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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a video conference
Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/Planet Pix/ZUMA/picture alliance Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/Planet Pix/ZUMA/picture alliance

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected president in 2019 and has led Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. First seen as a political lightweight, the former comedian has rallied support at home and abroad.

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All Content on this topic

US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump both ready to talk

The Kremlin chief said Trump's past remarks about Ukraine and restoring relations with Russia warranted attention.
PoliticsNovember 8, 2024
USA New York | Treffen von Donald Trump und Wolodymyr Selenskyj im Trump Tower

Triumphant Trump vows to 'stop wars'

Donald Trump will return to the US presidency at a time of widespread conflict and uncertainty.
PoliticsNovember 7, 202402:48 min
Russland Sankt Petersburg | Präsident Wladimir Putin bei der Marineparade

Conflict Zone — Does Putin want war with the West?

Estonia's intel chief shares his assessment of Russia's war in Ukraine and Zelenskyy's "victory plan."
PoliticsOctober 30, 202426:04 min
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference at a NATO summit in Brussels.

Zelenskyy: Russia to deploy North Korean troops

Ukraine claims to have intelligence that Russia is preparing to deploy North Korean soldiers in the fight against Kyiv.
ConflictsOctober 18, 202401:52 min
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 17 October 2024

Are Zelenskyy’s conditions for peace in Ukraine at odds with the realities of the war? Ordinary men, horrific crimes - could France’s mass rape trial be a catalyst for change? Why Norway is revving up for EVs. Plus: 1itch hunts: the medieval conspiracy that just won’t die.
PoliticsOctober 17, 202455:00 min
A headshot of Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukraine war: Zelenskyy presents victory plan to EU leaders

The Ukrainian president has promoted a plan he thinks can lead to victory against Russia within a year.
PoliticsOctober 17, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking in parliament to present his Victory Plan to MPs

Ukrainian president presents plan to end war with Russia

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced his long-awaited victory plan to end his country's war with Russia.
ConflictsOctober 16, 202402:07 min
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and German chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) shake hands

Germany announces more Ukraine aid during Zelenskyy visit

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says 600 million euros in new military aid has been delivered to Ukraine.
ConflictsOctober 11, 202401:52 min
Ukrainian soldiers wait for orders at the M109 artillery in the direction of Marinka

Will Zelenskyy get what he came for?

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced €600 million in new military aid for Ukraine.
ConflictsOctober 11, 202407:09 min
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference in Kyiv

Zelenskyy in Berlin to present Ukraine 'victory plan'

On a tour of European capitals, Zelenskyy is presenting his road map to ending the war on Ukraine's terms.
ConflictsOctober 11, 202403:31 min
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) stands next to France's President Emmanuel Macron (L)

Zelenskyy denies cease-fire talks on agenda

Ukraine's president is touring European capitals to present his plans for winning the war against Russia.
ConflictsOctober 10, 202402:29 min
Handout photo of the Taurus KEPD 350, a Swedish-German air-launched cruise missile, on a fighter jet

Ukraine war: Zelenskyy wants more weapons from Germany

After separate visits to London, Paris and Rome, the Ukrainian president will meet with Chancellor Scholz in Berlin.
PoliticsOctober 10, 2024
Sign saying 'Ukraine Defense Contact Group,' with several officials sitting at table in front of national flags

Ukraine's Zelenskyy to present 'victory plan' in Ramstein

The Ukrainian president says he will present a plan to defeat the Russian invasion at a meeting of allies in Germany.
ConflictsOctober 5, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte talk at their meeting in Kyiv.

New NATO chief Mark Rutte visits Kyiv on first official trip

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has visited the Ukrainian capital on his first official trip since taking office.
ConflictsOctober 3, 202401:42 min
Zelenskyy is seeking military support for Ukraine beyond the upcoming US elections.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy set to meet with Trump during US visit

Zelenskyy is seeking military support for Ukraine beyond the upcoming US elections.
ConflictsSeptember 27, 202401:48 min
DW-Interview mit Ben Hodges

US General Ben Hodges on Trump, Netanyahu, Putin and Ukraine

DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl speaks with retired US Army officer Ben Hodges.
PoliticsSeptember 27, 202414:53 min
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

Ukraine: Biden calls Germany meeting of Kyiv allies

US President Joe Biden has said he will convene a high-level meeting of 50 Ukrainian allies in Germany next month.
ConflictsSeptember 26, 2024
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine speaks at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine at UN Headquarters

What's in Zelenskyy's 'victory plan' for peace in Ukraine?

DW looks at what the Ukrainian president has revealed so far.
ConflictsSeptember 26, 202402:07 min
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly

Zelenskyy says talks will not end war in Ukraine

His country would never accept any peace deal imposed on it, Ukraine's president told the UN General Assembly.
ConflictsSeptember 25, 202408:36 min
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

AfricaLink News: 25 September 2024

Nigeria seeks debt forgiveness at UN General Assembly +++ Israel intercepts missile fired at Tel Aviv by Hezbollah +++
ConflictsSeptember 25, 202403:54 min
A serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a howitzer towards Russian troops at a front line

Russia's war in Ukraine: A look at the front lines

How is Ukraine holding up two and a half years after Russia's invasion, and what challenges does it face?
ConflictsSeptember 25, 202403:32 min
With onlookers applauding, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (R) speaks during his visit to Scranton Army Ammunition Plant

What is Ukraine's 'victory plan' against Russia?

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the US to present what a "victory plan" that includes big demands of western allies.
ConflictsSeptember 23, 202403:32 min
A portrait of Kira Rudik, leader of the Ukrainian opposition party Golos

Ukrainian MP: Kursk incursion shows Putin is bluffing

Will the West betray Ukraine? Opposition leader Kira Rudik says much will on ride on the US election outcome.
PoliticsSeptember 18, 202426:03 min
A Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW) smiles after a swap at an unknown location in Ukraine.

Russia, Ukraine exchange more than 200 prisoners

Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner exchange, repatriating a total of 206 captured soldiers.
ConflictsSeptember 15, 202402:01 min
View of a camouflaged Russian tank taking up a firing position at an undisclosed location in the Kursk region

Russia launches counteroffensive in Kursk

Russian troops have reportedly recaptured several villages from Ukrainian forces in the region.
ConflictsSeptember 13, 202401:34 min
Servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces load a shell in self-propelled howitzer as they fire towards Russian troops

US, UK, Germany 'dragging feet' on Ukraine: Ben Hodges

Ukraine wants the green light to use Western weapons to launch attacks deep inside Russia, but the US remains reluctant.
ConflictsSeptember 6, 202412:27 min
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he attends a Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting

Zelenskyy: 'We need to force Russia to seek peace'

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells military backers meeting in Germany to 'ignore Putin's red lines.'
ConflictsSeptember 6, 202408:12 min
Seen from above, buildings in the city of Lviv destroyed after a Russian attack

Zelenskyy calls for use of Western weapons in Russia

The request has taken on new urgency following deadly Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine.
ConflictsSeptember 6, 202402:02 min
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes part in the graduation of officers from the National Defense University in Kyiv on June 18th, 2024

Zelenskyy to visit US base in Germany to request weapons

The meeting comes just days after one of the largest waves of Russian airstrikes against Ukraine.
PoliticsSeptember 5, 2024
external

Russian missile strike kills dozens in Ukraine

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to hold Russia responsible for the attack on the city of Poltava.
ConflictsSeptember 3, 202401:56 min
Accompanied by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof (center), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center left) visits an underground school

Ukraine: School year starts under Russian strikes

On Monday, children across Ukraine were getting ready for their first day back at school after the summer holiday.
ConflictsSeptember 2, 202402:25 min
Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon

Ukraine to present US with list of Russian targets

Ukrainian officials are visiting Washington to persuade the US to lift restrictions on long-range weapons.
ConflictsAugust 30, 202402:29 min
Ukrainian coastal mobile missile complex with anti-ship missiles R-360 Neptune

Ukraine's efforts to produce its own guided missiles

As Ukraine relies on western allies for advanced guided missiles, the country is eager to ramp up its own production.
ConflictsAugust 26, 202402:58 min
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy delivers a video address

Zelenskyy slams 'sick old man from the Red Square'

Ukraine's president put out a video address marking the country's 33rd independence day from the Soviet Union.
ConflictsAugust 24, 202405:11 min
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (L) mand Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kyiv

India's Modi offers to help end Ukraine war

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv amid efforts to end the war with Russia.
ConflictsAugust 23, 202402:08 min
A view of a Ukrainian military vehicle driving past a destroyed border crossing point with Russia

Ukraine's Kursk offensive enters second week

The ongoing fighting is forcing civilians on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border to flee.
ConflictsAugust 14, 202402:28 min
A Ukrainian tank moves down a road in Ukraine

Russia sends reinforcements to counter Ukrainian attack

Russia is shoring up its defenses in an attempt to repel one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks since the war began.
ConflictsAugust 9, 202402:15 min
In this handout video grab released by the Russian Defence Ministry, a view shows a Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter during an operation

Russia battles Ukrainian troops after Kursk incursion

Officials say around 3,000 civilians have been evacuated. Ukraine has not confirmed it launched the cross-border attack.
ConflictsAugust 8, 202402:05 min
A Ukrainian flag in front of a burnt down apartment building

Ukraine: What's behind talk of negotiated peace with Russia?

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has surprised onlookers by toying with the idea of a "territorial compromise" with Russia.
ConflictsJuly 25, 2024
external

Attempt on Trump's life 'a terrible crime', Zelenskyy says

World leaders have reacted with shock and condemned the attempted assassination on Donald Trump. Among them is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Ukraine.
PoliticsJuly 14, 202400:36 min
a woman wearing a dust mask and a blue top amongst other people clearing rubble after a missile attack

Russian missiles hit hospital in Kyiv, killing dozens

Russia has launched its largest air strikes in months, firing dozens of missiles at multiple cities across Ukraine.
ConflictsJuly 8, 202402:51 min
Residential building partially damaged by Russian strike in Sumy, Ukraine

Ukraine: Russian strike leaves 100,000 without power

An energy facility in northeastern Ukraine's Sumy region has been damaged in an overnight Russian strike.
PoliticsJuly 6, 2024
Screenshot of a collage posted on the social media platform X claiming to show a Paris car salesman, a Bugatti sports car, and an invoice for the sale thereof

Fact check: New fakes on Zelenskyy's purported wealth

Someone claiming to be a car dealer says Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska just bought a million-dollar sports car.
PoliticsJuly 3, 2024
President Vladimir Putin sits in a chair at a table, holding a meeting

How to get Putin to negotiate? Strategy and resolve

Two German diplomats told DW they doubt Russia will negotiate an end to its war in Ukraine any time soon.
ConflictsJune 29, 2024
Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Charles Michel, standing in front of EU and Ukrainian flags

EU, Ukraine sign long-term security pact

The EU has pledged to provide Ukraine with military, financial, diplomatic and humanitarian support over the long term.
ConflictsJune 27, 202402:39 min
People walk in the media center before the peace summit for Ukraine at the Bürgenstock Resort.

Ukraine peace summit gets underway with over 90 countries

Organizers say that the two-day peace summit aims to eventually bring Russia to the table to end the war in Ukraine.
PoliticsJune 15, 202402:58 min
G7 leaders sitting around a table at their summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy

G7 leaders take aim at Russia and its allies

Leaders of the G7 countries, concluding their two-day meeting in Italy, have released their final declaration.
PoliticsJune 14, 202402:14 min
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Olaf Scholz (R) look at each other during a joint press conference in Berlin

Zelenskyy in Berlin for Ukraine Recovery Conference

In a speech to lawmakers, Ukraine's president thanked Germany for its support in the war against Russia.
ConflictsJune 11, 202402:06 min
The Kharkiv Combined Heat and Power Plant CHP damaged by Russian shelling.

Reconstruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure crucial

Ukraine's hard-hit energy sector will be a priority at the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
ConflictsJune 11, 202401:48 min
Frankreich D Day Feierlichkeiten Macron und Selenskyj

Mirage jets for Ukraine: France's Macron walks tightrope

The French president announced he will supply Mirage 2000 fighter jets, but Ukrainian pilots will be trained in France.
PoliticsJune 7, 202402:10 min