An Exclusive Interview With Ukraine’s President Zelensky

Ryan Knutson (0:05)

As Russia's war in Ukraine has dragged on, Ukraine has gone on the offensive. Its advanced drones have been hitting deep inside Russia, and it's inflicted major damage to Russia's oil refineries. Ukraine hitting Russia with a massive drone attack over the weekend. It came on the final day of Russian elections. This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

He spoke before other world leaders earlier today.

Volodymyr Zelensky (0:34)

Sometimes it may seem that Ukraine is focused only on war because we speak about weapons, we speak about defense and sanctions against the aggressor, but Ukrainians did not choose this war. We choose not to die, not to lose our country, our families, not to lose our independence, our freedom.

Ryan Knutson (1:03)

The day before his UN speech, Zelensky sat down with The Wall Street Journal's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker.

Emma Tucker (1:10)

Well, now I feel very much put upon that I'm going to have to try and say, how do I say it?

Volodymyr Zelensky (1:17)

Lascavo.

Emma Tucker (1:18)

Lascavo.

Volodymyr Zelensky (1:19)

Prósimo.

Emma Tucker (1:19)

Prósimo. There.

Volodymyr Zelensky (1:21)

It's been welcome.

Emma Tucker (1:22)

Well, indeed.

Ryan Knutson (1:23)

Welcome. Thank you very much for being here.

Volodymyr Zelensky (1:26)

A very good presentation. I didn't see.

Ryan Knutson (1:28)

During their conversation, Tucker asked Zelensky about the possibility of a ceasefire on striking energy infrastructure, what Ukraine needs to get through the winter, and how the nation is handling the stress after nearly five years of war. Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Ryan Knutson. It's Wednesday, September 23rd.

Coming up on the show, an exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Ryan Knutson (3:49)

After attending the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Zelensky met with President Donald Trump. During the meeting, Zelensky asked Trump for an aid package of military equipment to help Ukraine survive the winter.

A few hours after that meeting, Zelensky spoke with Emma Tucker at a Wall Street Journal event. Here's an edited version of their conversation.

Emma Tucker (4:13)

Like I said, delighted to have you here. It's a great honour.

Thank you for joining us. I know you've had a very busy day, including a meeting with President Trump. What can you tell us about that meeting?

Volodymyr Zelensky (4:25)

So I'm very thankful that we had opportunity to speak about almost everything, not everything, but the main things, what we really need and what we can count, how to bring peace closer, about winter, winter packages, how to defend our people. And it's also very difficult to speak when you know that at this moment, there is an attack on your native country, people, and that's why it's, I mean, this balance, to hold this balance is not simple.

We spoke about energy, she's fire and food security.

Emma Tucker (5:05)

One thing I wanted to ask you was, did he ask you again to stop bombing Russian refineries?

Volodymyr Zelensky (5:13)

Not today, yes.

So, no, no, if really, I mean, this, so it's not a secret that American partners raised this topic and between us before President Trump.