We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptWashington Week Ahead (27March2022} -- USAGM
HEADLINE: Russia Batters Neighbor as Monthlong War in Ukraine Continues
TEASER: President Biden delivers stern speech from NATO ally, Poland
PUBLISHED AT: 3/27/2022 at 3:42 pm
BYLINE: Arash Arabasadi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: AFP/ AP/ REUTERS/ RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY/ STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES OF UKRAINE/ ABC “THIS WEEK”/ PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE/ TWITTER / “STATE OF THE UNION”/ RUSSIAN POOL
PRODUCER: Arash Arabasadi
SCRIPT EDITORS: MPage, sv
NOTE:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AFP/ AP/ REUTERS/ RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY/ STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES OF UKRAINE/ ABC “THIS WEEK”/ PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE/ TWITTER / “STATE OF THE UNION”/ RUSSIAN POOL
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:41
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE:
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[A fifth week of unprovoked war waged by Russia on neighboring Ukraine. More than 10 million Ukrainians are now displaced both in and outside the country. Russian shelling continues throughout Ukraine despite the Kremlin announcing new battleplans focused on the eastern region. On a trip to Europe, President Joe Biden says Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” but later U.S. officials clarify that Washington is not seeking regime change. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has this story.]]
((MISSILE FIRED, BLACK SEA, AFP/RDM, EXACT DATE UNKNOWN))
((mandatory cg RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY))
((NARRATOR))
A salvo of Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea in the south of Ukraine as Russia’s war on its neighbor enters a second month. The Russian Defense Ministry claims it fired upon infrastructure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
((VAR, FIREFIGHTING, LVIV, UKRAINE, REUTERS/SESU, 03/27))
((mandatory cg STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES OF UKRAINE))
((NARRATOR))
Meanwhile, in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at fuel storage facilities hit by Russian cruise missiles.
((VAR, MASS, LVIV, UKRAINE, AP, 03/27))
((NARRATOR))
The next day, people seek comfort in prayer at Lviv’s Church of the Holy Eucharist.
((VAR, BIDEN, WARSAW, AP/POOL, 03/26))
((NARRATOR))
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the focus of a speech delivered by President Joe Biden in Poland’s capital, Warsaw on Saturday.
((BIDEN))
“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, for free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness. We will have a different future, a brighter future, rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light of decency and dignity of freedom and possibilities. For God’s sake, this man ((Putin)) cannot remain in power.”
((VAR, BIDEN W/ 82ND ABD, JASIONKA, RZESZOW, AP, 03/25))
((VAR, UKRAINIAN REFUGEES, MEDYKA, POLAND, AP, 03/27))
((NARRATOR))
The president’s speech capped a four-day trip to Europe where he visited members of the 82nd Airborne Division and Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The White House later clarified his off the script comments saying Biden was not advocating regime change in Moscow and other U.S. officials made clear Sunday that is not Washington’s policy.
[[RADIO TRACK: Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Republican Senator James Risch described the president’s ad-libbed closing of his speech as unfortunate.]]
((mandatory cg TWITTER / “STATE OF THE UNION”))
((Sen. James Risch, Republican))
“Any time you say – or even as he ((Biden)) did suggest that the policy was regime change – it's going to cause a huge problem. This administration has done everything they can to stop escalating. There’s not a whole lot more you can do to escalate than to call for regime change.”
((PUTIN RALLY, MOSCOW, AP/RUSSIAN POOL, 03/18))
((mandatory cg RUSSIAN POOL))
((NARRATOR))
Others say Biden’s remark at the end of his speech about Putin should not be the focus.
[[RADIO TRACK: Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” former CIA Director and retired General David Petraeus, said the focus should be on further strengthening NATO and not a few words from a speech.]]
((mandatory cg ABC “THIS WEEK”))
((Gen. David Petraeus, Former CIA Director))
“This should not overshadow what was an extraordinarily important and successful trip to Europe, one that the U.S. has really led, as it has done so impressively, really, throughout this entire effort and pulled together, guided and then, ultimately, with this speech. It was a very, very strong statement, obviously.”
((VAR, SHELLING AFTERMATH, KYIV REGION, UKRAINE, AP, 03/26))
((NARRATOR))
As Russian shelling continues, thick smoke fills the air in destroyed residential areas on the outskirts of Kyiv.
[[RADIO TRACK: Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Olga Stefanishyna ((steph-a-neesh-nya)) talked about what her country needs]]
((mandatory cg ABC “THIS WEEK”))
((Olga Stefanishyna, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister))
“Everyone should be concentrated over one goal: to make sure that Ukraine is capable, financially stable, to resist and defend until the political solution – how to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine – and peace around Europe is there.”
((ZELENSKYY AT PODIUM, KYIV, AP/PO, 03/26))
((mandatory cg PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE))
((NARRATOR))
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an address echoed calls for tanks, armored vehicles and jets. He compared the Russian invasion to the way Nazis tried to conquer Europe 80 years ago, adding that “no one will forgive them.”
Arash Arabasadi, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D. C.
Embargo DateMarch 27, 2022 15:49 EDT
BylineArash Arabasadi, VOA News.
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English