An unofficial biography of Ukraine’s president, presented in Spanish, portrays Volodímir Zelenski as a figure shaped in a milieu sympathetic to Russia, confronting the centennial of the Kremlin invasion of Ukraine.
The book’s presenter argued that people who once admired Zelenski for his artistic side were centered in Moscow. They believed Russia was the hub of cultural excellence and now held a duty to defend its homeland against Ukraine. The remarks were shared during the virtual launch of the work, titled “Volodymyr Zelensky. A Natural Portrait of the Man Facing Putin”, at the Madrid Book Fair. [Source attribution: EFE]
The writer, known for profiles of Ukrainian leaders such as Yushchenko, Yanukovych, and Tymoshenko, completed the first edition in 2020 with the aim of presenting the character with greater depth. As the conflict intensified, the author expanded the book to include new layers of Zelenskiy’s presidency in wartime.
Before the full-scale war began, Zelenskiy’s popularity was waning in some polls due to perceived unfulfilled promises, including corruption reforms and a shift in political leadership. The author notes that the war experience shifted public perception, strengthening unity as the Ukrainian people rallied around the president when facing a common enemy. [Source attribution: EFE]
With the current clash against Russia, the author contends that citizens recognize what Ukraine requires at this moment. They view Zelenskiy as the figure capable of guiding the country through adversity and leading the effort to prevail.
A “completely different” book from the first
The author explains that the book is developing in a markedly different direction from the initial manuscript, reflecting how Zelenskiy’s character has evolved since the war began.
Having spent decades in acting and comedy, Zelenskiy’s public communications are described as steeped in theatricality, shaping how he speaks and is perceived.
The author also expresses hope that, once the conflict ends, the public portrait will endure. He recalls a moment when bombs hit Kyiv and the city faced a siege, noting how the president’s authenticity became more pronounced through those early hours of crisis.
The editor of the publishing house noted that the translation of the book was accomplished rapidly and with notable precision. It departs from strict academy rules to stay faithful to the Cyrillic source material in translation. [Source attribution: EFE]
For the Spanish edition, a Ukrainian lawyer who has lived in Spain for two decades contributed to the process. She described the translation as a fairly complex undertaking, given the context of Ukrainian history since the 1980s.
In addition to the printed edition, which will be available in Spain at the end of June, the full work will also be released as an audiobook on the Storytel platform in mid-July. [Source attribution: EFE]