Australian journalist’s interview with Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko trends across the world

Vision of a Channel 7 reporter is trending across the internet after an interview in Ukraine with Kyiv’s former boxing champ turned mayor.

Vision of Channel 7 chief reporter Chris Reason is trending across the internet after an astounding interview in Ukraine with Kyiv’s former boxing champ turned mayor.

The award-winning reporter was walking alongside Vitali Klitschko near a bombed apartment building in Obolon, Kyiv when he questioned Klitschko, a retired heavyweight champ, about the Kremlin’s claims that it was only targeting military threats.

“Putin says he’s only targeting military targets,” Reason said.

The question prompted Klitschko to stop in his tracks.

“Bulls**t,” he said, staring Reason right in the face.

“Sorry”, he followed, gesturing to the bombed residential building: “Where’s military target? This building is military target?”.

Vision of Channel 7 chief reporter Chris Reason is trending across the internet. Picture: Chris Reason/Twitter

The interview has since trended online and as of publishing, has over 7 million views.

Reason later added Klitschko spat as he denied Putin’s claims and “delivers knockout sound bites that get straight to the point”.

The interview has since been shared across the globe and has been hailed as “incredible” and “one of the all time greatest interviews”.

Nevertheless, this week he warned of a “difficult and dangerous moment” for the city as Russian forces stepped up strikes on residential buildings.

One of the all-time greatest interviews. pic.twitter.com/D7HqCeDNdy

— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) March 16, 2022

Klitschko was fresh from meetings with the Red Cross, where assistance for civilians in the city, including supplying lifesaving surgical materials to hospitals and supporting the municipality with generators, fuel for ambulances, and more, were key points.

Klitschko, once a heavyweight boxing champion, has 45 wins under his belt and just 2 losses. He won 15 world heavyweight title wins: three by the WBO and twelve by the WBC.

He was the also the first professional boxing world champion with a certified doctorate degree. He officially retired from boxing in 2013 to became the mayor of Kyiv in 2014.

He has been honoured with Ukraine’s highest honour, “The Hero of Ukraine” and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018.

“I always train. I know how to use almost all weapons, I follow formations. Any aggressor has to know that it will cost them dearly. We will not give up,” he has previously said.

Vitali Klitschko in front of a destroyed apartment building, in Kyiv on March 14. Picture: Aris Messinis / AFP

Klitschko gestures towards a bombed building. Picture: Chris Reason/Twitter

Over 400 schools, 110 hospitals and 1,000 residential blocks across Ukraine have been destroyed in the three weeks since Putin launched the invasion, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov confirmed.

“We will win. It’s a question only of the price which the Ukrainian people will pay,” Reznikov said.

“The Russians can be stopped, victory can be gained, but we need assistance.”

A couple of Ukrainian soldiers walks hand in hand amid Russian invasion of Ukraine in Kyiv on March 17 as Russian troops try to encircle the Ukrainian capital as part of their slow-moving offensive. Picture: Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP

A man takes out the garbage from his cafe destroyed by shelling in Kyiv. Picture: Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP

Kyiv emerged from a 35-hour curfew to devastating new destruction, as Russian troops try to encircle the Ukrainian capital as part of their slow-moving offensive.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Germany’s government that Russia is building new “Wall” against freedom, declaring the Russian leader has plans beyond Ukraine as tensions with NATO build.

The speech comes a day after Zelensky made a plea to US President Joe Biden for the West to step up their actions against Russia.

He has since secured $1 billion in US military aid, including “Stinger” anti-aircraft missiles that have been dubbed a “potent” weapon.

Overnight, Zelensky received a standing ovation before giving a video address to several German MPs, accusing Western leaders of not doing enough to deter Russia before the February invasion.

“It’s not a Berlin Wall — it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb,” he said.

“All you cared about was the economy,” he continued.

“80 years after WWII, what is the value of historical responsibility? Tear down this wall, show leadership. Please help us to stop this wall.”

Originally published as Australian journalist’s interview with Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko trends across the world