It is surreal that the start of the Ukrainian invasion started just over a week ago. A lot can happen in seven days. At approximately 3am GMT on February 22, 2022, Vladimir Putin commanded Russia’s forces to start a massive military assault on neighbouring Ukraine. This attack came after Russia amassed more than 100,000 troops at Ukraine’s border, despite numerous denials that it was all just part of a military exercise.
In among the horror, many heroes and villains have emerged, with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy coming to represent his country's bravery in the face of an overpowering force, The comic-turned-politician memorably turned down the US's offer to get him out of the country, as Russia had sent in crack teams of soldiers with the mission to kill him, saying 'I need ammunition, not a ride.'
We spoke to someone who knows President Zelenskyy well and who is able to offer insight into his method of thinking. Iuliia Mendel is a journalist, author, political advisor and was the president's press secretary for two years. In this exclusive interview, she shares her stories of the president, revealing his determination to fight for his country, and how British aid efforts are being perceived in Ukraine.
What is President Zelenskyy like as a person?
He is respected a lot by the people who work with him. He gains this respect not because of his position but because of his personality.
He is a manager and a very serious person, whose humour is a sign of his intellect. Even on stage he was defending people from political corruption and standing for people against political injustice and social injustice. That allowed him to earn people’s minds and hearts. It’s not just about comedy, it’s about personality. He is a lawyer and a successful businessman. Yes, when he came to power he did have to learn a lot. As an actor he used to learn a lot of information and remember it all. Right now I see his devotion to Ukraine and his motivation to protect the country.
No one imagined that a former actor and comedian would be elevated as the leader of our times - courageous, brave and strategic. How do you think candidate Zelenskyy has adapted to the role of President?
Many people think that just because he didn’t come from a political background, he was not prepared for a political life. In fact, his presidency was full of so many unbelievable challenges, he had to think creatively for solutions. Challenges include former president Trump, then coronavirus and now this invasion. As he’s come from a creative industry it provides him to think beyond the norm and to think about people. He is coming from the people and this is why they respect him.
He has a legal background and has learnt constitutional law at university. He also built a business empire which prompted Moscow, many years ago, to work for them, but he declined. He said no because he wanted to work in Ukraine.
Do you have any standout memories of working with President Zelenskyy?
When President Zelenskyy came to power, one of his major priorities was building peace in Ukraine. Russia started its invasion in Ukraine back in 2014 through its annexation of Crimea and military actions on the part of Donbas. Zelenskyy was travelling to Donbas more than anywhere else and he was never afraid of shelling or risking his life when it came to showing Russians that ‘this is our land’. He was the leader that was going to spend time with them.
One time he wanted to check a renewed bridge in Donbas which connected occupied territory of Ukraine. There were people wearing military uniform bearing rifles and guns. There were also Russian TV channels present. The security of the president did not allow him to go too close to the bridge, but after half an hour, a small group including the president went to the bridge. He wanted to show Russia that this is his land and he is not afraid. He wanted to show ‘I built this bridge, I have the right to go check, I am not going to run away because of your military warriors’.
Another time we went to Donbas where the president was visiting soldiers close to the shelling zone. After showing support, he left. However a few minutes after he had left, shelling started. President Zelenskyy returned to the area being shelled. His security was shocked but it was important to him as he needed to be there. He said: “I need to be there with my soldiers, if they’re staying there defending our country, I need to be there.”
When we received this really kind gesture from Washington to help President Zelenskyy escape Kyiv, I knew he wouldn’t go. Because he’s just not that type of person to leave.
How is the United Kingdom’s aid efforts perceived in Ukraine?
Great Britain has done a lot for Ukraine. It was one of the first reliable partners, the first supporters of Ukraine and that means a lot for us. Great Britain was one of the first to provide military assistance and weaponry to help Ukraine defend itself.
When Boris Johnson arrived in Ukraine, it was the first time a prime minister of Great Britain had done so in 16 years. This is amazing and a big thing. There isn’t any Ukrainian who would not appreciate Boris Johnson and every British citizen who is doing so much for us. When Boris Johnson was coming here it wasn’t about political positions, it was about Great Britain coming to us. Everyone was here following that news. It was everywhere on air and that meant so much for us and thank you for this.
How important is a no-fly zone?
This is about diplomacy. Right now Ukraine is really fighting to get a no-fly zone (NFZ). I know there are a lot of concerns about this because the West considers a NFZ above Ukraine meaning NATO could go to war with Russia. If NATO starts a NFZ there is a way that NATO helps save Ukraine and helps stand against Putin right now.
Why do you think Putin is angry?
When people are talking about reprobation of two republics into Ukraine he was angry. He was angry about Ukraine, the Western world, the Western order that has been established after World War II and at NATO. He was pretty clear about that.
What do you think will happen next?
If the world gives up on Ukraine right now, Poland, Moldova and the Baltic states are in trouble, Putin's appetite will allow him to go further. The issue of World War III is very strong. Russia started drillings in Siberia which means that Russia thinks that it doesn’t have enough resources.
I think other areas will be affected because when we talk about Ukraine, there is no guarantee that nuclear weaponry will only be used against Ukraine. Right now Ukraine isn’t talking about getting nuclear weaponry, there is no capacity that Ukraine can become a nuclear country, it’s a long process and Ukraine wasn’t thinking about it on an operational level.
What is your opinion on London and its Russian oligarchs?
London is a big destination for Russian oligarchs. I know London is making some kind of financial hunting for these oligarchs to be sanctioned. It is really important because if they are sanctioned in Russia and Russia is isolated, they can still go abroad. They can still use all their money and live happy and very rich lives and help their country. It means Russia’s isolation becomes somehow doubtful.
What do you think about people travelling to Ukraine to fight for your country?
We have a battle of Legion (International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine) where foreigners come to fight for Ukraine. It is their decision to fight for democracy but it is important. There are a lot of people who have arrived from many different countries to fight for Ukraine.
Should countries be slapping sanctions harder and faster on Russia?
It is impossible to believe what has happened in a week. Who would imagine for instance Germany’s actions around Nord Stream 2? Or that Germany would provide Ukraine with weaponry? Or that Russian banks would be banned from SWIFT or face banking sanctions? All this and the biggest names like Jaguar isolating Russia, means the world to us.
Only some Russian banks are banned from Russia. We have to be sure that Russia’s whole banking system will be banned from SWIFT, because if there are only separate banks that are banned, it means Russia will still be able to operate through other banking systems.
What does democracy mean to Ukraine?
I wrote about this in my book. It is about distinguishing the difference between freedom, anarchy and democracy. Democracy is freedom where human rights of every person is respected, where meritocracy rules and everyone can achieve something.
President Zelenskyy is the biggest example of this. He’s just a boy from a small town from a poor family who became known for his meritocracy and he won a record democratic election. Democracy means respecting diversity, which is what President Zelenskyy underlined in his speeches these past three years.
He was saying that we probably have different languages and religions but it is this diversity that makes us stronger. It is something that should unify us and make us proud of ourselves, not divide us.
Ukraine is a country of western values. In 2014 when the Maidam Revolution took place, this was one of the biggest moves that Ukraine made to show that we share western values. We sacrificed over 100 people who were shot, to show that we don’t want to be together with Russia.
We are different. We are European. Ukraine is a big defender of freedom and that is what is irritating Putin, that is what is triggering him. In July 2019 the New York Times wrote a piece on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said the President Zelenskyy might be a threat to Putin because he was the face of democracy, whereas Putin was the face of dictatorship.
This is the result that we now have - that dictatorship will try to fight and kill democracy.
