Liev Schreiber Discusses Meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Rise to Leadership [rewind - episode]

Laura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just World

Renowned actor, writer and director Liev Schreiber recently released “Meeting Zelenskyy”, a feature documentary in which he sits down with Ukraine’s embattled leader. In an extended conversation, Schreiber speaks actor-to-actor about Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rise from entertainer to war time leader. In this exclusive interview with Laura Flanders, Schreiber discusses how the documentary came to be, how he personally became involved, and how technology could shape the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war. The film includes never-before-seen footage from Zelenskyy’s childhood and career. Join us for this historic conversation, plus a commentary from Laura.

“I've always felt optimistic about this because [Ukraine is] on the side of truth. That's the kind of thing you can cover briefly, but it always comes out, it always surfaces. It's also the kind of thing that builds morale. It builds courage. It builds principle. They have that on their side, where the Russian military is struggling.” - Liev Schreiber

“This was never about Ukraine for me. This was always about American values and democracy and what it is, where it comes from and what it means. I don't think those values and those principles are on display anywhere more clearly than in Ukraine.” - Liev Schreiber“I've always felt optimistic about this because [Ukraine is] on the side of truth. That's the kind of thing you can cover briefly, but it always comes out, it always surfaces. It's also the kind of thing that builds morale. It builds courage. It builds principle. They have that on their side, where the Russian military is struggling.” - Liev Schreiber

Guest: Liev Schreiber: Award-Winning Actor, Director & Writer; Co-Founder, BlueCheck Ukraine

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Watch the special report released on YouTube; PBS World Channel August 29th, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast.

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.

-RESOURCES-

Related extended commentary from Laura is available to podcast subscribers

Full Uncut Conversation Released to Podcast Subscribers: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters.

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

• Winning War, Building Peace: Activists from Ukraine, Russia & The US Debate: Watch / Listen: Episode and/or Full Conversation

• Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley: Is it Doomsday for U.S. Democracy?: Watch / Listen: Episode and/or Full Conversation

• Ai Weiwei: How Do We Save Our Humanity?: Watch / Listen: Episode and/or Full Conversation

Related Articles and Resources:

• Pledge Ukraine, Starenki is a charitable organization devoted to issues of elderly people in Ukraine.

• In maps: The war-ravaged Ukrainian territories at the heart of the Trump-Putin summit, by Paul Adams, August 16, 2025, BBC

• Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy entices Trump with $90bn arms buy in return for security, by Warren Murray with Guardian writers and agencies, August 18, 2025, The Guardian

• Trump Won’t Deliver Peace to Ukraine - or Anywhere Else, by Feet Here, August 18, 2025, The Nation

• Will Russia-Ukraine War End with Diplomacy or on Battlefield? John Mearsheimer vs. Denys Pilash, August 19, 2025, Democracy Now

• Is Peace Possible? Nation Publisher Katrina vandal Hovel on Trump Summits with Putin, Zelenskyy, Democracy Now

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