Time magazine asks Biden to write ‘most influential’ profile of Vladimir Zelensky

magazine on monday named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was included in the list of “100 most influential people of 2022”. President Joe Biden signed the magazine’s brief reception to Zelensky, writing that he has found a “leader worthy of the courage and resilience” of the Ukrainian people.

“Every time we speak, I hear in President Zelensky’s voice the relentless determination of a man who fully believes in his duty to his people and fulfills his solemn responsibility every day to lead his country at this dark and difficult time,” Biden said. .

Biden concludes:

Inspired by President Zelensky’s example, the nations of the free world have recently become more united, more determined, and more purposeful than ever before. With the support of the United States and our allies and partners, it left its mark on history and proved to the world that Ukraine will endure and will finally achieve the democratic future its citizens have long desired.

Biden’s conversations with Zelensky weren’t always fun. Zelensky burned Biden before the war began for refusing to impose sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Europe. The two presidents openly opposed the threat of a Russian invasion, and Zelenskiy rejected Biden’s calls to flee his country. Biden ignored Zelensky’s desperate call for a meeting before meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

The 100 Most Influential People list is a mix of political leaders, corporate giants and entertainment industry figures. Zelensky’s rival also entered the political heavyweight division this year. Vladimir Putinthat the eulogy was written by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was bitterly Putin discarded in prison ten years after he was accused of failing trial murder her with chemical weapons.

In the photo file dated January 28, 2018, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (centre) attends a rally in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Evgeny Feldman)

Navalny wrote that Putin taught the world an important lesson this year that “a road that starts with a little electoral fraud always ends in a dictatorship” and that “always leads to war”.

Navalny said:

For years, world leaders have been talking hypocritically about the “pragmatic approach” and the benefits of international trade. In doing so, they took advantage of Russia’s oil and gas as Putin’s power grew. This battle between sanctions and military and economic aid is hundreds of times more valuable than the lucrative oil and gas contracts previously celebrated with champagne.

“If someone destroys the independent media, plots political assassinations, and clings to imperial illusions, he is a lunatic who can orchestrate a bloodbath in the heart of Europe in the 21st century. And in general, you should not embrace it in international forums, ”says Navalny.