Zelenska: "Need my husband more than a historical figure... There is hope for victory"

"It may be somewhat selfish, but I need a husband by my side who is not a historical figure."

Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, revealed in a BBC interview on the 5th (local time), just before the 560th day since the outbreak of the war, that "I never dreamed my husband would become a historical figure today."

Olena Zelenska, wife of Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.
[Photo by BBC]

Mrs. Zelenska and Volodymyr Zelensky first met in high school, grew their love, and shared their lives on comedy stages and TV studios. The husband worked as an actor, and the wife as a playwright.

He is known to have been hiding in a secret location with their children since the Russian military invasion of Ukraine in February last year. She also revealed that she is still living apart from her husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mrs. Zelenska said, "The family has opportunities to meet, but not as often as we would like. Our son misses his father," adding, "It is painful to watch our young son and daughter not making any plans," and lamented, "My daughter is 19, but unlike her peers, she has no chance to dream of traveling or new experiences."

Nevertheless, she emphasized, "But we must be strong. We are strong emotionally and psychologically. And I am confident that we will get through this together."

Mrs. Zelenska said, "I trust and support my husband, President Zelensky," and added, "He has the strength, will, inspiration, and persistence to get through this war." She continued, "For others, this situation might be much harder. He now possesses the resilience that all of us need."

She went on to explain that at the beginning of the war, she was in a state of constant adrenaline, but as the war prolonged, she realized the need to calm her mind and live in the present circumstances.

Having come out from the hiding place last year, Mrs. Zelenska is recently helping the Ukrainian people cope with the psychological impacts of the war.

To this end, she is preparing to hold a summit on mental health and resilience in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, together with British actor and mental health advocate Stephen Fry.

Commander Zelensky holding a meeting at the front line in Donetsk
Photo by Yonhap News

She said, "I truly hope to inspire someone, to give hope and advice to someone, and to be a living example that we live, work, and move forward."

Mrs. Zelenska stated, "No one can know what will happen ahead. Above all, I never imagined such a thing would happen in the 21st century. Did you ever think such a war would break out in the heart of Europe and become so brutal? A bloody war," and added, "I never imagined I would play this role at this time."

She emphasized, "We have great hope for victory. We don't know when it will come. And such a long wait is full of stress and sacrifices."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.