One year on, the Ukrainian resistance has been of historic proportions

Editorial: Volodymyr Zelensky was supposed to run away and end up in America or some other bolthole for cowards. Instead, he has become a beloved and charismatic war leader, respected around the world

(Dave Brown)

It takes an effort of memory to recall just how bleak the future of an independent and free Ukraine looked one year ago when Vladimir Putin’s tanks rolled in. Then, it looked as though the war would last days and be won by the Russians. Now it looks as if it will take years and the Russians cannot win.

Much of that transformation in fortunes is down to the resolution and resilience of the people of Ukraine. In the first major international European war since 1945, faced with invasion by a nuclear power far larger in number and armaments, the Ukrainian resistance has been of historic proportions, indeed echoing the battles against the real Nazi invaders in 1941. This time last year, the assumption in the Kremlin was that the Ukrainians would welcome the Russian soldiers as liberators, and drive the “neo-Nazi” government out of office and into exile.

Volodymyr Zelensky was supposed to run away and end up in America or some other bolthole for cowards. Instead, President Zelensky has become a beloved charismatic war leader, respected around the world, and the very antithesis of the fascism symbolised by President Putin. Far from trying to oust Mr Zelensky, his population has rallied to him and been inspired by him.