what an interview we have coming up right now you had an exclusive joint interview with President zalinsky of Ukraine and the first lady they are here in the city because of the UN the president zalinsky addressing the UN Security Council today set to visit the White House on Thursday to sit down with President Biden now this was the first time sitting down with the first lady since my visit to Ukraine two years ago in the early months of the war the couple spoke from the heart about their country's ordeal in the war against Russia at
times they spoke in English at times in their native language using Ukrainian translators how are you thank you so much president Zin this morning Ukraine President Vladimir zalinski alongside first lady olena zelinska making their urgent plea for Ukraine solidarity the war is not over so uh stay with us support us it's vital without this support we will not survive to drum up support president zalinski at attending the UN General Assembly in New York City before meeting President Biden to present what he calls his victory plan to win the fight against Russia part of that plan
reportedly includes joining NATO so your Victory plan Does it include I know you don't want to get into into details until you talk to the to leaders but negotiating with with Russia and how can you trust someone it's it's it's not about negotiation with Russia no it's about like I said it's a bridge to diplomatic way how to stop the war the bridge is a plan of Victory or Victorious plan it's a strengthening of Ukraine Ukrainian Army and Ukrainian people only in the strong position we can push we can push Putin to stop the war
diplomatic way and only with a strong position we can speak we can speak with any enemies of of course that's why we're asking our friends our allies to strengthen us it's very important the US presidential election is coming up shortly how do you think that will impact the war depending on who is Victorious I would not want this to influence the support of Ukraine uh I of course I would want that um no matter who who is elected that Ukraine does not suffer and there that's why understanding that the policy towards Ukraine can change and
then and therefore we we need to prepare in advance and that is why the victory plan I wanted to discuss it with candidates until they they until one of them becomes the President sininsky also meeting with world leaders admid devastating attacks to Ukraine's infrastructure more than half of Ukraine's power grid now destroyed the the recent information is that uh Russia has been using Chinese satellite uh and uh and taking taking photos of the details of the fac of the objects on nuclear facilities and on our experience if Russia takes photos of certain certain uh objects
then there is a threat of strikes against the nuclear objects so that that is a nuclear Terror and such things we share with many leaders who can influence Russian influence Putin zinski once again asking Biden for permission to use us-backed long range missiles saying the weapons could hit air bases that Russia is using to drop hundreds of bombs in eastern Ukraine what will happen if you're denied permission Putin will continue to destroy us to kill people to kill children absolutely he will act in this way we will lose thousands of schools and tens of of
lives that is what will be happening an issue close to First Lady zin's heart are the children of Ukraine an estimated 19,500 now being held in Russia they're being told that nobody's looking for them in Ukraine nobody needs them in Ukraine we can't wait it's dangerous to keep waiting unfortunately bringing them back has been very slow 388 children have been being brought back from Russia if we are going to bring our children back at this rate we will need more than 30 years to bring them back parents to two children of their own life for
ukrainians today a stark contrast to before the start of the war nearly 950 days ago I remember Mrs olinska when you were talking about your son when I saw you and he was like when is this going to be over what kind of questions are they asking you now same questions unfortunately and I remember how we had these very symbolic anniversaries first 30 days first 100 days and then we stopped [Music] counting and it's I guess a good thing because we're trying to look ahead as they look towards their future the couple leaning on each
other as they work to protect and entire nation when we talked I loved how you expressed your feelings for your husband you know you you early days of the war you didn't see him your emotions your emotions about your husband and how he has been at the Forefront of this in your country I am sure of him I'm glad to be by his side it's very important for me and I'm happy that that I can be by his side and I hope very much that I can support him in some way and help him and
I hope he needs so indeed and I need this say POS so that's that's the positive things that I found to myself is there anything that you want to say to the American people to help them understand where you are we are very thankful to people of America really from the very beginning you know United States been the first country who supported us totally and but we can't I'm so sorry I know that you have your your challenges and Etc but but I have to to to underline it and to repeat we can't now be
weak we can't relax because we didn't stop Putin didn't stop him in his crazy ideas that's why we have to be strong and I'm asking to understand us to be around us to support us as you did at the very beginning of the war and I think that we are so we are closer to the peace than we think we are closer to the end of the war we just have to be where strong we strong now Putin spokesman was asked about zalinski telling me what you just heard that he thinks peace and the end
of the war are quote closer than we think if Western countries help strengthen Ukraine and the spokesman from Russia doubling down saying Russia will only end the war when its goals are achieved but again president zalinski speaking at the UN today he'll speak with the President Biden on on Thursday and he says he has a a a victory plan a victory plan yeah it'll be interesting to see their exchange on Thursday because we saw from John Kirby earlier today the president expecting here more also promising to give Ukraine what it needs and that's what he
wanted to hear but again he would not reveal to us he wanted to wait as he should to talk to the leaders but I cannot forget May 2022 I was there in Ukraine speaking with the first lady and I asked her that then what is your message for the American people and she said do not get used to our pain yeah do not get used to your pain big danger and here we are more than two years later and you can see more of the interview with president zinski and the first lady it'll air Wednesday
on ABC News live then on Hulu later
