Yuri Bashmet rejoiced at Zelensky's message

People's Artist of the USSR Yuriy Bashmet has assessed the sanctions announced against him by the Ukrainian president. On January 19, it became known that Volodymyr Zelensky had added him to the list of those who threaten the country's national security. The maestro was among them. In an interview with Izvestia, Yuri Bashmet admitted that he considers this the greatest gift for his birthday, which he celebrated on January 24.

"I am very grateful to Zelensky, I will even find an opportunity and tell him this. Only I do not know where to send it. I used to think that he is a pea buffoon, a fool, a moron, an idiot, ruining the country, beautiful, musical. But there's one good thing about him. He's given me the greatest gift of all. I thought maybe he didn't notice me, counted everyone, announced sanctions. But, no, he wised up a little, remembered about me," Bashmet said.

According to the People's Artist of the USSR, he was informed about the inclusion in the sanctions list by a musician of his orchestra.

Read more in an exclusive interview with Izvestia:

"Zelensky made me a huge gift"