I think his heart is in the right place. I've talked to him about these things. He's very sensitive to the judgment of history. He knows that. Ukraine has been fighting since long before he became president to be an independent sovereign democracy with freedom of speech.Simon ShusterProudly sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Learn more at https://kellogg.nd.eduAccess Episodes Ad-Free on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.Read Justin Kempf's essay "The Revolution Will Be Podcasted."Simon Shuster is a staff writer for Time magazine who covers politics in Ukraine and Russia. His new book is called The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:20The Early Zelensky - 3:30Wartime President - 19:16Politics in Wartime Ukraine - 33:59Democracy in Ukraine - 36:18Key LinksThe Showman: Inside the Invasion that Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky by Simon Shuster"Where Zelensky Comes From" by Simon Shuster in TimeFollow Simon Shuster on X @shustryDemocracy Paradox PodcastSerhii Plokhy on the Russo-Ukrainian WarOlga Onuch and Henry Hale Describe the Zelensky EffectMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracyLearn more about the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at https://kellogg.nd.edu/ Support the show