In Kiev and Beyond: Zelensky’s Resolve During the Early Days of the Crisis
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, faced intense pressure from advisers who warned that the capital might not withstand the onslaught. Yet in the first days of the Russian operation, he chose to stay in Kyiv rather than evacuate, a decision that drew both praise and scrutiny from international observers, including major outlets such as the Washington Post.
According to reports, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, urged Zelensky to head to safety. The president reportedly told Danilov to cease reiterating threat warnings and challenged him to offer anything more meaningful than the warnings themselves. Zelensky is quoted as saying that he is a living person who does not want to die, yet he believes that dwelling on death would be a form of already being dead. These remarks were highlighted in the coverage from several sources.
Western officials pressed for evacuation as a way to preserve the leadership and thereby stabilize the nation amid the risk of a power vacuum. The Washington Post notes that Zelensky perceived the opposite outcome as possible if he fled. A rapid departure could hand the center of Ukrainian power to Russian forces and risk a collapse of the government, undermining morale at the front lines. The calculus, as described by WP, suggested that the president remaining at his post would be crucial for maintaining unity and resistance.
Zelensky later clarified that his decision was not a refusal to fulfill the presidency. In fact, at the outset of what Kyiv labeled special military operations, he did not dismiss the possibility of resigning or leaving Kyiv if such a move would help stop hostilities.
The president emphasized that the question was not about clinging to power. He asserted that if leaving Kyiv would end the bloodshed, he would do so immediately. He questioned whether his departure would serve the national interest better than staying to lead and galvanize the country. This stance was communicated to Western partners and was reported by major outlets.
Speaking about the motivations of foreign partners, Zelensky indicated that some simply hoped the conflict would end swiftly and that his administration would capitulate to Russia. He remarked that none of the officials who contacted him believed Ukraine could survive in the long term without steadfast leadership during the crisis.
In a video call with European leaders, Zelensky warned that this could be the last public appearance for some time. He underscored the heavy human costs of the confrontation, noting that Ukrainian mothers are watching their children bear the brunt of the war in the name of European values.
On the night when the fighting intensified in central Kyiv and the Russian defense ministry announced a partial blockade of the city, Zelensky moved to a secure location and delivered a message to the Ukrainian people from the presidential office, recorded in a bunker and broadcast to the nation.
Six Months of the Crisis: Military Claims and Humanitarian Considerations
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu marked the six-month point since Russia launched its operation, stating that the campaign was proceeding in line with Russia’s plan. He argued that a real threat stemmed from Kyiv’s stance in Donbass and from the Minsk agreements, framing the special operation as necessary to address those threats. Shoigu asserted that the hard tasks ahead would be achieved and that the Russian army would adhere to what he described as humanitarian norms, while aiming to minimize civilian casualties. He claimed that Russian forces faced deliberate resistance from Ukrainian forces and that civilians and civilian infrastructure had become targets in the broader strategic rivalry.
During a press conference following events at the Crimean Platform forum, Zelensky said negotiations with Russia were not on the table. He suggested that Moscow preferred military action over dialogue, portraying the Russian side as ready for ongoing operations rather than productive talks. The president reiterated the belief that genuine negotiations had to involve mutual restraint and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, a stance that remained central to Kyiv’s position in the ensuing months.