In October, Letterman spoke with the Ukrainian president in a semi-dark subway 90m below ground. (Netflix pic)
KYIV: Popular American talk show host David Letterman has done many interviews in his life – but never one quite like this.
In October, the late-night host travelled to Kyiv to interview Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the safest part of the city – a subway platform 90m below ground.
A small audience watched in the semi-dark as subway trains rumbled past. At one point a siren went off. Letterman looked alarmed, but no one else reacted. What did that indicate, he asked?
“Unfortunately, it means that war has become a habit,” said Zelenskiy. “Many Ukrainians have gotten used to it.
“To me, sirens are an indicator that war is not over… this is a reminder that somewhere, someone is giving up their life for yours.”
Letterman also spoke with the head of Ukraine’s railways – vital to the war effort – and visited a comedy club. He discussed with Zelenskiy, a former comedian, the importance of humour in dark times, and chatted with him about his family.
It was only in speaking to his wife and children that he could breathe, said the Ukrainian leader.
“Children know much more about the war than we do. My son is nine years old. He knows the names of all the weapons.
“Each of us makes sacrifices for our country. Our children sacrificed their childhood,” he said.
Letterman’s Netflix show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” has in previous episodes featured talks with former president Barack Obama, rapper Jay-Z, and singer Billie Eilish.
“My Next Guest… with David Letterman and Volodymyr Zelenskiy” is now streaming on Netflix.
