumonia and had part of one lung removed. We'll stay across that story for you.
And still ahead right here, revolt at the Department of Justice. We'll tell you why a number of prosecutors have quit over a corruption case involving the New York City Mayor. That story just ahead.
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SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. There is major upheaval at the U.S. Justice Department after a stunning revolt by senior officials. Manhattan's top prosecutor and as many as six others resigned on Thursday over an order from the department's leadership to halt the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. One prosecutor accused the Trump administration of agreeing to drop charges if Adams would help enforce a new immigration policy. President Trump denies that he ordered any of this.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The U.S. attorney has resigned over the DoJ's request to drop the case into Eric Adams. Did you personally request the Justice Department to drop that case?
TRUMP: No, I didn't. I know nothing about it. That U.S. attorney was actually fired. I don't know if he or she resigned, but that U.S. attorney was fired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:50:00]
SOARES: In the last few minutes, we've had an additional prosecutor, seventh prosecutor, in Eric Adams' case has resigned in -- just in the last few minutes, in fact. In terms of Mayor Adams, he says there was no quid pro quo and claims he was being unfairly targeted. This is what he said.
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ERIC ADAMS, MAYOR, NEW YORK: I believe the President was clear, and the incoming Attorney General was clear. We're going to stop weaponizing our systems against Americans. No American should have had to have gone through what I went through.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Our Kara Scannell has the latest developments for you.
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KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is a growing crisis at the Justice Department, with multiple top officials resigning over a directive to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, and at least five other prosecutors resigned Thursday. Sassoon said in a letter to the attorney general that she could not carry out those orders because they are inconsistent with her, quote, "duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor and to advance good faith arguments before the courts".
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered Sassoon to dismiss the charges, not based on the merits of the case, but because he said it was politically motivated and impedes Adams from doing his job, including carrying out Trump's immigration agenda. Sassoon said that amounted to a quid pro quo, something Bove and Adams' attorney both deny. Bove put the prosecutors working on the case on administrative leave while they are investigated by DoJ. He transferred the case to Washington for prosecutors there to carry out his directive. But, that snowballed into additional resignations by officials in the Public Integrity section who quit in protest.
Bove could move to dismiss the case himself. Ultimately, it's up to a judge to decide whether to grant the motion. It's unclear if more resignations will follow.
Kara Scannell, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And as we told you, an additional resignation has just happened the last few minutes. Stay across for that for you.
Still to come, the threat of U.S. tariffs is prompting some businesses in Europe to step on the gas. How a Spanish winemaker is prepping now for possible price hikes to come. That story just ahead.
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SOARES: In Donald Trump's first term as President, the U.S. slapped 25 percent tariffs on some European wines and spirits. Spain was not directly affected at the time. This go-around, Spanish winemakers may expect they will be.
CNN Isabel Rosales explains why wine -- one winemaker, pardon me, is trying to get ahead of the price hikes they see coming.
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ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Americans who love wine from Europe may soon have to pay a little more for it, depending on possible U.S. tariffs. So, one Spanish winemaker is preparing for the possible impact on their customers in the U.S. Protos wine cellar is a top Spanish winemaker and exports over 250,000 bottles a year to the U.S.
LUISA DE PAZ, EXPORT MANAGER, BODEGAS PROTOS (Interpreted): At first, we waited expectantly, and now it has become a reality. U.S. President Donald Trump is in office and tariffs are about to come into force. So, at the end of last year, we decided to be one step ahead. When he was elected, we anticipated orders for the following four to six months, depending on the client.
ROSALES (voice-over): The Protos export manager says they sent six months' worth of supply to clients in the U.S. The extra supply would allow U.S. businesses to stagger price increases if tariffs ensue.
[11:55:00]
PAZ (Interpreted): We work with local importers, and all of them are stockpiling to maintain a security stock for the first six months. This is a short-term solution, and it is not a solution for the future.
ROSALES (voice-over): Wine exports from Spain to the U.S. rose by 20 percent at the end of 2024, a growth the Spanish wine Federation attributes in part to stockpiling by importers. And it's not just wine. U.S. companies are expediting imports of other European Union goods like auto parts and specialty foods to prepare for possible tariffs.
Isabel Rosales, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And before we go, one more thing to bring you. Eagles fans are soaring right now in the streets of Philadelphia. A parade underway to celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl win on Sunday, and beating the Kansas City Chiefs, of course, 40 to 22 in New Orleans, and denying Kansas City the chance to become the first team to win three Super Bowls in succession. Look at the crowds. For the Eagles, it was their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Thanks for spending part of your day with me. I'm Isa Soares in London. Stick right here with CNN. Well, One World is up next. Have a wonderful weekend.
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