Zelensky's old reality TV clips show he's got talent, don't predict how he's using it to rally Ukraine, EU

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was best know in the U.S. as the leader former President Donald Trump asked a political "favor" of while withholding military aid to Ukraine — the focus of Trump's first impeachment. In Ukraine, Zelensky was known as a comedic actor and performer who played an accidental president in a hit TV show, Servant of the People.

After being elected with 73 percent of the vote in 2019, Zelensky's popularity steadily declined. Now, according to a poll taken over the weekend by the respected Rating Sociological Group, he has the backing of 91 percent of Ukrainians, with 6 percent not supporting and 3 percent undecided.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.