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[98], In January 2020, Zelenskyy took a trip to Oman that was not published on his official schedule, appearing to combine a personal holiday with government business. [19], In 2008, he starred in the feature film Love in the Big City, and its sequel, Love in the Big City 2. Thats something that China can do to limit the trade [with Russia] until the war is over." How Zelensky prepares for the election", "Could a rock star become Ukraine's next president? Since 2015, Ukraine has banned Russian artists and other Russian works of culture from entering Ukraine. A political party bearing the same name as the television show was created in March 2018 by employees of Kvartal 95. [140] Later, Yermak contacted the on-line newspaper Ukrainian Truth and gave more details about the visit to Oman and the plane crash in Iran. ", "How Ukraine's Presidential Race Is Shaping Up", "Comedian faces scrutiny over oligarch ties in Ukraine presidential race", "Volodymyr Zelensky: April 1 an awesome day for a clown to win", "Ukraine media demands access to runoff frontrunner Zelensky", "The World Just Witnessed the First Entirely Virtual Presidential Campaign", "Ukraine election: Why comic Zelenskiy is real threat to Poroshenko", "Crowdsourcer In Chief: Ukrainian Funnyman Takes Unorthodox Path To Top Of Presidential Pack", "Zelensky: Party "Servant of the people" goes into politics", " " " ", "Ukraine elections: actor and comedian poised to win crushing victory", "Ukraine election: Poroshenko attacks Zelensky before runoff", "Rivals in Ukraine's presidential runoff hold bitter debate at sports stadium", "How the Ukraine Scandal Looks in Ukraine", " vs : ", " : , ", " : "", " , ", " ", "Central Election Commission of Ukraine Ukrainian Presidential Election 2019 (first round)", "Ukraine election: Comedian Zelensky wins presidency by landslide", "Election of President of Ukraine 2019 Repeat voting", " ", " ", "Ukraine vaults into unknown after comic elected president", "Joint letter of President Tusk and President Juncker to Volodymyr Zelensky, President-elect of Ukraine Consilium", "Ukraine's New President Vows To Dissolve Parliament As PM, Other Key Officials Resign", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised international partners that the world would be proud of Ukraine", "New Ukraine President Zelensky calls snap election", "Zelensky may dissolve parliament despite People's Front withdrawal from coalition expert", "Georgia's Saakashvili has Ukrainian citizenship restored", "UAWire Ukrainian parliament rejects Zelensky's proposal to change election system", " , ", "Quick win for Zelenskiy as Ukraine parliament strips lawmakers' immunity", "Zelensky cancels Independence Day parade on August 24 citing costs", "Zelensky cancels Independence Day military parade, gives money to soldiers | KyivPost Ukraine's Global Voice", "No Independence Day parade to be held this year, Zelensky says", "Bonuses instead of parade: Ukraine's leader takes surprising decision", "Voice of America: Journalists see censorship in Ukraine's proposed media laws", "Journalists See Specter of Censorship in Ukraine's Proposed Media Law", " " ", " . Zelenskyy turned down both offers and opted to remain in Kyiv with its defense forces, saying that "the fight is here [in Kyiv]; I need ammunition, not a ride". [285][286][287][288] His assets were worth about 37 million (about US$1.5 million) in 2018. Vitaliy. Ukraine needs real reforms. [45], Zelenskyy worked mostly in Russian-language productions. [200], On 15 March 2022, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, together with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jana, visited Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy in a display of support for Ukraine. [109] Former deputy foreign minister Olena Zerkal declined an appointment as deputy head of the presidential administration, but did agree to serve as the Ukrainian representative of the international courts concerning Russia. [244] When asked what kind of relationship Ukrainians and Ukraine will have with Russia after the war, Zelenskyy replied that "They took too many people, too many lives. 2000 - Graduated from Kyiv National Economic University, with a law degree. Ruslan Ryaboshapka, who served as Ukraine's prosecutor general until March, conducted a full audit of all the criminal cases in Ukraine involving the company and told The Post he found no. He made the comment after he was asked about an online petition calling to lift a prohibition on Ukrainian men leaving Ukraine. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (also transliterated as Zelensky or Zelenskiy; born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former comedian and actor who has served as the sixth and current president of Ukraine since 2019.. Born to a Ukrainian Jewish family, Zelenskyy grew up as a native Russian speaker in Kryvyi Rih, a major city of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central Ukraine. The headline on the March 10 article reads, "Vice President Kamala Harris laughs at the plight of Ukraine; at idea of America offering assistance." It was published on The Raging Patriot blog . His first role in the Ukrainian language was the romantic comedy I, You, He, She,[46] which appeared on the screens of Ukraine in December 2018. Upon the proclamation of Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union on 24 August 1991, the title was changed to the "President of Ukraine." The first election of the President of Ukraine, which was held on 1 December 1991, was won by Leonid Kravchuk . After starting at Domino's Pizza in 1992 in Montreal, Canada as a part-time job, he decided to take on the challenge of being a store manager for one of Montreal's original four shops. [56][57] He did not release a detailed policy platform[58] and his engagement with mainstream media was minimal;[56][d] he instead reached out to the electorate via social media channels and YouTube clips. Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor . [141], On 17 January 2020, the presidential appointee Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko was unable to give answers during the "times of questions to the government" in parliament when the people's deputies of Ukraine asked him about the visit's official agenda, the invitation from Oman, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were preparing the visit, as well as how the president actually crossed the border while visiting Oman. He promised to bring the salary for military personnel "to the level of NATO standards". We will not forget. [169] In part of the address, he spoke in Russian to the people of Russia, appealing to them to pressure their leadership to prevent war: Who will suffer the most from this? Ukraine and all of Europe will win! As we have reported more than once last year, Biden traveled to Kyiv as vice president and warned Ukraine's then-president, Petro Poroshenko, that the U.S. would withhold $1 billion in loan. His leadership during the crisis has won him widespread international praise, and he has been described as a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance. Feb 22. Mr. President, fellow ladies and gentlemen, journalists and everyone in this room, the team of President Biden: I'm very happy to welcome you in. [127] In October 2019, Zelenskyy announced a preliminary deal struck with the separatists, under which the Ukrainian government would respect elections held in the region in exchange for Russia withdrawing its unmarked troops. [202] The video is considered to be the first use of deepfake technology in a global-scale disinformation attack. [283], Zelenskyy's first language is Russian, and he is also fluent in Ukrainian and English. ", "Ukraine adopts new and improved referendum law", "Ukraine's referendum law passed during Yanukovych's presidency designated as unconstitutional", "Zelenskyy speeds up corruption crackdown, one oligarch at a time", "Ukrainian lawmakers pass law on oligarchs after assassination attempt", "Ukraine: why Volodymyr Zelensky is pursuing a disruptive agenda", " . [239] On 20 July 2022, South America's Mercosur trade bloc refused Zelenskyy's request to speak at the trade bloc's summit in Paraguay. [235] In August 2022, he said China had the economic leverage to pressure Putin to end the war, adding "Im sure that without the Chinese market for the Russian Federation, Russia would be feeling complete economic isolation. From 21 January until 18 April 2019 Zelenskyy did not give interviews. [230], Zelenskyy denounced suggestions by former US diplomat Henry Kissinger that Ukraine should cede control of Crimea and Donbas to Russia in exchange for peace. People. "I looked at them and said, 'I'm leaving in six hours,'" Biden told the crowd, taking a long look at his watch for effect . He invited African leaders for virtual meeting but only four of them attended. [50][51] Although Zelenskyy denied any immediate plans to enter politics and said he had registered the party name only to prevent it being appropriated by others,[52] there was widespread speculation that he was planning to run. [234] On 25 May 2022, Zelenskyy said that he was satisfied with China's policy of staying away from the conflict. . Taras Gorbul, FOUNDER & CEO of Superheroes.marketing, Vice President of the Ukrainian-Swiss Business Association, and a Board Member of the NGO "Superheroes of [32][25] At the age of 16 he passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language and received an education grant to study in Israel, but his father did not allow him to go. [54] His announcement up-staged the New Year's Eve address of incumbent president Petro Poroshenko on the same channel,[54] which Zelenskyy said was unintentional and attributed to a technical glitch. Detractors noted that elections held in Donbas were unlikely to be free and fair, that the separatists had long driven out most pro-Ukrainian residents out of the region to ensure a pro-Russia majority, and that it would be impossible to ensure Russia kept its end of the agreement. [56] Zelenskyy stated that he was not hiding from journalists but that he did not want to go to talk shows where "people of the old power" were "just doing PR" and that he did not have time to satisfy all interview requests.[63]. [70] Although Zelenskyy initially said he would only serve a single term, he walked back this promise in May 2021, saying he had not yet made up his mind. [290] British newspaper Financial Times selected Zelenskyy as Person of the Year in 2022. [6][7][8], During his presidential campaign, Zelenskyy promised to end Ukraine's protracted conflict with Russia, and he has attempted to engage in dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin. President Charles Michel, EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023. [289], On 27 March 2022, Slovakia awarded Zelenskyy one of the country's top awards, the State Award of Alexander Dubek. Out of 2,028 CPAC attendees who voted, Trump received 62 percent of the vote. Ambassador William B. Taylor is vice president, Europe and Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace. [12][13] Zelenskyy was named the Time Person of the Year for 2022 and opinion polls in Ukraine have ranked him as Ukraine's greatest president. [250][251], During his presidential campaign, Zelenskyy said that he supported Ukraine's becoming a member of the European Union and NATO, but he said Ukrainian voters should decide on the country's membership of these two organisations in referendums. [241] Following Putin's announcement of Russia annexing four regions of Ukrainian territory it had seized during its invasion, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would not hold peace talks with Russia while Putin was president. Regular people. Kyiv, Ukraine. On 20 May, 2019 sworn in as the 6 th President of Ukraine. Not All Jews There Are Pleased", ": , , , , ", "Volodymyr Zelensky Was a Jewish Comedian. We will not forgive. ", " ", "Ukraine bans 38 Russian 'hate' books amid culture war", " - "", " , ", "Volodymyr Zelensky in major lead in Ukraine presidential election runoff: Biography, quotes", Pandora Papers Reveal Offshore Holdings of Ukrainian President and his Inner Circle, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, "Revealed: 'anti-oligarch' Ukrainian president's offshore connections", "Lawyer Zelenskyy has registered a new political party "Servant of the people", "The boundary of a joke. 28 October 2021 - 22:17 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vice-President,Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. Olena Zelenska presented the Ukrainian Bookshelf and Ukrainian-language audio guides in Albania and Ireland 27 February 2023 - 15:24 First Lady of Ukraine had a meeting with the Minister of Culture of France 23 February 2023 - 23:00 Olena Zelenska: Ukraine is not just fighting the attacker - Ukraine is fighting for human rights Then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, and US Vice President Joe Biden, left, shake hands during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 16, 2017. Born to a Ukrainian Jewish family, Zelenskyy grew up as a native Russian speaker in Kryvyi Rih, a major city of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central Ukraine. BRASILIA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro disauthorized his Vice President Hamilton Mourao on Thursday for saying that Brazil opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.. Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., was born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of four siblings. Joe Biden's presidential administration has formally concluded that Russia has committed crimes against humanity during its nearly year-long invasion of Ukraine, US vice-president Kamala Harris . 1 target', "Ukraine's capital under threat as Russia presses invasion", "Volodymyr Zelenskiy stands defiant in face of Russian attack", "93 Percent of Ukrainians Believe Russia Will Be Defeated: Poll", "Majority of Ukrainians believe they will win against Russia - poll", "Americans have more confidence in Zelenskyy than Biden when it comes to world affairs", "Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy: From comedian to national hero", "Actor-turned-president Zelensky grows on stage as Ukraine's war-time leader", "Zelenskyy's unlikely journey, from comedy to wartime leader", "For many Jews, Volodymyr Zelensky is a 'modern Maccabee' as he fights Ukraine's war", "Ukraine leader Zelenskyy's wild ride: Jewish comedian to national hero", "Ukraine president suddenly thrust into hero role, mirrors one of the darkest chapters of the Cold War", "Zelensky emerges as global hero in Ukraine battle against Russia", "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Standing Tall in the Face of Danger", "Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky: The comedian president who is rising to the moment", "Volodymyr Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days", "Zelensky says 'we will not forgive' after Russians kill fleeing civilians", "Czech president to award state honour to Ukraine's president", "Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says Open to 'Compromise' with Russia on Crimea, Separatist Territories", "Zelensky Calls on Putin for Face-to-Face Talks, Says 'I Don't Bite', "Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss neutrality in peace talks with Russia", "Russia will stop 'in a moment' if Ukraine meets terms Kremlin", "Israel's Bennett plays peacemaker in Ukraine-Russia war", "Analysis: Two weeks into Ukraine war, analysts detect faint glimmers of compromise emerge", "Alternative to NATO proposed by Zelensky's party", "Why has Russia invaded Ukraine and what does Putin want? The United States announced they would supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine as had been requested. [242], On 25 September 2022, Zelenskyy said that Putins threats to use nuclear weapons "could be a reality." Fox News host Tucker Carlson admitted on Thursday that he was wrong about the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine but blamed the Biden administration and Vice President Kamala Harris for his . [182], Zelenskyy has gained worldwide recognition as the wartime leader of Ukraine during the Russian invasion; historian Andrew Roberts compared him to Winston Churchill. This can't be anything but fake as Ukraine does not have a vice president. nov., a first nearly complete feather star (Crinoidea) from the Upper Jurassic of Africa", "Fossil Named After Ukraine's President Zelenskyy", "NFL Honors Highlights Defenders of Ukraine", Who is Volodymyr Zelenskyy? We will be right by your side to rebuild a modern, prosperous Ukraine firmly anchored on our common European path. Mr. Vice President, we value the level of technical assistance that is provided by the government of the United States. [119] Honchurak's hasty departure caused disquiet both in Ukraine and abroad, with many economists and political observers warning it would bring instability. [4]:1113 His communication style makes extensive use of social media, particularly Instagram. [49], In March 2018, members of Zelenskyy's production company Kvartal 95 registered a new political party called Servant of the People the same name as the television program that Zelenskyy had starred in over the previous three years. 1:31h Biograph Fox Videos, "Who Is Volodymyr Zelensky? What a great honor for me to be able to represent my country before such an august audience. Thank you for the principled defense and political support, for the clear understanding that the aggressor cannot be given a single chance. "[185] He has been described as a national hero or a "global hero" by many commentators, including publications such as The Hill, Deutsche Welle, Der Spiegel and USA Today. [19][36][37] That same year, he created and headed the Kvartal 95 team, which later transformed into the comedy outfit Kvartal 95. [157], On 26 November 2021, Zelenskyy accused Russia and Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov of backing a plan to overthrow his government. It was not even close. ", "The courage of Ukraine's unlikely wartime leader", " " " - ", " ()", " : , ", " - ", "ethnic Ukrainian father's farer's medal certificate", "Jewish comic who plays Ukraine president on TV leads Ukraine's presidential race", "Ukraine's Newly Elected President Is Jewish. [14][15][16][17], Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy was born to Jewish parents on 25 January 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, then in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. He has made numerous addresses to the legislatures of the EU,[204][205] UK,[206] Poland,[207] Australia,[208] Canada,[209] US,[210] Germany,[211] Israel,[212] Italy,[213] Japan,[214] the Netherlands,[215] Romania,[216] and the Nordic countries. [93][94][95] He also proposed to spend the money that would have been used to finance the parade on veterans. [35] He was soon invited to join the united Ukrainian team "Zaporizhia-Kryvyi Rih-Transit", which performed in the KVN's Major League, and eventually won in 1997. The government of Ukraine understands and is conscious that the money is given only to those countries that actually overcome and fight corruption. [227][228] As Zelenskyy ordered a general military mobilization in February 2022, he also banned men aged 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine. Today, we're announcing new actions to lower mortgage payments and help more people realize that dream. The series aired from 2015 to 2019 and was immensely popular. [217][218][219], On March 23, Zelenskyy was calling on Russians to emigrate from Russia so as not to finance the war in Ukraine with their taxes. Zelenskyy announced his candidacy in the 2019 presidential election on the evening of 31 December 2018, alongside the New Year's Eve address of then-president Petro Poroshenko on the TV channel 1+1. [19] He recorded the voice of Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian dubbing of Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017). We voted for one Poroshenko, but received another. [173] Later in the day, he announced general mobilisation. [120] In his 4 March address to the Rada,[121] Zelenskyy recommitted to reforms domestic and financial, and remarked that he "cannot always become a psychologist for people, a crisis manager for someone, a collector who requires honestly earned money, and a nanny of the ministry in charge. [11] After the start of the invasion, Zelenskyy declared martial law across Ukraine and a general mobilisation of the armed forces. Also, fact-checkers Logically reported that the image is of a Ukrainian soldier from August 2021. Who does not want this more than anyone? [70][71][72] In his introductory speech, Zelenskyy acknowledged that in 2014 he voted for Poroshenko, but "I was mistaken. [80][81] European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker and European Council president Donald Tusk also issued a joint letter of congratulations and stated that the European Union (EU) will work to speed up the implementation of the remainder of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. Two of those attempts were carried out by the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary force, and the third by the Kadyrovites, the personal guard of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. This was decided by the passport service of Ukraine. According to Article 102 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine is the Head of State and acts in its name, is the guarantor of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, compliance with the Constitution of Ukraine, rights and freedoms of man and citizen. During the first two years of his administration, Zelenskyy oversaw the lifting of legal immunity for members of parliament (the Verkhovna Rada),[5] the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession, and some limited progress in tackling corruption in Ukraine. You will not have a quiet place on this earth except for a grave. ", "Ukraine-Russia crisis: Ceasefire violations rise at contact line", "OSCE in Donbas reports 55% less ceasefire violations in 2020", " , ", " , , ", " " " ", " , ", Prystaiko about the visit of Zelensky to Oman: When time comes we will explain ( : ), "Zelensky to meet EU officials on first foreign visit", "Ukrainian president to resume exhumation of Poles in Ukraine: report", "Biden Faces Conflict of Interest Questions That Are Being Promoted by Trump and Allies", "The Biden family's strange business history", "Ukrainian President Denies President Trump Pressured Him", "Biden, Zelensky Discuss Energy, Russia, Ukraine's Future With the West", "President Zelensky, First Lady open Ukrainian House in Washington", "Zelensky arrives to Washington to meet Blinken, Granholm, Biden", "Zelensky to meet with Apple CEO in California on Sept 2, visit Silicon Valley, speak at Stanford University", "In California, Zelensky meets with Ukrainians working at Silicon Valley companies", "Zelensky at Stanford: 'Russia's policy is to take, not give', Top Adviser to Ukrainian President Is Targeted in an Assassination Attempt, "Ukraine's Zelensky on frontline as Merkel urges Putin to pull back troops", "Zelensky warns Ukraine 'entirely prepared' if Russia attacks", "Zelenskiy says Ukraine uncovers coup plot involving Russians; Kremlin denies role", "Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says Ready for Russian Escalation, Claims Coup Plot Uncovered", "EU threatens Russia sanctions as NATO backs Ukraine", "Some Ukrainians Are Angry About Washington Ordering Diplomats' Families To Leave The US Embassy", "Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the West of causing 'panic' with warnings of a Russian invasion that hurts the Ukrainian economy", "Ukraine to the world: keep calm and stop spreading panic", "Ukraine crisis: US president Joe Biden tells Zelensky to 'prepare' for Russian invasion", "Ukraine's president told Biden to 'calm down' Russian invasion warnings, saying he was creating unwanted panic: report", "Ukraine is 'longing for peace' says Zelensky at Munich Security Conference", "Full Translation: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Feb. 23 Speech", "Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to Russians: 'The people of Ukraine want peace', "London Playbook: BREAKING: Putin declares war Bombs Kyiv Blasts rock major cities", "Ukraine conflict: Russian forces attack from three sides", " ", "Ukrainian president signs decree on general mobilisation of population -Interfax", "Ukraine president orders full military mobilisation", "Putin Unbowed as Russia Presses Ahead With Invasion Toward Kyiv", "U.S. stands ready to evacuate Zelensky, Russia's 'No. Please not that all time are approximate and are subject to change. [136][137] Soon, rumors began that Zelenskyy may have had some additional meetings beside the ones that were announced. [175] In an early morning address that day, Zelenskyy said that his intelligence services had identified him as Russia's top target, but that he is staying in Kyiv and his family will remain in the country. It's been a rough first year as vice president for Kamala Harris. In 2019, he served as charg d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv and as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 . He has positioned himself as an anti-establishment and anti-corruption figure. Homeownership is an essential part of the American dream. A collection of sixteen of Zelenskyy's speeches as president have been collected in a book. [261], Zelenskyy supported the late 2013 and early 2014 Euromaidan movement. [238], On 20 June 2022, Zelenskyy addressed African Union (AU) representatives via videoconference. [196] On 8 March, Zelenskyy expressed willingness to discuss Putin's demands. If you don't want to leave now, sit down with me at the negotiating table. [197] He proposed a new collective security agreement for Ukraine with the United States, Turkey, France, Germany as an alternative to the country joining NATO. The President won't be offended if BBC standards assume different transliteration", Zelensky Unchained: What Ukraine's New Political Order Means For Its Future, "Ukraine Lifts Prosecutorial Immunity For Members Of Parliament", "Ukraine's anti-corruption effort struggles, but soldiers on", Faltering fightback: Zelensky's piecemeal campaign against Ukraine's oligarchs, "FT Person of the Year: Volodymyr Zelenskyy. [254] Zelenskyy's electoral programme claimed that Ukrainian NATO membership is "the choice of the Maidan and the course that is enshrined in the Constitution, in addition, it is an instrument for strengthening our defense capability". [102] Fixing the referendum law had been one of Zelenskyy's campaign promises. The president of Ukraine (Ukrainian: , romanized: Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine.The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, conducts negotiations and concludes international treaties.The president is directly elected by the citizens of Ukraine for a five-year term . March 12, 2022 After war began last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine turned to Mykhailo Fedorov, a vice prime minister, for a key role. President Joe Biden is being briefed "regularly" on the situation in Ukraine by his national security team at the White House this weekend, press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. In Zelenskyy's 2014 movie 8 New Dates, their daughter played Sasha, the daughter of the protagonist. 1 min ago. "[149], On a trip to the United States in September 2021, Zelenskyy engaged in talks and commitments with U.S. president Joe Biden,[150] Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm,[151] and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He added that Putin "wants to scare the whole world" with nuclear blackmail. [156], In April 2021, in response to Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian borders, Zelenskyy spoke to American president Joe Biden and urged NATO members to speed up Ukraine's request for membership. [19] Zelenskyy also played the leading role in the 2012 film 8 First Dates and in sequels which were produced in 2015 and 2016. "Zelensky" redirects here. A political outsider, he had already become one of the frontrunners in opinion polls for the election. By AAMER MADHANI and MATTHEW LEE February 18, 2022. [114], Following the elections, Zelenskyy nominated Oleksiy Honcharuk as prime minister, who was quickly confirmed by parliament. The Vice President has departed for Kyiv, Ukraine, where he will meet with President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukrainian reformers from both government and civil society, and deliver a speech to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. [170][171], On the morning of 24 February, Putin announced that Russia was initiating a "special military operation" in the Donbas. 'I am more responsible than brave', "Ukraine still backs Zelenskyy despite slow progress", "Military tactics: Zelensky plays both sides in Ukrainian crisis", "Ukraine war: what are Russia's strategic aims and how effectively are they achieving them? [174] On 25 February, Zelenskyy said that despite Russia's claim that it was targeting only military sites, civilian sites were also being hit. [48], In October 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that Zelenskyy, his chief aide, and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov operated a network of offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize.