How Four Years Of Full-scale War Changed Zelensky And Putin

• 24.02.2026, 19:58

Sky News has revealed the details.

For the past 4 years, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy and Kremlin dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin have remained the central figures.

The Sky News analyzed how the leaders of Ukraine and aggressor country Russia have changed over the years of full-scale war.

How Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president has undergone one of the most remarkable transformations among modern leaders. He has grown from the role of an inexperienced politician to a true symbol of resistance and democratic resilience.

Now he continues to record daily addresses to citizens and maintains contact with Ukrainians who are weary of war, economic hardship and internal scandals.

Zelensky is also active in diplomacy. His addresses are periodically heard by foreign leaders and country parliaments, and there is constant work with allies.

The war has also affected the most private aspect of Zelensky's life - his family. First Lady Elena Zelensky noted that the president has become more sensitive to family moments and now appreciates simple things more.

How Putin has changed

The Russian dictator, after February 24, 2022, found himself in deep diplomatic isolation from countries with which the Russian Federation already had strained relations earlier.

Internationally, his support has declined because of sanctions, mobilization and the rising cost of living. But official polls hide the real state of affairs.

The war has also affected Putin's personality. At least, he himself said at one of the press conferences that he has become less joking and has almost stopped laughing. The media have also documented that the dictator has become more isolated physically and diplomatically.