Zelensky: a hero of our time

In times of crisis and uncertainty, heroes emerge. The defiance of Volodymyr Zelensky and the brave citizens of Ukraine is a powerful sight to behold. It is also one from which we could learn a lot.

This is what leadership looks like. Despite his capital coming under sustained fire from one of the largest military forces on earth, the Ukrainian President is resolute in his opposition to a foreign invasion, however brutal. Zelensky looks like a man indefatigable in his refusal to abandon his homeland — issuing a warning to his enemies that “ When you attack us, you will see our faces. Not our backs, but our faces .” Heavily outnumbered and facing increasingly violent military action from Russia, when US officials offered to evacuate Zelensky, he told them: “I need ammunition, not a ride.”  

Imagine, if you can, our political class acting like this. Could you really picture Jacob Rees -Mogg patrolling the corridors of Westminster with a Kalashnikov? I would like to think so. If only for the optics. The very idea is a meme factory. 

When the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan, its Prime Minister , Ashraf Ghani, decided to abandon ship. It was widely reported at the time that he fled the country, with one witness telling Reuters that he was seen leaving Kabul with four cars and a helicopter stuffed full of money. Ghani later denied that story, but the damage was done. The capital fell to the Taliban within hours. By refusing to hide and cower in fear for his life, Zelensky could not be more different from Ghani.

But it ’ s not just our political leaders who should hang their heads in shame. Such attitudes extend to the very institution meant to defend us.   

As Russian troops crossed over the border and the first missiles started landing, the Ministry of Defence tweeted out about the recent success of a gay coffee morning. Call me old- fashioned , but I want our forces to be trained in how to fight and stay alive. What ’ s less important is who their favourite LGBT authors are and which pronouns we should be using. 

As we enter the third week of the war — sorry, “special operation” — Zelensky has appeared time and time again on both television and social media to give a passionate defence of the right to self-determination. Despite numerous failed assassination attempts, he frequently appears to give voice to his fellow Ukrainian people ’ s fight for freedom and national sovereignty. “ Glory to our defenders ” he says in one emotionally charged video.  

As millions of terrified women and children pour out of Ukraine ’ s major cities, the men stay behind to fight. In the last few weeks, the lines to enlist in the Ukrainian army — or be trained in how to use a firearm — have stretched as far as the eye can see. Zelensky ’ s words inspire the nation. Leadership commands respect.  

Of course, heroism need not always be dramatic. The selfless train drivers of Lviv are working 20-hour days to transport stranded and desperate people out of Kyiv and other bombed-out cities of Ukraine. They may not be on the front line, but these train drivers and countless other workers are under fire. All exude bravery, courage and patriotism. 

In the era of identity politics, we have pathologised these virtues. When it comes to national pride, it has become au courant to treat the UK as a racist relic indelibly stained with the sins of our colonial past. Like an embarrassing uncle we constantly have to apologise for. We are the least patriotic population in generations of Britons. The young are taught to value victimhood, fragility and self-obsession over important virtues such as self-reliance and courage.

When it comes to patriotism, we are inculcating within the next generation a sense of pathological self-loathing. With trigger warnings adorning classic literature and safe spaces in universities, I fear millennials will face a hard time adjusting to the harsh vicissitudes of the real world. When authors claim to suffer from PTSD after reading bad reviews of their books, what chance do they stand in a real war? 

What I find strange in this country is that vast swathes of the Left hate borders and nation states, yet are up in arms about the violation of Ukraine ’ s territorial integrity. In this country the far-Left seem to love larping (live action role playing) as revolutionaries, but how many could you honestly picture taking up arms to defend Britain? Of course I could be wrong. I would love to see a gang of gender studies students throwing Molotov cocktails on the streets of London — like the citizens of Ukraine — when faced by an invader.

Zelensky is a different politician. A leader and one I deeply admire. While our politicians struggle to define a woman for fear of backlash, Zelensky has shown the world what bravery looks like. We could all learn a lot from him — whatever his fate may be.

At the time of writing he remains very much alive in Kyiv.

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