"We fought against the fascists. We were the ones liberating them."

President Zelenskyy on his family in World War II: his grandfather was "from a family where there were several brothers and all of them were killed by the Nazis." He adds: "Many relatives were killed by the ying he was liberating Ukraine from fascists, he says: "I mean, it's absurd." He explains: "Ukraine understands deep in its roots what it means to be under the fascists."

@ZelenskyyUa

What do you say to your family when you don’t know if you’ll ever see them again?

In February 2022, he told his wife and children the war had begun. Then he left as Russian forces advanced towards Kyiv, unsure what the coming hours would bring.

This is President Volodymyr tics, he built a successful career in Ukrainian television as a writer, producer and performer, even portraying a president on screen. In 2019, he was elected President of Ukraine. Three years later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Sitting down with him was surreal and an enormous responsibility. It was a rare chance to hear his account of the first hours of the war and the decisions that followed.

We discussed things like:

How he found out Russia had invaded.
Why he refused an offer to evacuate Kyiv.
The 64km Russian military convoy advancing towards the capital.
How Russian forces tried to capture a key airport.
His account of discovering hundreds of bodies after Russian occupation.
What he believes it will take to end the war.

But I also wanted to understand how he’d been coping.

One of my first questions was simply, “How are you doing?” His answer was: “It’s hard.”

He spoke about meeting parents whose children had been killed. Some, he explained, simply ask him for a hug.

And as he spoke, there were tears in his eyes.

Whatever your views on the war or the decisions made by those involved, this is a rare opportunity to hear his account of events that have changed millions of lives.

Because behind every map, every headline and every political decision, there are real people.

Out now on all platforms ❤️👊🏾

(President Zelenskyy was recorded in Ukrainian and dubbed in English.)

Our daughter’s classroom after a Russian ballistic missile struck nearby last night.

This is Coca-Cola in Ukraine today.

Russian drones struck its factory near Kyiv. PepsiCo, Mondelez and other US companies have also been hit.

A Coke shortage is the least of our worries. Attacks on food and energy threaten a humanitarian catastrophe this winter.

Making a sports car fly and land is damn impressive, @elonmusk.
Stopping thousands of Russian missiles before they reach Ukraine? Now THAT would be historic.

‘Montenegro Monday’ will be followed by another ‘Super Tuesday’ for Albania, Moldova and Ukraine 🇮🇪🇪🇺🤝🇲🇪🇦🇱🇲🇩🇺🇦

I can confirm that all EU member states have agreed to:

📌 Open clusters 2 and 3 for 🇺🇦 &🇲🇩
📌 Close 3 chapters for 🇲🇪 (17, 18, 19)
📌 Close chapter 20 for 🇦🇱

Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. As of now, sadly, twelve people have been confirmed killed, including three children. My condolences to all their families and rteen people have been injured, and two of them are in critical condition – the doctors are fighting to save their lives. The status of twelve more people who may have been there is still being verified. All emergency services are at the scene, and search-and-rescue operations are underway. Overnight, thirteen of our regions came under attack. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and railway facilities have been damaged.

Last night confirmed once again that in Russia, they take any easing of pressure to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they can keep dropping bombs on cities. Different signals are needed. Russia must understand that it needs to stop the war, and for that to happen, Russia must feel its losses. Right now, it is our long-range capabilities that are ensuring this. And we will respond to Russian strikes. I thank everyone who is helping.

The American people are not as cynical and transactional as Trump thinks they are.

At a time when our shared values are being tested, I want to thank my American friends and colleagues who continue to stand with Ukraine.
You remind us that freedom and democracy are not for sale, and that true friendship is measured by actions, not words.
Thank you!

With Trump’s latest betrayal of Ukraine, MAGA Republicans who continue to defend Trump when he licks Putin’s balls can all go fuck themselves.

Trump is a feckless, pathetic traitor — and he has the blood of innocent Ukrainian children on his hands.

Trump not only cut off US military assistance to Ukraine, but he is now providing Putin with new money to build more Russian rockets and drones to kill Ukrainians. Absolutely deplorable.

Trump says US to get diesel from Russia, relaxing pressure on Moscow to ease prices before midterms apnews.com/article/trump-…

Only Ukrainians truly understand what “Winter is coming” means in the real world.

New: Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses at Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish wedding, including renting out a private island and paying for the fireworks show. propub.li/4xTBcxt

Happy Independence Day of Ukraine! 🇺🇦
Today, I’m thinking of everyone who stands with Ukraine, wherever you are.
Our independence matters far beyond our borders. Thank you for understanding this, for staying with us, and for helping us protect it.
This day belongs to all of us.

Did you know you can get Chicken Kyiv at @kfc?

In 2010, I went to Pochaina to buy Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
In 2024, my own Management in Times of War @management_war was sold there.
Now a Russian missile has destroyed the market.

Visit Ukraine.
Even during the war, Ukraine remains a country worth discovering.

When you come to Kyiv, visit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Preserve. More than a thousand years of history, culture and spirituality in the heart of the capital.

A true place of strength.

Russia’s attack destroyed the logistics center of Ranok Publishing. Around 8 million books burned, causing an estimated $24 million in damage.

Industry estimates suggest that more than 10% of Ukraine’s annual book production has been destroyed in just the past few weeks.

Russian ballistic missiles killed nine people and injured 28 more in the attack on Kyiv overnight, according to Ukrainian authorities.