In the capital Kyiv, Ukrainians stopped by AFP are full of praise for President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian who quickly transitioned to wartime leader as Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. Even those who admit doubts about his competence appear won over: "I will tell you frankly I did not vote for him, I did not vote for Zelensky. But during the war he showed himself as a mature politician, which I didn't expect him to," financier Sergiy says. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES