Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s First Lady, says the war with Russia has not changed her husband, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Instead, he showed the world his determination and the fact that he was a man to rely on.
In an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Zelenska revealed that she has not seen her husband since February 24, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. That day, waking up, the first lady recalled that Zelensky was already awake and dressed, and just said, “It’s started.”
“Since February 24, I’ve been seeing my husband just like you on TV and in videos of his speeches,” she confessed, quoted by the Associated Press.
“The war didn’t change him,” he added, assuring that Zelenskyy “has always been a man you can rely on.”
“A man who will never fail. That lasts until the end. Now everyone has seen what may not have been clear to everyone before,” he repeated.
Zelenska also added that the couple’s two children are with her but did not reveal where they are refugees in an interview conducted remotely.
Like Zelensky, the Ukrainian first lady accused Russia of genocide in Ukraine and expressed her sympathy for the more than 11 million Ukrainians displaced by the war.
“I wish I could hug them all. One can easily imagine the difficult path they took when fleeing basements and shelters in Mariupol, the bombings in Kharkiv, the occupied Kyiv region and even Lviv or Odessa, which were also attacked by Russian missiles,” added he added.
When asked if she had a message for the mothers, wives and sisters of Russian soldiers, the First Lady replied that “it doesn’t concern her” and therefore “no”.
“During these two months, while their children are being killed in Ukraine as criminals and invaders, they have had time to define their position. As there is no explanation unless the coffins convince them that something is wrong here I have nothing to say to them,” he concluded.
Zelenska also thanked Poland for its efforts to help Ukraine and its people, a message Zelensky also relayed to Polish media on Friday.
Poland has taken in the largest number of Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children. Since the conflict began, around three million have crossed the border and 1.6 million have asked for national identification numbers.
The Russian military offensive in Ukraine, launched on February 24, has already killed about 3,000 civilians, according to the United Nations, which warns the real number is likely to be much higher. In addition, the war has displaced more than 12 million people, of whom more than 5.4 million have fled the country, according to the latest UN figures.
The Russian invasion was generally condemned by the international community, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and tightening economic and political sanctions against Moscow.
Also Read: Zelensky Warned of ‘Genocide’ and Guterres Admitted ‘Failure’
News by the Minute nominated for Marketeer Awards
Notícias ao Minuto is one of the nominees of the 2022 edition of the Marketeer Awards in the Digital Media category. Voting will take place until May 31st.
To help us win, just go to the website of the initiative organized by Marketeer magazine, click here, fill out the form, select Notícias ao Minuto in the Digital Media category, and then cast your vote. Thank you for your preference!
Always be the first to know.
Sixth consecutive year Consumer Choice and Five Star Award for Online Press.
Download our free app.
