The nerve of some people…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently engaged in a tense exchange with American podcast host Lex Fridman during an interview. The clash occurred when Fridman, known for his in-depth conversations, broached the sensitive subject of forgiveness in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Fridman asked Zelensky if he could forgive Russian President Vladimir Putin for the ongoing unprovoked war in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s response to Fridman’s question was firm and emotional.
Zelensky stated that it is “absolutely impossible to forgive” Putin for his actions. He emphasized that no one would forget what has happened, and forgiveness is not something he can grant on behalf of all Ukrainians.
Mr Zelensky then asked Fridman whether he had children – and he doesn’t.
Zelensky then unleashed, “This is the most important thing in life, and they simply took away the most precious thing from you. Will you ask who ruined your life before going to rip their head off? I’m just curious.”
“They took your child away. Are you going to ask who did this? And they will answer that that dude did this. You will say, ‘oh, well then there are no questions’. No, no, no. You will go f—— hell and bite their head off and it will be fair. Can murderers be forgiven?
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that millions of Ukrainians have suffered due to the war, and he couldn’t speak on their behalf regarding forgiveness.
The question was in poor taste. Put yourself in Zelensky’s shoes and the answer is obvious.
Fact: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was indeed illegal under international law. This conclusion is supported by multiple legal experts and international organizations. And while Russia has attempted to justify its actions under various legal pretexts, these have been widely rejected by the international community.
Zelensky also pointed out that Putin’s continued freedom, despite the numerous deaths caused by the invasion, is already a significant compromise of sorts. He questioned whether this lack of accountability could be considered a small concession while dismissing the idea that Ukrainians and Russians could quickly return to friendly relations. He emphasized that any path forward would require Russians to acknowledge their role as aggressors in the war.
Fact: Despite Russian claims, Ukraine did not pose a direct military threat to Russia. In fact, Russia’s military capabilities far outweighed those of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military had improved since 2014 but was still not capable of defeating Russia in an all-out conflict.
In their conversation, Mr. Zelensky revealed a more candid side, occasionally swearing and tapping into his past as a prominent comedian in Ukraine. This glimpse into the Ukrainian president’s personality is certainly understandable but rare, especially considering the serious demeanor he has maintained since Russia launched its invasion nearly three years ago.
The clash between Zelensky and Fridman has garnered significant attention, highlighting the sensitive nature of discussions about the war and its potential resolution. It also underscores the difficulties in broaching topics of forgiveness and reconciliation while a conflict is still active and its impacts are still deeply felt by those involved.