Dhaka, April 22 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is among five people named Thursday as recipients of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for acting to protect democracy.

Zelenskyy was chosen because of the way he has "marshaled the spirit, patriotism and untiring sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in a life-or-death fight for their country," as Russia pours in troops and assaults cities and towns, the John F Kennedy Library Foundation said.

The foundation said four US officials were chosen for standing up for free and fair elections, as the system is challenged in ways it has never been before, reports AP.

They are: Republican US Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Arizona House Sp...