1
00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:08,808
and FORD.
We go further, so you can.
( TICKING )
2
00:00:11,077 --> 00:00:19,018
>> Pelley: WE MET PRESIDENT
ZELENSKYY IN THE BLACKED-OUT
HALLWAYS OF HIS COMMAND CENTER
IN UKRAINE'S CAPITOL, KYIV.
3
00:00:19,085 --> 00:00:23,289
MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT HAS IT BEEN
LIKE WORKING UNDER THESE
CONDITIONS?
>> Zelenskyy: WE FOUND WAY HOW
4
00:00:23,356 --> 00:00:30,697
TO WORK.
WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY.
>> Pelley: YOU FOUND A WAY HOW
TO WORK, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY
5
00:00:30,764 --> 00:00:38,738
OTHER WAY?
WEEKS OF WAR, ATTACKS ON
CIVILIANS AND NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE
EXPOSED A SAVAGE RUSSIAN
6
00:00:38,805 --> 00:00:46,279
STRATEGY, BUT STILL ZELENSKYY'S
CAPITOL CITY HOLDS.
>> Pelley: NO ONE EXPECTED
UKRAINE TO FIGHT RUSSIA TO A
7
00:00:46,346 --> 00:00:53,286
STANDSTILL.
AND I WONDER, HOW DID YOU
MANAGE?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
8
00:00:53,353 --> 00:00:59,058
WE UNITED AS A NATION.
WE BECAME A SINGLE FIST.
( TICKING )
9
00:01:01,494 --> 00:01:07,066
>> Alfonsi: ON THE COAST OF
EL SALVADOR, ABOUT AN HOUR FROM
THE CAPITAL IS A TOWN CALLED
EL ZONTE.
10
00:01:07,133 --> 00:01:13,640
BLACK VOLCANIC SAND GIVES WAY TO
WARM WATER AND AN EXCEPTIONAL
POINT BREAK THAT DRAWS SURFERS
FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
11
00:01:13,706 --> 00:01:20,947
AMONG THEM IS AN AMERICAN EX-PAT
WITH A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS, WHO
LOCALS BELIEVE CAN ANSWER ONE OF
THE MOST CHALLENGING QUESTIONS
12
00:01:21,014 --> 00:01:27,287
OF OUR TIME.
WHAT'S BITCOIN?
( TICKING )
>> I'M LESLEY STAHL.
13
00:01:27,353 --> 00:01:34,894
>> I'M BILL WHITAKER.
>> I'M ANDERSON COOPER.
>> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI.
>> I'M NORAH O'DONNELL.
14
00:01:34,961 --> 00:01:43,536
>> I'M SCOTT PELLEY.
THOSE STORIES, TONIGHT, ON
"60 MINUTES."
15
00:01:46,206 --> 00:01:54,514
>> Pelley: ON FEBRUARY 24th,
WITH THE RUSSIAN INVASION COMING
AT HIM FROM THREE SIDES,
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR
16
00:01:54,581 --> 00:02:03,189
ZELENSKYY REACHED FOR HIS MOST
POWERFUL WEAPON-- HIS PHONE.
THE MOMENT ZELENSKYY TOLD HIS
PEOPLE HE REFUSED TO FLEE—
17
00:02:03,256 --> 00:02:10,263
UKRAINE REFUSED TO FALL.
LEADERS DON'T BECOME LEGENDS
OFTEN, BUT OVER THESE NEARLY
SEVEN WEEKS, THIS 44-YEAR-OLD
18
00:02:10,330 --> 00:02:20,440
FORMER COMEDIAN INSPIRED HIS
COUNTRY TO STAND UP TO THE
OVERWHELMING FORCE OF RUSSIA.
LAST WEDNESDAY, WE WERE ADMITTED
19
00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:31,217
TO ZELENSKYY'S FORTIFIED WAR
ROOMS TO MEET THE MAN WHO STANDS
BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND THE
FREE WORLD.
20
00:02:31,284 --> 00:02:40,226
WE MET PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IN
THE BLACKED-OUT HALLWAYS OF HIS
COMMAND CENTER IN UKRAINE'S
CAPITAL, KYIV.
21
00:02:40,293 --> 00:02:46,232
IT IS A FORTRESS, CROWDED WITH
TROOPS, MACHINE GUNS, MINES,
EXPLOSIVES AND A GREAT DEAL
MORE.
22
00:02:46,299 --> 00:02:55,508
ARE YOU SAFE HERE?
"YEAH, I'M FINE," HE TOLD US,
"I FEEL PRETTY CALM ABOUT IT.
OUR GUARDS ARE WORRIED BECAUSE
23
00:02:55,575 --> 00:03:00,513
THERE COULD BE AN AIRSTRIKE.
BUT WHEN WE GET THE AIR RAID
EVACUATION SIGNAL, WE HEAD
DOWNSTAIRS."
24
00:03:00,580 --> 00:03:08,521
>> Pelley: MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT
HAS IT BEEN LIKE WORKING UNDER
THESE CONDITIONS?
>> Zelenskyy: WE, WE, FOUND A
25
00:03:08,588 --> 00:03:16,296
WAY HOW TO WORK.
WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER WAY.
>> Pelley: YOU FOUND A WAY HOW
TO WORK, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY
26
00:03:16,362 --> 00:03:22,702
OTHER WAY?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
IT HAS TO BE DARK IN HERE,
YOU CAN'T SWITCH THE LIGHTS ON
27
00:03:22,769 --> 00:03:32,178
BECAUSE A BOMB COULD JUST FLY
IN, DURING AN AIRSTRIKE.
>> Pelley: YOU HAVE-- YOU HAVE
TROOPS SLEEPING?
28
00:03:32,245 --> 00:03:39,519
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS STAFF HAVE
LIVED HERE FOR 46 DAYS NOW.
THE RUSSIAN INVASION PLAN
EXPECTED KYIV TO FALL IN THREE
29
00:03:39,586 --> 00:03:46,292
DAYS
BUT THAT RELIED ON ONE
ASSUMPTION: THAT ZELENSKYY WOULD
RUN.
30
00:03:46,359 --> 00:03:53,466
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
WHEN EVERYONE IS TELLING YOU,
YOU NEED TO GO, YOU NEED TO
THINK.
31
00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:58,271
BEFORE I DO SOMETHING I ANALYZE
THE SITUATION.
I'VE ALWAYS DONE IT CALMLY,
WITHOUT ANY CHAOS.
32
00:03:58,338 --> 00:04:05,778
I MIGHT NOT BE THE STRONGEST
WARRIOR.
BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO BETRAY
ANYONE.
33
00:04:05,845 --> 00:04:14,253
>> Pelley: WHAT DID YOU TELL
YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN ABOUT
YOUR DECISION?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
34
00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:22,362
I TOLD THEM, THIS IS MY CHOICE
AND I CAN'T DO IT ANY OTHER WAY
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF MY COUNTRY
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF OUR PEOPLE
35
00:04:22,428 --> 00:04:31,170
AND EVEN IF I WASN'T PRESIDENT,
I WOULD HAVE STAYED HERE.
MY FAMILY UNDERSTOOD.
NOT ONLY UNDERSTOOD, BUT FULLY
36
00:04:31,237 --> 00:04:38,978
SUPPORTED MY DECISION.
FULLY.
>> Pelley: IT WAS THE DECISION
THAT SAVED UKRAINE FROM
37
00:04:39,045 --> 00:04:46,152
IMMEDIATE COLLAPSE.
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
WE ARE ALL HERE, OUR SOLDIERS
38
00:04:46,219 --> 00:04:55,862
ARE HERE, THE CITIZENS OF THE
COUNTRY ARE HERE.
WE ARE ALL HERE PROTECTING OUR
INDEPENDENCE, OUR COUNTRY AND
39
00:04:55,928 --> 00:05:02,969
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE.
>> Pelley: YOU HAD MADE A
DECISION TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR
YOUR COUNTRY, IF IT CAME TO
40
00:05:03,036 --> 00:05:10,410
THAT.
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MYSELF
OUT TO BE A HERO.
41
00:05:10,476 --> 00:05:22,522
I LOVE MY FAMILY.
I WANT TO LIVE MANY MORE YEARS.
BUT CHOOSING BETWEEN RUNNING OR
OF COURSE I'M READY TO GIVE MY
42
00:05:22,588 --> 00:05:31,230
LIFE FOR MY COUNTRY.
>> Pelley: FOR A MAN WITH
44 MILLION LIVES IN HIS HANDS,
WE FOUND ZELENSKYY BUOYANT,
43
00:05:31,297 --> 00:05:40,673
GRACIOUS, HUMBLE AND BRUTALLY
HONEST.
THE DAY BEFORE OUR VISIT, AN
ANGRIER ZELENSKYY SCOLDED THE
44
00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:48,648
U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL--
"WHERE'S THE SECURITY?"
HE ASKED.
>> Pelley: IN SPEAKING TO NATO,
45
00:05:48,715 --> 00:05:58,424
YOU CALLED THEM WEAK.
IN SPEAKING TO THE U.N. SECURITY
COUNCIL, YOU SAID, IF YOU CAN'T
HELP, YOU SHOULDN'T EXIST.
46
00:05:58,491 --> 00:06:08,267
NOT VERY DIPLOMATIC OF YOU.
I WONDER WHY YOU FEEL THE NEED
TO SPEAK SO BLUNTLY?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
47
00:06:08,334 --> 00:06:15,742
WHEN YOU ARE WORKING AT
DIPLOMACY, THERE ARE NO RESULTS
ALL OF THIS IS VERY
BUREAUCRATIC.
48
00:06:15,808 --> 00:06:22,482
THAT'S WHY THE WAY I'M TALKING
TO THEM IS ABSOLUTELY
JUSTIFIABLE.
I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE LIVES
49
00:06:22,548 --> 00:06:32,158
TO GIVE, I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE
EMOTIONS.
I'M NO LONGER INTERESTED IN
THEIR DIPLOMACY THAT LEADS TO
50
00:06:32,225 --> 00:06:38,431
THE DESTRUCTION OF MY COUNTRY.
A LOT OF COUNTRIES HAVE CHANGED
THEIR MIND ABOUT UKRAINE AND
ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.
51
00:06:38,498 --> 00:06:44,804
BUT I THINK WE'VE PAID TOO HIGH
PRICE FOR THAT.
>> Pelley: WHAT MUST THE WORLD
UNDERSTAND?
52
00:06:44,871 --> 00:06:52,578
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
WE ARE DEFENDING THE ABILITY OF
A PERSON TO LIVE IN THE MODERN
WORLD.
53
00:06:52,645 --> 00:07:00,753
WE ARE DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO
LIVE.
I NEVER THOUGHT THIS RIGHT WAS
SO COSTLY.
54
00:07:00,820 --> 00:07:09,061
THESE ARE HUMAN VALUES.
SO THAT RUSSIA DOESN'T CHOOSE
WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND HOW I'M
EXERCISING MY RIGHTS.
55
00:07:09,128 --> 00:07:20,339
THAT RIGHT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY
GOD AND MY PARENTS.
>> Pelley: GOD WAS HARD TO FIND
ON OUR VISIT TO KYIV'S NORTHERN
56
00:07:20,406 --> 00:07:28,548
SUBURBS WHICH RUSSIA OCCUPIED
FOR WEEKS.
MUCH OF WHAT WE FOUND WILL BE
DIFFICULT TO WATCH.
57
00:07:28,614 --> 00:07:36,756
BEHIND ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH THERE
IS A SANDY TRENCH NOT QUITE FULL
OF CIVILIAN RESIDENTS OF THE
TOWN OF BUCHA.
58
00:07:36,823 --> 00:07:46,566
UKRAINE STOPPED THE RUSSIANS
HERE, 45 MINUTES FROM THE CENTER
OF THE CAPITAL CITY.
THE RUSSIAN RETREAT WAS SO
59
00:07:46,632 --> 00:07:55,041
HASTY, IT SEEMS THERE WAS NO
TIME TO COVER UP THE WAR CRIMES.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY VISITED
BUCHA TWO DAYS BEFORE OUR
60
00:07:55,107 --> 00:08:00,546
INTERVIEW.
>> Pelley: WHAT DID YOU SEE IN
BUCHA?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
61
00:08:00,613 --> 00:08:09,188
DEATH.
JUST DEATH.
>> Pelley: LAST MONDAY WAS THE
FIRST TIME ZELENSKYY SAW, WITH
62
00:08:09,255 --> 00:08:22,635
HIS OWN EYES, WHAT RUSSIA HAS
DONE, IN WHAT VLADIMIR PUTIN
CALLS THE LIBERATION OF UKRAINE.
THE DAY AFTER OUR INTERVIEW, WE
63
00:08:22,702 --> 00:08:32,845
FOUND CIVILIAN NEIGHBORHOODS IN
BUCHA-- BLOCKS AND BLOCKS--
SHELLED AND BLASTED WITH NO
PURPOSE BUT TERROR.
64
00:08:32,912 --> 00:08:43,322
BODIES AND PARTS OF BODIES LAY
IN THE STREETS, "LEFT OUT LIKE
TRASH" ZELENSKYY TOLD US.
NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY VICTIMS
65
00:08:43,389 --> 00:08:51,731
ARE STILL IN THEIR HOMES-- YET
TO BE FOUND.
>> Pelley: THERE'S A PHOTOGRAPH,
MR. PRESIDENT, OF YOU IN BUCHA
66
00:08:51,797 --> 00:09:01,040
WITH AN EXPRESSION ON YOUR FACE
THAT YOU HAVE NOT ALLOWED YOUR
PEOPLE TO SEE DURING THIS WAR
AND I WONDER WHAT WE'RE SEEING
67
00:09:01,107 --> 00:09:04,744
THERE.
IS THAT HEARTBREAK?
IS IT ANGER?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
68
00:09:04,810 --> 00:09:16,722
IT'S ANGER.
IT'S ANGER BECAUSE WE DON'T
UNDERSTAND THE RUSSIANS.
YOU CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS
69
00:09:16,789 --> 00:09:27,333
WORLD.
THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS
PLANET WHO GIVE THESE ORDERS AND
PEOPLE WHO CARRY THEM OUT.
70
00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:34,740
>> Pelley: IN BUCHA,
NEIGHBORHOOD RELIEF FOR THE
HUNGRY AND THE HOMELESS LOOKED
LIKE WORLD WAR II IN COLOR.
71
00:09:34,807 --> 00:09:44,917
VALERIY MATVIENKO WAS SO ANGRY
ABOUT THE SENSELESS RUSSIAN
BULLET WOUND IN HIS LEG,
WE CAN'T REPEAT WHAT HE TOLD US
72
00:09:44,984 --> 00:09:48,921
IN ENGLISH.
>> Matvienko ( translated ):
SOME OF THE RUSSIANS WERE
NORMAL.
73
00:09:48,988 --> 00:09:56,896
SOME OF THEM WERE TOTALLY CRAZY.
YOU COULD WALK, AND THEY WOULD
SHOOT SOMETIMES UP IN THE AIR,
SOMETIMES AT YOUR LEGS.
74
00:09:56,963 --> 00:10:01,100
SO, YOU'D HAVE TO JUMP IN FRONT
OF THEM.
CARS WERE RUN OVER BY RUSSIAN
TANKS.
75
00:10:01,167 --> 00:10:15,614
VERY BRUTAL.
NOT HUMAN.
>> Pelley: CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT
YOU SAW?
76
00:10:15,681 --> 00:10:19,051
WE MET TETYANA DMITRIIVNA, WHO
COMPRESSED THE OCCUPATION INTO A
SINGLE WORD.
>> Dmitriivna ( translated ):
77
00:10:19,118 --> 00:10:24,657
HORROR.
HORROR.
GUNFIRE WAS NON-STOP DAY AND
NIGHT.
78
00:10:24,724 --> 00:10:31,330
THANKS TO GOD IT ALL PASSED AND
WE SURVIVED.
IT'S SIMPLY A MIRACLE.
I HAD TWO GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME
79
00:10:31,397 --> 00:10:40,740
IN THE BASEMENT.
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD LIVE TO
SEE THIS HORROR.
>> Pelley: MR. ZELENSKYY TOLD US
80
00:10:40,806 --> 00:10:46,712
THAT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT
HUMAN BEINGS COULD DO SOMETHING
LIKE THIS.
>> Dmitriivna ( translated ):
81
00:10:46,779 --> 00:10:52,718
WE NEVER BELIEVED IT EITHER.
WE ARE SIMPLY IN SHOCK,
ALL OF US.
>> Pelley: WHAT EVIDENCE IS
82
00:10:52,785 --> 00:11:00,960
THERE OF WAR CRIMES ACROSS
UKRAINE?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
THE UKRAINIAN SECURITY SERVICE
83
00:11:01,027 --> 00:11:08,934
HAS INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS.
THERE ARE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS
TALKING WITH THEIR PARENTS ABOUT
WHAT THEY STOLE AND WHO THEY
84
00:11:09,001 --> 00:11:16,776
ABDUCTED.
THERE ARE RECORDINGS OF RUSSIAN
PRISONERS OF WAR WHO ADMITTED TO
KILLING PEOPLE.
85
00:11:16,842 --> 00:11:24,784
THERE ARE PILOTS IN PRISON WHO
HAD MAPS WITH CIVILIAN TARGETS
TO BOMB.
THERE ARE ALSO INVESTIGATIONS
86
00:11:24,850 --> 00:11:29,922
BEING DONE BASED ON THE REMAINS
OF THE DEAD.
>> Pelley: SHOULD VLADIMIR PUTIN
BE PROSECUTED FOR WAR CRIMES?
87
00:11:29,989 --> 00:11:40,800
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
LOOK, I THINK EVERYONE WHO MADE
A DECISION, WHO ISSUED AN ORDER,
WHO FULFILLED AN ORDER, EVERYONE
88
00:11:40,866 --> 00:11:48,974
WHO IS RELEVANT TO THIS I
BELIEVE THEY ARE ALL GUILTY.
>> Pelley: DO YOU HOLD PUTIN
RESPONSIBLE?
89
00:11:49,041 --> 00:11:56,982
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
I DO BELIEVE HE'S ONE OF THEM.
THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.
>> Pelley: THE SLAUGHTER OF
90
00:11:57,049 --> 00:12:04,857
CIVILIANS COULD HAVE BEEN
STOPPED, ZELENSKYY TOLD US.
HE'S DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE
WEAPONS NATO AND THE U.S.
91
00:12:04,924 --> 00:12:13,032
ARE SENDING AROUND THE CLOCK,
BUT HE'S BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED
THE ALLIES REFUSE TO IMPOSE A
NO-FLY ZONE OVER UKRAINE.
92
00:12:13,099 --> 00:12:22,842
PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS CALLED THAT
AN INVITATION TO WORLD WAR III.
BUT IN ZELENSKYY'S VIEW, IT'S
THE KIND OF INACTION, THE WORLD
93
00:12:22,908 --> 00:12:34,854
HAS SUFFERED BEFORE.
MR. PRESIDENT, IN A SPEECH TO
NATO YOU SAID, "ALL THE PEOPLE
WHO DIE WILL DIE BECAUSE OF YOU.
94
00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:44,830
BECAUSE OF YOUR WEAKNESS."
ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE WEST
BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THESE ATROCITIES?
95
00:12:44,897 --> 00:12:52,872
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
HE TOLD US, I REMEMBER, ALL OF
US REMEMBER, BOOKS ABOUT THE
SECOND WORLD WAR AND ABOUT THE
96
00:12:52,938 --> 00:12:58,844
DEVIL IN UNIFORM: ADOLF HITLER.
ARE THOSE COUNTRIES WHO DID NOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE WAR
RESPONSIBLE?
97
00:12:58,911 --> 00:13:06,919
THE COUNTRIES WHO LET GERMAN
FORCES MARCH THROUGHOUT EUROPE?
DOES THE WORLD CARRY
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GENOCIDE?
98
00:13:06,986 --> 00:13:16,929
YES.
YES, IT DOES.
WHEN YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO
CLOSE THE SKY-- YES, IT'S SCARY,
99
00:13:16,996 --> 00:13:23,536
THAT A WORLD WAR COULD START.
IT'S SCARY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I CANNOT
PUT PRESSURE ON THESE PEOPLE
100
00:13:23,602 --> 00:13:30,843
BECAUSE EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF
WAR.
BUT WHETHER THE WORLD IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, I BELIEVE
101
00:13:30,910 --> 00:13:39,118
SO, YES.
I BELIEVE SO.
STAND IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR
EVERY DAY AND ASK YOURSELF, WERE
102
00:13:39,185 --> 00:13:45,824
YOU ABLE TO DO SOMETHING?
OR WERE YOU UNABLE TO DO
SOMETHING?
YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWER IN THE
103
00:13:45,891 --> 00:13:56,535
MIRROR TO THIS QUESTION-- AND TO
ANOTHER QUESTION- WHO ARE YOU?
THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.
>> Pelley: PERHAPS, ZELENSKYY
104
00:13:56,602 --> 00:14:03,609
REACHES FOR WORLD WAR II BECAUSE
OF HIS HOMELAND'S HISTORY OF
CATASTROPHE, AND BECAUSE
HE'S UKRAINE'S FIRST
105
00:14:03,676 --> 00:14:09,815
JEWISH PRESIDENT.
ZELENSKYY IS 44 YEARS OLD,
HOLDS A LAW DEGREE, HE'S MARRIED
WITH A SON AND A DAUGHTER.
106
00:14:09,882 --> 00:14:20,492
HIS FAMILY IS SAFE, SOMEWHERE IN
UKRAINE.
IN THIS WAR, ZELENSKYY IS THE
LEADING MAN IN A TRAGEDY BUT
107
00:14:20,559 --> 00:14:29,001
HE'S WORKED HIS ENTIRE CAREER TO
MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH.
HE WAS UKRAINE'S FAVORITE
COMEDIAN WHOSE SITCOM WAS
108
00:14:29,068 --> 00:14:29,668
POPULAR IN RUSSIA, TOO.
109
00:14:32,571 --> 00:14:40,980
IN HIS SHOW CALLED, "SERVANT OF
THE PEOPLE," HE PLAYED A HIGH
SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER WHOSE
ANGER AT CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE
110
00:14:41,046 --> 00:14:52,224
EXPLODES INTO A PROFANE RANT.
A STUDENT POSTS THE TIRADE AND
THE TEACHER IS ELECTED
PRESIDENT.
111
00:14:52,291 --> 00:14:59,565
IN 2019, ZELENSKYY TURNED
PARODY INTO POWER.
HE RAN ON AN ANTI-CORRUPTION
PLATFORM AND WON 73% OF THE
112
00:14:59,632 --> 00:15:09,241
VOTE.
HE WAS 41 YEARS OLD.
HE BROUGHT LONG-TIME FRIEND AND
BUSINESS PARTNER, ANDRIY YERMAK,
113
00:15:09,308 --> 00:15:21,253
IN AS CHIEF-OF-STAFF.
>> Yermak: HE'S SMART, HE'S
STRONG, HE'S BRAVE, AND HE IS
PERSON WHO IS SELF-MADE.
114
00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:27,092
ZELENSKYY, IT'S NOT JUST THE
LEADER OF OUR HEROIC NATION,
I THINK HE IS THE LEADER OF THE
FREE WORLD
115
00:15:27,159 --> 00:15:33,799
>> Pelley: WHY DO YOU SAY
PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IS THE
LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD NOW?
>> Yermak: BECAUSE UKRAINE
116
00:15:33,866 --> 00:15:41,740
DEFEND NOT JUST UKRAINE.
WE DEFEND ALL DEMOCRACY.
>> Pelley: ZELENSKYY HAS BEEN
DEFENDING UKRAINE SINCE HIS
117
00:15:41,807 --> 00:15:51,817
INAUGURATION DAY.
THAT GREEN T-SHIRT, WHICH CAUGHT
THE EYE OF THE WORLD, WAS NO
SURPRISE TO UKRAINIANS.
118
00:15:51,884 --> 00:15:58,824
HE KEEPS FATIGUES IN HIS OFFICE
BECAUSE HE OFTEN VISITED THE
BATTLEFRONT NEAR THE RUSSIAN
BORDER, WHERE UKRAINE HAS BEEN
119
00:15:58,891 --> 00:16:07,433
IN A SHOOTING WAR WITH RUSSIA
SINCE 2014.
THAT WAS WHEN PUTIN INVADED PART
OF UKRAINE CALLED, THE DONBAS,
120
00:16:07,499 --> 00:16:15,674
AND SEIZED UKRAINE'S CRIMEA
PENINSULA.
IN 2014, BEFORE ZELENSKYY WAS
ELECTED, A RUSSIAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT
121
00:16:15,741 --> 00:16:29,154
BATTERY IN UKRAINE SHOT DOWN AN
AIRLINER, KILLING 298 CIVILIANS.
IN OUR INTERVIEW, ZELENSKYY TOLD
US HE'S BEEN TRYING TO WARN THE
122
00:16:29,221 --> 00:16:37,296
WORLD THAT PUTIN WILL NOT STOP
AT UKRAINE.
>> Pelley: MR. PRESIDENT, IT
APPEARS THAT THE FREE WORLD HAS
123
00:16:37,363 --> 00:16:45,104
CALCULATED THAT THE SUFFERING OF
YOUR PEOPLE IS NOT WORTH EVEN
THE RISK OF A NUCLEAR EXCHANGE.
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
124
00:16:45,170 --> 00:16:53,178
I THINK SO.
THAT'S HOW IT IS.
SOME ARE USING THAT POLITICALLY,
AS AN EXCUSE, BY SAYING,
125
00:16:53,245 --> 00:17:01,387
"WE CAN'T DEFEND UKRAINE BECAUSE
THERE COULD BE A NUCLEAR WAR."
I THINK THAT TODAY, NO ONE IN
THIS WORLD CAN PREDICT WHAT
126
00:17:01,453 --> 00:17:09,361
RUSSIA WILL DO IF THEY INVADE
FURTHER INTO OUR TERRITORY.
THEY WILL DEFINITELY MOVE CLOSER
AND CLOSER TO EUROPE, THEY WILL
127
00:17:09,428 --> 00:17:17,202
ONLY BECOME STRONGER AND LESS
PREDICTABLE.
>> Pelley: PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS
HE IS OUTRAGED BY BUCHA.
128
00:17:17,269 --> 00:17:25,911
NATO LEADERS SAY THEY ARE
OUTRAGED BY BUCHA.
SO, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO NOW?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
129
00:17:25,978 --> 00:17:33,385
WEAPONS, NUMBER ONE.
THEY NEED TO BE VERY SERIOUS
ABOUT IT.
THEY DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND WHAT
130
00:17:33,452 --> 00:17:41,226
I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
THEY HAVE TO SUPPLY WEAPONS TO
UKRAINE AS IF THEY WERE
DEFENDING THEMSELVES AND THEIR
131
00:17:41,293 --> 00:17:49,368
OWN PEOPLE.
THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS;
IF THEY DON'T SPEED UP, IT WILL
BE VERY HARD FOR US TO HOLD ON
132
00:17:49,435 --> 00:17:57,376
AGAINST THIS PRESSURE.
THE SECOND FACTOR IS SANCTIONS.
BECAUSE WE'VE FOUND SOME THINGS
IN SANCTIONS THAT ARE EASY FOR
133
00:17:57,443 --> 00:18:04,683
FINANCIAL EXPERTS TO CIRCUMVENT.
RUSSIA HAS BEEN CIRCUMVENTING
THEM, AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY
TRUE.
134
00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:11,290
THE WESTERN WORLD KNOWS IT.
THIS SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED.
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE, THIS IS
REAL LIFE.
135
00:18:11,356 --> 00:18:21,433
STOP FEARING THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION.
WE'VE SHOWN, WE ARE NOT AFRAID.
>> Pelley: WHEN WE COME BACK, IN
136
00:18:21,500 --> 00:18:27,906
THE WAKE OF THE BUCHA
ATROCITIES, PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY
TELLS THE UNITED STATES WHAT HE
MUST HAVE TO SURVIVE.
137
00:18:27,973 --> 00:18:29,341
( TICKING )
138
00:18:38,383 --> 00:18:47,759
>> Pelley: FRIDAY, A RUSSIAN
MISSILE STRIKE HIT A CROWD OF
REFUGEES STRIVING TO ESCAPE
EASTERN UKRAINE BY TRAIN.
139
00:18:47,826 --> 00:18:56,268
AT LEAST 50 WERE KILLED,
FIVE CHILDREN.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR
ZELENSKYY CALLS IT A WAR CRIME.
140
00:18:56,335 --> 00:19:02,374
TONIGHT, ZELENSKYY IS FIGHTING A
POWERFUL RUSSIAN ASSAULT ON
UKRAINE'S EAST AND SOUTH.
RUSSIA HAS NOT SEIZED ITS
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00:19:02,441 --> 00:19:10,349
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.
SO, INSTEAD, IT'S SHELLING
DEFIANT CITIES TO RUIN.
THE ONE EXCEPTION, AT LEAST NOW,
142
00:19:10,415 --> 00:19:18,390
IS KYIV.
IN A FEAT OF ARMS NO ONE
EXPECTED, UKRAINE'S OUTGUNNED
ARMY DEFEATED THE MASSIVE
143
00:19:18,457 --> 00:19:26,598
RUSSIAN FORCE THAT HAD BEEN
ORDERED TO TAKE THE CAPITAL
CITY.
( BELLS RINGING )
144
00:19:26,665 --> 00:19:38,010
KYIV SURVIVES, FOR THE MOMENT,
A CAPITAL OF MUMMIFIED MONUMENTS
AND 19th CENTURY GRACE.
BEFORE, IT WAS A BUMPER-TO-
145
00:19:38,076 --> 00:19:46,251
BUMPER CITY WITH THREE MILLION
RESIDENTS.
BUT NOW, THE STREETS ARE
CONGESTED ONLY BY SHADOWS.
146
00:19:46,318 --> 00:19:54,393
AIR RAIDS ARE STILL A DANGER
BUT, AFTER NEARLY SEVEN WEEKS,
THE SIREN DOESN'T QUICKEN THE
STEP LIKE IT USED TO.
147
00:19:54,459 --> 00:20:02,367
( AIR RAID SIRENS )
HAVE YOU WON THE BATTLE OF KYIV?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
KYIV.
148
00:20:02,434 --> 00:20:14,379
I THINK, YES, BUT, THIS ISN'T
THE FINAL VICTORY.
I WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO TELL
AFTER WE WIN THIS WAR.
149
00:20:14,446 --> 00:20:20,819
WHEN WE LIBERATE OUR COUNTRY,
THEN I'LL BE ABLE TO TELL.
BECAUSE BUCHA IS PART OF GREATER
KYIV.
150
00:20:20,886 --> 00:20:32,731
BCHA, IRPIN, HOSTOMEL-- IF THE
PEOPLE OF THOSE WERE WIPED OUT,
THEN, DID WE WIN THIS BATTLE?
I'M NOT SURE.
151
00:20:32,798 --> 00:20:44,009
WE'VE WITHSTOOD, AND WE DID NOT
GIVE UP WHAT IS OURS.
BUT WHETHER WE WON, I CAN'T SAY.
>> Pelley: NO ONE EXPECTED
152
00:20:44,076 --> 00:20:50,382
UKRAINE TO FIGHT RUSSIA TO A
STANDSTILL.
AND I WONDER, HOW DID YOU
MANAGE?
153
00:20:50,449 --> 00:20:58,256
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
WE UNITED AS A NATION.
EVEN THOUGH OUR PEOPLE
UNDERSTOOD THAT THEY WOULD BE
154
00:20:58,323 --> 00:21:06,465
OUTNUMBERED TENFOLD, AND THERE
WOULD BE NO WAY OUT.
JUST NO WAY OUT.
WE FOUGHT FOR OUR EXISTENCE AND
155
00:21:06,531 --> 00:21:14,439
FOR SURVIVAL.
THAT'S THE COMBINED HEROISM OF
EVERYONE- OF THE PEOPLE, OF THE
AUTHORITIES, OF THE ARMED
156
00:21:14,506 --> 00:21:28,320
FORCES.
WE BECAME A SINGLE FIST.
>> Pelley: WE SAW THE UKRAINIAN
PUNCH IN THE TOWN OF BUCHA WHERE
157
00:21:28,387 --> 00:21:34,726
THE REMAINS OF A RUSSIAN ARMORED
COLUMN RUSTED, DEAD IN THE
STREET.
NEIGHBORS, HOLED UP FOR WEEKS,
158
00:21:34,793 --> 00:21:42,467
EMERGED TO REMEMBER WHAT VICTORY
LOOKS LIKE.
NO ONE SEEMED IN A HURRY TO DEAL
WITH THE BITS OF RUSSIAN
159
00:21:42,534 --> 00:21:52,244
SOLDIERS IN THE WRECKAGE.
THE FULL STORY OF HOW THE
OUTMANNED UKRAINIAN ARMY STOPPED
THE INVASION OF KYIV, WILL FILL
160
00:21:52,310 --> 00:21:58,984
HISTORY BOOKS, BUT WE ALREADY
KNOW PART OF IT.
BECAUSE THE RUSSIANS BELIEVED
THAT KYIV TO FALL IN A MATTER OF
161
00:21:59,051 --> 00:22:06,525
DAYS, THEY LITERALLY DID NOT
BRING ENOUGH FOOD OR FUEL FOR
THEIR ARMORED COLUMNS.
ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE
162
00:22:06,591 --> 00:22:16,368
UKRAINIANS HAD BEEN TRAINED FOR
YEARS BY THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL
GUARD AND OTHER U.S. UNITS.
WHEN THE INVASION HAPPENED, THE
163
00:22:16,435 --> 00:22:25,544
UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND OTHER
COUNTRIES FLOODED UKRAINE WITH
LIGHT-WEIGHT, SHOULDER-FIRED
ANTI-TANK MISSILES.
164
00:22:25,610 --> 00:22:30,515
HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE HAVE
AMERICAN ARMS MADE IN THIS WAR?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
THEY'RE HELPING.
165
00:22:30,582 --> 00:22:38,356
FRANKLY SPEAKING, I WOULD HAVE
WANTED MORE.
I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE RIGHT
TO SAY THAT.
166
00:22:38,423 --> 00:22:46,398
BUT THE FACT THAT THE UNITED
STATES HAS HELPED A LOT IS TRUE.
>> Pelley: ZELENSKYY'S MAN IN
CHARGE OF ARMING UKRAINE IS
167
00:22:46,465 --> 00:22:52,771
CHIEF-OF-STAFF, ANDRIY YERMAK.
WHEN WE MET, HE'D JUST FINISHED
A TWO-HOUR CALL WITH U.S.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR,
168
00:22:52,838 --> 00:23:01,446
JAKE SULLIVAN AND THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE JOINT CHIEFS, GENERAL
MARK MILLEY.
YERMAK ASKED FOR HEAVIER
169
00:23:01,513 --> 00:23:06,585
WEAPONS-FASTER—FIRST THERE WAS
ARTILLERY.
>> Yermak: THE SECOND, WE NEED
THE TANKS.
170
00:23:06,651 --> 00:23:14,493
WE NEED THE MILITARY JETS.
AND WE NEED EVERYTHING WHICH
GIVE TO US OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSED
OUR SKY.
171
00:23:14,559 --> 00:23:22,300
>> Pelley: WHEN YOU ASK THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR
ARTILLERY, TANKS, JET AIRPLANES.
THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS WHAT?
172
00:23:22,367 --> 00:23:30,575
>> Yermak: WE HAD VERY DEEP AND
VERY DETAILED CONVERSATION.
THIS IS AMERICAN PRESIDENT WHO
HAS DONE FOR UKRAINE MORE THAN
173
00:23:30,642 --> 00:23:40,452
ALL OTHER PRESIDENT.
BUT THEN YOU HAVE THE WAR AND WE
HAVE OPENLY SAID WE NEED MORE.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
174
00:23:40,519 --> 00:23:51,062
WE NEED IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IF WE RECEIVE THIS SUPPORT IN
TIME, WE WILL WIN.
>> Pelley: A WHITE HOUSE
175
00:23:51,129 --> 00:24:00,305
OFFICIAL TELLS US, YERMAK GOT A
"YES" TO HIS REQUESTS.
BUT FILLING ORDERS TAKES TIME.
THE UKRAINIANS NEED RUSSIAN MADE
176
00:24:00,372 --> 00:24:08,747
WEAPONS THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW
HOW TO USE.
THE U.S. IS CAJOLING ALLIES TO
SHIP THEIR RUSSIAN GEAR NOW ON
177
00:24:08,814 --> 00:24:19,858
THE PROMISE THAT THE U.S. WILL
REPLACE IT LATER.
AMERICA HAS THROWN IN NEARLY
$2 BILLION IN MILITARY AID.
178
00:24:19,925 --> 00:24:25,263
FROM THE UKRAINIAN POINT OF
VIEW, OF COURSE, NOTHING IS FAST
ENOUGH.
RUSSIAN BOMBARDMENT IS
179
00:24:25,330 --> 00:24:34,272
ESCALATING IN THE EAST AND
SOUTH.
CITIES ARE BEING SHELLED TO
RUIN, INCLUDING MARIUPOL, WITH
180
00:24:34,339 --> 00:24:38,910
450,000 RESIDENTS.
>> Pelley: WHAT ARE YOU
EXPECTING NOW IN THE EAST AND IN
THE SOUTH?
181
00:24:38,977 --> 00:24:45,817
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
WE THINK THIS WILL BE A NEW WAVE
OF THIS WAR.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH RUSSIAN
182
00:24:45,884 --> 00:24:50,655
WEAPONRY THERE WILL BE.
BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE
WILL BE MANY TIMES MORE THAN
THERE IS NOW.
183
00:24:50,722 --> 00:25:02,934
ALL DEPENDS ON HOW FAST WE WILL
BE HELPED BY THE UNITED STATES.
TO BE HONEST, WHETHER WE WILL BE
ABLE TO SURVIVE DEPENDS ON THIS.
184
00:25:03,001 --> 00:25:11,109
I HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE IN OUR
PEOPLE AND IN OUR ARMED FORCES.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE
THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL BE
185
00:25:11,176 --> 00:25:18,717
RECEIVING EVERYTHING WE NEED.
>> Pelley: AND SO WHAT ARE YOU
ASKING OF PRESIDENT BIDEN?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
186
00:25:18,783 --> 00:25:26,725
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, LONG AGO,
I ASKED PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR VERY
SPECIFIC ITEMS.
HE HAS THE LIST.
187
00:25:26,791 --> 00:25:34,332
PRESIDENT BIDEN CAN ENTER
HISTORY AS THE PERSON WHO STOOD
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE
UKRAINIAN PEOPLE WHO WON AND
188
00:25:34,399 --> 00:25:44,676
CHOSE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR
OWN COUNTRY.
THIS ALSO DEPENDS ON HIM.
>> Pelley: YOU ARE FRUSTRATED
189
00:25:44,743 --> 00:25:50,715
WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
NO.
I'M NOT DISAPPOINTED.
190
00:25:50,782 --> 00:25:58,590
I DON'T KNOW HOW ANOTHER
PRESIDENT IN HIS PLACE WOULD
HELP US, I DON'T KNOW.
IT'S DIFFICULT.
191
00:25:58,657 --> 00:26:04,663
WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
I THINK SO, AT LEAST.
UKRAINE DEPENDS ON THE SUPPORT
OF THE UNITED STATES.
192
00:26:04,729 --> 00:26:14,739
AND I, AS THE LEADER OF A
COUNTRY AT WAR-- I CAN ONLY BE
GRATEFUL.
>> Pelley: AS FOR THE OTHER
193
00:26:14,806 --> 00:26:19,911
PRESIDENT AT WAR, WE ASKED
ZELENSKYY IF HE WOULD MEET,
NOW, FACE TO FACE WITH
VLADIMIR PUTIN.
194
00:26:19,978 --> 00:26:26,785
HE TOLD US IT WAS WORTH
THE CHANCE.
THEY WOULDN'T RESOLVE EVERYTHING
ZELENSKYY SAID BUT THEY MIGHT
195
00:26:26,851 --> 00:26:34,659
STOP THE KILLING.
>> Pelley: ARE YOU WILLING TO
GIVE UP ANY PART OF UKRAINE FOR
PEACE?
196
00:26:34,726 --> 00:26:39,331
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
OVERALL WE ARE NOT READY TO GIVE
AWAY OUR COUNTRY.
I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN UP
197
00:26:39,397 --> 00:26:46,671
A LOT OF LIVES.
SO, WE NEED TO STAND FIRM FOR AS
LONG AS WE CAN.
BUT THIS IS LIFE.
198
00:26:46,738 --> 00:26:53,178
DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPEN.
>> Pelley: IT'S NEGOTIABLE?
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
WELL, THIS ISSUE WOULD
199
00:26:53,244 --> 00:27:00,885
DEFINITELY BE RAISED IN THE
COURSE OF NEGOTIATIONS.
WE UNDERSTAND THE RUSSIAN SIDE.
WE UNDERSTAND ONE OF THEIR
200
00:27:00,952 --> 00:27:06,858
PROVISIONS THAT IS ALWAYS TALKED
ABOUT IS TO RECOGNIZE CRIMEA AS
RUSSIAN TERRITORY.
I WILL DEFINITELY NOT RECOGNIZE
201
00:27:06,925 --> 00:27:14,566
THAT.
AND THEY WOULD REALLY LIKE TO
TAKE THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF OUR
COUNTRY.
202
00:27:14,632 --> 00:27:25,844
I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT
QUESTIONS LIKE THIS WILL BE
RAISED IN NEGOTIATIONS, IF THERE
EVER ARE ANY.
203
00:27:25,910 --> 00:27:29,214
BUT WE WERE NOT READY TO GIVE UP
OUR TERRITORY FROM THE
BEGINNING.
HAD WE BEEN WILLING TO GIVE UP
204
00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:33,918
OUR TERRITORY, THERE WOULD HAVE
BEEN NO WAR.
>> Pelley: MR. PRESIDENT, IN
ALMOST EVERY SPEECH TO YOUR
205
00:27:33,985 --> 00:27:38,156
COUNTRY YOU SAY THAT UKRAINE IS
GOING TO WIN.
WHAT DOES WINNING LOOK LIKE TO
YOU?
206
00:27:38,223 --> 00:27:46,765
>> Zelenskyy ( translated ):
VICTORY.
FIRST OF ALL, OUR PEOPLE WOULD
DEFINITELY FEEL VICTORY.
207
00:27:46,831 --> 00:27:58,443
THEY WILL COME BACK.
THE RETURN OF REFUGEES IS BLOOD
FOR THE BODY OF UKRAINE, WITHOUT
THEM THERE IS NOTHING.
208
00:27:58,510 --> 00:28:03,114
THE BOMBARDMENTS WOULD END.
WE WOULD RECOVER OUR TERRITORY.
THERE WOULD BE NO RUSSIAN
SOLDIERS IN OUR COUNTRY.
209
00:28:03,181 --> 00:28:10,722
YES, I UNDERSTAND THEY WILL NOT
WITHDRAW FROM CRIMEA, AND WE'LL
BE ARGUING AND NEGOTIATING FOR
ONE TERRITORY OR ANOTHER IN THE
210
00:28:10,789 --> 00:28:18,930
SOUTH OF OUR COUNTRY, THE
DONBAS.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAS TO
HAPPEN, AFTER WHICH WE CAN SAY,
211
00:28:18,997 --> 00:28:26,504
"THIS IS VICTORY."
BUT, IF YOU DON'T MIND-- I'M NOT
GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT JUST YET.
>> Pelley: MR. PRESIDENT, WE
212
00:28:26,571 --> 00:28:34,813
WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK IN THE
WORLD.
>> Zelenskyy: I NEED HALF OF IT.
I THINK EVEN HALF WILL BE
213
00:28:34,879 --> 00:28:46,458
ENOUGH.
>> Pelley: VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY
HAS BORROWED MORE LUCK THAN
ANYONE EXPECTED.
214
00:28:46,524 --> 00:28:54,933
WITH THE REPRIEVE OF KYIV,
UKRAINE HAS TURNED MERE
ADMIRATION INTO CREDIBILITY.
ITS PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING
215
00:28:54,999 --> 00:29:10,882
GRIEVOUS LOSS EVERY HOUR, BUT
THEY HAVE PROVEN-- THERE WAS A
MOMENT IN KYIV-- WHEN THEY
SILENCED THE GUNS OF RUSSIA.
216
00:29:10,949 --> 00:29:21,459
( TICKING )
>> LEADING FROM THE FRONT.
MORE FROM PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR
ZELENSKYY, AT:
217
00:29:24,629 --> 00:29:32,637
( TICKING )
>> Alfonsi: IF YOU FEEL LIKE
YOU'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT ABOUT
BITCOIN LATELY, THOSE AREN'T
218
00:29:32,704 --> 00:29:39,410
VOICES IN YOUR HEAD.
LAST MONTH, IN AN ATTEMPT TO
SKIRT HARSH FINANCIAL SANCTIONS,
A TOP RUSSIAN LAWMAKER SAID
219
00:29:39,477 --> 00:29:44,782
RUSSIA MAY START ACCEPTING
BITCOIN FOR OIL AND GAS.
IF YOU WATCHED THE SUPER BOWL
THIS YEAR, YOU PROBABLY SAW THE
220
00:29:44,849 --> 00:29:52,624
ADS FOR CRYPTO-COMPANIES.
AND NOW, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS
TURNED HIS ATTENTION TO DIGITAL
ASSETS, SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE
221
00:29:52,690 --> 00:30:00,598
ORDER TO EXAMINE THE RISKS AND
BENEFITS OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES.
SO, WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO
TRY AND GET OUR HEADS AROUND THE
222
00:30:00,665 --> 00:30:06,571
COMPLICATED WORLD OF
CRYPTO-CURRENCIES, SPECIFICALLY
THE LARGEST ONE, BITCOIN.
TO DO THAT, WE WENT TO ONE OF
223
00:30:06,638 --> 00:30:16,648
THE SIMPLEST PLACES IN THE
WORLD, A REMOTE TOWN KNOWN AS“
BITCOIN BEACH.”
ON THE COAST OF EL SALVADOR,
224
00:30:16,714 --> 00:30:25,924
ABOUT AN HOUR FROM THE CAPITAL
IS A TOWN CALLED EL ZONTE.
BLACK VOLCANIC SAND GIVES WAY TO
WARM WATER AND AN EXCEPTIONAL
225
00:30:25,990 --> 00:30:34,132
POINT BREAK THAT DRAWS SURFERS
FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
BUT WANDER DOWN EL ZONTE'S
WINDING DIRT ROADS, AND IT'S
226
00:30:34,199 --> 00:30:40,171
EASY TO SPOT A DIFFERENT KIND OF
TOURIST.
DO YOU SURF?
>> Andreas Kohl: I DON'T YET,
227
00:30:40,238 --> 00:30:47,445
BUT I MIGHT TAKE IT UP HERE.
>> Alfonsi: WE MET ANDREAS KOHL,
VISITING FROM LIECHTENSTEIN.
HE CAME TO EL ZONTE BECAUSE
228
00:30:47,512 --> 00:30:54,519
IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES IN
THE WORLD YOU CAN USE BITCOIN TO
PAY FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING--
TAMALES, HOTELS, OR SOUVENIRS.
229
00:30:54,586 --> 00:30:58,690
>> Kohl: BITCOIN CITY'S
HAPPENING HERE, AND IT MIGHT BE
THE NEXT SINGAPORE.
I WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN.
230
00:30:58,756 --> 00:31:04,696
>> Alfonsi: SINGAPORE?
IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE.
THE ONLY TRAFFIC JAMS IN
EL ZONTE ARE CAUSED BY LOOSE
231
00:31:04,762 --> 00:31:15,506
LIVESTOCK.
TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS REMOTE
TOWN OF 3,000 BECAME PART OF A
GRAND BITCOIN EXPERIMENT AND HOW
232
00:31:15,573 --> 00:31:23,748
IT ALL WORKS, WE WERE TOLD TO
HEAD TO THIS BREAK AND LOOK FOR
A MIDDLE-AGED BLONDE GUY LOCALS
CALL “THE MAN.”
233
00:31:23,815 --> 00:31:30,655
THAT'S HIM-- MIKE PETERSON,
AN EX-PAT FROM SAN DIEGO WITH
A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS AND A NOSE
FOR DECENT WAVES.
234
00:31:30,722 --> 00:31:39,397
>> Peterson: I WOUND UP HERE ON
A SURF TRIP I THINK, LIKE, 18
YEARS AGO.
FELL IN LOVE WITH THE WARM
235
00:31:39,464 --> 00:31:44,702
WATER, THE NICE WAVES, BUT MOST
ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE HERE.
>> Alfonsi: PETERSON, WHO ONCE
WORKED AS A FINANCIAL PLANNER,
236
00:31:44,769 --> 00:31:52,710
MOVED TO EL ZONTE A FEW YEARS
LATER AND STARTED HELPING THOSE
PEOPLE.
IN 2015, HE STARTED MISSIONSAKE,
237
00:31:52,777 --> 00:31:59,317
A CHARITY THAT SUPPORTS
MISSIONARIES AND FUNDED
SCHOLARSHIPS AND CREATED LOCAL
JOBS.
238
00:31:59,384 --> 00:32:04,555
AT THAT TIME, MOST YOUNG PEOPLE
HERE LEFT TOWN OR THE COUNTRY TO
FIND WORK.
>> Peterson: THAT'S KIND OF THE
239
00:32:04,622 --> 00:32:08,760
CYCLE THAT WE'VE SEEN OF
DESTRUCTION, OF PEOPLE HAVING TO
LEAVE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH
OPPORTUNITY.
240
00:32:08,826 --> 00:32:12,997
THEN, THEIR KIDS ARE GROWING UP
WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS HERE, SO
THEY'RE VERY VULNERABLE TO THE
GANGS.
241
00:32:13,064 --> 00:32:18,703
THEY JOIN THE GANGS, THE GANGS
GROW, AND YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF
DESTRUCTIVE CYCLE.
>> Roman Martinez: THIS IS HOW
242
00:32:18,770 --> 00:32:24,809
WE GREW UP HERE.
LIKE, THE OPPORTUNITIES WERE
ALMOST NOTHING.
>> Alfonsi: YOU HAD TO LEAVE IF
243
00:32:24,876 --> 00:32:30,715
YOU WANTED TO DO SOMETHING?
>> Martinez: THAT WAS, LIKE,
THE PARADIGM.
>> Alfonsi: ROMAN MARTINEZ GREW
244
00:32:30,782 --> 00:32:36,721
UP IN EL ZONTE AND STARTED
WORKING WITH PETERSON'S CHARITY
TO HELP KIDS LIKE ISMAEL
GALDAMEZ.
245
00:32:36,788 --> 00:32:42,293
HE QUIT SCHOOL AT 13.
>> Galdamez: ALL I WANTED TO DO
IS TO WORK HARD AND TO LIVE.
THAT'S IT.
246
00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,897
NOT ABOUT MY FUTURE.
>> Alfonsi: IT WAS JUST
SURVIVING THE DAY, GETTING
THROUGH THE DAY.
247
00:32:45,963 --> 00:32:51,636
>> Galdamez: EXACTLY, AS MY
PARENTS DID.
IT'S SAD, BUT IT'S THE REALITY.
>> Alfonsi: BUT THEN, IN
248
00:32:51,703 --> 00:33:00,311
2019, EL ZONTE GOT AN UNEXPECTED
BREAK.
PETERSON SAYS HE WAS INTRODUCED
TO SOMEONE REPRESENTING AN
249
00:33:00,378 --> 00:33:04,949
ANONYMOUS DONOR WITH A FORTUNE
IN BITCOIN WHO WANTED TO SEE IT
PUT TO GOOD USE, WITH ONE
STIPULATION.
250
00:33:05,016 --> 00:33:11,055
>> Peterson: THE STIPULATION
WAS, YOU CAN'T JUST CONVERT IT
INTO DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THE ACTUAL USAGE OF
251
00:33:11,122 --> 00:33:16,561
BITCOIN WOULD BE WHAT WOULD
BENEFIT THE PEOPLE.
AND SO, FOR ME, IT WAS, LIKE,
"WOW, THIS IS SOMEBODY THAT
252
00:33:16,627 --> 00:33:24,235
WANTS TO ACTUALLY SEE A CIRCULAR
ECONOMY GENERATED USING BITCOIN,
AND THEY'RE WILLING TO ACTUALLY
PUT THE FUNDS BEHIN IT."
253
00:33:24,302 --> 00:33:30,775
>> Alfonsi: PETERSON AND A TEAM
OF COMMUNITY LEADERS GOT TO WORK
CREATING THE “BITCOIN BEACH
INITIATIVE.”
254
00:33:30,842 --> 00:33:38,750
THEY USED THE ANONYMOUS DONATION
TO CREATE DOZENS OF MUCH NEEDED
JOBS IN EL ZONTE, BUT THEY'D
HAVE TO PAY EVERYONE IN BITCOIN.
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00:33:38,816 --> 00:33:44,355
BE HONEST, WHAT DID THEY SAY
WHEN YOU BROUGHT UP, "LET'S USE
BITCOIN"?
>> Peterson: FIRST, THEY JUST
256
00:33:44,422 --> 00:33:49,327
KIND OF LOOKED AT YOU WITH THIS
BLANK STARE, LIKE, "WELL, SHOW
ME THESE BITCOINS, AND-- AND HOW
DO-- HOW DO YOU HOLD THEM?
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00:33:49,394 --> 00:33:56,834
AND WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?"
>> Alfonsi: ALL FAIR QUESTIONS
WITHOUT AN EASY ANSWER, BUT MIKE
PETERSON OFFERED HIS NEIGHBORS
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00:33:56,901 --> 00:34:04,909
AND US HIS BEST EXPLANATION TO
WHAT MIGHT BE THE MOST
CHALLENGING QUESTION OF ALL.
WHAT'S BITCOIN?
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00:34:04,976 --> 00:34:12,850
>> Peterson: SO, BITCOIN IS
THE-- THE WORLD'S FIRST
DECENTRALIZED MONEY THAT'S NOT
CONTROLLED BY ANY GOVERNMENT.
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00:34:12,917 --> 00:34:17,088
THERE'S NO GATEKEEPERS IN IT.
IT'S-- YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY LIVES
ON THE INTERNET.
IT CAN BE TRANSFERRED IN
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00:34:17,155 --> 00:34:24,362
ELECTRONIC FORM.
THAT ACTUALLY LETS PEOPLE OWN IT
THEMSELVES, TRULY OWN IT.
>> Alfonsi: IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S
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00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:30,835
PEER-TO-PEER DIGITAL MONEY.
THERE ISN'T A BANK OR THIRD
PARTY IN THE MIDDLE.
BANKS HAVE NEVER REALLY BEEN
263
00:34:30,902 --> 00:34:37,508
PART OF THE EQUATION FOR MOST
SALVADORANS; ABOUT 70% OF THE
COUNTRY IS UNBANKED.
THAT MEANS THEY HAVE LIMITED
264
00:34:37,575 --> 00:34:44,882
ACCESS TO LOANS, MORTGAGES, OR
CREDIT CARDS.
CASH HAS ALWAYS BEEN KING, WHICH
MADE CONVINCING PEOPLE IN
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00:34:44,949 --> 00:34:52,890
EL ZONTE TO WORK FOR BITCOIN--
A CURRENCY THEY COULDN'T HOLD OR
SEE-- ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT.
SO, MIKE PETERSON AND HIS
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00:34:52,957 --> 00:34:59,564
PARTNERS TURNED THEIR ATTENTION
TO A GROUP MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE
WITH ALL THINGS DIGITAL:
TEENAGERS.
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00:34:59,630 --> 00:35:04,969
ISMAEL GALDAMEZ WAS ONE OF THE
FIRST HIRES.
>> Peterson: SO, WE WERE HIRING
THEM TO DO THINGS IN THE
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00:35:05,036 --> 00:35:11,742
COMMUNITY, PICK UP TRASH OUT OF
THE RIVER, AND THEN WE'D PAY
THEM IN BITCOIN.
AND SO, THEY GOT INTO THIS
269
00:35:11,809 --> 00:35:16,981
RHYTHM OF GOING OUT AND WORKING
AND EARNING BITCOIN.
>> Alfonsi: AND SO, YOU'RE
GIVING THEM THE BITCOIN, BUT DID
270
00:35:17,048 --> 00:35:21,652
THEY HAVE ANYWHERE TO SPEND THE
BITCOIN?
>> Peterson: THAT'S ALWAYS THE
CHALLENGE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO
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00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:28,960
BRING A NEW SYSTEM INTO PLACE,
YOU KNOW, THE CHICKEN AND THE
EGG PROBLEM.
>> Alfonsi: ENTER MOMMA ROSA.
272
00:35:29,026 --> 00:35:36,501
UNDER A TIN ROOF AND OVER AN
OPEN FLAME, SHE RUNS A POPULAR
PUPUSA SPOT IN TOWN.
HER SON, JORGE, WORKS WITH MIKE
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00:35:36,567 --> 00:35:40,972
PETERSON AND CONVINCED “MOMMA”
TO BE THE FIRST IN EL ZONTE TO
ACCEPT BITCOIN.
DID SHE SAY, "WHERE'S THE
274
00:35:41,038 --> 00:35:47,979
MONEY?"
>> Jorge Valenzuela: YEAH, SHE
SAY, LIKE, "OKAY, IF YOU PAY ME,
BUT HOW CAN I SEE IT?
275
00:35:48,045 --> 00:35:52,984
WHEN I TOUCH THE MONEY?"
>> Alfonsi: YEAH.
AND SHE JUST HAD TO TRUST YOU?
>> Valenzuela: YEAH.
276
00:35:53,050 --> 00:36:00,925
SO, SHE SAY, "YOU CAN COME AND
TEACH ME."
>> Alfonsi: HRE'S HOW IT WORKS.
CUSTOMERS SCAN HER “QR” CODE;
277
00:36:00,992 --> 00:36:06,998
THEN, USING A POPULAR PHONE APP
CALLED “BITCOIN BEACH,”
INSTANTLY TRANSFER BITCOIN FROM
THEIR WALLETS TO HERS, WHICH SHE
278
00:36:07,064 --> 00:36:14,605
KEEPS IN HER APRON.
MOMMA ROSA USED HER BITCOIN
SAVINGS TO BUY A TRUCK AND TWO
COWS.
279
00:36:14,672 --> 00:36:19,277
THE GRANDMOTHER OF 18 IS NOW
BULLISH ON BITCOIN.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A
PIONEER OF TECHNOLOGY?
280
00:36:19,343 --> 00:36:27,184
>> Mamma Rosa: ( LAUGHS )
>> Alfonsi: YOU LIKE IT.
HOLA!
BUT NOT EVERYONE IN TOWN HAS
281
00:36:27,251 --> 00:36:31,956
BOUGHT IN.
ACEPTAS BITCOIN?
>> NO.
>> Alfonsi: NO.
282
00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:37,428
CAN I ASK YOU, DO YOU ACCEPT
BITCOIN?
>> NO.
>> Alfonsi: BECAUSE BITCOIN IS
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00:36:37,495 --> 00:36:44,068
COMPLICATED, IT'S NOT BACKED BY
A GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY.
THERE'S ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE
COMPUTER POWER OR ENERGY NEEDED
284
00:36:44,135 --> 00:36:51,275
TO SUPPORT BITCOIN'S UNDERLYING
NETWORK.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T BUY A WHOLE
BITCOIN BUT A FRACTION OF ONE.
285
00:36:51,342 --> 00:36:57,148
IT'S LARGELY UNREGULATED AND
EXTREMELY VOLATILE.
THERE IS ONLY A LIMITED SUPPLY,
SO ITS VALUE SWELLS AND DIPS
286
00:36:57,214 --> 00:37:05,122
BASED ON DEMAND.
BITCOIN WAS INTRODUCED IN 2009.
A YEAR LATER, A SINGLE BITCOIN
WAS VALUED AT PENNIES.
287
00:37:05,189 --> 00:37:13,464
ITS VALUE INCHED UP AND DOWN,
PEAKING LAST NOVEMBER AT ALMOST
$70,000 A BITCOIN, ONLY TO LOSE
AROUND 30% OF ITS VALUE IN THE
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00:37:13,531 --> 00:37:22,473
LAST FEW MONTHS.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT DROPS 20%?
AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL TO A
PERSON OR A SHOP OWNER HERE.
289
00:37:22,540 --> 00:37:27,044
ARE THEY KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR
GOING, "HEY, WHAT'S UP”?
>> Peterson: NOT KNOCKING ON THE
DOOR, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL
290
00:37:27,111 --> 00:37:31,449
CALL JORGE AND, LIKE,
"HEY, WHAT-- WHAT'S GOING ON?"
AND SO, THEN, WE'LL KIND OF
CONNECT THEM WITH PEOPLE WHO'VE
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00:37:31,515 --> 00:37:37,655
BEEN IN THIS FROM THE BEGINNING.
THEY'VE SEEN, LIKE, "YES,
THERE'S UPS AND DOWN
VOLATILITIES ALONG THE WAY, BUT
292
00:37:37,722 --> 00:37:42,893
OVER THE LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE,
IT'S GOING UP IN VALUE AGAINST
THE DOLLAR."
>> Alfonsi: YOU'RE NOT DOUBLING
293
00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:48,833
DOWN ON THIS BECAUSE YOU,
PERSONALLY, CAN GET RICH?
>> Peterson: I WILL BENEFIT IF
THE PRICE OF BITCOIN GOES UP,
294
00:37:48,899 --> 00:37:53,204
BUT I CAN'T IMPACT THAT.
I CAN'T INFLUENCE THAT.
THAT'S NOT THE DRIVING REASON
BEHIND THIS.
295
00:37:53,270 --> 00:38:00,378
THE REASON IS, WE WANT TO SEE
EL ZONTE TRANSFORMED.
>> Alfonsi: THIS IS ALL YOU?
YEAH?
296
00:38:00,444 --> 00:38:04,715
ABOUT 45 BUSINESSES ARE
NOW RIDING THE BITCOIN WAVE IN
EL ZONTE.
YOU CAN PAY YOUR DENTIST,
297
00:38:04,782 --> 00:38:11,255
THE ELECTRIC BILL, OR FOR A CUP
OF COFFEE WITH BITCOIN.
SO, I PUT IN $2 AND SEND?
>> Roman Martinez: SEND, YES.
298
00:38:11,322 --> 00:38:15,993
>> Alfonsi: MIKE PETERSON AND
HIS PARTNERS USED BITCOIN TO
HELP PAY FOR THIS CONTINUING
EDUCATION CENTER.
299
00:38:16,060 --> 00:38:19,997
THERE ARE COMPUTER AND ENGLISH
CLASSES.
>> Teacher: "I'LL CALL BACK
LATER."
300
00:38:20,064 --> 00:38:25,136
>> Class: "I'LL CALL BACK
LATER."
>> Alfonsi: TEACHERS ARE PAID IN
BITCOIN.
301
00:38:25,202 --> 00:38:33,177
ALL OF IT'S ATTRACTED GOOD
PRESS, BITCOIN TOURISTS, AND A
FEW HOODIE-WEARING TECH
ENTREPRENEURS.
302
00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:37,982
>> Jack Mallers: YEAH, SO, WE
HAD GONE TO EL SALVADOR JUST TO
PROVE THAT OUR PRODUCT WORKED
AND PROVE THAT WE COULD BE
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00:38:38,049 --> 00:38:45,156
BETTER AT WESTERN UNION THAN
WESTERN UNION.
>> Alfonsi: JACK MALLERS IS A
28-YEAR-OLD C.E.O. FROM CHICAGO
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00:38:45,222 --> 00:38:53,164
WHO DEVELOPED AN APP CALLED“
STRIKE,” DESIGNED TO DISRUPT
ONE OF THE BIGGEST BUSINESSES IN
EL SALVADOR: REMITTANCES, MONEY
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00:38:53,230 --> 00:39:01,138
SENT FROM OVERSEAS.
LAST YEAR, SALVADORANS RECEIVED
MORE THAN $7 BILLION THROUGH
SERVICES LIKE WESTERN UNION,
306
00:39:01,205 --> 00:39:07,211
WHICH CAN CHARGE UPWARDS OF 10%
FOR A TRANSFER THAT CAN TAKE
DAYS.
USING BITCOIN'S DIGITAL
307
00:39:07,278 --> 00:39:13,217
INFRASTRUCTURE, KNOWN AS“
RAILS,” THE STRIKE APP ALLOWS
USERS TO SEND U.S. DOLLARS
ACROSS BORDERS INSTANTLY, FOR
308
00:39:13,284 --> 00:39:19,223
PENNIES.
>> Mallers: WE LAUNCH IT, IT
GETS ONE DOWNLOAD A DAY, THEN IT
GETS A HUNDRED DOWNLOADS A DAY,
309
00:39:19,290 --> 00:39:25,229
THEN IT GETS A THOUSAND
DOWNLOADS A DAY, THEN IT GETS
20,000 DOWNLOADS A DAY.
>> Alfonsi: THEN, MALLERS GOT AN
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00:39:25,296 --> 00:39:29,934
UNEXPECTED MESSAGE ON HIS PHONE.
YOU GET A DIRECT MESSAGE ON
TWITTER FROM WHO?
>> Mallers: THE BROTHER OF THE
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00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:35,673
PRESIDENT.
>> Alfonsi: AND HE WANTS TO MEET
WITH YOU.
>> Mallers: HE WANTS TO MEET
312
00:39:35,740 --> 00:39:43,214
WITH ME, AND HE GAVE ME
24 HOURS.
EL SALVADOR'S POPULIST
PRESIDENT, NAYIB BUKELE, ONCE
313
00:39:43,280 --> 00:39:50,821
REFERRED TO HIMSELF AS“
THE WORLD'S COOLEST DICTATOR.”
HE'S BEEN ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY
GRABBING POWER AND ORDERING
314
00:39:50,888 --> 00:39:55,559
SOLDIERS TO OCCUPY THE NATION'S
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY TO PUSH
THROUGH HIS AGENDA.
>> Mallers: IT WAS SCARY.
315
00:39:55,626 --> 00:40:05,169
IT WAS REALLY SCARY.
I THOUGHT THERE WERE LIKELY TWO
OUTCOMES-- IS THAT THEY WERE NOT
HAPPY WITH ME INTERFERING WITH
316
00:40:05,236 --> 00:40:09,940
THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IN
EL SALVADOR, OR THEY WERE
TREMENDOUSLY HAPPY AND BOUGHT
INTO THE VISION THAT THIS WAS
317
00:40:10,007 --> 00:40:16,447
REPRESENTATIVE OF A BETTER WORLD
FOR NOT ONLY EL SALVADOR BUT THE
PLANET.
HIS UTOPIAN BLUEPRINT FOR
318
00:40:16,514 --> 00:40:22,953
BITCOIN LED TO “MONTHS OF
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE
GOVERNMENT” THAT LED TO THIS.
LAST SUMMER, AT A BITCOIN
319
00:40:23,020 --> 00:40:31,228
CONFERENCE IN MIAMI, BUKELE
ANNOUNCED IN A VIDEO MESSAGE
THAT EL SALVADOR WOULD BECOME
THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
320
00:40:31,295 --> 00:40:35,599
TO ADOPT BITCOIN AS AN OFFICIAL
CURRENCY ALONGSIDE THE U.S.
DOLLAR.
( CROWDS CHEERING )
321
00:40:35,666 --> 00:40:39,303
IT WASN'T DISCUSSED AMONG
LAWMAKERS OR...
>> Luis Membreño: NEVER.
>> Alfonsi: NO DEBATE?
322
00:40:39,370 --> 00:40:45,576
>> Membreño: WE NEVER HEARD
ANYTHING BEFORE THAT DAY.
>> Alfonsi: LUIS MEMBREÑO IS AN
ECONOMIST BASED IN SAN SALVADOR
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00:40:45,643 --> 00:40:53,250
AND AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF
PRESIDENT BUKELE'S POLICIES.
>> Membreño: THE GOVERNMENT
WANTS PEOPLE TO THINK THAT THIS
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00:40:53,317 --> 00:41:01,225
CAN BE A CURRENCY, BUT THIS IS
JUST AN ASSET AND A SPECULATIVE
ASSET WITH A HUGE VOLATILITY.
IMAGINE THE U.S. DOLLAR HAVING A
325
00:41:01,292 --> 00:41:07,298
VOLATILITY OF 20% IN ONE DAY;
WOULD BE CRAZY.
>> Alfonsi: EL SALVADOR IS
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT AND
326
00:41:07,364 --> 00:41:15,906
HAS LONG RELIED ON LOANS FROM
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
TO PROP UP ITS ECONOMY.
IN JANUARY, THE I.M.F. EXPRESSED
327
00:41:15,973 --> 00:41:21,312
CONCERN ABOUT THE RISK OF
BITCOIN'S VOLATILITY AND HAS
DELAYED FURTHER RELIEF TO EL
SALVADOR.
328
00:41:21,378 --> 00:41:29,320
BUT BUKELE IS DOUBLING DOWN;
HE'S SPENT AN ESTIMATED
$400 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY
TO PUSH BITCOIN INTO
329
00:41:29,386 --> 00:41:35,593
CIRCULATION.
PROTESTS FOLLOWED.
HE'S CALLING HIMSELF THE C.E.O.
OF EL SALVADOR.
330
00:41:35,659 --> 00:41:41,298
WHAT KIND OF C.E.O. DO YOU THINK
HE IS?
>> Membreño: UNRESPONSIBLE ONE.
AN IMMATURE ONE.
331
00:41:41,365 --> 00:41:48,205
>> Alfonsi: BUT ISN'T BUKELE
KIND OF A GENIUS IN A WAY,
BECAUSE HE'S CHANGED THE
NARRATIVE?
332
00:41:48,272 --> 00:41:53,310
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT TALKING
ABOUT THE GANG PROBLEM; WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT, "LOOK WHAT
THEY'VE DONE WITH BITCOIN."
333
00:41:53,377 --> 00:41:59,583
>> Membreño: YEAH, DEFINITELY.
AND-- AND HE'S SO GOOD AT IT.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE'S
GOING TO BE A DAY IN WHICH
334
00:41:59,650 --> 00:42:05,356
PEOPLE WILL FIND OUT THAT THE
GOVERNMENT IS INDEBTED,
THAT THEY WILL INCREASE TAXES TO
EVERYBODY, AND THAT THE PARTY IS
335
00:42:05,422 --> 00:42:14,632
OVER.
>> Alfonsi: IN EL ZONTE, 19-
YEAR-OLD ISMAEL GALDAMEZ DOESN'T
WORRY ABOUT A WIPEOUT.
336
00:42:14,698 --> 00:42:21,372
HE'S TEACHING SURF LESSONS AND
BACK IN SCHOOL.
AND WHEN HE LEARNED THE SHAVED
ICE VENDORS IN EL ZONTE WERE
337
00:42:21,438 --> 00:42:28,245
GOING 30 MINUTES OUT OF TOWN TO
BUY ICE, HE DECIDED TO BECOME
THE ICE SUPPLIER IN TOWN AND
USED HIS BITCOIN PROFITS TO BUY
338
00:42:28,312 --> 00:42:32,583
THIS FREEZER.
>> Galdamez: IT WAS $200.
>> Alfonsi: AND YOU CUT THOSE
GUYS OUT OF THE ICE GAME?
339
00:42:32,650 --> 00:42:36,921
>> Galdamez: EXACTLY.
>> Alfonsi: YOU'RE A SHARK.
>> Galdamez: YES.
>> Alfonsi: A BITCOIN SHARK...
340
00:42:36,987 --> 00:42:45,062
IN BRACES.
ISMAEL IS PLANNING TO MOVE HIS
PARENTS AND SIBLINGS INTO THIS
NEW HOUSE IN EL ZONTE LATER THIS
341
00:42:45,129 --> 00:43:04,615
MONTH.
HE PLANS TO PAY THE MORTGAGE IN
BITCOIN.
( TICKING )
342
00:43:07,885 --> 00:43:15,926
>> Alfonsi: I'M SHARON ALFONSI.
WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH
ANOTHER EDITION OF "60 MINUTES."
343
00:43:18,896 --> 00:43:20,597
( TICKING )
Captioning funded by CBS