How Zelensky Tamed Ukraine’s Fractious Politics and Stood Up to Putin

In the tense first days of the war, almost everyone — Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, military analysts and many Western officials — expected the Ukrainian leadership to fracture.

Russian tanks were rolling over the border. Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, was in the grips of fear and panic. Street fighting broke out, and a Russian armored column advanced to within two miles of the office of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr. Zelensky decided to personally remain in the capital, taking selfies as he traversed Kyiv to reassure his people. And he ordered his senior aides, many Cabinet members and much of his government to also stay put, despite the risks.

“In the first days of the war, everybody was in shock, and everybody was thinking what to do — stay in Kyiv or evacuate,” said Serhiy Nikiforov, Mr. Zelensky’s spokesman. “The president’s decision was no one goes anywhere. We stay in Kyiv, and we fight.” Read more

@nytimes