You may have come across
the trending recent video of a meeting at the
White House between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and
President Zelenskyy which ended in a heated disagreement. The confrontation led
to the cancellation of a planned minerals deal, which was intended as a step
toward a ceasefire with Russia. During the meeting, President Trump accused
Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War Three," and Vice President
Vance criticized him for being antagonistic. This fallout has jeopardized U.S.
military support for Ukraine, with the Trump administration considering ending
ongoing military aid.
As much as nearly
everybody can put a face to “The President of Ukraine”, not many know how the
man came to hold the highest position in the Country and has been the key
figure in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In this article, we will discuss his
early life and how he came to hold power.
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy,
born on January 25, 1978, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, is the sixth and current
President of Ukraine. Zelenskyy is married to Olena Zelenska, and they have two
children: a daughter, Oleksandra, and a son, Kyrylo.
Before entering politics, Zelenskyy had a
successful career in entertainment. He earned a law degree from the Kyiv
National Economic University but chose to pursue comedy and acting instead. He
founded the production company Kvartal 95, which produced films, cartoons, and
television shows, including the popular series "Servant of the
People," where he portrayed a fictional Ukrainian president.
In 2019, capitalizing on his outsider
status and anti-corruption platform, Zelenskyy ran for president and won a
landslide victory, securing over 73% of the vote in the second round against
incumbent Petro Poroshenko. His presidency has been marked by efforts to
address corruption, implement e-government initiatives, and navigate complex
relations with Russia, especially following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
in February 2022.
Despite the recent fallout with the United States, Zelenskyy continues to seek support from European allies. European Union leaders recently gathered in London for a summit focused on securing lasting peace in Ukraine. The discussions included proposals for a one-month truce to allow for de-escalation and emphasized the need for increased European defense spending. European leaders expressed strong support for Ukraine, condemning President Trump's treatment of Zelenskyy and reaffirming their commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.