Time Magazine has named Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and “the spirit of Ukraine” as its 2022 Person of the Year. Ukraine’s president was propelled onto the world stage with Russia’s invasion of his country.
The closely watched honor marks the latest step in a remarkable ascent that has seen Mr. Zelensky catapulted from a career as a television comedian, first to the presidency in 2019 and then, this year, to the status of a leader with global stature.
The award goes to an event or person deemed to have had the most influence on global events over the past 12 months.
Other finalists included protesters in Iran, China’s leader Xi Jinping and the US Supreme Court.
The magazine’s editor said the decision was “the most clear-cut in memory”.
“In a world that had come to be defined by its divisiveness, there was a coming together around this cause, around this country,” Edward Felsenthal wrote.
He added that the “spirit of Ukraine” referred to Ukrainians around the world, including many who “fought behind the scenes”. This includes people like Ievgen Klopotenko, a chef who provided thousands of free meals to Ukrainians and medic Yuliia Payevska who was captured, then released after three months in Russian captivity.
The magazine said Mr Zelensky had inspired Ukrainians and was recognised internationally for his courage in resisting the Russian invasion.
“Zelensky’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious,” it said.
