On the night of February 1, the American TV channel HBO showed an interview with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. Axios journalist Jonathan Swan, who spoke with the Ukrainian president, published a number of excerpts from the conversation with the head of state.
Next, we publish Zelensky's main statements.
At the end of the queue
The journalist asked a question about vaccination, noted that the Western allies put Ukraine at the end of the queue for vaccines, and Russian vaccination is unsafe.
"And you should have turned to China. Can you help me understand how this painful process affected your views on Ukraine's allies?"
In turn, Zelensky admitted that Ukraine is not an equal partner for the West, which is why he "stands with an outstretched hand."
"There are several emotions about global vaccination. The fact that Ukraine is not an equal member of the European Union or the world was confirmed by the conditions of vaccination. We are not a priority for countries that already receive the vaccine, unlike other countries. EU countries with which we have excellent relations - I contacted their leaders. And they said that they would help little by little from their own vaccine stocks. And it is difficult to explain to the people that we will be given little by little... But it is very unpleasant to realize that you are standing with an outstretched hand," said Zelensky.
Motor Sich
Further, the questions related to relations with China. The journalist asked the question — what does Zelensky think about the anti-Chinese consensus forming in the United States and the thesis that the PRC is the "number one geopolitical threat."
"I can't agree with this, because we don't feel that way in Ukraine," the Ukrainian president replied. At the same time, he stated that "between China and the United States there is indeed a kind of cold war."
"We know that the business of the USA is represented in Ukraine, but at the same time it is true that the business of China is also represented," Zelensky reminded.
"I believe that regardless of nation, nationality, if people, if business, if a certain country treats you with respect, respects your people and borders, they can be present in your country," the president said.
At the same time, Zelensky "categorically stated that he will not allow China or any other country to buy a controlling stake in Motor Sych," writes Axios, calling this plant "a diamond in the crown of the Ukrainian defense industry."
"Never. Not with me. I'm not here for life, but I'm definitely not here in my time," Zelensky answered when asked whether the Chinese would get Motor Sych.
"I wouldn't want a coup with shooting"
In the interview, the subject of the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters in early January was touched upon. It is interesting that here Zelensky voiced rather controversial phrases.
Asking the question, Jonathan Swan claimed that Trump had inspired his supporters to interrupt the peaceful transition of power. "How did you feel when you saw what was happening?"
"I was shocked. I could not imagine that something like this was possible in the USA. I believe that this was a strong blow to democracy in the United States. We are accustomed to believe that in the United States there are ideal democratic institutions where power is transferred calmly, without wars and revolutions, power passes from one president to another. We saw it in Ukraine, we experienced two revolutions. We understood that such a thing could happen in the world... But what could happen in the United States? No one expected this. And this suggests that not everything is perfect.
I remember that I was a young man, and the whole world was watching what happened on September 11. We remember all this, it was a kind of horror. We watched, believed and did not believe at the same time. There has always been such a high level of security in the United States, and no one could have imagined what that could be,” Zelensky answered.
"It seems that you were very worried watching this," the journalist returned again to the events in the Capitol.
"I was very worried. I didn't want you to stage a shooting coup and, God forbid, lose lives. After such a peace, it would be very difficult to consider the United States as a symbol of democracy in the world," replied Zelensky.
That is, Zelensky unequivocally stated that he has a negative attitude towards such events, added that "we saw something like this in Ukraine", presented the Maidan events in a negative light. Although in Ukraine he has a completely different rhetoric.
Angry at Trump
came up during the interview and the topics of Zelenskyi's conversation with Trump, after which the impeachment procedure was started against the US president.
"Unfortunately, for many Americans, when they hear your name, they think of that phone call with Donald Trump. And his impeachment," Jonathan Swan reminded.
"Honestly speaking, when I saw my name on the pages of one or another media and read that Trump was suppressing it, it was very embarrassing. Why? Because I am the president of Ukraine. We may be smaller than the United States, but we are an independent state. We proved it to Russia when we kept our territory. We continue to prove that we are an independent country. That's why he (Trump — Red.) didn't pressure me. I would never say that.
There was only one inconvenience. I haven't told this yet. When our conversation was published - I consider it wrong - it was not Ukraine that published it. I would never let that happen. I think it doesn't matter what we talked about. This was the first serious conversation between the presidents and strategic partners. And no one had the right to make these things public. Yes, we do not belong to ourselves, because the people chose us. But I believe that this simply should not have happened. This is wrong," said Zelensky.
"I see you're mad at Trump? Is there not much?", the journalist asked.
"A little?" Zelensky answered in a questioning intonation and with a mysterious smile. And then he laughed. Letting it be understood that he is "not a little" angry with Trump.
"You must have thought: what in God's name is going on here?" Jonathan Swan tried to challenge Zelensky to directly criticize Trump.
"Jonathan, honestly, I see it differently. For me, the most important thing is to preserve our relations, that we support each other as countries," the president replied.
