George W. Bush Praises Ukraine’s Zelensky After Video Chat: ‘The Winston Churchill of Our Time’
Former President George W. Bush praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a modern “Winston Churchill” on Thursday, invoking the iconic British prime minister who rallied his country to fight off the Nazis during World War II.
Western leaders have spoken to Ukraine’s defiant leader more and more as Russia’s invasion of his country has continued.
Zelensky has spoken to international legislators remotely, and current British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited him in Kyiv several weeks ago.
Bush spoke to the Ukrainian leader, who for many around the world has become synonymous with resisting authoritarian violence, via video chat.
The country’s 43rd president said Zelensky reminded him of another British PM:
I was honored to spend a few minutes talking with President Zelenskyy – the Winston Churchill of our time – this morning. I thanked the President for his leadership, his example, and his commitment to liberty, and I saluted the courage of the Ukrainian people. President Zelenskyy assured me that they will not waver in their fight against Putin’s barbarism and thuggery. Americans are inspired by their fortitude and resilience. We will continue to stand with Ukrainians as they stand up for their freedom.
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It is not clear how long the pair spoke.
The former president tagged himself at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
Bush issued a statement on Feb. 24, in which he condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine:
Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
The American government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their own future. We cannot tolerate the authoritarian bullying and danger that Putin poses. Ukraine is our friend and democratic ally and deserves our full support during this most difficult time.
