Who Is Volodymyr Zelenskyy?

            My VIP for this week is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Although most of my VIPs are Americans, I have been so impressed with Zelenskyy that I consider him a particularly important person. The reason that Zelenskyy is so respected by many people is the way that he has stayed in Ukraine to encourage his people in their fight against Putin’s invasion and to plead for international help.

            Zelenskyy could have taken his family and a bunch of money and gold and skipped the country. Instead, he has continued to stand up to Putin and to stand as an example to his people. David Bauder and Jocelyn Noveck wrote the following about Zelenskyy. 

To a watching world, his message is this, in both his words and his resolute, sometimes haggard appearance: He stands as a mirror to the suffering and spirit of his people.

It appears to be getting through. Just days into the war engulfing his nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is drawing historical comparisons as an effective and stirring wartime communicator – yet with a distinctly modern touch inflected by the sensibilities of live television and the personal feel of social media.

His baby-faced complexion is now usually puffy and pasty, with a faint growth of beard. Suits and dress shirts have been replaced by olive military-style garb. His raspy voice betrays exhaustion. Together, these help form a narrative of personal courage, of David fighting mighty Goliath and refusing safe passage out of his homeland – embodied by his line that he needed “ammunition, not a ride.”

            Zelenskyy was a TV actor and comedian before he became President of Ukraine. No one expected him to show courage and commitment to Ukraine. I suppose that everyone expected him to flee. Because he chose to stay in Ukraine and lead his people, he developed what has been called “a reciprocal relationship” with his fellow Ukrainians. The relationship is such that he gains strength and energy from the people, and they gain strength and energy from their president.

            Zelenskyy has been compared to “Winston Churchill, who rallied Britons during World War II’s darkest days.” He has also been compared to “Benjamin Franklin and his success in soliciting French support for the American Revolution.”

            Ukraine was a sovereign nation that was invaded by an evil man with great power. Zelenskyy has survived at least one assassination attempt. Ukrainians are fighting in a just cause as they seek to defend their homeland. There are many innocent people being exposed to terror, injury, and death. I pray that peace will come soon, but all of us should recognize the bravery of Zelenskyy no matter which side of the war we support.