Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been named as TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year. The 44-year-old, a former comedian, actor, writer and producer, has been president since 2019.
‘Stretch,’ an American fighter serving in the International Legion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has been honored for his services to Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a video released by Zelensky’s office, the Ukrainian leader is seen visiting soldiers in a military hospital in Kyiv on Tuesday evening. The footage shows him awarding medals to soldiers, including ‘Stretch’.
In a very short exchange, the first name of the American is revealed to be Eric.
“Eric, thank you so much for your bravery,” Zelensky says in the video, to which Eric replies: “it is my honor. Thank you, sir.”
A statement from the International Legion said: ‘Stretch’ “got a medal from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in recognition of his heroic efforts on the Ukrainian frontlines. Victories do not come cheap. They do not come easy. But our soldier’s efforts are appreciated and awarded with official recognition.”
It was not immediately clear what the title of the honor was, what it was for or what injury the American had sustained.
