Russian-Ukrainian crisis: Zelensky’s images on the ground contrast sharply with Putin’s confinement

Images from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine, when he helps his compatriots and women fight for their survival against the Russian invasion, they show a stark contrast to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has largely remained out of sight.

Zelensky, 44, was ahead of expectations that he would leave the country as soon as it was attacked, and images and videos of him still in Kyiv, joining forces and winning international acclaim for his courage in the face of the threat, appeared on the Internet. crosses the border.

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“The battle is here; I need ammunition, not a trip, ”the former comedian said in a Saturday video posted on Twitter after he turned down an American offer to evacuate the Ukrainian capital.

Zelensky said on Saturday that fighting is taking place in many parts of Ukraine, but citizens are defending their “county, land” and “future” for their children.

“Zelensky’s image is positive for both Ukraine and the rest of the world,” said Rebecca Koffler, a former U.S. intelligence officer. “Ukrainians see in him a wartime leader who is not afraid, he is fearless, he stays with his people and is ready to fight even at the risk of his own life.”

Meanwhile, his Twitter feed is filled with all the updates of his various calls with world leaders as he seeks to unite the support of his surrounded nation.

“Zelensky is doing what the president should be doing, he’s interacting with the world, he’s getting support from NATO members and non-NATO members,” Dan Hoffman, a former CIA station chief in Moscow, told Fox News Digital.

“He understands how to present himself, and he understands how to make a clear, really important strategic statement for the world,” he said.

This is in stark contrast to Putin, who has largely remained out of sight. In recent days, the Kremlin has published several pictures of the 69-year-old president, including his visit to the construction site of the National Space Center, but these photos are very different from the more kinetic pictures of his Ukrainian rival.

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Hoffman said that it was “humiliating” for Putin that Zelensky was “beating himself on the leadership front.”

“It simply came to our notice then. If you’re looking for a silver lining in the dark clouds of war, enjoy Zelensky – the most incredible guy in the most incredible circumstances – he’s not Winston Churchill, he hasn’t grown up. doing so, but in the most difficult times in the history of his country here he is taking a step forward, ”he said.

Kofler said Putin was not necessarily in hiding, but was probably still unhappy with the situation on the ground. She said that the contrast with Zelensky could provoke Putin’s own reaction – although it is unlikely that the competition will be the same.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 14, 2022.
(Photo by Alexei NIKOLSKY / Sputnik / AFP via Getty Images)

“He hates Zelensky, and it seems to him that he is below to compete with him,” she said. “He could arrange another exercise, for example, he just published a change in the status of the nuclear force so he could take a photo in which he sanctioned something like this for propaganda purposes. But he’s going to make a more threatening tone in that look.”

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But Koffler believes that Zelensky, who remains close by and is becoming an international platform, has damaged Putin’s plans. She also noted Putin’s love of judo and the fact that, according to him, it helps him see the weaknesses of rivals – but in this case, perhaps, his posture was broken.

“The fact that Zelensky’s position outwitted him could throw Putin off balance,” she said.

Audrey Conklin of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.