Just to add: Zelensky's opponent, Poroshenko, was more hard line against Russia and would have been more confrontational and escalatory against Russia.

I'm aware. I've seen the posters of Poroshenko against Putin. I've pointed out that Zelensky was the peace candidate. Unfortunately, he did not hold firm when there were threats against him and gave up on trying to ensure peace.

Zelensky was the "moderate" choice who didn't want to piss Putin off and took a very defensive and conciliatory posture.

And yet restrictions on Russian language media were introduced under him.