Lisa Rogak - Volodymyr Zelensky - In His Own Words

Volodymyr Zelensky in His Own Words

Edited by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Rogak & Award-winning translator for the New York Times Daisy Gibbons

For Alex

L. R.

To everyone in Ukraine and around the world who is fighting for their right to self-determination.

D. G.

Youve never seen someone like me.

Volodymyr Zelensky

S ince February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its invasion into Ukraine, people all over the world have reacted with horror and revulsion while also being heartened by the inspirational words and courageous actions of Volodymyr Zelensky, the forty-four-year-old president of Ukraine. Amid unthinkable tragedy and despite great personal risk, Zelensky has remained in the beleaguered capital of Kyiv to support his fellow Ukrainians while standing up to a sociopathic madman who possesses the power to launch World War III. And Zelensky demands that the West do much, much more.

Zelensky is the hero we didnt know we needed or maybe we did. More than a few have called him the Churchill of our time, and since the onset of the Russian invasion, governments around the world have awarded him their highest honors.

This former comedian and actor, elected in 2019 with 73% of the vote, has shown his mettle time and time again. Through his actions and words hes proven that hes an Everyman whose sole motivation is improving the lives of his fellow Ukrainians, unlike his predecessors, overly stuffed oligarchs whose primary intent in getting elected was to stuff their own pockets.

Though Zelensky was elected with no previous experience in government, he hit the ground running from day one, determined to follow in the footsteps of the character he created on his wildly successful Servant of the People TV show.

In addition to being the first presidential candidate in Ukraineor anywhereto run a campaign almost exclusively through digital and online communication, Zelensky is the first modern president to manage a war and invasion primarily through social media, Zoom interviews, and speeches, enabling citizens all over the world to witness a bravery that has rarely been seen, well, since Churchill.

In a matter of days, Volodymyr Zelensky made an indelible impact on people all over the world, making them feel optimistic about their lives, the world, and democracy. In short, the president of Ukraine has been the one leader able to unify people with strongly differing opinions who havent been able to agree on anything in a very long time.

The best way for people who are curious to know more about this inspiring man is through his own words. With Volodymyr Zelensky In His Own Words, readers can do just that, with his views and thoughts condensed down into bite-sized bits.

Zelensky has won accolades from all corners of the world, inspiring people everywhere to work harder and strive to be better individuals through his example. Anyone looking for inspiration can turn to any page in this book and find enlightenment and motivation, not to mention hope for the human race.

I think that a person chooses an abortion [herself]. I think it should not be banned. Why are we even talking over what we ought to ban? To be honest, we need to meddle with human freedoms less.

RBC-Ukraine, April 18, 2019

What the viewer loves in an actor, this feeling of humanity, of course I use it. And thats very easy to do, because I remain myself.

The New Yorker, November 4, 2019

To everyone who is ready to build a new and successful Ukraine, I will happily give you Ukrainian citizenship. You should come to Ukraine as if you are coming homenot visiting as a guest. We are waiting for you. Dont bring souvenirs from abroad, bring us your knowledge, experience, and values. All of this will help us start a new epoch.

Inaugural address, May 20, 2019

I cant stand eating alone. And its difficult to fall asleep when my wife isnt here.

Viva, March 15, 2016

How can I be a Nazi? Explain it to my grandfather, who went through the entire war in the infantry of the Soviet army, and died a colonel in an independent Ukraine.

The Detroit Jewish News, February 28, 2022

Putin talks about the Ukrainian government as being full of Neo-Nazis. There are rare occasions when I smile and when I laugh, and to me [this is] a joke. I cannot take this statement seriously.

CNN, March 20, 2022

Everyone is talking about NATO, but we are not joining anywhere yet. Canada is full of Ukrainians. Can we sign some kind of military support agreement with the Canadians?

GordonUA.com, December 26, 2018

I have always been against bans. And I dont like when the policy of prohibitions affects artists. It is nonsense! But as soon as an artist becomes not an artist, but a politician, he immediately ceases to be an artist.

Delfi, July 11, 2017

We are used to believing that the United States has the ideal democratic institutions, where power is transferred calmly. In Ukraine, we lived through two revolutions, we understood such things can happen in the world. But that it could happen in the United States? No one expected that. After this, I believe it would be very difficult for the world to see the United States as a symbol of democracy.

Axios on HBO, January 31, 2021

I think it was a heavy blow to U.S. democracy.

Finbalance, February 1, 2021

We lived in Mongolia for almost four years. We learned the Mongolian language, rode Mongolian horses, and walked along the hills, which were dotted with tulips.

GordonUA.com, December 26, 2018

[As a kid] I dreamed of becoming a border guard, then a translator and then a diplomat.

GordonUA.com, December 26, 2018

School is where you have your first friendship, first love, first conflicts, all your firsts, where you have that first knowledge that you absorb like a sponge. It was a crazy fun time. I dont like to look back on the past much, but school is the only thing from the past I want to go back to. A river you want to jump in a second time.

Instagram, September 1, 2017

I feel like Im on the same wavelength with them, I speak their language. My son and I communicate in an ancient language of gestures and sounds, stand on all fours in front of each other and growl. Children bring me back to the sandbox, where I feel comfortable.

Viva, January 9, 2014

I have incredible love for my children. I hope its mutual.

Gordon Boulevard, May 15, 2006

It is a great pleasure having children. Stop watching this if you dont have children yetyou know what you could be doing right now!

Instagram, June 1, 2018

We dont have a reserve planet. We live here and just once.

Speech, September 23, 2020

Further development of mankind depends on what governments and businesses do in this decade. If we fail to reduce the pace of climate change, after 2030 the social and economic losses will be so significant that no one in the world will be able to shut themselves off from this threat within their national borders. No one will be able to beat the climate with political populism.