Analysis of the Identity Construction and Persuasion Language in the Speeches of Putin and Zelensky during the on-going Russo-Ukrainian War

Abstract This study aims at analysing, in a comparative manner, the speeches of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky as used during the Russo-Ukrainian war. To achieve the objectives, the research adopted the mixed method for data collection, analysis, interpretation, and discussion of findings. A purposive sampling was used to select the speeches—two from each of the Presidents. This study employed the Critical Discourse Analysis theory as propounded by Fairclough (2013) and Aristotle’s persuasive strategies of pathos, ethos, and logos (1939) as the analytical frameworks. The data gleaned from the speeches were categorized under the use of the pronouns “we” versus “they”, “our” versus “you”, etc. and the use of the different types of appeals. Results revealed that both Vladimir Putin and Volodymr Zelensky make use of pronouns to create a sense of patriotism, bravery, otherness, and togetherness. However, the findings portray that unlike Putin, Zelensky uses the pronoun “we” and “us” in a more conciliatory and condescending manner. As regards the use of the different kinds of appeals, the findings revealed that Putin had recourse to logical appeals as he kept on justifying his option for war. On the other hand, Zelensky made more of emotional appeals especially when he paints the gory picture of the effects of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Pedagogical implications of the study were made to curriculum designers and suggestions for further studies were also made.