VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY: Time Person of the year 2022

From a comedian to a hero: A symbol of hope against oppression

 

A comedian won the election - it was the prime theme of western media when Volodymyr Zelensky won the 2019 presidential election in Ukraine with a landslide victory of over 73% of the votes. He defeated political veterans like the former President and Prime Minister. They found it amusing. However, everything changed, including the headlines and perceptions on the fateful day when Russia invaded Ukraine. They posted headlines like a hero is born in the streets of a war-rattled city.

 

It is not, what we think, but what we do that defines us. Zelensky's actions as a leader who defied the mighty Russians are an incredible act of heroism. He could have lived a peaceful and comfortable life in any western country, but he lived with his people and did not fly. That’s why he is the Time Person of the year in 2022.

 

Early life:

 

Volodymyr Zelensky was born on January 25, 1978, to a Jewish family; he grew up in Kryvyi Rih, a significant city of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, as a native Russian speaker in central Ukraine. Zelensky earned a degree in law from the Kyiv National Economic University before pursuing comedy. He created a production company, Kvartal 95, and produced films, cartoons, and TV shows. His TV series, Servant of the People, was famous in which he played the Ukrainian president’s role.

 

The Presidency:

 

In March 2018, they created a political party using the same name as the television show and announced his presidential candidacy in 2019. He positioned himself as an anti-corruption and anti-establishment figure. He rode the incumbency wave to a massive victory. He is a new-age leader that uses social media to communicate and is a proponent of e-government and unity between the Ukrainian and Russian-speaking populations.

 

The challenges:

 

His Presidency term is full of challenges - he oversaw the lifting of legal immunity for members of parliament. The second enormous challenge came with the rise of the pandemic when the country struggled. It followed an economic recession. However, he rose and responded to every challenge. He also had limited progress in tackling corruption.

 

He promised to end the conflict with Russia during his presidential campaign and attempted to engage in dialogue with Putin. However, he found little success. In 2021, tensions with Russia increased to a new level, which resulted in a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

 

War:

 

On the morning of February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced they were starting a special military operation to free the Ukrainian people from the oppression of their government. However, it was an attempt to capture the country. Putin has said many times to get Russia to its superpower days. Putin claimed they were only targeting military sites and that civilians were safe. But we know how the claim has fared. Every day we see new images and videos of bombs and missiles fired at civilians. 

 

The Ukrainian president declared martial law and severed all diplomatic relations with Russia. He is the number one target of the Russian army and intelligence services; they report over a dozen assassination attempts. His security advisors and the United States government suggested leaving the country, but he said that he and his family would stay in Kyiv. He delivered one of the best speeches in modern times. The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.

 

Over 90% of Ukrainians, including western and central parts of the population, support him. The latest poll by the Pew Research Center shows 72% of US citizens have confidence in him to handle the matter, especially after the war continued for over ten months.

 

He has gained vast popularity as a wartime leader worldwide, with many historians and political analysts comparing him to past leaders. Zelensky has used social media to reach the masses and become history’s first online wartime leader. His response got praise from previous critics and renowned international publications. 

Czech president, Miloš Zeman, awarded him with the highest state award of the Czech Republic, the Order of the White Lion, on March 2022. He even denounced suggestions by former US diplomat Henry Kissinger to cede Crimea and Donbas.

 

Becoming a leader:

 

A politician does not become a leader with words but with actions. It starts with empathy and service. The ability to do the necessary in the face of death is courageous. We all could learn from him. Charisma attracts attention, courage earns admiration, but a commitment to a group inspires loyalty. He has won the respect of his country and the free world. People follow leaders who fight for them and not only sit in their comfy dwellings.

 

For his defiance of the Russian invasion and atrocities, Time chose him as the person of the year 2022. Although, he does not need their praise and is doing it for his people.

 

MSS pays tribute to Volodymyr Zelensky:

 

Maggie Stern Stitches believes in freedom and equality. We support the Time Person of the year 2022 in his fight against Russian atrocities and doing our best. We have Volodymyr Zelensky socks and dedicated them to the people of Ukraine. From every sale, we donate to nonprofits. Join us and do your part by contributing to the cause.