MR. PRESIDENT: INCEPTION

ГОСПОДИН ПРЕЗИДЕНТ: НАЧАЛО

© ZOYA SHU, 2019

Volodymyr Zelenskiy is a famous comedian who was elected the President of Ukraine with the record 73% of votes. He played a role of a president in a TV show and when he actually ran in elections the fiction turned reality. I managed to photograph the beginning of his political career in a rather exclusive way. I didn't have any support from his team, but I was always lucky with gaining unique access and taking special images for our history.

Supporters | Фаны

Mr. Zelenskiy takes selfie with his supporters using phone of one of them

Зеленский делает селфи на телефон одного из сфоих фанатов

© ZOYA SHU

Blood | Кровь

Volodymyr Zelenskiy gives a blood test during the presidential campaign, to prove his health condition and that he is drug-free, after he challenged his opponent to do so

Владимир Зеленский здает кровь во время предвыборной кампании, чтобы показать свое состояние здоровья и отсутствие наркотиков в крови, после того, как он предложил своему оппоненту сделать то же самое.

© ZOYA SHU

Campaign | Кампания

Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives to a polling station for voting in the second round of elections

Владимир Зеленский пребывает на участок для голосования во время второго тура выборов

© ZOYA SHU

Voting | Голосование

Volodymyr Zelenskiy talks to journalists after he voted during second round of elections. He was a famous comic and actor who actually played a president, so the media attention to him during elections was massive

Владимир Зеленский говорит с журналистами после голосования во втором туре выборов. Он был известным комиком и актером, игравшим президента, так что внимание медиа к нему во время выборов было огромным.

© ZOYA SHU

Anticipation | Предвкушение

Volodymyr Zelenskiy poses with a thumbs up moments before he entered the Parliament hall for inauguration.

Владимир Зеленский в кулуарах Верховной Рады ставит "лайк" за несколько минут до своей инаугурации.

© ZOYA SHU

Inception | Начало

First hours as the President: Volodymyr Zelenskiy walks out of the parliament after inauguration.

Первые часы президентства: Владимир Зеленский выходит из парламента после инаугурации.

© ZOYA SHU

Triumph | Триумф

Volodymyr Zelenskiy salutes to his foreign guests in Mariininskiy palace after his inauguration, for the first time as the President

Владимир Зеленский приветствует своих иностранных гостей в Мариининском дворце после инаугурации, впервые в качестве Президента

© ZOYA SHU

Foreign visit | Визит

Volodymyr Zelenskiy on one of his first foreign visits abroad. Ceremony takes place in the Les Invalides in Paris, where Napoleon is buried.

Владимир Зеленский во время одного из своих первых зарубежных визитов. Церемония проходит в Доме Инвалидов в Париже, где похоронен Наполеон.

© ZOYA SHU

Routine | Рутина

Volodymyr Zelenskiy talks to journalists at one of the briefings in his office.

Владимир Зеленский обращается к журналистам во время одного из брифингов в офисе.

© ZOYA SHU

Absolutism | Абсолютизм

Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the first day of the work of Parliament. The party of Mr. Zelenskiy got the majority of seats. During the first working day the Cabinet of Ministers consisting of people from Zelenskiy's team was appointed. Thus, the President gained the absolute power and control in the country.

© ZOYA SHU