Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the spirit of Ukraine have been chosen as Time’s 2022 Person of the Year, the outlet announced Wednesday morning.
Many have hailed Zelenskyy as a hero and symbol of hope this year – notably since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. The 44-year-old president has been applauded for leading and defending his country on the frontlines throughout the ongoing war.
In the cover photo, Zelenskyy is depicted surrounded by the people of his country, as well as Ukrainian flags, sunflowers (the country’s national flower) and more.
“Zelensky’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious,” Time reporter Simon Shuster writes in an article announcing Zelenskyy as Time’s Person of the Year, which also details Zelenskyy’s leadership throughout the war and rise to the world stage.
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This week, Zelenskyy marked Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day by visiting with troops in the eastern Donetsk region near the front lines Tuesday. He lauded the troops for their crucial role in the war and vowed to drive the Russians out of the country.
“Everyone sees your strength and your skill. … I’m grateful to your parents. They raised real heroes,” Zelenskyy said in a video address from the city of Sloviansk, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the east.
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In addition to the Person of the Year title, Time honored the women of Iran as the Heroes of the Year, Michelle Yeoh as the Icon of the Year, Aaron Judge as the Athlete of the Year and Blackpink as the Entertainer of the Year.
Contributing: The Associated Press. John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY.
Story Credit: usatoday.com