President Zelenskyy: Leading Ukraine Through War and the Cost of Peace

The Soviet Union's Legacy and Putin's Imperial Ambitions

Vladimir Putin, deeply shaped by his upbringing and career in the Soviet Union—particularly his time with the KGB—views the collapse of the Soviet Union as the greatest tragedy of the 20th century. His statements and actions reveal a deep ambition to restore Soviet-era influence, with a clear focus on reclaiming former imperial territories, especially Ukraine. For Putin, modern Russia alone is not enough; he seeks to resurrect the empire that was lost, aiming to bring back the power and reach of the Soviet Union.

A defining feature of the Soviet empire was the "Iron Curtain," a system of strict information control and societal isolation. This prevented citizens from seeing or understanding life in the West or elsewhere outside the USSR. The state monopolized television and communication so thoroughly that the Soviet Union was likened to a massive fish tank—sealed off and self-contained. Putin's Russia echoes this reliance on information control, mirroring the old Soviet strategies of restricting public awareness and debate to maintain authoritative rule.

Ukraine holds special importance for Putin's vision of imperial restoration. It is not simply another territory, but the Soviet Union's intellectual, scientific, and industrial heart. Ukraine produced numerous scientists, engineers, and leaders who were integral to the top echelons and ministries of the Soviet regime. Its factories, universities, and intelligentsia were vital in making the USSR a global power—especially in rocket manufacturing and nuclear technology. As the so-called "forge of talent," Ukraine is central to the idea of rebuilding the empire Putin seeks.

Ukraine's Distinct National Identity and Sovereignty

Despite Putin's aspirations, Ukraine possesses a distinct national identity, with a thousand-year history, unique culture, language, music, and traditions that predate the formation of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscores this point by emphasizing that Ukraine is not Russia, rejecting Putin’s narrative that Ukraine is simply part of the Russian nation.

Zelenskyy highlights that he belongs to a generation that witnessed both life under Soviet rule and the emergence of an independent Ukraine. While he was born in the Soviet Union, he grew up in a sovereign country—an experience that profoundly shaped his values and those of the new generation, who are unequivocally Ukrainian patriots. The change in mentality and the embrace of national identity became especially strong after Russia’s occupation of Crimea and Donbas, fostering unity and a deeper awareness of what it means to be Ukrainian.

Putin’s denial of Ukraine’s sovereignty and unique history directly fuels the ongoing conflict. Claiming to "liberate" Ukraine from fascism, he misrepresents the nation's past—Ukraine itself suffered devastating occupation by fascists in World War II and deeply understands the cost of such regimes. Zelenskyy points out the absurdity of Russian propaganda, clarifying that while Ukraine fought against fascists, Moscow continues to refuse recognition of Ukraine as a separate, sovereign entity. The refusal to accept Ukrainian nationhood is a key factor driving Putin's aggressive policies.

The Timeline of Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Russian aggression against Ukraine dates back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea. The occupation of Crimea was a calculated military operation disguised as the protection of Russian-speaking populations. Russian soldiers, unmarked yet heavily armed—the so-called "little green men"—entered Crimea with little resistance from Ukrainian ...

Strategic Miscalculations and Initial Invasion Plans

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, deploying between 150,000 and 200,000 troops across the Ukrainian border. This force closely matched the size of Ukraine's active military at the time. Russian strategy focused on a multi-directional assault aimed at quickly surrounding and capturing Kyiv, with significant forces advancing from Belarus toward the capital. The Russian command believed Ukraine's main combat units were fixed in the east, defending the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, so the path to Kyiv would meet only limited resistance.

Russian planners expected a swift victory, bringing only enough rations for three to ten days of combat. Some Russian units carried ceremonial dress uniforms, intending to hold a victory parade on Kyiv's main square, Independence Square, within days. This confidence was echoed in Russian state media, which prematurely released a prepared statement declaring triumph on the third day of the invasion.

President Vladimir Putin and his high command fundamentally misjudged the situation, assuming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would flee, the Ukrainian government would rapidly collapse, and the population would not resist occupation. They failed to anticipate Ukraine's determination, the challenges of occupying hostile territory, and the force of civilian and military mobilization.

The Critical Battle For Hostomel Airport

A vital Russian objective in the initial phase of the invasion was the capture of Hostomel Airport, strategically located outside Kyiv. Control of the airport would have allowed Russia to fly in additional airborne and mechanized forces, creating an "air bridge" to encircle and potentially seize the capital. Russian paratroopers assaulted and temporarily seized the airport.

However, Ukrainian National Guard units and special operations forces launched an immediate counterattack. In the ensuing battles, Ukrainian forces destroyed the runway to prevent its use by Russian heavy aircraft and shot down several Russian helicopters, aggressively contesting the airspace and retaking control. Throughout the fighting, Hostomel changed hands multiple times, but Ukrainians ultimately denied Russia the ability to establish an operational airhead. Zelenskyy underscores that, had Russia succeeded in controlling Hostomel, they could have airlifted additional troops into the capital and potentially captured Kyiv.

Kyiv's Successful Defense Through Mobilization and Popular Resistance

Crucial to Kyiv’s defense was the rapid mobilization and growth of Ukrainian forces. From a prewar force of about 200,000, the military swelled with volunteers to 800,000, as people lined up to defend their country. Civilians also played a vital role, hindering Russian advances by destroying vehicles with improvised weapons, such as burning debris, even setting Russian armor aflame in the streets of Kyiv.

Russian forces lacked the numbers required to simultaneously advance on Kyiv, control occupied towns, and hold captured territory. Garrisoning each town depleted Russian offensive capacity, especially in the face of widespread resistance from both the civilian population and regular forc ...

Mass Graves Discovered and Systematic Torture Evidenced

After the liberation of Buche by Ukrainian forces, a horrific scene revealed the scale of Russian war crimes. Volodymyr Zelenskyy describes dead bodies lying everywhere: children, adults, elderly people, all brutally killed. Many victims showed signs of extreme torture—hands tied, bodies butchered, some reduced to what Zelenskyy calls “chopped meat.” Hundreds of people were discovered in mass graves, including tortured children and the elderly, with estimates reaching around 500 buried in a single grave. Zelenskyy emphasizes that these acts constituted genocide, recognized by the world. The evidence included not just mass executions but evidence of deliberate torture prior to execution. Survivors of the occupation provided chilling accounts; one elderly man, who previously endured the town’s Nazi occupation, recounted that the fascists, despite being enemies, “never treated people like that.” According to this survivor, what Russian forces did far exceeded even the brutalities of the past.

Pattern of Deliberate Civilian Targeting and Looting

The pattern of abuse extended beyond murder to systematic criminality in occupied towns. Russian troops looted homes, stealing basic appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and TVs, while also torturing residents. Zelenskyy notes that this behavior went beyond warfare—it was pure looting, with Russian soldiers acting as scavengers. The violence included sexual assault; Zelenskyy recounts that sexual violence was used as a tactic of terror and subjugation and that people were buried in gardens and yards. In addition, Russian forces were observed hunting civilians for sport—shooting at fleeing residents from military vehicles “just for fun.” According to Zelenskyy, the occupying forces treated civilian lives with utter dehumanization and sadism, treating people as if they were “playing games,” reminiscent of slavery.

Zelenskyy's Personal Witness and Emotional Response

Upon liberation, Zelenskyy visited Buche, determined to document the atrocities and ensure international awareness. He invited the world’s journalists to witness the aftermath directly, instructing that no bodies or evidence be moved before the press arrived. The sight of dead bodies—kids, adults, the elderly—lying untouched on the streets aimed to expose Russian war crimes to the worldwide audience and deny propaganda claims that such atrocities were staged.

For Zelenskyy, the discovery of mass graves and the evidence of torture and murder, especially of children, profoundly altered his understanding of the conflict. What he witnessed in Buche transformed his view from seeing it as a war to seeing it as genocide, obliterating any possibility of forgiveness. He admits that the desire for vengeance and the inability to reconcile with Russia stem directly from the horror inflicted on civilians. Zelenskyy notes that no one can ask parents whose children were tortured and killed to forgive, and that the emotional wounds left on Ukrainian society by these crimes are imposs ...

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s personal reflections reveal the profound human costs of prolonged conflict, illustrating how war reaches far beyond politics and battlefields, exacting a relentless toll on leaders and their families. His experience underscores both the psychological burden of leadership in wartime and the irreplaceable value of human connection amid devastation.

Zelenskyy's Complete Sleep Deprivation and Constant Alert State

For nearly five years of war, Zelenskyy endures extreme sleep deprivation, sometimes going days without rest. He explains, “I’ll be honest, I don’t sleep. It’s a huge terrifying pain that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” At the onset of the full-scale invasion, he describes sleeping just 15 minutes at a time, his nights consumed by ceaseless coordination with air defense and communication with domestic and world leaders. Even with the war’s ongoing intensity, he maintains that sleeping for as much as eight hours straight is completely unfamiliar to him. The crisis's constant pressure means he sees sleep almost as a moral failure, stating, “You’ve not earned the right to sleep,” as long as his country remains under attack.

Emotional Burden: Meeting Bereaved Parents and Awarding Soldiers

The emotional impact intensifies during ceremonies where Zelenskyy presents the Hero of Ukraine award to the parents of fallen soldiers. He describes how, in those moments, he "ceases to exist" in the face of their profound grief—an experience that brings him “terrifying pain.” Sometimes these bereaved parents simply ask for a hug; their grief is so deep they seem to disappear as people for a time, shattered by loss. Zelenskyy notes that while soldiers accept military risks, the difference between a life lost in battle and a civilian killed at random brings equally devastating pain to families and to himself. He expresses his respect for these families but admits it is almost unbearable to witness their suffering.

Zelenskyy's Transformation as a Person and Father

Zelenskyy says the war fundamentally transforms his identity and priorities. He once thrived as a comedian, businessman, and political figure, but now regards career and politics as secondary to human life. He faces worry about how wartime has changed his role as a father and husband, noting his wife’s observations about his shifting values and personality. “I don’t know. She definitely says I’ve changed a lot.” He mourns for his children’s lost childhoods, lamenting that all the children of Ukraine have matured too quickly, never knowing peace. These realizations highlight how impossible it is to shield loved ones from the impacts of war, clouding memories and distorting normal family life.

Separation From Family and the Costs of Leadership

Leadership has led to profound separation from family. During critical periods, Zelenskyy’s children and wife evacuated to safety, making long-term reunification almost impossible. Despite the ability to connect through calls and technology, he confesses to feeling their emotional absence: “I miss them constantly. And it feels like that e ...

Geographic Distribution of Russian Occupation

Russia currently controls approximately 18–19% of Ukrainian territory, concentrating its occupation on the eastern regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Crimea, and the coasts of the Azov Sea. Zelenskyy details that Russia first seized Crimea, then moved to dominate the Azov, transforming it into an inland sea under their control. Strategic cities like Mariupol, Berdyansk, and Kerch on the Black Sea now lie within occupied territory, denying Ukraine access to key ports and maritime routes. This control extends Russia’s grip over crucial industrial and economic centers.

Despite these setbacks, Ukrainian forces have managed to liberate cities such as Kherson, reclaiming portions of the region divided by the Dnipro River, with Ukrainian presence on one bank and Russian shelling from the other. Similarly, Ukrainian control remains in Zaporizhzhia and from Kharkiv to Zaporizhia, while Kramatorsk and Sloviansk remain under Ukrainian defense in the east. However, Russian forces still threaten these cities and aim for further territorial gains, endangering Ukraine’s industrial heartland and core economic infrastructure.

Russian Demands and Refusal to Negotiate

Russia explicitly demands Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern territories, specifically targeting Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Drushkiivka, and areas leading to the Dnipropetrovsk region, including vital industrial hubs. Zelenskyy highlights that surrendering these areas would constitute an economic capitulation for Ukraine, as these regions underpin the country's industry and economy.

While Ukraine demonstrates willingness to compromise with a ceasefire to halt the war, Russia continuously increases demands for more territory and security concessions. Meanwhile, Russia outright rejects energy truces and continues to wage attacks on Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, harming civilian infrastructure and maximizing social suffering. Putin consistently demands Ukraine’s territorial surrender and escalates military aggression instead of seeking negotiations.

Trump Administration's Energy Deal and Its Implications

The Trump administration has engaged Russia over diesel exports and exerted pressure on Ukraine to refrain from attacking Russian energy infrastructure, attributing rising energy prices to the conflict and Ukraine’s defensive actions. Zelenskyy flatly rejects this narrative, clarifying that Russian diesel exports are too minimal to influence U.S. energy prices. He explains Ukraine only retaliates against Russian energy assets after Russia assaults Ukraine’s own energy grid, leaving millions without vital utilities.

Zelenskyy accuses former President Trump of deflecting responsibility for high energy prices away from genuine causes – mainly supply disruptions in the Middle East, such as the blocked Strait of Hormuz – and unfairly blaming Ukraine instead of addressing Russian aggression. He asserts this is both factually incorrect and personally unfair, given Russia’s ongoing offensive and refusal to even discuss an energy ceasefire.

Security Guarantees and Nato Membership

Ukraine urgently seeks robust security guarantees or NATO membership to deter further invasion and to secure its sovereignty long-term. Zelenskyy indicates openness to diplomatic solutions and security frameworks but stresses that Western partners remain hesitant due to fears of angering Russia or direct confrontation. He underscores that any peace deal ceding territory without concrete and enforceable security guarantees would only leave Ukraine exposed to renewed Russian aggression once Ukrainian forces are exhausted.

The debate over security assurances revolves around how the West can deter Russia without provoking greater conflict or violating longstanding reluctance to defend former Soviet territori ...