CNN Inside Politics

Today's top story is President Biden'a big trip to Asia. He sees a crossroads in how the world stands up to Russia and China. And the President says the choices will echo for decades. "We're standing at an inflection point in history where the decisions we make today will have far-reaching impacts on the world we leave to our children tomorrow." Plus, we take a look at some new numbers in the too close to call Pennsylvania Republican senate primary. And, still more new details about Donald Trump's deep personal involvement in the strategy to try to steal the election. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden is on his way to Asia to assure Japan and South Korea that Russia's war in Ukraine won't distract him from the China challenge, and he welcomed the leaders of Finland and Sweden to the White House. Plus, they're still counting votes in Pennsylvania. We may not have a Republican senate primary winner until next week, and when we do, it might trigger a recount. And, the President responds to the baby formula issue with action. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 hours after the polls closed, the biggest race in Pennsylvania, the Republican senate primary, remains undecided. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Donald Trump's preferred candidate, led with 31.3% of the vote over former hedge fund manager Dave McCormick, who had 31.1%. The result could determine which party controls the US Senate after the midterm election. We take a look inside the numbers. Plus, another big night for the Big Lie. And, new, beyond-awful details about the Buffalo shooter. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins as President Biden is about to speak in Buffalo, New York, a city shaken by Saturday's mass shooting. Before his speech, the president, along with First lady Jill Biden, met with community members and families of those who were killed. The president observed a moment of silence, and then he and his wife left a bouquet at a memorial. Their visit comes as authorities continue to uncover new, chilling details about the gunman, how he targeted the supermarket and planned the rampage, how he wrote about it extensively on the dark quarters of the internet, and how he skirted laws on the books designed to stop violent episodes exactly like this. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What we now know about Saturday's mass shooting in Buffalo is chilling. The white gunman drove 200 miles. He picked his target -- a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood -- and surveilled the store. Authorities say he was motivated by hate, based on a racist creed he allegedly wrote. And, it could have ben worse. Investigators have evidence the shooter planned to continue his rampage at a nearby superstore. CNN's Joe Johns joins the show from Buffalo. Also in today's episode: Russia may have lost a third of its combat forces in its war with Ukraine ... the Republican contest a free for all between a surgeon, a tycoon, and a Big Lie believer. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An 18-year-old gunman espousing white supremacist and anti-Semitic beliefs fatally shot 10 people in a Buffalo supermarket. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the attack "white supremacist terrorism" and has vowed to reform gun laws and called for social media companies to take down racist language. The Justice Department is now investigating the shooting rampage as a hate crime. Plus, two far-right candidates are surging ahead of Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary races. But can they actually win in November? And Russia is about to have a new NATO neighbor as Finland says they'll join the alliance. On today’s panel: Journalist Wesley Lowery, Margaret Talev of Axios, Astead Herndon of the New York Times, Asma Khalid of NPR, Alex Burns of the New York Times, David Sanger of the New York Times. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine forces a Russian retreat on one front. Russian forces slowly but steadily eat into Ukrainian territory in another. In Kharkiv Russia back pedals. In Rubizhne, Ukrainian troops are pulling back. Meanwhile, the war is causing a global ripple effect on food supply. The Russian blockade is stopping grain from getting out and putting nations at risk of starving. And In Kyiv, an important first: a Russian soldier on trial for alleged atrocities, accused of killing an unarmed 62-year-old. We begin our coverage in Kyiv with Melissa Bell. Also in today's show: rare common ground between Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, why some of the nation's most vulnerable citizens are being charged for a critical Covid drug. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New CNN reporting raises questions about why the White House is slow to back up its startling fall Covid forecast of as many as 100 million new infections. Plus, a Florida judge appointed by Ron DeSantis says the governor's proposed congressional map is likely unconstitutional. And, Finland's leaders say the support ending decades of neutrality and joining NATO. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's new inflation numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the Consumer Price Index rose 8.3% in April compared with last year. While that's a big number, it's down from a 40-year high. Looking at it month-to-month, inflation was 0.3% in April, down from the 1.2% gain in March. But a closely watched data point was up, not down. Today's show begins with a look inside the numbers with CNN's Christine Romans. Also in today's episode: brand new CNN reporting on the Jan 6 committee's plan for a public hearing. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's Inside Politics begins with in-depth analysis of President's Biden's just-concluded speech about the US economy. It was advertised by his advisers as being focused on his plan to fight inflation. But while Biden did speak about inflation, he spent a significant amount of time attacking Republicans. Also on today's show: New details on the tragic saga of corrections officer Vicky White ... Donald Trump and Kevin McCarthy share a stage. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world worried Monday's Victory Day in Russia would bring dramatic action from Vladimir Putin. Instead, it came and went without any public change in posture from the Russian president. He again called his Ukraine invasion preemptive. He again painted NATO and Ukraine as the aggressors. And he repeated a lie by linking the invasion to the fight against the Nazis. We explore what clues, if any, Putin's speech may have provided on the direction of the war. Also in today's show: more stunning revelations from Donald Trump's former defense secretary, and Bono & The Edge visit Kyiv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A leaked draft Supreme Court decision is poised to reshuffle American politics and life. If the court overturns Roe v. Wade, abortions will be immediately banned in about half the country. Democrats are searching for ways to protect abortion access but it's unclear that there's anything they can do. The Senate is set to vote to protect abortion rights on Wednesday but it's expected to fail.Plus, why Vladimir Putin could escalate the war in Ukraine as Russia commemorates "Victory Day."And former President Trump says Dr. Mehmet Oz is a true MAGA believer. Why aren't Pennsylvania Republicans buying it?On today’s panel: CNN’s Manu Raju, Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report, Tamara Keith of NPR, CNN’s Michael Warren, CNN’s Jill Dougherty, Robin Wright of the New Yorker, CNN’s Joan Biskupic. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins with new proof the US economy is strong and stable. The latest jobs report out this morning shows 428,000 jobs were added in April while the unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%. Plus, average hourly wages are up 5.5% from one year ago. But inflation remains a giant election year cloud over President Biden and his party. Also in today's episode: Another desperate attempt to get people out of Mariupol ... Donald Trump says Republicans will stay home in November if his candidate in Georgia loses, but new CNN reporting suggests otherwise. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After weeks of heavy, bloody battles, Russian forces have breached Mariupol's final stronghold. Artillery strikes continue to pound the Azovstal steel plant, each hit bringing it closer and closer to Russian capture. But CNN's Scott McLean reports there may be some good news. Also in this episode: While some Democrats believe abortion rights will become this year's driving issue in the midterms, others say the economy is almost always issue #1. And on that front, the President is in a heap of trouble. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Voters in Ohio send a clear election night message by picking Trump candidates up and down the ballot, showing the former President is still the GOP's dominant force. Plus, a big day in the inflation fight. And, the latest on the war in Ukraine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court confirms the document leaked last night is authentic but is careful to note no decision is final until it's officially issued. But the 98 pages written by Justice Alito clearly lay out how the Conservative majority plans to overturn 50 years of legal precedent. He says the Constitution makes no reference to abortion and no such right is implicitly protected by any Constitutional provision. The news prompts an enormous and visceral reaction outside the court. President Biden says such a decision would be "radical" and that a woman's right to have an abortion is "fundamental." Our in-depth coverage begins with CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukrainians are finally finding a way out of that steel plant in Mariupol. One of the evacuees described the situation as "two months of darkness. We did not see any sunlight." The trek out of captivity comes after another turbulent, restless night. A Ukrainian commander inside says constant shelling resumed the instant evacuations were done for the day. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi is in Poland following her surprise a visit to Kyiv, where she met with Ukraine's president. When she returns to the US, Congress will take up a massive request for $33 billion in new money to help Ukraine. Our coverage today begins with a live report from CNN's Scott McLean in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a congressional delegation to Ukraine, recommitting U.S. support amid intense fighting in the east. Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine and to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky since the war began.Plus, why some Democrats are urging President Biden to get more aggressive with the GOP ahead of November's midterm elections. But will he really do it?And May will be a pivotal month for Donald Trump's endorsement strategy. Is his influence over the GOP waning? We'll get our first sign this week in Ohio's GOP Senate primary.On today’s panel: Ret. Gen. Steven Anderson, CNN’s Jill Dougherty, Maggie Haberman of the New York Times, CNN’s MJ Lee, Jonathan Martin of the New York Times. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Soldiers and civilians are surrounded in Mariupol's final stronghold. Today, a renewed effort to get people out of the steel plant. But that effort was blocked by Russians overnight. It's produced few Russian land gains but plenty of mounting destruction. It remains literally a life or death waiting game. A field commander worries they cannot survive another direct hit. Today's episode with a live report from the battlefield from CNN's Scott Mcclain. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"The cost of this fight is not cheap. But caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen. As long as the assaults continue, we're going to continue to supply military assistance." That's what President Biden said today when he asked Congress for $33 billion in additional new funding for Ukraine. He also directly responded to the Russian regime, saying that the Kremlin is desperate and the invasion an abject failure. CNN's Kaitlan Collins begins our coverage from the White House. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trevor Reed, the former US Marine held in Russia since 2019, is headed back to his family. The Biden White House announced a deal today to secure Reed's release in a prisoner swap. He's been held in Russia for 985 days after being arrested and sentenced to prison for nine years there. His family on CNN earlier today called his release an answer to their prayers. Our coverage begins with their emotional reaction to the joyous news. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlights new commitments from Germany, Canada, and others to get heavier weaponry to Ukraine, and makes clear a significant American strategy shift. The goal, he says, is to make sure Vladimir Putin not only loses in Ukraine, but that his military is significantly degraded in the process. Austin is in Germany, as is CNN's Oren Liebermann, who begins today's coverage. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN has exclusively obtained over 2,000 text messages sent and received by former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows between Election Day 2020 and President Biden's inauguration on January 20th, 2021. The messages give an extraordinary glimpse at how Meadows was doing Trump's bidding in how they were trying to overturn the election when they knew that there was no widespread election fraud. In this episode we dig into the texts, most of which have never been seen before. Also in today's show: We cover breaking news out of New York, where a judge holds Donald Trump in contempt for failing to turn over subpoenaed documents. And, the latest from Ukraine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russian forces are focused on capturing the east and eliminating the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky says Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are expected to visit Kyiv. They'd be the highest-ranking U.S. officials to step foot in Ukraine since the war began. Plus, Kevin McCarthy is caught on tape suggesting former President Trump resign after the January 6 insurrection. Will it hurt McCarthy’s House Speaker ambitions? And why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is picking a fight with Mickey Mouse. On today’s panel: Susan Glasser of the New Yorker, Julia Ioffe of Puck News, Catherine Lucey of the New York Times, CNN’s Eva McKend, Jonah Goldberg of The Dispatch, Rachael Bade of Politico. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A top Russian commander makes it clear that full control of Ukraine's south -- a 600-mile swath of strategic land along Ukraine's southern coast -- is also part of the Kremlin's invasion plan. Mariupol is one of those port cities on Putin's list, and new images show Russian tanks rolling through. The Kremlin says the city is captured but there are still Ukrainian fighters at a waterfront steel plant, and there are civilians taking shelter there, too. Mariupol's mayor says they are running out of food and water. CNN's Matt Rivers begins today's coverage in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden unveils another big package of heavy weaponry for Ukraine, saying the west will not yield and that Vladimir Putin will never succeed in his quest to conquer his neighbor. This comes just hours after the Russian President claimed victory in the strategic Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, telling his defense chief there's no need to storm a steel plant that's home to the last Ukrainian holdouts. However, Biden countered, "It's questionable whether he does control Mariupol. There is no evidence yet that Mariupol has completely fallen." Our CNN correspondents bring you the latest from the White House and the war zone. Also on today's show: Fascinating new details about the Jan 6 insurrection, and why Nancy Pelosi is furious with the FAA. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Mariupol's mayor urges residents to leave the besieged port city, a Ukrainian marine commander there makes a dire -- and perhaps final -- plea: "We might have only a few days or even hours left. The enemy's units are ten times larger than ours. We appeal to the world leaders to help us." Meanwhile, US defense officials watching the battlefield see no major Russian territorial gains in the Donbas region to Ukraine's east. Today's show opens with a live report from CNN's Matt Rivers on the ground in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Zelensky says the battle for Donbas is now in full force, and he vows Ukrainians will repel Russia's advancing army. The Kremlin says the goal is to "fully liberate" what Moscow calls two new independent republics in eastern Ukraine. One is in Luhansk, where a top Ukrainian official is pleading with anyone left to "evacuate now," saying residents of the fallen town of Kreminna are now hostages. A top adviser to Zelensky tells CNN, "Not a single place, a town, a city or a village is safe right now." Our CNN correspondents are deployed across Ukraine. Today's show begins with Ed Lavandera in Kyiv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The western city of Lviv, a place that's been relatively safe since Putin's invasion began February 24, has been hit by multiple Russian missile strikes. At least seven people were killed and 11 hurt, including a child. In eastern Ukraine, Kreminna in the Luhansk region is now in Russian hands. A Ukrainian official says Russian forces opened fire on a car filled with civilians trying to escape the town, killing four people. A top official is pleading with residents in Luhansk to leave now saying there are no safe places left in the region. And Ukraine is desperately trying to hold on to the port city Mariupol amid intense shelling and fighting. Russian forces are expected to close entry and exit to that city today. Today's show begins with CNN's Matt Rivers in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia is calling for the remaining troops in Mariupol to surrender after weeks of shelling have decimated the eastern city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says tens of thousands have died in the siege. As Russian troops regroup ahead of their expected focus on the east, $800 million worth of U.S. heavy weapons and artillery are arriving to boost the Ukrainian military. Plus, President Biden tries to sell his plans to fight inflation. Are voters listening? And why some close advisors to former President Trump worry he's making the wrong endorsements in high-stakes primary races. On today’s panel: Former Defense Department official Evelyn Farkas, Karoun Demirjian of the Washington Post, Ret. Brig. Gen. Steven Anderson, Molly Ball of Time Magazine, Jordan Fabian of Bloomberg News, CNN’s Melanie Zanona. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show features a new and exclusive CNN interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who tells CNN's Jake Tapper the world should prepare for Vladimir Putin to use chemical or, yes, even nuclear weapons. Plus, the US Secretary of State is telling European allies he believes Russia's invasion may last the rest of the year. And, important battlefield developments today, as Russia retaliates against the sinking of its warship by hitting a military facility on the outskirts of Kyiv. Ben Wedeman begins our reporting live from the strategic eastern city of Kramatorsk. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is day 50 of Vladimir Putin's invasion, and the Russian military is poised to open a new chapter of this war. The west warns of a major Russian offensive on the Donbas region as soon as the next couple of days. The US is now promising to deliver heavier and deadlier weaponry. Overnight Ukraine said it put a major military win on the scoreboard, striking Russia's premier warship with a cruise missile, resulting in major damage. We start our coverage on the front lines in Ukraine with CNN's Matt Rivers. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Police say Frank James, a 62-year-old black man, is the shooter who turned the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, NY into a trauma ward. Investigators determined James bought the gun recovered at the scene, and an intensive hunt to capture him is underway. CNN's Jason Carroll kicks off our extensive coverage live from the scene.Also in today's show: The latest from Ukraine, and some fascinating new details at Donald Trump's "big lie" campaign, including an inside look at his failed effort to persuade Mitch McConnell to go along with it. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's expected to be a massive Russian assault on the Donbas region has begun. Shelling overnight in Kharkiv left scorched buildings, debris spilling out from shattered windows, and at least 11 dead. Satellite images tell us Vladimir Putin has assembled an eight-mile long convoy of Russian tanks and artillery outside the city. Meanwhile, today marked an invasion first: Austria's chancellor met with Putin, the first western leader to get an in-person audience with the Russian leader since forces breached Ukraine's border 47days ago. Our coverage begins with a live report from Phil Black in Lviv, followed by in-studio analysis from retired major general James "Spider" Marks. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Russian troops refocus their efforts on eastern Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has named Alexander Dvornikov as the overall commander of the invasion. Dvornikov had previously led Russia's brutal attacks in Syria, which means the already bloody war could become even more vicious Plus, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is poised to join a Supreme Court that could overturn decades of precedent from abortion to affirmative action. And how Dr. Mehmet Oz nabbed former President Trump's endorsement in a key Senate race. On today’s panel: CNN’s Phil Black, CNN Contributor Jill Dougherty, CNN’S Jeff Zeleny, Jackie Kucinich of the Daily Beast and Zolan Kanno-Youngs of the New York Times. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The death toll continues to grow after Russia bombed a rail station in Kramatorsk. At least 50 are dead and another 98 injured. Ukraine's foreign minister says the Russian military knew this station was jam packed with thousands, following local government advice to evacuate. The Russians chose to attack anyway. In Kharkiv, Putin’s forces attacked a bread factory. And there's intense worry today by the Ukrainian military that Russia is near finished with preparations for a “breakthrough attempt” to take the Donbas. We start our coverage on the front lines in central Ukraine with Ivan Watson. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, a black woman has never held the title of Justice. That will change this afternoon when the Senate votes to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson. The math is a done deal now that three Senate Republicans say they’ll vote yes. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer calls it a “joyous day.” An Inside Politics panel discusses this important first in US history. Plus, the very latest on Ukraine from our CNN reporters on the ground. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US unveils new sanctions targeting the Russian elite including Vladimir Putin's two adult children. Today, though, more proof Putin is undeterred. A flurry of new Russian military assaults and haunting words from the most besieged city. Mariupol's mayor says the scale of death rivals Nazi concentration camps and calls it the new Auschwitz. Officials say Moscow's military is using mobile crematoriums to dispose of bodies. Today's show begins Zaporizhzhia with CNN's Ivan Watson. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky makes perhaps his most powerful speech yet, addressing the United Nations security council and accusing Russia -- one of the council's permanent members -- of war crimes. He also compares Russia to a "terrorist organization." CNN's Phil Black begins our coverage from Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The apparent indiscriminate Russian killing of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha prompts President Biden to label Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and call for a "war crimes trial." CNN's Chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins begins today's coverage by exploring what, if anything, Biden and the world can do to hold Putin accountable. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Putin's invasion of Ukraine enters its 6th week, Russia appears to be shifting strategy and withdrawing from the area around Kyiv. But they're leaving rubble where apartment buildings once stood and burnt out cars and wrecked tanks line the roads. Bodies of at least 20 civilians were found on the streets in Bucha. Now U.S. intelligence says the military will refocus on the east as President Vladimir Putin tries to claim some sort of victory by early May.Plus, another stellar jobs report, but Americans are down on the economy. Can President Biden's latest plan to bring down gas prices change their minds?And why Sarah Palin could be heading to Washington.On today’s panel: CNN’s Ed Lavandera, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner, Nick Schifrin of PBS NewsHour, Laura Barron Lopez of Politico, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Hans Nichols of Axios. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Low-flying helicopters fire on a Russian fuel depot in Belgorod, setting eight tanks holding 3.5 million gallons of fuel ablaze. Russia says the choppers are Ukrainian, but Ukraine's ministry of defense won't take credit for, or even comment on, the attack. Also today, another attempt to get people out of Mariupol. Our coverage begins with correspondent Phil Black in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're getting conflicting signals about Ukraine battlefield momentum and what comes next as Vladimir Putin's invasion now is in its sixth week. In and around Kharkiv, Ukrainian military officials report 47 mortar and tank strikes by Russia. But in a Kharkiv suburb there are signs of a pushback: burnt out Russian tanks, and evidence of Ukrainian forces retaking a critical road. A UN defense official says Russia has dramatically upped the number of attacks over the past 24 hours. Moscow's military is now regrouping. And a resupply is coming. So are 135,000 more Russian military conscripts. But there are now doubts some of those soldiers in the trenches will actually follow their orders. British intelligence says troops have outright refused Russian battlefield commands. We begin today's coverage with a live report from Ivan Watson in Zaporizhzhia. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite Russian claims of "drastically" pulling back in two key battle areas, frontline accounts in Ukraine tell us something very different. And US intelligence now believes Vladimir Putin is being deliberately misinformed by his advisers, who are too scared to tell him the truth about the poor performance of the Russian military. Meanwhile, Presidents Biden and Zelensky spoke on the phone for over an hour today. We have it all covered, beginning with a live report by Ivan Watson from Zaporizhzhia in southeast Ukraine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is perhaps a glimmer of progress after Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met for several hours in Istanbul today. The diplomats said the talks might clear the way for a meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin. Just as the talks concluded, the Kremlin announced it will drastically reduce military activity around the capital Kyiv and in the Chernihiv area in northern Ukraine. Senior US officials tell CNN they see this as part of a significant shift in strategy, and they believe Russia plans to pull back forces in the north and focus on areas where it has made gains in the south and east. CNN's correspondents bring you the latest from Ukraine, Istanbul, and the White House. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have new and important battlefield developments to report on day 33 of Russia's invasion. In Irpin, just northwest of Kyiv, the mayor says they've retaken the town. But in Mariupol, its mayor says, "We are in the hands of the occupiers." And Ukraine's military intelligence chief warns the Kremlin may be planning to split the country in two. We have it all covered in today's show, beginning with CNN's Ed Lavandera in Lviv. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden makes a historic trip to Europe to reassure allies and to stress the importance of unity as Russia continues its unprovoked war against Ukraine. But, his Warsaw speech dominated the headlines after he ad-libbed 9 words about Putin that sent shockwaves across the world. Plus, Ukrainians are on the offensive--blowing up a Russian ship and recapturing areas outside of the country’s capital city. And, Republicans lean into culture wars at the historic Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Jackson Brown. On today’s panel: CNN Russian Affairs Contributor Jill Dougherty, Robin Wright of the New Yorker, Retired Brigadier General Steven Anderson, CNN’s Manu Raju, CNN’s Phil Black, Jonathan Martin of the New York Times and NPR’s Asma Khalid. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden began his Friday with American troops just 50 miles from the Ukrainian border, where he said the US and the world are now at an inflection point in the fight against autocracy. He then received a briefing about the mushrooming refugee crisis in Poland. Today's show starts with a live report from CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins in Warsaw. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exactly one month since the Russia invasion, President Biden is in Brussels for an emergency meeting with European leaders to discuss what more they can do to help Ukraine and squeeze Putin. This morning, several major announcements were made, including new sanctions targeting more than 300 Russian politicians. The US will also welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and will give $1 billion in humanitarian aid. CNN's chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins kicks off our coverage live from Brussels. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president promises new sanctions and new diplomatic pressure on Vladimir Putin. Before leaving he warned that Russia using chemical weapons is a "real threat." We're in week four of the invasion and Putin's aerial assault is growing more indiscriminate by the day. We start today's coverage in Lviv with CNN's Phil Black. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices