On this "Face the Nation" broadcast moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken
- NATO Secretary Basic Jens Stoltenberg
- Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov
- Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova
- Chris Krebs, CBS Information cybersecurity professional and analyst
- Jill Schlesinger, CBS Information enterprise analyst
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan. And this week on Face the Nation: The stakes couldn't be greater, as we enter a brand new part within the Ukraine disaster. There may be much more stress on Vladimir Putin to halt his plans to invade. However is it too late? We can have a report from the entrance strains in Ukraine, in addition to information on the Eleventh-hour diplomatic efforts and the army maneuvers.
Plus, we are going to discuss with all sides of the battle, together with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NATO Secretary-Basic Jens Stoltenberg, plus each the Russian and the Ukrainian ambassadors to the U.S.
We can even have a look at the efforts to defend towards cyberattacks tied to Russia and the potential financial impression right here at residence. It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
Right this moment marks the start of a brand new part of the Ukraine disaster, and all eyes are on Vladimir Putin, whose army has now surrounded Ukraine on three sides with roughly 190,000 Russian personnel. U.S. intelligence signifies that half of these army forces are in place to assault. Russian army workouts in Belarus close to Ukraine's northern border have been scheduled to finish at present.
Moscow had initially mentioned it could pull out as quickly because the drills have been over, however, this morning, there may be phrase that they are going to stay. President Biden has referred to as an emergency assembly of his Nationwide Safety Council later at present.
We start in Ukraine with CBS Information overseas correspondent Charlie D'Agata.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: Good morning. For Ukrainian commanders we've spoken to, this warfare is already underneath means.
They took us to the entrance strains within the east, the place there's been a dramatic spike in shelling. And the prolonged Russian army workouts in Belarus solely provides to the nervousness.
(Start VT)
CHARLIE D'AGATA (voice-over): The Russian army on full flex in probably the most elaborate present of pressure since this disaster started, testing hypersonic and ballistic missiles as a part of nuclear workouts underneath the watchful eye of President Putin himself, from long-range bombers by air, to submarine launches within the Black Sea, and by land to Belarus, the place troops are edging ever nearer to the Ukrainian border, described by the U.S. protection secretary as uncoiling and poised to strike.
In Jap Ukraine itself, an artillery bombardment despatched troopers and journalists scrambling for canopy, together with, additional again, us.
OK, so there have simply been a few explosions. The youngsters are working. And we've been advised to get into our buses now. We're as shut as we will get to the entrance strains. And this simply exhibits you ways dynamic the state of affairs is right here.
Commanders advised us the continued battle right here all of a sudden took a dramatic activate Thursday, when Russian-backed rebels intensified the shelling of Ukrainian army positions and civilian areas alike.
MAN: Properly, the entire entrance line, which we predict that's simply one other affirmation that it is orchestrated by Russia.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: And also you had seen nothing like this prior to now few years?
MAN: Sure, nothing like this.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: Separatist leaders have ordered the evacuation of ladies, youngsters and the aged to Russia, they are saying, for their very own security, residents-turned-refugees now used as weapons in a propaganda warfare.
(Finish VT)
CHARLIE D'AGATA: Ukrainian commanders inform us that the rise in shelling and spreading panic among the many civilian inhabitants are aimed toward inventing or frightening the excuse President Vladimir Putin wants to be able to justify an invasion -- Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Charlie D'Agata, thanks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is again in Kyiv following a day journey to Munich, the place he met together with his nation's Western allies and sharply criticized them for appeasing Vladimir Putin. Our Christina Ruffini is there on the Munich Safety Convention.
(Start VT)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY (Ukrainian President) (via translator): You might be telling me that it is one hundred pc that the warfare will begin in a few days. Properly, then what are you ready for?
CHRISTINA RUFFINI: President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted on delivering his message to NATO allies in individual, that their insurance policies are appeasing Russia, and his nation is paying the value.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY (via translator): We do not want your sanctions after the bombardment will occur and after our nation can be fired at, or after we can have no borders, after we can have no economic system or elements of our nation can be occupied. Why would we'd like these sanctions then?
CHRISTINA RUFFINI: Vice President Harris, who met with Zelensky on Saturday, mentioned she would not second-guess his motives.
KAMALA HARRIS (Vice President of america): He got here right here to make a really clear level, that he doesn't stand alone.
CHRISTINA RUFFINI: However insisted that even the specter of sanctions will work, as a result of they're directed at particular monetary establishments and people near President Putin.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: These are among the biggest sanctions, if not the strongest, that we've ever issued. And it'll precise absolute hurt for the Russian economic system and their authorities.
CHRISTINA RUFFINI: And regardless of Zelensky's in individual plea, she says that place has not modified.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: We can not take evenly or communicate evenly about what we're ready to do, as a result of we do perceive the fee we're precisely, and it's extreme.
(Finish VT)
CHRISTINA RUFFINI: The vice chairman left just a bit whereas in the past. She's heading again to Washington to hitch that nationwide safety assembly later at present -- Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Our Christina Ruffini in Munich. And we're joined now by CBS Information nationwide safety correspondent David Martin. Good to have you ever with us once more, David.
The president was very clear that he's satisfied by U.S. intelligence that this invasion will occur, that President Putin determined to do it. How is he that sure?
DAVID MARTIN: As a result of the intelligence says that Russian troops have really obtained orders now to proceed with the invasion. So, not solely are they shifting up nearer and nearer to the border into these assault positions, however the commanders on the bottom are making particular plans for a way they'd maneuver of their sector of the battlefield. They're doing every thing that American commanders would do as soon as they acquired the order to proceed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We all know Vladimir Putin offers himself many choices. From what you recognize, what's the choice he appears to be setting himself up for? How does this play out?
DAVID MARTIN: Properly, he's positively giving himself the choice for a full- scale invasion of the nation, which might start with an assault on the capital of Kyiv. And...
MARGARET BRENNAN: It will start there?
DAVID MARTIN: It will start there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: With an aerial assault?
DAVID MARTIN: An aerial -- properly, a cyber assault to start with. However it's going to look very similar to the shock and awe marketing campaign that the U.S. unleashed on town of Baghdad in 2003 when it invaded Iraq. Cyber weapons did not exist again in 2003, so that could be a new ingredient. And you'd assume cyber would come first to knock out communications, knock out energy. However then they'd be adopted by missile strikes and airstrikes and particular operations raids to grab key elements of town, radio, TV stations. After which you could possibly see the models rolling from the border north of Kyiv down on both facet of town to isolate town and forestall the federal government from escaping right into a authorities in exile.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Whenever you evaluate it to shock and awe, there's a certain quantity of precision that is assumed with that. Precision will not be essentially within the Russian playbook for army operations. I imply, what ought to we be making ready for?
DAVID MARTIN: Properly, bear in mind, the Russians have had 18 years to go to high school on how we carried out that shock and awe marketing campaign. So, they've developed precision-guided weapons. I'd anticipate them to make use of them, as a result of they're simpler. If he needs to have this nation again within the Russian empire, he would not need to destroy Kyiv.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
DAVID MARTIN: He needs -- he needs a working authorities. He would not need to discover what we discovered once we acquired to Baghdad, to seek out this nation completely stripped of its infrastructure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm. And with regards to attempting to swallow a rustic, I imply, the argument for the U.S. has been we've poured in weapons and coaching, and helps the Ukrainians to have the ability to resist this sort of occupation. Is that what we're in search of, occupation, right here, or is that this identical to army coercion?
DAVID MARTIN: Properly, he is making the preparations for occupation. He has assembled a pressure that might invade and take down many of the nation. And now he has begun to mobilize reserves who would function the occupation pressure. Now, I am positive he will do the least that it takes to attain his purpose. And if his purpose is to carry Ukraine again into his sphere of affect, possibly he can do it by simply taking down the capital. Possibly he can do it by chopping an even bigger piece out of the east. However he's clearly making preparations to do no matter it takes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, David Martin, nice to have you ever and your perception.
We go now to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was additionally in Munich, and is right here in Washington this morning. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary.
ANTONY BLINKEN (U.S. Secretary of State): Good morning, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Biden says Vladimir Putin has made up his thoughts to invade, however we spoke with Russia's ambassador earlier this morning, and he insists there isn't any invasion, no plan to invade, and it solely has troops by itself soil. Do you might have cause to consider Vladimir Putin is altering his thoughts?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: No, we do not. As President Biden mentioned the opposite evening, every thing we're seeing tells us that the choice we consider President Putin has made to invade is shifting ahead. We have seen that with provocations created by the Russians or separatist forces over the weekend, false flag operations, now the information simply this morning that the -- quote, unquote -- "workouts" Russia was engaged in, in Belarus with 30,000 Russian forces that have been supposed to finish this weekend will now proceed due to tensions in Jap Ukraine, tensions created by Russia and the separatist forces it backs there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We perceive President Biden is asking a gathering of his Nationwide Safety Council at present. What selections can be made at that assembly?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: Properly, it is a chance to evaluate the newest data, the newest intelligence, to verify alerts, to verify plans. I simply got here again from Munich with the vice chairman. She led our delegation there to make it possible for we're in lockstep with allies and companions on every thing that we'll do, each to see if we will nonetheless stop President Putin from carrying forth his choice and, if not, ensuring that we're totally coordinated with allies and companions on the response. They've reiterated that huge penalties will observe if President Putin carries forth with the aggression.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, once we final spoke on January 23, you advised me that if Russia engages in different tappet ways, in need of invasion, hybrid motion, cyberattacks, efforts to carry a authorities down, there can be a swift, calibrated and united response. Aren't they doing all of these issues proper now? And the place is the U.S. response?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: To begin with, we have taken vital motion over the -- in latest months, supplying Ukraine with extra defensive -- deadly defensive help during the last yr than in any earlier years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However these cyberattacks have been simply attributed by the White Home on Friday. These simply occurred.
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: And we have labored carefully with Ukraine to ward them off, to get again up and working. We have now made an attribution to Russia for the cyberattacks. We're trying carefully on the response that that -- that that will name for. And we're doing all of this in coordination with allies and companions. If Russia commits the aggression which may be in prepare, all of that has been a part of our plan. And we're carrying it ahead.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned that you'll meet with Russia's high diplomat, however provided that Russia doesn't invade.
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: That is proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And -- however it appears contradictory, as a result of what you're saying is, that is tanks and that is planes. However does that imply Russia has carte blanche to proceed cyberattacks, to proceed funding separatists within the east? In the event that they hold tensions at this low boil, is that acceptable to you? Will you continue to sit down and negotiate?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: It isn't -- properly, two issues. There are two separate issues there. To begin with, it isn't acceptable, and it is one of many issues that we have talked about in some element with allies and companions this weekend. That could be a state of affairs by which Russia simply retains issues at a low or medium boil. And there can be a response to that too. However by way of partaking Russia, my job as a diplomat is to depart completely no stone unturned to see if we will stop a warfare. And if there's something that I can do to try this, I will do it. President Biden has made very clear that he is ready to fulfill President Putin at any time, in any format if that may assist stop a warfare. And so long as -- even when the die is forged, till it is settled, till we all know that the tanks are rolling, the planes are flying and the aggression has totally begun, we'll do every thing we will to stop it. However we're ready both means. And we're ready with a response that can have huge penalties for Russia if it really carries this via.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. You might have persistently described sanctions as a deterrent, however I do know you heard President Zelensky actually mild into the Western allies in that speech in Munich. And he accused you and the West of appeasement of Vladimir Putin over the previous few years. He mentioned: "We do not want extra sanctions after the bombardment or after we've no borders or after we've no economic system or after elements of our nation can be occupied. What are you ready for?" What are you ready for?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: I am unable to communicate, Margaret, to the previous couple of years. I can communicate to the previous couple of months and to the final yr. And in that time frame, america, once more, has supplied to Ukraine extra help, together with deadly army help, defensive help, extra prior to now yr than at any time in any earlier yr. We've got rallied different international locations to face in assist of Ukraine as properly to offer their very own help. We have rallied different international locations to clarify and to place collectively in nice element the huge penalties that can befall Russia if it engages on this aggression. The aim of that's to do every thing we will to discourage it, to stop a warfare, to discourage the aggression. And we do not need to pull the set off till we've to, as a result of we lose the deterrent impact. On the identical time, we additionally do not need to element in public precisely what we'll do, as a result of that can forewarn Russia. Will probably be capable of put together extra successfully to attempt to mitigate the sanctions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: So, all of that is very well-thought-through. And, look, I acknowledge President Zelensky is in a really tough place, because the chief of a rustic that's underneath siege by Russia. We're doing every thing we will to each assist Ukraine defend itself and to clarify what is going to occur to Russia if it undertakes this aggression.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Once I spoke with the Russian ambassador, he referred to Crimea, that a part of Southern Ukraine that was annexed by Russia in 2014, as a part of the Russian Federation. Will the U.S. in any means contemplate recognizing that, ceding that territory or any territories within the east of Ukraine as a diplomatic means out to keep away from a bigger warfare?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: No.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, exhausting cease, that isn't up for negotiation?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: That is right.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president has mentioned that america will proceed to assist Ukraine sooner or later after an invasion. If there may be an occupation, does that imply america is dedicated to funding and arming an insurgency?
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: The president mentioned that we'll, within the occasion of an invasion, double down on our assist for Ukraine. And meaning by way of safety help, financial help, diplomatic help, political help, humanitarian help, you title it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Blinken, good luck this week. Thanks to your time this morning.
SECRETARY ANTONY BLINKEN: Thanks, Margaret. Good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation can be again in a single minute. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to NATO's secretary normal, Jens Stoltenberg. He joins us from Brussels. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary. I'll get proper to the newest reporting from CBS, which is that intelligence exhibits Russian troops have really obtained orders to proceed with the invasion. And as David Martin reported, that goes right down to the element of how they'd maneuver of their sector of the battlefield. How will NATO reply to this?
SECRETARY GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG: So our important duty is to make it possible for all allies are protected and safe and that we offer a deterrence and protection to them, and that is the rationale why we have already got elevated our presence- army presence of NATO forces within the jap a part of the alliance. And in addition–
MARGARET BRENNAN: You will be growing that?
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: why we're able to additional reinforce that presence if there may be an assault on Ukraine. This has been a disaster within the making for a very long time, so subsequently we've steadily elevated our presence and, as I mentioned, able to additional reinforce that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Now that Russia and Belarus have mentioned these troops are staying within the north of Ukraine. Does that imply NATO has to both, you recognize, enhance extra superior weaponry within the area or transfer in additional troops? Or is that also but to be determined?
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: We've got- we've the entire (inaudible) since 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea and- and began to destabilize jap Ukraine Donbas. We've got bolstered and applied the most important reinforcement of collective protection for the reason that finish of the Chilly Struggle, with battlegroups within the Baltic area in- in Poland, with elevated protection spending yearly since 2014 and with a better readiness of the NATO forces. So we've applied vital reinforcements of- of NATO already. After which during the last weeks or months, we've augmented- added much more forces and troops to our presence in East. I believe what we are actually confronted with is a brand new regular in European safety. We see Russia being prepared to contest elementary values for our safety by way of pressure and in addition by the specter of use of pressure. And- and subsequently I- we've began the entire work on or extra longer-term adjustment of NATO's posture, NATO's presence–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: alongside the jap flank.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We additionally know that U.S. initiatives there may very well be as many as 5 million or extra refugees created by an invasion. What is going to NATO do if Russia weaponizes refugees and pushes them into your member states?
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: So to begin with, a very powerful factor is to stop a brand new armed assault on Ukraine, and subsequently we assist all efforts by NATO allies to discover a political resolution, and NATO's additionally prepared to sit down down within the NATO-Russia Council with Russia. If Russia decides to make use of pressure, that will, after all, be numerous folks fleeing Ukraine. The NATO Response Pressure, the forces we're ready to deploy, for example, to Poland, to Romania, to all of the neighboring international locations, even have the capabilities that may assist to take care of migrant and refugee crises in order that we will help. We'll by no means be the primary responder with regards to refugee disaster, however we can assist and and help the efforts of NATO allies. And we did that already in Poland and Lithuania. Whenever you noticed Belarus attempting to weaponize or use refugees and migrants as a way to to intimidate these international locations earlier final yr.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Vladimir Putin personally oversaw some strategic nuclear workouts yesterday. Is that this an try to intimidate NATO?
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: It's a means for them to exhibit all of the capabilities they've. This can be a common train, however it was deliberate for final fall and now it occurs within the midst of this vital Russian army construct up in and round Ukraine with the biggest focus of fight troops I've seen in Europe for the reason that finish of the Chilly Struggle. So final week, really, Russia mentioned that they are going to step again. Russia is stepping up with extra troops and better and even nearer to the to the Ukrainian border. And in addition the truth that this train, they mentioned, ought to finish at present will now proceed. So all of this matches into the image that Russia is making ready for an invasion of Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Greater image although, Ukraine's president blasted the West as you recognize yesterday when he spoke at Munich, he mentioned, The safety structure of our world is brittle. It is out of date. The west is treating Ukraine like a buffer between itself and Russia." Precisely what's the timeline for Ukraine's membership in NATO's?
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: We've got not set any timeline for that about NATO allies have been very clear that it's for Ukraine and 30 NATO allies to determine on membership and never Russia. And second, we've supplied over a few years vital assist to Ukraine. We assist them to modernize the protection and safety establishments to strengthen their cyber defenses. And NATO allies, america, United Kingdom, Canada and others have additionally supplied vital coaching and totally different sorts of army gear, defensive weapons. So the Ukrainian Armed Forces are a lot stronger now with higher outfitted, higher skilled troops than in 2014. And this isn't least due to all of the assist that NATO's allies have supplied over all these years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary Basic, we'll be watching carefully what occurs within the coming days. Thanks to your time this morning.
SEC. GEN STOLTENBERG: Thanks a lot, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll be proper again with much more FACE THE NATION, so stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And there is some breaking information out of London this morning. Queen Elizabeth has examined optimistic for COVID and is experiencing gentle signs. Buckingham Palace says she is going to proceed with a light-weight schedule at Windsor Citadel this week. She turns 96 in April.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we can be proper again with much more Face the Nation, together with each the Russian and Ukrainian ambassadors to america. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION. We go now to Russia's ambassador to america, Anatoly Antonov. Good morning to you, Ambassador. And thanks for approaching this system.
ANATOLY ANTONOV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: Good morning. Thanks very a lot for inviting.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I will get proper to it. President Biden says that President Putin has determined to invade Ukraine. Is he right?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: There isn't a invasion and there's no such plans. It was mounted in Russian paperwork that we conveyed to our American buddies and the State Division, Russia has publicly determined -- declared its readiness to proceed the diplomatic efforts to resolve all excellent points. Russian troops are on sovereign Russian territory. We do not threaten anybody.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Respectfully, Ambassador, you might have troops in Belarus, which isn't technically Russian territory. You might have troops in Moldova. You might have separatists you're funding and supporting within the east of Ukraine. This isn't your territory.
ANATOLY ANTONOV: Sure. After we are speaking about Byelorussia, I hoping that there can be a chance for us focus on it. We'll focus on joint drills which are ongoing. And I wish to say --
MARGARET BRENNAN: They have been supposed to finish at present. Are these troops staying in Belarus indefinitely?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: You will see that as to United States, you might have so many army bases in varied international locations. As to us, we've simply only some. And we won't see any contradiction to any authorized physique norms of this (INAUDIBLE).
MARGARET BRENNAN: It seems like intimidation. You might have over 190,000 personnel in and round Ukraine. You have acquired it surrounded on three borders. Your phrases and your actions do not appear to match, sir.
ANATOLY ANTONOV: Many times I wish to say you, we've our reputable proper to have our troops the place we wish on Russian territory. On Russian territory. And I wish to say you that we're not a threaten to anyone.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Zelensky says he needs to fulfill with President Putin. In case you're concerned with diplomacy, why would not that assembly occur?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: Right this moment the issue will not be Ukraine. The issue is what sort of world order can be sooner or later. Whether or not we will, collectively, set up a agency safety, assured for everyone, with out undercutting crucial precept of indivisible safety for everyone.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You already know --
ANATOLY ANTONOV: It signifies that you haven't any proper to strengthen your safety on the expense of a Russian Federation (ph). And we additionally haven't any such proper. It is clear such precept (ph) --
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Ambassador -- so, Mr. Ambassador --
ANATOLY ANTONOV: (INAUDIBLE) in lots of paperwork, endorsed by United States and Russia.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. You did not reply the query -- you did not reply the query about President Putin and President Zelensky assembly. However, shifting on, is the massive purpose right here for Russia, in the end, to get the remainder of the world to acknowledge Crimea as a part of Russia? Is that what that is all about?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: A problem of Crimea is solved. And subject of Crimea is closed for us. It is a Russian territory, and we do not need even to debate this subject in any respect. It was not -- how you can say -- army operation by Russian forces. It was a call by individuals who dwell in Crimea.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is Russia in the end attempting to get the remainder of the world to provide that portion of Ukraine over to the Russian Federation? Is that what you are attempting to do right here?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: We aren't attempting to take any territory of a overseas international locations. I wish to affirm that Donbas and Luhansk (ph) is part of Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you assume your coverage proper now could be efficient, on condition that the response to Russia's army buildup has been for NATO and america to only pour more cash and extra weapons into the world? Is not that the precise reverse of what you say you are attempting to do?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: You see that we're very a lot involved what United States and different NATO international locations are doing. They're pumping off Ukraine with plenty of weapons.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You might have the biggest army buildup in Europe for the reason that finish of World Struggle II. How do you anticipate NATO to react?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: You will see that we did plenty of to withdraw our troops from varied areas which are very near Baltic states, to jap European states. We withdrawal plenty of troops from Kaliningrad space. And no one even mentioned us thanks. On the identical time, we see 5 methods of growth of NATO. NATO has began exploration -- army technical operation of Ukraine now. It isn't doable for us to swallow (ph). You say that, there isn't any house for us to retreat. There may be simply solely a Russian Federation. Now we see --
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, you recognize that President Biden has mentioned Ukraine will not be a part of NATO within the close to future. And the German chancellor mentioned it is absurd for there to be a warfare as a result of Ukraine's membership in NATO is not going to be allowed any time quickly. So, why aren't statements like that adequate?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: We wish to put every thing on the paper. We wish to see legally-binding ensures for Russian safety. So, we despatched our package deal of proposals, what ought to we do? We do not need to see subsequent wave of growth of NATO.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You might have the biggest nuclear forces on the earth. You might have hypersonic missiles. Why are you so threatened by a defensive alliance and a rustic like Ukraine?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: We've got concern not about Ukraine. We've got concern relating to actions of NATO. We see how NATO will not be --
MARGARET BRENNAN: It is a defensive alliance?
ANATOLY ANTONOV: No, come on, it isn't a defensive alliance. You say that North Atlantic Treaty, the group will not be peace-loving NGO. It is political army equipment, a bloc (ph). We wish to cease such growth. We want United States to withdraw their troops and their weaponry from these states as a result of it is our lives, it is our ensures of safety for our folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Ambassador, thanks to your time. Thanks for coming and answering questions this morning. We'll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Our interview with the Russian ambassador was taped earlier this morning earlier than we realized from David Martin that Russian forces have really obtained orders to invade. We flip now to the Ukrainian Ambassador to america, Oksana Markarova. Good morning and welcome again to this system, Ambassador.
AMBASSADOR OKSANA MARKAROVA: Good morning. It is at all times glad- blissful to be right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Given what we've realized, do you consider that there's nonetheless a window of alternative to truly cease Russia from invading?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, we are going to work day and evening to utilize any risk to nonetheless stop Russia from invasion. However sadly, what we see over the past two days- or three days now tells us that opposite to what Mr. Antonov was simply saying, that not solely Russia amassed all of the troops across the border, however additionally they threw their unlawful armed formations in uncontrolled Donetsk and Lugansk began a collection of provocations. They began shelling our civilian objects. They- we've already two folks useless, 11 folks wounded, and it retains going as we communicate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Was it vital to you in any respect that he mentioned those who a part of the East really is a part of Ukraine?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, that half is- Donetsk and Lugansk is a part of Ukraine. Crimea is a part of Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He disagreed with as you heard him.
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, completely. However right here he disagrees with us and the remainder of the world.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Zelensky referred to as for a stop hearth this morning. What are you able to inform us about what is definitely occurring on the bottom and-and in a few of these diplomatic talks?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, President Zelensky's important concern, important concern is to protect the nation, but additionally protect each lifetime of Ukrainian residents. So, we're utilizing, whereas making ready to defend our nation, we're utilizing each risk to nonetheless select the diplomatic path and pressure Russia to decide on the diplomatic path. So every thing from the UN, to OEC, to Vienna doc which we engaged to the consultations on, to Budapest memorandum. I imply, we're calling not solely on aggressor, which is Russia, but additionally on all of our buddies and allies to get collectively and use each alternative to nonetheless deter Russia from invading.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However your president- you're a diplomat. You might be selecting your phrases fastidiously. Your president was very sharp together with his yesterday, and he made clear that the West will not be doing sufficient in his view. What are you asking Washington to do proper now?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Look, we're very grateful to america, to everybody, to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken, Congress on a bipartisan foundation. We're very grateful for all of the assist, army assist, political assist, robust messages, much more importantly for management in getting the transatlantic unity behind it and you recognize, everybody getting collectively to assist us. What we see proper now could be all of the robust messages I get to get Russia not solely to get out from the borders of Ukraine, but additionally through the previous three days began an offensive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Your president mentioned it was appeasement. Appeasement over the previous few years.
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, once more, let me remind everybody we're at warfare, and we're underneath assault for the previous eight years, and will harsh sanctions or harsh reactions have been in place in 2014 and 2015, possibly at present we'd be discussing the rocket launch that was yesterday was the primary stage from Ukrainian firms or another, extra peaceable objects to debate. However sadly, at present we're beginning this morning as individuals are being shelled at in Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been beforehand Ukraine's finance minister. You labored within the Finance Ministry. I do know that Ukraine has come underneath unimaginable cyber assaults over the previous few years, and also you anticipate them to begin up. You have already had the biggest in your nation's historical past simply inside the previous week. What particularly do you anticipate to occur within the subsequent few days? Goal your electrical grid? Your banks? Water? What ought to we be ready for?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, we anticipate every thing, sadly, and we all know that once more, our intelligence is now declassified and Putin publicly. Numerous details about the ready terrorist acts on the and managed territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, but additionally warning about all potential cyber and data assaults. So on cyber entrance, we realized our classes from the earlier assaults through the earlier eight years, and we're particularly defending our monetary, electric- electrical and different vital techniques for Ukraine. We will already see that couple per week in the past once we had one of many largest assault on our monetary and banking system, opposite to 2015 and 16, when these assaults resulted in huge breaches of safety and among the banks not been operational for days, this time it- the vast majority of banks weren't even affected. And among the banks have been again up fairly shortly. So once more, along with america, we're working rather a lot on the cyber safety and prevention of the cyber assaults.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There have been numerous studies in latest days that US intelligence has proof that Russia is creating a success listing of Ukrainians, of Russians, of different activists and political leaders dwelling exterior the nation. Are you involved about your personal security?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Tough query, however I believe all of us are involved about Ukraine and there are such a lot of Ukrainians which are prepared to withstand and struggle for Ukraine in Ukraine, but additionally exterior of Ukraine. We've got nice neighborhood right here in america as properly in order that, you recognize, no matter they are going to in no matter crimes they're prepared to commit to be able to kill a few of us, it won't cease others and it'll not assist their trigger.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thanks to your time at present. Thanks. We'll be again in a second.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: U.S. intelligence officers mentioned Friday that Russia was behind this previous week's cyber-attacks in Ukraine that knocked banks and authorities web sites offline. Now, there is a warning that American firms must be on alert. For extra, we go to CBS Information cybersecurity professional and analyst Chris Krebs. Good morning to you.
CBS NEWS CYBERSECURITY EXPERT AND ANALYST CHRIS KREBS: Morning, MARGARET.
MARGARET BRENNAN: CBS reported that the Treasury Division really sat down with some company leaders, together with from JPMorgan, from Citigroup, among the nation's largest monetary establishments. What do you see as probably the most fast risk right here within the U.S. from a cyber-attack that occurs, you recognize, in a rustic 5,000 miles away?
KREBS: Properly, the U.S. authorities has been assembly with vital infrastructure companions now for a lot of months, so it hasn't simply been final couple of weeks, as I perceive it is going again so far as November and even earlier particular to the escalation of tensions right here. What they've completed is look again during the last a number of years of the place Russian safety companies and cyber actors have focused U.S. infrastructure, and that is power, that is transportation, logistics and, after all, finance. They usually're additionally combining it via a collection of warfare video games and state of affairs playing- eventualities enjoying out how the Russians could reply to any sanctions we may impose. And that is, I believe, the place we get to the monetary companies trade. And in order that's in all probability on the high of the listing as you contemplate among the sanctions we have talked about. And that may be in all probability the- the counter transfer by the Kremlin and a few of these safety companies.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, two form of distinct threats. One, unintended penalties of spillover, and the opposite if Russia decides to focus on america. What precisely is the cyber doctrine of the Biden administration? Have you learnt?
KREBS: Properly, I believe- I believe that is unclear. I believe it is in all probability a continuation of the prior administration the place we enabled the Cyber Command actors and a few of these different operators to exit over there underneath the defend ahead and chronic engagement philosophy to get into the networks of our adversaries to grasp the place they're, the place they are going and to place sand of their gear, so to talk, and add friction to their operations so that they're too busy cleansing up their mess over there fairly than- than coming right here. And I believe we're seeing a little bit of that forward- defend ahead mission manifesting in among the latest disclosures.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The White Home briefed on this Friday, and the cyber director mentioned that whereas there isn't any credible risk at this precise second, if the U.S. is hit, we're ready to reply. The president himself mentioned if American firms are hit, we are going to reply. What does the response appear to be? Would we even understand it occurred?
KREBS: That is- I believe that is an awesome query of whether or not it could be an overt or covert, and it isn't essentially that it could be cyber for cyber, so to talk. You may even see financial measures; you might even see diplomatic measures in response to any form of cyber exercise towards U.S. infrastructure. However at a minimal, what I'd anticipate is, once more, focusing on of the techniques, the infrastructure that the Russian operators use to conduct their assaults and make it in order that they can't do a observe up assault utilizing that- that very same recognized infrastructure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How, you recognize, extra broadly by way of the technique of the Biden administration, what do you consider their choice to declassify this cyber-attack, which they did fairly darn shortly and among the different intelligence that they've picked up?
KREBS: Properly, first, I believe it's- it is value declaring that, as I discussed earlier, they- they've had a reasonably ahead leaning engagement effort with infrastructure companions, with trade to guard home techniques right here at residence. As lately as final Saturday, CISA, the company that I led within the final administration launched their Shields Up marketing campaign, which gives sources to guard techniques right here within the U.S. However extra importantly, and I say it is a former counteractive measures aficionado within the authorities, I have been actually impressed with how they've proactively referred to as out the unhealthy exercise, the malign exercise of the Russian authorities to once more delay a few of their efforts. I imply, it is a speedy declassification that in years previous, significantly on cyber actions, has taken months, if not a yr or extra. We're seeing it occur in a matter of hours. And it is it's- it is a devoted effort, it is purposeful and it's- I hope we see extra of it sooner or later.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How would you assess NATO's means to answer a cyber-attack? You heard Secretary Blinken say, you recognize, it's one thing that can be addressed. What would NATO do? Do they actually have a plan?
KREBS: Properly, NATO has capabilities, and so they've- they've declared that cyber falls underneath the- cyber-attack, fairly, on a member would fall underneath the Article 5 provisions that may allow them as a- NATO as a group to answer an assault on a NATO member. However it's not clear what that appears like simply in apply, at the least simply but. The language in Article 5 is- is about restoring stability and restoring safety, in addition to simply the edge matter of an assault must be intentional and devoted, possible on a NATO member. So, at this level, not Ukraine, however as a substitute maybe Poland, the U.S. or anybody else. However within the meantime, NATO can present assist groups for defensive functions, and the U.S. has been supporting Ukrainian cyber- cyber efforts for fairly a while to assist bolster these networks, as you simply heard the ambassador discuss among the focus that they've had enhancing their cybersecurity.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper. Chris Krebs, thanks for the warning to be on alert. Respect your time at present.
And we wish to try the impression that the Ukraine disaster and among the spillover we simply talked about may have on our economic system if Russia escalates.
CBS Information enterprise analyst Jill Schlesinger joins us. Jill, we simply laid out rather a lot. However by way of the risk to American companies and the uncertainty that we now have confronting the U.S. economic system, how do you assume this performs out?
JILL SCHLESINGER: Properly, I believe this has a far-reaching financial consequence doubtlessly. And it actually begins with the stream of every thing from petroleum merchandise, to possibly agricultural merchandise, like wheat, or possibly iron ore and aluminum. These merchandise, these commodities, have been hovering in value and I believe these greater costs are actually going to make folks assume twice. Now, once we discuss concerning the companies, companies really have an actual subject right here as a result of they might pull again on their spending. They might be nervous concerning the provide chain. We simply heard Chris Krebs discuss these cyber safety threats.
All of this put collectively weighs on a lot of the economic system. And I believe what is evident is that traders have actually began to concentrate to this during the last week or so. Markets had been promoting off earlier in January, however we have seen an actual escalation of worry creep into the marketplace. Proper now the S&P 500, via Friday's shut, is down about 9.3 % from the excessive reached in early January. Very near the correction. I believe these jitters are actually going to maintain some people up over the following week or so.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And the way do you assume it will impression the Federal Reserve's choice on rates of interest and that struggle to get management of inflation?
JILL SCHLESINGER: Properly, I believe this places the Fed in a pickle as a result of we're taking a look at a state of affairs that might decelerate the entire progress, the financial progress, that we have seen. It may gradual issues down sooner or later. And but the Ukrainian state of affairs is inflationary at its -- at its core. And that signifies that these 40-year highs that we have seen in inflation right here within the U.S., these excessive ranges are attributable to persist. No surprise the Federal Reserve chair, Jay Powell, mentioned that they are monitoring the state of affairs carefully. I believe they're in a troublesome state of affairs, Margaret, in that they're really pressured to lift rates of interest subsequent month to include costs, and but that may very well be occurring because the economic system is slowing down.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Jill, it's going to hold you busy, I do know. Thanks to your evaluation at present. We'll be proper again.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us at present. Stick with us on CBS, on the published community, and our CBS Information streaming service, in addition to cbsnews.com, for all the newest on Russia and Ukraine.
For FACE THE NATION, we'll see you subsequent week. I am Margaret Brennan.
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