According to Zelenskyy, since the beginning of the invasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping had refused to speak with him. [201] On 16 March 2022, a deepfake appeared online of Zelenskyy calling on Ukrainian citizens to surrender to Russia. [268], In response to suggestions to the contrary, he stated in April 2019 that he regarded Russian president Vladimir Putin "as an enemy". In the early hours of 24 February, shortly before the start of the Russian invasion, Zelenskyy recorded an address to the citizens of both Ukraine and Russia. [102] Fixing the referendum law had been one of Zelenskyy's campaign promises. [48], In October 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that Zelenskyy, his chief aide, and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov operated a network of offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize. [138] On 14 January 2020, Andriy Yermak dismissed the rumors as speculations and baseless conspiracy theories,[139] while Medvedchuk stated that the plane was used by his older daughter's family to fly from Oman to Moscow. [278][279] Civil rights organizations praised the statement, though criticizing its vagueness, as Zelenskyy eschewed details about legal proposals for civil partnerships. January 25, 1978 - Born in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. [157], On 26 November 2021, Zelenskyy accused Russia and Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov of backing a plan to overthrow his government. Critics said it risked increasing media censorship in Ukraine[97] because its clause of criminal responsibility for the distribution of disinformation could be abused. Here's how that would work", "8 EU countries support Ukraine's call to fast-track membership talks", "Exclusive: Ukraine's Zelensky says he doesn't feel China threat", "Ukraine election rivals trade taunts and media tricks", "Front-runner in Ukraine's election race names condition for returning Crimea", "Ukraine's New President Zelensky Hints At Peace With Russia", Zelensky about the war in the Donbas: Though we are ready to agree with the devil, Vladimir Zelensky: It is beneficial for us to dissolve the Rada, but we will think and act according to the law, "Ukraine poll leader Volodymyr Zelensky sees Putin as an enemy", "Zelensky: Border only "common" thing between Ukraine, Russia", "Ukraine insists Nord Stream 2 is 'dangerous' despite German reassurances", "Zelensky says Ukraine will fight until it regains all its territories after Kissinger remark", Comfortable topics for candidates: how they understand reforms, " , ", " Sevas.Com", Zelensky suggested, that he might not get to shake Poroshenko's hand, "Zelensky says Ukraine's government may allow civil partnerships for same-sex couples", "Zelensky floats civil unions amid gay marriage push in Ukraine", "Ukraine president backs civil partnerships for same-sex couples", "Zelensky Proposes Barring Orthodox Church That Answers to Moscow", "Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's shy first lady, steps up", "Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska on being Russia's target No 2: 'When you see their crimes, maybe they really are capable of anything', " : , ", " : 2018 6 ", "Slovakia Awards Zelenskiy Dubcek Prize For 'Freedom and Hope', " - ", "France's Macron awards Legion of Honour to Ukraine's Zelenskiy", " ", "Zeenski z najwyszym litewskim odznaczeniem. [32][25] At the age of 16 he passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language and received an education grant to study in Israel, but his father did not allow him to go. [12][13] Zelenskyy was named the Time Person of the Year for 2022 and opinion polls in Ukraine have ranked him as Ukraine's greatest president. [84] Zelenskyy is the first Jewish president; with Volodymyr Groysman as prime minister, Ukraine became the first country other than Israel to simultaneously have a Jewish head of state and head of government. This has been going on a long time. [124] On 3 June, Zelenskyy appointed former president Leonid Kuchma as Ukraine's representative in the Tripartite Contact Group for a settlement in the conflict. I know that they will not show this appeal of mine on Russian television. [226] In May 2022, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian men of conscription age had a duty to remain in Ukraine and that up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers were killed every day in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. "[233], On 3 May 2022, Zelenskyy accused Turkey of having "double standards" by welcoming Russian tourists while attempting to act as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine in order to end the war. 'I am more responsible than brave', "Ukraine still backs Zelenskyy despite slow progress", "Military tactics: Zelensky plays both sides in Ukrainian crisis", "Ukraine war: what are Russia's strategic aims and how effectively are they achieving them? But no . The claim: Joe Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion from Ukraine to assist his son, Hunter Biden While former Vice President Joe Biden oversaw foreign policy in Ukraine, his son Hunter. [280], On 2 December 2022, Zelenskyy entered a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that would officially ban all activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) UOC in Ukraine. Who can prevent this? In 2019, he served as charg d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv and as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 . We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war We will find every scum who was shelling our cities, our people, who was shooting the missiles, who was giving orders. Requirements to Hold Office According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years. [252] At the same time, he believed that the Ukrainian people had already chosen "eurointegration". [82], Zelenskyy was inaugurated on 20 May 2019. Zelenskyy met personally with some of these groups and tried to convince them to surrender their unregistered weapons and accept the peace accord. Trump called Zelensky on July 25 to congratulate the new president of Ukraine on his election. [56][57] He did not release a detailed policy platform[58] and his engagement with mainstream media was minimal;[56][d] he instead reached out to the electorate via social media channels and YouTube clips. [146], In September 2019, it was reported that U.S. president Donald Trump had allegedly blocked payment of a congressionally mandated $400 million military aid package to Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy during a July phone call between the two presidents to investigate alleged wrongdoing by Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden,[69][147] who took a board seat on Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma Holdings. [165] Zelenskyy and U.S. president Joe Biden disagreed on how imminent the threat was. Today, we're announcing new actions to lower mortgage payments and help more people realize that dream. [246][247] He met with President Joe Biden and addressed Congress delivering his full speech in English. [196] On 8 March, Zelenskyy expressed willingness to discuss Putin's demands. I am outraged by the spread of this lie, no matter what the president's motives are. He has positioned himself as an anti-establishment and anti-corruption figure. How Zelensky prepares for the election", "Could a rock star become Ukraine's next president? On 7 March 2022, Czech president Milo Zeman decided to award Zelenskyy with the highest state award of the Czech Republic, the Order of the White Lion, for "his bravery and courage in the face of Russia's invasion". President Obama named Biden the administration's point man on Ukraine in February 2014, after a popular revolution ousted Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych and as Moscow sent. The group operates eight Ukrainian TV channels and broadcast the Servant of the People TV series from 2015 until 2019, featuring Zelenskyy in a comedian role as a national president. nov., a first nearly complete feather star (Crinoidea) from the Upper Jurassic of Africa", "Fossil Named After Ukraine's President Zelenskyy", "NFL Honors Highlights Defenders of Ukraine", Who is Volodymyr Zelenskyy? whitehouse.gov. Olena Zelenska presented the Ukrainian Bookshelf and Ukrainian-language audio guides in Albania and Ireland 27 February 2023 - 15:24 First Lady of Ukraine had a meeting with the Minister of Culture of France 23 February 2023 - 23:00 Olena Zelenska: Ukraine is not just fighting the attacker - Ukraine is fighting for human rights [283], Zelenskyy's first language is Russian, and he is also fluent in Ukrainian and English. In 1953, the Biden family moved from Pennsylvania to Claymont, Delaware. Detractors noted that elections held in Donbas were unlikely to be free and fair, that the separatists had long driven out most pro-Ukrainian residents out of the region to ensure a pro-Russia majority, and that it would be impossible to ensure Russia kept its end of the agreement. [192], Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for direct talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin,[193] saying: "Good Lord, what do you want? Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., represented Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before becoming the 47th and current Vice President of the United States. [199] However, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was considering giving the Russian language protected minority status. Out of 2,028 CPAC attendees who voted, Trump received 62 percent of the vote. [267] In an interview published three days before the 2019 presidential election (on 21 April), Zelenskyy stated that he was against granting the Donbas region "special status". [19] Zelenskyy continued his movie career with the film Office Romance. ", "Leaders of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia to visit Kyiv on Tuesday", "A Zelensky Deepfake Was Quickly Defeated. [53][51] After months of ambiguous statements,[52][51] on 31 December, less than four months from the election, Zelenskyy announced his candidacy for president of Ukraine on the New Year's Eve evening show on the TV channel 1+1. A political party bearing the same name as the television show was created in March 2018 by employees of Kvartal 95. "[149], On a trip to the United States in September 2021, Zelenskyy engaged in talks and commitments with U.S. president Joe Biden,[150] Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm,[151] and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state", he said. 27 February 2023 - 09:01. "Zelensky" redirects here. I am sure there are. By Jennifer Hassan. [42][43][c] Once again, Zelenskyy spoke out against the intention of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture to ban Russian artists from Ukraine.[39]. President Charles Michel, EU-Ukraine summit, 3 February 2023. Mr Trump and his allies suggested that Mr Biden, as Barack Obama's vice-president, encouraged the firing of Ukraine's top prosecutor in 2015 because he had been investigating an energy. You will not have a quiet place on this earth except for a grave. It was not even close. When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2014, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. pressed President Barack Obama to take decisive action, and fast, to . [285][286][287][288] His assets were worth about 37 million (about US$1.5 million) in 2018. Ukraine needs real reforms. Vitold Fokin was approved as the first Prime Minister of Ukraine . [126][127] The two leaders also discussed the exchange of prisoners held by both sides. [289], On 27 March 2022, Slovakia awarded Zelenskyy one of the country's top awards, the State Award of Alexander Dubek. [120] In his 4 March address to the Rada,[121] Zelenskyy recommitted to reforms domestic and financial, and remarked that he "cannot always become a psychologist for people, a crisis manager for someone, a collector who requires honestly earned money, and a nanny of the ministry in charge. [273], Although Zelenskyy prefers elections with open list election ballots, after he called the snap 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election his draft law "On amendments to some laws of Ukraine in connection with the change of the electoral system for the election of people's deputies" proposed to hold the election with closed list because the 60-day term to the snap election did not "leave any chances for the introduction of this system". [270], Zelenskyy opposes the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, calling it "a dangerous weapon, not only for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe. ", " . [85] One of Zelenskyy's coalition partners, the People's Front, opposed the move and withdrew from the ruling coalition. [256] Two days before the second round, Zelenskyy stated that he wanted to build "a strong, powerful, free Ukraine, which is not the younger sister of Russia, which is not a corrupt partner of Europe, but our independent Ukraine". [56] Zelenskyy stated that he was not hiding from journalists but that he did not want to go to talk shows where "people of the old power" were "just doing PR" and that he did not have time to satisfy all interview requests.[63]. The Next One Might Not Be", "Deepfake video shows Zelenskyy's false call for Ukraine to surrender", "Zelensky tells European Parliament "nobody is going to break us" in emotional appeal", "Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells EU: 'Prove you are with us', "Zelensky echoes Churchill in historic address to U.K. Parliament", "Ukrainian President Zelensky to address Canadian Parliament on Tuesday", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks for Australian Bushmaster armoured vehicles in address to federal parliament", "Zelensky to US lawmakers: 'We need you right now' as he invokes Pearl Harbor and 9/11", "Zelensky criticizes Israel's response to Russian war in speech to lawmakers", "Zelenskyy calls on Italy to stop Russian oligarchs from using the country as a 'resort for murderers', "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address Japanese parliament", "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to address Dutch parliament", "Volodimir Zelenski va vorbi n Parlamentul Romniei", "Zelensky to address Swedish, Danish parliaments", "Ukraine's ambassador to Norway says that Zelenskyy is ready to speak to the Storting", "President Niinist spoke with the President of Ukraine Zelensky", "Zelenskyy told Russian people to leave Russia if they could to deprive Putin of tax money for the war", "Ukraine suspends 11 political parties with links to Russia", "Zelensky says Ukrainian political parties linked to Russia to be banned", "Ukraine Suspends Political Parties With Russian Links", "Ukraine bans Communist party for 'promoting separatism', "Zelenskyy has consolidated Ukraine's TV outlets and dissolved rival political parties", "German President Is Told He Isn't Welcome in Ukraine", "Zelenskyy: up to Ukrainian 100 soldiers killed each day in eastern Ukraine", "Nearly 100 Ukraine Servicemen Could Die Every Day in East Region: Zelensky", "Ukrainian Males Aged 18 to 60 Are Now Banned from Leaving the Country", "Ukrainian casualties: Kyiv losing up to 200 troops a day - Zelensky aide", "Zelenskyy slams Henry Kissinger for emerging 'from the deep past' to suggest Ukraine cede territory to Russia", "Zelenskyy rejects Kissinger plan to concede territory to Russia; Ukraine hero alive, in Russian custody: Live updates", "Ukraine: Zelenskyy rules out 'military means' to regain all lost territory as it happened", "Volodymyr Zelenksy criticises Turkey for move to defy Nato sanctions with Russian tourism boost", "Zelensky: Ukraine is fine with China's position on war with Russia", "Zelenskyy urges China's Xi to help end Russia's war in Ukraine", "EU leaders agree to Russian oil ban after compromise with Hungary", "EU agrees on partial oil ban after Zelensky's call for unity", "Volodymyr Zelensky seeks African Union support", "Mercosur trade bloc denies Zelensky request to address summit", "Zelenskyy to Russians: Defy 'criminal mobilization', "Ukraine applies for Nato membership after Russia annexes territory", "Zelenskyy on Putin's threat of nuclear weapons: 'I don't think he's bluffing', "Zelensky says Putin wouldn't survive nuclear strike on Ukraine", "Zelensky in Washington: Ukraine's leader heads to US for first foreign trip", "US to send Patriot system to Ukraine in new $1.85 billion package", Zelensky stated that he did not promise to lower tariffs, " ", "Zelensky about eurointegration: referendum is needed", "What a Volodymyr Zelensky Ukrainian Presidency Would Look Like", Zelensky, Poroshenko, Tymoshenko and Gritsenko told how to move to NATO, From the EU to nuclear weapons: foreign policy Zelensky, Poroshenko, Tymoshenko and Gritsenko, "Ukraine supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity", "Ukraine wants to join the EU. [45], Zelenskyy worked mostly in Russian-language productions. [221][222][223] The Communist Party of Ukraine, another pro-Russia party, had already been banned in 2015 because of its support to the Donbas separatists. [74] He also proposed a tax amnesty and a 5 per cent flat tax for big business which could be increased "in dialogue with them and if everyone agrees". Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chairman, members of the Rada, ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored to be invited to speak to you today at a moment marked by great opportunity . And the truth is that this needs to stop, before it is too late. [164] Zelenskyy said that "we do not see a bigger escalation" than in early 2021 when Russia's military build-up started. [227][228] As Zelenskyy ordered a general military mobilization in February 2022, he also banned men aged 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine. [284] The couple's first daughter, Oleksandra, was born in July 2004. Burisma hired Hunter Biden to serve as a board member in 2014 when his vice president father was leading the Obama administration's Ukraine policy and paid him up to $1 million per year, despite . "[117], Zelenskyy dismissed Bohdan as head of his presidential administration on 11 February 2020 and appointed Andriy Yermak as his successor the same day. [230], Zelenskyy denounced suggestions by former US diplomat Henry Kissinger that Ukraine should cede control of Crimea and Donbas to Russia in exchange for peace. [268] In the interview he also said that if he were elected president he would not sign a law on amnesty for the militants of the DPR and LPR. [91] This initiative was completed on 3 September, when the new parliament passed a bill stripping lawmakers of legal immunity, delivering Zelenskyy a legislative victory by fulfilling one of his key campaign promises. This can't be anything but fake as Ukraine does not have a vice president. I would very much like to answer this question. With inputs from agencies. [262], In a 2014 interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that he would have liked to pay a visit to Crimea, but would avoid it because "armed people are there". His party gained 254 of the 424 seats. [249] Zelenskyy's election manifesto mentioned tariffs only oncethat money raised from a capital amnesty would go towards "lowering the tariff burden on low-income citizens". [66][67][68][69] On 19 April 2019 at Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex presidential debates were held in the form of a show. Honchurak was replaced as prime minister Denys Shmyhal. "[citation needed] By September 2020, Zelenskyy's approval ratings had fallen to less than 32 per cent. It's a great, pleasure to be once more here in Kyiv to reaffirm the depth of the partnership between our two peoples. [4]:1113 His communication style makes extensive use of social media, particularly Instagram. The EU will be with you and your people tomorrow and for as long as it takes. WASHINGTON An election-year investigation by Senate Republicans into corruption allegations against Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his son, Hunter, involving Ukraine found no evidence of improper . The society will not forgive them", adding that "It will be the choice of our society whether to talk to them, or not to talk at all, and for how many years, tens of years or more. Who does not want this more than anyone? [281], In September 2003, Zelenskyy married Olena Kiyashko, with whom he had attended school and university. Upon the proclamation of Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union on 24 August 1991, the title was changed to the "President of Ukraine." The first election of the President of Ukraine, which was held on 1 December 1991, was won by Leonid Kravchuk . [101], In June 2021, Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill creating a public registry of Ukraine's oligarchs, banning them from participating in privatizations of state-owned companies, and forbidding them from contributing financially to politicians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents the Order of Princess Olga, a Ukrainian civil decoration, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during a . Not All Jews There Are Pleased", ": , , , , ", "Volodymyr Zelensky Was a Jewish Comedian. [182], Zelenskyy has gained worldwide recognition as the wartime leader of Ukraine during the Russian invasion; historian Andrew Roberts compared him to Winston Churchill. [6][7][8], During his presidential campaign, Zelenskyy promised to end Ukraine's protracted conflict with Russia, and he has attempted to engage in dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin. He added that Putin "wants to scare the whole world" with nuclear blackmail. Published Nov. 10, 2019 Updated Sept. 1, 2021. They must know the truth. Ruslan Ryaboshapka, who served as Ukraine's prosecutor general until March, conducted a full audit of all the criminal cases in Ukraine involving the company and told The Post he found no. He disputed claims of the Russian government about the presence of neo-Nazis in the Ukrainian government and stated that he had no intention of attacking the Donbas region, while highlighting his personal connections to the area. His first role in the Ukrainian language was the romantic comedy I, You, He, She,[46] which appeared on the screens of Ukraine in December 2018. Russian missiles struck a number of military targets in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy declared martial law. We were mistaken. But not from 30 meters away, like with Macron and Scholz. 1 target', "Ukraine's capital under threat as Russia presses invasion", "Volodymyr Zelenskiy stands defiant in face of Russian attack", "93 Percent of Ukrainians Believe Russia Will Be Defeated: Poll", "Majority of Ukrainians believe they will win against Russia - poll", "Americans have more confidence in Zelenskyy than Biden when it comes to world affairs", "Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy: From comedian to national hero", "Actor-turned-president Zelensky grows on stage as Ukraine's war-time leader", "Zelenskyy's unlikely journey, from comedy to wartime leader", "For many Jews, Volodymyr Zelensky is a 'modern Maccabee' as he fights Ukraine's war", "Ukraine leader Zelenskyy's wild ride: Jewish comedian to national hero", "Ukraine president suddenly thrust into hero role, mirrors one of the darkest chapters of the Cold War", "Zelensky emerges as global hero in Ukraine battle against Russia", "Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Standing Tall in the Face of Danger", "Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky: The comedian president who is rising to the moment", "Volodymyr Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days", "Zelensky says 'we will not forgive' after Russians kill fleeing civilians", "Czech president to award state honour to Ukraine's president", "Ukraine's Zelenskiy Says Open to 'Compromise' with Russia on Crimea, Separatist Territories", "Zelensky Calls on Putin for Face-to-Face Talks, Says 'I Don't Bite', "Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss neutrality in peace talks with Russia", "Russia will stop 'in a moment' if Ukraine meets terms Kremlin", "Israel's Bennett plays peacemaker in Ukraine-Russia war", "Analysis: Two weeks into Ukraine war, analysts detect faint glimmers of compromise emerge", "Alternative to NATO proposed by Zelensky's party", "Why has Russia invaded Ukraine and what does Putin want? Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor . Regular people. This was decided by the passport service of Ukraine. [10] He initially distanced himself from warnings of an imminent war, while also calling for security guarantees and military support from NATO to "withstand" the threat. [144], Zelenskyy's first official trip abroad as president was to Brussels in June 2019, where he met with European Union and NATO officials. Her primary message, however, was not necessarily to Ukrainians but to people living in the countries just to its west, who are watching Russian President Vladimir Putin and wondering where he. [76][77] Polish president Andrzej Duda was one of the first European leaders to congratulate Zelenskyy. ", "The courage of Ukraine's unlikely wartime leader", " " " - ", " ()", " : , ", " - ", "ethnic Ukrainian father's farer's medal certificate", "Jewish comic who plays Ukraine president on TV leads Ukraine's presidential race", "Ukraine's Newly Elected President Is Jewish. If you don't want to leave now, sit down with me at the negotiating table. (Laughter.) I separately would like focus on the corruption issue. [173] Later in the day, he announced general mobilisation. Later, the movie was dubbed into Ukrainian. [92], On 8 July, Zelenskyy ordered the cancellation of the annual Kyiv Independence Day Parade on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, citing costs. [148] This report was the catalyst for the TrumpUkraine scandal and the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. [14][15][16][17], Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy was born to Jewish parents on 25 January 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, then in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. [124] Zelenskyy defended his negotiations, saying the elections would not be held before a Russian withdrawal. Prior to the elections, Zelenskyy presented a team that included former finance minister Oleksandr Danylyuk and others. Their son, Kyrylo, was born in January 2013. During the first two years of his administration, Zelenskyy oversaw the lifting of legal immunity for members of parliament (the Verkhovna Rada),[5] the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession, and some limited progress in tackling corruption in Ukraine. The president of Ukraine (Ukrainian: , romanized: Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine.The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, conducts negotiations and concludes international treaties.The president is directly elected by the citizens of Ukraine for a five-year term . According to Article 102 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine is the Head of State and acts in its name, is the guarantor of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, compliance with the Constitution of Ukraine, rights and freedoms of man and citizen.