President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes it clear he isn’t ready to forecast life after the war, even as he admits a deep desire for peace. He drops a simple wish: to be able to go to the sea and enjoy a few beers.
In a candid conversation with American late-night host David Letterman, recorded in Kyiv beneath the city’s metro screens and tunnels, Zelenskyy reflects on Ukraine’s ordeal since the Russian invasion began, and the toll it has taken on ordinary people since February 24. The setting underscores the way civilians face danger while daily life goes on around them.
Asked about his own plans after the war, Zelenskyy speaks with steady resolve. He confirms he intends to stay on as president but emphasizes that contemplating the distant future is not a priority right now. He concedes he is not ready for what comes next, choosing focus over speculation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits with David Letterman for a special episode of My Next Guest. Premieres December 12. Netflix (Netflix, 2022)
In the Netflix program They Need No Introduction: With David Letterman and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president confesses a simple longing: a sea visit and a beer, a moment of ordinary pleasure amid extraordinary stress.
Letterman presses on the ongoing crisis, joking about possibilities that could end the occupation, and asks whether the conflict might continue if Russia’s leadership were to falter. Zelenskyy responds cautiously, explaining that ending the war hinges on Russia relinquishing control over Ukrainian lands and removing the notion that conquest can be sustained under a lone, autocratic leadership that exercises total grip.
During the interview, the background sirens hint at the ever-present danger of bombardment, reminding viewers that war remains a constant companion for many Ukrainians. Zelenskyy notes the paradox of fear—sirens signal danger, yet life presses forward; the war, he says, should not be treated as a normal facet of life, even if people grow used to the sounds of alert.
Among everyday moments that bring relief, Zelenskyy recounts his most enjoyable times: conversations with his wife and their two children become a rare sanctuary amid national trials. Once a comedian who stepped into the presidency, he now speaks as a leader who carries the weight of a country through crisis, balancing duty with a human desire to enjoy simple moments like sharing meals — he even jokes about his love for good food.
The president reiterates a stark point: the war in Ukraine will not end until Russia withdraws from the lands it has captured. He characterizes the Russian regime as dangerous and tightly controlled by one figure, a system that requires vigilance from the international community to prevent further aggression. The conversation underscores the resilience required to sustain public morale while the conflict persists.
As the interview unfolds, Zelenskyy emphasizes that the conflict cannot be frozen while lives are at stake on the front lines. He argues that the broader world should recognize that war affects every corner of the country and that a lasting peace will demand unwavering commitment to reclaim sovereignty and safeguard Ukrainian territory. The discussion closes with a reminder that the fight is not isolated to Kyiv or any single city; it is a reality that resonates with families and communities across Ukraine, shaping choices and futures as the nation pursues stability and security for its citizens.