Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed any notion of forgiving Russian President Vladimir Putin during a podcast interview with Lex Fridman, citing atrocities committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy labeled Putin a child murderer and rejected the possibility of a peace deal involving forgiveness.
In the three-hour interview, Zelenskyy drew a personal analogy to illustrate his position. He questioned how anyone could forgive someone who has taken a child’s life, emphasizing the moral impossibility of reconciliation with such a perpetrator. The episode, posted on YouTube, has garnered over five million views.
Zelenskyy expressed disdain for Fridman’s suggestion of a hypothetical meeting with Putin. When Fridman envisioned a peaceful discussion by the sea, Zelenskyy quipped, “One of us may drown. And I am a good swimmer.” The Ukrainian leader also rejected Fridman’s initial request to conduct the interview in Russian, stating that the language is now associated with the invaders of his country.
He criticized Putin’s claims of loving the Russian people, asserting that Putin prioritizes his inner circle over his nation. Zelenskyy condemned the Russian president for sending young soldiers—many barely 18 years old—to die in the conflict, labeling them children and victims of a leader indifferent to their fate.
The conversation also touched on Western support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy revealed a proposal to President-elect Donald Trump involving $300 billion in frozen Russian assets. The funds would be used to purchase American-made weapons, providing economic benefits to the U.S. while aiding Ukraine’s defense. Zelenskyy underscored that Ukraine does not seek financial aid but rather access to resources already seized from Russia.
Zelenskyy commended Trump for his influence on European leaders, noting that his communications with the incoming president often spark significant interest among European counterparts. He described Trump as a key figure whose leadership has already shaped international attention toward Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.
