Social IssuesFEB 28, 2022

People Are Realizing Just How Badass The Ukrainian President Is, And Here's Proof

Mindaugas Balčiauskas and Liucija Adomaite

636

149

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 44, was seen by many as a comedian and sitcom actor who stumbled into the presidency. But when Russia’s troops invaded Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on the 24th of February and attacked the country's cities, Zelenskyy appealed to all citizens, and the world, to defend Ukraine in an unprovoked war that shocked the entire world.

"Russia treacherously attacked our state this morning, as Nazi Germany did during World War Two," Zelenskyy addressed on Thursday. "Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won't give up its freedom, no matter what Moscow thinks." Today, against all Kremlin’s odds, Zelenskyy is standing alone with Ukrainians against Putin.

“‘Captain Ukraine,’ the first ‘true’ president of Ukraine, a hero, a leader. I would have never thought I would see people use these terms to refer to Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” wrote Anna Myroniuk, a journalist at the Kyiv Independent, who said she, like many others, didn’t believe, and in fact, didn’t vote for Zelenskyy. As the world is watching the 5th day of Ukraine fighting Russia’s invasion with bated breath, you wonder who this unlikely hero is.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from a comedian to national hero, standing against Putin as the world watches with bated breath

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

Image credits: PresidentofUkr

Two years ago, during the commemoration in Israel of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in January, Zelenskyy told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two stories of Ukraine’s heroes: a Crimean Muslim woman and a Catholic priest who each saved scores of Jewish children.

Then, he added one more story “about a family of four brothers.” Zelenskyy said: “Three of them, their parents and their families became victims of the Holocaust. All of them were shot by German occupiers who invaded Ukraine. The fourth brother survived... Two years after the war, he had a son, and in 31 years, he had a grandson. In 40 more years, that grandson became president, and he is standing before you today, Mr. Prime Minister.”

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

While Putin was accusing Ukraine of "genocide" and talking of the need to "de-Nazify" the country, Zelenskyy remained dignified and articulate. He delivered multiple inspirational speeches that touched Ukrainians battling for their country in an unprecedented war created by Putin, and brought them hope.

The President is known to be a family man

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

Zelenskyy is married and has two children. He graduated from the Kyiv National Economic University in 2000 with a law degree, but chose a different career path. He formed the comedy troupe Kvartal 95 with other actors in 1997 and in 2003, the group began producing television programs, ABC News reported.

During his inaugural address in 2019, Zelenskyy told lawmakers: “I do not want my picture in your offices: the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait. Hang your kids' photos instead, and look at them each time you are making a decision.”

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

Initially, many Ukrainians were skeptical about Zelenskyy's presidency due to the fact that he used to be a comedy actor and work in show business

According to DW, just a few years ago, Zelenskyy was an actor and entertainer who satirized corruption and mismanagement in Ukraine by playing the Ukrainian president in the popular television series "Servant of the People."

If we look back at when the idea of becoming the head of state wasn’t even on Zelenskyy’s mind, back in 2006, he made headlines for winning Ukraine's Dancing with the Stars. The footage was recently shared by Kat Abu, a Twitter user who uploaded a video of the dance contest in its Ukrainian version from 16 years ago. It has gone viral since, showing a much different, relaxed version of today’s leader.

Image credits: ITarmyUA

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

On the 24th of February, 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked military attack, and Zelenskyy showed what a true leader he is

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

In 2018, Zelenskyy turned to politics and announced his candidacy for president under the Servant of the People party. During his presidential campaign, he continued touring with his troupe and mocked his opponents in stand-up routines, ABC NEWS reported.

He won the election, taking over 73% of the vote. He ran a platform to end the war with Russia and its separatist proxies in eastern Ukraine and promised Ukraine’s people to find a way to resolve the eight-year conflict in eastern Ukraine with the Russian-controlled separatists there.

The President has done some power moves that won over people's hearts not only in Ukraine but all over the world

Image credits: mokgethi

'I Need Ammunition, Not a Ride': Zelenskyy replied to the US offering to evacuate him from the country in war, making Ukrainians even more proud of him

Image credits: zelenskiy_official

When offered the chance of a US-backed evacuation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy famously told President Joe Biden: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” Meanwhile, Biden authorized the release of $350 million of military assistance as Russian troops began to invade Kyiv on Saturday.