So what do we know about Zelenskiy

Zelenskiy has turned out to be the frontrunner in Ukraine's Presidential elections. But what does he stand for? To begin, Reuters has compiled a brief on his policies. The information is based on interviews by Reuters reporters with Zelenskiy and his economic adviser, Aivaras Abromavičius, as well as public statements from his campaign. Aivaras Abromavičius is a Lithuanian-born naturalized Ukrainian investment banker and politician. He was Ukraine's Minister of Economy and Trade from 2014 to 2016.

In December 2014, President Petro Poroshenko granted citizenship to three foreign technocrats who were nominated for cabinet positions. The foreign masterminds were expected to contribute expert advice to overcome the severe economic and defense threats facing Ukraine. Lithuanian Aivaras Abromavičius was one of those three. He resigned from office in 2018 citing a government that was unwilling to take the steps necessary to curtail corruption. You can read about his position here. 

So how much of this do you believe? Personally, I believe Zelenskiy would say anything to get elected, just as one would on a reality TV show. What happens after that, no one knows for certain, but we do know he does not speak Ukrainian and his show was funded by an ousted oligarch. What path will he follow? Well, he's gone to Paris to visit Macron in a move that won't help Poroshenko.

God help Ukraine!

Forever remembered...Вічная память!

Oksana Korzeniowski - Вічная память!  4/11/1945 - 3/29/2002

Remembering my sister Oksana Korzeniowski Rudakewych, beautiful both inside and out. The most caring person I've ever known. She would have been 74 years young today. Miss you sis!  Her obituary tells of how much she was respected by her peers and loved by all. 

She would have been so proud of her family, Alexis, Andrew and her fascinating grandchildren, Alexander (Ziggy) and Miles (Misho). Beautiful family, and the third generation to carry on the tradition of being Ukrainian in America, learning to speak the language, attending Ukrainian Catholic Church, and, of course, eating Ukrainian food. I spent a month with my niece and her family in the States earlier this year. We walked down memory lane paying tributes to my sister, Alya's mother, and recreating the dishes we remembered from our childhoods. I cooked some of my mom's favourites and Alexis cooked some of her mom's and her grandma's favourites. Long may the tradition last. 

Zelenskiy takes the first round

With a majority of the votes counted, Zelenskiy has taken more than 30% of the vote on the first round. Poroshenko is following in second place with about 18%. Tymoshenko is out with 13%.

So it's as I expected, since no one took more than 50% of the vote, Zelenskiy and Poroshenko will face off in a runoff on April 21. Slava Ukraini!

The New York Times has an analysis here.

People have been saying "Only in Ukraine." But that's not true. Remember, the US had Ronald Reagan, a B-class movie actor. And California had the Governator. Now the US has a reality TV show star as President. Name recognition counts. And Zelenskiy has been role playing for some time now. That might make him the most qualified on the issues that count to the people. Let's watch what happens.