“Ireland is also known for taking zero shit from occupying armies. Believe me.”
David McCullagh’s incredible interview with the Russian ambassador to Ireland has gone global, grabbing the attention of HBO’s Last Week Tonight.
Clips from the now-viral piece were featured in a segment detailing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In the segment, Oliver details how both Russia and world leaders are finding it difficult to excuse Russia’s invasion and actions.
“Even Putin allies like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are coming out against it,” Oliver said.
“You cannot make a case for what is happening, and if you even try, as Russia’s ambassador to Ireland this week, you just sound ridiculous.”
Oliver then cut to clips from the interview with Yuriy Filatov from Friday (25 February).
McCullagh dismissed Filatov’s claims that Russia using their military was not by choice, as it was Russia’s army that invaded Ukraine.
“It was not our preferable choice,” Filatov remarked.
The program then shows McCullagh asking Filatov why Ireland should allow him to stay while he acts as “an apologist for slaughter”.
“It’s a good question. You might ask that to your Government,” he replied.
“It’s up to them. I can leave anytime.”
“Wow!,” exclaimed Oliver after the clip.
“He just asked you why Ireland should allow you to stay as an apologist for slaughter and you said ‘good question’.
“That really didn’t seem like a ‘gotcha’ question, but somehow, you just got got.
“That’s actually a pretty good reminder that Ireland, in addition to being known for eye-shatteringly beautiful meadows and free flowing sheep, is also known for taking zero shit from occupying armies.
“Believe me,” he added.
McCullagh’s interview with the Ambassador has been viewed over 6.3 million times on Twitter since it first aired.
You can watch the full segment on Last Week Tonight here.
Clip via John Oliver TV
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