Analyse
The statement aligns verbatim with Zelenskyy’s recorded remarks on **May 20, 2019**, during his inaugural address to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) and government officials. Multiple credible news outlets, including **BBC Ukraine** and **Ukrinform**, reported the quote in full, and video footage confirms its delivery. The directive reflected his anti-corruption, populist stance and emphasis on public service over personality cults. No evidence suggests misattribution or fabrication of the quote.
Achtergrond
Zelenskyy, a former comedian with no prior political experience, won Ukraine’s 2019 presidential election in a landslide, campaigning on anti-establishment promises. His inauguration speech broke from traditional protocols, including this symbolic rejection of presidential iconography—a nod to his pledge to dismantle oligarchic influence. The remark was widely interpreted as a rebuke to Ukraine’s history of leader-centric governance, including under previous presidents like **Petro Poroshenko** and **Viktor Yanukovych**.
Samenvatting verdict
Volodymyr Zelenskyy did instruct Ukrainian officials to remove his portrait and replace it with photos of their children during his 2019 inauguration speech.