WASHINGTON - 

Last December, the American Time magazine chose Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Person of the Year, in recognition of his country's military, political and popular leadership during the war against Russia. The magazine described Zelensky as "the spirit of Ukraine" at a time when his country is witnessing a massive military invasion. from Russia.

Such honoring is an important step that reflects the appreciation of the American public for President Zelensky, and the evolution of viewing him from just a different politician because of his background as a television comedian, to the status of a leader of global stature.

When the war broke out, the American public opinion's relationship with President Zelensky went through a short phase of questioning his capabilities and his ability to lead his country in these difficult circumstances. However, he quickly turned into an inspiring resistance leader in the eyes of the Americans. Senior American politicians seek to talk to him and major media networks seek to meet him.

Zelensky's popularity contributed to promoting his country's position in the war and to pressuring US President Joe Biden's administration to push it to adopt more pro-Kiev policies, and to provide aid that has exceeded $60 billion so far.


American start stumbled

The Americans were suspicious of Zelensky after he rejected US intelligence information before the invasion about the imminent occurrence of a large-scale invasion, and some experts considered that Zelensky's background did not qualify him to lead a country on the brink of invasion from a major neighboring country.

Some also considered that Zelensky had failed to prepare Ukraine to defend itself. Hence, the capital, Kiev, was not fortified in any way, and this made it easier for the Russians to besiege it during the first days of the war. However, that quickly changed with Zelensky's decision not to flee from Kiev, which drew attention. Americans look to him as a leader at war.

During an interview with the famous "60 Minutes" program, broadcaster Scott Bailey asked President Zelensky about his stay inside Ukraine despite the CIA's readiness to smuggle him and ensure his safety out of the country. Zelensky replied, "I don't want to be a hero, I love my family, I want to I live many more years, but to choose between escaping or being with my people, of course I am willing to sacrifice my life for my country.”


Exploit Zelensky's skills

Zelinsky has been waging a media battle since the first day of the war in order to support his country with weapons and money, and American popular support has led to a change in the nature of the debate about the limits of support that must be provided.

Zelensky's background as an actor and comedian contributed to his fight to deliver Ukraine's message clearly, simply and directly to Americans.

Zelensky mixes charm and humor, occasionally switching to English, and describing US aid to Ukraine as an "investment" that would enhance US national security.

Over the past year, it has become commonplace among American journalists to tease each other by saying that I have had or will have an interview with the Ukrainian president.

Despite the security and logistical difficulty of conducting a dialogue with the head of a country subject to a massive military invasion by a major military force, all major American news networks and major newspapers conducted one or more dialogues with the Ukrainian president.

Janet Steele, a professor of media at George Washington University, said, "The American media is fascinated by the Ukrainian president, his life story, his behavior, and his sincerity, and the media believes that Zelensky's clear personal courage and physical courage in the face of enormous threats are legendary."

Steele added, in a statement to Al Jazeera Net, that "Zelinsky is also a skilled actor and uses his ability to communicate with the masses to speak directly to the American people, and in this way he was certainly able to put pressure on the US administration, and undoubtedly benefits from his background as a professional actor with great experience in addressing the public." And rally support for Ukraine, he knows how to use language, his voice and the rhythm of his words to move the crowd."

Biden a few days ago made a surprise visit to Kiev to express support for Ukraine (Reuters)

Your help is not charity

Zelensky stressed, in strong and clear language, the urgent need to continue American support, and he actually succeeded in obtaining American tanks after the initial rejection of this plan from the administration of President Joe Biden at the beginning of the war.

Zelensky told a congressional session during his visit to Washington last December that your assistance "is not charity, but rather an investment in global security."

The Ukrainian president's words aimed to calm skeptical voices in Congress by emphasizing the benefits of investing in Ukraine as a strategic partner, and the importance of Ukraine's survival as a sovereign state.

Last May, 57 Republicans in the 435-seat House of Representatives and 11 in the 100-seat Senate voted against an aid package to Ukraine.

Opinion polls indicate that Republican support for continued aid has eroded since then, and in a poll conducted last November, just over half of Republican voters supported aid to Ukraine, down from 80% last March.


Despite some dissenting voices in the US Congress and calls for tighter control of budget spending on Ukraine, there are no concrete reasons to believe that support for Ukraine will wane.

In particular, the Republican leadership in the Senate, along with the top Republicans on key committees such as the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, remain staunch advocates for Ukraine.

On the other hand, Zelensky managed to clearly show the strong and continuous American support for decision-makers in Moscow, and this prompted Biden to confirm several times from Washington, and most recently during his historic visit to Kiev, to repeat, “I would like you to know, Mr. President Zelensky, that the American people are with you in every way.” A step on the way, and we will stay with you.”