Rachel (00:00):
Now to overseas. A US official says that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is set to travel to Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin to sell him weapons of war. Tonight, details on what Kim might want in exchange. While in Ukraine, many children are returning to makeshift classrooms because their schools have been destroyed. ABC’s Britt Clennett with an exclusive interview tonight with Ukraine’s First Lady.
Britt Clennett (00:21):
Tonight, a White House official saying the US believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expects to meet with President Putin in Russia. With Moscow desperate for more weapons to use against Ukraine, the New York Times reporting in exchange, North Korea wants advanced technology for its satellites and nuclear submarines, adding the meeting could happen as early as next week. Putin tonight taunting Ukraine saying their counteroffensive is a failure. Casualties are mounting. UNICEF now saying more than a thousand Ukrainian schools have been damaged or destroyed. Children starting the academic year in subway stations converted to classrooms. Other schools refurbishing basements.
(01:05)
Makeshift classrooms like this are set up all across the country because it’s just too dangerous to be above ground all the time.
(01:11)
Only one third of Ukrainian children will be returning to a physical classroom
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Online study is easier, but there it’s more fun and you understand more when you study in school.
Britt Clennett (01:24):
This war taking a heavy toll on the mental health of children, a topic close to the heart of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, who sat down with me today for an exclusive interview.
(01:36)
Is mental health something that you discuss often with your husband, President Zelenskyy?
(01:41)
“I would honestly like to discuss it with him more,” she says. “He belongs to that category of people who try to deal with things on their own until the end.” Zelenska voicing concern that the West’s attitude to this war is shifting.
Olena Zelenska (01:56):
We see that sometimes people become reluctant. People talk about Ukraine fatigue. This is the topic of our existence. We can’t stop fighting for ourselves. So, my message is, please don’t stop to help us fighting.
Britt Clennett (02:21):
Do you feel like the world is turning away?
Olena Zelenska (02:24):
I’m afraid of it, but I hope it will not happen.
Britt Clennett (02:30):
Rachel, on that potential meeting between Kim Jong Un and Putin, the State Department says US imposed sanctions mean Russia is going rogue by advancing arms deals with North Korea. Rachel.
Rachel (02:42):
Britt live in Ukraine tonight. All right, Britt. Thank you.