When the president turns into an inspiring leader and a popular leader.. Zelensky is a model

Away from dictatorial states and societies, the glorification of leaders, their love, appreciation, and emulation on great levels is rare, especially since the opposition in the democratic world is working to limit this and highlight its opposition to the policies of rulers and governments.

But the Ukrainian peculiarity deviated from this general rule in light of the current Russian war on the country, until President Volodymyr Zelensky became one of the most popular people in the country, without any doubt.

To confirm this, the popularity website "Rating" indicates - in an opinion poll - that today, in light of the war, Zelensky's popularity has exceeded the 90% barrier among Ukrainians, while it had fallen below 30% before it, primarily for political and economic reasons.

In other words, the conditions of the war raised Zelensky's popular shares to more than the "big victory" he achieved in the 2019 presidential elections, when about 73% of Ukrainians supported him.

From comedian to brave leader

And everyone was in 2019 reminding Zelensky that he was an obscure comedian, who entered the world of politics through the gateway of the series and movie “The Servant of the People”, which later became a name for the ruling party that he heads.

The explanation for his victory in the presidency revolved mainly around the love of Ukrainians for Zelensky, the artistic star, and their "revenge" - if you will - against the former political elites, and the dominant "oligarchy" category.

This is in addition to the promises made by Zelensky to fight this group, to implement reforms against corruption and the corrupt, as well as to exchange prisoners and detainees, and to "end the war" in general in the separatist eastern regions.

Zelensky achieved relative successes in these areas, but he could not end the war. Rather, the ongoing war is trying to end him as president and political leader, according to many local and Western officials.

In this context, Zelensky's refusal to leave the country emerged despite US warnings of danger to his life, and rejected Washington's offers to help him escape outside the country, or even to the city of Lviv in the west, which is considered the "most secure".

In the same context, Zelensky was distinguished by positions that made him a bold and inspiring leader for a large segment of Ukrainians, especially through his documented visit to a number of the hottest and most dangerous regions and sites in the country, and his publication from time to time of videos confirming his presence and the presence of his regime officials at the head of their work.

This is in addition to the "strong and frank" statements he issues from time to time, according to his supporters, that do not hide criticism of the West for "abandoning" Ukraine in these circumstances, and considers that Ukraine is fighting on behalf of all the "civilized countries of the world."

In this context, Zelensky also reiterates his country's demands from the West to take specific measures without "evasion or favor", such as imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, providing it with aircraft and more quality weapons.

Not alone in the eyes of Ukrainians

With these positions, it seems that Zelensky won the support of a wide range of his people, including even those who before the start of the war were supporters of his opponents.

This is embodied in posts, tweets, and chants of praise for Zelensky and insults for Putin, in demonstrations in several Ukrainian cities in recent days, even in those controlled by Russian forces, such as Kherson in the north of the occupied Crimea.

But Zelensky is not alone in this "glory", so to speak. Expressions of praise are showered on symbols in his regime, which emerged strongly in the days of the war, such as Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Chief of Staff Valery Zaluzhny, and others, and even his most staunch opponents.

On one of the streets of Lviv, we asked the young woman, Yekaterina, about her opinion of the leaders of her country, and she said, "It turned out to me that they are all patriots, although they differ strongly on issues, except for those in the pro-Russian opposition, who were completely absent from the scene."

Well done Zelensky, and I am proud of him as president of my country, as well as of his steadfast supporters, ex-president Petro Poroshenko, and former parliament speaker Andrei Parubi. They put their differences aside, and all of them in the squares are part of the ongoing political, military and popular resistance against the Russian invasion, and this gives hope Our strength," she said.