Zelensky A Biography of Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's War Leader
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Steven Derix is a journalist at the prestigious Dutch newspaper nrc Handelsblad. Together with Dolf de Groot he wrote Blood Brothers: The Downfall of Team Rabobank, which uncovered Michael Boogerd’s doping fraud. From 2014 to 2020 he was nrc correspondent for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Marina Shelkunova studied journalism and was a researcher and coordinator for NRC Handelsblad and De Standaard.
Zelensky A Biography of Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's War Leader
Perfect for readers searching for a biography of Volodymyr Zelensky and a brief modern history of Ukraine and its troubled relationship with Russia, this powerful narrative follows Zelensky’s extraordinary journey from TV comedian to Ukrainian president and wartime leader.
Set against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it offers a gripping story of Kyiv under siege that takes you inside the presidential bunker, the streets of a defiant capital, and the emotional decisions of a leader facing one of the greatest crises in modern European politics.
Blending vivid storytelling with clear, accessible analysis, this book is both an inspirational story about Ukraine's president and an essential current guide to European geopolitics. It explores how Zelensky became a symbol of the democracy and freedom struggle, how Ukraine's resistance reshaped the world’s view of Eastern Europe, and why his leadership now stands alongside other world leaders in crisis.
If you’ve read powerful biographies of Vladimir Putin or broader books about Russia and Eastern Europe — this volume gives you the other side of the story: the man at the heart of Ukraine's war leadership and democracy.
Inside this book, you’ll discover:
- How a popular entertainer became the Ukrainian president the world now watches.
- The key moments that turned a reluctant politician into Ukraine's war leader.
- A clear, engaging Ukraine conflict 2022 history that makes complex geopolitics easy to understand.
- An inspiring true story of courage that shows what modern political leadership can look like under fire.
Whether you follow world affairs closely or are just beginning to explore the history of Ukraine today, this modern political leadership biography will inform, move, and inspire you.
Add this definitive Zelensky biography to your reading now and discover the remarkable story behind Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
About the authors
STEVEN DERIX is a journalist at the Dutch newspaper NRC. From 2014 to 2020, he was NRC correspondent for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
MARINA SHELKUNOVA studied journalism and was a researcher and coordinator for NRC and De Standaard.
Extract
In April 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected as the sixth President of Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.
One month later, the Russian President attended the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. It had been five years since Russia’s annexation of Crimea but daily skirmishes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists were still commonplace in eastern Ukraine.
‘Why did you not congratulate Volodymyr Zelenksy when he became President?’ asked the interviewer.
Putin breathed a heavy sigh. The Russian officials and business magnates in the room playfully nudged one another: this was going to be good...
Putin gave the enormous hall an almost pitying look and waited until the sniggering had died down... ‘Listen, I do not know this man. I hope that we can meet one day. As far as I can tell, he’s amazing at what he does, he’s a marvellous actor.'
Putin continued: 'But seriously: it's one thing to play a person, but quite another thing to be that person.'
Laughter and generous applause filled the room.
Buy the book and start reading
1. Al Pacino. Volodymyr Zelensky grows up in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, and starts to compete in KVN talent championships in Ukraine and Russia, following the fall of the Soviet Union, while also wooing his future wife Olena
2. Bad Neighbours. Charing the history of Ukraine from Viking settlements to the 21st Century, including the vexed relationship between Russia, the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and Volydymyr Zelensky's progression through the Ukrainian and Russian TV industry via KVN shows
3. The Comedy Factory. Ukraine develops as an independent state, still under pressure from Russia, while Volydymyr Zelensky makes his name in Ukraine and Russia with his troupe and TV company Kvartal 95.
4. Maidan. Modern Ukraine erupts in protests amid the Orange Revolution against corrupt elections and government. Volydymyr Zelensky eventually finds his forte in political satire. Mentions Maidan Square, Yuriy Koryavchenkov, Vitali Klitschko, Rinat Akhmetov, Viktor Yanukovych, Viktor Yushchenko
5. Servant of the People. Volydmyr Zelensky starts a TV show, Servant of the People, playing a teacher who dreams of becoming President and cleaning up Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's 'little green men' troops occupy the Crimea peninsula. Mentions Vasyl Holoborodko and Yulia Tymoshenko’s Fatherland Party
6. The Turbo Regime. After winning the presidential election with a landslide, Volydymyr Zelensky starts reforming Ukraine, and immediately runs into trouble with US President Donald Trump. Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks to try to settle their differences over the Donbas and Crimea
7. Confrontation. Volodymyr Zelensky takes on Ukraine's powerful oligarchs and suspected judicial and political corruption. Mentions Ruslan Riaboshapka, Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine National Security and Defence Council, Viktor Medvedchuk, Taras Kozak, Olena Kondratiuk
8. The Wartime President. Russia invades Ukraine in 2022 and President Zelensky mounts a staunch defence of his country, successfully rallying Western support for his battle against overwhelming firepower. Mentions Zapad military exercise, Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022, FSB agents, Alexey Navalny
A Note on Sources. The authors have used some of Steven Derix's reporting for the Dutch newspaper NRC. Explains the use of sources and naming protocol, preferring Ukrainian spellings over Russian ones for Ukrainian names. So the book refers to Zelensky rather than Zelenskyi or Zelenskyy.
Bibliography. An extensive list of references for this biography of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, including sources in Dutch, English, Russian, Ukrainian and Polish.
‘From 2015 to 2019, Zelensky was the star of the hit Ukrainian series Servant of the People. He plays history teacher Vasyl Holoborodko, who after a long day of teaching launches into a tirade against all of the injustices in Ukraine: corruption, broken election promises, stagnation and poverty, and the tax privileges and motorcycle escorts enjoyed by the political class.
‘A student films Holoborodko’s outburst and posts it online. The rant goes viral, the young history teacher – who still lives with his parents – is invited to go into politics, and wins the presidency in a landslide victory...’
Then it happened in real life and Volodymyr Zelensky took on powerful vested interests in one of Europe’s largest countries, before fighting a superpower.
Written for a Western audience, Zelensky is the gripping story of one of the world’s most admired leaders.
Vladimir Putin rarely underestimates his opponent. At the KGB Academy in Leningrad, he learned the meticulous art of profiling ‘targets’ of the service, whether they were Russian dissidents or East German Communist apparatchiks.
Before meeting with anybody, Putin first analyses their strengths and weaknesses. During his first visit to the United States, he wound President George W. Bush around his little finger, with pious tales of his christening in the Russian Orthodox Church. Afterwards, an obviously charmed Bush told of how he had looked into the ‘soul’ of the former KGB officer. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Sochi in 2007 to discuss energy policy, Putin had his black labrador Konni brought in. Merkel – who is terrified of dogs – dared not budge an inch, and Putin dominated the conversation.
Vladimir Putin also carefully considers way he talks about people. The Russian President is only too aware of the political appeal of Alexey Navalny, and will therefore never allow the name of the opposition leader to cross his lips – not even since Navalny’s incarceration in January 2021. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, consistently refers to Navalny as ‘that blogger.’
***
In April 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected as the sixth President of Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.
One month later, the Russian President attended the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. It had been five years since Russia’s annexation of Crimea but daily skirmishes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists were still commonplace in eastern Ukraine.
‘Why did you not congratulate Volodymyr Zelenksy when he became President?’ asked the interviewer.
Putin breathed a heavy sigh. The Russian officials and business magnates in the room playfully nudged one another: this was going to be good.
‘You know,’ said Putin, ‘he is still pushing a certain rhetoric. He labels us “enemies” and “aggressors.” Perhaps he should think about what he really wants to achieve, what he wants to do.’
Putin had still not once uttered the name ‘Zelensky.’
‘You are the President of a world power,’ the interviewer fawned, ‘and right now, he is incredibly popular in his country. Both of you could start with a clean slate. Even a small gesture might completely change the course of world history. Why not simply arrange a meeting?’
Putin gave the enormous hall an almost pitying look, and waited until the sniggering from the officials and businesspeople had died down.
‘Did I say “no”?’ replied Putin. With a snide grin, he added:
‘Nobody has invited me.’
‘Are you prepared to meet with him?’
Putin now looked genuinely amused. ‘Listen, I do not know this man. I hope that we can meet one day. As far as I can tell, he’s amazing at what he does, he’s a marvellous actor.’
Laughter and generous applause filled the room.
Putin continued: ‘But seriously: it’s one thing to play a person, but quite another thing to be that person.’
The blue-suited officials knew exactly what Putin meant. The Ukrainian President had started his career as a comic actor and comedian. From 2015-2019, Zelensky was the star of the Ukrainian hit series Servant of the People. He played history teacher Vasyl Holoborodko, who after a long day of teaching launches into a tirade against all of the injustices in Ukraine: corruption, broken election promises, stagnation and poverty, and the tax privileges, dachas, and motorcycle escorts enjoyed by the political class.
A student secretly films Holoborodko’s damning speech, and puts the video online. The tirade goes viral, and the young history teacher – who still lives with his parents – is invited to go into politics. He wins with a landslide victory, becoming the first ever Ukrainian head of state who cycles to work. Holoborodko turns the political world upside-down, steering the country towards a glorious future. The series tapped into a classic populist theme, that of the political outsider who makes short work of the ‘old regime.’ In 2019, the final season of Servant of the People blended seamlessly into a slick election campaign for the soon-to-be President. Servant of the People (Sluha Narodu) became the name of Zelensky’s political party, which won an absolute majority later that year in the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
Putin was right about one thing: until that time, Zelensky had only ever played the President.
The former showman was now placed at the helm of a bankrupt country – a nation at war with a political and administrative system that was corrupt to the core. In the 30 years of independence since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had been unable to disentangle itself from the chaos that gripped the country in 1991. Zelensky promised to solve all the problems within a single, five-year term.
Many thought that he would fail. Within months of his election, Zelensky’s reform programme had ground to a halt, resulting in a life-and-death battle with the all-powerful oligarchs. To survive within the Ukrainian House of Cards, Zelensky resorted to unconventional means.
“ammunition, not a ride” quote, 170-172
anti-corruption reforms, 90-93, 131-138
campaign promises, 90-93
early efforts in office, 131-134
resistance from oligarchs, 134-138
Belton, Catherine, 238, 307-308
Biden, Joe, 248-252, 256-259
visits to Kyiv, 248-249
military aid to Ukraine, 250-252
speeches on Ukraine, 256-259
Bucha massacre, 214-222
international reaction to, 220-222
investigations of war crimes, 218-222
Crimea, annexation of, 71-78
impact on Ukrainian politics, 78-80
international sanctions after, 236-238
democracy and freedom in Ukraine, 62-70, 169-176, 296-310
in Euromaidan protests, 62-70
wartime defense of, 169-176
postwar debates on, 296-310
disinformation, Russian, 266-273
social media campaigns, 268-271
counter-messaging by Ukraine, 274-282
Donbas conflict, 79-85
impact on Zelensky campaign, 90-93
ceasefire attempts, 121-124
Euromaidan protests, 62-70
legacy for Zelensky generation, 70-71
European Union, 236-243, 244-252, 260-264
candidacy for Ukraine, 244-248
sanctions policy, 236-243
speeches to European Parliament, 260-264
Gates of Europe, The (Plokhy), 238, 307-308
Gessen, Masha, 238, 308
green T-shirt image, 177-184, 282-285
symbolism of, 282-285
humanitarian corridors, 223-230
civilian evacuations, 223-227
Johnson, Boris, 252-255
visits to Kyiv, 252-253
relationship with Zelensky, 254-255
Kyiv, 156-210
government quarter, 156-160
life under siege, 185-198
defense of city, 169-176
Kryvyi Rih, 5-13
Kvartal 95 comedy troupe, 23-30
political satire, 30-33
leadership in crisis, 169-176, 283-295
decision to stay in Kyiv, 169-176
balancing courage and risk, 286-291
expectations of modern presidents, 291-295
media strategy, 177-184, 274-282
smartphone videos, 177-184
global press interviews, 274-278
coordinated messaging with advisers, 279-282
modern European politics, 236-243, 283-295, 296-310
Ukraine’s place in Europe, 296-301
shifting security alliances, 283-295
NATO, 244-252
membership debate, 244-248
military assistance, 248-252
oligarchs, Ukrainian, 60-65, 131-138
influence on media, 52-58
tension with Zelensky, 132-136
Putin, Vladimir, 71-78, 136-155, 199-210
annexation of Crimea, 71-78
decision to invade, 141-155
war aims, 199-210
Putin’s People (Belton), 238, 307-308
refugees, Ukrainian, 223-230
journeys to Poland, 225-228
EU reception of, 228-230
Revolution of Dignity, 62-70
Russia, 71-78, 136-155, 199-210
military strategy, 199-210
sanctions against, 236-243
sanctions, international, 236-243
impact on Russian economy, 240-243
debates over energy, 241-243
Servant of the People (TV series), 35-44
blurring of fiction and reality, 44-45
political impact, 90-93
social media, 177-184, 274-282
Zelensky’s use of, 177-184, 274-278
global audiences on, 278-282
The Man Without a Face (Gessen), 238, 307-308
Trump, Donald, 118-130
phone call with Zelensky, 118-123
impeachment inquiry, 123-130
Ukraine, 3-85, 136-210, 223-230, 296-310
independence and early years, 46-52
identity and language, 64-70, 296-301
post-Soviet politics, 52-60
United Kingdom, 252-255
military support for Ukraine, 252-255
United Nations, 260-264
Zelensky’s speeches to, 260-264
United States, 118-130, 248-252
military aid debates, 248-252
domestic politics and Ukraine, 123-130
war, Russia–Ukraine, 136-210, 214-222
2022 full-scale invasion, 155-168
Battle for Kyiv, 169-176
eastern and southern fronts, 199-210
civilian impact, 185-198, 223-230
war crimes, 214-222
war crimes, 214-222
Bucha massacre, 214-222
world leaders in crisis, 283-295
comparison with Churchill, 288-291
lessons for future presidents, 291-295
Zelenska, Olena, 112-117, 187-192
background and career, 112-115
public role during war, 187-192
Zelensky, Volodymyr, 3-15, 23-45, 81-138, 155-210, 274-295
background and childhood, 3-10
education, 10-13
early comedy career, 23-30
Kvartal 95 and satire, 23-33
Servant of the People star, 35-44
anti-corruption campaign, 90-93, 131-138
presidential election (2019), 90-104
inauguration and early presidency, 105-112
relationship with oligarchs, 60-65, 132-136
leadership during invasion, 155-176
“ammunition, not a ride” quote, 170-172
daily life in Kyiv under siege, 185-198
speeches to foreign parliaments, 260-264
communication style and media image, 177-184, 274-282
legacy and future role, 296-310
Perfect for readers searching for a biography of Volodymyr Zelensky and a brief modern history of Ukraine and its troubled relationship with Russia, this powerful narrative follows Zelensky’s extraordinary journey from TV comedian to Ukrainian president and wartime leader.
Set against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it offers a gripping story of Kyiv under siege that takes you inside the presidential bunker, the streets of a defiant capital, and the emotional decisions of a leader facing one of the greatest crises in modern European politics.
Blending vivid storytelling with clear, accessible analysis, this book is both an inspirational story about Ukraine's president and an essential current guide to European geopolitics. It explores how Zelensky became a symbol of the democracy and freedom struggle, how Ukraine's resistance reshaped the world’s view of Eastern Europe, and why his leadership now stands alongside other world leaders in crisis.
If you’ve read powerful biographies of Vladimir Putin or broader books about Russia and Eastern Europe — this volume gives you the other side of the story: the man at the heart of Ukraine's war leadership and democracy.
Inside this book, you’ll discover:
- How a popular entertainer became the Ukrainian president the world now watches.
- The key moments that turned a reluctant politician into Ukraine's war leader.
- A clear, engaging Ukraine conflict 2022 history that makes complex geopolitics easy to understand.
- An inspiring true story of courage that shows what modern political leadership can look like under fire.
Whether you follow world affairs closely or are just beginning to explore the history of Ukraine today, this modern political leadership biography will inform, move, and inspire you.
Add this definitive Zelensky biography to your reading now and discover the remarkable story behind Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
About the authors
STEVEN DERIX is a journalist at the Dutch newspaper NRC. From 2014 to 2020, he was NRC correspondent for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
MARINA SHELKUNOVA studied journalism and was a researcher and coordinator for NRC and De Standaard.
Extract
In April 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected as the sixth President of Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.
One month later, the Russian President attended the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. It had been five years since Russia’s annexation of Crimea but daily skirmishes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists were still commonplace in eastern Ukraine.
‘Why did you not congratulate Volodymyr Zelenksy when he became President?’ asked the interviewer.
Putin breathed a heavy sigh. The Russian officials and business magnates in the room playfully nudged one another: this was going to be good...
Putin gave the enormous hall an almost pitying look and waited until the sniggering had died down... ‘Listen, I do not know this man. I hope that we can meet one day. As far as I can tell, he’s amazing at what he does, he’s a marvellous actor.'
Putin continued: 'But seriously: it's one thing to play a person, but quite another thing to be that person.'
Laughter and generous applause filled the room.
Buy the book and start reading
1. Al Pacino. Volodymyr Zelensky grows up in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, and starts to compete in KVN talent championships in Ukraine and Russia, following the fall of the Soviet Union, while also wooing his future wife Olena
2. Bad Neighbours. Charing the history of Ukraine from Viking settlements to the 21st Century, including the vexed relationship between Russia, the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and Volydymyr Zelensky's progression through the Ukrainian and Russian TV industry via KVN shows
3. The Comedy Factory. Ukraine develops as an independent state, still under pressure from Russia, while Volydymyr Zelensky makes his name in Ukraine and Russia with his troupe and TV company Kvartal 95.
4. Maidan. Modern Ukraine erupts in protests amid the Orange Revolution against corrupt elections and government. Volydymyr Zelensky eventually finds his forte in political satire. Mentions Maidan Square, Yuriy Koryavchenkov, Vitali Klitschko, Rinat Akhmetov, Viktor Yanukovych, Viktor Yushchenko
5. Servant of the People. Volydmyr Zelensky starts a TV show, Servant of the People, playing a teacher who dreams of becoming President and cleaning up Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's 'little green men' troops occupy the Crimea peninsula. Mentions Vasyl Holoborodko and Yulia Tymoshenko’s Fatherland Party
6. The Turbo Regime. After winning the presidential election with a landslide, Volydymyr Zelensky starts reforming Ukraine, and immediately runs into trouble with US President Donald Trump. Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks to try to settle their differences over the Donbas and Crimea
7. Confrontation. Volodymyr Zelensky takes on Ukraine's powerful oligarchs and suspected judicial and political corruption. Mentions Ruslan Riaboshapka, Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine National Security and Defence Council, Viktor Medvedchuk, Taras Kozak, Olena Kondratiuk
8. The Wartime President. Russia invades Ukraine in 2022 and President Zelensky mounts a staunch defence of his country, successfully rallying Western support for his battle against overwhelming firepower. Mentions Zapad military exercise, Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022, FSB agents, Alexey Navalny
A Note on Sources. The authors have used some of Steven Derix's reporting for the Dutch newspaper NRC. Explains the use of sources and naming protocol, preferring Ukrainian spellings over Russian ones for Ukrainian names. So the book refers to Zelensky rather than Zelenskyi or Zelenskyy.
Bibliography. An extensive list of references for this biography of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, including sources in Dutch, English, Russian, Ukrainian and Polish.
‘From 2015 to 2019, Zelensky was the star of the hit Ukrainian series Servant of the People. He plays history teacher Vasyl Holoborodko, who after a long day of teaching launches into a tirade against all of the injustices in Ukraine: corruption, broken election promises, stagnation and poverty, and the tax privileges and motorcycle escorts enjoyed by the political class.
‘A student films Holoborodko’s outburst and posts it online. The rant goes viral, the young history teacher – who still lives with his parents – is invited to go into politics, and wins the presidency in a landslide victory...’
Then it happened in real life and Volodymyr Zelensky took on powerful vested interests in one of Europe’s largest countries, before fighting a superpower.
Written for a Western audience, Zelensky is the gripping story of one of the world’s most admired leaders.
Vladimir Putin rarely underestimates his opponent. At the KGB Academy in Leningrad, he learned the meticulous art of profiling ‘targets’ of the service, whether they were Russian dissidents or East German Communist apparatchiks.
Before meeting with anybody, Putin first analyses their strengths and weaknesses. During his first visit to the United States, he wound President George W. Bush around his little finger, with pious tales of his christening in the Russian Orthodox Church. Afterwards, an obviously charmed Bush told of how he had looked into the ‘soul’ of the former KGB officer. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Sochi in 2007 to discuss energy policy, Putin had his black labrador Konni brought in. Merkel – who is terrified of dogs – dared not budge an inch, and Putin dominated the conversation.
Vladimir Putin also carefully considers way he talks about people. The Russian President is only too aware of the political appeal of Alexey Navalny, and will therefore never allow the name of the opposition leader to cross his lips – not even since Navalny’s incarceration in January 2021. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, consistently refers to Navalny as ‘that blogger.’
***
In April 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected as the sixth President of Ukraine, with nearly three-quarters of the vote.
One month later, the Russian President attended the World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. It had been five years since Russia’s annexation of Crimea but daily skirmishes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian separatists were still commonplace in eastern Ukraine.
‘Why did you not congratulate Volodymyr Zelenksy when he became President?’ asked the interviewer.
Putin breathed a heavy sigh. The Russian officials and business magnates in the room playfully nudged one another: this was going to be good.
‘You know,’ said Putin, ‘he is still pushing a certain rhetoric. He labels us “enemies” and “aggressors.” Perhaps he should think about what he really wants to achieve, what he wants to do.’
Putin had still not once uttered the name ‘Zelensky.’
‘You are the President of a world power,’ the interviewer fawned, ‘and right now, he is incredibly popular in his country. Both of you could start with a clean slate. Even a small gesture might completely change the course of world history. Why not simply arrange a meeting?’
Putin gave the enormous hall an almost pitying look, and waited until the sniggering from the officials and businesspeople had died down.
‘Did I say “no”?’ replied Putin. With a snide grin, he added:
‘Nobody has invited me.’
‘Are you prepared to meet with him?’
Putin now looked genuinely amused. ‘Listen, I do not know this man. I hope that we can meet one day. As far as I can tell, he’s amazing at what he does, he’s a marvellous actor.’
Laughter and generous applause filled the room.
Putin continued: ‘But seriously: it’s one thing to play a person, but quite another thing to be that person.’
The blue-suited officials knew exactly what Putin meant. The Ukrainian President had started his career as a comic actor and comedian. From 2015-2019, Zelensky was the star of the Ukrainian hit series Servant of the People. He played history teacher Vasyl Holoborodko, who after a long day of teaching launches into a tirade against all of the injustices in Ukraine: corruption, broken election promises, stagnation and poverty, and the tax privileges, dachas, and motorcycle escorts enjoyed by the political class.
A student secretly films Holoborodko’s damning speech, and puts the video online. The tirade goes viral, and the young history teacher – who still lives with his parents – is invited to go into politics. He wins with a landslide victory, becoming the first ever Ukrainian head of state who cycles to work. Holoborodko turns the political world upside-down, steering the country towards a glorious future. The series tapped into a classic populist theme, that of the political outsider who makes short work of the ‘old regime.’ In 2019, the final season of Servant of the People blended seamlessly into a slick election campaign for the soon-to-be President. Servant of the People (Sluha Narodu) became the name of Zelensky’s political party, which won an absolute majority later that year in the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
Putin was right about one thing: until that time, Zelensky had only ever played the President.
The former showman was now placed at the helm of a bankrupt country – a nation at war with a political and administrative system that was corrupt to the core. In the 30 years of independence since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had been unable to disentangle itself from the chaos that gripped the country in 1991. Zelensky promised to solve all the problems within a single, five-year term.
Many thought that he would fail. Within months of his election, Zelensky’s reform programme had ground to a halt, resulting in a life-and-death battle with the all-powerful oligarchs. To survive within the Ukrainian House of Cards, Zelensky resorted to unconventional means.
“ammunition, not a ride” quote, 170-172
anti-corruption reforms, 90-93, 131-138
campaign promises, 90-93
early efforts in office, 131-134
resistance from oligarchs, 134-138
Belton, Catherine, 238, 307-308
Biden, Joe, 248-252, 256-259
visits to Kyiv, 248-249
military aid to Ukraine, 250-252
speeches on Ukraine, 256-259
Bucha massacre, 214-222
international reaction to, 220-222
investigations of war crimes, 218-222
Crimea, annexation of, 71-78
impact on Ukrainian politics, 78-80
international sanctions after, 236-238
democracy and freedom in Ukraine, 62-70, 169-176, 296-310
in Euromaidan protests, 62-70
wartime defense of, 169-176
postwar debates on, 296-310
disinformation, Russian, 266-273
social media campaigns, 268-271
counter-messaging by Ukraine, 274-282
Donbas conflict, 79-85
impact on Zelensky campaign, 90-93
ceasefire attempts, 121-124
Euromaidan protests, 62-70
legacy for Zelensky generation, 70-71
European Union, 236-243, 244-252, 260-264
candidacy for Ukraine, 244-248
sanctions policy, 236-243
speeches to European Parliament, 260-264
Gates of Europe, The (Plokhy), 238, 307-308
Gessen, Masha, 238, 308
green T-shirt image, 177-184, 282-285
symbolism of, 282-285
humanitarian corridors, 223-230
civilian evacuations, 223-227
Johnson, Boris, 252-255
visits to Kyiv, 252-253
relationship with Zelensky, 254-255
Kyiv, 156-210
government quarter, 156-160
life under siege, 185-198
defense of city, 169-176
Kryvyi Rih, 5-13
Kvartal 95 comedy troupe, 23-30
political satire, 30-33
leadership in crisis, 169-176, 283-295
decision to stay in Kyiv, 169-176
balancing courage and risk, 286-291
expectations of modern presidents, 291-295
media strategy, 177-184, 274-282
smartphone videos, 177-184
global press interviews, 274-278
coordinated messaging with advisers, 279-282
modern European politics, 236-243, 283-295, 296-310
Ukraine’s place in Europe, 296-301
shifting security alliances, 283-295
NATO, 244-252
membership debate, 244-248
military assistance, 248-252
oligarchs, Ukrainian, 60-65, 131-138
influence on media, 52-58
tension with Zelensky, 132-136
Putin, Vladimir, 71-78, 136-155, 199-210
annexation of Crimea, 71-78
decision to invade, 141-155
war aims, 199-210
Putin’s People (Belton), 238, 307-308
refugees, Ukrainian, 223-230
journeys to Poland, 225-228
EU reception of, 228-230
Revolution of Dignity, 62-70
Russia, 71-78, 136-155, 199-210
military strategy, 199-210
sanctions against, 236-243
sanctions, international, 236-243
impact on Russian economy, 240-243
debates over energy, 241-243
Servant of the People (TV series), 35-44
blurring of fiction and reality, 44-45
political impact, 90-93
social media, 177-184, 274-282
Zelensky’s use of, 177-184, 274-278
global audiences on, 278-282
The Man Without a Face (Gessen), 238, 307-308
Trump, Donald, 118-130
phone call with Zelensky, 118-123
impeachment inquiry, 123-130
Ukraine, 3-85, 136-210, 223-230, 296-310
independence and early years, 46-52
identity and language, 64-70, 296-301
post-Soviet politics, 52-60
United Kingdom, 252-255
military support for Ukraine, 252-255
United Nations, 260-264
Zelensky’s speeches to, 260-264
United States, 118-130, 248-252
military aid debates, 248-252
domestic politics and Ukraine, 123-130
war, Russia–Ukraine, 136-210, 214-222
2022 full-scale invasion, 155-168
Battle for Kyiv, 169-176
eastern and southern fronts, 199-210
civilian impact, 185-198, 223-230
war crimes, 214-222
war crimes, 214-222
Bucha massacre, 214-222
world leaders in crisis, 283-295
comparison with Churchill, 288-291
lessons for future presidents, 291-295
Zelenska, Olena, 112-117, 187-192
background and career, 112-115
public role during war, 187-192
Zelensky, Volodymyr, 3-15, 23-45, 81-138, 155-210, 274-295
background and childhood, 3-10
education, 10-13
early comedy career, 23-30
Kvartal 95 and satire, 23-33
Servant of the People star, 35-44
anti-corruption campaign, 90-93, 131-138
presidential election (2019), 90-104
inauguration and early presidency, 105-112
relationship with oligarchs, 60-65, 132-136
leadership during invasion, 155-176
“ammunition, not a ride” quote, 170-172
daily life in Kyiv under siege, 185-198
speeches to foreign parliaments, 260-264
communication style and media image, 177-184, 274-282
legacy and future role, 296-310
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Steven Derix is a journalist at the prestigious Dutch newspaper nrc Handelsblad. Together with Dolf de Groot he wrote Blood Brothers: The Downfall of Team Rabobank, which uncovered Michael Boogerd’s doping fraud. From 2014 to 2020 he was nrc correspondent for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Marina Shelkunova studied journalism and was a researcher and coordinator for NRC Handelsblad and De Standaard.