‘Russia Needs to Collapse as an Empire State’ — That’s How to End the War in Ukraine
I recorded our ‘Speakeasy’ with a Ukrainian soldier because it was too important not to
When we were two questions into our Sunday ‘Speakeasy’ with Ukrainian soldier and filmmaker Volodymyr Demchenko I hit record. His words were too important to not share with the world.
RadPod is releasing our second long-form interview with Vlad next week (here is our first interview with him), but I am including the video below as a preview to our interview. It’s the unedited raw footage from our interview with him Kyiv, when he was on a two-day leave before being re-deployed. The audio is rough in spots as well, but his words and perspective are so valuable.
My co-host for this ‘Speakeasy’ was Monique Camarra, the producer of EuroFile and the co-host of Kremlin File. I was so grateful she was there, to bring her insights, smart questions, and grace.
I regret that it’s not the full interview and that he abruptly lost internet service shortly before the video concludes, but I’m glad we got what we got.
In addition, the first question I asked him — to give us words to fight back with to those who say Ukraine should negotiate with Russia was not recorded, so I will preview his response from our upcoming RadPod Ep75.
Here is what he said:
As it happened with post-Ottoman empires — here is how to end the war in Ukraine — Russia needs to collapse as an empire state. There is only one way to survive for Russia, and it’s to expand. You want to negotiate? You want to give this land to Russia? You will prolong their existence. They need to show their people that they’re powerful and every one to ten years they expand, and they won’t stop there. So next year, Odesa, then the Baltic states. So people who want to negotiate? Show me one negotiation with Russia that works. Their words mean nothing.”
And then he said, when the US and Great Britain send supplies, “we still believe that maybe, maybe we won’t be abandoned by the free world.”
Listen to the interview and please do everything you can to support Ukraine.
****
Bette Dangerous is a reader-funded magazine. Thank you to all monthly, annual, and founding members. Thank you as well to all those who support my work with your generous coffee tips and who buy my ebooks. Some of you prefer making subsidizing donations via venmo, and it’s always greatly appreciated.
Members access all content and receive invites to our weekly Happy Hour, and our Speakeasy guest events. Join today and receive an invite to our Happy Hour with David Pepper:
Founding Members who support me at the premium level will be invited to our monthly Founder’s Day events — please upgrade to Founding Member if you would like to join us for these special intimate occasions to meet global experts. Our most recent Founder’s Day with war photojournalist was magical. Here is a print recap:
Also, a private link to an annual membership discount for older adults, those on fixed incomes or drawing disability, as well as activists and members of the media is available upon request at bettedangerous/gmail. 🥹
More info about Bette Dangerous - This magazine is written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, an Emmy-award winning investigative reporter, author, and veteran music and nightlife columnist. She is the cohost of RADICALIZED Truth Survives, an investigative show about disinformation and is part of the Byline Media team. Thank you for your support of independent investigative journalism.
We just have to see that the battle for democracy is broader. It's deeper.—David Pepper
I need people to see they're on the frontline. Wherever you live, if you’re doing this work, you are the frontline.—David Pepper
The message should be a fair deal… fairness everywhere.—Martin Sheil
💘
“I say a silent prayer of thanksgiving as I walk upon the earth.”-Audrey Peterman.
“May the viral hope for truth and humanity wash away the chaos of these years.”-S.C., Bette community member
“Something Sacred never dies in almost all of us, who can hear the invitation of Truth…”-words from a Bette Dangerous community member
“Nothing but blue skies from now on…”-Irving Berlin
🤍
