Despite having no prior political experience, Volodymyr Zelensky entered the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election.

In a television series, the now 47-year-old comic played a teacher who rises to the presidency after a video of him criticising corruption goes viral.

But with 73% of the vote, he easily won.

Mr. Zelensky stated in his inauguration address that establishing peace in eastern Ukraine, where government forces had been battling separatists supported by Russia for five years, was the primary objective of his administration.

A few months later, Volodymyr Zelensky found himself at odds with then-US President Donald Trump after refusing to comply with pressure to investigate Joe Biden or his son, Hunter Biden.

Zelensky criticized the White House’s decision to release a rough transcript of their phone conversation—a move that led to Trump’s impeachment by the US House of Representatives. Trump was accused of abusing his office and threatening to withhold $400 million in approved military aid to Ukraine for personal political gain.

In December 2019, Zelensky met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in Paris. The two leaders agreed on a prisoner exchange and pledged to work toward a lasting ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists had already claimed over 14,000 lives and devastated the country’s industrial heartland. However, no significant breakthroughs were achieved.

By 2021, tensions had escalated as Zelensky voiced concerns over the increasing Russian military presence near Ukraine’s borders. Moscow, in turn, warned Kyiv against using force to reclaim rebel-held territory, cautioning that such actions might prompt Russia to intervene in defense of civilians.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response, Zelensky declared martial law and urged Ukrainians to remain calm.

Before the attack, he addressed the Russian people in their own language, declaring: “If we come under attack that threatens our freedom and the lives of our people, we will fight back.” He also attempted to contact Putin, but the Kremlin did not respond.

As Russian forces advanced, Zelensky appealed to world leaders for assistance, stating that Russia had launched a war not only against Ukraine but against the entire democratic world. He criticized Washington for not taking stronger action to protect Ukraine, including military intervention or accelerating the country’s NATO membership.

Fighting soon reached the capital, Kyiv. Anticipating a Russian assault, Zelensky declared, “This is the night they will storm.”

When the United States offered to evacuate him to safety, he reportedly refused, saying, “I need ammunition, not a ride,” despite acknowledging that he was a primary target for Russian forces. Instead, he remained in Kyiv, while his wife, Olena Zelenska, and their two children relocated to undisclosed locations for security reasons.

Following the invasion, Zelensky became a globally recognized figure, and his approval ratings skyrocketed. He was later named Time magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year. However, as the war dragged on, his popularity declined, though he continued to urge Western nations for military and financial aid.

Throughout the conflict, he maintained bipartisan support from both Conservative and Labour governments in the UK.

In February 2023, Zelensky made a surprise visit to Britain, where he met King Charles III in a historic audience at Buckingham Palace. The monarch expressed his concern, telling Zelensky, “We’ve all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long.”

Mr. Zelensky used his address to Parliament to express gratitude to the UK for its unwavering support.

He concluded his speech with the words, “God bless Great Britain and long live the King.”

However, his most recent visit to the UK comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented public confrontation with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday.

During a heated exchange—broadcast worldwide—Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.” Both Trump and Vance also criticized the Ukrainian leader, claiming he had not shown enough gratitude for U.S. military aid.

Reports indicate that the meeting ended with Zelensky being ejected from the White House, while discussions on a proposed deal to trade Ukrainian mineral rights for American arms were put on hold.

Zelensky and Trump have had a turbulent relationship, with the former U.S. president previously labeling him a “dictator.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, pointing out that his five-year presidential term was due to expire on May 20, 2024.

Despite this, Zelensky has made it clear that he will not hold new presidential elections while Ukraine remains at war.