There has been a lot of discussion about why the

[Phoenix61]

entire world has rallied to Ukraine’s defense but failed to do so when other nations suffered similar fates. I’m convinced it boils down to one thing. Zelenskyy gave the conflict a face. He made it personal. He called out to our better selves and we answered.

[WarGamer]

1. Don't anyone take this the wrong way...

But the Ukrainian PR has been SUPERB.

The social media work, outstanding.

They understood from day #1... 200k UKA defenders of the nation so they attracted a BILLION supporters worldwide.

[Phoenix61]

8. Exactly. I've read so many times that Zelensky

was a comedian turned politician. The truth is he was in college pursuing a law degree when he became involved in theatre. He went on to start the production company that produced the TV show where he had the starring role as the leader of Ukraine. He knows how to communicate effectively and it shows. Very happy he’s a good guy.

[WarGamer]

13. A brilliant man. And brave!!!!!!!

[BigmanPigman]

26. I didn't know that but it makes sense.

Having that background and mindset has definitely helped him at this point. He was interested in law and Putin is interested in murder and crime.

[Irish_Dem]

14. UKA PR has been superb from day one. They may not have the biggest army, but they are the smartest

and the most brave.

Zelensky also trashed talked Putin from day one which impressed the world. Zelensky was not going to be intimidated by Putin, he was not going to cower in a corner.

[WarGamer]

17. +1000 nt

[SheltieLover]

2. Absolutely!

[Walleye]

3. I think also because the intelligence was declassified immediately, Putin couldn't pull dirty tricks

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Yup, the world didn't cower in fear.

Biden exposed their M.O. early on. Unlike 1939, information moves in real time.

[WarGamer]

15. another very smart move.

[Srkdqltr]

4. They are white and a lot speak English. Also there are a lot of people around the world who have

Ancestors from the region. And Putin is being a shit.

[Phoenix61]

9. I don't think it's just about race. What other

leader has made it personal so effectively? He’s chosen his words so carefully.

[uponit7771]

12. True race is a factor but its not top IMHO. UKR is a virgin democracy without a messy history of

... who done what to who were and Putrids actions are NAKED premeditated aggression against a much smaller democracy using the same excuses Hitler used in WWII.

Not only that he's bombing citizens as a punk ass move seeing he can't defeat UA regulars.

This is the cleanest black and white evil/good fight the world has seen in generations other than Iraq which ... well, they weren't white and Saddam was a dictator.

[Srkdqltr]

21. No not race particularly. We understand them.

2 weeks ago they were living lives like ours. Modern folks. Shocked like people In, say, California where there homes are gone from wild fires or Mississippi after a tornado. Worse for them but you can understand how they are. Makes it more personal. Not for a minute to minimize this sort of attack happening in other countries.

[PortTack]

5. Definitely "the best angels of our nature." A. Lincoln

[Aussie105]

6. Ukraine has always been a buffer zone

between Russia and NATO countries.

Not something the rest of the world wants to lose. Don't want a hard border with opposing sides glaring at each other.

But yes, one man's leadership and bravery in the face of Russian aggression makes all the difference.

[halfulglas]

25. The thing is, Putin used to think it was HIS buffer zone.

And he wants it back as a "neutral" country (in his mind meaning taking orders from him). All those former USSR satellite countries were buffer zone for Russia. When USSR broke up and one country after another - Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, etc. - became democracies and joined NATO Putin started feeling hemmed in. Now Ukraine also wants to be in NATO, and has an effective leader in his own right.

[Irish_Dem]

10. I agree, his strategy was pure genius. A remarkable man.

He made it personal, he brought us emotionally into his country, we met the people of Ukraine. We were enchanted by him and his people.

A fabulous national Ukrainian character: smart, brave, determined, loyal to country and democracy, good will and good humor when facing dire circumstances.

Zelensky singlehandedly bought the world to his side on an emotional level.

[Phoenix61]

11. This! Because ultimately everything is personal. nt

[Irish_Dem]

19. At least half of everything is psychology.

Zelensky gave a master class in the psychology of winning a war.

I wish the US would stand up to the PutinGOP like this.

[Phoenix61]

22. +1,000 nt

[TheProle]

24. He hasn't won yet

He’s got the attention of the world, but that attention span has proved itself short and fickle time after time.

If it’s not brought to swift resolution and gets bogged down in messy occupation, it will be interesting to see if the flag avatars and Putin memes and vanity videos and the wannabe foreign fighters persist.

My worry is that the world will egg on the brave Ukrainian people and then move on to the next cause/crisis du jour, abandoning them to a very ugly fate.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Yes of course, I agree totally. Zelensky only won the first round. But he did win that.

And yes the situation is quite dire, and I have not been at all optimistic about the outcome.

But given the Russian incompetence, the Ukrainian steely resolve, and world support, I have allowed myself some glimmers of hope.

Oh yes, I said the same thing here. How long will world support for Ukraine last?

I think the ordinary person's support for Ukraine is deep and heartfelt. Ukraine has captured many of us on an emotional level. I think it will last for some time. But yes at some point people tend to move on.

The biggest issue is the world political and financial leaders, the CEO's, may see the sanctions hurting them too much. Too many financial losses. I think the CEO's only did it because they received one heck of an arm twisting from Biden, god love him. But he can probably only twist the greedy CEO arms for so long. Money is the only thing that means anything to them. They were only doing Joe a favor.

That said if the wealthy corporations see a way to make money on the sanctions they might stay with the program long haul.

[NQAS]

16. Sure. Zelenskyy.

And the stories about the spirit of the Ukrainians.

There’s also the location.

And white people. Very sympathetic who’re people.

[Baitball Blogger]

18. Zelensky didn't hurt, but it comes down to location, location, location.

Anyone who has played Risk can figure out Putin's strategic move.

[localroger]

20. Also Russia pulled it before when they stole Crimea, so Ukraine was ready

They didn't waste the time between then and now sitting on their laurels. They had everything possible in place when the full invasion came, both militarily and online. The whole population seems to have been aware and psychologically ready for it. By contrast the Russians sent conscripts who didn't know what their real mission was, poorly trained and equipped, poorly supported, and into the mud. It is a literal real life David and Goliath story, and Goliath is teetering on his heels.

[Baked Potato]

23. He didn't leave. That was key. Nt

[Irish_Dem]

28. Yes that too. If he had gone into exile, it would have been a different story.

But he didn't just stay and sit on his hands. He rallied his people and the world.