Politico picks Ukraine’s Zelensky as most influential person in Europe

That’s according to a report posted on Politico’s website, Ukrinform reports.

“Europe is changing. The Continent is reassessing its strategic relationships, getting serious about defense, rethinking policies on trade, accession and energy security. Broadly speaking, it’s rethinking what it means to be European —  and that’s largely because of Ukraine’s comedian-turned-president,” the report reads.

The raters note that this is not the first time in recent years that Ukraine has been attacked by Russia, but until Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest assault, the rest of Europe did little.

"The reason why things are different this time is because of Volodymyr Zelensky, a figure Europe has not only come to trust, but to admire and follow — unlike Ukraine’s previous presidents," the article reads.

According to the report, “European leaders flagging in the polls run to Kyiv for a photo-op with the solemn-looking 44-year-old in his now iconic olive green T-shirt.”

At the same time, Zelensky has managed to convince the rest of Europe that its future is tied to Ukraine’s — a notion few believed before Russia’s invasion in February.

“His communication skills have been key. His rhetoric lays out in stark terms the malevolence of the Russian regime he is fighting against, dispelling much of Europe’s faith — particularly in Berlin and Paris — that Moscow can be a partner," the journalists said.

In total, Politico included 28 people in the ranking of the most influential people in Europe, among them politicians, diplomats, economists, educators and climatologists.