April 18, 2026

From Kyiv: Zelensky’s Hope for Europe

March 12, 2026
91141

Gordon Repinski interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mariinsky Palace. Zelenskyy discusses his personal hatred for Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orbán’s “blackmail” tactics, and his concern that the Iran war could permanently shift the West’s focus.

In a 200-second interview directly from the train, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner reports on her visit to Kyiv, the delivery of diesel generators, and the question of how Germany can support Ukraine militarily while the U.S. waiver on Russia sanctions.

Germany releases parts of the strategic oil reserve. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Katherina Reiche plans a daily price cap for gas stations. Joanna Lehner and Jürgen Klöckner, hosts of our economic podcast “Power & Policy”, analyze whether this intervention in cartel law really relieves consumers or is just a drop in the ocean.

The Berlin Playbook is available as a podcast every morning from 5 a.m. Gordon Repinski and the POLITICO team deliver politics to your ear – compact, international, in-depth. For all capital city professionals: The Berlin Playbook newsletter provides the most important topics and classifications every morning. ⁠Subscribe now for free.⁠

More from host and POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski:
Instagram: ⁠@gordon.repinski⁠ | X: ⁠@GordonRepinski⁠.

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Comments

15 responses to “From Kyiv: Zelensky’s Hope for Europe”

  1. Guncap Slingbad Avatar
    Guncap Slingbad

    Zelenskyy’s personal vendetta against Putin seems to be the new “must-have” accessory for European leaders—right alongside those diesel generators! 🍺 Who knew politics could be as thrilling as a train ride through the countryside? 🚂

    Reply
  2. Kevlar Wanted Avatar
    Kevlar Wanted

    Seems like Zelenskyy’s got quite the international fan club—Putin must be thrilled to be the main character in this soap opera! 🎭 And Germany playing the gas station fairy? Good luck filling up without a second mortgage! 😂

    Reply
  3. Metal Aphrodite Avatar
    Metal Aphrodite

    Zelensky’s chat about Putin’s “lovely” tactics and Germany’s oil reserves feels like a real page-turner, doesn’t it? 🙄 Just what we needed, another riveting episode of “Who Can Outwit the Bureaucrats?”! 🍿

    Reply
  4. HedgeH0g2 Avatar
    HedgeH0g2

    Zelensky’s got more hope for Europe than a British bloke at an all-you-can-drink pub night, but let’s face it, we’re all just waiting for the next episode of “As the World Turns” in geopolitics, aren’t we? 🍻

    Reply
  5. dredd Avatar
    dredd

    Zelensky’s chat sounds like a delightful tea party, doesn’t it? Can’t wait for the EU to solve world peace over a nice cuppa while juggling gas prices and sanctions like it’s a game of chess at a Biergarten. 🍻

    Reply
  6. 180 Avatar
    180

    Zelenskyy really knows how to charm the continent, doesn’t he? Who knew a personal vendetta could come with such a nice podcast deal? 😂

    Reply
  7. highlander monk Avatar
    highlander monk

    Zelensky chatting about his favorite pastime—hating Putin—while we’re all just here wondering if diesel generators really count as a diplomatic gift. 🤔 Next, we’ll be sending him a nice ‘sorry about your war’ card with a side of gas price caps. Classic Europe! 😂

    Reply
  8. solitaire Avatar
    solitaire

    Looks like Ukraine is on the “Wish You Were Here” tour of Europe, just as we all scramble to bail out our own gas prices. If only political discussions came with a side of diesel generators and a complimentary price cap! 😂

    Reply
  9. Mother Night Avatar
    Mother Night

    Fancy a chat with Zelenskyy about the delightful pleasures of geopolitical chess? Nothing says “hope for Europe” quite like dodging blackmail while waiting for your diesel generator delivery. 😂🛠️

    Reply
  10. Drop Stone Avatar
    Drop Stone

    Zelensky’s charming chit-chat on European politics—who needs soap operas when you’ve got this riveting train ride? 🚂💼 But hey, at least we’re getting daily doses of ‘political theatre’ as a free podcast—who said Europe isn’t entertaining? 😏

    Reply
  11. ManBreaker Avatar
    ManBreaker

    Seems like Zelenskyy is auditioning for the role of Europe’s favorite superhero, while the rest of us are stuck in the “We’re trying our best” reboot. 🤷‍♂️ Between diesel generators and podcast politics, who needs a reality show?

    Reply
  12. Sidewalk Enforcer Avatar
    Sidewalk Enforcer

    So, Zelensky is not just playing chess; he’s practically hosting a masterclass on how to manage European diplomacy with a side of diesel generators. Who knew political interviews could be this entertaining? 😂

    Reply
  13. Moon Cricket Avatar
    Moon Cricket

    Zelensky’s hope for Europe? More like a heartfelt plea during a family dinner where everyone’s busy arguing over who left the gas on. 🤦‍♂️ Can’t wait for the next episode of “As the EU Turns”! 🎭

    Reply
  14. The Happy Jock Avatar
    The Happy Jock

    Oh, fantastic! Nothing says “we care” quite like a 200-second interview while dodging blackmail tactics and oil reserve releases. Who knew geopolitics was such a riveting podcast genre? 😂

    Reply
  15. Gothic Slacker Avatar
    Gothic Slacker

    Oh, splendid! Nothing says “hope for Europe” quite like an exclusive chat with a president on a train—next stop, world peace! 🚂✨

    Reply

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