Political leadership as a factor in mobilizing international support during wartime: the case of Ukraine

Abstract

In the current global landscape marked by instability, aggression, and multifaceted crises, political leadership has re-emerged as a decisive factor in shaping both domestic and international dynamics. While theories of international relations have traditionally emphasized systemic structures, institutions, and national interests, recent global events—particularly Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022—have illuminated the transformative role of individual political leaders in mobilizing international solidarity and sustaining geopolitical engagement. The Ukrainian case, and specifically the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, presents a unique and instructive model of political leadership that successfully bridges national resilience with international mobilization.