Volodymyr Zelenskyy
1978– · Ukrainian (Kryvyi Rih / Kyiv) · 21st Century, Russia-Ukraine War
Known for: Former comedian who became president of Ukraine and wartime leader resisting Russia's full-scale invasion
Zelenskyy was a comedian and actor (he played the president of Ukraine in a TV show, then was elected the actual president of Ukraine—life imitating art) who became a wartime leader of historic stature when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
His refusal to flee Kyiv—'I need ammunition, not a ride'—when the US offered evacuation made him the most admired leader in the Western world overnight. He has rallied international support, addressed the US Congress, the UN, and dozens of parliaments, and maintained Ukrainian morale through devastating Russian attacks.
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