See David Letterman Interview The President Of Ukraine While Bomb Sirens Go Off
David Letterman interviewed President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine, as bomb sirens ring out during the conversation.
David Letterman conducted a sit-down interview with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of his Netflix show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. And although filming took place in a subway platform 300 feet below Kyiv, the pair was still interrupted by bomb warning sirens. As the sound echoed through the makeshift studio, the 75-year-old asked his guest what they should do.
“Nothing,” replied a resigned Zelensky. When David Letterman inquired about what the siren was indicating to the people of Ukraine, the President said it simply means that war has become a habit. “Many Ukrainians have gotten used to it. But to me sirens are an indicator that war is not over,” he said. He went on to explain that it serves to remind citizens that, “someone is giving up their life for yours.”
For the special episode, which aired via the streamer on December 12, David Letterman also visited a comedy club. Since President Zelensky is a former comedian, this prompted a discussion about the importance of humor in dark times (via Wion News). The former late-night host also asked about his family, to which Zelensky said he could “only breathe” because of his wife and children.
Elaborating on how the conflict has been affecting families, President Zelensky said children know much more about the war than we do. “My son is nine years old. He knows the names of all the weapons,” he told David Letterman about the impact of Ukraine’s struggles. “Each of us makes sacrifices for our country. Our children sacrificed their childhood,” he continued.
David Letterman’s interview with the leader of Ukraine was filmed in October. In the trailer for the episode, the 75-year-old comedian said he was worried before arriving in the country. “When we were planning this trip, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he says in a voiceover. Although months had passed since Russian troops were driven out of the city, the Kremlin still launched missiles that hit Kyiv.
The conflict in Ukraine began in February when Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into the country in what it called a “special operation.” The military onslaught aimed to degrade military capabilities in the region and root out “dangerous nationalists.” Although President Zelensky and their Western allies say the war is an unprovoked act of aggression, the Kremlin stands firm in its beliefs.
The special episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, filmed in Ukraine, is currently available to stream on Netflix. The series, which premiered in January 2018, is usually more light-hearted than its latest installment. Each episode features one guest both inside and outside a studio setting. Since its debut, the show received rave reviews for its format and insightful conversations received praise.
The series has earned four nominations for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special at the Primetime Emmy Awards. David Letterman has featured several prominent guests on the show, making the Ukraine special par for the course. The list includes former US President Barack Obama, rapper Jay-Z, Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan, comedian Ellen DeGeneres, and pop singer Billie Eilish.
