Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the people of Ukraine as the “people of the year” in an anniversary interview marking his three years as President.
Asked about coming first in a Time magazine reader poll of most influential people of 2022, Zelensky replied: “I refer it to the Ukrainian people – they are people of the year. This is due to our united stand now.”
“Constant respect for people,” he said. “This war, our unification, is a proof that we have such people. I’m proud of that.”
In the wide-ranging interview, he also talked about the defenders of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, who surrendered this week after holding out for months against the Russian invasion.
“We will bring them home,” he said of the Ukrainian fighters who are now held by Russia.
He described victory as Ukrainian forces reaching the lines of control from before the invasion without unnecessary losses.
“We broke the backbone of one of the strongest armies in the world. They won’t get back on their feet in the next few years,” Zelensky said.
He insisted he was confident of victory, saying there were no alternatives.
And asked if he felt like a politician, the former TV comedian replied: “I feel like a President. That’s for sure.”
