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Earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky was typically derided as a comic book turned unlikely politician. However with the assistance of social media, he has grow to be the chief Ukraine didn’t comprehend it wanted.
Wearing an army-green T-shirt or fleece, unshaven and wan, Mr. Zelensky has impressed Ukrainians to combat for his or her nation — and Europeans to see Ukraine in a unique gentle, as a sufferer of aggression preventing bravely for independence, freedom and democracy.
Mr. Zelensky’s choice to stay within the capital, Kyiv, whereas it’s beneath Russian assault — and his household’s choice to remain in Ukraine — has moved many, notably in distinction to the Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, who fled Kabul as quickly because the Taliban had been on the outskirts, demoralizing what was left of the Afghan military.
He and his crew have additionally made wonderful use of social media, with impassioned speeches exhibiting his presence on the streets of Kyiv going viral. Unusual Ukrainians are reporting on occasions in Ukraine on TikTok, and a few individuals are making movies hailing Mr. Zelensky and exhibiting Ukrainians doing what they will to push again Russians — filling bottles meant for Molotov cocktails, volunteering to combat, being issued with computerized weapons and vowing to defend their nation.
Mr. Zelensky’s response to a reported American provide to evacuate him — “I want ammunition, not a journey” — will most probably go down in Ukrainian historical past whether or not he survives this onslaught or not
However Mr. Zelensky has additionally impressed European leaders to do extra for Ukraine. Showing onscreen in the course of the emergency summit assembly of European Union leaders three days in the past, on Feb. 24, he gave a passionate 10-minute speech that moved some reluctant leaders to endorse a harsher package deal of financial sanctions on Russia, a senior European official mentioned.
His intervention can be a part of historical past, mentioned the official, who was within the room. It was very emotional, leaders had been deeply affected.
The silence within the room was spectacular and the influence was clear, the official added, and it was his impression that it made a serious distinction in persuading extra reluctant nations, like Germany, Italy and Hungary, to conform to harder monetary and banking sanctions and the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine.
“This can be the final time you see me alive,” Mr. Zelensky mentioned.
Mr. Zelensky’s actions and the powerful resistance efforts from unusual Ukrainian women and men — slowing down the Russian advance and volunteering to combat with computerized weapons — have additionally had an essential influence on European opinion, European officers say, making it simpler for his or her leaders to be bolder and to extra freely settle for refugees coming their means from Ukraine.
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