Jewish Bubba: Turning Back to 2019 With A Look At What Was Going On When Zelensky Became President of Ukraine

Nadene Goldfoot

When did Zelensky become President of Ukraine? Zelenskyy clearly won the first round of elections on 31 March 2019. In the second round, on 21 April 2019, he received 73 per cent of the vote to Poroshenko's 25 per cent, and was elected President of Ukraine. Polish president Andrzej Duda was one of the first European leaders to congratulate Zelenskyy. He vowed to stop Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukraine, Germany France, Russia on podium December 9, 2019 in Paris at a summit on Ukraine.

The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing war between Russia (together with pro-Russian separatist forces) and Ukraine. It began in February 2014 following the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, and initially focused on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. The first eight years of the conflict included the Russian annexation of Crimea (2014) and the war in Donbas (2014–present) between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, as well as naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and political tensions. Following a Russian military build-up on the Russia–Ukraine border from late 2021, the conflict expanded significantly when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Zelensky had been president for less than 3 years when this happened with no previous politcal or governmental experience. Ukraine has been at war with Russia for the past 8 years counting the loss of Crimea and fighting over Donbas.

Netanyahu and wife with Putin: on good terms

Tel Aviv [now Tel Aviv–Yafo], Israel), Israeli politician and diplomat who twice served as his country’s prime minister (1996–99 and 2009–21) and was the longest-serving prime minister since Israel’s independence. His father was born in Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire.

Israel was also having elections at this time with Benjamin Netanyahu ahead. Benjamin Netanyahu's term as prime minister ended following the elections held on 23 March 2021 to elect the members of the 24th Knesset. He is currently the Leader of the Opposition.

Bennett proposed Israeli mediation 1 hour before midnight in February 2022. PM says ready to help in any way, in light of Israel’s unique ties with Russia and Ukraine; avoids condemning Moscow at cabinet meet; set to send more humanitarian aid to Ukraine

George Floyd's death aroused demonstrations

In the USA, police seemed to be in the news about killings of suspects. They had a lot of tornadoes going on, and on the 18th of April, Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein held a press conference on the Mueller Report and, soon after, released it to Congress and the American public.

Meeting Putin in 2018 in Helsinki, Switzerland

If you forgot, The Mueller report, officially titled Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election, is the official report documenting the findings and conclusions of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 United States presidential election, allegations of conspiracy or coordination between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, and allegations of obstruction of justice.

March 25 – U.S. President Donald Trump signs Proclamation on Recognizing the Golan Heights as Part of the State of Israel

Russia remembers the 2019 Moscow Victory Day Parade, a military parade that took place in Red Square in Moscow on 9 May 2019 to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945. It was the largest of all the parades held on this day in Russia and in many former republics of the Soviet Union. The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, delivered his sixteenth commemorative address to the nation after the parade inspection presided over by Minister of Defence General of the Army Sergey Shoygu.

PM Theresa May from 22016-2019, Conservative, replaced by Boris Johnson on 24 July 2019

The UK had their problems. Events from the year 2019 in the United Kingdom were the lack of agreement on how to proceed with withdrawing from the EU led to substantial political turmoil during this year culminating in the 2019 General election in which the pro-Brexit Conservative party gained a significant majority of seats. By the 2 April – In a statement following a Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May announces her intention to extend Article 50 again and work with Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn on a plan, but keep the withdrawal agreement as part of her deal.

15–22 April – Demonstrations by the climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion cause disruption in central London, blocking roads and resulting in over 1,000 arrests, with 53 people charged for various offences. A "pause" in the protest is announced on 21 April,2019 although the group continues to base itself in Marble Arch.

Of course, Putin has met the Queen of England.

In Paris, France, on the 15th of April 2019, a major fire engulfs Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, resulting in the roof and main spire collapsing.

In Germany, life was pretty tame. The most happening was that:

7 to 17 February – The annual 69th Berlin International Film Festival takes place. French actress Juliette Binoche served as the Jury President. The Golden Bear was awarded to Israeli-French film Synonyms, directed by Nadav Lapid,
Nadav Lapid
Haim Lapid
son of Haim and Era Lapid. Haim Lapid, writer, scriptwriter and social psychologist, was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, in 1948. He studied psychology at Tel Aviv University and has taught social and behavioral psychology. At present, Lapid lectures on negotiation theory and is an organizational consultant for hi-tech companies.
Yair Lapid , next Prime Minister
Tommy Lapid reporting from the trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961. The Yair Lapid of Israeli politics, soon to serve as PM, is the son of Yosef "Tommy" Lapid, Serbian-born Israeli radio and television presenter, playwright, journalist, politician and government minister known for his sharp tongue and acerbic wit.
21 February: A German court fines two ex-employers of German gun maker Heckler & Koch for illegal gun sales to Mexico.