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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Ukrainians deserve US support: Allies and NATO must hold evil Putin accountable

Echo letters to the editor of the Los Angeles Times: 

Imagine if the Russian president took over two counties in Alaska. Would there be any discussion about how to respond?

I am generally opposed to war, including Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, and I endorse the decision to not have U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine. Having said that, this is an invasion by any stretch of the imagination, and the U.S. should immediately impose severe sanctions.

We owe it to the Ukrainians and to democratic values to confront the world’s biggest bully.  From Barbara H. Bergen, Los Angeles, CA

Shouldn’t the lessons of Hitler and Stalin have taught the U.S. and the European Union that appeasing bullies like Putin leads to catastrophic consequences? The occupation of Crimea in 2014, should have given clear warning of Russia’s intentions.

Hitler at war- HitlerismPutinism

Adolf Hitler, byname Der Führer (German: “The Leader”), (born April 20, 1889, Braunau am Inn, Austria—died April 30, 1945, Berlin, Germany), leader of the Nazi Party (from 1920/21) and chancellor (Kanzler) and Führer of Germany (1933–45).

Why does the country with the world’s largest territory seek more land? This is a scheme by Putin to stroke his ego and distract from Russia’s faltering economy, which is half the size of California’s.

Putin has been conniving to secure his power and personal wealth while failing to provide for his people’s welfare.

What is the world waiting for before imposing severe sanctions on Russia? A bloodbath in Ukraine? Aren’t Putin’s actions provocative enough already? From Ted Carmely, Sherman Oaks, California