Volodymyr Zelenskyy, The Former Comedian Who Accidentally Became The President Of Ukraine
Over the past few days, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is leading his country's fightback against the invading Russian troops, has won many admirers across the world.
Videos of his passionate speeches and often defiant stands have made him a recognizable face around the world.
This is something Zelenskyy, who now says he is Russia's target no 1, could not imagine a few years ago when he made his political plunge.
Who is he?
The 44-year-old who became the President of Ukraine in 2019, did not come from a political background and was an outsider in the power circles of the country.
Zelenskyy who was born to Jewish parents in Ukrainian, which as a part of the USSR began his career as an actor and a comedian.
Though he came from a Russian-speaking background he acted in both Russian and Ukrainian language moves and TV shows, including those produced by his production house.
His most notable role came in 2015 when Zelenskyy starred in the television series Servant of the People.
In this, he played the role of a high-school history teacher then went on to win the presidential election after a viral video showed him ranting against the government of Ukraine.
In 2018, the production house behind his hit TV series registered a political party by the same name - Servant of the People and on December 31, Zelenskyy announced his intention to run for President.
Though initially many did not take him seriously and felt it was a joke, Zelenskyy's populist messages and stands against the deep-rooted corruption in the political establishment resonated with a large section of the Ukrainian people.
And in no time, Zelenskyy who did not even hold public political campaigns became the frontrunner in the election.
Won over 70% of votes
In May 2019, he defeated incumbent President Petro Poroshenko winning 73.2 per cent of the vote in the second round.
Ever since the start of the war, Zelenskyy has been doing everything in his power to put up a fight back.
Zelenskyy renewed assurance Saturday that the country's military would stand up to the Russian invasion. In a video recorded on a downtown Kyiv street, he said he remained in the city and that claims the Ukrainian military would put down arms were false.
"We aren't going to lay down weapons. We will protect the country,'' the Ukrainian president said. "Our weapon is our truth, and our truth is that it's our land, our country, our children. And we will defend all of that.''
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