President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi on the talk show "My next guest needs no introduction" with David Letterman on Netflix Told me about the course of the war and its end, relations with his family and his daily work for victory.
The main statements of the head of state
The interview took place at one of the capital's metro stations and began with an air alarm, which Zelensky drew attention to.
War should not be a habit
"War should not be a habit. Sometimes we get very used to the sirens and do not even pay attention and do not move to the bomb shelter, to some safe place. For me, the siren is a reminder that the war is not over. There was such euphoria when Kyiv, the Kyiv region, was deoccupied, but the war is not over and the fact that they don't kill your neighbor or loved one, somewhere out there, they kill our soldiers who give their lives. That's where someone gives their life for yours," the president noted.
Our children gave away their childhood.
The president also added that on the one hand, it can be said that Putin stole childhood from our children, but at the same time, the president believes that "each of us must give something to the state for its protection, our children gave their childhood."
Putin will not use nuclear weapons
According to Zelenskyi, Putin will not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine because he fears for his life.
"Loves this life very much. He (Putin — Ed.) is even sitting at a long table, afraid of getting sick with covid or something else. This suggests that he is afraid of death and loves life. I am not sure that he is ready to use nuclear weapons," Zelenskyy said.
There will be no war if Putin dies
Zelenskyi said that a large percentage of Russian citizens believe in their leader. He compares it to a closed window behind which one can hide from war, which he considers cowardice.
In addition, the Ukrainian president believes that if the Kremlin dictator dies, the war will end.
"An authoritarian regime is scary, because there is a big risk. Everything cannot depend on one person. Therefore, when such a person leaves, institutions stop. Such was the time in the Soviet Union, everything stopped. Therefore, I believe that if it is not there, it will be difficult for them, they will be engaged in domestic politics, not foreign policy," Zelenskyi believes.
Russians are in an information bubble.
«In order for the invasion to "work" for Russian society, it was necessary to completely immerse them in the information bubble that supposedly "there are no Ukrainians", that Ukraine is a "outskirts" that does not have its own language, heritage, history, that allegedly Ukrainians "took off » with the collapse of the Soviet Union, temporarily.
This is the policy of the President of the Russian Federation and his team. They specially develop these narratives and provide information to their society. That's how they defeated their society and their mind."
Russia has become a symbol of emptiness.
"Russians will fight for democracy only when they understand that full-scale isolation has come, and there is only one way out of it - respect for international law. And this is democracy.
Recognize territorial integrity. I am not talking only about Ukraine, I am also talking about Georgia and Moldova. The Russians followed suit everywhere.
No one shakes hands with today's leadership of the Russian Federation. I am in every sense of the word: Russia is not present at competitions, in the cultural space, at Oscar-winning events. This is isolation. Russia has become a symbol of emptiness."
When the end of the war.
"I am a responsible person and I understand what it means for people to hear when the war is over. Because this is the main question. I don't play with things like that. For us, the end of the war, no matter how it sounds, no matter how someone believes or not "The end is when we win back our land and are on our borders," — Zelensky.
The president also emphasized that there should be no freeze in the conflict, and the war will end when Ukraine returns all its territories.
"This does not mean that tomorrow drones will not fly, and somewhere on the front line people will be killed, but this is far from us and does not concern us. No, that's not true, and it's not fair. Because all these are our citizens who are fighting. That's why I said" that the war is not far away. It is everywhere and in every house today," the head of state said.
War is a difficult choice.
"I am not sure that the war changes us. I think we will be able to understand this after the war is over. War is different conditions of existence. These are the conditions under which you have to choose whether you remain human or turn into a beast, a terrorist, a marauder or a rapist.
War is a difficult choice. Because one must think, reject hatred of the enemy and fight according to the rules: to remain human."
The USA is a leader in supporting Ukraine.
"Without their support, it will be difficult for us. Very difficult. And the question "when will the war end?" also depends on this support. To make it shorter, more powerful help is needed. We are fighting for the whole world, for democracy and freedom of the whole world. We know what we are fighting for, the most important thing is for the US and society to know, not to deviate from the course of supporting Ukraine and to know that we are also fighting for them," Zelenskyy said.
Zelensky's schedule
Every day the president appears at 05:30-06:00.
"If something is critical, I wake up from the bell. Then I have a military meeting. A pleasant moment when I can talk to my children on the phone and to my wife. - this is the moment when you can exhale," he shared personal details.
In addition, he humorously talked about what he usually does:
"What do I even do? Every day I am engaged in the management of the war, the management of the state of Ukraine from morning to night. Daily. I still like to eat," added Zelensky.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that that he is not yet ready to think about his political future. Until victory, he will be the president, and later he will definitely go to sea.
"Until our victory, I will definitely be the president. And there I don't even think. Until I think, I'm not ready. I really want to be at the sea. I will tell you frankly, David, I really want to be at sea. Just at sea, when we have already won, and I really want to drink beer," the president admitted.
