closeicon
World

Ukraine’s President Zelensky named Time Person of the Year

The annual title has gone since 1927 to the person 'for better or for worse ... has done the most to influence the events of the year'

articlemain

WARSAW, POLAND - AUGUST 31: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda (not pictured) review a guard of honor upon Zelensky's arrival at the Presidential Palace on August 31, 2019 in Warsaw, Poland. Zelensky is in Poland for bilateral talks with the Polish government and to take part in tomorrow's international commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky along with “the spirit of Ukraine” has won Time magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year.

Time credited Mr Zelensky, who is Jewish, with inspiring his country and being recognised internationally for his courage in resisting the Russian invasion.

The publication's editor Edward Felsenthal wrote: “In a world that had come to be defined by its divisiveness, there was a coming internationally around this cause, around this country.

“Whether the battle for Ukraine fills one with hope or with fear, Volodymyr Zelensky galvanised the world in a way we haven’t seen in decades.”

Further, Mr Zelensky’s actions this year had “deepened the embarrassment of Russian retreats and strengthened the Ukrainian will."

Since 1927, the annual title has gone to the person "for better or for worse ... has done the most to influence the events of the year".

Mr Zelensky, who is descended from Holocaust survivors, has been praised around the world for his leadership of Ukraine in the wake of Russian president Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of the eastern European country in February this year.

Previous Jewish winners of the prestigious award includes chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke (2009), Yitzhak Rabin (jointly 1993), Henry Kissinger (jointly 1972), and Mark Zuckerberg (2010).

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive