The concept of U.S. leadership in Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public diplomacy during the full-scale Russian aggression under the presidency of Joe Biden

Abstract

The relevance of this study stems from the urgency of contemporary international dynamics — particularly Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine — which has brought to the fore critical questions concerning global leadership, solidarity, and the effectiveness of public diplomacy. Within this context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public diplomacy has evolved beyond merely mobilizing support; it has become a powerful instrument for constructing the image of the United States as the pivotal guarantor of the international order. The analysis gains particular significance when focused on the presidency of Joe Biden, whose administration embodied a model of leadership grounded in rules, alliances, and moral imperatives — precisely the framework that became the central object of Zelenskyy’s appeals. Against the backdrop of a changing U.S. administration and rising isolationist sentiments, a retrospective examination of how the Ukrainian president interpreted and promoted the concept of American leadership assumes critical importance for understanding the dynamics of Ukraine-U.S. relations and broader trends in global politics. The aim of this article is to elucidate the distinctive features of the concept of U.S. leadership as articulated in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public diplomacy during Russia’s full-scale invasion, specifically under the presidency of Joe Biden. Methodologically, the study employs a hermeneutic approach, which enables the uncovering of the layered complexity and strategic orientation embedded in Zelenskyy’s diplomatic discourse. The key findings reveal that Zelenskyy’s conceptualization of U.S. leadership is multifaceted and multidimensional. It transcends the conventional understanding of leadership as mere military or economic power, instead emphasizing America’s moral, historical, and functional responsibility. For Zelenskyy, U.S. leadership signifies a moral, historical, and active responsibility to defend freedom, democracy, and international law — not merely an expression of economic or military might. The defining criteria of such leadership include moral courage, resolve, proactivity, the capacity to galvanize the world, consistency, and reliability in honoring commitments. In Zelenskyy’s portrayal, the United States emerges as an indispensable beacon of democracy, a historic defender of liberty, an active partner, and a catalyst of global solidarity — whose involvement proves decisive for Ukraine’s survival and the preservation of the global order. Zelenskyy defines American global leadership as “leadership of the world”: an active force that mobilizes the international community, sets standards of conduct, and provides the material and moral support essential to overcoming aggression.