Our passports were inspected at the checkpoint, and then we were waved through. We were on the grounds of the structure that served as the resistance’s headquarters against Russia’s assault.
The building is surrounded by barbed wire, mines, and machine-gun mounts. Soldiers armed to the teeth were around – the individual I was about to see is a wanted man.
The Kremlin would love to see Volodymyr Zelensky assassinated and his government replaced by a Moscow-installed puppet dictatorship. However, over the course of this war’s 50 days, Ukrainian resistance has astounded the globe.
We were welcomed inside after passing our equipment through two sets of metal detectors. Following that, it was through a series of lengthy corridors lined with sandbags every few yards. A small hole was left near the top of the pile to accommodate the muzzle of an assault weapon.
A presidential adviser escorted us to a door with a bronze plate emblazoned with the words The Situation Room in Ukrainian. The area is contemporary on the inside, with massive plasma displays covering the walls and stylish office chairs on wheels with ergonomic backrests.
However, there was a snag. Conducting interviews with individuals who are seated in wheeled chairs might be challenging. They tend to sway from side to side on the wheels when they become lost in their responses to questions.
As a result, we requested chairs without wheels from the president’s aide. “Umm,” he adds, “I’ll have a look.”
He exited the Situation Room and returned with two fairly antique-looking chairs made entirely of brown wood and featuring patterned seats. “That’ll do the trick,” I say. However, I could see the lip curl of the president’s chief of staff.
“No, that won’t do,” he said. “The chair looks too old-fashioned in this room of modern computers and plasma screens. We’re trying to project a modern image here.” As a result, two more contemporary-looking chairs were created – without wheels.
The debate over the chairs revealed so much to me about contemporary Ukraine. Since the Cold War’s end, a lively, young populace has sought influences in the West. Ryanair’s low-cost flights to Western Europe opened doors. This administration wanted us to know they were approachable, unique, and willing to talk.
I then heard many footsteps making their way down the corridor. Two troops entered the chamber, and the president stood behind them.
While we were exchanging greetings, an aide handed him a phone. It contained a text message sent from France. “Is it Emmanuel?” he asked the aide? “Yes,” came the reply.
“We have a connection and he calls me all the time,” the president tells me. “Do you mind if I give him a quick call?”
“Absolutely,” I respond, startled that he questioned whether he should immediately contact the French president again or wait until later to try him.
However, this is part of Volodymyr Zelensky’s charm and affability.
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