---
title: "“You Can’t Enter Without Knocking”: Aleksey Sukhanov Explains Why He Chose Ukraine Over Europe"
description: "TV presenter Aleksey Sukhanov explained in an interview with RBC-Ukraine why, after 2022, he chose to live in Ukraine rather than emigrate to Europe: 14 years of working in the country, a destroyed Russian passport, and the principle that “you can’t enter without knocking.”"
date: 2026-08-27T15:44:02.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/aleksey-sukhanov-why-he-chose-ukraine-over-europe-rbk-interview
tags: [aleksey-suhanov, ukraine, rbc-ukraine, emigration, tv-host, russia-ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# “You Can’t Enter Without Knocking”: Aleksey Sukhanov Explains Why He Chose Ukraine Over Europe

![Alexey Sukhanov in an interview about choosing Ukraine over Europe](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/28/aleksey-suhanov-pochemu-vybral-ukrainu-intervyu-rbk/aleksey-suhanov-pochemu-vybral-ukrainu-intervyu-rbk-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Aleksey Sukhanov explained his choice of Ukraine as a place to live through years of working experience in the country since 2012 and a clear awareness of Russia’s crimes
- The presenter switched to the Ukrainian language, severed ties with relatives in the Russian Federation, destroyed his Russian passport, and obtained Ukrainian citizenship
- Sukhanov’s key principle is respect for others’ borders: “you can’t enter a house without knocking, you can’t take what belongs to others”

Renowned TV presenter and actor Aleksey Sukhanov spoke candidly in an exclusive interview with the Wave project of RBC-Ukraine about the reasons behind his decision to build his life and career in Ukraine rather than moving to one of the European countries, as many Russian citizens who did not support the 2022 military aggression did. His story is not just a biographical narrative but a conscious civic choice, backed by concrete actions: switching to the Ukrainian language, severing ties with relatives in the Russian Federation, and obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.

### Experience Gained Over 14 Years

According to Sukhanov, his decision was based on years of observing Ukraine from the inside. The presenter began working in the country as early as 2012, which allowed him to form a holistic understanding of its society, culture, and values. “I saw the life of this country well from the inside and understood that Ukraine had done nothing wrong,” he emphasized. This personal experience, he says, was the key factor that determined his choice of where to live at a moment when millions of people were looking for a way out of the situation created by Russian aggression.

### “It Did Evil, as Always”

Sukhanov did not soften his wording when speaking about Russia’s actions. “The country where I was born and spent my entire adult life did something completely unacceptable. It did evil, as always,” the presenter stated. He reminded that modern Russia regularly violates international norms: from armed aggression against Georgia to the occupation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. “We don’t even delve into the historical aspect… we simply take the present: this is an independent country. And you have no right — whether you like it or not — to interfere and seize territories, to annex them,” he emphasized, stressing that the appearance of Russian “little green men” in Crimea is beyond any law.

### The Foundation: Respect for Others’ Borders

At the core of Sukhanov’s worldview lie, by his own definition, the basic principles of respect for others’ borders. “You can’t enter a house without knocking on the door, you can’t take what belongs to others if you want to be left in peace… This is the foundation,” the presenter explained. This simple yet categorical formulation reflects his attitude not only to geopolitics but also to everyday interpersonal relationships. For Sukhanov, a violation of borders — whether state or personal — is absolute and beyond justification.

### From Words to Actions: Passport, Language, Relatives

Aleksey Sukhanov’s position did not stop at interview rhetoric. After moving to Ukrainian television, he deliberately switched to the Ukrainian language, completely cut off relations with relatives in Russia who supported the Putin regime, destroyed his Russian passport, and on the eve of the full-scale invasion officially became a citizen of Ukraine. As Ukrainian media previously reported, Sukhanov himself commented on the very fact of destroying his Russian Federation passport with his characteristic humor, turning a serious political gesture into a light confession. His story became a striking example of a conscious choice in favor of truth, when words and actions align.

### Context: Life in Kyiv and Personal Decisions

In earlier interviews with Ukrainian outlets, Sukhanov also spoke about the practical side of his life in Kyiv, including household expenses, and about the period when he temporarily left Ukraine but returned earlier than planned. These episodes complete the picture of a person who did not simply “stay” but is actively building a new life under wartime conditions, while maintaining his professional activity and public stance. His choice, as he himself emphasizes, was not impulsive: behind it lie years of observation, a clear understanding of his own values, and a readiness to bear the consequences of the decision made.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Presenter Aleksey Sukhanov explained why he chose Ukraine rather than Europe for emigration](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/people/chomu-vtik-veduchiy-oleksiy-suhanov-rozpoviv-1787816172.html) - Основной источник: эксклюзивное интервью проекту Wave РБК-Украина. Цитаты и факты о переезде, паспорте, языке и родственниках соответствуют тексту.
- [“10,000 Is Enough”: Aleksey Sukhanov Spoke About His Living Expenses in Kyiv](https://focus.ua/lifestyle/726001-aleksey-suhanov-nazval-skolko-tratit-na-zhizn-v-kieve-video) - Дополнительный контекст о жизни в Киеве. Не противоречит основному материалу.
- [“I Couldn’t Stay There”: Presenter Sukhanov Left Ukraine and Returned Early — What Was the Reason (Video)](https://focus.ua/lifestyle/718490-vedushchiy-aleksey-suhanov-vyehal-iz-ukrainy-i-vernulsya-kak-on-peresek-granicu) - Дополнительный контекст о жизни в Киеве. Не противоречит основному материалу.
- [Sukhanov Amused with a Confession About the Fate of His Russian Federation Passport](https://www.unian.net/lite/stars/oleksiy-suhanov-yake-gromadyanstvo-u-zhurnalista-13184031.html) - Подтверждает факт уничтожения российского паспорта и гражданский статус Суханова. Нет расхождений с основным текстом.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why did Aleksey Sukhanov choose Ukraine over Europe?
**A:** Sukhanov attributes this to 14 years of working experience in Ukraine since 2012, which allowed him to see the country from the inside, as well as a clear awareness of Russia’s crimes. He emphasizes that Ukraine had done nothing wrong, whereas Russia committed something “completely unacceptable.”

### Q: What specific steps did Sukhanov take after moving?
**A:** He switched to the Ukrainian language, cut off relations with relatives in Russia who supported the Putin regime, destroyed his Russian passport, and obtained Ukrainian citizenship on the eve of the full-scale invasion.

### Q: What main principle guides Sukhanov in his stance?
**A:** Respect for others’ borders. In his words: “You can’t enter a house without knocking on the door, you can’t take what belongs to others if you want to be left in peace. This is the foundation.”

### Q: Where was the interview published?
**A:** The interview was given to the Wave project of RBC-Ukraine and published on the Styler platform — the outlet’s entertainment and lifestyle project.