Zelensky’s Press Secretary Reveals All: Cocaine, Cover-ups, and the Only Obstacle Preventing Peace

Thank you for doing this. Um, I'm. amazed. I never thought I would speak to. anyone around Zelenskyy, so and I and I. knew you were doing this at some great. risk to yourself. So, thank you very. much. So, you were uh President. Zelenskyy's press secretary. >> Yes, [snorts] first of all, thank you. for having me and I never expected to. see myself here talking about my former. boss, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I used to work for him for 2 years since. 2019 till 2021.

>> How did you wind up working for him? >> Uh. >> [sighs]. >> well, uh Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. uh the job via Facebook. and everybody started applying and I. didn't want to apply first because I. thought he would take someone, you know, nepotically. >> Yes. >> [laughter]. >> But, um there was an open application. and I went through 4,000 of applicants. Um, it's not a joke. And then actually I need to prove myself. that I can do a job and that he can.

trust me, but uh yeah, we found the. common ground and I think I was very. faithful towards him, you know. >> Yes. >> And um. I supported him and I supported him in. 2022. when Russia made its large-scale. invasion. As millions of Ukrainians, I was. grateful that he stayed in the country. >> Yes. >> That's why it's so so strange and. desperate for me to be here and to talk. who he really is. I don't have personal.

data, but I believe that he is one of the. biggest obstacles towards peace today. So, I wanted to tell the people who he. is. >> Who is he? >> [sighs]. >> First of all, he's not a person whom you. see on camera. He's a very different person. He changes. masks all the time. He's emotionally. uncontrollable. >> [snorts]. [sighs]. >> Emotionally uncontrollable? >> Yeah, he doesn't control his emotions. He's often hysterical and.

he thinks that every person is. disposable. He doesn't have empathy that he plays. >> [snorts]. >> He's absolutely insanely great actor and. that brought us a lot of support in. 2022. But his acting doesn't have any. substance and everything that he is. saying. it's so detached from the reality. >> Yeah. >> Majority of the things that he's saying. it's either manipulation or it's a fact. that is being taken from the context. Or.

it's a pure lies. And millions of people still believe. that supporting Zelensky means. supporting Ukraine. But today it's. different. >> [snorts]. >> And Tucker, I would like to say you I'm. not here to justify Russian invasion. I'm not here to justify Putin. What. Russian army is doing in Ukraine equals. crimes against humanity. >> Yes. >> But this war is not black and white. anymore. It's dark and even darker. We just see Putin as an evil.

But Zelensky is also an evil. He's just. a hidden one. He plays such a teddy. bear, you know, on camera. But then when. the light goes off, he's a grizzly bear. and he destroys the people. It's almost surreal to recollect that. almost every Western leader and Western. delegations that were coming to Ukraine. before the war, they treated Zelensky as. a political novice. They saw he was low. educated, unqualified and low depths. But then overnight he just turned into.

this great face of democracy. >> Yes. >> But it feels like the West created the. myth, fell into it and. you know, doesn't see doesn't. that the West keeps ignoring the fact. that this beneath that Zelensky's. rhetoric heroic rhetoric, he keeps. accumulating power. And I'm not afraid to say he keeps. hollowing the very same people he claims. to save. It's pretty strong to say. I know that.

But I believe that you know, people need. to understand that if you want to. support Ukraine, the only way to support. Ukraine today is to push for the peace. deal. This is the only way that Ukraine can. survive because I believe we are on the. verge of extinction. Somebody is talking. about 2 3 years of war anymore. It just. like doesn't come up with numbers, with. demography, with anything, with all. those suffering that's happening in the. country. >> [snorts].

>> Tell me No, no, no. Thank you. Thank you. for saying that. I I agree. I'm not. Ukrainian. But. I I don't understand the point of this. I mean I many questions about how and. why it started, but what's beyond. question is Ukraine as a nation is being. eliminated. That's obvious to me. Biggest country in Europe. So it's a big. deal. What are since you mentioned. numbers, what are how many people live. in Ukraine? So when you started working. for Zelensky, you worked for the. government of Ukraine in 2019, how many. Ukrainians were there in Ukraine? [snorts]. >> So officially Ukraine is the country of.

40 42 million people, but we had the. last census, I think in 2000 or 2001, and we did not manage to organize. another one. So when I was working for. the government, government officials, including. Zelensky, were telling the numbers that. they believed there are 34 37 millions. of Ukrainians in the country. >> [snorts]. >> Now with around 10 or plus 10 plus. million of Ukrainians turning into a. refugees going to the west, some staying.

occupation, you know, eastern countries, and even some in Russia, perhaps there are around 25 million in. the Ukrainians in the country. And the. worst thing is that 11 million of them. are retired people. And these retired. people live for the pensions from 75 to. 180 to 100 dollars per month. And, Ukraine is not that super cheap. country where you can actually survive. for this money.

Just two weeks or three weeks ago, there. was a terrible story. When one director, movie director of. Ukraine, who was a retired person, died. at his home. And, his neighbor wrote. that he died from hunger and cold. There were the severe temperatures in. Ukraine, and he didn't have anyone to. help him. I just like wonder if ever we. will know the statistics how many people. died from this cold and from. having no opportunities to survive. >> saying that the Ukraine right now has.

maybe. 15 million, maybe fewer working people, working people actually who are who are. working in the entire country. >> Well, you don't count children. Children. are not working, right? So, I don't know. how many children under 18 are there. But, perhaps if we have around 10. million of working people, that would be. fine. >> Wow, that's amazing. >> Yes. >> How many have died in the war, do you. know? >> The numbers are very different, and it's. very difficult to count. Right now, the.

official UN verified statistics is. around 15,000 of civilians. The numbers. of of of those who turned into military. are not known. So, it's very hard to. know. But, only in Mariupol, it is known. that there are graves for around 20,000. of Ukrainians. So, I guess there are at. least hundreds of thousands of those who. died, and we will just never know the. the numbers. I'm sorry, it's so painful. to talk about. >> well, it's absolutely awful. But, I'm.

wondering why. well, my government, which has funded a. lot of this war. why we can't get a straight answer from. the US government, from the Ukrainian. government, the Russian government. I. mean, no one seems to have an interest. in finding out the real number of dead. >> Yes. Well, it's very difficult to do. because how do you do this in. occupation, right? There is no any any. relation with that side that would allow. to to learn this information and the. other side, which is Russian side, obviously is interested in hiding the.

numbers, right? >> Yes. >> I don't believe in verified numbers. And. obviously, look, many people who are. military now, they used to be just. ordinary civilians, right? Engineers, IT. guys, journalists working their everyday. life and then they turned into military. So, [snorts] of course, they're. soldiers, but they also people, right? And they are dying. Um and there are a lot of these things. I've heard from the front lines when a. person was killed and the body is. brought and he has a bullet in his head.

and. uh the government officials, you know, local officials just don't want to put. him as a dead from the front lines, so. they say he died from a heart attack, for instance. >> [snorts]. >> Yeah, it's war and I think it was. happening in every war. >> Yes. >> It's just like. I think we will never know the true. number, but there are so many people who. are suffering there. And you know, I told you this terrible. story about retired people and that they. live for such.

absolutely outrageously. new. low low pensions. Just when I talk about Zelenskyy, I'm an. insider. I talked to so many people who. used to work for him or even those. people who work for him. >> [snorts]. >> And to be. just, you know, to be clear, I believe that he stands. behind many schemes of money laundering. And one of the stories is that I have a. friend who was shortlisted for the.

position of the Ministry of Social. Policies during the large-scale. invasion. And uh, he was called and he. said that he was one of five candidates. And he would be interviewed by Zelenskyy. and Mr. Yermak, then chief of staff of. President Zelenskyy. [snorts]. And, uh, he was told that during the. interview, he would need to come up with. the schemes of money laundry so they. they are financed from the Ministry of. Social Policy. And Ministry of Social. Policy is the Ministry that is. responsible for pensions.

So, when we're talking about those poor. pensioners, you know, and knowing the. fact that Zelenskyy himself approves the. schemes of money laundering, I mean, is. he guilty? I want your audience to. respond to that, okay? Do you understand the desperation of. mine? >> Well, here's a pretty awful statistic. Over 85% of the so-called grass-fed beef. sold in this country comes from other. countries. It's not American. It's no. good for our farmers. It's a tragedy for.

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you are thrilled. We are anyway. Start. your plan today and you'll get free meat. included with every order plus 100 bucks. off your first three orders. Use the. code Tucker to get that. Visit. goodranchers.com. The code is Tucker. That's free meat. with every order and 100 bucks off your. first three orders when you start your. subscription plan this month. Or if you just want to try it out, you. can get $40 off your first order with. the code Tucker. goodranchers.com, American meat delivered to you. I think. most people watching assume that Ukraine.

is corrupt and has been for a long time. and that the Zelensky regime is. especially corrupt. I think Americans. believe that, but there's almost no. evidence that has come out in the. American press. The American media has. not written very much about his. corruption. Why do you think that is? >> Uh you know, I saw good pieces about. corruption, but you're right that there. are not too many of them. It's very hard. first of all to prove it, but. I think there was also some kind of. agreement, not official one, right?

Unofficial agreement that we all need to. support Zelensky because this means to. support Ukraine. We're all united, you know, to to support Ukraine, but. Zelensky abused this unity. He abused. our belief in democracy. He abused our. fight. He abused our sacrifice, Ukrainian sacrifice, and what the. Europeans and Americans were doing for. us. He abused actually the trust of so.

many people. I believe that, you know, millions who still support Zelensky, they were, you know, looking for some. great guy in politics. They wanted to. believe that there is someone, you know, Churchill or whatever, a historical guy. who would really do something good for. the people. And Zelensky is amazing. actor. He's going to give you what you. want. >> Exactly. >> And that's that's what's happening. He. still plays on camera this great guy, but believe me, behind the camera he's.

very different. I was working for 2 years. For 2 years. this guy was repeating two phrases, which are very vocal about him. One of them, he was saying, "Ukraine is. not ready for democracy." And this is a. quote. Another quote was, "Dictatorship is an. order.". So, how on earth a person who believes. that Ukraine is not ready for democracy. and that dictatorship is in order.

Actually can can be the face of. democracy. >> Someone who's cancelled elections, who's. not actually elected president, I. couldn't agree more. So what um. in 2019, 2020, 2021, what was Zelensky saying about Russia? >> Zelensky came to the presidency. as a president of peace. >> Yes. >> Uh during his electoral. >> We've seen this before. >> Oh yeah. He's the guy who made himself in Russia.

The first biggest money. he made was in Russia, millions of. dollars. He [snorts] was working for. Russian propaganda channels and he was. fine with that. Furthermore. >> He was? >> Of course, he made all his career tens. of years. He was everywhere in Moscow. By the way, when the first Russian. invasion in Donbas happened and Russia. annexed Crimea, he was spending time in. Russia. He was finishing his movie for. which he got a lot of money and he even. recognized this in August 2019,

I think. He wrote, "Yes, I was in. Russia. I was finishing the movie. It. was 2014. The war was going on.". Furthermore, I'm writing a book right. now and it's a different book. It's it's. a book about real Zelensky and I learned. a lot of facts and talked a lot of. people about a lot of people. And. this information was nowhere, but it. happened that he had several properties. in Crimea. And when the war was. happening in Donbas already, he was.

spending time in Crimea having weed. weeds. with with the. I mean marijuana with his friends from. 95th quarter and making facilities there. and enjoying time and he didn't care. that Russia annexed Crimea already. >> Well, it was Russian controlled? >> Yes, it was under Russian control. It. was made. >> in Russian controlled Crimea? >> Yes, it was May 2014. I talked to a. person who was working for him, a person. who was helping him put the windows into.

the house, and uh person was telling. different details about how Zelensky was. behaving. >> [snorts]. >> Uh so, everything that Zelensky is. saying is really. is really very different truth, you. know, a very different truth. >> So, he was the peace candidate. [snorts]. >> He came promising that he would stand on. his knees in front of Putin and beg. Putin to stop. That's what he was promising. >> [snorts]. >> Um he was saying that Ukrainian and.

Russian languages are both languages. that need to exist, that people speak. both languages, and you know, it makes. people stronger. That we need to be. friends with Russia. He was saying all. this stuff, and that's why people voted. for him. They didn't want war. Nobody. wants war. There is nothing good in war. And now he totally adapted some. nationalist ideology that is not natural. for Ukrainians.

>> [gasps]. >> And he really plays it well, and uh. >> What What happened? How did. I mean. Most people in the United States were. not paying attention. >> Yes. >> And we sort of look up to the TV, and. there's Joe Biden's Vice President. Kamala Harris at the Munich Security. Conference in January 2022 with Zelensky. saying, "You need to join NATO." And he says, "Great.". That's [snorts] not the behavior of. someone who wants to avoid war. >> You know, one thing is that he has been.

escalating the rhetoric. Another thing, you know, I was present at his meeting. with Vladimir Putin in 2019 in Paris. There were very few people near him who. knew the truth. He had private. conversation with Putin where he. promised Putin that Ukraine will never. join NATO. So, he's right there. >> Yes, it was December 2019 and that was a. personal conversation. There are very. few people know what he promised. He He He said, "No NATO." because. that. Ukraine has never, you know, Ukraine has.

never was was never close to it to NATO. >> Of course. >> For being the part of NATO, first of. all, we need to have market economy and. be reformed country. It's not like just Trump doesn't want. Ukraine in NATO, Biden doesn't want. Ukraine. It's not about. names. It's just like we're not ready. for NATO. There is no consensus to be. NATO. It's. It's imagination. It's It's a lies. He. stick to this fact of joining NATO. knowing that it's impossible. He was.

pushing the impossible agenda and making. it a condition for peace. In October. 2024, he presented to the parliament. victory plan. And he said that joining. NATO is the most important thing and. long-range missiles for Ukraine are the. most important thing. And And, you know, he made this the plan. victory plan. But it's ridiculous. It's impossible. And look how he uses it. He uses. impossible things. to justify his own agenda and actually.

creating his hero image. For instance, remember after he left Donald Trump, he. said, "It's not so easy to get rid of. me." He said this to the journalists. Um "If Ukraine is taken to NATO, I'm. ready to step down.". knowing that Ukraine is not going to be. taken to NATO. So, it's very easy to. promise something under the condition of. impossible things. >> Yes. >> Right? That's what he is doing. So, this.

is one thing. Um. >> What changed? >> if I can. >> Oh, of course. >> One of the most shocking moments for me. personally if I'm for communications. team. uh in 2019-2020. was. he was. really scared that his ratings started. dropping down. and he was sure that communications team. was guilty in that. >> He thought it was your fault? >> Not mine, but all communications people,

but I was, you know, there are the part. of the team. And he gathered us and he started saying. that there are no positive news about. what he is doing in the country. And my colleague started arguing with. the president. Very diplomatically, but. she was saying, "Look, there are no so. many positive things that are happening. You're promising something, but it. doesn't happen.". She was of course very diplomatic. She. didn't say it like that, but that was. the thought. And he said, "It doesn't. matter what's happening. Um the most important thing, we need.

1,000 of talking heads and if 1,000 of. talking heads tells positive things, then positive things are happening that. people believe that there are positive. things." And she kept arguing and she. brought a very good example. She said, "There was a group of internally. displaced people from Donbas, families. who lost homes and Zelenskyy promised. them apartments. And we don't speak. about thousands or hundreds. There were. like 10 apartments or something like. this. And nobody took care about that. So, he.

promised, the families were waiting, nobody took care about that.". So, she said, "If there are no those. apartments, people will know that there. are no apartments. It doesn't matter how. many talking heads will say that there. are apartments, right?" And he said, "No. If If talking heads, 1,000 people. tell you that this is happening, then. this is happening.". So, she continued to argue. and he became very irritated. And he put. his hands like this. What he was doing, he leaned to the table. He looked at us.

and he said very in a very irritated. tone, "I need Goebbels propaganda, if you. want. I need Goebbels propaganda. I need. thousands of talking heads of Goebbels. propaganda. >> Meaning Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi. propagandist. >> Yes, that was major Hitler's. propagandist. And we were like so shocked. We We. stopped breathing. [laughter]. But okay. The thing is that I believe what. happened in 2022.

He's got his thousands of talking heads. global, right? >> [snorts]. >> And many of that of us. we're not supposed to be his heads. We. just, you know, we were standing for the. country. We We believed that he would. stop the war soon. That That, you know, we needed to be united. We believed in. that. And 4 years later, Ukrainians don't. believe in Zelenskyy's agenda anymore. But still there are thousands of talking.

heads, and many of them just get paid. for that, you know. >> Who are they getting paid by? >> Oh, uh different stuff. For instance, if. they are asked to the conferences for. moderation or for writing positive. message, it's called positive message. about Ukraine. Uh some oligarchs can pay or, you know, it it goes from grants or something like. this. In Ukraine, obviously, the experts. get paid from. uh the structures that are close to the. government. Those are the biggest. patriots. Or, um you know, grants from.

European Union, for instance. And you. know, I'm not saying that these people. are bad. No, they are not. In many ways, they just not aware what's happening. They're calling They're talking to each. other or to some experts or to the. government. They still believe in the. legend that Zelenskyy has some ratings. And by the way, just a week ago, I was. talking to insider from the office of. the president. And again, I was working. for the office of the president. I know. there are different ratings. Ratings. that are closed just for the eyes of the.

president and few in the team and. ratings that are presented to the govern. to the public, right? And the insider. from from politics who saw the ratings. said that Zelensky is non-electable. His. ratings are so low. I was looking at those ratings in 2023. and 2024 every month and his ratings. were very very low, getting lower and. lower and lower. And here is another big. revelation for you. When Donald Trump went out and named. Zelensky a dictator and when he was.

talking about low ratings of Zelensky, of course, Zelensky said that Donald. Trump is influenced by Russians and this. is all Russian propaganda and Donald. Trump was called pro-Russian as every. critic of Zelensky. But in fact, Donald Trump got. information from a lot of Ukrainians. These are former government officials. and even current government officials. These are people who close to President. Zelensky. They provided evidence, documents, witnesses, what they knew,

everything because when Donald Trump. came to power for the second term, so. many Ukrainians hoped and still hope. that he will help achieve peace. >> I hope so, too. The cost of living is. already making it hard to live here and. it's not getting any better. Unfortunately, it's likely to get worse. and a lot of Americans feel the gap with. credit cards, not just for fancy. dinners, but to cover things like. groceries and bills. That is a disaster. It's understandable, but don't go down. that road because there is a tax in.

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>> What was Zelenskyy's relationship. >> I'm so angry [gasps] now. >> [laughter]. >> It's okay. It's uh You have every reason. to be. You have every reason to be. It's. your country. >> Mhm. >> Can't even imagine, actually. >> You can't. >> No, I can't. I hope I never have to see. anything like that here. What was Zelenskyy's relationship like. with Joe Biden? >> Oh. So, there is a very good American. journalist who wrote a book, and he. mentioned that relationships, but I also.

met him and. he told me in private conversation that. Biden was thinking that Zelenskyy was. emotionally manipulative. When I was there, uh. >> [laughter]. >> Um he also described in the book that. Zelenskyy thought that Biden was weak. Um when I was there, uh Zelenskyy had. several interviews to push Biden for. some agenda. And I remember that I met one American. diplomat. He was pissed off with this. interview. He was shouting at me so so.

much, and it was a party, and I was not. the organizer. Mr. Yermak was an. organizer, and the diplomat knew he's. just so pissed off that he couldn't stop. shouting, and he shouted that that. interview was. uh kind of either stupid or. unprofessional, and it shouldn't be like. that. Um when I was leaving and I. resigned, there are bots who are. spreading the rumor that I was fired. because I worked for Russia. This is not. true.

Uh, we departed on good terms. Zelensky. thanked me. He wished me good luck. Uh, they wanted me to continue as an advisor. to the office. So, we departed in good. in good terms. Um, the thing is that, um, uh, Zelensky actually, uh, was destroying relations with. multiple actors in the West, including. with the United States. And, [snorts]. uh, one of the things was that since 2020. till 2021, for a year,

uh, there was a reform agenda and. Zelensky literally was destroying every. reform. And it was happening like one by. one, like, and that was disastrous. And, uh, >> What kind of reforms? >> Uh, what kind of reforms? So, >> [sighs and gasps]. >> there was, uh, an agreement with the IMF. in 2020. Ukraine was, as often, on the. verge of, uh, default and we needed. money. And obviously, IMF doesn't. provide you money for free. So, there.

was like 10 or 12 positions of the. reforms that needed to be done. And, uh, um, as soon as as So, Zelensky. really did a miraculous job with two the. most difficult reforms. He pressed the. the parliament to vote for it for them. Which actually means that he could go. through this agenda, difficult agenda, and push for the reforms. He just didn't. want to. As soon as two reforms were pushed. through, the IMF approved 5.5 billion. dollars. And I remember I was present at the.

conversation between Zelensky and. Kristalina Georgieva. They spoke in. Russian because Kristalina Georgieva is. Bulgarian and they had such trust and. understanding, you know? But as soon as. the money came through and the first. tranche was 2.1 billion more than they. wanted to give uh, at the beginning. In few days, Zelenskyy. violated the first reform. He fired by. political reasons the head of the. National Bank. And it was a big scandal.

Kristalina Georgieva called back and she. never spoke in Russian to Zelenskyy. anymore because she was undermined. She. promised to the board that he was a. reliable man, that he agreed for. reforms, that he proved that he could. push reforms through. And then suddenly, as soon as he gets first money, he fires. the head of the National Bank. And the head of the National Bank said. that he was fired via political. pressure. And you know, that was a. scandal. Zelenskyy. explained her this. He said, "There will.

be another independent head of the. National Bank. But he will just be our. >> [laughter]. >> He will be just our head of National. Bank. He will be professional and. independent, but he will be coming from. us.". He even doesn't understand what he is. saying, right? It it It's hilarious. Do. you understand me? >> I do. >> Okay. So, then after that, there was. a. justice reform. There was a scandal in. in the courts. Then there was another.

another another like every reform. And. the last one that was really that that. was really blowing up, it was. a corporate reform. Actually, the reform. that was needed to be destroyed to make. corruption. >> Mhm. >> So, the United States helped Ukraine to. establish the corporate reform as in the. United States. There is the board of. independent people who looks how. actually the state enterprises are. working and looking so that there is no. corruption there. There is a big.

Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz. in Ukraine. And Zelenskyy just dismissed. the independent board and put his own. people there, and um. um. Yeah, this is something that hasn't been. public, but we were talking to. anti-corruption activists, and um there. was money laundering at some point from. Naftogaz. So, the last guy just wanted. to turn this state oil and gas company. in in Russian Gazprom.

>> Yes. >> there is your own person there, and. there are dark offices, and the money is. laundered from there. And that's when. the United States was so pissed off that. they did not uh. uh they did not prolong. uh the sanctions against Nord Stream. I'm going really deep here. I don't know. if your audience is going I mean. >> I I I don't know if your audience is. going to understand everything, but Nord. Stream was a pipeline that uh Russia was. building to bring its own uh gas to to.

the European Union, and it was. sanctioned by by the United States. >> [snorts]. >> And uh so, when Ukraine when President. Zelenskyy was actually violating all the. reforms that uh he had agreed with the. United States, at some point Biden's. administration was so pissed off that. they decided to allow Russia to finish. this Nord Stream pipeline. Does that make sense? >> It does. And then they blew it up in the. end anyway. >> Yeah. >> [sighs]. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We pray that the war with Iran ends.

immediately, but the truth is it doesn't. seem to be. If you're the head of. household, you need to think through. what this could mean for you and the. people [music] you're in charge of. Don't wait for disaster to strike to. ensure that you have the basics covered: food, water, light, energy. And that's. exactly why we started a company called. Last Country Supply. It's our store that. carries the same preparedness products. that we have, well, in this barn, for. example. The products that give any head. of household peace of mind knowing that.

if something bad happened, you could. take care of the people you're. responsible for. So, continue to pray. for an end to war and violence, but also. at the same time make sure that your. family [music] is ready. Stock up on the. products that we trust at last. countrysupply.com/tucker. >> Is Zelensky himself corrupt? >> So, there was one minister. I I don't. name the people, okay? But, um. uh he had good connections with the. United States, and that's why Zelensky. appreciated him. And there was this. absolutely ridiculous story that uh you.

know, Ukrainian ministries get very low. salaries, like $12,000 per year. >> Ooh. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's why there is corruption there, right? >> Yes. >> And uh he said, "Look, I don't need. much, but I will need like $5,000 per. month, so 60,000 per year.". >> Yep. >> Like, you know, really didn't want much, but that would guarantee that he did not. make corruption. Zelensky, of course, promised him in his. first interview, and obviously didn't do. anything for that. Uh so, uh the.

minister just started writing himself. premium. bonuses. And uh opposition was attacking him. Like, "Oh my god, $5,000 per month for. the minister. That was such a scandal.". You know, Zelensky obviously didn't like. that. So, when the first government was. dismissed, this guy was invited, and. Zelensky said, "Look, I like how you. work. You have good relations with the. West. Maybe you want to continue in the. other government. >> [snorts]. >> But you cannot have $5,000 of official. salary because it causes so much.

scandal.". And when the guy entered the room, there. was President Zelensky here, Mr. Yermak. here, and another person whom I know. here. And there was a bag of dollars on their. table. And the guy said, "I can't give. you 5,000 of official salary, but I will. be giving you 5,000 of, you know, dark. money every month. So, you can get your. salary, but it's not going to be. official, okay?". Which means if Zelensky knows it, it's. not corruption. >> Of course. >> You see? >> Does he take Do you think Zelensky and.

his family have gotten rich since the. war began? >> They have always been rich. He's playing. this poor guy in his this cheap. uh sweater. He is rich, obviously. Um look, I don't. know where the money goes, but I was. meeting one veteran of politics who has. known Zelensky for dozens of years. And the first thing he asks me, "Where. is the money?" I'm like, "What?". He's like, "I know Zelensky for many. years. He has never lifted a finger for.

free. He would never do anything for. free.". So, you know, I'm not a law enforcement. It's something for the law enforcement. to prove. But, I've just told you. already two stories, right? There was another story from another. minister who just called us recently, and he said. >> [snorts]. >> uh when he was um on the position, uh. those very close people to Zelensky were. actually taking percentage from some. some governmental uh programs. I mean,

illegal percentage. >> Yes. >> And uh he told Zelensky that they're. taking really too much already. Like, really they're insisting on very big. amounts. And Zelensky smiled and said, "Good job, guys. Good job, guys." And he was not. joking. The minister says he was not. joking. He was really happy it was. happening. And then the minister. thought, "Oh, we're not going far with. this." Yeah, he resigned later.

Uh now in the government, there are very. uh. few people who are professionals. They. are there, but very few. Uh mostly Zelensky puts there loyalists. who will never say no, and who create. the agenda that absolutely is out of. mind. Uh he just wants something, like if he. is writing his scripts, you know, of of. the Servant of the People, and And he. just. once he he demands this and people go. and you know, they just make up some.

reports and he goes with this reports. and says that this is true. This is how it works, unfortunately. He's a PR guy and PR only PR. He's not. the the guy of substance. >> Who does he listen to? Who are his. advisers? Yermak, you said this is chief. of staff for years. I don't know that he. still is, but he's identified in the. west as Zelenskyy's closest friend and. adviser. Is that true and who is who is. Yermak? >> Mr. Yermak started his career at the.

strip club. Uh long ago. Yeah, like not. strip club but as a lawyer. Uh. >> At a strip club? >> Yes, a lot There was a strip club where. there were a lot of those people who. later would become. politicians in the pro-Russian. party. And he was a lawyer there and I. was talking to first employee of Yermak. and first employee also said he had so. many ambitions and he had no absolutely. talents for those ambitions. >> [laughter].

>> That's that's just, you know, a quote. Uh yeah, so he started like that and he. met there a lot of people who would. later join into politics. >> At the strip club? >> Yeah, it was very famous strip club. It was 90s, I think or early 2000s. Then. he was working for. a store of luxury brands that mostly are. brought. not officially via. smuggling. And that's where he also met a lot of uh.

rich people, oligarchs and 95th quarter. is also buying clothes there. So. officially Mr. Yermak says that he was a. lawyer at one of the biggest Ukrainian. channels and that's where he met. Zelenskyy. He used to be a general. producer of that channel, but I'm not. sure where they met. Uh so it's possible that they just met. through, you know, some other. entertaining stories. Yermak also made. some movies about smuggling, which is. very symbolic for me since he used to. work in that business.

He was involved in some dark affairs of. mafia stuff on the level of Kyiv city. and. that's what how you know, he knew a lot. of politicians and. from the point of view of. not politics, but how the things can be. done. He could be helpful to Zelenskyy. Their relations was very strange, very. different, very very difficult, very. strange.

Yermak knows that he is personally. narcissist. and he knows that Zelenskyy is. narcissist and these are two malign and. paranoid narcissists. Oh my god, why I'm. saying that, but that's true. >> Yermak and Zelenskyy are both malign. narcissists. >> Yermak and Zelenskyy are both malign and. and very paranoid narcissists who are. both on defensive mode. >> They're both paranoid. >> [sighs]. >> Yermak more. >> How paranoid?

>> Oh, Yermak, he just creates this stuff. from nowhere. He's just like. You don't need to do anything while he. can come up come up with something. I. don't know. It's It's really some kind. of a sick mind to be friend. Frank. And. it was some kind of a symbiosis. And. Zelenskyy had the vision and Yermak had. the tools to implement the vision. >> [sighs]. >> It was not about politics or policies. It was more about what they wanted for.

themselves. It's important to say that. sometimes. Zelenskyy didn't know how to make what. he wanted, how how to make it work. >> Yes. >> So, he was just saying the desires. and Yermak was finding the way. And often and often it was happening. that Zelenskyy then says to do this, but. Yermak calls and say don't do this. because he saw doing this in this way. And in general, that was so chaotic.

Like no professional could work there. I'm I'm saying that it's it's not. possible because they just like keep in. saying different things, keep in. changing the strategies, keep in. changing the moods, keep in changing. everything all the time. And they create. this. feeling that there's so much work and. everybody works works works, but no. nothing is done. >> Sounds awful. >> It's it's really strange, but I I'm not. the one who knows that. >> What what What do you think Zelenskyy.

wanted? What were his goals? >> Uh. well, I definitely know that. he thought he came forever. Uh his first chief of staff said it. once. He laughed to the minister and said, we. came forever. That's um. >> So he liked being the dictator. >> [sighs]. >> Well, he is a dictator. Uh the close the borders are closed now. for 4 years. It's illegally.

The human rights violations is enormous. The persecution of the people. In 2024 when Donald Trump came to power, there was a member of parliament who. wrote on Telegram, Zelenskyy, now we. need to stop this war. And yes, you will lose the next. elections, but stop this war. Like Trump. will push you stop this war. And uh he. was in jail in 3 days. He's still in. jail. >> Really? >> I talked Yeah, and I talked to security. services and they said he he never. talked to Russia since 2021, no.

connection, but he is uh. accused in treason. >> [snorts]. >> And there are a lot of people who are. people are persecuted. Um obviously. there are dirty campaigns. Everyone who. criticizes Zelenskyy is just uh. pro-Russian, Russian, pro-Kremlin. You're pro-Kremlin. I will be. pro-Kremlin after this interview, you. know. I believe that American special. services do their job well and if there. were any pro-Kremlin payments or.

contacts, obviously, they would know. that, right? Um, yeah, so. in general, this is it, but uh you know, for me personally. >> [sighs and gasps]. >> the situation in the country is inhuman. because. I never would think that my country. would be the one where people are. grabbed on the streets and forced to the. front lines. I never would think that we. all agree. and uh stay silent. to the fact that Zelenskyy uses front.

line as the punishment. Like and. >> He uses the war as a punishment, political punishment? >> Yeah. He even was uh open about that. He. was saying if somebody does something. bad, we need to punish them and send to. the front line. That was his statements. Uh but uh. there are people who are sent there. just because they're critics of. Zelenskyy, you know. >> Do you know anyone who's been sent for. criticizing Zelenskyy? >> Uh there were people from the security. services who were sent uh publicly and.

there were a few people who were sent. there. >> What's it like, the front line? >> There are different front lines. Some. people find front line, you know, in a. cozy place, just wearing the uniform and. uh playing the role of some bloggers, but. >> [sighs and gasps]. >> I know people who survived when their. units were killed. It's terrifying. Um, my mother was. treating soldiers who were sent. in bad uniforms during winter uh to.

another side and um. their fingers and limbs were cut off. because were frozen. >> [snorts]. >> Every year Ukrainians are collecting. money for their uniforms, you know, necessary stuff. Women are cooking food. for for the soldiers. No, I'm not kidding. There are a lot of. volunteers who. >> has sent hundreds of billions of. dollars, and they don't have gloves or. food? Where did all the money. >> have some of them have food. Some of. them for them are looking for more, you. know. And yeah, usually people are.

collecting even money for weapons or for. Starlinks. >> all the hundreds of billions from the. >> Yeah, you need to track it. You need to. track it. But look, there is a scandal. right now in Ukraine when the Minister. of Energy was fired, and it is now known. that he helped money laundry 112 million. dollars, 112 million dollars. And those money should have been used. for the shield for energy sector, and. it's a huge scandal in Ukraine. There is.

proven stuff by the law enforcement, and. behind the whole scheme. is the guy who worked with Russian. mafia. That's amazing. You should go and look. into it, but there is the whole scheme. with the offshore companies, with the. names behind. And the Minister of Energy. himself got 12 million dollars for this. So, it's around 10%. And 10% is usually paid for those who. help establish the scheme, right? So,

where is the 90%? That is the question. >> I'm just I know I've said this before, but I'm amazed that more people from. Zelenskyy's government haven't come. forward to say this in the West in. English. Why is that? Why haven't more people I afraid? >> What are they afraid of? >> On Netflix, there is a movie, a series, How to Become a Tyrant.

I didn't know about that unless one. governmental official came to me and. said, "I watched that series. It's. what's happening in the country.". And it was before the war. I mean large-scale war. Everyone is afraid. Zelenskyy has no. limits. That's the problem. I am sitting. here because I know that he is in a weak. point today. And I know that there are a lot of. people in his government and in his. vertical of power who want peace.

>> [snorts]. >> And I'm I didn't want to put on. him. I'm sitting here because I want. peace, too. And this guy is going to come up with. any condition. He's going to change the. positions all the time just to prolong. this war and to get more money. He doesn't want to have political. suicide. Finishing war for him is a. political suicide. You see? >> I do. >> So, I'm sitting here. having this belief that if he is. furiously ordering the people to arrange.

something against me, maybe in this. vertical of power would be people who. will not agree. Now, but even 2 years ago, they would do. whatever he want. >> What do you think he would do to you for. saying this if he could? >> [snorts]. >> Look, I'm risking everything. I cannot. return to Ukraine after this interview, okay? Um. >> [sighs].

>> I know people who get threats. A month ago, there was um a banker in. Milan. who fell out of of of the window. >> In Milan? >> Yes. >> Milan, Italy? >> Yes. And the Italy is investigating it. But there was one guy, a story that nobody paid attention to, who died when Zelenskyy was traveling to. Mr. Biden in September 2023. Uh the guy. used to be a governor.

of my region, Kherson region, where I'm. originally from. If you think about the governors, they. are usually very rich, local, very. successful, strong people who have their. people everywhere, have established. processes, have a lot of money. It's very strange that he died behind. garages by making suicide of poison in. himself. And I talked to one very deep insider on.

top position in security service, and. the guy told me, "This is a very strange. death." Because this guy was negotiating. with Russians. He was getting his orders from Yermak. I. know the middleman, and then he was passing some information. to Russians when Russians were occupying. Kherson, and then back. And then when Zelensky travels to Biden, this guy makes suicide behind garages. And security service explains that he.

had. he had a depression. He had depression. He had depression. A rich guy, strong guy, used to be a. governor of he he had depression and he. decided to poison himself behind. garages. >> [laughter]. >> I mean, this all just doesn't come. together. So, people who work for Zelensky believe. that if they were to criticize him, they. could be killed. Or jailed. Or jailed. I. told you just about the member of.

parliament, but there are also those. people who sit there for years, and the. courts cannot the general prosecution. cannot prove the guilt that they are. accused in. It's also treason, you know, collaboration with Russia. Just for. greed. It's it's for for Yeah, and it's for. criticism. It's it's just, you know, political fight, nothing more. >> What are jails like in Ukraine? >> Oh, they're awful. >> [laughter]. >> Oh, they're awful. Um, a lot of people.

in one place. Now, by the way, there was the news that. uh diseases are being spread. It's very. cold. The food is terrible. It's It's. It's a terrible place to be. It's not. like in American jail, no. It's a terrible place to be. >> So, Ukrainians can't speak up for fear. of being imprisoned or killed. But, why do you think Western media. hasn't spoken up? >> Here, I would like to say uh the thing.

that. the [snorts] freedom of speech in. Ukraine is in bad shape. But, I believe that it improved when. Donald Trump came to power for the. second term. Because there are more and. more news coming up and. despite that some journalists are also. sent to the front lines or attacked. Still, you know, there are materials. that are coming up. And when this freezing winter was. happening, terrible winter, when people.

were freezing in their homes without. light, without water. >> [sighs]. >> The whole is a revolution on Instagram, Ukrainian Instagram started. And I. wanted to tell you two trends, just two. of multiple trends that are happening on. Instagram right now. >> [snorts]. >> That will show you that Ukrainians are. suffering under Zelenskyy. They don't. support what Zelenskyy is doing. One of. the trends is. they're burning the books with. Zelenskyy's speeches in their fireplaces.

or fires, saying, "Ha, finally we. figured out why we needed those.". >> [snorts]. >> The second thing is very politically. incorrect and I'm very sorry in front of. the audience. >> story. >> Okay, I'm very sorry, but uh. I tried to describe the desperacy and. the dark humor that Ukrainians use. A driver is, uh, parking on the parking. lot for a place for a disabled person.

And another person is coming with a. telephone asking, "Why did you park on. the place for a disabled person?" And. the driver responds a responded responds. and the driver responds. "I'm going to vote for Zelenskyy for the. second time.". >> You mean mentally disabled? Yes. >> So, these are trends. This is not like. one real, two real. These are trends and. they're going viral. And this is the way. how people are trying to shout out, "We.

are desperate. Please stop this war. Please stop this nonsense. Please stop. this autocracy.". There is no reason why to fight this. war. It's senseless. You see, people. lost all sense of this war. Like, if. this war is for NATO or against NATO. expansion, then Ukraine has no chances. to be in NATO. >> [snorts]. >> If Putin conducts this war against. Zelenskyy, then Zelenskyy is the main.

beneficiary of this war. >> It's true. >> If this war is for returning. territories, then we have been losing. territories for 3 years. If this war is for democracy, then we. have no democracy in the country now. People in the frontline regions, they. tell terrible things. One person told me. "I don't know what we are fighting for. What's the difference between Ukraine. and Russia right now? There is autocracy. there and autocracy here. There is no. anything that would would be democratic.

now. So, what's the fight for?" This is. not what I am saying. This is what. people from different regions are. saying. >> Yes. >> And I believe that Zelenskyy had two. chances of finishing this war in 2022. Two chances. Now he says that. 90% of Ukrainians will not forgive him. giving up Donbas. Where does he come from with these. numbers? Like there are no such numbers. Realistically, no such numbers.

And I was talking. to people who represented Ukraine at. negotiations in Istanbul in 2022. >> Yes, the famous negotiations where they. came pretty close. >> Oh, they were almost done, yeah. And I was explained in details that they. agreed for everything. And furthermore, which is very. important, they said that Zelensky. personally agreed to give away Donbas. And I I was shocked. At that moment, it. was a shocking news and I said, "Really?

Did he?". And the guy said, "Of course he is. He. is okay with that because he will stop. the horror of war.". He he he agreed for giving away the. territory because. because that would mean the war is over. And now he is standing in front of. millions of audiences telling, "I cannot. give away Donbas.". You see, he he isn't consistent. He is. changing the positions all the time. The second time when he.

could and. the office of the president planned he. would finish the war. was the end of 2022. And as I read. The New York Times. who actually confirmed my insights that. the Biden administration decided to go. with his plan to continue that war. That was Mr. Blinken who was advising, you know, if Ukraine wants to fight, then Ukraine needs to fight. Despite all.

the evidence that we could not win that. war. >> not. >> Um. You know, there is this thing also, everything that is said against Zelensky. is being pro-Russian. >> [snorts]. >> And now, um, you know, this Mr. Johnson, Prime Minister Johnson thing. >> Boris Johnson from the UK. >> Johnson is a. uh big friend of Zelensky. >> He's an evil man. >> Uh. So, um, remember Bucha? Bucha is a small town in.

Kyiv region and uh it was occupied by. Russia and there are a lot of. terrible things and terrible deaths. happened there. And Zelensky came to. Bucha after it was deoccupied uh on. April 4th, 2022. And I remember him standing in front of. the journalists and he had this, you. know, terrible face and terrible. terrible, you know, look and he was it. it it felt like he he he went through. pain while seeing all those bodies. there.

But he was asked if he was going to. continue the negotiations with Russia. and he said, "Yes. Yes, I am going to continue." That. that's fixed on the camera. He was going. to continue. And then, you know, they had all the. agreement. by positions about Donbas, about. language, about many, many things. They. agreed upon everything. And then Boris Johnson came. And now it is said that this is Putin's. lies. But this story was told by Ukrainians.

It was not told by Russians. Ukrainians who were trying to bring. peace knew that Boris Johnson influenced. the decision. And [snorts] Zelensky was promised to. have everything, weapons, influence, fame, you know, and he will fight Russia. and he will be a great hero and that's. everything that Zelensky wants. He. doesn't care about people. He cares. about staying in power. He cares about. being the great hero in the history.

So, I believe there were two two moments. where he could finish this war, but he. chose the war of attrition. I don't know how 25 million of. Ukrainians who stay in the country can. have war war with attrition with with. Russia that has the population of 140. million people. Uh with Russia who by the way in 4 years. has not even borrowed for this war. And. Ukraine has the debt of 100% of GDP.

With Russia that awaits sanctions, still. tries to sell, you know, it's. >> [snorts]. >> And Ukraine has no market economy. I mean. >> Russia is so much bigger than Ukraine. that Ukraine could never win. It's just. too big. Russia's too big. >> You know, the New York Times wrote a. story that was scandalous in 2023. And the title was Ukraine will need to. choose between people and territories. And we are indeed choosing. And our. leader is choosing to choose.

>> I mean. Look, I'm not an expert at all on on. Eastern Europe, but I have Wikipedia. I just look up land mass, population, industrial capacity. You don't need that. much information to know this country. cannot beat that country in a land war. It's just I It was obvious. I don't. understand. >> I think it's obvious for Zelenskyy, too, but he thrives on this war. He thrives. on this war. Why would he finish it? >> Well, because it's destroying his. country. >> I don't think he he thinks about that.

In 2024, I was talking to a very smart. guy who knows Russia and knows Ukraine. very well. He used to be an advisor to. the president. He's an American, by the way. And uh. he said me that Zelenskyy would finish. the war till the end of 2024. I said, "No, he won't." He said, "Why? He's losing territories. Russians will. go to Dnipropetrovsk and other regions, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv." He names all those regions. of Ukraine. And I'm like, this is not.

the reason for him to stop. And the guy could not understand. Like, he could not. He's like, "But why? You're going to lose the territories. You're going to lose more." And I'm. saying, "This is not not how he thinks.". He he he imagines the lives. like. he he's thinking is limited with. thinking of what he sees. >> [gasps]. >> of of his beautiful golden office, you. know. And and and and the guy was like, "Okay,

they're in Zaporizhzhia." I'm like, "Not. a reason." "They're in Zaporizhzhia.". "Not a reason." "They're there. They're. there.". And then the guy says, "Okay, there. needs to be somewhere point where he. will understand that Russians are. winning. Maybe when Russians are with the guns in. his office." I'm like, "Yeah, that's. where he will understand there.". >> So, it sounds like he doesn't care very. much about Ukraine. >> cared. He never cared He never cared. about the people. That's the point. >> [snorts]. >> There are You know, there are I I I. tried to come up not only with the.

insights. I think the things that I told. you are quite terrible, but this is who. he is. But let just check the facts online, okay? At the Munich conference, Zelenskyy. insisted that ceasefire is the condition. for peace, for negotiations, and for. elections. He is keeping pushing for. ceasefire again, knowing that Russia is. against ceasefire. It's like the nature. story, right? >> Yes. >> If you go online and check his speech.

for the UN General Assembly September. 2024, he was saying that no ceasefire is. possible. That it's very irresponsible. to ask Ukraine for a ceasefire. That a. ceasefire will lead to a frozen. conflict. And he was going against a. ceasefire all the time. Then, second thing. Uh. in June 2024 there was a peace summit. where Ukraine presented Zelenskyy's. peace formula. There were 160.

delegations coming from different. countries. And I truly believe that. those delegations wanted to discuss. peace. Uh there were discussions about the. energy security, returning children, and. something else. And Switzerland suggested that they. invite Russian delegation, maybe even. Vladimir Putin. >> Yeah. >> And office of the president was very. much against it. And office of the. president of Ukraine even organized a. media campaign saying that it is.

absolutely morally impossible to talk to. Russia, to Putin. We need just to. pressure, no negotiations with Russia. You see? At the same time, when he was presenting. the formula of peace, Ukraine was. organizing the Kursk region operation. And how do actually you offer the world. to have peace and at the same time are. planning operation to invade Kursk. region? You see? These are very.

inconsistent things. Then, after his just formula, where he. suggested one things, he offered victory. plan, where he suggested completely. different things. Then, in November 2024, he said that he would agree for. temporary occupation of some territories. if another government controlled. territory of Ukraine will be included in. NATO. Then, in several days, he said that he. was a misinterpreted. >> [snorts]. >> I'm telling you so many examples when he.

has been changing the conditions, preconditions to end this war. >> Because he doesn't want to end the war. >> Because he doesn't want to end this war. I counted with my insides around seven. attempts to finish this war, where he. used different mediators. He used. different countries. We promised those mediators. He promised. those countries, those leaders that he. would start negotiations, that he would. agree for conditions, and he always. lied.

>> But it's. I'm not giving him a pass. I'm not. making excuses for Zelenskyy. But Ukraine has got you know, 100% debt. to GDP ratio, limited industrial. capacity. Like it can't fight a war. without Western aid, period. And so, it's France, UK, United States. that are paying for all this. Why would. the Western countries want to keep the. war going? Obviously, they do.

>> This is a very good question. To be frank, I think that. the approach that Donald Trump team. offered is a very constructive approach. In any way, Ukraine wouldn't survive. without aid. But one thing, one thing. is to plan the investment, right? To. boost businesses, to provide jobs, to. pay taxes, to to recover economy, and to. have returnings, right? And another one. just to to provide the money for the. war, and.

I believe. that. the governments gave so much money, and. some of those governments they just. cannot back up now. They cannot say that. we gave those money for a dictator. Because they are afraid about their. ratings and their own situation. Right. now, some of the Europeans were saying. Ukrainians members of parliament that. Ukraine was undermining them. because of corruption. Ukrainians are bagging, please, just.

open your eyes. Help us stop this war. It's It's not about your ratings. It's. about people paying with blood. >> Of course, but it sounds like that's not. going to be possible as long as Zelensky. is there. The war won't end as long as. he is. >> he will finish this war. I don't know. >> It sounds like it. If there are seven. attempts. to finish the war and his only position. has been the war needs to continue, he's. clearly not the guy to end the war. So, how do you get Zelensky out?

>> That's a good question and I'm not the. one to answer it. >> Well, there are no elections, so. >> But we are in a legal trap here and. the last time when he was planning. elections, he actually didn't want to lift the. martial law and wanted to have one round. elections so that he can manufacture. them. And this is the article on a very. reliable Ukrainian media outlet. The journalist talked to insiders from. from the office and from the parliament. Just another example. Look, there was.

this Munich Security Conference and um. Zelensky assaulted the Prime Minister of. Hungary, Mr. Orbán. >> [sighs]. >> That's so interesting. It's like. I'm saying so many bad things. I feel so. bad about that. But just like if you're. a rational person, think about this. >> Yes. >> The leader of Ukraine standing in front. of all the leaders and keeps assaulting. one of the European leaders. In a week, this European leader will.

need to vote for a 90 billion loan for. Ukraine. And obviously, Orbán just blocked. everything. And everybody is like. pointing fingers to Orbán, how bad Orbán. is, how bad Orbán is. Perhaps he is. I'm. not justifying Orbán here. But if you. are a leader of a country, how on earth. are you assaulting a person from whom. you will need a support of 90 billion of. a loan, without which Ukraine just. cannot go further? >> that's a great question and I watched.

him do the same thing to Donald Trump. >> Absolutely. But can I finish. >> is is. >> Yeah, can I finish this moment? >> The thing is that um the conflict that. has escalated recently is about a. pipeline, oil pipeline. Uh Hungary was. getting Russian oil through Ukraine and. it's damaged. And Zelenskyy made this. again performance, huge performance as. if he is a brave hero who is fighting. against Russian oil, Russian gas, all. Russian, etc., etc. At the same time,

Ukraine on technical level is repairing. the pipeline. The European Commission is. insisting that we do it as fast as. possible. And Ukraine is sending the. explanation to the European Commission. You know, it will take some time, but we. are offering you another pipeline so. that there is no energy crisis. So, the. work is there, right? And Zelenskyy is. just performing some stuff in his head. And the other important moment in this, do you know that this was France, not.

Hungary, who bought the biggest number. of Russian energy products last year, including Russian LNG that it's selling. to Germany. So, why doesn't Zelenskyy go. against Macron? I don't understand that. >> Well, it's a great question. I I'm I'm. aware of this. Um. what's. >> And Donald Trump, uh. you know, I was watching that thing that. that Oval Office situation. >> [sighs]. >> For me, it was so painful. It is so. painful. Every time when I'm posting on.

my Twitter. videos of ruined Ukrainian cities, every. time I have this quote from Zelenskyy, "We've got beautiful cities. Come and. see.". I'm like, how you can. say that these ruins. are beautiful cities? The thing is that. many people who know Zelenskyy, they. characterize the situation that. this is what's happening behind the.

camera usually. Such hysterical. behavior, no control of emotions, and this manipulation, attempts to prove. himself. This is Zelenskyy. This is how. he looks all the time. >> user? >> This is an open secret. Um. The thing is that I've never seen him. taking drugs. However, for writing my book, I met a. lot of people who confirmed that they.

saw him taking drugs in different clubs. Um only once saw him taking drugs in. 2021. I learned who is the supplier from 95th. Quarter. Um and I met that person and. >> You met Zelenskyy's drug dealer? >> I'm not saying he's a drug dealer. He's. a guy from 95th Quarter. And uh. >> What's 95th Quarter? >> 95th Quarter. Uh it's it's entertaining company of.

Zelenskyy. Uh. 95th Quarter, where he comes from. Uh it's it's the guy who who is an. actor. Um and uh he he behaved really in. a strange way. His eyes and his behavior. >> Is Is Zelenskyy using cocaine? >> Again, I have not seen that. So, uh the. thing is that. all these people are talking about. cocaine. Yes. The second thing is um. every time when we were preparing to.

uh the interview, you know, I was. reading the notes, explaining who is the. journalist, what he needs to say, the. message in the questions. >> [snorts]. >> He does not like reading, to be frank, usually. He's more, you know, like tries to. listen to you and then he takes his like. 15 minutes in the bathroom. And I'm telling you that I was always. surprised um. that he was going out a different. person. Like really always a different.

person. >> So you'd be briefing him. >> Then he goes to the bathroom, he spends. there 15 minutes and he is going out. energized, full of, you know, action, ready to say everything. >> Sniffing? >> [laughter]. [gasps]. >> So I don't want to say something that I. didn't see, but but I met too many. people. >> I met doctors, I met, you know, people who spend time with him.

in the clubs. And I talked to the people who has been. knowing him for like 20, 25 years. And it's not just me. >> a cocaine. >> And also I don't know if you follow. that, but there was an allegation, accusation that he is a cocaine user. during his electoral campaign. And. that's why he invited his opponent, President Poroshenko at moment, to take analysis on drugs. >> [snorts]. >> And he went to the clinics of his.

friend. And when the analysis was presented, it. happened that the analysis was dated by. different date when he gave those. analysis. >> Aha. >> That was a big scandal. I mean this is. everywhere. The allegation is. everywhere. There are many people who. saw him. >> time. >> For a long time, yeah. And you know, there is this very strange behavior, obviously. You know, there are a lot of. things that point out to it, but I. personally have not seen that. >> But you spoke to his cocaine supplier.

from 95th quarter. >> Not for the book. I met him in the. office of the president. I didn't know. about cocaine back then, but I was very. surprised of his behavior. His eyes were sparkling and. he was so. happy. and slow. And he was trying to make some jokes. that I didn't understand. I was like, this is a strange guy. And I didn't know what he was doing. there because he didn't have any. position. He just came to the office of.

the president. >> What's Zelenskyy's wife like? >> [sighs]. [laughter]. [gasps]. >> You know, many people. who know her respect her. Many people. were saying that she was the only human. who stayed nearby him. She really didn't want him to go for the. second term. She even said this. publicly. But I believe she changed.

And um. >> [snorts]. >> I don't know if she still has that. positive influence on him that she used. to have, but. Zelenskyy never thought that women are. equally important. He's the one who respects his woman, but not as she if she is like really. equal. If it makes sense. >> Once I was in this very weird situation. I was in many weird situations with. Zelenskyy. It's just a norm. But there.

was this situation where. there was his friend from 95th quarter. and Zelenskyy, we were three of us. >> [clears throat]. >> I don't know for which reason this guy. started telling. a very funny to his mind situation that. Olena Zelenska was running after. Zelenskyy for eight years to make him. marry her. And he he was a strong guy. He didn't want to marry. Ha ha ha, it. was so funny.

Well, definitely Zelenskyy was smiling a. lot and he liked the story. I still. don't understand what was funny about. that. Um. I think Zelenska is a smart person, but. she does not care and doesn't know. anything about politics. And she doesn't. want to be involved. She tried to stay human. >> [sighs and gasps]. >> I'm not sure what worked out. >> When When did you leave the country? Ukraine.

>> I I would prefer not to talk about that. >> Okay. >> I stayed in the country in 2022. Uh we were shelled. By the way, when. Russians were living Bucha, we were. shelled. Uh it's just pure luck that he. didn't hit the house we were. My husband went to the front lines. >> [sighs and gasps]. >> We stayed in 2023. Majority of 2024. Beginning of 2025. And I had so multiple sources that were. saying that Zelensky is not going to.

finish this war. People are going crazy there. I was. going crazy. You're like in the closed. cage. You're being shelled and bombed. You can die any moment from Russian. drone or Russian missile. At the same time you can't do anything. There are no economic opportunities. There is no freedom of speech. Anything you do can be, you know, treated in a different way. The country. is full of bans. Everything is banned. There are strange rules. Like there is.

this very strange rule that. all the all the. cars need to stop at 9:00 a.m. on the. roads uh to listen to to the hymn. Uh it's just Yeah, like if you drive and. then there is 9:00 a.m. and there is. Ukrainian hymn, you need to stop, right? There is really strange agenda and it. looks like surreal. The country I don't. recognize Ukraine anymore. >> Everything is banned? What does that.

mean? >> Like. >> [sighs]. >> he uses bans like like there is this. culture that he developed. The culture. of banning, canceling people, artists, you know. Um. >> Churches. >> Poets, poets, churches, writers, you. know, like anything he can connect to. Russia somehow. Sometimes it doesn't. have any connection to Russia. It always. makes us weaker. Sometimes these are.

Ukrainians from the past, but yeah, they. used to live under like Russian Empire. or the USSR. There is this whole culture. of cancellation. He cancels bloggers, journalists, not personally. But but he. has this. tendency, he has these orders. Like for. instance, in late 2023, I learned from. the security service that Zelensky. collected his guys and told them that. they needed to go against critical. bloggers. At the end of at the beginning.

of 2024, there were like purges of. bloggers. Bloggers were called to the security. service having conversations why they. did that, why they said that, that they. will be accusing being pro-Russian. There was a bunch of bloggers that went. against the war and they said we don't. need the borders of 1991. We want to stop this war and all of them. were called for a security service. One. guy needed to leave the country, he was. threatened. You know, every story can become a bigger story,

can become a story with security. service. You see, it can become a story. of a treason. By the way, the cases of. treason raised multiple times in in four. years, multiple times. Treason is just. another punishment. You see? >> He sounds like a Bolshevik. >> In many ways, it feels like it's the. USSR that we read about. In many ways, it is. >> So, just to restate the question, is. there any way to get rid of Zelensky?

>> [snorts]. >> That's a good thing. You know, the. problem. uh. >> [sighs and gasps]. >> How to do this in a legal way, uh. and who is going to be next? Who's going to be Who's going to fight. with Zelensky on electoral field? And. how to restore the electoral field in. general? You see? >> Yes. >> And there are so many questions there. that are not being solved at all. And I'm not sure he wants to solve them.

So, one big question to all the. Ukrainians and Westerners who have. resources, who have the power, who are. strong enough. is actually how to make it in a legal. field, how to finish this. >> Yes. >> And that's the answer to your question, why are Ukrainians silent? Rich people. are afraid of being sanctioned. By the. way, it's also illegal instrument that. Zelensky uses. He sanctions his own. citizens and it's absolutely.

anti-constitutional. And people are afraid. >> you sanction your own citizens? >> Yes, he he he uses his sanctions his own. citizens. That's pretty public and in on. his website. For for I don't know, he comes up with. the reasons. >> [laughter]. >> Working for Russia or whatever. >> And what happens when you're sanctioned? >> Uh. >> [clears throat]. >> your businesses can be closed, your. uh accounts are frozen. Uh the former. president is sanctioned. So, he says he.

cannot use his money anymore. >> So, just to go back to something you. said earlier that I should have followed. up on. When. you were uh working for Zelensky, he. told Putin, I think you said it was. 2019, that Ukraine would not join NATO. Then you fast forward a couple of years, 3 years, and he's telling the world. that Ukraine. does plan to join NATO, which you said. is impossible, but. what do you think changed his mind? What.

changed? >> [gasps]. >> Well, I definitely know that he wanted. to influence the American. administration. Um. he really did want. and um. >> Influence the American administration in. what way? >> Yeah, I mean, he wanted to get. something. He wanted to get some. support, friendship, you know, to get something. I remember the interview. I I remember. whom that interview was given. When he.

first said, uh why are we not in NATO? So, [clears throat]. it was a TV interview. and I was preparing messages. It has. never been in messages. We never discussed that actually. It was. not at the table at all. And uh he was sitting there and the. journalist asked him, "So, what would. you tell or ask Biden about?" And he. said, "Why are not we in NATO?". And I started like looking at the. messages and the reason why there's NATO.

thing, he just came up with that. And Zelensky is the kind of person if. you applaud, he's going to continue. And. there were a lot of nationalists who. applauded. They thought, "Oh, that's. great stuff, guy. Do it.". And so, he saw the applause, he saw the. reaction, and since his ratings were. dropping down, you know, and there was. positive feedback, he just started. pushing through this agenda. You know, again, I read the book uh. about Biden and there was the.

description of the meeting in 2021. That. was after I left few months. And it happened that Zelensky insisted. on this NATO issue from Biden thinking. that that was only Biden who was the. obstacle to this. And if Biden said then. they will be NATO. He didn't want to. listen to any arguments, any facts, nothing. And then when Biden said, "Look, there is no consensus for this.". The guy said, "But NATO is outdated. organization and it's going to fall. apart. Germany and France are going to.

leave NATO now. And. as the journalist explains, um. even those who really liked Zelenskyy, they were blown up by this. They they. thought he went too far. But this is, you know, this is who is Zelenskyy. He's. always escalating. He's always. demanding. He's always proving himself. You know, I was talking to one guy who. used to work under. two or three presidents and he said me.

that he's telling everyone that these. two guys, Zelenskyy and Yermak, they are. just 6-year-olds. He meant because they were 6 years in. power. Now they are 7-year-olds. And I myself was thinking that they. behave more as teenagers, but we never. had argument that they behave as adults. You see? So. I believe that Zelenskyy. if that journalist who was an insider at. the White House says that Zelenskyy. thought Biden was weak, I believe. Zelenskyy thought Biden is weak and he.

can pressure and get the NATO thing. because Zelenskyy actually doesn't have. much understanding of how things are. working in his own government and. globally. >> Why are there so many Americans always. in Ukraine? There was Americans in. Ukraine. American officials are always. talking about Ukraine. No offense to. Ukraine, but it's a very small country. It's a very big world. But the US government was very focused. on Ukraine for a long time. There were always journalists in and out. of there, think tank people in and out. of there, US military. Like, what was.

that? >> Well, I think we are lucky that there. are journalists there. Um. but. it's a small country, you say, but it's. comparatively big. >> Well, it's a large landmass, for sure. But so is Kazakhstan. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. But in Europe, it's like. the second biggest country in Europe. >> Well, if you don't count Russia, it's. the biggest. >> Yes. Second largest. >> um. I don't I've never understood. >> Americans why they're there. >> never understood it. I mean, I think. money laundering was part of it, for. sure. Like Americans, I mean, the press former.

president's son was on the board of a. Ukrainian energy company. I never Did. you know that? >> Uh, you know that I was a also that very. famous article about Hunter Biden. And. after that, Biden's administration. didn't give interview to the New York. Times. And I think that was a very. infant behavior from the communications. people. I was just a freelancer in. Ukraine. If for 6 years after that, the biggest democratic president doesn't. provide interview to the biggest. democratic media because of some.

[clears throat] freelancer, you know, having evidence of of, you know, some. connected topics, that's really. ridiculous, you know. >> that piece with That was with Ken Vogel, I think. >> Uh, you will remember that. >> Yep. Who's you? Um, [laughter]. so for the for whatever it's worth, for. those who don't remember the piece, can. you just summarize it? Tell us what it. was about, what it said. >> Uh, it was long ago, but uh, yeah, Hunter Biden was invited to be on board. of energy company that. was owned by big oligarch uh, who is.

accused in money laundering. And um, you. know, big big guy, really. >> [snorts]. >> Mafia guy. And um, there was a general prosecutor who. um, opened [snorts] 11 uh, criminal. proceedings uh, against uh, this. company. And Hunter Biden figured. somewhere that that he was he was. somewhere there. But I was talking to. general prosecutor, and he told me that. he reopened the cases, but uh, he could. not prosecute Hunter Biden because.

Hunter Biden is an American. And uh, as. Ukraine, we just cannot do that. But. that was the whole story about, you. know, that Hunter Biden was on the. board. Uh, and obviously it was not liked by. Biden administration very much. Um, and there was a huge scandal, and uh I. did just my job, you know. I talked to. the general prosecutor. I I went to to. different people. I asked the questions. I. read and translated the law, you know, I.

verified the information. I mean, Ken was doing major job. I was helping. him and. >> Yes. >> The New York Times stands for that. piece. So, why should I be, you know, feeling. bad about that? >> think you should be at all. >> Yeah. >> What was the reaction from the Zelenskyy. government to you when that piece came. out? >> Oh, oh, uh first of all, uh. that was the transition moment. >> Yeah, I bet. I'm sure it was. >> Um, so. he never actually reacted much. Uh.

it served more like a concern for him. He didn't understand much what was. happening. He just asked what was the. buzz about. His people asked me. I said, "Well, there was this piece, you know. I. checked it. The New York Times stands. for that." That's it. >> [snorts]. >> So, they they had just the concern what. was what was happening, but it was 2019. before Biden came to power. >> Right. >> To [snorts] be frank, yeah, I know that. for Americans it's a big story about. corruption.

>> [snorts]. >> Um, for me as a Ukrainian, I still. cannot understand. what would have happened that Biden. administration would allow Zelenskyy to. continue this war. >> I agree. >> It's like it's very hard to talk because. you don't understand what's happening, really. When people are being hunted by drones, when people wake up to death and. destruction, when they being abandoned, when they are being searched by law. enforcement of their own country, when.

they don't have heat or light or water, when they have no almost money, and they. have no help, and they're not heard, and. they cannot leave the country, it's such a trap. And this has been. happening for 4 years of a large scale, and for many for 12 years. And the only solution that is being. presented today is just to say that. Putin is a monster. Well, maybe he is.

His army is doing terrible things. But here is the point. Keeping just offending Putin will reach. nothing. >> [snorts]. >> And my point is we need to do something. as the country. We need to do something. to start taking the decisions. We need to start putting people first. And what I see from Zelenskyy is just. yes, I'm taking care about the people. Yes, people are first. And then always.

there is but. And after this but. there is the whole. bunch of misleading information. I don't believe that President Zelenskyy. is. >> [sighs]. >> really. very constructive, let's say so. I believe he has some kind of. mental challenges. And so, when I'm thinking about his. meeting with Biden, who as has been.

proved by Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper. had really already mental problems, I'm thinking, where did this world come. to? That there is one person leader with. mental challenges, and another person. with mental challenges. Actually deciding on the fate of the 40. million nation, or 37 million nation. You see? I just don't believe that Ukraine is. just being destroyed. I believe that. Ukraine is on the verge of extinction.

We have huge brain drain. And almost problems with the demography. We do know that that was the Ukrainian. who actually. made the program to send the first. person to space, Yuri Gagarin. Now, children in Kharkiv region in the. fourth grade cannot read. You see, my nation is being deteriorated. >> Yes. >> So, there is no but in this case. People.

either go first or they go first and. then but but but but but but a lot of. conditions why not to stop this war. >> [snorts]. >> And you ask me why all those. think tankers and journalists come to. Ukraine. I think they come to every. country. And they were interested in the. relations with Russia. But unfortunately, there is this. I think. absolutely destructive contribution. to very unhealthy nationalism.

that has become a shield for the. beneficiary group in the country. >> Of course. That's Of course happens. every time. I just know a lot of the. policy makers in the United States who. promoted this war. Um and I think that some of them wanted. to destroy Ukraine. I think that. I'm. sorry. It's not. >> inhuman. The propaganda that we hear, it's very inhuman. It's very cynical. I mentioned to you this stuff about um. Russia is collapsing.

This is like already a Twitter joke. Russia is collapsing for the fourth year. in a row. Mark Rutte said a few weeks ago that. Russia is in super bad shape. You need. like three, four months of war more to. win. Where does he come from that? Tell this. a Ukrainian who is dying. Tell Tell Tell. this to the mother who buried her son or. a child. Tell this to a father who lost. three children and wife. under shelling. It's impossible to. explain to the people how politicians.

come up with the conditions to justify. this absolutely unjustified war. >> Because it's not their country and they. don't care. It's evil. I couldn't agree more. It's. like. >> believe this already. Many Ukrainians. And again, I'm not I'm not justifying. Putin here, okay? >> It's not I agree. >> It's just like repeating that he is a. monster it doesn't help the situation. >> I agree. It's like. telling us that Iran's going to get a. nuclear weapon in 3 weeks, you know, telling us that for 25 years.

at a certain point I don't believe you. Um. so, you have asked to end with a message. to the Russians to. Vladimir Putin, Russian president, um in. Russian. And of course I can't understand. Russian. So, uh but. uh you've done us I think us the United. States a great service by this interview. and so I would be happy to turn it over. to you to speak directly in Russian uh. to the Russian president. >> Thank you. >> Of course.

>> It's actually quite a moving moment. Shall I look there? >> Look there. >> [snorts].

>> You made me show up Shiva.

>> [sighs and gasps].

[snorts]. >> posted video at home hack and a hoard it. to the lady drone army. No doesn't need to be cute to be gentle. and you mention it.

I didn't wash my car. I didn't wash my. car more at the stone of it. We got it to show we got it to mirror. No you see what I don't know what you. see. I mean it to what you say that you need. to be there to do me to see what I mean. to say that you need to be. No you need to be good to see that. We got to know what you mean. Yeah, I. need you to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need to be good to see. that. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need. We got to know what you mean. Yeah, I.

need you to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to. >> [snorts]. >> We got it to show we got it to mirror. We got it to show we got it to. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need to be good to see. that. We got to know what you mean. Yeah, I need you to tell me what. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need to be good to see. that. We got to know what you mean. Yeah, No you need to tell me what you. say that you need to do me to see what I. mean to say that you need to be good to. see. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need to. No you need to tell me what you say.

No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that you need to be good to see. that. We got to know what you mean. Yeah, I need you to tell me what. No you [snorts] need to tell me what you. say that you need to. No you need to tell No you need to tell. me what you say that you need to do me. to see what I mean to say that you need. to be good to see that. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to. say that. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to do me to see what I mean to.

say that. No you need to tell me what you say that. you need to. I don't know if you will hear me. >> [snorts]. >> It's. you know. I'm actually grateful that I didn't cry. so much. I usually cry so much when I'm. talking about the war. >> [snorts]. >> I appreciate everything you've done. and I hope this is widely seen.

>> Well, thank you very much for giving me. the platform and for allowing to have. this frank conversation. I feel like I. took a lot of from myself and that my. silence could be a contribution to to. this war but now I feel like I did. something real and good. Thank you. >> I think you did. Thanks very much. >> Thank you. >> [music].