Economist Podcasts

Preparing for the long war: an interview with President Zelensky

10 snips
Sep 11, 2023
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, shares insights on the ongoing war against Russia and the pressing need for resilience as it evolves into a long-term conflict. He discusses military readiness and international diplomacy, emphasizing the challenges in securing Western support. The conversation digs into the importance of balancing military strategy with preserving life, public morale, and navigating complex political dynamics, highlighting the urgency for European allies to act as the situation grows increasingly dire.
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INSIGHT

Long War Mindset

  • Zelensky wants to project strength and hope, not a "long war" narrative, to maintain public morale.
  • He believes a "long war" mindset can be detrimental to the spirit of the people.
INSIGHT

Importance of Progress

  • Despite slow progress in the south, Zelensky highlights Ukraine's artillery pressure on Kherson.
  • He emphasizes the importance of any forward movement, even if slow, for maintaining morale.
INSIGHT

Diplomacy Concerns

  • Zelensky senses some partners might exploit slow counteroffensive progress to push for diplomatic solutions with Russia.
  • He views diplomacy with Putin as a mistake due to Putin's untrustworthiness.
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