Volodymyr Zelensky
45. Lawyer by training, actor and comedian by profession, he won the 2019 presidential election as a grassroots candidate, on a wave of discontent with Ukraine's corrupt elites. He was losing popularity before the war, but with the outbreak of the war he transformed into a steadfast leader. He refused to evacuate from Kyiv, records daily speeches to the Ukrainian people, visits soldiers at the front and conducts a global diplomatic campaign in support of Ukraine.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi
49. General of the ground forces, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2021. Previously commander of a mechanised brigade, veteran of fighting in Donbas in 2014-2015, he started the war with a professional army of 240,000 men. He carried out a mobilisation that increased it to 700,000. He led the push to repel the Russians from Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson, introduced Western equipment into the army's armament, and for the past few months has been engaging in diplomacy by giving media interviews.
Joe Biden
80. President of the United States since 2021. Leader of a coalition of more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. In autumn 2021, he warned European allies of the threat of a Russian invasion. In December 2021, he had a remote conversation with Vladimir Putin, which reinforced his belief in the inevitability of war. In response, he sent more than 10,000 additional US troops to Europe and began supplying Ukraine with arms even before the war. So far, the value of US aid to Ukraine has exceeded USD 100 billion.
Olaf Scholz
64. Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany since December 2021, member of the Social Democratic SPD. Until February 2022, sceptical of the possibility of a Russian attack, he called for dialogue with Moscow. Three days after the invasion, he announced a move away from cooperation with Russia and a strengthening of Germany's position in the Western security system (so-called Zeitenwende). Criticised for the slow delivery of weapons to Ukraine, he insists that multinational agreements are needed on this issue and that avoiding escalation is key.
Jens Stoltenberg
63. Secretary General of NATO since 2014. The Norwegian politician at the head of the Alliance's political structures is the most active public advocate for strengthening the eastern flank, supporting Ukraine militarily and opposing further Russian aggression. Under his guidance, NATO has changed its strategic concept, recognised Russia as a threat and launched unprecedented assistance to a country that is not a formal member of the Alliance.
Andrzej Duda
50. Since 2015, President of the Republic of Poland, who has become the most active ally among Ukraine's neighbours. As part of its military support, Poland has donated equipment for several land army brigades and artillery, and has taken in refugees numbering several million, the largest number since the Second World War. Duda, along with other Polish political leaders, is seeking further military and economic support, prosecution of the perpetrators of the aggression and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Chris Cavoli
57. US military general, since July 2022 commander-in-chief of NATO troops in Europe and commander of US forces in Europe. At the Pentagon's direction, he coordinates Western military support for Ukraine, organises its transfer and protection, as well as plans and supervises the training of Ukrainian troops on Western equipment. On an ongoing basis, he consults with Gen. Zaluzhnyi in Kyiv on needs, and with NATO chiefs of staff on allied supply capabilities.
Vladimir Putin
70. President or Prime Minister of Russia since 1999, formerly KGB officer. Advocate of the restoration of the Russian empire and sphere of influence at Russia's borders, opponent of the US presence in Europe. He justified the war with Ukraine by the need to oppose Nazism and NATO aggression. A de facto dictator, surrounded by a circle of supporters with unclear influence, often isolating himself from his inner circle. In speeches, he promises a protracted war, although from time to time he sends signals through diplomatic channels that he is ready for peace talks.
Valery Gerasimov
67. Chief of the Russian General Staff and 1st Deputy Minister of Defence, since November 2022, Commander-in-Chief of the military operation in Ukraine (replacing Viktor Surovikin). Author of the so-called Gerasimov doctrine, which assumes a multi-level hybrid action before an armed attack. Loyal to Putin and promoted by him despite the Russian army's failures in the fight against Ukraine (he himself escaped firing during a visit to the troops near Izium). Since February 2023, under his command, Russia has launched a new offensive in the Donbas.
Sergei Shoigu
67. Russian defence minister since 2012, previously head of the ministry of emergency situations and civil defence. Engineer by training, titular army general. Author of military reform to prepare Russia for war with Ukraine and NATO through mobilisation, expansion of units, rearmament and increased defence production. Loyal to Putin, he persists in his position despite the planning errors of the operation in Ukraine and the losses incurred during it.
Yevgeny Prigozhin
61. Informal head of the private defence company Wagner Group, influential oligarch, formerly a catering businessman. In the second phase of the war, Prigozhin's mercenaries, many recruited from prisons, formed a large part of the forces on the frontline in Donbas and around Kherson, competing for credit with regular troops. Prigozhin credited his forces with the capture of Soledar near Bakhmut.
Ramzan Kadyrov
46. Leader of the Republic of Chechnya, within the Russian Federation, supporter of Putin, supplier of military troops accused of notorious war crimes in Ukraine. Twice promoted to the ranks of general for war services to Russia.
Xi Jinping
69. President of the People's Republic of China since 2013. The most important ally of Russia in the world. Before the outbreak of war, he and Putin issued a statement against NATO and the US. He provides Russia with various types of aid and supports its budget through fuel purchases, but as of now, does not provide weapons and officially advocates an end to the conflict. China also warned Russia against using nuclear weapons.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka
68. President of Belarus since 1994. Putin's closest foreign ally. He rigged the 2020 election and turned to Russia for help after street protests, sealing the "peaceful annexation" of Belarus. He integrated the military apparatuses of both countries and handed over Belarusian bases to Russian troops preparing an invasion of Ukraine. An unsuccessful attack on Kyiv was carried out from Belarusian territory, among others. To date, he has not involved his own troops in the war.
