In a performance that is undoubtedly being widely studied, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an epic meltdown, if the transcript of his interview with two reporters from the Washington Post (WaPo), posted on May 13, can be believed.
Upon being asked about an alleged Pentagon document, in which the head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Kyrylo Budanov, tells Zelensky of being able to blackmail the head of Russia’s private “Wagner” military unit, Yevgeny Prigozhin (based on supposed contacts between Prigozhin and the GUR), Zelensky first says that he would be guilty of treason if he were to comment. (Of some note, this reaction makes it appear, independent of whether there were any Prigozhin-GUR contacts, that the Budanov-Zelensky discussion did occur.) Next, Zelensky flips from the defensive to the offensive, somehow forgetting that it is the alleged Pentagon documents being talked about. Instead, he demands to know who in Ukraine is leaking info to the reporter.
Zelensky puts aside, temporarily, his concern over who the traitor or traitors might be, and he questions the reporter’s motives. The reporter has broken the arrangement whereby nothing bad is said about Ukraine. Zelensky instructs that the line of questioning is one “that does not help our state to attack and does not help us to defend our state….” So, why would he ask Zelensky whether the Pentagon document reflects a real discussion between Zelensky and Budanov? “Is your goal to help Russia? ...Each of these inquiries simply demotivates Ukraine, demotivates certain partners to help Ukraine.” That is, while Zelensky is unused to having to answer such an unscripted question, he also displays paranoia over what is going on in Washington, whether circles he trusted have become his enemy.
The reporter tries to assure him that WaPo is also against Russia, but Zelensky is off to the races: “…but it helps Russia, it definitely doesn’t help Ukraine. You are engaged in continuing this story. And so, I ask you if it’s your choice…” to be on Russia’s side. “You are right now playing with, I think, things that aren’t good for our people. This is not the first time I’ve told you this. I think it’s wrong, but nevertheless, you say, ‘Just a little bit more, it’s not over yet.’” After some more of this, he seems to apologize: “I am so sorry, I was not so quick, I was too long about these documents. I don’t know about this….”
