Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukraine, War, Peace, Putin, Trump, NATO, and Freedom | Lex Fridman Podcast

Introduction (0s)

• The Kyiv airport is expected to open soon, making it easier for leaders like President Trump to visit Ukraine by airplane, which would be symbolic (8s).
• There is a perception of corruption in Ukraine, but the country is working to gain the trust of leaders like Donald Trump and Elon Musk by ensuring that aid goes towards the fight for freedom and the war effort (23s).
• Most of the aid received by Ukraine has been in the form of weapons, and the country has cracked down on anyone found to be misusing or profiting from these supplies (41s).
• Ukraine has not profited from the war and has taken action against anyone caught misusing aid, with the country's soldiers willing to take action against those who would steal from them (1m4s).
• Russia has pushed a narrative that Ukraine is selling weapons, but this is not true, and Ukraine has had to defend itself against this misinformation (1m19s).
• The spread of misinformation has led to growing distrust of Ukraine, and the country is fighting against this disinformation as much as it is fighting against specific cases of corruption (2m2s).
• Contrary to some claims, Ukraine is willing to talk to Russia and negotiate an end to the war, but this requires Russia to be willing to engage in serious and constructive dialogue (2m24s).
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is completely crazy, but rather a serious person who loves his country and is willing to take destructive actions to achieve his goals (3m0s).
• Zelenskyy questions Putin's definition of "his country," suggesting that Putin's actions in Ukraine are motivated by a desire to claim Ukraine as part of Russia (3m17s).

Introductory words from Lex (3m29s)

• The conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, was intense, raw, and heartfelt, with the goal of understanding and pushing for peace (3m29s).
• The conversation was conducted in a mix of languages, including Ukrainian, Russian, and English, with an interpreter who struggled to keep up (3m58s).
• The President is fluent in Russian, which was his primary language for most of his life, and also speaks some English, but is not fluent in it (4m39s).
• The Russian language is also spoken fluently by a large fraction of the Ukrainian population, including the host, who notes that it would have been the most dynamic and powerful language for the conversation (4m50s).
• However, the Ukrainian language has become a symbol of the Ukrainian people's fight for freedom and independence, making it a significant choice for the conversation (5m32s).
• The conversation was made available in multiple languages, including English, Ukrainian, and Russian, with captions and voice-over audio tracks, and viewers can switch between language audio tracks on YouTube (5m52s).
• The host acknowledges the importance of language in breaking down barriers and notes that great leaders and translators can find the right words to shake the world and turn the tides of history (6m52s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy is described as a truly remarkable person and a historic figure, with a deep understanding of the geopolitical complexity and history of the region (7m22s).
• The host has a personal connection to the region, with parents and grandparents born in Ukraine, and has lived in various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, and the United States (7m36s).
• The host has also spoken with members of the President's team and people close to him, gaining insight into his character and leadership (8m12s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considered a truly singular and remarkable human being, based on interactions with hundreds of Ukrainians, including soldiers, civilians, politicians, and others, as well as extensive research and reading on the subject (9m6s).
• The Russo-Ukrainian War by Serhii Plokhy and The Showman by Simon Schuster are recommended books for understanding the war and its history (8m46s).
• Plans are in place to travel to Moscow and speak with President Vladimir Putin, as well as return to Kyiv, with the goal of pushing for peace (9m17s).
• The importance of finding humanity in others and avoiding simplistic divisions between good and evil is emphasized (9m59s).
• Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, and Russia-Ukraine relations have since been defined by Ukraine's alignment with either Russia or the West (10m45s).
• The Orange Revolution in 2004 led to a pro-Western candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, becoming president, while in 2010, a pro-Russia candidate, Viktor Yanukovych, took office (11m6s).
• Euromaidan protests broke out in 2013 over Yanukovych's decision to suspend talks with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia (11m21s).
• In 2014, Yanukovych was ousted, a pro-Western president was elected, Russia annexed Crimea, and war broke out in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine (11m37s).
• The war in the Donbas region eventually killed over 14,000 people and continued until 2022, when Russian forces initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine (11m53s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the presidency in 2019 and made ceasefire agreements with Vladimir Putin, which were part of a series of attempts at peace, including the two Minsk agreements and several ceasefire agreements (12m21s).
• Despite the challenges, peace negotiations are considered worth pursuing, and a meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy, Putin, and Trump is suggested to negotiate a ceasefire and security guarantees (12m55s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a guest on the Lex Fridman Podcast, where he discussed various topics. (13m11s)
• The conversation with Zelenskyy was a special moment for the host, who considers it a memorable experience in his life. (13m21s)
• The host expressed gratitude to everyone for their support over the years, stating that it means a lot. (13m35s)
• The conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy was part of the Lex Fridman Podcast. (13m43s)
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine. (13m49s)

Language (13m55s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy prefers to give an interview in Ukrainian, as the Ukrainian language is very important, especially given the current situation with Russia, and he cannot respond in Russian for the entire interview due to the ongoing attacks and the fact that the people attacking Ukraine speak Russian (13m55s).
• There were 73 missile attacks against Ukraine and over 100 drones on the day of the interview, resulting in the loss of lives, and this is a daily occurrence (14m17s).
• Zelenskyy does not respect the leader or people of Russia, as they claim to be defending Russian-speaking people but are actually attacking them, and he believes that Russians are "deaf" to the situation and do not listen (14m38s).
• At the beginning of the war, Zelenskyy addressed Russians in Russian, but it had zero effect, and he believes that some Russians are afraid or have other issues that prevent them from listening (15m16s).
• Zelenskyy hopes that many Russians, including Vladimir Putin, will hear his message, as well as the American President Donald Trump and the American people (17m5s).
• The Ukrainian language is important symbolically, but understanding each other is also crucial, and Zelenskyy is willing to explain certain points in Russian if needed (17m15s).
• Donald Trump's inability to understand Ukrainian is a concern, as it may affect the way Zelenskyy's message is perceived, and an interpreter may not be able to fully convey his wit, dynamism, and humanity (17m24s).
• It is not true that Russian is banned in Ukraine, and there are people who speak Russian in the country, but the language is disrespected due to the actions of Russians (18m0s).
• The situation in Eastern Ukraine is dire, with people's houses and lives being destroyed, and it's essential to acknowledge the reality of the situation rather than just talking about it (18m27s).
• Ukraine and Russia are two different countries with distinct identities, and it's crucial to recognize this difference (18m47s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy prefers to communicate in English rather than Russian, even with people like Donald Trump, as he believes it's more effective (19m12s).
• Zelenskyy acknowledges that his Ukrainian language skills are not perfect, but he is willing to work on improving them (19m31s).
• He values flexibility in communication and is open to speaking in different languages, including English, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili (19m38s).
• Zelenskyy had a positive conversation with Javier Milei, which was facilitated by mutual respect rather than language (19m51s).
• He is open to meeting again in the future and suggests meeting by the sea, specifically by the Ukrainian Black or Azov Sea (20m27s).
• Zelenskyy has a strong affection for the city of Odessa, which he attributes to its unique temperament, diverse nationalities, authentic cuisine, and beautiful people (21m0s).
• He visits Odessa several times a year, appreciating its sun, sea, and Ukrainian culture (21m46s).
• Zelenskyy is willing to visit Texas as a guest and enjoy Texas barbecue with Joe Rogan, jokingly suggesting that Putin should pay for it (22m10s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the possibility of accepting the Rome Statute before a certain moment, which could have implications for his government (22m37s).
• Joe Rogan has a comedy club in Austin, and Zelenskyy expressed interest in visiting it if invited, acknowledging Rogan as a talented person (22m58s).
• Zelenskyy hopes to have a conversation and meeting with President Trump if he visits the United States, given his busy schedule (23m20s).
• Zelenskyy accepted an invitation to visit, with the host offering to pay, and they agreed to plan a meeting when Zelenskyy is less busy (23m37s).
• The conversation shifted to a discussion about the past, referencing World War Two (23m44s).

World War II (23m44s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy's grandfather graduated from a military academy and fought in World War II from the beginning, suffering many wounds and earning over 30 medals for his service, but he never boasted about his experiences and instead viewed the war as a great tragedy for everyone, including Ukraine, Europe, and the Jewish people (23m47s).
• Zelenskyy's grandfather's family was executed by fascists, who occupied Ukraine and their village, with his father being the head of the village and being killed in a mass grave, and his four brothers also dying in the war, leaving him as the only survivor (25m10s).
• After the war, Zelenskyy's grandfather worked in the police as a colonel and in criminal investigation, fighting for justice and against bandits, and he lived with his family, including Zelenskyy, in one apartment (27m24s).
• Zelenskyy's family, including his parents and two grandmothers who lost their husbands, lived an ordinary life in the Soviet Union and after, with values and respect being the most important things passed down to him, rather than material inheritance (28m23s).
• Zelenskyy's visit to Babyn Yar, a site of mass graves, served as a reminder of the tragedy of World War II and the loss of his family members who died there (29m12s).
• The Second World War is perceived as a turning point in human history, with the war's start often attributed to 1939 or 1941, but its roots and causes began earlier, with the rise of fascism and Nazism in Europe (29m23s).
• The war in Ukraine is seen as a continuation of this historical pattern, with the current conflict having started earlier than the 2022 invasion, and the country having been bombed by Russia before the full-scale invasion (30m5s).
• The emergence of Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany is compared to the ideology of the "Russian World" promoted by Putin, with both being based on a radicalized idea of one nation, one race, and one world (30m56s).
• Putin's rhetoric has changed over time, from initially talking about shared values with the West and potential membership in the European Union and NATO, to promoting a more aggressive and expansionist ideology (31m48s).
• The historical parallels between Hitler and Putin are drawn, with both leaders being allowed to pursue their destructive desires due to the weaknesses and divisions of the international community (32m46s).
• The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the division of European states are cited as examples of the weaknesses that allowed Hitler to rise to power, and similar weaknesses are seen as contributing to the current conflict in Ukraine (32m57s).
• The failure of the international community to learn from history and take action against aggressive leaders is highlighted, with the example of Hitler being allowed to pursue his ambitions despite warnings from informed individuals (33m8s).
• The current invasion of Ukraine is seen as a repetition of the same historical pattern, with Putin's intentions being compared to those of Hitler, and the international community being urged to take action to prevent further destruction (34m30s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalls the moment the war started in Ukraine, with missile strikes happening around 4 am, and describes the experience as impossible to prepare for morally (34m55s).
• Before the invasion, Zelenskyy asked the United States for two things: to send weapons or impose preventive measures, such as sanctions, to deter Russia from invading (35m6s).
• Zelenskyy believes that the US and other countries did not provide sufficient help to Ukraine before the invasion, and that words of support were not enough (36m2s).
• The Ukrainian president describes the moment he had to tell his wife to get their children ready to leave, and how in that moment, he was no longer just a father, but a leader responsible for his country (39m20s).
• Zelenskyy had a conversation with Belarusian President Lukashenko after the invasion started, in which Lukashenko apologized and claimed that the missiles launched from Belarus were not under his control, but rather under Putin's control (37m35s).
• Lukashenko told Zelenskyy that he was not in charge and that Putin was responsible for the missile launches, and Zelenskyy responded by telling Lukashenko that he was also a murderer (37m59s).
• Zelenskyy believes that the strength of a country lies in its people, and that the country is like a family, which is the most important thing (39m51s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy had to put his presidential duties first, which meant he had to stop being a father in his own family, leaving his wife to handle everything regarding their children and safety (40m0s)
• As the president, Zelenskyy took his duty very seriously and went to the office to fulfill his responsibilities (40m17s)
• The context of his situation is related to the events that occurred on February 24th, 2022 (40m31s)

Invasion on Feb 24, 2022 (40m32s)

• On February 24, 2022, everything changed for Ukraine, similar to the events of June 1941, marking a significant turn in the country's history and the history of humanity (40m35s).
• As the President of Ukraine, the focus shifted from fighting corruption and implementing reforms to responding to the Russian invasion (40m50s).
• According to Ukrainian legislation, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President had to give corresponding orders and make quick decisions without doubt (41m34s).
• A military headquarters was established, gathering key people from various sectors, including the military, energy, and others, to coordinate the response to the invasion (41m49s).
• The President's primary concern was helping people, evacuating them, and delivering food to blocked cities (42m7s).
• Weapons were distributed to ordinary people on the streets to defend the capital, as there were concerns that the Russians would enter the city and cause harm (42m43s).
• Thanks to Ukraine's digitalization efforts, the banking system, internet, and television remained operational, even when cities were surrounded by Russian forces (43m20s).
• The President used this digital infrastructure to address the people constantly, providing them with information and uniting them against the invasion (44m8s).
• A media platform called "Marathon" was established, bringing together news agencies and providing a trusted source of information for the people (44m51s).
• The President had to counter Russian disinformation, using his experience in managing media resources to build an information network and address the people directly (43m47s).
• On the first day of the invasion, the President went out into the street to show that he was still in the country and to counter rumors that he had fled (45m3s).
• The President spoke to Russians, addressing them directly and asking them to stop Putin and speak out against the war (46m42s).
• Journalists from different countries were asked to stay and provide coverage, as they were essential voices in the crisis (46m12s).
• The President also reached out to journalists with contacts in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, asking them to convey the message to stop Putin and end the war (46m34s).

Negotiating Peace (47m7s)

• The Russian language is painful to discuss because some people, like Putin, are unwilling to listen, regardless of the language spoken (47m8s).
• Despite YouTube being blocked in Russia, conversations like this one will still spread quickly on the internet and be heard by many, including the President of Russia (47m38s).
• Putin is described as being "deaf" by nature, meaning he is unwilling to listen to or consider opposing viewpoints, unlike innovators like Elon Musk who engage in meaningful discussions about technology (47m46s).
• Putin's focus is on using technology to harm and kill people, rather than to advance society or achieve peaceful goals (48m16s).
• It is unlikely that Putin can be swayed by discussions about technology or other topics, as he is more interested in promoting his own ideology and agenda (48m24s).
• The idea of befriending or building a relationship with Putin through interviews or conversations is seen as naive, as he is driven by a desire for power and control rather than a desire for friendship or cooperation (48m56s).
• It is necessary to speak with those who are willing to listen, and to prioritize strength and security in order to achieve peace and stability (49m28s).
• The concept of "peace through strength" is seen as important, and Ukraine must be strong in order to negotiate effectively with Russia (49m46s).
• Putin is compared to Voldemort, a character who thrives on being feared and isolated, and who will not be swayed by dialogue or negotiation (50m10s).
• The only reason to engage in dialogue with Putin is out of fear, rather than a genuine desire for peace or cooperation (50m39s).
• In order to end the war, Ukraine must be in a strong position and able to negotiate from a position of strength, rather than relying on Putin's willingness to cooperate (50m55s).
• It is seen as naive to think that Putin wants to end the war, and instead, pressure must be applied to him in order to stop the conflict (51m10s).
• President Trump is seen as having the power and influence to pressure Putin into stopping the war, and Ukraine is counting on him to take action (51m31s).
• A dream of a long-term peace deal between Ukraine and Russia was discussed, involving a ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine's president and Putin, with Trump's involvement, utilizing various incentives and Trump's willingness to make a deal (52m8s).
• In December 2019, a meeting took place in Paris at the Elysee Palace, where Macron, Merkel, Putin, and Ukraine's president agreed on a ceasefire, an all-for-all hostage exchange, and a gas transit deal, despite the US not being present (53m5s).
• The meeting resulted in a deal, but Ukraine's president calculated that the proposed troop withdrawal would take 20 years, which was deemed unfeasible (54m5s).
• Ukraine's president was deeply involved in the issue and prepared for the negotiations, unlike Putin, who seemed uninterested in the details and outcome (54m32s).
• The agreed-upon gas contract was signed, and an initial hostage exchange took place, but the ceasefire was not upheld, as Russian forces resumed killing Ukrainian forces about a month later (56m52s).
• Ukraine's president called Putin to remind him of the agreed-upon ceasefire, which was not respected (57m18s).
• The gas transit deal was seen as a security guarantee for Europe, particularly Germany, and was a crucial aspect of the agreement (56m1s).
• Ukraine's president prioritized the humanitarian aspect of the deal, focusing on the exchange of hostages and the potential for sustained peace (56m24s).
• A ceasefire agreement was discussed among world leaders including Merkel, Macron, and others, but it was not taken seriously by Russia, and they continued to shoot and kill people in Ukraine, even when the front lines were quiet (57m33s).
• The Russian president was called multiple times to request a ceasefire, but he refused, saying they would figure it out, and eventually stopped answering the phone (58m6s).
• The Russians and separatists continued to kill people in the occupied territory, and evidence, including video footage, showed that they were training snipers who later operated in Syria and Africa (59m9s).
• The snipers were used to hunt and kill Ukrainians, including women and children, in the Russian-speaking region of eastern Ukraine (59m32s).
• The situation in eastern Ukraine is currently the most tense, and the international community, including the United States, did not pay much attention to the issue of Crimea being illegally occupied (59m50s).
• The Ukrainian government sent information and pictures of the situation to the UN and other organizations, but it was largely ignored (59m56s).
• The city of Mariupol was occupied, and thousands of civilians were tortured and buried, with the exact number of victims unknown (1h1m14s).
• The question is raised about what would happen to the millions of children in Ukraine if a ceasefire were arranged without understanding the consequences (1h1m44s).
• Ukraine's security guarantees are crucial, and without understanding what will happen to them, it's challenging to determine the next steps, especially considering the millions of children in occupied territories (1h1m51s).
• The situation in occupied territories like Donetsk and Crimea is dire, with kids of drafting age being forced to fight, and if they don't, they will be killed (1h2m41s).
• A ceasefire is necessary, but it must come with security guarantees to prevent further attacks, and Ukraine needs to be strong to negotiate with Russia (1h3m9s).
• The goal is to achieve a lasting peace for Ukraine through a ceasefire, exchanging people, and diplomatically returning all territories (1h3m47s).
• If a ceasefire happens without security guarantees, it may lead to Putin launching new attacks, which would undermine the credibility of leaders like President Trump (1h4m5s).
• Putin's plan is to end the occupation of Ukrainian territory, but in his own terms, and he wants to create conflict between Ukraine and other leaders like Trump (1h4m56s).
• To stop the war, it's essential to pressure Putin rather than waiting for him to want to stop it (1h5m16s).
• A strong Ukraine is necessary to negotiate with leaders like Trump, and security guarantees, including a partial membership in NATO, are crucial for Ukraine's security (1h5m42s).
• The arms aid package is also essential, not to be used but to serve as a deterrent, and sanctions are necessary to pressure Russia (1h6m18s).
• Ukraine is seeking support from the United States, including sanctions and weapons, to help the country defend itself and achieve a lasting peace (1h6m39s).
• The presence of weapons significantly impacts the dynamics of conflict, as demonstrated by Putin's ability to occupy a substantial amount of territory due to Ukraine's initial lack of weapons (1h6m52s).
• Ukraine faced considerable challenges in pushing back against the occupation, but the situation could potentially repeat itself if similar circumstances arise (1h7m3s).
• The absence of security guarantees would likely lead to Putin attempting to invade Ukraine again, emphasizing the need for such guarantees to prevent future aggression (1h7m18s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to maintain honesty in his statements, as expressed in his desire to be truthful with the audience (1h7m15s).

NATO and security guarantees (1h7m24s)

• Ukraine's idea for NATO membership involves accepting Ukraine minus the five regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, and Crimea, but Ukraine considers all these territories as its own, and NATO can only act in the part under Ukrainian control, which can be negotiated (1h7m24s).
• A potential diplomatic way to end the war could involve Ukraine's NATO membership, but it would not be a great success for Ukraine (1h8m3s).
• Ukraine has a written arms aid package, but it is not ready to be discussed publicly, and it depends on the willingness of the United States, with some aid also coming from the EU (1h8m20s).
• Sanctions are also important, and it is in the interest of all parties to not have Russian energy on the market, which would stop Putin's funding for the war (1h8m51s).
• Accepting Ukraine into NATO and continuing sanctions on Russia are difficult but necessary steps (1h9m27s).
• The war is happening on Ukrainian soil, and international law was violated, with civilians killed and tens of thousands of people taken hostage (1h10m6s).
• The Global South is trying to balance the two sides due to historical and economic interests with Russia, but they recognize that this is a full-scale war started by Putin, and that he is not right (1h10m30s).
• It is essential to begin by acknowledging that Putin is not right and that his actions are a big mistake (1h11m49s).
• The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a clear case of one country with one army and one person (Putin) invading another country, making it a straightforward issue of one country's land being occupied by another (1h12m20s).
• A possible path to peace could involve both Ukraine and Russia being accepted into NATO, which would provide security guarantees for both countries (1h13m5s).
• The idea of NATO membership for Ukraine is not just about stopping Russia, but also about preventing Ukraine from seeking revenge against Russia if justice is not served after the war ends (1h15m42s).
• The lack of justice and punishment for war crimes can lead to a desire for revenge, making it essential to hold perpetrators accountable to prevent further violence (1h15m13s).
• NATO is a defensive alliance that provides security and protection, not an offensive alliance as claimed by Putin, and its membership can also serve as a security guarantee for Russia (1h16m12s).
• There are concerns that if the US were to leave NATO, it could lead to the demise of the alliance, which would be detrimental to global security (1h16m41s).
• The possibility of Donald Trump leaving NATO is seen as a likely scenario, and it would have severe consequences for the alliance (1h16m41s).
• Ukraine's president believes that NATO is a good alliance, despite its flaws, and its dissolution would be a pity (1h16m53s).
• The concept of security guarantees without NATO membership is explored, with the idea that other countries, such as the US, could provide guarantees without Ukraine being a NATO member (1h16m31s).
• NATO countries do not engage in war on their own land, and this is seen as a successful model, regardless of whether it works politically or militarily (1h17m10s).
• The United States is crucial to NATO's existence, and without the US, there would be no NATO (1h17m23s).
• The US is a strong and powerful country that plays a vital role in maintaining global security (1h17m40s).
• Ukraine was the second-strongest republic militarily in the Soviet Union, but this fact is often forgotten by Putin (1h17m51s).
• The US played a significant role in helping Europe and the USSR during World War II, and without their support, the outcome of the war could have been different (1h18m1s).
• The US is essential for providing security guarantees that can prevent Russian aggression, and without these guarantees, security is not possible (1h18m48s).
• Ukraine has bilateral security guarantees with some countries, including financing, military support, and humanitarian aid, but these are not enough to prevent Russian aggression (1h18m59s).
• Ukraine has received support from partners in building bomb shelters for children, which is a sensitive and important issue (1h19m10s).
• The experience of children in Ukraine, who have faced both COVID-19 and war, is particularly challenging, and efforts to support them are crucial (1h19m30s).

Sitting down with Putin and Trump (1h20m17s)

• A hypothetical scenario is presented where a meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine's leader could negotiate a ceasefire with strict security guarantees, and an agreement would be signed by the end of January, specifically on January 25, which is Ukraine's leader's birthday (1h20m17s).
• In this scenario, the meeting would first involve Ukraine's leader and Donald Trump to agree on how to stop the war and Putin, followed by the involvement of European leaders to ensure Europe has a voice in the negotiations (1h20m59s).
• Ukraine's leader believes that Donald Trump has significant influence, as European leaders often ask about his conversations with Trump, which has never happened before with an American president, giving confidence that Trump can help stop the war (1h21m44s).
• Ukraine's leader and Trump would come to an agreement, which would then be supported by European leaders, as they understand Ukraine's right to have its voice heard in the negotiations due to being at war (1h22m16s).
• The agreement would include strong security guarantees offered by Trump and Europe, after which negotiations with the Russians could begin (1h22m35s).
• Ukraine's leader emphasizes that Ukraine is ready to talk and negotiate, contrary to the misconception that Ukraine is unwilling to engage in dialogue (1h22m56s).
• The importance of security guarantees for Ukraine is highlighted, as the country is in danger and needs protection, which is not a joke (1h24m4s).
• A brief history lesson is provided, mentioning the Budapest Memorandum, which was a security guarantee for Ukraine, and the fact that Ukraine had nuclear weapons in the past, which it no longer has today (1h24m31s).
• Ukraine is currently at war with a nuclear power, and a ceasefire is not enough, as the country needs security guarantees (1h25m0s).
• The Budapest Memorandum, signed by Ukraine, the United States, Russia, Britain, France, and China, included security guarantees for Ukraine in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons (1h25m34s).
• The memorandum was discussed with President Trump, and the conversation is ongoing (1h25m54s).
• The security guarantees included assurances from the signatory countries that Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty would be respected (1h26m5s).
• Despite the guarantees, Ukraine's territorial integrity has been violated, and the country has sent letters to the signatory countries requesting consultations, but none have responded or taken action (1h28m5s).
• The lack of response from the signatory countries has led to a loss of trust in the Budapest Memorandum and its security guarantees (1h29m46s).
• The countries that signed the memorandum, including the United States, Russia, Britain, France, and China, have failed to uphold their commitments to Ukraine's security (1h29m5s).
• Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons under pressure from the United States and Russia, but the country has not received the security guarantees it was promised (1h27m0s).
• The Budapest Memorandum has been violated, and Ukraine is seeking new security guarantees to ensure its territorial integrity and sovereignty (1h27m42s).
• Ukraine has been seeking security guarantees for many years, with the Minsk agreements being a key part of this effort, although the United States did not participate in these agreements (1h30m19s).
• In 2008, at the Bucharest summit, then-US President George Bush stated that Ukraine should be in NATO, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel opposed this, preventing Ukraine from receiving an invitation to join NATO (1h31m22s).
• Ukraine's desire to join NATO was supported by Republicans, including Bush, who were not afraid of Russia's opposition (1h31m50s).
• Despite hundreds of meetings, including those held since 2019, a ceasefire in Ukraine has not been achieved, with Ukrainian society divided on the issue (1h32m26s).
• As president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a mandate from 70% of the population to take steps towards peace, and he believes that serious and prepared meetings with those who want peace, including the US, are necessary (1h33m1s).
• Zelenskyy has spoken with then-US President Donald Trump, who expressed a desire to meet and discuss the issue, and Zelenskyy believes that Trump's vision is crucial in resolving the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is afraid of him (1h33m41s).
• However, Zelenskyy also notes that Trump, as the president of a democratic country, will not be in power for life and will only serve a term, unlike Putin (1h34m33s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if Donald Trump were to withdraw the United States from NATO, Vladimir Putin would destroy Europe, given the opportunity to do so after a period of humiliation (1h35m49s).
• Putin is considered a killer, but not a fool, and he will prepare for future conflicts by increasing arms production and building a large army (1h35m7s).
• Zelenskyy thinks that Putin's next move will not be limited to Ukraine, but will instead target all of Europe, drawing a comparison to Adolf Hitler's conquest of Europe (1h36m8s).
• The Ukrainian army is currently the largest in Europe, with approximately 980,000 soldiers, while the French army, the second-largest, has around 200,000 soldiers (1h36m33s).
• Zelenskyy doubts that European nations can come together to form a powerful coalition to counter Putin's army, citing the lack of unity and autocracy in Europe (1h37m46s).
• He uses North Korea as an example of a country that can bring people together and build a large army, highlighting the differences in values and priorities between Europe and autocratic nations (1h37m6s).
• North Korea has allegedly provided Putin with 3.7 million artillery rounds, while Europe provided Ukraine with one million artillery rounds last year (1h39m33s).
• Zelenskyy believes that Putin needs time to prepare for future conflicts and that he will take advantage of any opportunity to destroy Europe (1h39m40s).

Compromise and leverage (1h39m47s)

• The number of artillery rounds is not the only factor in ensuring security, as partnerships with countries like India and Saudi Arabia can provide leverage through economic means, such as controlling oil prices, in the event of aggressive actions (1h39m49s).
• Building partnerships with the United States and China through Ukrainian tech companies can also serve as a form of leverage against aggression (1h40m22s).
• To achieve security guarantees, cooperation and significant funding for the military industry are necessary, which can be obtained by utilizing frozen Russian assets (1h40m58s).
• A proposed solution is to take $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and use it to purchase weapons from the United States, rather than relying on gifts, which would benefit the US industry (1h41m20s).
• Implementing more sanctions on Russia, including those related to energy prices and the Russian shadow fleet, can also serve as a form of leverage (1h42m5s).
• A compromise is necessary to reach an agreement, but forgiving Russian President Putin for his actions is not a viable option, as his crimes are unforgivable (1h42m47s).
• The loss of life and family members due to Putin's actions makes it impossible for people to forgive him, and seeking justice is a natural response (1h43m3s).
• NATO membership can be seen as a form of compromise, as it would prevent Ukraine and Russia from going against each other, providing a security guarantee (1h43m58s).
• The example of Israel, which is not a NATO member but received air defense support from NATO countries, demonstrates that security guarantees can take various forms (1h44m23s).

Putin and Russia (1h45m15s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Vladimir Putin is irritated by the word NATO, but the real issue is that Putin is irritated by people who are alive and living in Ukraine (1h45m28s).
• Zelenskyy thinks it's difficult to negotiate with someone who is considered crazy, but it's essential to look at them as a serious person who loves their country and its people, even if they conduct destructive military actions (1h45m44s).
• However, Zelenskyy disagrees with the idea that Putin loves his country, suggesting that Putin's concept of his country is unclear, and he has considered Ukraine as his country in the past (1h46m1s).
• Zelenskyy questions Putin's love for his people, citing the example of Chechnya, where a million people were eliminated, and the Russian government's actions in other countries like Syria, Africa, and Georgia (1h46m31s).
• Zelenskyy believes that Putin only loves his inner circle, a small part of the Russian people, and not the entire nation (1h47m1s).
• He argues that a leader who loves their people would not send them to die in other countries, referencing the 18-year-old Russian soldiers sent to Ukraine (1h47m44s).
• Zelenskyy also mentions the large number of Russian casualties in Ukraine, with 780,000 killed or wounded, and questions whether Putin's actions demonstrate love for his people or his country (1h48m21s).
• He compares Russia's size to that of America, suggesting that Putin's desire for more land is not driven by love for his country, but rather by other motivations (1h48m55s).
• Zelenskyy acknowledges that Donald Trump loves America, but uses this as an opportunity to reiterate his point that Putin's actions do not demonstrate love for his country or people (1h49m32s).
• He expresses his hope that war will never come to American soil and acknowledges the difficulties of dealing with conflicts in various regions (1h50m0s).
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that leaders should be present in difficult situations, and he has tremendous respect for those who do so, including himself and potentially Donald Trump, although he is not comparing himself to Trump (1h50m36s).
• Zelenskyy notes that Vladimir Putin was not present in the Kursk region during the operation, which lasted four months (1h50m57s).
• Zelenskyy is admired for staying in Kyiv and visiting the front lines to talk to soldiers and people across Ukraine, demonstrating leadership and a connection with his people (1h51m5s).
• The conversation touches on the topic of war, with the acknowledgment that it is devastating and costly, citing the example of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which cost nine trillion dollars and killed over a million people (1h51m55s).
• The idea of finding peace and forgiveness between nations is discussed, with the hope that even in the face of hate, leaders can come together to find a way forward (1h52m25s).
• Zelenskyy believes that history has shown that forgiveness and reconciliation are possible, but only after the aggressor nation acknowledges its guilt and takes responsibility for its actions (1h52m48s).
• The example of Germany's post-war education and acknowledgment of its role in World War II is cited as a model for how nations can come to terms with their past and work towards forgiveness and reconciliation (1h53m26s).
• Zelenskyy emphasizes that Russia will have to apologize for its actions and acknowledge its guilt before reconciliation can occur, and that this process will take time and effort (1h54m41s).

Donald Trump (1h55m7s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes Donald Trump won the 2024 US presidential election because he was stronger than his opponents, including Kamala Harris, and showed that he can intellectually and physically lead a strong country (1h55m28s).
• Zelenskyy thinks Trump's strength was demonstrated through his numerous rallies and his ability to show that he is young and capable, with no questions about his age or mental abilities (1h55m57s).
• Trump's priority as President of the United States is addressing domestic issues, but Zelenskyy hopes that Trump will also focus on finishing the war, which is a crucial issue for Ukraine (1h56m42s).
• Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of having people around Trump who have connections with him and can provide accurate information about the war, Putin, and Russia (1h57m15s).
• Zelenskyy believes that it is essential for Trump to have a deep understanding of the situation on the battlefield and Putin's goals before making any decisions (1h57m39s).
• The conversation between Zelenskyy and the interviewer will be translated into multiple languages, including Ukrainian, English, Russian, and Spanish, using AI technology (1h58m11s).
• Zelenskyy notes that when discussing sensitive topics like the war, he often returns to speaking in Ukrainian, even when given the freedom to speak in other languages (1h58m42s).
• Zelenskyy thinks that Americans may not fully understand the reality of the war and Putin's goals, which is to prevent Ukraine from becoming an independent country and to maintain Russian influence over Ukraine (1h59m12s).
• Putin's war is crucial to him, and he sees it as a last-mile effort to achieve his goals and maintain his influence over Ukraine before the end of his political life (1h59m50s).
• Putin's goal is to regain influence over the territories of the former Soviet Union, doing so little by little, as seen in the case of Georgia, which was headed towards the EU and NATO but turned towards Russia due to frozen conflicts in Abkhazia, similar to Ukraine's situation in Donbas (2h0m26s).
• The frozen conflicts in these regions prevent them from being accepted into the EU and NATO, which is what Putin wants to achieve, as seen in the case of Abkhazia, a part of Georgia that has not developed due to the conflict (2h0m53s).
• Putin is also trying to influence Moldova, with the next step being the Moldovan parliament, where a pro-Russian party may take control and turn the country away from Europe (2h1m32s).
• Putin's ultimate goal is to regain influence over all the territories of the former Soviet Union, and he is willing to do so at any cost, as seen in the cases of Syria and Ukraine, where people have been tortured and killed (2h2m12s).
• Ukraine is seen as a large wall between Europe and Russia, and Putin wants to weaken it, as well as NATO, in order to wage a large-scale war on all the territories of post-World War II Europe (2h3m2s).
• A weak NATO and a weak Ukraine would lead to a large-scale war, which Putin would wage to completely control everything in Soviet-era Europe (2h3m47s).
• This war would also affect the United States, as North Korea is gaining skills and knowledge from the war in Ukraine, including mastering new technologies, large-scale drones, and missiles, which would be a risk for the Pacific region (2h4m26s).
• Japan and South Korea will face risks from Putin, and it will be clear that Taiwan will also have to face these risks, making it impossible to avoid these challenges without strong security guarantees (2h5m10s).
• President Trump has the power to stop Putin and provide Ukraine with strong security guarantees (2h5m28s).

Martial Law and Elections (2h5m39s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy views the ongoing war as a fight for freedom, specifically the freedom of individuals, speech, and religion, despite having to curtail some freedoms due to martial law (2h6m49s).
• Zelenskyy believes that true freedom encompasses personal values such as family, love, and the ability to make choices about one's life and work (2h7m9s).
• He acknowledges that war inherently limits opportunities and restricts rights and freedoms, but emphasizes that martial law was introduced in response to the aggressor and in accordance with existing legislation (2h8m25s).
• Zelenskyy notes that the Ukrainian government is trying to balance the restrictions imposed by martial law and the war effort, while also supporting the business sector and reducing the load on citizens where possible (2h8m48s).
• Despite difficulties, Ukraine has implemented various reforms, including anti-corruption, banking, and land reforms, as well as a large privatization effort, in an effort to meet the requirements for European Union candidacy (2h10m22s).
• Zelenskyy expresses his desire to reduce taxes, but acknowledges that this is not currently possible due to the financial demands of the war effort, which is being supported in part by military taxes and aid from countries like the US and Europe (2h9m50s).
• He hopes to introduce a new tax system, deregulation, and further reforms after the war, and views the current efforts as proof of Ukraine's commitment to reform and its candidacy for the European Union (2h10m0s).
• Elections in Ukraine were postponed due to martial law, and the next planned elections are in February 2025, but the exact date depends on the end of the war and changes to legislation (2h10m54s).
• The Constitution does not allow for presidential elections to take place during martial law, and parliamentary elections did not occur in the fall of 2024 due to security concerns and the Constitution (2h11m20s).
• Elections will likely take place immediately after the end of martial law, or members of parliament will need to change legislation to allow for elections during wartime, which would be difficult due to societal opposition (2h11m55s).
• Society is against changing legislation to allow for elections during wartime because they want trustworthy elections, and there are concerns about voting infrastructure for the 8.5 million people who went abroad and those in occupied territories (2h12m15s).
• The current voting system may need to be changed to accommodate elections during wartime, and online voting is being considered, despite concerns about cyberattacks (2h13m3s).
• It is possible that the war could end in 2025, and elections could take place 90 days after the end of the war, once martial law is lifted and parliament votes to hold elections (2h13m24s).
• The decision to run for re-election is uncertain and depends on the outcome of the war, the will of the people, and the opinion of the president's family (2h14m14s).
• There are various candidates for the future elections, including Poroshenko, Zaluzhny, Arestovich, Budanov, and Klitschko, but the president's own plans for re-election are uncertain (2h15m29s).
• The number of candidates in the upcoming election can be even bigger, and those who want to participate have the right to do so, as long as they are doing something for the country today and not just starting an election campaign (2h15m40s).
• The most important thing is what the candidates are doing now, and it's crucial for them to focus on the present rather than starting an election campaign during the war (2h16m2s).
• Discussing elections during the war can divide the people and create a big mess, which is why it's not the right approach (2h16m17s).
• The Ukrainian system differs from the United States, as it allows everybody to participate in the election, whereas the US has a two-party system where the parties decide the leader (2h16m44s).
• The goal is to focus on the war and find a way to finish it, which will be one of the most complicated debates for any president (2h17m18s).
• The ultimate goal is to win the debates on how to finish the war and achieve lasting peace, which is a historic opportunity (2h17m33s).
• The dream is to make peace and achieve lasting peace soon, and it's essential to stay focused on this goal (2h17m44s).

Corruption (2h17m58s)

• Ukraine has a sophisticated anti-corruption system, considered the most advanced in Europe, which consists of multiple elements and was a requirement for the country's integration with the European Union (2h18m45s).
• Under the current leadership, Ukraine has voted for and implemented various anti-corruption reforms, with almost all anti-corruption bodies now independent and functional (2h19m11s).
• The country still faces issues with corruption, particularly in the judicial system, but judicial reform is underway, driven by demands from the United States and the European Union (2h19m29s).
• Despite the existence of corruption, Ukraine is actively fighting against it, with notable examples including the imprisonment of influential oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskyi and the imposition of sanctions on Russian oligarchs (2h20m8s).
• The country has also taken steps to address corruption among its own oligarchs, including exchanging some for Ukrainian soldiers and imposing sanctions on others (2h20m46s).
• Corruption still exists in everyday life, but institutionally, Ukraine is making progress in overcoming it, which will take time (2h21m14s).
• The country has received significant aid from the United States and Europe during the war, with around $177 billion voted for or decided upon, although not all of this money has been received (2h22m3s).
• Questions have been raised about corruption related to this aid, but it is essential to consider whose corruption is involved and to what extent (2h22m28s).
• An example of the complexity of this issue is the transfer of American weapons to Ukraine, which involved American money and raised questions about potential corruption (2h22m35s).
• Ukraine's jets were not used for transferring weapons, and instead, American cargo jets were used, which Ukraine had to pay for, raising questions about corruption or lobbyism on the part of US companies (2h23m51s).
• The lobbying for such decisions involves some companies, but the details cannot be openly discussed to avoid causing scandals that could freeze support (2h24m15s).
• When discussing corruption, it's essential to identify who is involved, and if a significant portion of aid is missing, it may indicate corruption (2h24m27s).
• There is a perception of corruption, and to gain the trust of people like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Ukraine must demonstrate that the aid is going towards the war effort (2h24m54s).
• Ukraine primarily received weapons rather than money, and when risks of corruption were identified, the government cracked down hard on those involved (2h25m3s).
• The Ukrainian government did not profit from the war and took action against individuals and companies attempting to make money from the conflict (2h25m26s).
• Russia has pushed a narrative that Ukraine was selling weapons, but Ukraine has consistently responded that such actions would be severely punished, and it's unlikely that weapons could be stolen in large quantities given the shortages on the front lines (2h25m41s).
• Ukraine is fighting against disinformation, which can lead to distrust and loss of support, and the government is working to provide proof to defend itself against misinformation (2h26m7s).

Elon Musk (2h26m44s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy respects Elon Musk as a self-made man who achieved success through his own efforts, and he admires Musk's ability to create something important for people through his work (2h27m8s).
• Zelenskyy views Musk as a great leader of innovations in the world and believes that such people move the world forward (2h27m46s).
• Zelenskyy appreciates the result of Musk's work, particularly the development of Starlink, which has helped Ukraine during the war by providing internet access after Russian missile attacks on the energy infrastructure (2h28m16s).
• Starlink has been used in various settings, including at the front, in kindergartens, schools, and infrastructure, and has helped children and others stay connected (2h28m32s).
• Zelenskyy is grateful to Musk for Starlink and would like him to continue supporting Ukraine, and he has invited Musk to visit Ukraine to talk to people and see the situation firsthand (2h28m46s).
• Elon Musk has not yet visited Kyiv or Ukraine, but Zelenskyy hopes that he will be able to visit once the war is over and sustainable peace is achieved (2h29m23s).
• Zelenskyy believes that air defense systems will be necessary to ensure the safety of airports and other critical infrastructure in Ukraine, and he hopes that the Kyiv airport will be able to reopen once these systems are in place (2h29m33s).

Trump Inauguration on Jan 20 (2h30m47s)

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy would like to attend President Trump's inauguration on January 20th, but he will consider the situation in the war in Ukraine at that time, as there may be moments of difficulty and escalation (2h30m47s).
• Zelenskyy stated that he cannot attend the inauguration unless President Trump invites him personally, as he believes it is not proper for leaders to attend without an invitation (2h31m18s).
• He mentioned that some leaders can attend the inauguration at their discretion, but he is not that kind of person and needs a formal invitation (2h31m57s).
• Zelenskyy clarified that President Trump publicly expressed his desire for Zelenskyy to attend the inauguration, but he did not receive an official invitation (2h32m11s).
• Zelenskyy explained that attending the inauguration would involve complexities related to security, which would be handled by the United States officially, but he does not want or need excessive security measures (2h32m24s).
• He recalled a meeting with President Trump in 2019, where he wanted to go for a run, but his bodyguards joined him, making it difficult for him to exercise freely (2h32m57s).
• Zelenskyy reiterated that if President Trump invites him, he will attend the inauguration with his wife, considering it an important event (2h33m49s).

Power dynamics in Ukraine (2h33m55s)

• The question of who is really in power in Ukraine is often raised, with some speculating that oligarchs, American politicians, or others may be controlling the president (2h33m55s).
• However, it is stated that nobody controls the president, and this is seen as one of the president's strengths as a person (2h34m25s).
• The president attributes this independence to being an ambitious person who cannot submit to anyone, but is willing to live by rules and laws (2h34m44s).
• The president believes that rules and laws are the only things that can control any person, and that there is no individual who can control them (2h35m2s).
• The only people who can influence the president are their son and parents, due to the importance of family and the limited time spent with them (2h35m34s).
• The president views the system as a whole, where no one can control them, and points to the fact that some oligarchs have fled or are in prison as evidence of this (2h36m4s).
• Oligarchs typically try to control cash flows and people, and influence politics, but the president has taken concrete actions against them, including imprisonment and asset freezes (2h36m11s).
• The president's team, including managers like Andrii Yermak, perform tasks assigned to them, but do not exert control over the president (2h37m0s).

Future of Ukraine (2h37m27s)

• Ukraine's future economic, cultural, and political growth can be achieved through digitalization, with the country already having a Ministry of Digital Transformation and a digital service platform called Diia, which aims to reduce corruption by providing convenient and impersonal government services (2h37m37s).
• Digitalization has been recognized as a success in Europe, with some African Union countries requesting Ukraine's assistance in implementing similar services, which could also generate revenue for Ukraine (2h38m22s).
• A tax reform is also necessary to attract businesses and investments, particularly from the US, which could lead to joint investments in various sectors such as oil, gas, green energy, and solar power (2h38m35s).
• Ukraine has natural resources, including oil reserves in the Black Sea, gold, and uranium, which could be exploited with the help of foreign expertise and investment (2h39m17s).
• The country is open to investments and aims to create jobs and revenue, with a focus on attracting high-skilled workers rather than cheap labor (2h39m50s).
• Culturally, Ukraine aims to remain open and aligned with Europe, which is the choice of its people and nation (2h40m28s).
• Ending the war is a priority, and Ukraine wants peace, with its people willing to forgive but not forget the past, and having faith in the ability of leaders like Trump to help bring peace and support Ukraine (2h40m47s).
• Ukraine believes that it is essential to seize the opportunity to make peace and stop Putin, with the support of leaders like Trump, who has a high approval rating in Ukraine (2h41m21s).

Choice of language (2h42m9s)

• The conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, involved a discussion on the complexities of language choice, given the symbolic, historic, and geopolitical context of the situation (2h42m55s).
• Russian is a language that President Zelenskyy speaks fluently and was his primary language for most of his life, and it is also a language that the host speaks fluently, making it the only common language they are both fluent in (2h43m8s).
• Any other combination of languages required an interpreter, including when the host spoke English, which is why the host tried to speak in Russian to the President instead of English (2h43m37s).
• The use of an interpreter can be encumbering and annoying, and it can also lead to the loss of subtle cues and meanings that are present in spoken language (2h45m1s).
• The host recommends John McWhorter's books and lecture series on language, particularly his discussion on spoken language versus written language in the Story of Human Language series (2h44m33s).
• The host describes their own language abilities as peculiar, stating that they are better at listening, thinking, and understanding than speaking, particularly in Russian (2h45m15s).
• The Russian language allows for more room for creativity in conveying meaning and emotion, with features such as wit, non-standard terms of phrase, metaphors, humor, rhyme, musicality, and deforming of words (2h45m28s).
• The host notes that while they can detect and understand dynamism and humor in the Russian language, they are slow to generate it, in part due to lack of practice and few Russian-speaking friends (2h46m19s).
• The conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was conducted in a way that minimized the need for an interpreter, with the goal of improving the equipment and interpreter quality for future conversations (2h46m43s).
• The setup for wireless connections between the speakers and the interpreter proved to be challenging, resulting in background noise and incomplete translations (2h47m8s).
• Despite the technical difficulties, the conversation provided valuable insights into the complexity of Ukraine's fight for identity and sovereignty (2h47m58s).
• President Zelenskyy was described as funny, thoughtful, and kind-hearted during off-mic interactions, and his team was also praised for being great people (2h48m6s).
• The translation process after the conversation was recorded involved overdubbing and translating the audio into Ukrainian and Russian, with the help of Eleven Labs (2h48m24s).
• The translation process was a significant challenge due to the constant switching between three languages, requiring six transition mappings and the expertise of human translators (2h49m8s).
• The importance of high-quality translation was emphasized, with the example of translating Dostoevsky's works highlighting the complexity and nuance required (2h49m40s).
• The difficulty of finding great translators, particularly from Russian and Ukrainian to English, was acknowledged, and the need for more time and effort in the hiring process was recognized (2h50m5s).
• The team behind the conversation is described as small but amazing, and an invitation is extended to potential team members who are passionate, hardworking, and collaborative (2h50m27s).
• Future plans include conducting more interviews in the Russian language (2h50m53s).
• There is a lingering goal to interview the mathematician Grigori Perelman, in addition to other desired interviews (2h50m58s).
• Efforts will be made to improve the entire pipeline for conversations in other languages, including equipment and interpreters (2h51m5s).
• The goal is to conduct conversations in languages that are not spoken, such as Chinese, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, French, and German (2h51m13s).
• Language is viewed as both a barrier to communication and a means of understanding the spirit of a people connected by that language (2h51m24s).
• The process of exploring and understanding different languages and cultures is seen as a complex and beautiful puzzle (2h51m33s).

Podcast prep and research process (2h51m39s)

• Preparation for a conversation involves consuming a variety of sources, including blogs, books, podcasts, YouTube videos, and X-accounts, to create a solid background model, with a focus on high-signal sources (2h51m52s).
• Hundreds of hours of preparation can go into a single conversation, including speaking with hundreds of people on the ground and reading multiple books, such as "Red Famine" by Anne Applebaum, to gain a deeper understanding of the topic (2h52m9s).
• It's essential to read books from various perspectives and calculate the bias of the author to adjust for it when integrating the information (2h52m56s).
• Different books can provide unique insights, such as Anne Applebaum's "Gulag" and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "Gulag Archipelago", which offer rigorous historical accounts and personal portraits of Soviet society, respectively (2h53m12s).
• Some books, like "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William Shirer, may contain inaccuracies and biases, but can still provide valuable information when adjusted for those biases (2h53m33s).
• Notes are taken during the preparation process, either digitally or using speech-to-text, to capture thoughts and insights, which are later reviewed to refresh memory (2h54m10s).
• The goal of preparation is to build a background model that allows for deeper insights into human nature, rather than just memorizing specific facts or details (2h54m15s).
• Large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly useful for organization purposes, but have not yet been useful for insight extraction or generation purposes (2h55m0s).
• The ability to remember high-level ideas is more important than recalling specific facts, names, dates, or quotes, which can sometimes make one appear simplistic or unprepared (2h55m20s).
• Listening to podcasts and YouTube videos from various perspectives, including supporters and critics, is also an essential part of the preparation process (2h55m44s).
• Preparation for podcast episodes involves a significant amount of time, but it's not possible to accurately quantify the hours spent per episode, as a lot of the preparation transfers from one guest to another, and there's a thread that connects all the guests together (2h56m3s).
• For technical guests in STEM fields, preparation includes reading papers, technical blog posts, and technical tweet threads, as well as running other people's code and writing own code to implement concepts from scratch (2h56m34s).
• When preparing for a guest, the goal is to find simple but profound insights at various levels of abstraction, sometimes by asking trivial questions to uncover non-trivial, counterintuitive, but fundamental ideas (2h56m56s).
• Each guest is their own puzzle, requiring unique preparation, such as listening to hundreds of songs produced by Rick Rubin or using a software company's tools and software (2h57m16s).
• When preparing for an interview, the focus is on what the interviewer is personally curious about, what they would want the guest to explain on a podcast, and what aspect of their thought process or humanity they would want to be surfaced (2h58m1s).
• During the conversation, the goal is to put ego aside, ask simple questions, define terms, give context, be open-minded, vulnerable, curious, and challenging when needed, while always showing empathy (2h58m25s).
• Challenging questions are asked, including follow-ups, but the goal is not to signal moral or intellectual superiority, but rather to allow the guest to open up and let the listener see their strengths and weaknesses (2h58m47s).
• The interviewer trusts the listener to detect flaws and strengths in the guest's thinking and to see through any flaws in the conversation (2h59m6s).
• The conversations are not always successful, sometimes due to factors like time constraints, chemistry, or mistakes, but the interviewer tries to take risks and enjoy the process (2h59m34s).

Travel and setup (3h0m4s)

• A viewer named Delyan spotted Lex at the Detroit airport and noticed his unique travel setup, which included a Microsoft Surface, Kinesis Advantage keyboard, and earbuds playing brown noise, and wondered why Lex would go through the hassle of carrying such a large keyboard (3h0m4s).
• Lex appreciates the viewer's curiosity and decides to answer the question, revealing that he has been using the Kinesis keyboard for over 20 years and it brings him joy, despite not having any health issues such as RSI that the keyboard is designed to prevent (3h2m0s).
• Lex explains that he is more productive with the Kinesis keyboard, able to type and correct mistakes quickly, and it allows him to think freely without physical constraints, but the real reason he uses it is sentimental, as it has been a part of his life for a long time (3h2m53s).
• Lex's travel setup typically includes a Windows laptop, but he mostly uses Linux on it through WSL, and sometimes dual-boots Linux and Windows, and he also carries a larger laptop with a bigger screen and better specs for video editing on longer trips (3h5m2s).
• Despite being minimalist, Lex has a few sentimental items, including his podcast recording equipment, which fits into a small suitcase, and he tries to keep his setup as simple as possible (3h5m38s).

Conclusion (3h5m51s)

• The time has come to conclude the conversation, and appreciation is expressed for the support received over the years, which is deeply valued (3h5m52s).
• For those who want to get in touch, a contact page is available at lexfridman.com/contact, where feedback can be provided, questions asked, guests requested for the podcast, or a Coffee with Lex form submitted for a casual chat (3h6m2s).
• Travel plans are underway for the year, with destinations including Europe and South America, and there is interest in organizing small meetups with interesting people along the way (3h6m18s).
• The experience has been described as a journey of a lifetime, and gratitude is expressed for everything (3h6m27s).
• The conversation is coming to a close, and a new adventure is on the horizon, with a message of love to all (3h6m35s).