Portrait of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Kyiv

Defended capital leader (strong)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy views Kyiv as the irreplaceable center of Ukrainian resistance and national identity, a stance that became dramatically clear following the full-scale Russian invasion.

His refusal to leave the besieged capital in February 2022, despite international offers of evacuation, served as a defining act of his presidency. This visible commitment to staying in Kyiv with the defense forces was instrumental in boosting national morale and demonstrating resolve.

Furthermore, the city remains the seat of his government, from which he has directed the national defense, addressed the world, and made key executive decisions throughout the ongoing war.

Context

Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his commitment to Kyiv a core part of his wartime leadership narrative. His decision to stay in the capital symbolized his refusal to surrender Ukrainian sovereignty to the aggressor.

His life and the seat of the Ukrainian government are centered in Kyiv, making his presence there a crucial symbol for both domestic unity and international perception of Ukrainian resilience.

Actions Taken

  1. Wartime leadership
    Declined offers from the United States government and Turkish President Erdoğan to evacuate him from the capital under attack, stating, "the fight is here [in Kyiv]; I need ammunition, not a ride."
  2. Executive action
    Remained in Kyiv to lead the defense and declared martial law across Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
  3. Diplomacy
    Visited Kyiv to meet with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša to display support for Ukraine.
  4. Diplomacy
    Visited the United States on his first foreign trip since the war began, which included meetings in Washington D.C., to secure further support for Ukraine's defense.

Key Quotes

They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state.

Address to citizens February 25, 2022 — Explaining his status as a primary target during the initial assault on the capital.

the fight is here [in Kyiv]; I need ammunition, not a ride.

Statement to US and Turkish officials February 26, 2022 — Declining offers to evacuate him from the city under attack.

Related Positions

  • Wartime Leadership Zelenskyy's leadership is inextricably linked to his visible presence and steadfastness in Kyiv during the invasion.
  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine Kyiv was the primary target of the initial phase of the 2022 Russian invasion, directly influencing Zelenskyy's immediate presidential actions.