But also said that they dont play a big part in my life.
Deadline spoke this week with Hall about how his experience has changed his reporting and career.
Everyones looking for peace.
(L-R) Benjamin Hall meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for an interview in 2023Fox News
Everyones looking for a ceasefire.
The real negotiations have yet to happen, Hall said.
So I think weve entered the period where they will be discussing the long-term security guarantees, etc.
But I think to start off with a ceasefire is a good first step.
DEADLINE:What was your reaction to the Oval Office meeting with President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky?
I think that we have to wait to see how this all plays out.
DEADLINE:There was some criticism that it looked like the U.S. was switching sides in the war.
HALL:I guess it would depend on how the negotiations moving forward play out.
I think that is President Trumps position.
He says is that hell put pressure on both sides if it means getting them to the table.
And I guess we will only really know when they when they reach an agreement.
DEADLINE:You mentioned talking to Ukrainians.
How did they view President Trump and the Oval Office meeting?
Are they alarmed by it?
So look, they think that when you have negotiations like this, both sides have to make concessions.
And the question is, what concessions will be asked of Russia?
What concessions will be asked of Ukraine?
And again, we dont quite know what those will be.
I think that it will depend on the finished product, on the what happens at the end.
DEADLINE:Your new book,Resolute.
What made you decide there is more to tell?
HALL:This is far more reflective book.
Its far more a personal book.
The different way in which people interacted with me was something that surprised me.
But actually is what came after that that I found to be quite difficult.
I am now in a position where Im well aware that I will forever be dealing with my injuries.
And it wasnt this, This happened and I got better.
My life will forever be different.
And its coming to terms with that.
DEADLINE:Did you have depression?
I wouldnt call it depression.
I couldnt move, and I was on the floor.
Get through whatever youve got to get through, and then keep moving.
What I found resilience to mean is that its an understanding that you might get through any difficult moments.
And I think thats probably the biggest lesson Ive learned.
Its not about trying to hide or get away from the most difficult moment.
DEADLINE:Do you have any trouble talking to people about your injuries?
Its one of the reasons I went back to Ukraine.
I didnt want to hide from what happened.
I wanted to just send a message that we will face up to anything that happens to us.
DEADLINE:Were you surprised that you had that resilience?
And I dont think you truly know that till its happened.
Many people never have to discover that.
They never go through something this bad, where they have to find that resilience inside them.
But I think that it is inside everyone.
Its about learning how to switch it on.
Its about learning how to utilize it, and thats more difficult.
DEADLINE:Were coming up on the anniversary.
HALL:Of course I think about the day a lot, and there are two sides to it.
On one side, as weve been saying, This is my life.
This is what happened to me.
I dont want to forget it.
I think its important I remember it.
So on the day itself, the first thing I will always do is talk about Pierre and Sasha.
DEADLINE:How do you cope with those memories of the trauma of that day?
I still think that certain things scare me for brief moments.
And its a brief millisecond, but I see that as who I am.
Those are the experiences Ive had in my life, and I accept them.
I dont let them frighten me.
It will forever be part of me.
It would be strange if I was running away from that and expected that never to happen.
And so I guess again, its about embracing what has happened to me.
Its about realizing that it is part of my life.
And I used to think that I did it quite well.
But there was one moment that I really realized that it was different.
I was interviewing a girl named Maya.
She had been taken by Hamas and held hostage in Gaza.
I understood what shed gone through.
And I think that that, in some cases, will make me a better journalist.
And I think that has made me that sense a better journalist.
