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Original poster

Another Ukraine one: Is there anyway Zelensky can survive this war?

33 replies

ElIie · 28/02/2022 15:04

I understand lots of people will say it is in bad taste to be speculating about someone’s hypothetical death (and tbh I agree) so I am fully aware this may get deleted.

I, like a lot of people around the world, have greatly come to admire President Zelensky. It truly seems like he was born for this moment.

However, he seems to have resigned himself to the fact that he will die in this conflict. I can’t imagine how demoralising that will be for the Ukrainian people. However, given he is refusing to leave Kyiv I cannot see a way for him to survive.

It has been playing on my mind a lot. I desperately want to believe there is a way he can survive. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 28/02/2022 15:13

tbh I agree

"But I'm going to do it anyway" 🙄

SalsaLove · 28/02/2022 15:20

If it happens he will become a powerful martyr.

Original poster
ElIie · 28/02/2022 15:25

@SoupDragon Yup, I am a hypocrite.

I don’t know why but it’s been playing on my mind for the last few days. Literally the first thing I check in the morning and regularly throughout the day.

No one I know is particularly interested, my friends are pretty ill informed/not bothered. Thought some MNers might have some thoughts.

OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 28/02/2022 15:30

If they kill him in cold blood it’s a war crime. However I suspect they’ll try and claim he was attacking them and that it was defence. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Lubeyboobyalt · 28/02/2022 15:34

I am optimistic. Ukraine are doing amazingly well and know what they are fighting for. The Russians they have captured are confused young men between 18 and 20 and have no motivation and no idea why they are there, the ones that do know say they were only told once they had arrived what was really happening.

Putins pathetic and dismal failure and decimating his economy means he has to find a way out of this and Ukraine surrendering isn't going to be it.

I hope all this put together bodes well for Zelenskys life. I really, really hope.

Hadtochangebutnoideas · 28/02/2022 15:37

I agree op, it’s a horrible, horrible thought, but one that has crossed my mind the last few days.

He himself has said he expects to be killed. The only other possibilities are a total climb down from Russia or for him to leave and run a government in exile, as the US has already offered, neither of which seem that likely.

I really really hope that something changes and he prevails. Maybe these peace talks will achieve something, who knows?

Bonheurdupasse · 28/02/2022 15:40

A cynical view from closer by...if you've followed what has been going on in Belarus, I'd say being shot and killed is the least of his worries.
More likely captured and tortured till he makes a contrite statement on TV.

Original poster
ElIie · 28/02/2022 15:46

@Hadtochangebutnoideas @Lubeyboobyalt Glad I am not alone in feeling this way!

I am naturally a quite pessimistic person and all the information I’ve read suggests, if nothing else, regime change is Putins number one goal.

@Bonheurdupasse The Times are reporting today that the talks are all smoke and mirrors to try and bide time to take him and his senior officials out. Apparently there are 400 mercenaries in Kyiv for this sole purpose, after which the attack will really begin at the end of this week.

OP posts:
BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 28/02/2022 15:49

He'll take them as far as he can then another leader will carry on the fight if the worst happens. I don't get the impression that Ukraine are short of brave people. Of course it would be a massive loss, but I believe his spirit will continue in those who'll take over leadership.

jytdtysrht · 28/02/2022 15:55

Zelensky is admired the world over. He is an icon, regardless of whether he survives, which I really hope he does.

All anyone wants is for someone to cut Putin's throat and get away from WW3. He has made Russia into a complete and utter pariah.

Putin de-nazifying? He himself is the bloody nazi. Moronic asshole.

thepiratequeen · 28/02/2022 15:55

He is incredibly brave. If he dies fighting that would make him a hero and a martyr, not what Putin wants. So very likely the scenario as described by @Bonheurdupasse.
Similar to what happened to Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega.
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57239521

Seemslikeagoodidea · 28/02/2022 15:57

I really hope he will survive, he comes across as dedicated, passionate and brave. I love the way he speaks, and the fact that when he was offered refuge in the States he replied saying that he needs weapons, "not a lift". He is awesome.

@Bonheurdupasse I really hope you're wrong. The media are all over the situation in Belarus so hopefully there won't be chance to take him prisoner.

It's amazing that an ex actor/comedian who played the President in a film is now the actual President of Ukraine. It's impressive that someone with zero political or military experience is making such a fine job of leading his people through this invasion - he has inspired them. I don't see anyone in our government who would be able to do the same for us. Long live Zelenskyy! HaloSmile

Muminabun · 28/02/2022 15:59

Ukraine is 44m strong and a huge country. Most of the citizens have undertaken national service and most are now gun owners as we know. Whatever gains Russia makes this week or next then at best for Russia this will be a very long brutal occupation with many Russian soldiers dead and ongoing losses and costs to Russia. Surely Russia will always face guerilla warfare in the Ukraine. I cannot see Ukraine being subdued even if cities are under russian control. Will the Russian people think this is worth it and will they feel safer? I don’t think so.

theveryhungrycatapillar · 28/02/2022 16:00

I've also pondered this OP. Zelensky has reminded you that there are brave and noble leaders in this world willing to die for what they believe in but I really do hope he survives. His poor wife and children must be beside themselves Sad

TheWhalrus · 28/02/2022 16:00

He seems to have risen to this particular occasion admirably.....don't know if anyone here knows of his somewhat unusual background, but up until 2019 he was an actor and comedian on Ukrainian TV and after playing a fictional president on a popular TV series, he then ran for president and won.

Anyway, in response to your question, i'm going to lay it on the line and say yes he will survive. Ok, he's in Kyiv, but he will be taking precautions such as being in a well-guarded missile shelter and having adequate personal protection. I'm also not convinced of the Russian army's willingness to sustain a protracted war in Ukraine either, even if the current peace talks are unlikely to amount to much.

Babadook76 · 28/02/2022 16:02

There’s not a doubt in my mind that Russia will take over Kyiv one way or another. I think Putin looks a bit foolish right now with his repeated failures so far, his pride is at stake. I do think that this will be the end for Zelensky. I’m torn between wanting him to leave and save himself, and admiring his determination to stay with his people. I wonder what it will mean for Ukraine if he dies.

Original poster
ElIie · 28/02/2022 16:10

@Babadook76 Sadly I agree. Putin’s political life is on the line. If he does not win this war he cannot stay in power, which means he will do anything to win, even if it involves flattening Kyiv. The only hope imo is a coup in Russia, which is highly unlikely but not impossible.

OP posts:
JimmyDurham · 28/02/2022 16:28

In 1905 Russia went to war with Japan. It was supposed to be a "short victorious war". It wasn't and the decline and fall of Imperial Russia is generally reckoned to have started then.

In 1979 the USSR invaded Afghanistan. Again, it was supposed to have been a quick regime change. It wasn't, and the USSR is now history.

In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. The question is not can Zelensky survive this war, it's can Russia (at any rate as it currently exists)?

JuliTooley · 28/02/2022 16:31

It gives me no please to say this but if he won’t leave Kyiv there is no way he gets out of this alive.

Putin cannot leave him alive as he will be a living, breathing reminder of his biggest failure on the world stage. It would be utter humiliation for him to live when the whole world knows Putin wanted him dead. Putin simply cannot let him live, unless of course Putin himself is overthrown.

JuliTooley · 28/02/2022 16:32

*no pleasure

herehere22 · 28/02/2022 16:32

I think of him and the people of Ukraine every hour that passes. Really hope that they can pull through 😭🙏

Original poster
ElIie · 28/02/2022 16:36

@herehere22 Same, I’m spending way too much time on Twitter when I ought to be working

OP posts:
Libertybear80 · 28/02/2022 16:36

He's an amazing statesman. It would be a total waste! As is any life in this pointless war!

Oneearringlost · 28/02/2022 16:38

@JimmyDurham

In 1905 Russia went to war with Japan. It was supposed to be a "short victorious war". It wasn't and the decline and fall of Imperial Russia is generally reckoned to have started then.

In 1979 the USSR invaded Afghanistan. Again, it was supposed to have been a quick regime change. It wasn't, and the USSR is now history.

In 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. The question is not can Zelensky survive this war, it's can Russia (at any rate as it currently exists)?

Absolutely
NewYearNewMinty · 28/02/2022 16:40

It's amazing that an ex actor/comedian who played the President in a film is now the actual President of Ukraine.

He's also the Ukranian voice of Paddington Bear Bear

I hope and pray he does get out of this...he's an incredibly impressive man and politician.

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