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>>> HELLO, EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO "AMANPOUR & COMPANY".
HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP.
>> OUR STRATEGY IS WORKING.
>> A STRONG MESSAGE FROM THE ARMED FORCES.
WE BRING YOU THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH A MAN WHO COULD HELP DECIDE HIS COUNTRY'S FATE.
AND IS AMERICA SUPPORTIVE OF UKRAINE ENOUGH?
AND WILL IT CONTINUE.
AND I ASKED THE SENATOR A CLOSE ALLY OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.
>>> AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU BECOME A PARENT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE AND JUSTIFY.
IN THE YOU DID NOT NECESSARILY CONSIDER BEFORE.
>> POLITICAL RHETORIC AROUND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
PARENTHOOD AND CHOICE.
MAJOR SUPPORT FOR AMANPOUR AND COMPANY IS PROVIDED BY JIM ATTWOOD AND LESLIE WILLIAMS, CANDACE KING WEIR, THE SYLVIA A.
AND SIMON B. POYTA PROGRAMMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTISEMITISM, THE LEILA AND MICKEY STRAUS FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, MARK J. BLECHNER, THE FILOMEN M. D'AGOSTINO FOUNDATION, SETON J. MELVIN, THE PETER G. PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND, CHARLES ROSENBLUM, KOO AND PATRICIA YUEN, BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG, AND JEFFREY KATZ AND BETH ROGERS.
AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM, EVERYONE.
I'M SITTING IN FOR CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR.
WE BEGIN IN UKRAINE.
AND WITH THE WORLD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE TOP MILITARY COMMANDER.
THE FIRST TELEVISION INTERVIEW THAT HE WAS APPOINTED OF THE ARMED FORCES.
WE SPOKE ABOUT THE STRATEGY BEHIND THE OFFENSE, THE STATUS OF THE CITY AND THE LOW MORALE AMONG THE UKRAINIAN TROOPS AND MUCH MORE.
THE INTERVIEW COMES AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN THE WAR.
WHERE THEY WERE HIT BY A WAVE OF ENORMOUS HEAVY ATTACKS.
FROM THE EAST TO THE WESTERN CITY OF KIEV.
AND PUTIN SAID HIS MAIN AIM IS TO CAPTURE THE EASTERN AREA.
AND HIS ARMY HAS ACCELERATED ITS DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT IS UNDERGOING MAJOR CHANGES WITH THE BIGGEST CABINET RESHUFFLE THIS WEEK SINCE FEBRUARY, 2022.
WE SAT DOWN FOR A WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEW HELD AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION NEAR THE FRONT LINE.
>> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IT IS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU.
THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU DOING AN INTERVIEW ON TELEVISION.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU THINK THERE IS SUCH AN UPTICK IN THE WAR AGAINST THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
THE RUSSIAN BALLISTICS MISSILES IN ONE WEEK.
IT KILLED NEARLY 10 PEOPLE.
AND OVER 50 PEOPLE.
THE STRIKES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> Translator: I THINK THAT RUSSIA IS TRYING TO FORCE US TO GIVE UP AND BREAK OUR WILL TO RESIST.
BY HITTING OUR CIVILIANS AND DAMAGING CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE.
BY TARGETING OUR CIVILIANS IN THIS WAY, THEY ARE TRYING TO BREAK OUR WILL TO WIN.
>> LET ME ASK YOU.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU SPENT TIME THERE.
NEAR THE FRONT LINE.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY CAME UP WITH THIS OPERATION.
TELL ME FROM YOUR WORDS IN YOUR VIEW WHAT WAS THE STRATEGIC PURPOSE OF UKRAINIAN OPERATIONS INTO RUSSIA?
>> Translator: FIRST, THE ENEMY OF RUSSIAN TROOPS HAD PREVIOUSLY INTENDED TO USE THAT DIRECTION AS A FOOTHOLD FOR FURTHER OPERATIONS AGAINST OUR TROOPS.
IN ADDITION, THEY CONTINUED TO SHELL OUR SETTLEMENT DAILY.
THAT CAUSES TO SUFFER LOSSES.
PRIMARILY THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.
FOR US, THIS DIRECTION WAS ALWAYS A THREAT.
THEREFORE, IN ASSESSING OUR CAPABILITIES, WE CHOSE THE WEAKEST POINT IN THE ENEMY'S DEFENSE.
AND IN THE STRUCTURE.
THIS WAS CHOSEN.
THIS REDUCED THE THREAT OF AN ENEMY OFFENSIVE.
WE PREVENTED THEM FROM ACTING AND WE MOVED TO FIGHTING TO THE ENEMY TERRITORY.
SO HE CAN FEEL WHAT WE FEEL EVERY DAY.
WE CREATED OUR OWN SECURITIES.
AND IN ADDITION WE TOOK A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PRISONERS.
AND CREATED AN EXCHANGE FUND IN ORDER TO RELEASE OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO WERE IN ACTIVITY.
>> SOME OF YOU AND SAID PUBLICLY THAT THE REASON WAS TO DIVERT RUSSIAN FORCES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE EASTERN FRONT.
BUT THERE ARE OTHERS ON THE EASTERN FRONT AND COMMANDERS SAY THAT IS NOT DIVERGED ENOUGH FORCES.
THERE IS STILL A LOT OF PRESSURE ON YOUR FORCES ON THE EASTERN FRONT.
IN THE IMPORTANT LOGISTICAL HUB.
HAS IT BEEN STRATEGICALLY A SUCCESS AND EVEN TACTICALLY A SUCCESS?
AND DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT LOSE?
>> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN DO NOT TO LOSE.
WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR DEFENSES.
AND OVER THE PAST SIX DAYS THE ENEMY HAS NOT ADVANCED ONE SINGLE METER IN THAT DIRECTION.
SO OUR STRATEGY IS WORKING.
OF COURSE, THE ENEMY HAS CONCENTRATED THE MOST TRAINED OF ITS UNITS IN THAT SECTOR.
BUT WE HAVE DEPRIVED HIM OF THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER HIS UNITS AND THE ABILITY TO REDEPLOY HIS STRENGTHENING UNITS FROM OTHER AREAS.
SO, IN FACT IT TURNS OUT THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT MOVE ANY TROOPS FROM THAT AREA.
EXCEPT FOR ONE MARINA BRIGADE.
THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO MANEUVER THE RESERVES AS THEY USED TO.
THIS WEAKENING IS ACTUALLY FELT IN OTHER AREAS.
WE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF ARTILLERY ATTACKS AND THE INTENSITY OF OFFENSIVE ACTION HAS DECREASED.
IN FACT, THE DIRECTION REMAINS THE MOST PROBLEMATIC FOR US.
AND IN OTHER AREAS, THE SITUATION HAS BECOME MORE STABLE.
SO I THINK THE STRATEGY WAS CHOSEN CORRECTLY AND IT WILL BRING US THE DESIRED RESULT.
>> CAN I ASK YOU ABOUT THE OBVIOUS AND BALANCE.
THAT IS ESSENTIALLY UKRAINE WHILE YOU ARE FIGHTING HARD.
YOU ARE OUTGUNNED BY THE RUSSIANS.
THEY HAVE MUCH MORE AIR SET.
ALREADY, FOR EXAMPLE AND MORE DRONES AND MORE MISSILE CAPABILITY.
THEY HAVE MORE ARTILLERY CAPABILITY.
HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT THEY HAVE?
AND HOW DO YOU MAKE UP FOR THAT DIFFERENCE?
>> Translator: YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
BECAUSE THE ENEMY DOES HAVE AN ADVANTAGE IN ARTILLERY.
THE AMOUNT OF AMMUNITION THEY USE.
OF COURSE, PERSONAL, AND TANKS AND FIGHTING VEHICLES.
BUT THIS ALSO MOTIVATES US.
WE CANNOT FIGHT IN THE SAME WAY AS THEY DO.
SO WE MUST USE THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH.
USE OUR FORCES AND MEETS WITH A MAXIMUM USE AND ENGINEERING STRUCTURES AND TERRAIN.
ALSO TO USE TECHNICAL SUPERIORITY.
FIRST OF ALL BY FOCUSING ON HIGH-TECH WEAPONS.
THESE ARE PRIMARILY SYSTEMS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES.
YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE CREDITED THE WORLD'S FIRST SUCH KIND OF TROOPS AS THE UNMANNED SYSTEM FORCES.
WE HAVE CREATED A COMMAND.
AND UNITS.
WE HAVE CREATED REGIMENTS AND BATTALIONS.
THEY ARE NOW PROVING THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE FRONT LINE.
OUR BEST UNMANNED SYSTEM UNITS ARE CONCENTRATED IN THIS SECTOR.
IN ADDITION, OF COURSE WE USE MANEUVERS WITH FORCE, RESERVES AND FIRE.
THANK YOU TO THE ACTIONS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, THE PRESIDENT AND THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, WE MANAGED TO REDUCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AMMUNITION USED BY US AND THE ENEMY.
PROPORTIONATE SEXY ONE TO TWO.
OR ONE TO 2 1/2.
BUT ONE YEAR AGO THIS FIGURE WAS ONE TO 10 OR ONE TO SIX.
WE COMPENSATE FOR THIS DIFFERENCE WITH UNMANNED SYSTEMS.
WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON IMPROVING THEM.
AND INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVING THE CONTROL SYSTEM.
IN WAYS AND METHODS.
WE ARE TRYING TO MAXIMIZE OUR TECHNICAL SUPERIORITY OVER THE ENEMY.
TO OFFSET THEIR SUPERIORITY IN TERMS OF NUMBERS.
>> YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A MUCH LESS MANPOWER THAN THEY DO.
THE RUSSIANS HAVE SUCH A HUGE ADVANTAGE OF MAN POWER OVER YOU.
AND I THINK THEY HAVE SOMETHING LIKE MORE THAN ONE HALF MILLION PEOPLE.
AND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FULL-SCALE INVASIONS THEY HAD 100,000.
IT IS THOUGHT THEY MIGHT HAVE 700,000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
AND YOU SAID THAT WHEN YOU TOOK THIS JOB.
THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES IS TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN REPLENISH YOUR RANKS.
THE DRAFT, WHATEVER IT IS.
TO GET MORE AND MORE UKRAINIANS TO FIGHT.
HOW IS THAT GOING?
ARE YOU SATISFIED, OR NOT?
>> Translator: IN GENERAL, WE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN OUR CAPABILITIES AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL.
TO ENSURE REPLENISHMENT AND TRAINING OF NEW UNITS.
>> YES.
BUT WHAT QUALITY?
THERE APPEARS TO BE IN CERTAIN COMMANDERS AND FRONT LINE SOLDIERS THAT THERE IS A BIT OF A MORALE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF THE FRONT LINE.
A LOT OF YOUNG TRAINEES ARE BEING SENT OUT THERE.
THE BATTLE IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.
SOME OF THEM JUST LEAVE THE TRENCHES AND GO HOME.
I JUST WONDERED.
AGAIN, BOOSTING MORALE IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR JOB .
I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE 90,000 CASES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES OF DESERTION.
AND FAILURE TO TURN UP FOR DUTY.
TALK ABOUT THAT.
HOW CAN SOMEBODY LIKE YOU BOOST MORALE AND MAKE PEOPLE STILL WANT TO FIGHT?
WE FEEL AND WE HEAR THAT THAT MOMENT OF PENETRATING FERVOR THAT WAS SO OBVIOUS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INVASION SEEMS TO BE COOLING DOWN.
TRANSIT AND YOU ARE CORRECT ON THIS POINT.
THE ISSUE OF MORALE IS A VERY IMPORTANT AREA OF OUR WORK.
AND OF COURSE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE OPERATION AGAIN.
THIS WAS A FACTOR THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE MORALE OF NOT ONLY THE MILITARY BUT THE ENTIRE UKRAINIAN POPULATION.
THAT IS THAT IT WAS AND STILL IS THE AN INCENTIVE THAT IS BOOST TO THE MORALE OF OUR SERVICEMEN.
THEIR DESIRE TO WIN.
THIS IS FIRST OF ALL.
SECONDLY REGARDING TRAINING, OF COURSE.
EVERYBODY WANTS A LEVEL OF TRAINING TO BE THE BEST.
WE TRAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL AND MILITARY PERSONNEL.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DYNAMICS OF THE FRONT REQUIRE US TO PUT CONSTRICTED SERVICEMEN INTO SERVICE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THAT IS WHY WE USUALLY CONDUCT A BASIC MILITARY TRAINING FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH.
QUALIFY TRAINING FOR ONE HALF A MONTH TO ONE MONTH.
OUR SOLDIERS ARE TRAINED FOR ONE MONTH UP TO TWO MONTHS IN THE LONG-TERM.
WE ARE CONSIDERING INCREASING THIS AND THIS WILL GIVE US CERTAIN ADVANTAGES.
NOW WE FOCUS PRIMARILY ON THE PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR INSTRUCTORS.
HOLDING UP OUR TRAINING MATERIALS.
OUR TRAINING CENTERS.
USING TRAINING SCHOOLS WHERE SERVICEMEN HAVE ADVANCED SKILLS IN MASTERING WEAPONS RELATED TO EQUIPMENT.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE MAIN ACTIVITY OF THE GROUND FORCES.
THE AIRBORNE AND OTHERS TYPES OF TROOPS.
THAT ARE AIMED AT TRAINING QUALIFIED SPECIALISTS WHO TAKE PART IN COMBAT OPERATIONS.
>> AND YOU, AS COMMANDER.
COULD YOU GO TO THE FRONT LINES OR THE TRENCHES OR DO YOU SPEAK TO SOLDIERS AND COMMANDERS?
WHAT DO THEY SAY TO YOU?
AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN THERE FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
THEY DO NOT GET ROTATION OR TO SEE THEIR FAMILY.
THEY HAVE THESE TERRIFYING THINGS AND THE DRONES AND THAT IS SO MUCH.
IT IS ALMOST WORLD WAR I ATTACKS ON THEM IN THE TRENCHES.
AND THEY ARE THERE FOR A LONG TIME WITH NO REAL HOPE HOUR OF ROTATION.
WHAT DO THEY SAY WHEN YOU GO TO SEE THEM?
>> Translator: WE SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE.
WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER NO MATTER WHO I AM TALKING TO.
WEATHER IS AN ORDINARY SOLDIER, RIFLEMAN OR BRIGADE COMMANDER OR BATTALION COMMANDER.
YOU KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN IN THIS WAR SINCE 2014.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FULL SCALE AGGRESSION.
I'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IS THE COMMANDER OF THE OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC GROUP.
NOW I'M THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE.
THE FRONT LINE IS MY LIFE.
WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.
I KNOW ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT OUR SERVICE AND OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS EXPERIENCE.
DESPITE THE DIFFICULT SITUATION WE CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT ROTATIONS.
WE DID NOT STOP THIS PROCESS.
AND WHEN THERE WERE PERHAPS MORE DIFFICULT TIMES.
THE ISSUE OF ROTATION REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR US.
OF COURSE, PEOPLE GET EXHAUSTED AND NEED REST.
THAT IS WHAT THE UNITS ARE EITHER WITHDRAWN TO THE REAR FOR REST OR SENT TO TRAINING CENTERS.
THEY SPENT ONE MONTH RECUPERATING.
AND IN THIS WAY PEOPLE RESTORE THEIR COMBAT CAPABILITIES.
AND THEIR MORAL AND MENTAL STATE AND GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
>> YOU BECAME THE OVERALL COMMANDER AT ABOUT THE TIME THAT THE U.S. CONGRESS FINALLY APPROVED THE AMOUNT OF WEAPONS AND HELP THAT THEY PROMISED YOU.
IT WAS A DELAY OF SIX MONTHS TO SEVEN MONTHS.
WHAT MATERIAL DIFFERENCE DID THAT MAKE IT TO YOUR FIGHT?
THE FACT THAT THESE WEAPONS WERE DELAYED FOR SO LONG?
>> Translator: OF COURSE THIS IS HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO SHOOT WITH.
NOTHING TO HOLD BACK THE ENEMY.
FIRST OF ALL, LEADS TO AN INCREASE OF LEVEL OF LOSSES IN THE INCREASE OF OUR LOSSES.
NOT ONLY IN MATERIAL RESOURCES BUT ALSO HUMAN RESOURCES.
BECAUSE THE HIGHEST VALUE IS THE LIFE OF A SOLDIER.
IT IS VERY PAINFUL FOR US.
OF COURSE IT IS PAINFUL TO SEE THAT THE LOSSES OF SOLDIERS ARE INCREASING.
WHILE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF TROOPS IS ALSO EXTREMELY REDUCED.
WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SHOOT WITH YOU CANNOT HIT THE ENEMY EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
AND THIS LEADS TO THE LOSS OF TERRITORY.
SO HOW CAN THIS AFFECT US?
OF COURSE, NEGATIVELY.
>> IT HASN'T MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE THAT THE WEAPONS HAVE STARTED TO COME NOW?
>> Translator: OF COURSE THIS IS MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.
WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE WEAPONS ARRIVE SOONER BECAUSE OF FORCE THIS PROCESS IS HAPPENING BUT IT IS HAPPENING WITH A DELAY.
THIS IS ALSO NEGATIVE FOR US.
ESPECIALLY COMES TO THE FORMATION OF NEW UNITS.
OR WHEN A UNIT IS FORMED AND THERE IS NO EQUIPMENT, NO WEAPONS.
HOW SHOULD WE PERCEIVE IT?
IF YOU USED IN MECHANIZED BRIGADE BUT USE IT AS AN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
AS A RESULT IT'S COMBAT CAPABILITIES AND EFFECTIVENESS ARE MUCH LOWER.
>> AND OBVIOUSLY, YOUR MINISTERS, YOUR PRESIDENT.
THEY ARE REALLY APPEALING TO THE UNITED STATES ESPECIALLY.
TO STOP THE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW YOU WOULD USE WEAPONS THAT DO GET HERE.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THESE WEAPONS IF THERE WERE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THEM?
HOW WOULD YOU USE THEM?
>> Translator: WE HAVE REPEATEDLY DECLARED HOW WE ARE GOING TO USE THEM.
OF COURSE, WE WOULD USE WEAPONS ONLY AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS.
PRIMARILY AGAINST MISSILE SYSTEMS THAT STRIKE POPULATED AREAS ALMOST DAILY.
THIS LEADS TO THE LOSS OF CIVILIAN LIVES.
YOU KNOW HOW MANY SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN UKRAINE.
OF COURSE THESE ARE THE AIRFIELDS IN WHICH THE STRIKE AIRCRAFT THE RUSSIANS AND THEIR FORCES ARE USING MISSILE WEAPONS.
THEY USE THEIR GUIDED BONDS THAT THEY DROPPED TO 70 KILOMETERS OR EVEN MORE.
AND AGAIN, THEY HAD SCHOOLS AND POPULATED AREAS.
THESE ARE THE TARGETS.
OF COURSE, WE WILL USE LONG- RANGE WEAPONS AGAINST THESE TARGETS.
WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST CIVILIANS.
WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE RUSSIAN ARMY.
>> YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE LAND FORCES DURING THE INITIAL PART OF THE INVASION IN 2022.
AND YOU WERE CREATED HERE OF THE UKRAINE BY THE PRESIDENT FOR SUCCESSFULLY REPELLING THE RUSSIAN ATTEMPT TO TAKE KIEV.
YOU LIFTED THE SIEGE.
AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PORTIONS RUSSIANS FROM KIEV.
OF COURSE, THE SUCCESS IN OTHER CITIES.
SINCE THEN, IT IS BEEN MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
CAN YOU HAVE NOT DONE AS MUCH AS PERHAPS YOU WERE EXPECTED TO DO.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE WAR TO GO FOR UKRAINE FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, FOR INSTANCE?
TRANSIT AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
BUT OF COURSE WE PLAN COMBAT OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS.
WE MAKE APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATIONS OF OUR ARMED FORCES AND OUR NEEDS.
OF COURSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO VICTORY.
AND THE HELP OF OUR PARTNERS, OUR ALLIES WOULD HELP US A LOT.
IT WOULD HELP US A LOT OF ALL RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF WEAPONS ON THE TERRITORY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS.
NOT AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.
AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS WERE LIFTED.
THE PLANNED DELIVERY OF WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT WOULD ALLOW US TO BRING OUR NEW BRIGADE WHICH IS ALSO BEING FORMED AND IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FORMED.
INTO SERVICE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OF COURSE, THIS WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE OVERALL LEVEL OF OUR CAPABILITIES.
THAT IS HOW I SEE IT.
THAT IS ONLY IN THE FIGHT TO WIN.
WE ARE ALL DETERMINED TO WIN.
AND AGAIN THE OPERATION SHOW THAT VICTORY IS THE INCENTIVE THAT BOOSTS THE MORALE OF OUR MILITARY AND OUR ENTIRE POPULATION.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT AND NO OTHER WAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
TRANSIT AND I THINK YOU, AS WELL.
IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION.
IF WE ARE GOING TO FINISH OF COURSE I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND WORDS OF GRATITUDE TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE ASSISTANCE AND THE SUPPORT.
THE POLITICAL AND LOGISTICAL AND THE MATERIAL SUPPORT THAT IS PROVIDED TO US ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOT LEFT ALONE.
ONLY TOGETHER WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS.
I'M GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE.
TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONGER.
>> TOGETHER, WE CAN WIN.
AND YOU HALF TO WIN.
THANK YOU.
>> WE HAD TO WIN IN ENGLISH.
AND IN THE UNITED STATES THERE IS BREAKING NEWS.
THE JUDGE ANNOUNCING THAT HE WILL DELAY SENTENCING UNTIL AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
LET US GET MORE OR LESS BREAKING NEWS AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE.
THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, CHRIS KUHN AND THE CLOSEST ALLIES OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN JOINS US FROM THE CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS.
AND IN DELAWARE.
SENATOR, WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.
WE WILL GET INTO THE WIDE RANGING CONVERSATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN JUST A SECOND.
BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REACT TO THIS NEWS THAT CNN IS JUST REPORTING IT.
THE JUDGE HAS DELAYED THE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SENTENCING.
THAT IS UNTIL AFTER ELECTION DAY.
THIS IS THE ONE CASE AND THAT THE PRESIDENT AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAD BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN.
THE SENTENCE HAD BEEN EXPECTED FOR SEPTEMBER 18.
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAD ASKED FOR A DELAY AND THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HIS TACTIC FOR MANY OF THESE CASES.
ONCE AGAIN HE SEEMS TO MOUNT THE VICTOR ON THAT END.
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
>> WELL, MY RESPONSE IS THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY CASE IN WHICH HE HAS BEEN FOUND LIABLE.
HE WAS ALSO FOUND LIABLE FOR COMMERCIAL FRAUD AND FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT.
IN TWO OTHER CASES IN NEW YORK.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT WHEN VOTERS GO TO THE VOTING BOOTH IN THE POLLING PLACE FOR THE ELECTION THIS FALL.
THEY WILL CONSIDER THAT.
I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK INTO THE JUDGE'S RATIONALE IN THIS CASE.
I CANNOT COMMENT ON IT ON ANY DETAIL.
IT IS STRIKING THE WAY OF A FORMER PRESIDENT RUNNING FOR ELECTION TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE UNITED STATES.
ARGUABLY IN THE FREE WORLD.
WHO CONTINUES TO FACE CHARGES IN OTHER CASES.
WHO IS BEEN FILTERING GUILTY OR LIBEL AND OTHER FOR COMMERCIAL FRAUD, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND FOR PAYING OFF A STAR TO MISLEAD THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
I THINK IT IS REALLY STRIKING.
I HOPE VOTERS WILL CONSIDER.
>> WE HAVE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF HIGH RANKING REPUBLICAN AND FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS.
LIZ CHENEY AND ADAM KISSINGER WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED RECENTLY THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTING KAMALA HARRIS.
BECAUSE OF THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDUCT OF DONALD TRUMP WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT.
I HOPE THERE ARE THE REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS THAT WILL TAKE THIS NEW SERIOUSLY.
>> TO THINK HOW NOT KNOWING HOW FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE SENTENCED NOW IS A DISSERVICE TO VOTERS BEFORE THEY GO TO THE POLLS?
>> LUCK, I THINK WHAT THEY MOST NEED TO KNOW IS THAT HE HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY.
THAT SHOULD MATTER TO A LOT OF FOLKS.
AND HOW SEVERE AND HOW LONG THE SENTENCE CAN MATTER LESS THE FACT THAT HE HAS BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS.
>> LET US GO OVERSEAS AND IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW THAT CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR HAD WITH THE TOP GENERAL IN UKRAINE.
IT IS RARE THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM ON CAMERA SINCE THIS WAR BEGAN.
AND IT IS NOTABLE.
THAT HE CHOSE NOT TO SIT DOWN WITH CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR AND A BIG FOCUS OF THIS INTERVIEW IS SOMETHING YOU KNOW WELL.
THAT UKRAINE IS CONSISTENT IN REQUESTING THE USE OF LONG RANGE WEAPONS INSIDE OF RUSSIA.
TODAY WE HEARD FROM PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY MEETING IN GERMANY.
WITH AVOID AUSTIN AND WE SEE YOUR LONG-RANGE POLICY HAS NOT CHANGED.
TO WHICH SECRETARY AUSTIN REPLIED THAT THE DONATED U.S.
WEAPONS FOR LONG-RANGE STRIKES INTO RUSSIA WOULD NOT TURN THE TIDE OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE.
IS THAT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?
THAT UKRAINE CANNOT CONTINUE TO USE LONG-RANGE WEAPONS INSIDE RUSSIA?
>> WELL, I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
BUT I THINK IT IS URGENT THAT WE SEND AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN TO UKRAINE.
AND THEY CONTINUE TO FACE DEVASTATING MISSILE ATTACKS AND GLIDE BOMB ATTACKS ACROSS ALL OF UKRAINE.
PUTIN IS DETERMINED TO TRY AND BREAK THE WILL OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.
AND I CONTINUE TO SEE THAT A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION MIGHT PUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE THE PAIR OF TRUMP ADVANCE.
WHO HAVE ACTIVELY QUESTIONS WHETHER WE SHOULD SUPPORT UKRAINE IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
I URGE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, AND KAMALA HARRIS IN THE SECURITY LEADERSHIP TO GIVE UKRAINE EVERYTHING THEY NEED .
IN ORDER TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST ONGOING RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE AND OTHER GENERALS IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UKRAINIANS THEMSELVES.
THEY SAY THIS GIVES RUSSIA THE ADVANTAGE.
NOT LETTING THIS RESTRICTION FOR THE USE OF U.S.
PROVIDED LONG-RANGE WEAPONS INSIDE OF RUSSIA.
AND WE HEARD THE GENERAL SAY THAT IT IS A SELF-DEFENSE MORE THAN ANYTHING FOR THE UKRAINIANS.
>> I DO THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE GIVING UKRAINIANS THE ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
WHERE THIS IS DIFFICULT RECENTLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE ATTACKS IN WHICH IS A MAJOR UKRAINIAN CITY.
VERY CLOSE TO THE RUSSIAN BORDER.
THEY ARE USING AIRBASES AND GLIDE BOMBS AND LAUNCH PLATFORMS THAT GET INTO THE AIR AND LAUNCH THE ATTACKS FROM WITHIN RUSSIAN TERRITORY.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AUTHORIZE THE USE OF AMMUNITION TO STRIKE BACK AGAINST THOSE RESULTS.
I KNOW IT AS AN ACTIVE AND ONGOING DISCUSSION ABOUT FAR INTO RUSSIA AND HOW AMMUNITIONS TO ALLOW THE UKRAINIANS TO STRIKE.
I RESPECT OUR PRESIDENTS CONCERN ABOUT ESCALATION.
I UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAS MUCH MORE DETAILED INTELLIGENCE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE KREMLIN AND HIS THINKING AND THE RUSSIAN MILITARY AND PUTIN THAN I DO.
BUT OVER THE COURSE OF THESE TWO YEARS.
TIME AND AGAIN WE'VE BEEN SHOWN THAT WHEN WE TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
WHEN WE PROVIDE UKRAINE WITH MORE SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS.
AND WITH MORE ROBUST TO SUPPORT THEY PUT IT TO GOOD USE.
THIS IS A DIFFICULT FIGHT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THE UKRAINIANS IN THE STRONGEST, POSSIBLE POSITION.
FOR THEM TO PUSH BACK ON THEIR BRUTAL AGGRESSION FROM RUSSIA IN UKRAINE.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS ASSEMBLED MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE.
I JUST CAME BACK FROM A BIPARTISAN DELEGATION .
IT VISITED JAPAN AND KOREA.
BOTH SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN HAVE BEEN SENDING SUPPORT TO UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.
THAT IS JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS IS THE FREE WORLD FIGHT IN UKRAINE AGAINST RUSSIA.
>> HAVE U.S.
WEAPONS IN YOUR VIEW, SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARDS TO THE UKRAINE AND OF COURSE, REPORTING SUGGESTS THAT THE U.S. WAS NOT GIVEN A HEADS UP.
HAS THAT PUT TO GOOD USE?
YOU WERE THE GENERAL SAY THAT THAT STRATEGY IS WORKING.
MANY ANALYSTS QUESTION THAT.
>> I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ANALYST WOULD QUESTION THAT.
IS CERTAINLY WORKING DEATH UKRAINIAN TROOPS SURPRISED AND CAPTURED A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM.
AND THEY GOT FURTHER AND DEEPER INTO RUSSIAN TERRITORY THAT WAS INITIALLY INSPECTED.
AND IT COULD BE THAT ANALYSTS WILL QUESTION WHAT THE ULTIMATE COST WOULD BE IN TERMS OF LIVES.
>> YES.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.
>> I DO EXPECT THAT ANALYSTS ARE QUESTIONING HOW SUSTAINABLE IT IS BUT IN TERMS OF THE UKRAINIANS DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE STRATEGIC RISK.
TO SURPRISE THEIR OPPONENTS.
THAT IS ONE OF SEVERAL THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE IN RECENT MONTHS.
IT HAS SHOWN THE BOLDNESS AND ALSO RELAYING THE SIX ACTS OF THEIR TACTICS.
LET ME POINT TO ONE ANOTHER IN A BLACK SEA.
THE UKRAINIANS HAVE MADE A DEVASTATING USE OF NAVAL DRONES TO EFFECTIVELY DRIVE THE RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FEET AND ALSO TO REOPEN THE LANES OF THE BLACK SEA FOR UKRAINIAN GRAIN EXPORTS.
IF YOU'D ASKED ME TWO YEARS AGO OR ONE YEAR AGO.
WHERE THE UKRAINIANS WOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEAT THE RUSSIANS AND THE CONTROL OF THE BLACK SEA.
AND RESTORE THEIR ABILITY TO EXPORT SHIP AFTER SHIP AFTER SHIP OF UKRAINIAN FOOD PRODUCTS TO THE WORLD.
I WOULD SAY THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNLIKELY.
THERE BOLDNESS AND USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE CREATIVITY.
A STRATEGIC THAT IS NOT APPRECIATED AS BROADLY AS IT SHOULD BE IN THIS COUNTRY.
>> LET ME EXPAND.
AND THAT CONTINUED ELECTION INTERFERENCE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ACCUSED RUSSIA OF PLANTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE RIGHT-WING AMERICAN INFLUENCES TO SPREAD ITS PROPAGANDA.
SIMILAR TO THE PLAYBOOK WE SAW IN 2016.
AND THIS IS NOW IMPACTING AMERICANS HERE WHO ARE GETTING PAID.
WHETHER THEY ARE USEFUL IDIOTS OR KNOW WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY GETTING PAID FOR.
THAT IS A SEPARATE QUESTION.
BUT I WANT TO PLAY SOUND FROM ONE PARTICULAR PODCAST.
TIM POOLE HAS RAISED A LOT OF CONCERNS.
>> THIS IS PSYCHOTIC.
UKRAINE IS THE ENEMY OF THIS COUNTRY.
UKRAINE IS OUR ENEMY PICK UP GETTING FUNDED BY THE DEMOCRATS.
ONE OF THE GREATEST ENEMIES OF OUR NATION RIGHT NOW IS UKRAINE.
>> THIS IS REPORTING TODAY FROM THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS THAT THE RUSSIA IS THE MOST ACTIVE FOREIGN ADVERSARY TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION.
RUSH IS NOT ALONE.
CHINA IS ALSO INFLUENCING TO NOW IRAN IS MORE ACTIVE THAN PREVIOUS CYCLES STEPPING UP ITS EFFORTS.
CALL THIS IS FROM A U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL.
DOES THAT SUGGEST THE U.S. IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO DETER SOME OF OUR ADVERSARIES FROM TRYING TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS?
NOW FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO?
>> WELL, THEY ARE CERTAINLY TAKING ADVANTAGE THAT WE ARE A FREE AND OPEN SOCIETY.
PENETRATING SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUTTING UP WRONG INFORMATION AND TAKING ADVANTAGE AND FURTHER EXACERBATING THE DIVISIONS THAT EXIST WITHIN OUR BODY OF POLITICS AND SOCIETY.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS APPEALING TO AUTHORITARIAN ADVERSARIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
AS YOUR REFERENCE WE SOUGHT IN THE 2016 ELECTION CYCLE.
WE DID NOT SEE IT IN 2018 BECAUSE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN ACTIVITY FROM OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.
TO PUSH BACK ON A RUSSIAN ACTORS WHO HAVE BEEN SO ENGAGED IN 2016.
WE DO DETER SOME OF THAT ACTIVITY IN 2020.
BUT WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT AND CONSTANTLY ENGAGED.
CYCLE AFTER CYCLE.
AND THERE IS A NUMBER OF BILLS IN CONGRESS THAT I HOPE WE WILL MOVE TO TRY TO PREVENT THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
TO GENERATE DEEP FAKES PROFOUNDLY MISLEADING AUDIO AND VIDEO MESSAGES.
WE HAVE SEEN INFLUENCE ELECTIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND OTHER DEMOCRACIES.
IN TAIWAN, FOR EXAMPLE, SLOVAKIA.
AND EARLIER IN THIS SEASON THERE WAS A DEEP FAKE OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CALLING NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS.
THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN ENOUGH OF AN ALARM TO GET US TO MOVE OFF.
AND MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE THE SENATOR AND THE CHAIR OF THE RULES COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD A BILL THAT WOULD EMPOWER OUR RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF DEEP FAKES IN CAMPAIGNS THIS FALL.
I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE PASSED IN THE REMAINING DAYS OF THIS CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.
WHEN WE GET BACK INTO SESSION NEXT WEEK.
>> WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT WILL BE PASSED?
>> I CONTINUE TO BE HOPE FOR.
IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
THERE WAS A RECOGNITION IN THE SENATE OF THE URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE.
BUT WE HAVE DIFFICULTY PASSING BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION.
BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.
THERE ARE QUITE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE.
QUITE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.
AS THE PREVIOUS LONG INTERVIEW WITH THE SENIOR GENERAL POINTED OUT.
THE MONTHS LONG DELAY IN THE HOUSE.
FROM THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA.
PROVIDED A CRITICAL OPENING FOR THE RUSSIANS THIS SUMMER.
ULTIMATELY SPEAKER JOHNSON PUT THE BILL ON THE FLOOR.
AND ULTIMATELY IT PASSED WITH A STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTE.
BUT THE SIX-MONTH DELAY IN FUNDING UKRAINIAN DEFENSES REALLY WAS A CRITICAL ADVANTAGE FOR THE RUSSIANS.
>> I DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT YOU HEAR IT FROM U.S.
ALLIES AND UKRAINIANS AND CONCERN COMING FROM KIEV WITH REGARDS TO THE U.S. ELECTION.
AND ITS OUTCOME AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE.
AND ITS FIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF FROM RUSSIA.
YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE BACK FROM YOUR BIPARTISAN TRIP WITH AMERICAN ALLIES IN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA.
TO BOLSTER ECONOMIC SECURITY.
BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT IS BEING REPORTED.
THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO BLOCK THE ACQUISITION OF U.S. STEEL.
USING PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITIES PROVIDED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT OF THE NIGHT STATES.
AND SOME ARE CALLING THIS AN ABUSE OF THIS POWER.
ORDERED A VERY POWERFUL TOOL BUT IT IS RARELY USED.
HOW IS THIS ACQUISITION A THREAT TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY IN YOUR VIEW?
>> WELL, I DO NOT HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE DECISION.
IT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED AS I WAS ON THE FLIGHT HOME.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT IT IS A STRONG TOOL.
AND IN OUR CONVERSATION WITH KOREAN AND JAPANESE PARTNERS.
THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING TO DEVELOP A SIMILAR APPROACH THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL THREAT TO THEIR SECURITY.
IN PARTICULAR, CHINESE INVESTMENT AND STRATEGIC SECTORS.
WE MET WITH A NUMBER OF CEOS OF SEMI CONDUCTORS AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.
THEY'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BIDEN AND HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.
TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXPORT TO CHINA OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED SEMI CONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT.
SOME OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY.
QUANTUM COMPUTING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM PRECISION BIOLOGY.
THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THEIR TRIP.
WE ADDRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING AND DEEPENING THE U.S. TIES TO BOTH JAPAN AND KOREA.
I THINK OF ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AS A WORLD LEADER.
GETTING KOREA AND JAPAN TO MOVE MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER.
AFTER HIS CAMP DAVID SUMMIT AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN LAST YEAR.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE HAS HAD.
I WAS ENCOURAGED TO HEAR A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC SENATORS REPEATEDLY SAYING.
IN TOKYO THAT WE INTEND TO SUSTAIN THAT MOVEMENT.
THE MATTER WHO WINS BACK.
>> I AM SURE THAT YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND CONCERN FROM JAPANESE OFFICIALS ON THIS NEWS.
THE PRESIDENT IS REPORTED TO BLOCK THIS DEAL.
JAPAN IS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY.
AND THE SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> AS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FAILED TO OFFER SPECIFICS ON HOW HE WOULD MAKE CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE.
WHEN ASKED AS AN ECONOMIC FORUM IN NEW YORK.
THIS IS WHEN A TIME AROUND THE WORLD ARE INCREASINGLY CONSIDERING WHETHER TO HAVE CHILDREN AT ALL.
WE EXPLORE THE REASONS FOR THIS GLOBAL TREND IN A NEW BOOK, WHAT OUR CHILDREN FOR.
WITH INFLUENCE AND CHOICE.
>> THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE.
>> WHAT THAT INTRIGUED ME ABOUT YOUR BOOK.
IT SEEMS THAT IN THIS COUNTRY FOR A LOT OF REASONS.
SOME OF THEM ARE POLITICAL.
AND DECLINING BIRTH RATE AND PEOPLE HAVING FEWER KIDS.
THAT IS A BIG THING AND A POLITICAL ISSUE.
BUT YOU ARE TELLING US THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON.
ANASTASIA HOW DO WE KNOW THIS AND HOW IS THAT IS?
>> FOR RACHEL AND MYSELF WE WANT TO DO TAKE OUR INVESTIGATION AND WHY ARE PEOPLE NOT HAVING KIDS.
THE REAL LIVING DELIBERATIONS AND THE CONCERNS AND THE EXPERIENCES THEY ARE HAVING.
WHAT WE FOUND WAS ESPECIALLY FOR LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES.
FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WE HAVE FORCES THAT ARE ENCOURAGING THEM TO DELAY THINKING ABOUT THE QUESTION OF CHILDREN.
AND IN FACT, ALIENATING THEM FROM THE PROSPECT OF HAVING CHILDREN.
THESE INCLUDED NARRATIVES OF PERSONAL, ROMANTIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.
AND THEY ALL DEMAND THAT WE REACH A CERTAIN TYPE OF'S LEVEL OF READINESS.
STABILITY IN OUR CAREER, AND CERTAINTY IN OUR ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS.
BEFORE WE EVEN THE ASK THE QUESTION OF CHILDREN.
THE SAME TIME WE HAVE ETHICAL PRESSURES.
ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE COMING OUT AS A CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATES.
THEY ARE MAKING US QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN SO MUCH AS TO JUSTIFY HAVING CHILDREN.
GIVEN THE PRESENT REALITY.
>> I THINK PARTICULARLY THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE A COMMON CONCEPTION.
IF THERE WAS MORE SOCIAL SUPPORT PERHAPS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
AND WITH MORE SUBSIDIZED CHILDCARE.
FOR MORE EXTENSIVE AND MORE SUPPORTIVE MATERNITY LEAVE AND FAMILY LEAVE.
PEOPLE WOULD HAVE KIDS.
SO BASICALLY IT IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE AT THE HEART OF IT.
BUT YOU ARE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT EVEN IN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE THOSE THINGS.
BIRTHRATES ARE DECLINING.
CAN YOU GO INTO THAT MORE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
COUNTRIES LIKE THE NORDIC STATES .
THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES.
AND MATERNITY LEAVE, IT IS OVER ONE YEAR.
AND EVEN A CHILD TAX CREDITS.
PLACES LIKE SOUTH KOREA PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT HAVING CHILDREN AT THE RATES THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT.
WHICH HE DOES PUT PRESSURE ON THE NARRATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.
IT IS JUST ECONOMICS.
TO BLAME FOR PEOPLE NOT HAVING CHILDREN TODAY.
>> CAN I ASK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR METHODS.
HOW DID YOU FIGURE OUT?
ESPECIALLY IN COUNTRIES THAT ARE SO DIFFERENT?
>> THERE IS MORE AND MORE EMPIRICAL RESEARCH INTO THE TYPE OF REASONS THAT PEOPLE WOULD GIVE FOR WHY THEY DO NOT HAVE KIDS.
THE WAY THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT NOT HAVING CHILDREN.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE DO NOT NECESSARILY KNOW WHY THEY'RE NOT HAVING KIDS.
BUT THE QUESTION IS SO FRAUGHT AND DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE.
SO IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONDUCT BOTH QUALITATIVE.
AND OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS AND SURVEYS THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLENNIAL'S.
AND WE FOLLOWED UP WITH SEVERAL DOZEN INTERVIEWS WHERE WE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATIONS.
WHERE WE COULD EXPLORE THE NARRATIVES, THE EXPLANATIONS AND THE STORIES THAT PEOPLE WERE GIVING.
THAT WERE RELATED TO THIS QUESTION.
>> AS WE'RE SPEAKING NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POLITICAL ELECTION IN THE NIGHT STATES.
JD VANCE HAS BEEN GOING ON RECORD SAYING THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDS SHOULD HAVE MORE OF A STAKE IN THE FUTURE.
THEY SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE MORE SAY OVER THE POLICY OF THE COUNTRY.
AND HE USED THIS PHRASE CHILDLESS CAT LADIES.
THE DEMOCRATIC IS RUN BY CHILDLESS CAT LADIES.
THEY ARE SELFISH AND WEIRD IS THE IMPLICATION.
COULD YOU ENGAGE WITH THAT?
IS THERE ANY KERNEL OF TRUTH TO THAT?
>> I THINK THERE IS A VERY PERVASIVE NARRATIVE.
YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE NOT HAVING CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE SELFISH OR IMMATURE.
BUT WHAT WE FOUND IS ACTUALLY THE STANDARDS FOR READINESS.
FOR HAVING A FAMILY ARE SO HIGH.
AND DOES SO IN DETERMINANT TODAY.
ACTUALLY IT IS ALMOST AT THE BAR FOR MATURITY IS SET TOO HIGH.
PEOPLE FEEL THEY HAVE TO CHECK OFF A VERY LONG LIST OF TWO DUES BEFORE THEY WILL FEEL READY TO SETTLE DOWN AND START A FAMILY.
THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO A VERY EXTENSIVE SAVINGS.
AND THEY NEED TO BE VERY ESTABLISHED IN THE CAREER.
AND THEY HAVE FOUND A MAXIMUM COMPATIBLE PARTNER.
AND THEY HAVE ACHIEVED A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND SELF FULFILLMENT.
BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN CONTEMPLATE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD WANT CHILDREN.
>> WHY DO PEOPLE THINK THAT?
>> AS A RESPONSE TO BOTH THE REALITY AND THE REPRESENTATION.
THE MILLENNIAL'S, AND PARTICULARLY, ECONOMICALLY PRECARIOUS.
WE HAVE A TYPE OF BUNKER MENTALITY.
AND PRECISELY THAT GENERATION THAT AS WE WERE SAYING.
THEY WERE HOLDING THEMSELVES UP ALMOST TOO HIGH OF A STANDARD OF MATURITY.
AS OPPOSED TO THIS NARRATIVE OF THEM AS CAREFREE, IMMATURE AND SELFISH.
AND IT IS ALSO WORTH ADDING THAT WHEN PEOPLE WERE SURVEYED TODAY.
AND IF THEY WERE ASKED WHAT OTHER TYPE OF CONDITIONS FOR FILLING LIFE?
MANY THINGS WERE NAMED AS HIGH PRIORITIES THAT ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE THINK IS SELFISHNESS.
PEOPLE RAKE CASH RATE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS.
TO LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE.
IT IS CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR THAT WE ARE FINDING NOW.
SQUARELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT LIST.
>> WHAT IS REALLY THE DOMINANT REASON?
AND YOU WOULD SAY THAT IT IS NOT REALLY THE MONEY OR THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE AND EXHAUSTING.
SAYING WITH A PERSON WITH TWO KIDS IN COLLEGE.
BUT IS IT LIKE PEOPLE FEEL THAT THE BAR FOR BEING A PARENT IS REALLY HIGH.
AND ALSO THAT IT INTERFERES WITH YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
IS THAT REALLY AT THE CORE OF IT?
>> I THINK BOTH OF THOSE THINGS POINT TO SOMETHING REALLY FUNDAMENTAL.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU BECOME A PARENT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO TO CHOOSE AND JUSTIFY.
IN A WAY THAT YOU DID NOT NECESSARILY BEFORE.
FROM MY MOTHER'S GENERATION, IT WAS ALMOST CONSIDERED A GIVEN.
SHE WOULD WANT TO BECOME A PARENT.
WAS AN OPT OUT SITUATION FORCES THAT OPT IN.
WHETHER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY THEY FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE A REASON FOR WHY THEY WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN.
AND HAVE ALL THAT FIGURED OUT.
ONLY GETS EXACERBATED BY THE SCRIPTS AND NARRATIVES THAT ARE SO PERVASIVE TODAY.
THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DELAY AND POSTPONE THE DECISION.
>> IS IS A FUNCTION OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EDUCATED AND LIBERAL ELITES?
>> IN FACT, THIS IS BEING MORE PERVASIVE ACROSS SECTORS OF SOCIETY.
WE SEE IN LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS GROUPS, PEOPLE ARE TELLING HAVING CHILDREN LONGER THAN BEFORE.
I THINK THERE IS A TENDENCY TO ASSUME THAT THIS IS JUST A PROBLEM OF THE ELITE.
BUT IN FACT, IT IS A GLOBAL PHENOMENON.
IT IS SEEN ACROSS SECTORS OF SOCIETY.
>> AMONG RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, IS THAT ALSO THE CASE?
>> THIS IS DEFINITELY A PHENOMENON OF SECULAR SOCIETY.
AND WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT SPECIFICALLY IN THE U.S.
CONTEXT.
NOT ONLY HAS THIS BECOME AN ISSUE THAT IS DIVIDED ACROSS THE SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS LIVES.
BUT WE ALSO SING IT INCREASINGLY POLITICIZED.
IF THERE WAS A POINT IN THE NOT SO DISTANT PAST.
WHERE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARGUED ABOUT WHO IS THE PARTY OF FAMILY VALUES.
TODAY, NO SUCH ARGUMENT EXISTS.
IN FACT, WE SEE THAT PEOPLE WOULD THINK THAT INCREASINGLY.
TO BE ON THE LEFT MEANS TO HAVE A TYPE OF DISTANCE.
AND EVEN THE QUESTION OF CHILDREN.
AND WE SEE THAT BUT BECAUSE OF EVERY TYPE OF POLICY FAILURE, A WILLINGNESS TO THREATEN THE ABSENCE OF REPRODUCTION IN ITS FACE.
WHETHER IT IS CLIMATE CHANGE, THE REPEAL OF ROE VERSUS WADE OR THE LACK OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROVISIONS.
WE ALSO SEE AN INCREASED WILLINGNESS TO BE, QUITE NEGATIVE ON CHILDREN.
AND PERHAPS IN OUR PUBLIC SPACES.
I WAS RECENTLY ASKED BECAUSE WE ARE ENGAGED IN THIS TOPIC .
TO COMMENTED THAT PUBLIC SPACES WE SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ASKING FOR CHILD FREE ZONES.
WHETHER IN RESTAURANTS OR CELEBRATING AT WEDDINGS.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION THAT IS MOSTLY RELEVANT TO THE UNITED STATES.
BUT THERE WAS A SEISMIC EVENT WHEN THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED NATIONWIDE ACCESS TO ABORTION.
BY OVERTURNING ROE VERSUS WADE.
DO YOU THINK IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE WAY THE PEOPLE HAVE ON HAVING CHILDREN?
>> YES.
I THINK THE DECISION HAS HAD A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT IMPACTS.
ONE IMPORTANT ONE IS THAT IT CEDED A WEARINESS.
ESPECIALLY AMONG LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES.
EVEN ABOUT DISCUSSING THE QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN.
IT HAS MADE THIS CONVERSATION, OVERALL CONSERVATIVELY CODED.
SUCH THAT IT HAS MADE IT EVEN HARDER FOR LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES TO EMBRACE THE CHOICE.
TO HAVE CHILDREN.
BUT WE THINK THAT IT IS ACTUALLY QUITE A NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT.
IT ONLY ALLOWS THE RIGHT TO SET THE AGENDA FOR WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND THEIR CHOICES.
AND YET ANOTHER WAY.
>> ANOTHER INTERESTING POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT, FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS PREVIOUSLY BRAGGED ABOUT APPOINTING THE JUSTICES AND NOMINATING THE JUSTICES.
WHO THEN, OVERTURNED ROE VERSUS WADE.
BUT IN RECENT DAYS HE HAS COME OUT STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF A MAXIMUM VIEW OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.
WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN IN LEGAL JEOPARDY IN SOME PLACES.
BECAUSE OF THE DECISION HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT AND TO MAKE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES PAY FOR IT.
HE HAS WAFFLED ON HIS PREVIOUS STANCE ABOUT ABORTION RESTRICTIONS.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?
>> YEAH.
BUT I THINK HE PANICKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HAVING THE DECISION PENDING ON HIM.
HE UNDERSTANDS IT IS A REAL THREAT TO HIS ELECTORAL PROSPECTS IN NOVEMBER.
BUT ALSO I THINK WITH IVF IN PARTICULAR.
HE IS TRYING TO STAKE OUT A POSITION THAT IS PROFAMILY.
BUT ALSO PROGRESSIVE.
>> WHICH IS A DIFFICULT NEEDLE TO THREAD.
IS THERE IS SOME MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN A MAXIMUM POSITION.
AND ALSO ONE THAT SAYS KIDS ARE AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY.
IS THERE SOME MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN THOSE TWO?
>> CERTAINLY.
AND THE WAY THAT I HEAR THAT QUESTION.
WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS POSSIBILITY FOR LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE STAUNCHLY IN SUPPORT OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN.
TO EMBRACE HAVING CHILDREN AS AN UNCONDITIONAL GOOD.
OR SOMETHING THAT IS INHERENTLY GOOD.
NOT JUST A PROJECT THAT WE SHOULD TOLERATE.
LIKE WE TOLERATE PEOPLE'S HOBBIES.
I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE.
ONE KEY IS TO NOTICE.
ALL OF THE TYPES OF GOALS THAT ARE OBJECTIFIED TO THE LEFT.
IF IT IS MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE OR INTRODUCING LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE.
IF IT IS HEALING OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.
OR CRATING WELFARE IN THE NATION.
ALL OF THESE PROJECTS AND PURSUITS THAT ARE IN DEFINITION OF THE LEVEL AND LIBERAL AND PROGRESSIVE ROBUST HUMAN FUTURE.
THEY INCREASE IT BY A HUMAN FUTURE.
THE INCREASE AND SUPPOSE THAT PEOPLE WILL DO THEIR SHARE IN BRINGING ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THAT MEANS FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN.
IT ALSO MEANS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HUMAN FUTURE IN OTHER WAYS.
THEY WILL BE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS, TEACHERS, JOURNALISTS, MENTORS, GODPARENTS.
SO THERE ARE MANY WAYS OF DOING THAT.
BUT I THINK ONCE WE NOTICED THAT HAVING CHILDREN IS THE BEDROCK OF A ROBUST HUMAN FUTURE.
NO MATTER HOW INEXACT WE ENVISION IT.
THAT IS THE KEY TO THE MIDDLE GROUND THAT YOU ASKED ABOUT.
THAT IS THE KEY TO REALIZING.
EMBRACING NOT JUST TOLERATING BUT FULLY EMBRACING THE CHOICE TO HAVE CHILDREN.
AND TO RAISE THEM.
IT IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH DEFENDING WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE AGENDAS FOR THEMSELVES.
>> IS THIS A PROBLEM THAT WE DO HAVE AN INCREASINGLY LARGE COHORT OF PEOPLE.
THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING KIDS.
>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE.
WHAT IS A PROBLEM IS NOT AFFECTED BIRTHRATES ARE DECLINING.
BUT IT IS THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU THINK OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES NAVIGATING THE CHOICE WHETHER TO HAVE CHILDREN.
BECAUSE OF THE DOMINANCE OF THE TYPES OF NARRATIVES OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ADULT.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ETHICALLY AND MORALLY AND POLITICALLY RESPONSIBLE TODAY.
AND WHAT THEY CAUSE IS A TYPE OF PROCRASTINATING ATTITUDE WITH A VIEW TO CHILDREN.
WITH THE RESULT OF WITH THE DECISION TO HAVE CHILDREN WILL END UP BEING MADE FOR INCREASINGLY MANY PEOPLE.
AS OPPOSED TO BEING MADE BY THEM.
AND THAT, WE THINK IS A PROBLEM.
WE THINK THAT YOUNG WOMEN TODAY THAT ARE NOT FEELING COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THEIR FERTILITY.
IT IS A PROBLEM.
WE THINK THAT PEOPLE ASSUMING THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOUR PARTS OF YOUR LINES LINED UP BEFORE HAVING CHILDREN.
THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM.
AND WE THINK THAT THERE IS A PREPONDERANCE OF ETHICAL ARGUMENTS.
KIND OF UP IN THE AIR THAT MAKE US FEEL THAT PERHAPS HAVING CHILDREN IS A LUXURY CONSUMER CHOICE.
BUT NOT SOMETHING THAT IS MORALLY RESPONSIBLE ADULT THAT IS SOMEWHERE LEFT OF CENTER.
THAT YOU CAN HAPPILY AND PROUDLY EMBRACE.
WE THINK THAT IS A PROBLEM.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE OFFERING IN OUR INTERVENTION.
>> THE FACT THAT LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES ARE SO POSITIONED TO EMBRACE THE POSITIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR FAMILIES.
IT ONLY MAKES ESTABLISHING THOSE TYPES OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT THEY TAKE SO SERIOUSLY.
AND THEY THINK THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT.
IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT.
YOU CANNOT SAY WHY HAVING FAMILIES IS HARD TO DEFEND FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, FOR EXAMPLE.
>> DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION?
>> I THINK WE HAVE TWO THINGS.
THE FIRST IS TO NORMALIZE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CHILDREN.
BY THAT, HAVING CONVERSATIONS IN ONE'S PEER GROUP.
AND IMPORTANTLY WITHIN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS.
HAVING THEM EARLY AND CONFIDENTLY.
SO THAT TYPE OF THINKING CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND ENABLE PEOPLE TO PLAN THEIR LIVES.
THE SECOND THING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
IN OUR EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS, GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE DISCUSSION.
IT IS THE QUESTION OF THE WORTH OF HUMAN LIFE.
IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE.
>> WE SEE INCREASED DOUBT.
WITH FILM AND NOVELS REPRESENTATION GIVE US AN IMAGE OF OURSELVES AS INCREDIBLY SELF ABSORBED AND SELFISH.
AN IMAGE THAT REALLY DOES RAISE THE QUESTION DO WE DESERVE A HUMAN FUTURE?
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES.
>> AND THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> FINALLY, THE BACKGROUND OF WAR, CREATIVITY STILL FLOURISHES.
FASHION WEEK HAS RETURNED TO KIEV FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE RUSSIAN INVASION IN 2022.
NOW IT IS BACK.
VETERANS ARE THE ONE TAKING TO THE RUNWAY.
DESIGNERS ARE ADAPTING THEIR PASSION TO HIGHLIGHT THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.
FEATURING MODELS.
THEY HOPE TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT ARE UNBREAKABLE.
>> NOT JUST THE FASHION WORLD SHOWING US WHAT RESILIENCE LOOKS LIKE.
TEAM USA MASTERS IS CELEBRATING HER 19th METTLE OF HER CAREER.
THE UKRAINIAN BORN ATHLETE DEFENDED HER GOLD IN THE WOMEN'S CYCLING ROAD RACE ON THURSDAY.
EARLIER, I ASKED HER HOW SPORTS HAS HELPED HER HEAL FROM SO MANY SETBACKS.
>> IT HELPS ME NOT ONLY GET STRONGER AND HEALTHIER.
BUT ALSO HELPED ME EMOTIONALLY HEAL THE WOUNDS THAT PEOPLE DO NOT SEE AND THE SCARS THEY DO NOT SEE.
ALSO START REGAINING POWER AND STRENGTH WITHIN MY BODY.
AFTER THE AMPUTATIONS, I DEFINITELY DID NOT THINK OR SAW ANYBODY LIKE ME BEING AN ATHLETE, AT ALL.
I DID NOT THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE.
I AM JUST SO LUCKY THAT MY MOM WHEN WE MOVED TO BUFFALO TO KENTUCKY SHE INTRODUCED ME TO THE WORLD OF SPORTS.
IN SO MANY WAYS SHE SAVED MY LIFE.
SHE ALSO SAVED MY LIFE BY OPENING THE DOOR OF SPORTS.
SPORTS, I FEEL WAS THAT THING THAT SAVED MY LIFE AND GAVE ME THE PURPOSE OF BELONGING AND IDENTITY.
THAT I BELONG IN THIS WORLD.
THAT TRANSFORMED INTO HELPING THAT NEXT GENERATION OF THAT YOUNG LITTLE GIRL THAT ALSO FEELS LOST.
SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHERE HER PLACE IS AND BASED ON THE THINGS OF HER DISABILITY IS VISIBLE OR NOT.
AND FOR ME, I JUST CANNOT IMAGINE WHY LIFE WITHOUT SPORTS.
MY MOM OPENING UP THAT DOOR AS GROWING WITH THAT FIRST.
WHEN I STARTED PROCESSING EVERYTHING.
AND I STARTED GROWING AS AN ATHLETE AND AS A PERSON.
THE NEXT THING I KNOW, IT TRANSFORMED INTO THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
>> YOU CAN WATCH MY NEXT CONVERSATION WITH HER NEXT WEEK.
THAT IS IT FOR US.
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