What Happened to Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a former comedian and actor, has served as the President of Ukraine since May 2019, a role that has been largely defined by the full-scale Russian invasion that commenced in February 2022. As of May 2026, he continues to lead Ukraine, navigating complex military, diplomatic, and domestic challenges.

The conflict has remained a central focus of his presidency. In May 2026, Zelenskyy reported that fighting with Russia was ongoing despite a three-day US-brokered ceasefire, accusing Russia of not intending to end the four-year war and preparing new attacks. He also indicated that Ukraine had 'pushed' Russian President Vladimir Putin towards a potential meeting and was preparing a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. This follows a period of intense diplomatic activity and various peace proposals. In December 2025, Zelenskyy unveiled a 20-point peace plan, a revised version of an earlier 28-point draft, which included strong security guarantees for Ukraine, maintaining an 800,000-strong armed force, and a path to EU membership. This plan, backed by the US, also proposed troop withdrawals from Donetsk and a nationwide referendum for approval. Earlier, in October 2024, he had presented the 'Victory Plan for Ukraine,' aimed at forcing Russia to peace. A significant international effort was the Peace Summit hosted in Switzerland in June 2024, attended by 92 countries, which resulted in a Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework.

Domestically, Zelenskyy's leadership has been marked by both strong support and increasing scrutiny. His presidential term, which was originally scheduled to end in May 2024, has been extended due to martial law, a constitutional provision that prohibits elections during wartime. While this extension is legally sound and broadly accepted as a wartime necessity by most Ukrainian politicians, it has drawn criticism from some, including former US President Donald Trump, who suggested Ukraine was 'using war not to hold an election.' Zelenskyy has stated he is ready to hold elections if security can be guaranteed by the US and European allies.

His approval ratings have fluctuated. A February 2026 YouGov poll showed him as the most popular foreign leader in the US with a 42% favorability score. In Ukraine, his approval rating rose to 62% in early March 2026 but slightly declined to 58% by April 2026. This decline is attributed to war fatigue, economic strain, and renewed public scrutiny, shifting focus from symbolic courage to governance and economic management. Anti-corruption efforts remain a critical area, with a controversial law passed in July 2025 that watchdogs claimed would strip the independence of key anti-corruption bodies, though it was repealed days later. In May 2026, Zelenskyy ordered legislation to legalize private military companies, aiming to create transparent security services and business opportunities for veterans.

Zelenskyy's international diplomacy has been extensive, involving numerous foreign visits to secure military, financial, and humanitarian aid. He made over 50 foreign visits in 2025 alone. Recent travels in 2026 include visits to Cyprus, the Netherlands, Italy, and Romania, and phone calls with leaders like the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, to coordinate positions ahead of international meetings. He continues to emphasize the need for strong European cooperation and the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia. Despite these efforts, Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukraine's territory, with incremental advances in 2025, highlighting the ongoing military challenges.