Journalist and Senior global affairs Analyst for the American television network CNN, Bianna Golodryga, visited Moldova in April of this year. There, she filmed a report on how our country is coping with the Ukrainian refugee crisis. For Bianna, the trip was of a special nature — she was born in Moldova in a Jewish family and emigrated to the USA with her parents in 1980. In an interview with TV8, the journalist talked about her first trip to Moldova in many years, how the war in Ukraine looks 'from across the ocean', when Putin will leave, and whether there is a future for Russian-American relations.
I have been covering events in the Kremlin, Russia, and Putin for many years and could not imagine that something like this would happen
- The war in Ukraine has already lasted more than half a year. If we recall, the first to warn about the real threat of a Russian invasion were the US foreign intelligence services back in November last year. Did you expect the war to last this long?
- Unfortunately, that is the case. Six months have already passed since the war began on February 24th. Although I would not call this an anniversary. Tomorrow (note: August 24th) is Ukraine's Independence Day — that is the anniversary, but the war — it is a tragedy that continues every day. The American intelligence really was the first to report about it and turned out to be right. In the past, we used intelligence data to start wars, but now — to avoid them. We really wanted to be wrong in our forecasts. I have been following and covering events in the Kremlin, Putin, and Russia for many years and could not even imagine that something like this would happen. And even if it did, Putin would most likely have attacked Donbass and parts of the eastern territories. I didn't think he would go for Kyiv. I couldn't believe that a ground war was possible in the world in 2022.
In Russia's calendar, particularly for Putin, anniversaries are very important. On these days, there are fears that something serious might occur. American intelligence services believe that Russia might try to strike Kyiv. Zelenskyy takes such information very seriously and warns people not to go out into the streets and not to celebrate. However, he (note: Putin) also uses this as a weapon. Perhaps something will happen, not tomorrow, but on Thursday or Friday, thereby creating tension due to the looming threat.
Moldova is one of the most vulnerable countries after Ukraine
- Are there any expectations for when this will all end?
- We've been in this situation for six months now, and there's a consensus that this war won't end quickly. I don't know when the war will end. I don't have a crystal ball. I don't think Putin will leave now. There are no indications of that yet. I believe Putin realizes he has lost and his original strategy did not work. Everything he believed in, and what his circle told him, that the offensive would supposedly end in three days, that Zelenskyy is unpopular, that there are Nazis there - all this did not work out. This explains the fact that having amassed significant military power at the border, they themselves did not expect to have to use it.
- What do you think Vladimir Putin was counting on? A blitzkrieg?
- Not only. Most likely a show, like what happened in Crimea, a meeting of soldiers, without a single shot, over a couple of days or even hours. At the same time, he expected a scenario where Zelenskyy would either flee the country or be detained or killed. So when people are surprised that the Russian army did not live up to expectations and how poorly it performed, who knows if they were ready to fight at all? They had to switch to plan B, which was not properly planned.
The original plan was to capture the entire south of Ukraine: Mariupol, Odesa, Mykolaiv. If they had succeeded there, they would have surely entered Transnistria as well
The war of attrition is ongoing now, with both sides wary of each other. Russia's arsenal is far from depleted, but US military aid isn't infinite either. Meanwhile, not all the aid has reached Ukraine yet. At the same time, it seems that Europe is beginning to reduce its financial and military commitments. Therefore, at the moment, the main driver of aid remains the US. And America has just announced new assistance to Ukraine (note: The US timed to Ukraine's Independence Day the new and largest to date military aid package of nearly $3 billion). I think there's a lot of pressure on Zelenskyy's shoulders to show the world that it's worth it.
As for Putin, on the one hand, there are unexpected sanctions, and on the other, he still has income from oil sales. In his mind, he's waiting for winter, hoping that European citizens will start to worry more about the rising costs of gas and heating. This, he believes, should prompt Europe to reduce its support for Ukraine. For all these reasons, I don't think Putin will step down soon. Both sides agree that negotiations will not be happening in the near future.
- In April, you traveled to Moldova to film a report on the refugee crisis in our country. As you wrote on your Twitter, it was the first trip to your birth country in 35 years. What impressed you the most?
- We left Moldova in 1980 when I was just 2.5 months old. Then I returned to Chișinău with my mother when we were already US citizens, in 1986 or 1987. I believe we were the first Americans allowed by Gorbachev to return for a month. I was 8 years old then, and it was a completely different world for me. I was born in Căușeni, we spent some time in Tiraspol where my grandmother lived. Then we went to Bender, and my father is from Chișinău. I haven't returned since. Now, I came back for the first time since 1986, and it was something. This time I came only for two days, as I was accompanying the US Ambassador's delegation to the UN, and the next day we had to go to Romania. At the same time, my parents constantly reminded me that I absolutely had to visit one place and then another, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for all that. Moreover, almost everything has changed over the years: even the names of streets and lakes.
Moldova is now one of the most vulnerable countries besides Ukraine. You do not yet have protection from NATO or the EU. You've only just received the opportunity to take the next step. And I believe that your president truly makes an impression. I think that even before the war, the country had problems like corruption, economy, and Transnistria. And I would say that your fate now depends on the fate of Ukraine. If Russia wins, I don't see what will happen to the country and especially to Transnistria…this territory has been in an undefined state for years, I don't think the world really understands what is happening there. And at the same time, people and the Government have shown great kindness and generosity by accepting so many refugees. For me, it was an inspiring moment to return and accompany the US delegation to thank you for your efforts for these refugees. Clearly, there is now a strong connection between your countries, not only historical and geographical, but also military — you have also felt the consequences of this war. At the beginning of the war, Russia used the situation as a provocation to draw Transnistria into the war. I think their initial plan was to capture the entire south of Ukraine - Mariupol, Odesa, Mykolaiv. If they had succeeded there, they would have surely entered Transnistria as well.
- Regarding relations with the US, Trump indeed tried to befriend Putin. But with Biden's arrival, the relations deteriorated. What will happen to US-Russian relations?
- I see no relations. In the first days, there was no communication at all. Even during the Cold War with the USSR, there was a secret communication channel between our chiefs of staff. But now, in the first months of the war, there are no contacts at all. And this is concerning. For now, Macron and Erdogan have taken on the role of mediators, but I don't see any intention or desire from Biden to talk to Putin. It will be interesting to see what happens if Putin, Zelenskyy, and Biden all come together at the G20 summit (note: The G20 Summit in Bali is the seventeenth meeting of the heads of state of the Group of Twenty, which will take place on November 15–16, 2022, in Indonesia, on the island of Bali), I don't know if there will be any contacts there. But I can't imagine a world in which Biden and Putin would communicate under the current circumstances.
- Speaking of peace negotiations, what do you think about Henry Kissinger's plan, which suggested that Ukraine concede some territories?
- It seems he took his words back, right? Last week or the week before. He received a lot of negativity for his remarks, and I think he realized he was wrong and has since renounced the idea. There are experts talking about some compromise, surrendering part of the territories, but I believe that is morally wrong. Considering this was unprovoked aggression, and with each passing day, we see new atrocities, bombings, and indiscriminate shelling from the Russian side without regard for the lives of civilians. Perhaps there's pressure on Zelenskyy to end the war sooner, but no one will tell him to give up his territories.
- We see that Europe continues to purchase Russian gas and conduct some negotiations. Is there a feeling that Europe is trying to negotiate with Putin?
- On the one hand, they understand that it's wrong to negotiate with a 'bully' or even a murderer, as he can be called, considering what he has done. On the other hand, if we look at the reality, they must answer to their citizens for their actions. But Putin doesn't have to do that. That's the advantage of an authoritarian regime. He's not obligated to his citizens, at least for now. This might change, and I think that's what he's always feared. He saw what happened to Gaddafi, although I suppose there's no pressure on him internally at the moment.
If it were entirely up to the Europeans, maybe they would say right now: "Let's pause the war until we become energy independent, and then you do whatever you want." But that's unlikely. And that's the situation we're in. Europe has sort of 'hitched its wagons' to Putin over the years and hasn't looked for alternative sources.
In the US, all administrations, including Obama, Trump, and Biden, no matter how different their visions of foreign policy, agreed that one should not rely exclusively on Russia. Then came 'Nord Stream 1 and 2,' and now we're in a situation where just last year, Europe was furious about climate protection movements, and now Germany is forced to return to coal. And that's a problem. Ask me about it in November, December, January, when the cold comes. But I don't think that even in most European countries, except perhaps the poorest, there is a great desire to 'appease' Putin. Largely because they also didn't think he would go so far. And now they understand all the more that Putin might not stop at Ukraine. What's next? We have the Baltic states.
- America, as one of the global leaders. What role does the US want to take in this war?
- I think there's some truth to the notion that the US is somewhat chaotic, as the country has been left with a residual effect from Afghanistan and a reluctance to get involved in international conflicts. But I think the US and the Biden administration have shown themselves to be real leaders in terms of NATO restructuring, thanks in part, of course, to Putin, but mainly by keeping their word in providing military and financial support to Ukraine.
We must stop calling Putin a brilliant strategist
Undoubtedly, President Zelenskyy deserves significant credit for maintaining power and continuing to lead, with his popularity seriously increasing. Also, the resilience of the Ukrainians who repel attacks every day cannot be overlooked. But I think we wouldn't be where we are now without the enormous amount of military aid, ammunition, and now HIMARS... it seems that we are, in a way, crossing a line in terms of assistance and weapons that can shoot over longer distances. Yes, I believe the US has truly demonstrated its strength.
- The US is ramping up sanctions against Russia. How unanimous are the American elites on this issue?
- In a country that was, and still is divided, this is the only area where there is unanimous support. We wouldn't be sending so much aid and support to Ukraine otherwise. It's all thanks to Putin.
- Can Russia return to the state it was before February 24th?
-In such cases, the best answer is, if you don't know, then you don't know. Ultimately it's up to the Russians. I would be too naive to expect them to have a more aggressive reaction to the war. Putin quickly turned the country into a totalitarian one. My parents tell me it was bad when we left in 1980, and there were reasons for it, but now they say the situation in the country is much worse.
And I don't think Putin will die soon. Some sources say his hands are shaking, that he is ill — I don't believe it. I think his power is strong and all this depends on the Russians. They've allowed this man to be in his place for 20 years. How did this happen? They had chances for democracy. But sometimes you need to stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself tough questions, what responsibility lies on me? Since we allowed a man to stay in power for 20 years.
Bianna Golodryga is an American television host. Born in Căușeni, Moldova, in a Jewish family. In 1980, she emigrated to the USA with her parents, Vitaly and Zhanna Golodryga. Grew up in Houston. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in Slavic studies and economics. She worked as a producer and then as a correspondent for CNBC. From 2007 to 2010, she was a correspondent for ABC, from 2010 to 2014, she was the anchor of the weekend edition of Good Morning America. Since 2014, she has been a television host in the news and finance department at Yahoo. Since 2018, she has been a co-host of CBS This Morning. Since 2019, she has been a senior global affairs analyst and anchor at CNN.
