Zelensky’s Video Is Giving Ukraine a ‘Fighting Chance’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday went straight to the hearts of Americans when he asked Congress for aid for the country’s war with Russia. He referenced 9/11 and Pearl Harbor and then played a video showing the damage the Russians had done to his cities.

Va no multi-activity. His voice alone, that video, “gives you to believe that Ukraine will survive this,” author Francis Fukayama told co-host Molly-Jong-Fast about this episode of the show. New anomaly.

Zelensky, a former actor and comedian, has incredible communication skills as Marie Yovanovitch, a former ambassador to Ukraine, notes later in this episode. But according to Fukayama, it’s the seriousness of Zelensky’s message and his tech-savvy team that are working collaboratively to capture the world’s attention. And it’s enough to win.

Subscribe to new anomalies on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitchers, Amazon Musicor Dark.

“They have a production team and a lot of very creative people in Kyiv to be able to make a video with a really high production value,” he said. “I think he really understands people’s psychology, which is extremely helpful in portraying Ukraine’s struggles right now.”

So how does this war end? Both Fukayama and Yovanovitch agree: not with a Russian victory.

“Even if they can take Kyiv, which I don’t believe they can do, even if they can somehow get rid of Zelensky, they will not be able to dominate the vast mobilized country. hey,” Fukayama said.

Yovanovitch went a step further with his prediction: “There will be a guerrilla war and there will be disobedience of the population and Russian officers, when they get to the restaurant, will be poisoned or something like that. so. I don’t want to be a Russian occupying Ukraine. “

Yovanovitch, who was removed by Donald Trump as Ukraine’s ambassador in 2019, also walked Molly through the events on the night she asked to leave the country. She was at a reception honoring late activist Kateryna Handziuk along with other diplomats and officials, including close members of the newly elected Zelensky’s circle, when she was told her removal was because her safety was in jeopardy.

“When I spoke to Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan, he implied that I would be fired by President Trump himself by tweet if I didn’t actually leave,” she said.

More! Molly and co-host Andy Levy discuss Russian social media influencers who are furious with Putin over his Instagram ban and attempt to answer an important question: Does Kyrsten Sinema know the details? Save time during the day?

Hear the new anomaly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitchers.