Internet discovers that president Volodymyr Zelensky is the voice of Ukraine's Paddington Bear

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By stefan armitage

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As the world becomes gripped by the devastating developments in Ukraine, all eyes are on the nation's captivating president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The 44-year-old has received praise across social media for his handling of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as he has shared videos of himself on the streets of Kyiv and vowed to continue defending Ukraine.

Additionally, on Monday, the president received a standing ovation from EU members after delivering an impassioned plea to allow Ukraine to join the European Union.

Speaking via a video link, he said: "It's a tragedy for Ukraine and very high price. We are giving away our best people, the strongest ones. We fight for survival. But also to be equal with you. Do prove that you are with us. Prove that you indeed are Europeans."

As the world sees more and more of Zelensky's efforts in the media, it is only natural that people have been doing some research into the Ukrainian president.

And what is perhaps most surprising is that he comes from quite a prolific career in the entertainment industry.

Zelensky first announced his intentions for the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election on the evening of 31 December 2018, and went on to secure the election with 73.2% of the vote in the second round, BBC News reports.

But just a couple of years prior to this, Zelensky was providing his vocal acting talents as the Ukrainian voice of beloved children's character Paddington Bear, per Sky News.

Yes, if you were to watch the Ukrainian-dubbed version of either 2014's Paddington or 2017's Paddington 2, you'd be hearing the current president of the nation.

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Credit: AF archive / Alamy

And that's not the only moment of Zelensky's entertainment career to have been circulated on social media.

Westerners are only just learning that the current president also won his country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2006.

Known as Tantsi z zirkamy in Ukraine, Zelensky was partnered with professional dancer Olena Shoptenko, as they performed waltzes, paso dobles, and quicksteps to be crowned the champions of the series.

If you would like to know how you can support the Ukrainian people at this time, click HERE to find a list of organizations and groups dedicated to helping those affected by this crisis.

Featured image credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy

Internet discovers that president Volodymyr Zelensky is the voice of Ukraine's Paddington Bear

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

As the world becomes gripped by the devastating developments in Ukraine, all eyes are on the nation's captivating president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The 44-year-old has received praise across social media for his handling of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as he has shared videos of himself on the streets of Kyiv and vowed to continue defending Ukraine.

Additionally, on Monday, the president received a standing ovation from EU members after delivering an impassioned plea to allow Ukraine to join the European Union.

Speaking via a video link, he said: "It's a tragedy for Ukraine and very high price. We are giving away our best people, the strongest ones. We fight for survival. But also to be equal with you. Do prove that you are with us. Prove that you indeed are Europeans."

As the world sees more and more of Zelensky's efforts in the media, it is only natural that people have been doing some research into the Ukrainian president.

And what is perhaps most surprising is that he comes from quite a prolific career in the entertainment industry.

Zelensky first announced his intentions for the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election on the evening of 31 December 2018, and went on to secure the election with 73.2% of the vote in the second round, BBC News reports.

But just a couple of years prior to this, Zelensky was providing his vocal acting talents as the Ukrainian voice of beloved children's character Paddington Bear, per Sky News.

Yes, if you were to watch the Ukrainian-dubbed version of either 2014's Paddington or 2017's Paddington 2, you'd be hearing the current president of the nation.

size-large wp-image-1263146528
Credit: AF archive / Alamy

And that's not the only moment of Zelensky's entertainment career to have been circulated on social media.

Westerners are only just learning that the current president also won his country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2006.

Known as Tantsi z zirkamy in Ukraine, Zelensky was partnered with professional dancer Olena Shoptenko, as they performed waltzes, paso dobles, and quicksteps to be crowned the champions of the series.

If you would like to know how you can support the Ukrainian people at this time, click HERE to find a list of organizations and groups dedicated to helping those affected by this crisis.

Featured image credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy