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In a decisive moment of the negotiations with the Kremlin for the end of the war, which completes 23 days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has his image as a trump card.
Your face is everywhere. On the big screen, he appeals for support and demands more effective measures against Russia even from countries that are already aligned. As well as his constant presence on social networks, the round of virtual speeches for parliamentarians has been the Ukrainian’s bet to win the sympathy of international public opinion.
Context: Actor and comedian, Zelensky, 44, has taken on the role of an unlikely president twice, once in fiction and once in real life.
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He was the protagonist of the series “Servo do Povo”, in which a history teacher is elected president of the country after his speech against corruption goes viral;
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He was elected in 2019 with 73% of the votes in the 2nd round with a party named after the series that made him famous.
Costume: The president’s image strategy is noticed even in the choice of clothes. In his video appearances, Zelensky dispenses with the suit and wears a military green shirt. Some pieces bear the insignia of the Armed Forces.
First lady: With almost 3 million followers on Instagram, screenwriter and businesswoman Olena Zelenska, 44, is also used to using the media. This week, she published an open letter to the world’s first ladies, urging them to shelter refugee women and children as if they were “citizens of their countries”. American Jill Biden and Canadian Sophie Trudeau were tagged in the publication.
Debauchery: If it helps him in the dialogue with the public, Zelensky’s past as a comedian is also seen with derision. President Jair Bolsonaro even mocked the fact in a statement last month: “Ukrainians trusted a comedian with the fate of a nation,” he said.
Back to origins: “Servant of the People” has just returned to the Netflix catalog in the United States. With the beginning of the war, the three seasons of the production were being disputed by the streaming platforms.
Do not get lost
Remember some of Zelensky’s appearances in the last week:
Tuesday (15)
Speaks to the Canadian Parliament and leaders visit
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In the speech broadcast virtually in the Canadian Parliament, Zelensky called for the country to “do more” against Russia, calling for the creation of a no-fly zone in Ukraine. “How many more missiles have to fall on our cities for that to happen?”
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Zelensky also hosted the premiers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, the first foreign leaders to visit Kiev, which is the target of bombing.
Wednesday (16)
Applause in the US Congress
In a virtual speech broadcast on Capitol Hill, the Ukrainian cited Martin Luther King’s speech and episodes in American history, such as 9/11, to demand the same measure. “I have a need: to protect our country’s sky. It’s the same as when you say the phrase ‘I have a dream,'” he said. He received a standing ovation.
Thursday (17)
Appeal to Scholz in the German Parliament
In his speech to the Bundestag, also from a distance, Zelensky referred to the Berlin Wall and asked Chancellor Olaf Scholz to destroy the wall that separates a free Europe from a non-free one.
What happened this Friday (18)
picture of the day
What to see and hear to stay informed
The wave of boycotts against Russia in the cultural area was discussed on the Expresso Ilustrada podcast. And envoy André Liohn shows the situation of doctors and patients in a hospital near Kiev.
