Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena, visited the Kyiv Book Arsenal literary festival, where they selected several books, including a notable title titled To Kill A Tyrant. This choice has attracted attention given Zelensky's ongoing leadership during the prolonged conflict with Russia and his consistent characterization of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a dictator.
The book, authored by Italian scholar Aldo Andrea Cassi, is available in a Ukrainian-language edition. Its full title, To Kill A Tyrant: A History Of Tyrannicide From Caesar To Gaddafi, explores the moral and political complexities surrounding the assassination of tyrants throughout history. Originally published in Italian in 2022, the work questions the justification and authority behind deciding whether it is right to kill a tyrant.
A photograph from the book festival shows First Lady Olena Zelenska examining the book, with President Zelensky standing nearby. The couple reportedly selected To Kill A Tyrant along with other titles during their visit to the fair.
This book choice may reflect Zelensky's stance amid the ongoing war with Russia, underscoring the symbolic significance of confronting authoritarianism and tyranny in a turbulent geopolitical context.
