The interview took place in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, a city that witnessed a brutal massacre of civilians by Russian soldiers in 2022. There, Zelenska visited a family home newly built by her foundation, highlighting the human cost of the war. Dressed in a commanding mission green suit, she engaged with foster parents caring for 10 children orphaned by war, a household dynamic that has become common across Ukraine. "Of course!" she replied when asked if she had met the family before, underscoring her hands-on approach.
Zelenska's work extends beyond material aid. She has spearheaded a program to turn teachers, pharmacists, police officers, and social workers into frontline counsellors to address the psychological toll of the war. Her foundation also focuses on building new homes for children who have lost their parents. But the battle closest to her heart is the fight for the return of Ukrainian children Russia has forcibly transferred or deported since the invasion.
The First Lady, who shies away from the limelight her husband thrives in, has become a powerful confidant and warrior in a different kind of battle. Her contemporary approach looks to the long-term health of the community as well as its immediate survival.