Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, has shared deeply personal insights in an interview with the BBC, shedding light on the profound emotional toll that the war has inflicted on her family.
“This may be a bit selfish, but I need my husband, not a historical figure, by my side,” she said.
She also mentioned the family’s longing to spend quality time together.
“But we stay strong, we have strength both emotionally and physically. And I am sure we will handle it together,” she added.
In February 2022, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, along with her children, endured months of seclusion in undisclosed safe havens.
She recounted her initial emotional state during the invasion as being marked by “a continuous rush of adrenaline.” However, as time elapsed, she recognized the importance of finding ways to soothe herself and adapt to “the prevailing circumstances.”
Emerging from her period of concealment in the previous year, the conflict thrust the former scriptwriter into the international limelight. Since then, she has embarked on global travels, engaging with world leaders and delivering impactful speeches.
“We don’t live together with my husband, the family is separated.” Olena Zelenska told the BBC, “We have the opportunity to see each other but not as often as we would like. My son misses his father.”
However the uncertainty of living in war has come at an emotional cost for her children, she said.
“It pains me to watch that my kids don’t plan anything. At such an age, young people. My daughter is 19. They dream of travelling, of new sensations, emotions. She does not have such an opportunity.
“There are limitations in time in what you can allow yourself, they exist, and we somehow try to live within them.”
The first lady and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were childhood sweethearts who eventually collaborated in a comedy ensemble and a television studio. He pursued an acting career, while she contributed as a scriptwriter.
Today, she looks back on their journey and acknowledges that she never envisioned her husband evolving into the “historic figure” he has become. She expresses her longing for his presence and the need for him to be by her side as her husband.
Despite what she said may be a “selfish” longing, Olena Zelenska said the president, “really does have the energy, the will power, inspiration, and stubbornness to go through this war.”
“I believe in him. And I support him. I know that he has enough strength. For any other person I know, I think, it would be much harder this situation. He really is a very strong and resilient person. And this resilience is what we all need right now.”
In her current role as the first lady, her primary focus has been on assisting Ukrainians in coping with the psychological repercussions of the ongoing war.
She is actively preparing to co-host a summit in Kyiv that will center on mental health and resilience. Renowned British actor and writer Stephen Fry, a prominent advocate for mental health causes, will join her as the co-host of this important event.
“I really hope that I can inspire someone, can give someone hope or advice, or prove with my own example that we live, we work, we move forward,” Olena Zelenska said.
“No one can know what awaits for them. After all, no one could have imagined that in the 21st Century, that such a war would be unleashed in the middle of Europe, that it would be so cruel. A bloody war. So, I have never imagined that I would be in this role at this time.”
Ukrainians cannot be sure about tomorrow or have confidence in the future, she explained – but they have hope.
“We have huge hope for victory, but we don’t know when it comes. And this long wait, constant stress, it has its toll.”