On April 21, 2019, in the second round of Ukraine’s presidential election, actor and leader of the "Servant of the People" party, Volodymyr Zelensky, won with 73.22% of the vote. Zelensky’s opponent was the incumbent president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko.
RIA Novosti quoted some of the most striking comments from Russian and Ukrainian politicians regarding the election results: “Poroshenko received a slap in the face from his own people, and there’s no point in trying to appeal it. I believe he has no political future,” said State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov.
TASS published infographics on the upcoming second round of the presidential election in Ukraine, and also covered the first round and the debates between Zelensky and Poroshenko: “The two candidates’ platforms are nearly identical, prompting experts to label Zelensky a ‘lightweight version’ of Poroshenko. In this context, voters are essentially choosing between personalities rather than programs for the country’s development — a situation ripe for negative campaigning.”
Vesti.ru shared Zelensky’s initial reactions to his victory and his immediate future plans: “On staffing changes, Zelensky promised to hold a separate press conference. However, he did announce a few key changes right after the second round ended.”
RT Russian provided a comprehensive overview of the presidential election results: “The second round of Ukraine’s presidential election has concluded. According to exit polls, Volodymyr Zelensky is receiving over 70% of the vote, while the incumbent, Petro Poroshenko, is below 25%. Authorities opened 15 criminal cases related to voting violations. Zelensky himself was issued an administrative citation for displaying a marked ballot.”
Izvestia reported on the expectations Ukrainians have of their new president: “Ukrainians are hoping for positive change from Volodymyr Zelensky, who won the second round of the election.”
Interfax reminded readers of previous elections, shared Zelensky’s promises and plans, and published reactions from Russia and the West: “We’ll operate within the Normandy format regardless. We will continue the Minsk process. We’ll be rebooting it. I believe there will be personnel changes,” Zelensky said during a Sunday evening briefing in Kyiv, adding that “the top priority is a ceasefire in Donbass.”
Regional news agencies DAN and LITs did not report on this topic.
The Guardian reported on the election results and reactions from Poroshenko and Zelensky: “The comedian won a landslide in Ukraine’s presidential election. Petro Poroshenko conceded defeat, as Volodymyr Zelensky secured more than 70% of the vote, vowing: ‘I won’t mess this up.’”
Their counterparts at The Telegraph did not publish a dedicated article on the subject.
The New York Times emphasized Zelensky’s Jewish heritage: “Mr. Zelensky’s triumph counters years of Russian propaganda portraying Ukraine as a failed state run by fascists steeped in antisemitism and disdainful of the Soviet troops who defeated Hitler’s army in World War II.”
Le Figaro described Zelensky’s win as “a new, dramatic chapter in the global anti-elite wave”: “According to exit polls, political newcomer and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky decisively won the presidential election in Ukraine on Sunday, defeating outgoing president Petro Poroshenko, reflecting the extent of public distrust in the political establishment.”
La Repubblica called Zelensky a fresh face in politics and referenced his TV role: “Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky turned fiction into reality: after three seasons playing the president in a hit TV series, he is now on track to become Ukraine’s new leader.”
El Mundo commented that Zelensky lacks executive experience: “Volodymyr Zelensky: from a plasma screen president to the real head of a country at war.”
delfi.lt published “stunning exit poll results”, along with details about who funded the poll: “The National Exit Poll during the 2019 presidential election was carried out with financial support from international donors: the USAID-funded 'Join!' civic engagement program implemented by Pact in Ukraine, the European Union Delegation to Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, and the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine.”
Ukrainska Pravda released an article titled “Social Media Reaction to the New PreZEdent”, sharing posts from prominent Ukrainian voices: “The outgoing head of state has already vowed to stay in politics and to ‘defend’ reforms, while Zelensky promised: ‘I will never let you down.’”
UNIAN published Zelensky’s initial remarks: “Volodymyr Zelensky, who according to exit polls is winning the second round of Ukraine’s presidential election, emphasized that to him, all Ukrainians are one united people.” They also highlighted his intention to “launch a powerful information war in Donbass”.
