– (Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba)
(Sept. 22 live broadcast of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show interview on CBS Television.)
“Thank you for the opportunity to meet you on a good evening. Putin addressed the Russian people this morning about the conscription law. Before talking about this, I would like to ask about the spirit of the Ukrainian people. Those who predicted that the Russians would be driven out of Kiev at the start of the war were surprised. The counter-offensive in the north of the country and the recapture of the Khakiv region is being said to be the biggest counter-offensive since World War II. In the West, I can’t find the words to admire and admire so much. How evident is the spirit of the Ukrainian people in this matter?”
Dmytro – “We know how to win and we will do it to win. This is a proof not only to ourselves but also to the whole world.” (Applause from the audience)
Thank you for giving me so many applause. Your praise is not for me. For the people of Ukraine and the brave soldiers. Thank you very much.”
Stephen – “Of course, sir.” (Audience standing ovation) Stephen: “Vladimir Putin said in his speech this morning that he plans to hold a vote in the Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine. No matter what happens in reality, he’s going to say he’s got the votes. If you say that those areas are already Russian territory and that you are trespassing by reoccupying your country’s borders, what will be the effect on Ukraine?”
Dmytro: “It doesn’t mean anything to us. Whatever he said, No matter what we do, we will continue to fight. Just hold a referendum, If you want to say that the area is part of the moon, This is our area, Our people. We must reclaim every inch of our territory and free the people. “You asked about the spirit. What I admire most is the spirit of the people in the areas we were able to liberate. Some of them said to our soldiers, ‘I have almost given up hope that you will come. Now they have arrived,’ they said. I can see tears of joy. There is nothing more powerful than this scene. “As you know, While some of the people are still under occupation, Putin and the Russians, who have invaded and occupied it, say, ‘This is forever Russian territory.’ never leave We must be allowed, must accept You have to be respectful.’ But the people are waiting for release. Every time I think about how these people must be feeling, it really motivates me to do that much more. What does Putin think? Whatever you decide, ambassador, Both the soldiers and anyone else want these people to be freed as soon as possible. ”
Stephen: “In his speech this morning, Putin referred almost directly. The danger of using nuclear weapons is not as far-fetched as the West thinks, but it can actually be done. He said that he was not brushing his teeth. Does President Zlansky think that Putin is blowing the brush?”
Dmytro: “Someone said, ‘I’m not brushing. If you are saying, ‘I will really do it’. . .. If you believe in yourself, why do you keep repeating this? Try not to take him seriously. I can say two things. The first point is, Our nation is ready to face any challenge in order to win. “Because we are for our own liberation, For your own rights Because I understand that I am fighting for my own self-determination. No matter how difficult it is, I will face it with full dignity.
“This is the true position of President Zalandsky, who has been our president since the first day of the war. He said, ‘This is not the war we started; Because it came upon us. If you decide to fight with us, you will face the challenge first hand.’ We don’t want you to think that we are irresponsible and have no money. We are not like that. We already believe in our goal. Anything will be overcome.
“I will say one more thing, The Soviet Union has been threatening to use nuclear weapons against the United States and the free nations of the world for decades and years. But whether you are from America or not. Whether it’s a country in the world, ‘Ding is already threatening with nuclear weapons,’ Therefore, they have never said that they are going to give up and surrender to the Din, rejecting democracy and freedom. “that’s true, During the Cold War, there were deterrence strategies that helped win. That’s it
CBS/Exclusive Interview
