From actor to iconic leader, Zelensky personifies the fight for Ukrainian independence By Jordan Conestabile
Over 90 percent of Ukrainians now approve of their president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The former actor/comedian has valiantly and astutely led his war-torn nation’s defense against Russian invasion.. Zelensky’s courage and communication savvy has helped his approval rating jump three times higher than it was in December.
Zelensky played a history teacher whose campaign against corruption when he somewhat unexpectedly was elected into the nation’s highest office in 2019. Zelensky faced many criticisms, from lacking prior political experience to being unable to addressed systematically entrenched government corruption and dysfunction.
The determination that Zelensky has demonstrated in his biggest role as the nation’s leader and protector of the Ukrainian people, has been instrumental in changing the minds of skeptics. Zelensky has effectively utilized his telegenic communication skills to serve as the national and international voice of the Ukrainian people in the defiance of Russian aggression.
Photo from WKTV
Zelensky has provided several motivational speeches distributed worldwide via social media stating rallying Ukrainians, documenting atrocities, and appealing for international assistance. Several nations have offered to evacuate him and his family. Zelensky has instead opted to stay in the capital, quipping “I need ammunition not a ride” Zelensky’s leadership and determination has earned praise from government representatives throughout the West and helped produce billions of dollars in aid, even though requests for ground troops and a NATO-enforced no fly zone have not been fulfilled
The Ukrainian government contends that Zelensky has survived at a least a dozen assassination attempts. The crisis in Ukraine has transformed the president into arguably the most significant post-Soviet leader since the country gained independence in 1991.
Jordan Conestabile is a Political Science student at Utica University.
