Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Transformation From Actor to Inspirational Leader by Ann Marie G. Halstead

The latest cover of TIME magazine is in Ukrainian. Why? Clearly because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but also because of one man: Volodymyr Zelensky. The words translate to: "Life will win over death, and light will win over darkness." Zelensky, President and Commander in Chief of Ukraine, spoke these words at the end of a speech to the European Parliament.

A former comedian and actor, Zelensky has inspired the Ukrainian people with his wartime leadership. He has earned global plaudits and unified democracies around the world by remaining in his country’s capital and joining his troops in battle. TIME’s Simon Shuster writes: “…as the Russian bombs began to fall on Ukrainian cities and troops moved to surround the capital, the President underwent a transformation. Before our eyes he came to embody a struggle that most Western statesmen had long forgotten how to fight, the one that is sometimes required to keep tyranny from killing off democracy. Zelensky not only rallied his own people to defend their nation ... He also galvanized the world’s democracies in ways that seemed unthinkable just a week before.”

Zelensky’s courageous leadership motivated countries around the globe to take action. For instance, Germany has increased its military spending by $100 billion. In addition, the U.S. and its allies imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia. Switzerland broke from its long-standing tradition of neutrality in order to support sanctions. Finally, the European Union agreed to put Ukraine on a path to membership.

Shortly before the Russian invasion, President Zelensky spoke directly to the Russian people via video, in Russian, telling them that he had tried to reach Putin in an effort to avoid a full-scale invasion, but that he had been ignored. Zelensky clearly stated that he didn’t believe the two countries needed a war but that Ukraine would defend itself if attacked. Then he informed the Russian people, “You are told that these flames will bring freedom to Ukraine. But the people of Ukraine are already free … In attacking us, you will see our faces, not our backs.”

Strong words from a former actor and comedian. 

As Shuster reports, “it was as if Charlie Chaplin had morphed into Winston Churchill.”

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