As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to ravage the country, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska has remained a strong pillar of support for her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite the hardships and separation caused by the ongoing military conflict, Olena continues to stand firm, not only for her family but for the people of Ukraine.
Olena and Volodymyr have been together since their university days, marrying in 2003. They have two children, Aleksandra and Kiril. While Volodymyr has been in the public eye as the leader of Ukraine, Olena has often kept a more reserved profile, but she remains beloved by her people for her compassion and commitment to Ukraine’s future.
Before becoming First Lady, Olena was a writer for the popular TV show Servant of the People, in which Volodymyr starred as a high school teacher who unexpectedly became president. Little did they know that the fictional story would soon become a reality, as Volodymyr was elected president in 2019.
When the war began in 2022, Olena and her children stayed in Ukraine, showing incredible strength. She shared on Instagram, “I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you.”
The war has brought unimaginable challenges to their relationship, including the inability to see each other often due to security concerns. “It’s not a normal relationship when children cannot see their father and have to talk to him on the phone,” Olena expressed. “Our relationship is on pause just as it is for all Ukrainians.”
However, despite the strain, Olena shared with the Daily Mail that their relationship remains as strong as ever. “We’re never tired of each other, we never bore each other. And it makes the family stronger, too. It’s not a normal life for any person to live in a country at war. It’s a constant psychological burden and pressure,” she explained. “I hope when this pressure is relieved, with our victory, we will be able to stay sane and we’ll be fine.”
In an emotional statement, Olena emphasized the importance of respect in their relationship, saying, “I am happy that I can respect my husband because it would have been very hard to stay with him, even given huge love, if I hadn’t believed in his honesty.”
Olena has also been vocal about the international community’s response to the war, urging the world not to forget who started it. She called out the notion of a “mutually beneficial dialogue” with the aggressor, stating, “This is a distortion of reality, a blurring of morality. And it is an extremely dangerous situation for everyone.”
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the conflict has been the abduction of children by Russian forces. Olena Zelenska shared that Russia has abducted over 19,000 Ukrainian children, and while 1,227 have been returned, the process has been slow and inconsistent. To address this, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was formed, with 41 countries now involved in the effort to bring these children home.
Olena’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the human toll the war has taken on Ukraine’s families, especially the innocent children caught in the crossfire. As Ukraine continues to fight for its people and territories, Olena’s unwavering support for her country and family shines through.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.
