Days removed from RTÉ's David McCullagh lambasting the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, the viral clip has made its way onto national television in the U.S on John Oliver's show.
It's no surprise McCullagh's grilling has been viewed by a worldwide audience after his video, posted on the RTÉ News Twitter account, was viewed by nearly 6.5 million people.
The RTÉ News anchor has received high praise for his hard pressing of Filatov, who only one week prior had appeared on Prime Time to denounce any Russian invasion of Ukraine.
McCullagh referred to Filatov as the 'Ambassador of Russia to Ireland for the moment at least' at the end of the interview which summed up the tone of the exchange.
RTÉ Six One interview with Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov | Live updates: https://t.co/65zqcDbQ9X pic.twitter.com/1y7QfJUkh7
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 25, 2022
John Oliver Treatment
With the clip being seen by millions of people, it has since been picked up by HBO TV host John Oliver for his satirical show on politics and world events.
Two short excerpts of the RTÉ interview aired on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Monday as the English host talked about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"You cannot make a case for what is happening, and when you even try, as Russia's ambassador to Ireland tried to do this week, it's just ridiculous," Oliver said.
They then played two clips, one of McCullagh pressing Filatov that it was Russia's choice to invade Ukraine, and another of him accusing him as being 'an apologist for slaughter'.
The reference to McCullagh's interview comes in around the 2-minute mark of the video below:
"Wow," Oliver reacted. "He just asked you why Ireland should allow you to stay there as an apologist for slaughter and you said, 'Good question.'"
"That really didn't seem to me like a got you question and yet somehow, you just got got."
John Oliver then went on to make a subtle reference to Irish history. "That's actually a pretty good reminder that Ireland, in addition to being known for eye-shatteringly beautiful meadows and free-flowing sheep.."
"..is also known for taking absolutely zero shit from occupying armies. Believe me."
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