Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska reveals how Putin’s barbaric invasion of her homeland has left her ‘close to psychological burnout’ – as she tries to stay strong for her husband, children, and her beloved nation
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska has spoken out openly about coming “close to psychological burnout” caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of her homeland.
She said she tried to stay strong for her husband. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as her children – and people in the war-torn country.
Russian forces invaded in February 2022 as the conflict continued to drag on as Ukraine resisted – with Mr Zelensky this week issuing a new appeal to the West for more crucial military equipment.
Earlier this month, the couple attended the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemorations in France, where they mingled with guests including the Prince of Wales, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and French President Emmanuel Macron .
Mrs Zelenska, 46, has now revealed the personal toll the past two years have taken on her as the invasion forced her to live apart from her husband.
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska has told how the Russian invasion of her homeland has brought her ‘close to psychological burnout’
She and her husband Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, are seen here arriving at the international commemoration ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day earlier this month.
She previously met Queen Camilla at Clarence House in London on February 29 this year
Ms Zelenska (right) accompanied US First Lady Jill Biden (left) and the Princess of Wales (centre) at a reception at Buckingham Palace in connection with the coronation of King Charles in May last year
He has remained at his office in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, while she lives with their two children in another, unspecified location.
In a new interview with the Telegraphshe revealed, “There are times when I feel like I’m close to psychological burnout and I understand that I need rest.
“I try to use the moment effectively, because sometimes when we think we’re at peace, we’re not.”
She described “horrifying moments” of waking up in the middle of the night with thoughts of struggling to cope.
She added: “It’s a good thing it happened at night because none of my children saw it because I always have to be a source of trust for them.
‘Children always look up to their parents and need to know that everything will be okay.
‘A few times I allowed myself to cry when it was unbearably sad, but it was something I did consciously because I know I have to dive deep to the bottom to find the strength to push and then I can again swimming.
“You have to give yourself a chance to cry it all out.”
Olena Zelenska and Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured on Omaha Beach in France on June 6 this year, first met when they were at school together before getting married in 2003
Ms Zelenska is seen here at 10 Downing Street on February 29 this year with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty
She was pictured sharing a hug with a child at the opening of the Superhumans Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation in the Ukrainian city of Lviv earlier today.
Ms. Zelenska went on to say that she hopes to “live until the moment of victory,” using coping mechanisms such as not reading the news on her cell phone before going to sleep.
She also makes “a list of things that calm me down” and engages in cleaning chores or washing her hair.
She added, “While you are doing something, you are not sitting still and being afraid, but you are doing something useful in the moment.”
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said that around 529,750 Russian troops have been killed since the invasion on February 24, 2022.
Ms Zelenska, a former screenwriter, first met her future husband as a teenager at school before later working together on a comedy show and marrying in 2003.
She joked in the new interview: “We don’t bore each other, we miss each other – we don’t have time to make each other angry or argue, so lately we haven’t been arguing at all.”
She also spoke of how “incredibly grateful” she was for workers rescuing people from the rubble of buildings hit by Russian artillery – saying how their contribution “inspires even at the worst moments.”
Mr Zelensky warned last weekend that the level of military aid sent by the West is still not enough for Ukraine to defeat Russia, as 80 countries support its “territorial integrity”.
Thumb signals are given by French President Emmanual Macron, his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zalenska in Paris on June 6
The future Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska to Buckingham Palace in October 2020
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the level of military aid sent by the West is still not enough for Ukraine to defeat Russia, as 80 countries backed its “territorial integrity”.
Speaking at the end of a two-day conference in Switzerland billed as the start of a ‘Path to Peace’, he called the event a ‘success’ despite a series of major countries failing to sign the communiqué – including India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Telling delegates that President Vladimir Putin was not ready for a “just peace,” Mr. Zelensky also said Ukraine was ready to negotiate with Russia “tomorrow” — but only if its forces “leave our legal territories.”
After the summit – to which Russia was not invited and which was rejected by its main ally China – 80 countries jointly called for Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” to be the basis for any peace deal.
Issues of nuclear safety, food security and prisoner exchanges would also be critical, they agreed.
But Zelensky warned that the current level of Western military aid to his country is not enough to ensure Kiev wins the ongoing conflict.
He said, ‘There is help. There are serious packages. Is it enough to win? No. Is it late? Yes.’
At a closing press conference, he also said: “Russia and their leadership are not ready for a just peace.
“Russia can start negotiations with us even tomorrow without waiting for anything – if they leave our legal territory,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an emotional meeting with D-Day veteran Melvin Hurwitz, 99, a former air force pilot, during commemorations in France earlier this month
Other world leaders there on June 6 included US President Joe Biden (center) and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron (right)
More than 25 world leaders attended the June 6 D-Day events, including a huge ceremony on Omaha Beach, where Zelensky was joined by others including US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
One of the American veterans who fought on D-Day, 99-year-old former Air Force pilot Melvin Hurwitz, gave Mr Zelensky a hug and a kiss and called him a hero.
Mr Hurwitz told the Ukrainian president: “You are the savior of the people,” before receiving the response: “No, no, no – you saved Europe.”
The American veteran then said: “You are my hero,” and Mr Zelensky responded with “You are our heroes” as they hugged and posed for photos.