Ukrainian president gets US award for defending democracy abroad

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum has presented the Profile in Courage award to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for defending democracy abroad.

That's according to a statement posted on the institution's website, Ukrinform reports.

This year, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award honors five individuals -- President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Arizona Representative Russell “Rusty” Bowers, and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss -- for the "courage they've shown protecting democracy in the United States and abroad."

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum said that one of the honorees, Volodymyr Zelensky, had courageously defended democratic ideals and political independence since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"In February 2022, as Russia mounted a massive, unprovoked military assault on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky marshaled the spirit, patriotism, and untiring sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in a life-or-death fight for their country - a struggle that endures to this day. From the first moment of the invasion, Zelensky and his family became targets for assassination by Russian forces. In the face of this constant danger, Zelensky has led a courageous defense of democratic ideals and political independence. With candor and clarity, he has focused the eyes of the world on the existential threat facing Ukraine, and on the need for robust, uncompromising international engagement and cooperation to safeguard all democratic societies. His principled leadership has strengthened the resolve of Ukrainians and people around the globe to protect and defend the fragile human right of self-determination," it said.

According to CNN, past recipients of the award include Presidents Barack Obama and George H. W Bush, Sens. Mitt Romney and the late John McCain, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the late US Rep. John Lewis.