Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky was a comedian with no political experience when he announced his candidacy for Ukraine’s 2019 presidential election. Six years later, he stands as an embattled wartime leader, navigating a geopolitical upheaval that has seen a dramatic shift in U.S. support for Ukraine.
Once celebrated as a symbol of Ukrainian defiance against Russian aggression, Zelensky’s leadership now faces a significant challenge as Donald Trump signals the end of strong American backing. The phrase Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine) has been Zelensky’s rallying cry since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Initially, much of the world rallied behind him, and he received standing ovations in the U.S. Congress when pleading for aid.
But as the war enters its third year, Zelensky finds himself on uncertain ground. Trump, now back in the White House, has labeled him a dictator and signaled a shift in American policy—one that has aligned the U.S. more closely with Russia in recent UN votes.
Zelensky’s recent trip to Washington in February 2025, meant to solidify U.S.-Ukraine relations and secure an agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources, ended in tension. Reports emerged of a heated exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, after which Zelensky was asked to leave the White House.
This moment marked a stark contrast to his December 2022 visit to Washington, when then-President Joe Biden pledged continued support. At that time, Zelensky addressed Congress to standing ovations, declaring, “Against all odds… Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
Now, the political landscape has changed drastically. Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Ukraine’s leadership and military strategy, questioning the continued supply of American aid. The tension underscores a growing rift between Kyiv and Washington at a time when Ukraine faces renewed Russian offensives.
Life Imitates Art: From Actor to President
Zelensky’s rise to power was a case of life imitating art. Before politics, he was best known for playing a schoolteacher-turned-president in the popular TV series Servant of the People. When he announced his real-life candidacy, many dismissed him as a joke—especially since his political party carried the same name as his TV show.
However, he won by a landslide, securing 73% of the vote on a platform of fighting corruption and seeking peace in eastern Ukraine. Many feared he would be controlled by oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, who backed his campaign and had been under investigation for fraud. Yet, Zelensky proved more independent than expected, and his administration made some progress in anti-corruption efforts.
Still, his approach to the long-standing conflict in eastern Ukraine left some Ukrainians dissatisfied. While Russia-backed separatists had controlled parts of Donbas since 2014, Zelensky initially pursued diplomatic solutions. Even as ceasefire violations escalated in 2021, he held out hope for negotiations, though they yielded little success.
Zelensky’s defining moment came in the early hours of February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. In a desperate last attempt to prevent war, he called Vladimir Putin but was met with silence. Hours later, Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities.
That night, Zelensky gave a solemn speech, switching between Ukrainian and Russian, saying:
“When you attack us, you will see our faces—not our backs, but our faces.”
The next day, as Russian troops advanced toward Kyiv, rumors spread that he had fled the capital. In response, he filmed a now-iconic video in the streets of Kyiv alongside his top aides.
“We are here. We are in Kyiv. We are protecting Ukraine.”
This moment galvanized Ukrainians, and his approval ratings soared to 90%. It was clear that Zelensky would not abandon his country.
The War Years: Zelensky’s Transformation
As war raged, Zelensky became a global symbol of resistance. He delivered nightly video addresses to boost morale, met foreign leaders to secure aid, and visited frontline cities to rally troops. His government pushed for Ukraine’s fast-track entry into NATO and the European Union, though those ambitions remain unfulfilled.
One of the war’s most harrowing moments came in April 2022, when Zelensky visited Bucha, a Kyiv suburb where Russian forces were accused of committing mass atrocities. His visibly shaken expression during that visit underscored the war’s brutality.
Despite Ukraine’s battlefield successes in 2022—including forcing Russia’s retreat from Kharkiv and Kherson—the war turned into a brutal stalemate in 2023. Western military aid slowed, and Ukraine’s counteroffensive failed to achieve major breakthroughs.
By 2024, frustration over waning Western support had become a key theme of Zelensky’s speeches. He criticized delays in arms deliveries and America’s refusal to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons.
His calls for continued U.S. support were met with increasing skepticism, particularly from Trump-aligned Republicans who argued that America should not be endlessly funding a foreign war.
The shift became clearer in 2025, as Trump’s administration held direct talks with Russia about the war—without Ukraine’s participation. Zelensky responded with outrage, accusing the U.S. of legitimizing Putin and helping him “break out of years of isolation.”
Trump, in turn, labeled Zelensky a “dictator”, echoing Kremlin rhetoric. He also criticized the fact that Ukraine had not held elections since 2019. Though Ukraine had planned a vote for May 2024, it was suspended due to martial law—a decision widely supported in Ukraine.
A Nation Still Behind Him?
While Zelensky’s approval ratings have declined from their wartime peak, he remains relatively popular at home. A recent poll suggests he still commands the support of 57% of Ukrainians, though frustration is growing over the war’s toll and Ukraine’s stalled counteroffensive.
Trump has seized on this decline, arguing that Zelensky’s leadership is failing. However, political analyst Yaryna Klyuchkovska points out that given his record-high approval rating in 2022, “the only way was down.”
Three years into the war, Ukraine remains defiant. While Russia has made territorial gains, Ukraine has slowed its advance and even struck targets inside Russian territory. But with U.S. support in question, Kyiv faces a difficult road ahead.
Zelensky has suggested he would be willing to step down in exchange for Ukraine’s NATO membership—a move that could potentially reshape Ukraine’s leadership. However, whether such an offer would be accepted remains unclear.
For now, Ukraine’s future hangs in the balance. The war has lasted far longer than Putin intended, but without strong Western backing, Zelensky faces an uphill battle to sustain Ukraine’s resistance.
As he stands at the crossroads of war and diplomacy, one thing remains clear: Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer just an actor playing the role of a leader—he is a wartime president facing the ultimate test of resilience.
