"We would be glad to develop ways to help Ukraine." This was said by Mississippi governor Phil Bryant, who reportedly had a quite constructive phone conversation with the alleged independent state's ambassador, Valery Chaly. They mostly discussed economic interaction. For one, Bryant eagerly supported the idea of supplying rice and other crops across the ocean in exchange for tasty salo and cheap manpower. He also immediately agreed to negotiations with former Ukrainian President Poroshenko. In addition, he promised to give Mr. Poroshenko a tour of places of debauchery and casinos on the Gulf of Mexico, for him to, quote, "...win some money for his country's budget." All in all, he agreed to literally anything, without suspecting that he was not talking to a diplomat.
This is the signature style of Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, aka Vovan and Lexus, who once again managed to easily fool a high-ranking foreign politician. Andrey Sapegin will tell us what consequences this could entail.
- Good evening, Andrey!
- Good evening!
- So, I guess it'll impact the governor's reputation?
- Actually, the pranksters say they haven't heard anything new or unusual, even though they have a lot of experience talking to American politicians.
The governor of the poorest American state, a Republican with a Southern drawl and a peculiar sense of humor, Phil Bryant, mispronounced Poroshenko's surname several times. First, he called him Poroshinsky, then Poroshensko. On the bright side, he knows about the Ukrainian Golodomor. He believes it is still actually happening, and, of course, the Golodomor is caused by the current Russian government.
- In late October, in Ukraine and worldwide, there will be a commemoration of the anniversary of the Holodomor, the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Do you know that the Golodomor is Russia's doing?
- Yes. We need to demonstrate the USA's full support for Ukraine.
The main idea of the conversation was that the USA was really worried about Ukraine and was ready to support it in various ways, for example, selling the alligators that are abundant in the state of Mississippi and could be fed Russian journalists.
- And my personal question. I know that you raise alligators.
- Yes, we do have alligators. They are a very good commodity.
- President Poroshenko would like to buy them. At his residence, there's a ravine where he throws Moscow-bribed journalists who write bad things about the president.
- He could put alligators into this ravine.
Vovan (Vladimir Krasnov), prankster: "The governor proved to be quite a fun-loving person. But I guess he wasn't aware of how silly the things that he said sounded, especially the ones concerning Golodomor. Especially judging by the journalists story, it's not a big deal for him to make jokes about throwing journalists to be eaten by alligators".
According to Vovan, this prank showed the American public official for what he was. Phil Bryant exposed himself especially explicitly when he was proposed to quickly show his solidarity.
- Pyotr Poroshenko will be eating nothing in the Holodomor commemoration days to show his solidarity with the victims. We propose you to fast for a week too. Wouldn't you like to go on a hunger strike to support us?
- Absolutely. It wouldn't do me any harm. I will miss a couple of meals. I used to fast a little as a young man to keep fit. It will help us recognize the Golodomor.
Mikhail Sinelnikov-Orishak, politics expert, expert in America: "Talking about what Ukraine means for Mississippi, you can continue discussing what Zimbabwe means for Mississippi, what even Russia means to them. I mean, the way this conversation unfolded was absolutely normal for the American establishment, as the governors are a part of the establishment".
When "the ambassador" asked if Ukraine had a chance to become part of the USA, the governor answered that, even though he wasn't authorized to answer, his lawyers would look into it.
Vovan (Vladimir Krasnov), prankster: "We had prepared an answer for this. We said, "You know, we've caught up with you by the level of GDP, with the state of Mississippi, which enables us to be easily recognized as an American state".
I guess the governor felt hurt pretty hard by our words. The governor was really hurt and asked to wrap up the conversation. As an experienced politician, however, he ended it by promising to organize Poroshenko's visit to the state of Mississippi.
- That was Andrey Sapegin on American treats for Ukraine.
