Zelensky on refusing Russian interviews amid war tension
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky explained why he doesn't give interviews in Russian. He emphasized that it is a matter of respect and a response to Russia's aggression.
During a conversation with American podcaster Lex Fridman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky elaborated on why he does not conduct interviews in Russian. Despite his fluency in Russian, Zelensky stated that he cannot respond in the language of an aggressor that attacks his country daily.
"Just today we had 73 missile attacks, people died, and this is a daily reality," Zelensky said.
Zelensky recalled that at the onset of the war, he addressed Russians in Russian, but there was no response. "They are mute. They don't hear. Some are afraid. The reasons vary," explained the president. He added that he prefers to give interviews in Ukrainian, which holds significant importance to him.
Russian in Ukraine
During the discussion, Lex Fridman asked whether it is true that Russian is banned in Ukraine. Zelensky denied this, stating: "That's false. Today we have a lack of respect for Russian because of the Russians."
"I do not respect the leader, the dictator of today's Russia, nor that nation. I simply don't understand how one can pretend that nothing is happening," he added.
He reminded that during the so-called "rescue of Russian-speaking people," Russia killed many of them, primarily in eastern Ukraine. Studies indicate that after the war began, 62 percent of Ukrainians completely abandoned Russian-language content.
Zelensky addressed the Russians
Let's recall that in 2022 Zelensky appealed to Russians to refuse military call-ups, flee, or—if they end up at the front—surrender.
"Russian commanders do not care about the lives of Russians—they just need to fill the empty places left by those who were killed, wounded, those who fled, or were captured," said Zelensky in an evening address, speaking to Russians in their language.
Source: ukrinform.ua/PAP
