Giselle and Dalibor are joined by Iuliia Mendel, Ukrainian journalist and author and former Spokesperson to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine. Being from Kherson herself, she relays Ukrainians' celebration that Kherson was restored by Ukrainian forces. And, having worked with him closely, Iuliia describes President Zelenskyy's personal qualities that are largely unknown or often overlooked by most observers, and she shares anecdotes highlighting his transition from comedian to statesman to leader of Ukraine during wartime. She discusses Ukraine's aspiration for further European integration and the importance of Western aid during the war. She also considers the costs of inaction if Russia is allowed to expand and how future European elections, most importantly the elections in Ukraine, could impact the war.

Show notes: "The Fight of Our Lives: My Time with Zelenskyy, Ukraine's Battle for Democracy, and What It Means for the World" by Iuliia Mendel. Sign up for The Eastern Front's newsletter here.