Ukrainians are justifiably proud about President Volodymyr Zelensky

President Zelensky gets standing ovation after speech to Congress:

Full transcript in The New York Times.

"Your money is not charity,” President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine told Congress on Wednesday, "but rather an investment in “global security and democracy". 

Echo opinion published in the Los Angeles Times: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed American politicians what patriotism looks like.

By Paul Thornton the Los Angeles Times letter editor:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to Congress on Wednesday (December 21, 2022) didn’t please everyone. 

A few cynics weren’t thrilled that he showed up to the White House and on Capitol Hill looking like, well, a commander in chief fighting a war. (Hello? Zelensky had just left the front lines of the Ukraine, handing out medals to the country's brave defenders!) 

I’ll tell you who Zelensky’s speech pleased: our readers. 

In fact, several readers wrote letters comparing him favorably to Winston Churchill and other wartime heroes. A handful made unfavorable comparisons — but only of certain American politicians to Zelensky. Perhaps that helps explains the quibbles over the Ukrainian president’s fashion choices.

Presudent Zelensky had been with the Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines of the waar, just one day before leaving for Washington D.C. to speak to the U.S. Congress.

To the editor: The president of Ukraine showed the world what a true hero looks like. This short, slightly chubby comedian is truly a man among men.

What isn’t widely known is that although he could justifiably declare that he will stay in power indefinitely, he isn’t doing that.

Zelensky models to us all courage, perseverance and humility. 

If all our leaders in the U.S. would emulate these qualities, the ideals of the American dream could come to fruition.

We can be proud that this brave man is keeping his eye on the star, and with the help of the U.S. and other allies, he is sure to achieve his objective.

From Barbara H. Bergen, in Los Angeles

And this....To the editor: As I listened to Zelensky’s speech, my first thought was what could have happened in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal if President Ashraf Ghani had stayed and united his country, as Zelensky did, instead of fleeing.

Had he stood with his citizens, worked to implement a peaceful transition and showed the world Afghanistan was strong, Afghanistan could now have a totally different outcome where women could go to school and have stronger employment.
Zelensky inspired; Ghani fled.

From  Debbie Cassettari, in Chino Hills, California

To the editor: Yes, Zelensky was able to address a joint session of Congress with an impassioned and insightful speech, and in a foreign language for him.

Yes, he has been able to represent his country to the world, with dignity and gravitas, despite his youth and diplomatic inexperience.

And yes, he has been able to inspire and guide Ukraine through the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

But let’s not forget the very first days of the war. Intelligence services warned of a quick and decisive Russian victory. No one would have criticized Zelensky for seeking safety and setting up a government in exile, considering the danger and his responsibilities to his wife and young children.

Yet in the face of a massive Russian army, assassination squads and mercenaries, he chose to stay in Kyiv, exhibiting extraordinary courage.

Ukrainian courage!

To all the evil Republicans who still adhere to the Trump-Putin axis and celebrate the “brave patriots” who overwhelmed an outnumbered U.S. Capitol Police force to invade and defile the heart of our democracy on January 6, 2021, I suggest you consider the Ukrainian president to learn the meaning of true bravery and patriotism.

One thing is for sure: You will hear no claims of heel spurs from Volodymyr Zelensky.

From Joel Jaffe, Beverly Hills, California



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