Volodymyr Zelenskyy (born January 25, 1978 in Kryvyi Rih) is the President of Ukraine, politician, former actor and television producer. He took office in 2019 and, after the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression in 2022, became one of the most recognizable leaders in the world.
Highlights
– Full name: Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy
– Date of birth: January 25, 1978
– Place of birth: Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
– function: President of Ukraine (since 2019)
– political base: Servant of the People party
From show business to politics
Zelenskyy gained popularity as a comedian and actor, one of the founders of the Kvartal 95 studio. He gained nationwide fame through the series “Servant of the People“, in which he played a teacher who became president — a role that preceded his real rise in politics. In the 2019 elections, he won the second round by a crushing margin, promising to fight corruption and reform the state.
Presidency during the war
After the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Zelenskyy remained in Kyiv and assumed the role of wartime leader:
– manages state defense and social mobilization;
– appeals for military, financial and political support from the West;
– regularly appeals to parliaments and international organizations.
His attitude and communication made him a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance.
Foreign policy
Zelenskyy’s priorities are:
– Ukraine’s victory and restoration of territorial integrity;
– Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO;
– maintaining a broad coalition of international support;
– ensuring accountability for Russian war crimes.
Image and meaning
For many Ukrainians and their allies, he is a symbol of courage and determination; for the Kremlin, he is a major political opponent. His leadership has forever gone down in the history of modern Europe.