The next is the transcript of the interview with Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on March 8, 2026.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to the battle in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the USA, Olga Stefanishyna. Welcome again to Face the Nation.
UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR OLGA STEFANISHYNA: Effectively, Margaret, thanks for having me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, one of many largest threats to Ukraine has been Russia’s ballistic missiles that it has been firing into your nation for a while. The answer has been the Patriot system, the American interceptors. They’re briefly provide, as you effectively know, and now America’s allies within the Gulf inform us that also they are in short-supply there they usually want them. Your president stated he’s involved America goes to cut back its air protection help for Ukraine. How a lot of an issue is that this in your nation?
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Effectively, thanks, Margaret, for asking this query. In fact, now we have been speaking about that publicly as effectively and have been having personal discussions. However an important factor that we see that, you understand, the occasions occurring proper now with the battle in Iran have been so resolute that most likely these are the most-important developments on a worldwide area over a decade. So, no shortages of means ought to be a problem. And we’re positive that the American protection business is able to ensuring that every one the fronts are lined. Ukraine has the sources and talent to obtain extra, and we’re trying ahead for exploring the choices, the right way to do it. But in addition, you understand, we ended up with 4 300 Shahed drones over the homes of Ukraine, which was solely doable as a result of Iran has been a strategic enabler of the Russian aggression three years in the past, and we see what the involvement of low-cost applied sciences is, and now we have been able to contribute.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, I requested that earlier in this system of the Vitality Secretary, Chris Wright, as a result of Russia and Iran have been allied right here. They’ve been buying and selling sources and expertise. They’re allied in some ways. He appeared to say they have been not likely an element. You say they’re instantly one.
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Effectively, I imply, they’re completely an element, as a result of principally the Shahed drone expertise was developed to assault folks, to demoralize inhabitants, to trigger the losses amongst civilians. So, it killed, like, a whole lot of Ukrainian youngsters, so many households, and this was a strategic enabler of battle. And Russia has been- Russia weren’t investing in bilateral relations or growth or investments. They have been investing in regimes like Iran, Venezuela, and Syria, simply because they thought it isn’t doable to have the resolute motion as it’s now happening with Iran and because it was earlier than in Venezuela. And it was not doable a few years in the past with Syria. So, they’re disadvantaged of technique of their affect, they’re weaker. But in addition we should always not neglect that Ukraine has proven that Russia isn’t any completely different from all of those international locations. It is simply greater, and we see that, you understand, the expertise which is being gained proper now, and the brand new actuality which is been shaped by President Trump additionally paves the way in which, the brand new actuality for the Russians, and I am positive they’re actually, actually afraid of it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, your president stated he was requested by the USA to offer anti-drone expertise that Ukraine has to America. When does that arrive? When will that be operational?
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: So, you understand, we perceive greater than anyone on this world what is required in a second of disaster. What is required if you see when your persons are dying simply throughout so many cities of the Gulf international locations. And what we steered is the fast motion and fast response. So, we will safe the skies. We will present the air protection as a result of now we have a lot data. And these are solely Ukrainian folks, Ukrainian armed forces who’ve this information and functionality, so we’re capable of present it to the USA and the Gulf international locations and that is what we did. We aren’t going to face apart realizing that persons are dying as a result of we all know how painful it’s and we’ll do all the things we will to ensure that this resolute motion is ending up with one thing that known as constructive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, sending advisors to assist. It appears like special–
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: And likewise capabilities. So, it is the drone capabilities of Ukraine will not be solely the drone or the folks, it is the entire spectrum of actions you are taking, as a result of state of affairs is altering each week and it’s essential have folks and the mechanism which permit to react instantly and that is what solely Ukraine has on the total planet.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So just some days in the past, President Trump stated he thinks Vladimir Putin is able to make a deal. And he stated that Volodymyr Zelensky, your president, has to get on the ball, and he has to get a deal completed. And he referred to him as a P.T. Barnum of Ukraine. It looks as if the connection remains to be actually tense, although you are speaking about Ukraine serving to the USA. What is going on on right here?
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Effectively, I imply, I believe undoubtedly a few minutes of this dialogue will not be sufficient for that. However I believe we’re assessing the state of affairs by actions. And the actions are that there’s a mechanism the place Ukraine nonetheless can get entry to American navy gear. President Trump has launched vital sanctions to the Russian Federation during the last months. And likewise we’re in dialogue already trilaterally with the USA and Russians on ending the battle. All of this can be a essential growth and we’re trying ahead for his or her success. However for us an important factor is that we’re capable of defend ourselves and safe our cities and we’re doing that to the extent we will with the American help. And now we have by no means been too drained to provide credit score to President Trump for thus many necessary issues he did. Though the rhetorics we hear generally will not be one thing that actually very clear or very constructive. However we’re a tricky nation, we’re robust folks, now we have been via a lot that a few phrases will not be actually one thing that may distract us, and we all know what we all know, that Ukraine is a rustic on this planet which actually desires the battle over greater than anyone, and that is the place we stand.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What proof do you might have that Russia helps Iran in its battle proper now on these American allies?
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Effectively, some data has been supplied. It isn’t one thing that we’d wish to share, you understand, in a media or go public with. However I may also guarantee you that it isn’t solely Ukraine. There are, like, plenty of international locations who’ve rather a lot data and a disposal and intel group could be very effectively developed throughout all of the NATO codecs. So no matter data is there, it is already on the disposal of, you understand, all allies and companions, together with the USA. And. I am positive that is an data which is black and white. It is nothing which may very well be referred to as grey.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nevertheless it goes past sharing focusing on data, which CBS has reported?
AMB. STEFANISHYNA: I am undecided that I may actually touch upon that, however I believe we should always look additionally within the context that Russia has been supporting the regimes of the international locations I’ve talked about, like Venezuela, like Syria, like Iran, for years, and this partnership was doable and advanced in constructing the productions within the Russian Federation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thanks in your time immediately.
