Volodymyr Zelenskiy

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"To all the countries of the former Soviet Union — look at us, everything is possible," said Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his victory speech. On TV, Mr. Zelenskiy portrays a teacher who denounces corruption and becomes president. (Associated Press)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy wins Ukrainian presidential election against Petro Poroshenko

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

A man casts his ballot, as his pet waits for him at a polling station, during the second round of presidential elections in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, April 21, 2019. Top issues in the election have been corruption, the economy and how to end the conflict with Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

The Latest: Ukraine comedian romping to presidential win

Associated Press

Ukrainian presidential candidate and popular comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during their final electoral campaign debate at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, April 19, 2019. Friday is the last official day of election canvassing in Ukraine as all presidential candidates and their campaigns will be barred from campaigning on Saturday, the day before the vote. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ukraine quiet ahead of presidential election

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

A portrait of Ukrainian presidential candidate and popular comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy made of candies is displayed at the Sweet Museum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, April 19, 2019. The second round of the presidential vote in Ukraine will take place on April 21. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

Ukraine candidates: Experience vs image

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

A man holds an Ukrainian flag as protesters gather to march to the Olympic stadium ahead of debates between two candidates in the weekend presidential run-off in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, April 19, 2019. Friday is the last official day of election canvassing in Ukraine as all presidential candidates and their campaigns will be barred from campaigning on Saturday, the day before the vote. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Rivals in Ukraine’s presidential runoff debate at stadium

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

In this photo taken on Monday, April 15, 2019, Ihor Levonchik, a resident of Kryvyi Rih, in eastern Ukraine, tells The Associated Press why he supports comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy over President Petro Poroshenko in a runoff presidential election scheduled for Sunday, April 21. “We can’t live like that anymore, we need changes,” said Levonchik. “They told us that we would become part of Europe, but our living standards have remained Ukrainian while prices have indeed matched their level in Europe.” (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

In Ukrainian candidate’s hometown, a cry for change

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

In this Friday, March 29, 2019, file photo, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian actor and candidate in the upcoming presidential election, hosts a comedy show at a concert hall in Brovary, Ukraine. Ukraine’s presidential runoff on Sunday, April 21, is a battle between a billionaire tycoon who rode anti-Russian protests to the nation’s top office five years ago, and a comedian who plays a president in a TV sitcom. The actor has used humor and social media to take pole position. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)

Ukraine election: The president vs. guy who plays one on TV

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

In this Friday, March 29, 2019, file photo, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian actor and candidate in the upcoming presidential election, hosts a comedy show at a concert hall in Brovary, Ukraine. Ukraine’s presidential runoff on Sunday, April 21, is a battle between a billionaire tycoon who rode anti-Russian protests to the nation’s top office five years ago, and a comedian who plays a president in a TV sitcom. The actor has used humor and social media to take pole position. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s presidential candidate, pledges NATO referendum

By Yuras Karmanau - Associated Press

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko gestures as he answers to a journalist's question ahead of the presidential elections on April 21, at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, April 14, 2019. The event Sunday was the latest unusual scene in the fight between Poroshenko and Zelenskiy, the comedian whom polls show holding a commanding lead. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine president holds 1-man ‘debate’ before runoff vote

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko are talking during a meeting in Berlin, Germany, Friday, April 12, 2019. (Mykola Lazarenko/Presidential Press Service Pool Photo via AP)

France’s Macron meets Ukraine’s 2 presidential contenders

By GEIR MOULSON and SYLVIE CORBET - Associated Press

People pass by a billboard depicting Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin looking at each other in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, April 11, 2019. Writing on the big board reads: &quot;A decisive choice.&quot; Poroshenko is running for his second term at the second round of presidential vote on April 21. He advocates Ukraine's integration into the European Union back from Russian influence. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine campaign heats up with new court, truck video

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

FILE In this file photo taken on Friday, March 29, 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian actor and candidate in the upcoming presidential election, hosts a comedy show at a concert hall in Brovary, Ukraine. Zelenskiy has no political experience, but his easygoing manner and snappy talk on the campaign trail strongly resembled his character in “Servant of the People”, a schoolteacher catapulted into the presidential seat. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

Drug tests then debate in Ukraine’s presidential runoff

Associated Press

Oleksandr Danyliuk, former Ukrainian Minister of Finance and advisor to presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy, talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The thriving campaign of comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy to be Ukraine’s president may seem improbable, but his campaign adviser says the country has reached the point where it needs reforms from seemingly unlikely sources. Oleksandr Danylyuk spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, three days after the election first round in which Zelenskiy easily outpaced incumbent Petro Poroshenko. (AP Photo Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine presidential candidate wants debate with drug tests

Associated Press

Oleksandr Danyliuk, former Ukrainian Minister of Finance and advisor to presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy, talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. The thriving campaign of comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy to be Ukraine’s president may seem improbable, but his campaign adviser says the country has reached the point where it needs reforms from seemingly unlikely sources. Oleksandr Danylyuk spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday, three days after the election first round in which Zelenskiy easily outpaced incumbent Petro Poroshenko. (AP Photo Efrem Lukatsky)

Adviser to comedian-candidate says Ukraine ripe for change

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

FILE - In this file photo taken on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who played the nation's president in a popular TV series, is photographed on the film set in Kiev, Ukraine. Zelenskiy has no political experience, but his easygoing manner and snappy talk on the campaign trail strongly resembled his character in “Servant of the People”, a schoolteacher catapulted into the presidential seat. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

Ukrainian comedian sure of victory in presidential runoff

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reacts as he responds to a journalist question during a press conference, after the presidential elections in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, March. 31, 2019. Exit polls indicated Zelenskiy would get about 30 percent of the vote, far short of the absolute majority needed to win the first round. Most exit polls said incumbent Petro Poroshenko received the second-biggest support, which would put him and Zelenskiy in a runoff on April 21. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Ukraine’s president trying to hold off rival for runoff spot

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

An electoral worker holds a ballot box at a polling station, during the presidential elections in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, March. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Ukraine comedian leads presidential election, runoff likely

By YURAS KARMANAU - Associated Press

"A new lie, a normal life is starting," Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday. "A lie without corruption, without bribes." Mr. Zelenskiy is in an election runoff with President Petro Poroshenko. (Associated Press)

Volodmyr Zelenskiy advances to Ukraine election runoff with incumbent Petro Poroshenko

By Lauren Toms - The Washington Times

An elderly woman examines her ballot voting at home during the presidential election in Mariinka, near a contact line not far from Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, March 31, 2019. Ukrainians choose from among 39 candidates for a president they hope can guide the country of more than 42 million out of troubles including endemic corruption, a seemingly intractable conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the country's east and a struggling economy. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

The Latest: Ukraine comedian leads presidential election

Associated Press

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian who is leading Ukraine's presidential election race, has urged his supporters to propose candidates for top government jobs. (Associated Press/File)

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine comedy actor, leads race for president

By Filip Warwick and Jabeen Bhatti - Special to The Washington Times