'Leaders never leave': Ukraine's President Zelenskyy applauded by Nebraska gubernatorial candidate

Charles Herbster, a Republican primary candidate for Nebraska governor, applauded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for standing strong with his country after Russia launched an invasion last week.

"Let's pretend we are at a Donald J. Trump rally," Herbster said as he walked up and down the stage to energize the crowd at the start of his CPAC Power Play speech on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.

He asked attendees to pray for Ukraine. 

Herbster called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "hero."

Zelenskyy made headlines this weekend after reports surfaced that after the United States offered to evacuate him, he responded, "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride."

"He's not a politician. He's a comedian. He could have left. Put this in your notes: Leaders never leave!" Herbster applauded Zelenskyy. He also said that elderly Ukrainians have "picked up the cross and they are fighting Putin." 

Zelenskyy previously worked as an actor and comedian. He even played the role of a high school teacher who became Ukrainian president in the TV show "Servant of the People." Less than a month after the show's finale, in April 2019 he was actually elected president of Ukraine.

"Everything rises and falls on leadership," Herbster quoted Pastor John C. Maxwell. Adding to the quote, he said, "Poor leadership, poor results; mediocre leadership, average leadership, average results; great leadership, great results."

Turning again to Trump, Herbster said, "We had the greatest leader in my lifetime on this stage last night, Donald J. Trump. No question about it. He did things that nobody else did."

Herbster was endorsed by Trump in October 2021.