CNN "The Situation Room" - TRANSCRIPT Officials: U.S. Finalizing Tank Delivery To Ukraine; German Media Reports Berlin Also Sending Tanks; Western Allies Urge Ukraine To Shift Strategy From Brutal Eastern Battles To New Southern Offensive; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D-CT), Is Interviewed About Giving Tanks To Ukraine, Mike Pence, Classified Documents; Sources: Classified Documents Found At Mike Pence's Indiana Home; 18 Dead In Two Mass Shootings In Two Days In California. Aired 5-6p ET
Interview
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Let's continue the discussion right now with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. He's a key member of the Armed Services Committee.
I know you're just back, Senator, from this bipartisan delegation you were on. You went to Kyiv, you bet there with President Zelenskyy. How significant is this apparent breakthrough right now for the U.S. and the allies to start providing Abrams and Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine?
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: It is profoundly significant, Wolf. We heard again and again, not only from President Zelenskyy, but from his top military leaders, that these tanks, remember the firepower, the armor they have, the mobility are essential to defending against the onslaught, the Russian offensive that is anticipated not months from now, but literally weeks away.
And one of the key military leaders said to me, why don't you trust us? In effect, saying, we have used what you've given us to such great effect. They've pushed them away from Kyiv, the Russians, they have made major progress in the east now that conflict is deadlocked and the Ukrainians want to mount their own counter offensive and the tanks are essential.
But here's the key point, Wolf, time. Time is of the essence. Time is not on their side. So they need these tanks literally tomorrow, not months from now. Training transport need to be compressed.
BLITZER: Because you keep pointing out, Senator, this is, in your words, a critical turning point in the war that we're seeing right now. What will it take in the upcoming spring fighting to convince Putin he simply can't win in Ukraine?
BLUMENTHAL: What it will take is success on the ground and an offensive that puts in play Crimea and points close to the border with Russia so that Putin feels the heat of their military prowess. The tanks are important as a message to Putin that he's not going to fracture or divide the allies, as has been part of his goal all along.
And you're absolutely right, the war is at a critical turning point, a time of maximum danger, but also major opportunity. And I can't emphasize strongly enough how important time is.
And there's a larger lesson here, Wolf, that I would say we all ought to take from this experience. We have provided what is needed when the Ukrainians have requested, but often only after delay. The HIMAR artillery, the Patriot missile defense, some of the other arms, we need to take the lesson to say yes, that ought to be the default. Yes, until we find a persuasive reason to say no, because the delay often takes a toll in blood and lives on the battlefield.
BLITZER: Yes, very important point. While I have you, Senator, on a very different issue, I want to get your thoughts. CNN has learned about a dozen classified documents were found in former Vice President Mike Pence's home in Indiana. What is the appropriate next step? Is a special counsel warranted considering Pence's role as a possible 2024 presidential contender?
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BLUMENTHAL: Special counsel may be warranted. Merrick Garland is going to have to make that judgment based on exactly what the documents are, what the circumstances were of their removal, what the level of cooperation is from former Vice President Pence, what purpose may have been. There's an obvious contrast between Biden and Pence on the one hand and Trump on the other. Biden and Pence are cooperating. They are forthcoming with volunteering these documents, whereas Trump has been resisting, even obstructing.
The important point is that there be a full, fair, aggressive investigation because there are very serious concerns when classified documents are in the wrong place, because they put in danger the sources and methods, the people who provide the secrets, the classified information that could put them at risk as well.
BLITZER: Yes, we're going to have a lot more coming up on this late breaking development coming up right after a quick break. Senator Blumenthal, as usual, thank you so much for joining us.
BLUMENTHAL: Thank you.
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