President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out about his decision to fight for his country in a new interview with 60 Minutes.
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine as part of President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation". In the weeks that have followed, Ukraine has been devastated by attacks from Russian forces by land, sea, and air.
However, following reports stating that Ukraine's President Zelensky refused offers to be evacuated from his country, it quickly became apparent that the 44-year-old European leader was not going to abandon his people.
Speaking about his decision to remain in Ukraine despite heavy attacks, Zelensky told Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes: "I don't want to make myself out to be a hero. I love my family. I want to live many more years, but choosing between running or being with my people, of course I'm ready to give my life for my country."
Watch Zelensky open up about his decision to stay in Ukraine below:However, Zelensky is also a family man, and has been married to his wife, Olena, for 19 years. The couple has two children - aged 17 and nine.
Speaking about his life-threatening decision to remain in Ukraine, Pelley asked Zelensky: "What did you tell your wife and children about your decision?"
In response Zelensky said [translated]: "I told them this is my choice. And I can't do it any other way.
"I'm the president of my country. I'm the president of our people. And even if I wasn't president, I would have stayed here. [My family] understood. Not only understood, but fully supported my decision. Fully."
Per CBS News, Russia was expected to claim the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv in just three days, but thanks to Zelensky's refusal to flee, the city is still under his control.
Zelensky gained international acclaim after the war in Ukraine started when he took to social media to show the world that he was staying in Kyiv and fighting alongside his people.
Taking to social media just one day after Russia launched its invasion, a defiant Zelensky took to the streets of the nation's capital to declare that he was not going anywhere.
Surrounded by government officials, he said:
"Good evening to all. The leader of the bloc is here, the head of the President's office is here, Prime Minister [Denys] Schmyal is here, [Adviser to the head of the President's Office Mykhailo] Podoliak is here, the president is here. We are all here. Our military is here, citizens are here.
"We are all here defending our independence, our state and it will remain so.
"Glory to our defenders! Glory to our women defenders! Glory to Ukraine!"
Although Zelensky says he feels like Ukraine has won the battle for Kyiv, he said that it is not "the final victory".
"I will only be able to tell after we win this war," he told Peley. "When we liberate our country, then I will be able to tell. Because Bucha is part of greater Kyiv. Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel if the people of those [towns] were wiped out, then did we win this battle? I'm not sure.
"We've withstood, and we did not give up what is ours. But whether we won, I can't say."
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.
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