Transcript: Olga Stefanishyna, ambassador of Ukraine to the US, “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” March 8, 2026

The following is the transcript of an interview with Olga Stefanishyna, ambassador of Ukraine to the US, which was broadcast on the program “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on March 8, 2026.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Now we turn to the war in Ukraine, and the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna. Welcome back to Face the Nation.

UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR OLGA STEFANISHYNA: Well, Margaret, thanks for having me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, one of the biggest threats to Ukraine has been the Russian missiles that have been firing into your country for a long time. The solution was the Patriot program, American interceptors. They are in short supply, as you well know, and now America’s allies in the Gulf are telling us that they also have short supply there and need it. Your president has said he is concerned that the United States will reduce its air defense support for Ukraine. How much of a problem is this in your country?

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Yes, thank you, Margaret, for asking this question. Yes, we were talking about that publicly and we had private conversations. But the most important thing that we’re seeing is that, you know, the events that are happening now with the Iran war have been so intense that this is probably the most important development on the world stage in a decade. Therefore, no shortage of methods should be a problem. And we are sure that the American defense industry is able to make sure that all borders are covered. Ukraine has the resources and the ability to buy more, and we look forward to exploring options, how to do it. But also, you know, we ended up with four Shahed drones over the houses of Ukraine, which was only possible because Iran has been a strategic helper of Russian aggression in the last three years, and we see what the involvement of cheap technology is, and we are ready to contribute.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I asked you that at the beginning of the program of the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, because Russia and Iran are partners here. They have been trading resources and technology. They are united in many ways. He seemed to say that they weren’t really a thing. He says they are exactly one.

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Well, I mean, they’re completely unique, because basically the Shahed’s drone technology was developed to attack people, to disarm people, to cause loss among civilians. So, it killed, like, hundreds of Ukrainian children, so many families, and this was a powerful war strategy. And Russia has been–Russia has not invested in bilateral relations or development or investment. They were investing in regimes like Iran, Venezuela, and Syria, simply because they thought it would be impossible for them to take strong action as is happening now with Iran and as was the case before with Venezuela. And it was impossible a few years ago with Syria. Therefore, they are deprived of the means of their influence, they are weak. But we should also not forget that Ukraine has shown that Russia is not different from all these countries. It’s just huge, and we see that, you know, the experience that we’re having right now, and the new reality that President Trump is creating is also paving the way, the new reality of the Russian people, and I’m sure they’re really scared.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, your president said he was asked by the United States to provide anti-drone technology that Ukraine has to America. When does that come? When will that work?

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: So, you know, we understand more than anyone in the world what is needed in times of crisis. What is needed when you see your people dying in so many cities in the Gulf countries. And what we have suggested is quick action and quick response. So, we can protect the sky. We can provide air defense because we have a lot of experience. And these are only Ukrainians, the armed forces of Ukraine have this knowledge and skills, so we are able to give it to the United States and the Gulf countries and this is what we have done. We will not stand aside knowing that people are dying because we know how painful it is and we will do everything we can to ensure that this strong action ends in something called good.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, sending counselors to help. It feels special–

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: And skills. Therefore, the power of the drone in Ukraine is not just the drone or the people, it is all the actions you take, because the situation changes every week and you need to have people and a machine that allows a quick reaction and this is the only thing that Ukraine has in the whole world.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So a few days ago, President Trump said he thinks Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal. And he said that Volodymyr Zelensky, your president, should ride the ball, and he should make a deal. And he called him the PT Barnum of Ukraine. It seems that relations are still tense, even if you are talking about Ukraine helping the United States. What’s going on here?

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Well, I mean, I think a few minutes of this interview is not enough for that. But I think we assess the situation with actions. And the actions are that there is a way in which Ukraine still has access to American military equipment. President Trump has issued significant sanctions against the Russian Federation in recent months. And we are in talks already three times with the United States and Russia to end the war. These are all very important developments and we look forward to their success. But for us the most important thing is that we are able to defend ourselves and protect our cities and we do that to the extent that we can with the support of America. And we are never too tired to give President Trump credit for the many important things he has done. Although the words we hear are sometimes not very clear or positive. But we are a tough country, we are strong people, we have been through so much that a few words are not something that can disturb us, and we know what we know, that Ukraine is the country in the world that really wants war more than anyone, and that is where we stand.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What evidence do you have that Russia is helping Iran in its current war on these American allies?

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: Well, there are details provided. It’s not something we’d like to share, you know, in the media or be public about. But I can also assure you that it is not only Ukraine. There are, like many countries with a lot of information and a disposal community and an intel community very well developed in all NATO formats. So whatever information is there, it’s already being used, you know, by all the allies and partners, including the United States. Again. I’m sure this is black and white information. It is not something that can be called gray.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But it goes beyond the sharing of identifying information, which CBS reported?

AMB. STEFANISHYNA: I am not sure that I can really comment on that, but I think that we should also look at the situation that Russia has been supporting the governments of the countries that I mentioned, like Venezuela, like Syria, like Iran, for many years, and this cooperation was possible and came from building products in the Russian Federation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thank you for your time today.