Bhubaneswar: ‘The children won’t go without me. I won’t leave the King. And the King will never leave,’ was the historical statement of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother during the outbreak of World War II in 1939 when she was asked to evacuate to North America or Canada with her daughters.
Eight decades later, Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, is the embodiment of such determination and courage. Though Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the First Lady have been offered asylum by the US, they stand firmly with the Ukrainians who are fighting the Russian invasion.
Ignoring the imminent threat to his life, President Volodymyr has chosen to stay put in his homeland. His wife Olena has also decided to stay and speak in support of her husband. The First Lady has been continuously communicating with the people of her country on social media.
In an Instagram post on February 25, she wrote, “My dear people! Ukrainians! I’m looking at you all today. Everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the Internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible! I am proud to live with you in the same country!”
“And today 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.”
Olena Zelenska is also a screenwriter and an architect. She is one of the founders of ‘Studio Kvartal 95’, one of the largest producers of show projects, entertaining programs, films, and serials in Ukraine.
She is well-known for her active role in social work and Ukraine’s overall transformation. She initiated the Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in August 2021. For the last few days, she has been actively raising funds for the citizens of Ukraine who are facing the brunt of the Russian military operations.
