Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that over the years of the full-scale war, he has made many mistakes that affected his decisions. During the conversation, he also shared his experiences regarding the stress he faces in wartime conditions.
Acknowledgment of Mistakes
Zelensky noted that during the war, he has to make hundreds of complex and sensitive decisions every day. He emphasized that mistakes are an integral part of the decision-making process in wartime. The president stated, "Of course, I make mistakes. During the war, you make a lot of mistakes."
The Impact of Stress on Decision-Making
When asked how he copes with stress, Zelensky admitted that he is not sure about his abilities. "I don’t know. I’m not sure I really cope with it," he said. This indicates that even leaders can feel the burden of responsibility, especially in wartime conditions.
The Necessity of Decision-Making
The president also mentioned that sometimes he has to make decisions he does not want to make but is forced to do so: "Sometimes you know that you don’t even want to do it, but you have to." This reflects the complexity and ambiguity of the situation in which the Ukrainian leader finds himself.