When the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called AP’s senior producer in Kyiv, Volodymyr Yurchuk, to request a sit-down, on-camera interview within 24 hours, it marked a significant milestone. While the Kyiv team has tirelessly lobbied the Ukrainian government for access and interviews throughout the country’s nearly three-year conflict with Russia—and secured previous sit-downs with Zelenskyy—this was the first time his office approached AP to propose an interview.
With just hours to prepare, the entire team sprang into action. News Director Susie Blann and reporter Samya Kullab worked late into the night Friday, finalizing questions and preparing for the discussion. Veteran video journalist Srdjan Nedeljkovic handled the logistics of setting up a three-camera shoot solo—ultimately with just an hour to prepare at the presidential palace. Reporter Illia Novikov provided live, simultaneous translation, longtime photographer Efrem Lukatsky captured images, and Yurchuk produced the video.
The result: an hourlong interview in which Zelenskyy warned that excluding Ukraine from U.S.-Russia war talks is “very dangerous,” called for Kyiv and Washington to develop a ceasefire plan, and outlined his latest thinking on security guarantees needed for a peace deal and NATO membership.
The judges were impressed by the team’s ability to move quickly and deliver such a polished and impactful interview under intense time constraints. Their work has reinforced AP’s influence as a go-to news outlet for Zelenskyy’s most critical interviews.
For their tenacity, ingenuity, and hustle, the AP Kyiv team earns this week’s Best of AP — Second Winner.
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