Financial Times magazine named Zelenskiy Person of the Year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was named Person of the Year by the British Financial Times magazine. The text, published today, describes the Ukrainian as “the standard-bearer of liberal democracy in the broader global struggle against authoritarianism that could define the course of the 21st century.”

The magazine compares the Ukrainian president, who is waging war against Russia, to the former British prime minister and writer Winston Churchill. “Zelenskyy also personified the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the fight against Russian aggression. For these reasons, the Financial Times named Zelensky Person of the Year”, justifying the publication.

During the interview, Zelensky says that running the Eastern European country is not about courage. “I have more responsibility than brave. I hate disappointing people.”

Last month, Ukraine announced a significant achievement: the liberation of more than 40 places in the south of the country, where Russian troops began to withdraw from Kherson province, was considered a new failure for President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian military has confirmed that it has begun withdrawing from Kherson province, the only regional capital Russia has taken since its offensive in Ukraine at the end of February.

The Ukrainian president told the Financial Times magazine that he tried to call Vladimir Putin before the invasion, but was unsuccessful. “We’re fighting crazy people,” Zelensky said.

Who is Volodymyr Zelensky?

A TV comedian who almost coincidentally became the president of Ukraine. This is the most concise definition of Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky, who became the main hero of international news due to the war against Russia.

Despite the comical vein, Zelensky has a law degree and stood out for his powerful speeches as head of state throughout the conflict. “We don’t need a new Cold War, a bloody war, or a hybrid war. (…) But what is now decided is not only the future of our country, but how Europe wants to live,” he once said.

Until the beginning of 2019, Zelensky lived in the country as a successful comedian with a legacy worth US$1.5 million (approximately R$8 million).

He represented a president in “Servo do Povo”, a political satire program created and produced by him. The topic was very topical: In his early 30s, a rude and angry high school history teacher was unexpectedly elected president of Ukraine after an anti-corruption video went viral.

Life has truly imitated art: Zelensky, who has no experience in political office, was elected to the highest electoral post in 2019. He won 73% of the votes in the second round, defeating then-president and billionaire Petro Poroshenko (25%). His irreverent style, which harshly criticized the old politics, was the main factor that led him to victory.

With highly vague proposals and anti-corruption rhetoric, the campaign was run mainly on social networks, almost as a big joke and humiliation of traditional candidates. The slogan took on the tactic: “No promise, no disappointment”.