When he’s not busy overseeing a crucial counteroffensive aimed at sending Russia’s forces down a “Highway to Hell,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pumps himself up by listening to AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses.
Ukraine’s leader opened up about his musical tastes — and an intense morning routine involving the headbanging sounds of classic rock — in a new interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.
Burnett, who had traveled to Odesa to interview Zelensky more than 16 months into the war, asked Ukraine’s leader during the wide-ranging interview that aired Wednesday whether he has any time to unwind by reading or listening to music.
“I have such moments,” Zelensky replied in English while taking a stroll in a sun-dappled garden with Burnett.
“[It is] Important to be in silence, to be alone… Alone I can be with music or with a book, and early, early in the morning when there are no sounds.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he likes to unwind by listening to classic rock. CNN
One of Zelensky’s favorite bands is Australia’s AC/DC, which he listens to in the morning for the “energy.” Getty Images
Ukraine’s leader said he listens to “loads of” Guns N’ Roses hits to get himself pumped up during his morning workouts. WireImageAsked what music he favors, Zelensky said: “I like AC/DC and Ukrainian music. Of course, I like Ukrainian music a lot because Ukrainian, that’s native language. That’s why you understand not only music, you understand words and etc.”
The 45-year-old former comedian-turned-president sheepishly admitted that while he did not “understand all the words” in AC/DC’s songs, he liked “the energy” in the Australian rock band’s hits.
Zelensky was responding to a question from CNN’s Eric Burnett about whether he has time to unwind. CNNZelensky added that he also listens to music by Eric Clapton and “loads of Guns N’ Roses,” before joking that “maybe it’s too old music.”
“I love it,” he added.
Zelensky, appearing trim in his trademark olive-green t-shirt, revealed that he stays in shape by working out every day between 6 and 7 a.m.
The president’s gym sessions are accompanied by the sounds of his favorite music, “which gives you energy for [the whole] day,” Zelensky said.
Guns N’ Roses learned of Zelensky’s comments and proudly retweeted a link to CNN’s interview, writing in a caption: “Among good company.”
