“It was own decision to stay here and not to flee. First of all, because I’m a politician and I’m representing my people and they didn’t go anywhere.” – Ukrainian Parliament member Kira Rudik
As leaders we pray for the peace and safety of the Ukrainian people during this time of the horrific and senseless Russian invasion. God, please help them.
Crisis does not make a leader, it reveals one. Last night, I witnessed one of the most extraordinary acts of leadership I have ever seen. Appearing on the The Sean Hannity Show, Ukrainian Parliament member Kira Rudik discussed the reasons why she chose to arm herself and stay in Kyiv and defend her family, city, and country from the Russian military.
Earlier in the day, she posted the following image on social media:
I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022
An Extraordinary Leader
At the 24:24 in the video below, mark Hannity asked about her safety and willingness to remain in Kyiv. Rudik said, “It was own decision to stay here and not to flee. First of all, because I’m a politician and I’m representing my people and they didn’t go anywhere.”
What an extraordinary statement from an extraordinary leader! As she and countless others bear arms to protect their city, the following are just several of the many lessons we learn Rudik followed by supporting comments:
- Leaders are responsible for their own decisions. They take ownership of the outcomes they have influence over.
- Leaders must be courageous and make hard decisions.
- Leaders engage issues and conflict. They do not run from them.
- Leaders represent and serve the people.
- Leaders must pay a greater price than those they are called to serve.
- I wrote earlier this week The 3 Greatest Abilities A Leader Must Have. They must be reliable, dependable, and available. Rudik and many other Ukrainian leaders are the embodiment of these virtues. She didn’t go anywhere.
https://youtu.be/iM6zo8Chuko
Leaders Always Point To A Brighter Tomorrow
While things appear in dire straights, Rudik did what all great leaders do. She provided hope for her people and country and pointed to a brighter tomorrow.
Rudik said, “Second, because I woke up, I looked at all of this and was thinking why would we do this? Why would we go away? He’s coming to relent with his forces (and) we are able to fight him back. We are actually doing it very good. In two days, he lost like 3,000 men which is probably the most he lost in the latest wars he was fighting throughout the world. So the Ukrainian army is fighting him very, very hard and we are resisting in the best ways of the Resistance. So I believe we’ll be able to fight back.”
Notice the phrases she uses:
- “Why would we go away?”
- “We are able to fight him back.”
- “We are actually doing it very good.”
- “The Ukrainian army is fighting him very, very hard”
- “We are resisting in the best ways”
- “We’ll be able to fight back”
Just three hours ago at the time of this writing, she even posted the following:
I planned to plant tulips and daffodils on my backyard today. Instead, I learn to fire arms and get ready for the next night of attacks on #Kyiv. We are not going anywhere.
This is our #city, our #land, our soil. We will fight for it. So next week I can plant my flowers. Here. pic.twitter.com/TCMGogKVt5
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 26, 2022
Our prayers are with the people of Ukraine. Our prayers are for God’s protection and peace. Our prayers with Kira Rudik and all leaders like her.
May all our countries have leaders like her.