''Listen. I am here. We will not lay down the weapons.
We will defend our state. Because our weapon is our truth.”
The morning after Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation in his favourite style:
the selfie video.
He told Ukrainians that he was staying put in the capital.
The video received 3 million views on Instagram in one hour.
"Lately there has been a lot of fake information online
that I call on our army to lay down arms and to evacuate.''
Mr. Zelensky’s decision to remain in Kyiv, and his family’s decision to stay
in Ukraine — has moved many, and inspired Ukrainians to fight for their country.
"Today, Russia started an invasion of Ukraine. Putin started a war against Ukraine, Putin
started a war against Ukraine, against the whole democratic world.''
It has been an unlikely transformation for Zelensky.
The 44-year-old comedian and actor with no political experience
was elected as president in 2019.
At the beginning of the crisis, some Ukrainians feared he was out of his depth
against veteran Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Zelensky's defiance and his calm presence in social media videos
have won plaudits, even from self-described sceptics.
"Good evening to everyone. The leader of the faction is here, the head of the Presidential
Office is here, Prime Minister Shmygal is here, Podolyak is here, the President is here.”
Zelensky has been a prolific social media user throughout his time in politics.
Now, he and his team are posting videos trying to give reassurance.
His style stands in contrast with that of Putin.
The Russian leader has often kept even close officials on the other side of a long table
during meetings during the global health crisis.
On camera, Zelensky has spoken mainly in Ukrainian
but also switched to Russian to address the Russian people.
“I know that they won’t show my address on Russian TV,
but Russian people have to see it. They need to know the truth.”
Zelensky has also pressed upon the global community to do more for Ukraine.
He urged Europe to act more quickly and forcefully in imposing sanctions on Moscow
and accused western allies of politicking as Russian forces advanced on Kyiv.
"Do prove that you are with us, do prove that you will not let us go.
Glory be to Ukraine!''
The West has rebuffed his appeal on no-fly zones,
fearing this could lead to direct conflict with Russia and even trigger World War Three,
but provided military aid and economic support to Ukraine
while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russia.
In May, Zelensky accused Russia of waging a genocidal war,
and said Moscow was carrying out senseless bombardments in the eastern Donbas region.
“This is a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible. Destroy as
many houses, social facilities and enterprises as possible. This is what will qualify as the
genocide of the Ukrainian people and for which the occupiers will definitely be brought to justice.”
Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" on February 24,
which Moscow said aimed to demilitarise Ukraine and protect Russian-speaking communities.
While the war has enhanced Zelensky's reputation at home and abroad,
it has been disastrous for Ukraine, killing tens of thousands of people, reducing cities to rubble
and prompting more than 6 million people to flee abroad, according to the United Nations.