I think his heart is in the right place. I've talked to him about these things. He's very sensitive to the judgment of history. He knows that. Ukraine has been fighting since long before he became president to be an independent sovereign democracy with freedom of speech. Simon Shuster Proudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.edu Access Episodes Ad-Free on Patreon Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com. Read Justin Kempf's essay "The Revolution Will Be Podcasted." Simon Shuster is a staff writer for Time magazine who covers politics in Ukraine and Russia. His new book is called The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky. Key Highlights Introduction - 0:20The Early Zelensky - 3:30Wartime President - 19:16Politics in Wartime Ukraine - 33:59Democracy in Ukraine - 36:18 Key Links The Showman: Inside the Invasion that Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky by Simon Shuster "Where Zelensky Comes From" by Simon Shuster in Time Follow Simon Shuster on X @shustry Democracy Paradox Podcast Serhii Plokhy on the Russo-Ukrainian War Olga Onuch and Henry Hale Describe the Zelensky Effect More Episodes from the Podcast More Information Apes of the State created all Music Email the show at [email protected] Follow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast 100 Books on Democracy Support the show