Katie Halper

Ukrainian-American journalist Lev Golinkin joins Katie to explain the recent case of Ukrainian men being kidnapped off the streets to fight in the army. He also explains why peace might not be Zelensky's ultimate goal.

Lev Golinkin is the author of A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka, Amazon’s Debut of the Month, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program selection, and winner of the Premio Salerno Libro d’Europa. A graduate of Boston College, Golinkin came to the U.S. as a child refugee from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkov (now called Kharkiv) in 1990. His writing on the Ukraine crisis, Russia, the far right, and immigrant and refugee identity has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, NBC, The Boston Globe, Politico Europe, and Time.com, among others; he has been interviewed by MSNBC, NPR, ABC Radio, WSJ Live and HuffPost Live.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Intro
2. 00:14 The lack of care for actually Ukrainian lives
3. 02:50 Ukrainian men KIDNAPPED off the streets
4. 04:360 Ukrainians being written out of the narrative
5. 05:05 Why Zelensky doesn't want peace
6. 06:50 The picture painted of Zelensky versus now
7. 8:35 Man beaten and taken to served while his dog is left on the street
8. 10:30 Tulsi Gabbard's Putin puppet accusations

Short Summary

1. A recent Gallup poll indicates that 52% of Ukrainians desire an immediate ceasefire.
2. The video highlights the alarming situation in Western Ukraine, where men are reportedly being kidnapped by press gangs, leading to fear and empty towns.
3. The speaker criticizes Western media for ignoring the troubling realities and the voices of Ukrainians who oppose the ongoing war.
4. It discusses the arrest of a Member of Parliament who called for peace talks, raising questions about the remaining 48% of Ukrainians who might also want a ceasefire but fear expressing it.
5. The discussion emphasizes the dire consequences of the war, including a high likelihood of death for conscripted individuals.
6. President Zelensky has a low approval rating of 22% and is technically no longer an elected president.
7. The speaker suggests Zelensky has strong incentives to prolong the war to maintain power and avoid accountability for corruption.
8. The video addresses the changing portrayal of President Zelensky in the media, depicting him negatively compared to earlier heroic representations.
9. It showcases videos of forced mobilization in Western Ukraine, including incidents of citizens being beaten and taken away.
10. The discussion critiques the disconnect between the experiences of ordinary people and the narratives pushed by Western NGOs.

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