Spiritual Direction: Political Leaders That Actually Lead

On Feb. 25, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders that it might be ‘the last time you see me alive’ during an emotional call from a secret location in the Ukrainian Capital city of Kiev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders “this might be the last time you see me alive” during a video conference on Thursday night, two European sources briefed on the call explained, “The Pentagon has warned that Russia’s primary aim appears to be to encircle Kyiv and “decapitate” its government. Meanwhile Zelensky said Thursday that Russian “sabotage forces” were in Kyiv and hunting for him and his family. Zelensky has been using his public and private remarks to pressure, and in some cases shame, countries to do more to help Ukraine and isolate Russia.

A leader is born not made in Hollywood, Bollywood, or the media.  These entities can create images but the true metal of a person comes when they lead people.  King David of Bible fame, King Leonaidis of 300 Spartan fame, Pope Sixtus II a martyr of the faith, Lincoln a United States President, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. All were successful in leading people. One did it through the church, three were martyrs but all had the intangible ingredient-leadership.  People gained courage through their speech and actions.  They inspired people to do more than they knew they could do. They all knew where to take a stand and did it.  

Volodymyr Zelensky has become a poster child for the defiant politician.  Four years ago he was starring in the hit TV show, Servant of the People.  This show was about Volodymyr becoming the President of Ukraine.  Zelensky played a fictional character named Vasily Goloborodko, a 30-something high school teacher who wakes up one morning to learn he has been elected the country’s president with over 60 percent of the popular vote. In the show, one of his students put a video of him ranting against corruption in the country online and it went viral.In one of the best examples of art imitating real life, four years later he finds himself in the job he was acting in only now to find himself the leader of the country staring down one of the most powerful nations in the world. 

The US government offered to evacuate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Kyiv — but he declined.

“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” Zelensky said, The Associated Press reported, citing a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation.

Zelensky, 44, instead chose to remain in Ukraine’s capital as Russian forces brought the fight to the city streets, where gunfire and explosions were heard overnight Friday into Saturday.

The besieged president said his family had been evacuated to safety.

“I am staying in the government quarters together with others,” Zelensky said in a video address early on Friday. “The enemy has designated me as target number one, and my family as target number two.”

 Volodymyr Zelensky is facing Vladimir Putin.  In this show down you have Vladimir (Putin) vs Volodymyr (Ukrainian for Vladimir) so in essence it has two Vladimirs battling for the heart and soul of the country that was established by Kievan Rus.  St. Vladimir in 988 baptized his nation and now two more Vladimirs are trying to battle for the country that the first Vladimir ruled. 

Zelensky is 44 years old, from eastern part of the Ukraine and was an actor.  He may not have been the typical political type, but he sure has proven to be a leader of people.  He may not prevail in this fight, but he will go down in history like no other leader since St. Vladimir.  God save Ukraine and God provide strength for people and leaders of that country.