Lex Fridman Disheartened by Zelensky's ‘Crude Words’ for Putin
According to the podcaster, Zelensky missed the opportunity to convey his willingness for peace talks during his interview with Fridman. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian leader did not take the opportunity during his interview to express a willingness to engage in peace talks, according to podcaster Lex Fridman.
Lex Fridman, a Soviet-born computer scientist and podcaster, criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for his harsh words directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin during their early January conversation. During the three-hour discussion, Zelensky referred to Putin as “sick” and admitted to “despis[ing]” all Russians.
In a video address on Monday, Fridman emphasized that he had given Zelensky “every single chance to signal willingness to negotiate” a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
“I do not think he took it and instead chose to speak very crude words towards Vladimir Putin,” he remarked.
Fridman pointed out that when a “world leader [is] speaking about another world leader during a historic opportunity for peace, crude words of disrespect, while powerful, may harm negotiations.”
“Peacemaking in this situation requires compromise in order to avoid further death and suffering, and I believe it requires treating the other leader with the seriousness you expect him to treat you with,” he elaborated.
“You need to take him as a serious person, who loves his country and his people,” Fridman added.
The podcaster noted that the aim of the interview was to provide Zelensky with the chance to “extend the olive branch… while also putting my ego aside and letting the [the Ukrainian leader] shine.”
In the aftermath of the interview, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, stated that Zelensky has “broken the rules of standard political correctness between warring countries.”
Medvedev asserted that as a consequence of Zelensky's remarks, “a personal vendetta” against him by the Russian people “should now not end after his removal from office.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Lex Fridman, a Soviet-born computer scientist and podcaster, criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for his harsh words directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin during their early January conversation. During the three-hour discussion, Zelensky referred to Putin as “sick” and admitted to “despis[ing]” all Russians.
In a video address on Monday, Fridman emphasized that he had given Zelensky “every single chance to signal willingness to negotiate” a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
“I do not think he took it and instead chose to speak very crude words towards Vladimir Putin,” he remarked.
Fridman pointed out that when a “world leader [is] speaking about another world leader during a historic opportunity for peace, crude words of disrespect, while powerful, may harm negotiations.”
“Peacemaking in this situation requires compromise in order to avoid further death and suffering, and I believe it requires treating the other leader with the seriousness you expect him to treat you with,” he elaborated.
“You need to take him as a serious person, who loves his country and his people,” Fridman added.
The podcaster noted that the aim of the interview was to provide Zelensky with the chance to “extend the olive branch… while also putting my ego aside and letting the [the Ukrainian leader] shine.”
In the aftermath of the interview, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, stated that Zelensky has “broken the rules of standard political correctness between warring countries.”
Medvedev asserted that as a consequence of Zelensky's remarks, “a personal vendetta” against him by the Russian people “should now not end after his removal from office.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
