Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been named TIME Magazine's 'Person of the Year' for 2022.
Unveiling the front cover of its upcoming edition on social media, TIME hailed Zelensky as the prestigious 'Person of the Year', along with "the spirit of Ukraine".
Back in February, Zelensky's name became known all over the world following Russia's invasion of his country, as President Vladimir Putin carried out his "special military operation".
Zelensky and the people of Ukraine's efforts to fight off the much larger Russian army inspired millions around the globe.
In the magazine's accompanying story, journalist Simon Shuster - who has personally spent a lot of time with Zelensky this year - writes:
"Zelensky’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious. It spread through Ukraine’s political leadership in the first days of the invasion, as everyone realized the President had stuck around. If that seems like a natural thing for a leader to do in a crisis, consider historical precedent."
Also stated in the story is how the President has lived away from his wife and children for the majority of this year, due to his presence creating a security concern for his family.
Zelensky also believes that "it would be wrong to resume their domestic habits while so many Ukrainian families remain separated by the war."
Reports at the time of the invasion stated that Zelensky refused to evacuate his country despite receiving offers to do so, and the 44-year-old remained within Ukraine.
He 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."
Many refugees have had to flee their homes in Ukraine since the invasion began in February. The United Nations estimated that nearly 12 million people would need "relief and protection" within the country, and millions more would require protection as they seek refuge in neighboring countries.
The President was an actor and comedian before moving to politics, where he won a landslide 73% of the vote in the second round over Petro Poroshenko, per Sky News.
The Times Person Of The Year award is given to those "who affected the news or our lives the most, for better, or worse". Previous recipients include Barack Obama, Greta Thunberg, and Elon Musk who received it last year.
Zelensky concluded his interview with Simon Shuster by stating: "I have not finished this great, important action for our country. Not yet."
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