Volodymyr Zelenskyy (b. 1978). A Ukrainian politician and former entertainer who has served as the sixth and current President of Ukraine since 2019. He rose to prominence during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Born to a Ukrainian Jewish family in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy obtained a law degree from the Kryvyi Rih Institute of Economics but pursued a career in comedy and entertainment instead. He gained popularity as the star of the TV series “Servant of the People,” where he played a fictional Ukrainian president.
In 2018, Zelenskyy entered politics, founding a party named after his TV show. He won the 2019 presidential election with 73.23% of the vote, defeating incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a landslide victory.
As president, Zelenskyy has positioned himself as an anti-establishment and anti-corruption figure. He has advocated for e-government and unity between Ukrainian– and Russian-speaking populations.
His administration has overseen the lifting of legal immunity for parliament members and managed Ukraine’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zelenskyy’s presidency has been defined by the escalating tensions with Russia, culminating in the full-scale invasion in February 2022. During this crisis, he has remained in Kyiv, declined evacuation offers, and declared martial law. His leadership during the war has earned him international recognition, including being named Time Person of the Year for 2022.
Due to the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy’s presidential term, originally set to end in May 2024, has been extended. He is expected to remain in office for the duration of the Russo-Ukrainian War, making him the second-longest serving president in Ukrainian history.
Discover more from The Stewardship Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.