meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Playbook Podcast

How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna)

The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO

News, Daily News, Politics, Government

3.9699 Ratings

🗓️ 24 May 2026

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna joins Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to discuss whether the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran could pull American attention and weapons away from Kyiv, the state of Ukraine-Russia peace talks and why President Trump and Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s once-rocky relationship has become “iconic.” Have feedback for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Health plans work every day to shield Americans from high and rising costs by negotiating lower prices from providers and drug makers and protecting consumers against unexpected medical bills.

0:11.1

Learn more at costconnection.org.

0:14.0

Ukrainians are like a very mature political nation, not because we really wanted it, but because we have to stand up for ourselves.

0:26.4

Hello, hello, and welcome to the conversation. I'm Dasha Burns, and every week on this show,

0:31.7

I talk to the most compelling and sometimes unexpected power players in Washington and beyond.

0:36.7

And this week, I sat down with Ohas D Finisna, Ukrainian ambassador to the United States.

0:42.1

As you may know from my past conversations, I immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine as a child,

0:47.2

so this topic is personal.

0:49.4

It's been over four years since Russia first launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

0:54.4

The Russians are ready, ready for a full-scale imminent invasion.

0:59.8

Even Keith, let's listen.

1:05.1

More than 100 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been killed.

1:09.0

Hundreds more have been wounded.

1:10.9

And in that time, Ukraine has seen varying degrees of support from the United States

1:15.3

in its effort to stave off Russia.

1:17.4

Saffanishna was in the Oval Office for the now infamous clash between President Trump

1:21.8

and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy back in February of 2025.

1:25.4

You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.

1:28.4

You're gambling with World War III.

1:30.7

You're gambling with World War III.

1:33.6

And almost one year later to the day in 2026, I interviewed Zelensky for this show.

1:38.7

Today, only United States can stop Putin.

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 16 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from POLITICO, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of POLITICO and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.