Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the spirit of Ukraine have been named the Time's Person of the Year for the year 2022, the magazine announced on December 7. The 44-year-old Ukrainian leader has been trying to fight Russia's invasion of his country and has won widespread acclaim. The magazine described the comedian-turned-wartime leader as the most clear-cut winner of the award in memory, after he galvanised the world in a way we haven't seen in decades. Alongside, Zelenskyy was also mentioned the spirit of Ukraine.
Edward Felsenthal, editor-in-chief of TIME, said on Wednesday : Whether the battle for Ukraine fills with hope or with fear, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has galvanized the world in a way we haven't seen in decades. He said in the weeks after Russian bombs began falling on February 24 his decision not to flee Kyiv but to stay and rally support was fateful. From his first 40 second Instagram post on February 25 showing that his Cabinet and civil society were intact and in place to daily speeches delivered remotely to houses of Parliament, the World Bank, and the Grammy Awards, Ukraine's President was everywhere. Felsenthal said that the spirit of Ukraine was embodied by the countless individuals inside and outside the country who fought behind the scenes, including everyday people such as chefs and surgeons. For showing that courage can be as contagious as fear, for stirring people and nations to come together in defense of freedom, for reminding the world of the fragility of democracy and of peace Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the spirit of Ukraine are TIME's 2022 Person of the Year, Felsenthal said.
Earlier in the day, prominent personalities who were named Time Persons of the Year were Elon Musk in 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020, and Donald Trump in 2016. In 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin was named Time Person of the Year.