Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky & 'The Spirit Of Ukraine' Share Title For Time Magazine's 2022 Person Of The Year

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been defiantly resisting the Russian invasion for almost a year, was chosen as Time magazine's 2022 Person of the Year on Wednesday along with 'The spirit of Ukraine'. According to Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal, 'The spirit of Ukraine' was epitomised by the many people who battled surreptitiously inside and outside for the country.

Recognising Ukraine's Resistance To Russian Invasion

Felsenthal described Zelensky's choice to stay in Kyiv and unify his nation despite the ongoing war as "fateful", adding that this year's pick was "the most clear-cut in memory". Iranian demonstrators, China's president Xi Jinping, and the US Supreme Court were among the other candidates.

To motivate fellow citizens, Zelensky has given several speeches, stood on the frontlines, and recently rejoiced in the streets of Kherson with the locals as Ukraine forced Russia out of the vital southern city. Whether one is filled with optimism or terror as one watches the war for Ukraine, "Volodymyr Zelensky galvanized the world in a way we haven't seen in decades", Felsenthal added, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

TIME's 2022 Person of the Year: Volodymyr Zelensky and the spirit of Ukraine #TIMEPOY https://t.co/06Y5fuc0fG pic.twitter.com/i8ZT3d5GDa

— TIME (@TIME) December 7, 2022

Zelensky and 'The spirit of Ukraine', which Felsenthal claimed was personified by the countless individuals inside and beyond the nation who fought covertly, including regular people like chefs and surgeons, share the 2022 title. 'The spirit of Ukraine', he said, included those Ukrainians who "fought behind the scenes" and lived all over the world. This includes individuals like Yuliia Payevska, a doctor captured and held captive by Russia for three months, and Ievgen Klopotenko, a cook who fed hundreds of Ukrainians at no cost.

The U.S. media outlet Politico also named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the most influential person in Europe on December 7.

Netizens React To Cover

In a matter of a few years, Zelensky's unexpected professional path propelled him from a comedy performer to a wartime president. At the age of 41, he was elected president of Ukraine in April 2019. He had previously worked as an actor, appearing in romantic comedies and co-founding a lucrative TV production firm. Zelensky succeeds Elon Musk as Time Person of the Year in 2021. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, was named Time Person of the Year in 2007.

Twitter users applauded the magazine's pick, claiming that his leadership skills during the crisis were commendable. "Time magazine did an amazing job naming Volodymyr Zelensky the 2022 Person of the Year, and there's no one more deserving than him; His exemplary crisis leadership is worth applauding. A big congrats to him, & wishing Ukrainians nothing but the best. Hopefully, the war ends soon", wrote one user.

Great choice. The Best Person on the Year. Time..You got it correct ! 👍

— GUYK6978 (@GUYK6978) December 7, 2022

Best Choice. Even if he agreed to end war with Putin. Putin would have broken the promise like he did anyways. Zelenskyy is the best there is in this world. Balls of steel award. Heart of gold award. @ZelenskyyUa My president🫀 pic.twitter.com/ZJeXu2Jwem

— Kukulkan Jr🐍🪶 (@KukulkanJr) December 7, 2022

Proud of our President and proud that I am Ukrainian! Together to victory ! 🇺🇦🌻

— Somnis_3 (@3Somnis) December 7, 2022

The K-pop group Blackpink was designated Time's Entertainer of the Year for 2022, and women in Iran were titled the magazine's 2022 Heroes of the Year.

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