What do Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Ashraf Ghani have in common? They are three leaders who decided that either death or betrayal were better alternatives than mustering the courage to face their wartime enemies head-on. Today, the world watches from afar the terror that President Vladimir Putin decided to inflict upon his Ukranian neighbors in an act of imperialist aggression. Unlike countless leaders that have come before him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has neither backed down nor run away from the good fight.
In the face of the cruelest type of violence that one can experience, the world has been struck by the courage of the Ukrainian people. Fathers tearfully part with their wives and children at the border before returning to the front lines. Ordinary citizens line streets with thousands of empty bottles, fabricating Molotov cocktails with materials they have on hand. Ukrainian expatriates in countries far and wide heed the call of the Ukrainian government to return home, take up arms, and rebuff Putin’s invasion.
At the helm of this great resistance effort is President Zelenskyy. Much has been posted about Zelenskyy in recent days, from articles hailing him as the “George Washington” figure for whom Ukraine has waited decades to memes posted of his time on the hit Ukrainian comedy “Servant of the People.” His past, though, pales in comparison to the actions he has taken in recent weeks.
Although it only has been seven days since President Putin decided to invade Ukraine, it certainly feels like much longer; one only can imagine how much more slowly time seems to move for the Ukrainian people. Seven days in which the world has crumbled around millions of people. Seven days where the only lives they ever have known have been viciously shattered. Seven days in which hundreds of thousands Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes and lives behind them.
Despite this, the resolve of the Ukrainian people remains strong. Tens of millions of people worldwide have seen President Zelenskyy’s videos shared online and on television. He has harnessed the power of social media to become history’s first truly online wartime leader, bypassing traditional gatekeepers as he uses the internet to reach out to the people. His uncensored, unadulterated spirit shines through in each broadcast — whether he formally beseeches Western allies for greater support, or posts a smartphone video to prove he remains in Kyiv. Mr. Zelenskyy, through his tactful use of social media, has rallied the world to the cause of Ukraine, and in the process, lifted the spirits of his countrymen.
Unlike Hitler, Mussolini, or other cowards who shall be relegated to the dustbin of history, Mr. Zelenskyy’s resolve has not waned in recent days. He is a brilliantly inspiring leader precisely because he is a “servant of the people.” Mr. Zelenskyy has no roots in politics nor any prior experience in civil service. While this may serve as a disadvantage when facing off against Ukraine’s bureaucracy and corrupt ruling class, he is a formidable opponent against President Putin’s forces.
Why? Unlike his two predecessors — one an oligarch and the other a “puppet of Putin” — Zelenskyy is an ordinary man who happens to be president. He is not concerned with his own financial interests nor those of Mr. Putin. Mr. Zelenskyy is able to channel the same nationalistic sentiments which any ordinary Ukrainian must be feeling right now because he genuinely feels those sentiments; his patriotism is as authentic as the next person’s.
His response to the United States’s offer of an evacuation quickly made global headlines: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” By virtue of his status, he could have left days ago. He could have started a new life with the family that he now may never see again. It is extremely difficult to imagine Joe Biden or Boris Johnson — or anyone, actually — staying behind when the guarantee of life was a mere helicopter ride away. Nevertheless, he remains in Ukraine, demonstrating his love of country and his daring courage.
We all seek to be courageous in life. Maya Angelou excellently said that “without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.” Courage is something fleeting that arrives in rare bursts. We often look toward others to inspire courage in ourselves, because it is not easily self-motivated. Zelenskyy inspires courage in Ukrainians along with every single person who witnesses his impassioned speeches and social media videos.
Throughout history, leaders in their darkest hours have found themselves projecting their deepest morsels of courage. President Salvador Allende of Chile famously delivered his final radio broadcast minutes before his deposition and death, the sound of guns ringing in the background, imploring the Chilean people to remember that “much sooner than later, the great avenues will again be opened through which will pass free men to construct a better society.” Though President Zelenskyy does not currently find himself staring down the barrel of a Kalashnikov, he faces as much danger as any Ukrainian who chooses to remain in Kyiv.
Mr. Zelenskyy, thank you for your bravery and courage in defiance of the fear and death that Mr. Putin seeks to inflict upon your people. At the end of each of your addresses, you proudly say “slava ukryiny” – glory to Ukraine. In solidarity with the Ukrainian people, in the fight for a free world, we all ought to stand up and say “slava tobi” President Zelenskyy – glory to you, President Zelenskyy.
Image by Diana Vyshniakova is licensed under the Unsplash License.
