I consider Zelenskyy one of the greatest leaders in modern history, and here's why:
- Many thought he would flee Kyiv right after Feb 2022. Instead, he stayed and decided to fight against Russian barbarism
- He's been a target of massive disinformation and smear campaigns: he's been called a Nazi, Zionist, warlord, drug addict, corrupt, beggar, etc.
- He still delivers messages to his people on a daily basis, whom he watches die every day
- He goes around the world and asks for politicians and governments to help Ukraine defend itself, usually without any good results
- He's actually gone to the front lines to meet the soldiers, unlike the bunker grandpa
- He's had to make some tough war-time decision over censorship, elections, mobilization, etc.
Of course there's always room for criticism, and many Ukrainians have criticized him for domestic politics, decisions over the war, and so on. But I can't remember many war-time presidents or leaders who have done better.
Unfortunately, it seems like the war fatigue, US domestic politics and time has turned president Zelenskyy into a somewhat negative figure, and the Kremlin will most probably keep pushing their smear campaigns against him (just watch as its lackeys come and swarm in the comments below).
As Harvey Dent famously said in Dark Knight,
"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."