Ukrainian President Shares Joke with Letterman

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a joke with late-night television host David Letterman during an interview on the show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” The two discussed a variety of topics, including the president’s experience as a comedian prior to his election and his thoughts on Russian interference in Ukraine. The light moment occurred when Letterman asked Zelenskyy if he had any jokes to share. After some hesitation, the president obliged and delivered a humorous anecdote about how he managed to keep his cool while dealing with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. “I think it is very important for people to know that I am not only the president of Ukraine but also a comedian,” said Zelenskyy. “So I have some jokes that I can tell you. For example, when Russia started attacking us in 2014, my first reaction was to be angry but then I thought about it and decided that it would be better for me to just laugh at them instead of getting mad. That way they wouldn't know how much they were bothering me!” The audience erupted into laughter after hearing this joke from the president and Letterman applauded him for his comedic prowess. He went on to ask Zelenskyy what he believes is necessary for peace between Ukraine and Russia in order for both countries to move forward together in harmony. The president responded by saying that it will take time but there must be mutual respect between both sides if any progress is going to be made. Overall, the exchange between these two men was filled with laughter and good humor which provided viewers with an entertaining break from all of the serious issues facing Ukraine today. It is clear that despite all of their differences, both men understand how important it is to find common ground through humor and understanding in order for peace to prevail in our world today.