Zelenskyy’s pleas to Western governments for Ukraine aid ‘having an impact,’ experts say

Experts say the Ukrainian president is using his communication skills to rally the world against Russia's invasion, and there are signs the strategy is working.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is rallying the world against the Russian invasion of his country with what experts say is a winning strategy: a Western government-sanctioned media tour.

The former comedian and actor turned wartime leader will virtually address the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday, followed by a virtual appearance at a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

Experts say these addresses — which follow similar appeals to the British House of Commons and the European Parliament — are part of a broader effort that, combined with regular video updates Zelenskyy posts to social media, are meant to show Ukraine’s strength in the face of war while putting pressure on the West for more help.

“Zelenskyy had a couple of choices: he could have fled and ran … or he could take this approach we’re seeing now of fighting the battle on all fronts, and get himself out there and be the humane voice of the Ukrainian nation,” said Jared McBride, an expert on Russian and Ukrainian history who lectures at the University of California Los Angeles.

“I think what he’s doing has been probably the best choice for him and probably for the Ukrainian people.”

Zelenskyy has remained in the capital of Kyiv throughout the invasion, despite increasing bombardments and the growing threat of Russian forces breaching the capital.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed at least one assassination attempt on the president has been thwarted so far, and there have been numerous reports of other failed attacks on Zelenskyy’s life.

Amidst the danger, Zelenskyy has given multiple daily briefings from either his offices in Kyiv, one of several underground bunkers where he has hidden, and even in the streets of the capital. Some of his addresses have been delivered partly in Russian, which experts say is significant.