When the Man Meets the Moment

Why Zelensky matters, in Ukraine and the world.

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On the evening of February 25, two days into the Russian invasion of his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stood beside his senior staff in a capital under fire, and recorded the simple video below: 

His words, translated, are direct, and they rocketed around the globe: 

Good evening to you all. The head of government is here. The head of the president’s office is here. Prime Minister Shmyhal is here. Adviser Podoliak is here. The president is here. Our soldiers are here. Our citizens are here. We are all defending our independence—our country—and it will stay that way. Glory to the men and women defending us. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes. 

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  1. Beth Hiseler

    Yes!!!

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    Ben Connelly

    “ He has flatly refused a reported American offer of evacuation, declaring “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride.””

    That fact really hits home what he’s doing. He will probably be a martyr but whether he lives or dies he’s a hero.

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    Linda Rodante

    Excellent article.

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    John A Johnson

    David, I do not know if you ever read several of Joseph Conrad's shorter novels, but (including the now unacceptable "N* of the Narcissus") discuss the way that ordinary individuals faced with extraordinary challenges can rise to the occasion. I think of George H.W. Bush and the first Gulf War in that way; while a war hero as a teenager, he was, frankly, a rather mediocre political figure (though I voted for him over Reagan in the '80 Indiana primary) who ascended to the Presidency through a combination of having been V-P, a weak opponent, and an at times questionable bit of campaign advertising. yet he put together a coalition of nations, assembled a first-rate team of advisors and staff (including military) and got the job done. Conrad's native language, by the way, was Polish, but one of the finest English writers of the 20th century.

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    Paul Hoppenjans

    David, this is a great column and I am happy that I had the honor of reading it. I think Zelensky is a hero. Hopefully not a tragic hero, but if it ends that way, he will be a hero as will the Ukrainian Resistance.

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  6. Laura Poynter

    Thank you for including the hymn sung by the Ukrainian family. It’s easy for us to sing such words in the safety and comfort of our churches and homes. But they are an example of true faith and courage. Would I, when bombs were falling in my city? I pray so. The beauty of their song and faith inspires me.

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    Jean-Christophe Jouffrey

    Dear David French,

    Taking a respite from my current activities which have kept me away from commenting for a few days, to the relief of most, I take a few minutes to comment on this: "I haven’t seen any coverage on this point yet, but there is a stronger and deeper bond between Ukraine and America than many realize. Across the United States, Evangelical churches have been sending mission groups to Ukraine for years."

    Actually,it is very well known, and part of the reason of Putin's ire that American Evangelical churches have been a major force behind the 2004 Orange Revolution (already reported in European media at the time) and many of the anti-Russians actions since.

    For an analogy of proportion, imagine if the Russian Orthodox Church were to conduct political anti-American activities in Canada or Mexico... or Cuba.

    These Evangelical Churches have a disproportionate political influence compared to their actual religious activities, which is part of the reasons for the claims of undue foreign influence which Putin makes.

    Of course, there are Christians in Ukraine who are not Protestants, most of them actually, the majority being Orthodox, and a minority of Greek rite Catholics.

    The latter tend to be in the Western part of Ukraine, illustrating the traditional divide of Ukraine between Western influence and Russian influence.

    Ukraine is a frontier region, what in Europe is called a "March" (from which comes Marquis, who originally is the Governor of the March), and has always been torned between competing influences.

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  8. Dan Darrow

    Well said as usual David, but you really should try to get over Trump

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    jason

    President Zelensky's inaugural address is an interesting read. He's populist, and patriotic - maybe what Trump imagines himself to be. He quotes Reagan; although, I'm not sure he quite gets it. He foreshadows himself in that video above. He also says something Americans should internalize: "...the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait." This one, at least, is an inspiration.

    And, being from southeast Michigan, I can relate: "And then, there are also the mythical Ukrainian roads that are being built and repaired only in someone’s prolific imagination." Some things are universal.

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    Patti Scriffiny

    Your comment about links to Ukraine from American churches is certainly true here. This weekend, our member who was born and raised there, and who has an uncle who pastors there, led prayer during weekend services. It was touching and emotional since our church was planning another trip this year to support our sister church, now canceled.

    What has also struck me is the wide support for Ukraine, from people who normally don’t agree on much. There are some who are trying to frame this event as some sort of proof that they were right about some issue here at home, but mostly they just support the people of Ukraine. Those figures who voiced support or admiration for Putin will regret it, I think.

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