Posted on Feb 21, 2023
Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from comedian to icon of democracy. This is how he did it
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https://www.npr.org/2023/02/20/ [login to see] /volodymyr-zelenskyy-president-ukraine-russia-war
Over the past year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has undergone one of the most dramatic political transformations in modern history.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy was polling around 25%. Today, some compare him to Winston Churchill.
But as Ukraine marks the first anniversary of Russia's invasion this week, some Ukrainians still have doubts about the president's leadership.
Zelenskyy's turnaround began the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, as Russian soldiers headed toward Kyiv, intent on capturing or killing him. The president decided to stay put.
Oleksiy Arestovych, a former adviser to the office of the president, was with Zelenskyy at the beginning of the war. He says he and others urged the president to move somewhere safer.
"We said, 'What about cruise missiles?'" Arestovych recalled. "He said, 'I'll stay here.'" Arestovych says he raised the specter of Russian saboteurs and assassins. He says Zelenskyy again refused.
Over the past year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has undergone one of the most dramatic political transformations in modern history.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy was polling around 25%. Today, some compare him to Winston Churchill.
But as Ukraine marks the first anniversary of Russia's invasion this week, some Ukrainians still have doubts about the president's leadership.
Zelenskyy's turnaround began the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, as Russian soldiers headed toward Kyiv, intent on capturing or killing him. The president decided to stay put.
Oleksiy Arestovych, a former adviser to the office of the president, was with Zelenskyy at the beginning of the war. He says he and others urged the president to move somewhere safer.
"We said, 'What about cruise missiles?'" Arestovych recalled. "He said, 'I'll stay here.'" Arestovych says he raised the specter of Russian saboteurs and assassins. He says Zelenskyy again refused.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from comedian to icon of democracy. This is how he did it
Posted from npr.org
Humor
Democracy
Russia
Ukraine
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 4
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Zelensky is now one of my heroes. Knowing he would soon face a Russian invasion and a Wagner Group "hit team" to take him out, he stayed on to serve as an inspiration to his country. Also, since President Zelensky is Jewish, his very presence puts the lie to Vladimir Putin's absurd statements that Ukraine is run by neo-Nazi fascists. Ukraine has some issues, you bet, as do we here in America. But none of that justifies the illegal, immoral and criminal invasion of Ukraine by Russia under the direction of Vlad Putin, who is now a wanted war criminal with charges of mass child abduction standing against him.
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Certainly has his flaws, like any other politician, however has shown guts, determination and good leadership at the right time and place. He's certainly still a target for Russian assassination, hopefully he'll survive and carry Ukraine forward.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
You mean flaws like banning opposition parties and having his opponents arrested? Ukraine and Zelensky are hardly an Icon of Democracy. The country has a corruption rating that mirrors both Russia and Mexico, please note the recent scandal over handling of the funds that WE gave them. I'll also point out that Ukraine has had two coups in the last 14 years, the last in 2014. That isn't the mark of a stable democracy.
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