Anderson Cooper 360

Explosions are seen and heard in Kyiv and clashes are underway in an eastern suburb of the Ukrainian capital. This comes as the President of Ukraine confirms Russian forces are closing in on the city and warns “the fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.” Anderson talks with CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward who is on the ground in Kyiv. 

And, as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, the White House announced the U.S. will personally sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Democratic Congressman Jason Crow joins AC360 to give his take on the latest round of sanctions.  

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Ukraine President Zelensky says he believes Russian sabotage groups have entered the capital of Kyiv and that they’ve marked him as “target number one” and his family as “target number two.” CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward tells Anderson Cooper whether or not Zelensky plans to stay in Kyiv.

Plus, President Biden announced new “strong” sanctions on Russia and said Putin “has committed an assault on the very principles that uphold global peace.” David Remnick is an editor for The New Yorker and the author of "Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire.” He joins AC360 to discuss why Putin wants Ukraine.

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Ukraine is on high alert after the U.S. warned an attack could be “imminent.” Several Ukraine airports closed as Ukrainian President Zelensky said the “trigger” for Russian invasion could happen at “any minute.” William Cohen served as the Secretary of Defense during the Clinton administration. He tells Anderson Cooper how far he thinks the Biden administration should go with sanctions against Russia. Plus, President Zelensky said he tried to call Russian President Putin but was unsuccessful. Steve Hall is the former CIA Chief of Russia. He joins AC360 to discuss what Putin’s rationale could be for invading Ukraine.

Airdate: February 23, 2022

Guests: William Cohen and Steve Hall.

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President Biden announced new sanctions to punish Moscow and described what is currently happening in Ukraine as “the beginning of a Russian invasion.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also canceled his meeting with Russia's foreign minister. CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward is in Kyiv, Ukraine. She tells AC360 Ukraine’s first choice is diplomacy but if that doesn’t work they plan to “fight for every inch” of their land.

Plus, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell blamed the Biden administration’s “weakness” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Maggie Haberman is the Washington correspondent for The New York Times. She joins AC360 to discuss McConnell’s comments and the Republican party’s view of Putin. 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two separatist pro-Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine after recognizing their independence. The U.S. expects Russian troops to move into the Donbas region as soon as Monday evening or Tuesday for what Putin called a “peacekeeping” mission. Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) is the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander. He tells AC360 what he thinks will happen over the next several hours and days.

Plus, the jury in the federal hate crimes trial of the three men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery wrapped up its first day of deliberations. Keisha Lance Bottoms is the former mayor of Atlanta and is a CNN Political Commentator. She joins AC360 to discuss the trial and whether she thinks the prosecution did enough to prove their case.

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President Biden said he’s “convinced” Russian President Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and believes Russian forces could attack “in the coming week” or sooner. Fiona Hill is the former Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the National Security Council. She joins AC360 to discuss Biden’s comments and says the President sounds “pretty confident” Putin has made up his mind.

Plus, the National Archives confirmed they’re talking to the Department of Justice since classified records were found in boxes at Mar-a-Lago after former President Trump had left office. Maggie Haberman is a Washington Correspondent for The New York Times and a CNN Political Analyst. She tells AC360 “there’s a lot of unanswered questions” surrounding the boxes and the documents in them.

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President Biden says he believes the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is “very high” and could happen “within the next several days.” CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward traveled to the Donbas Region of Ukraine. She joins AC360 to discuss why there was a sense of “angst and nervousness” when she was talking to people on the ground. 

Plus, a judge ruled that former President Trump and his two children, Ivanka and Donald Jr., must sit for depositions in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation of their business practices. Preet Bharara is a former U.S. attorney and a CNN Senior Legal Analyst. He tells AC360 whether he thinks the Trumps would win an appeal.

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The U.S. says Russia has added 7,000 troops along the Ukraine border, directly contradicting Moscow’s claims they’ve been pulling back its forces. Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.) is a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander. He tells AC360 he “absolutely” thinks the addition of troops increases the likelihood of a Russian invasion.

Plus, a six-year-old girl, who has been missing since 2019, was found hidden underneath a wooden staircase with her noncustodial mother. At age 14, Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her home and found nine months later. She’s now a child safety activist. She joins AC360 to discuss her own experience after being found and how important it is to never give up hope.

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President Biden warned that if Russia invades Ukraine the human costs will be “immense” over a “war without cause or reason.” Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) is a former U.S. Army Commanding General for Europe and the Seventh Army. He tells AC360 why he isn’t convinced Putin is going to launch a “large scale” attack on Ukraine.

Plus, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol issued subpoenas to six more people, further digging into illegitimate electors from key swing states that former President Trump lost. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs joins AC360 to discuss the subpoenas and why it’s so important to have people at every level who are “going to continue to uphold the will of the voters.”

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The U.S. is closing its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine as officials have warned Russia is “clearly advancing their ability to invade” and could launch an invasion as soon as this week. Steven Pifer is a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. He tells AC360 he takes the embassy closing as the U.S.’s assessment that there’s a “real possibility the Russian military may go into Ukraine.”

Plus, former President Trump’s long-time accounting firm informed the Trump Organization that nearly 10 years’ financial statements are unreliable and they would no longer be their accountants. Conservative lawyer George Conway joins AC360 to explain why he says this is “worse for him than getting impeached twice.”

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