President at War

Mads Nissen

»Throught the day I had been trying to read him. His restless movements, a tension underneath, his quick breathing, and the way he regains control again, breathing deeply… Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president who became world famous when he pledged, „I need ammunition, not a ride“… In the evening I get my chance to make his portrait. Not take, but make; to interpret a living legend. Only his inner circle is present in this giant banquet hall. I find a corner, looking for intimacy. No one is observing us aside from the senior advisor who holds my light. We exchange respectful small talk, but time is ticking. „What would you like me to do?“ Zelenskyy asks. „How do you feel about…just thinking on what gives you strength in these times… ?“ After a short silence he answers: „OK“.«

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