“This is a gift I ask for": host Friedman offers Zelensky an interview in Russian

American podcast host Lex Friedman, who has agreed to an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expects to conduct it in Russian, as he does not yet speak Ukrainian. He announced this on the social network X, UNN reports .

Details

Friedman asked for the interview to be conducted in russian, as he said that both he and President Zelenskyy, as well as many Ukrainians, are fluent in the language. At the same time, he noted that he is actively studying Ukrainian, and his parents were born in Ukraine, in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Friedman justified his proposal by saying that he believed it would provide "the most profound, dynamic, and powerful conversation." 

For people who may not know, the Ukrainian language is increasingly becoming a symbol of the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom and independence. Unfortunately, I don't speak it yet, but I'm learning it. I can speak Russian fluently, as can President Zelensky, as can a large part of the Ukrainian people. This is a gift that I ask for both at Christmas and Hanukkah 

He also promised to translate the interview into English and Ukrainian.

The podcast host also commented on his political position.

I am not a servant of putin, Zelensky, Trump, Voldemort, Gandalf, etc. I am not anyone's henchman. No money, fame, power, or access can buy my opinion or my honesty

Friedman also shared details about his life. In particular, he said that he has Ukrainian roots: his parents were born in Kyiv and Kharkiv. In addition, the podcaster noted that his mother's maiden name was Fedotova, and his full name at birth was Alexei, although his family always called him Lex or shortened forms of his name.

Recall

The President of Ukraine has agreed to an interview with Lex Friedman, whose conversations on YouTube have more than 800 million views. The meeting will take place in Ukraine with the podcaster, who has interviewed Trump and Musk.