Paul Manandise: A French voice, a Ukrainian heart, a leader

To mark Ukraine’s Aug. 24 Independence Day, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is launching a series of publications about foreigners who are considered true friends of Ukraine and actively support its struggle against Russian aggression.

Our first story features Paul Manandise — a colonel with Europol, a political and military figure, and also a French-Ukrainian singer. He became the first French artist to receive the title of Merited Artist of Popular Art of Ukraine. His storied life parth was shared by Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Association of Ukrainians in France Vice President.

The story of Paul Manandise is deeply intertwined with Ukraine, its culture, and its fight for freedom. His remarkable journey as that of a renowned artist and public figure starts in 1986 when he was born in Belgium to a Sicilian father and a French mother. 

There, the future singer received training in classical music and launched his career as a composer for classical French musicals. 

Later, Manandise fell in love with a Ukrainian woman named Olena, and after living together in Paris for a year, the couple decided to move to Ukraine in 2015.

He grew deeply fond of Ukraine, finding his true home there. These feelings inspired his work as a singer, composer, and performer, eventually leading to the release of his first patriotic album, “Ukraine – My Paradise.”

Manandise is not just a singer who performs in French, English, Italian, and Ukrainian. He is also a Merited Artist of Popular Art of Ukraine — the first Frenchman to receive this honor. 

His artistic and civic activities serve as a powerful response to Russia’s military and ideological aggression and aim to revive the Ukrainian national idea – the enduring vision of a free, independent, and culturally distinct Ukrainian state rooted in democratic values and national identity. 

In Ukraine, Manandise goes on tours across the country, bringing Ukrainian folk, contemporary, and his own songs to audiences in both large cities and the most remote corners. He firmly believes that culture should be accessible everywhere, especially where it is most needed. His song “Leleky” (Storks), dedicated to Ukraine’s defenders, has gained particular resonance, amassing over 15 million views and, according to listeners, evoking a deep sense of pride in Ukraine.

Beyond the stage

Manandise’s work extends far beyond the stage. As Head of the Department of International Influence and Culture at Ukraine’s Information and Analytical Center for National Security, he is an expert in counter-propaganda, influence operations, and counterterrorism. He is also a member of the European Police Association and serves as Europol’s official representative in Ukraine.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Manandise joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition to serving in combat, he helps provide Ukrainian soldiers with supplies, equipment, and daily moral encouragement.

Manandise displayed remarkable foresight as early as April 2021 with his broad worldview by predicting the inevitability of a full-scale invasion.

When Russia massed 142,000 troops near Ukraine’s border under the pretense of military exercises, Manandise was the first in the world to publish this information online. In his post, he deliberately increased the number to 150,000 to draw maximum global attention and to test whether the warning could help save Ukraine — and the world — from disaster.

To raise the alarm, Manandise sent letters to members of the European Parliament and leveraged his personal contacts with government ministers. His actions served as an early warning for the international community.

Shortly afterward, Josep Borrell — then the President of the European Parliament — presented a report on Russian troop movements, citing the number of 150,000. That figure appeared only in Manandise’s documents. Although Borrell declined to name his source at the time, the information quickly gained international attention. As a result of Manandise’s efforts, Borrell was pressured to confirm the 150,000-strong Russian buildup. 

Following his statement, U.S. President Joe Biden responded decisively, and in 2021, under pressure from global powers, Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin pulled back. It can be said that Manandise’s actions helped protect Ukraine from imminent destruction — and the world from disaster.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression a year later, Mandalise has ramped up his efforts to counter Russian bombings, corruption, and genocide, and continues to fight against Russian influence and propaganda.

Culture as a weapon

Manandise’s worldview is rooted in a broad understanding of culture — as he puts it, today’s global struggle is, at its core, a battle for culture. He constantly strives for excellence in his artistry, crafting intricate arrangements for songs, reviving both world-renowned and Ukrainian works, and reimagining the finest national pieces with a modern touch. His goal is to connect cultures across space and time.

For Manandise, as a true artist, Ukraine’s future victory has become a mission, a way of life, and a personal duty. He believes that Ukraine has earned its place in the world and fully deserves to be recognized as an example for others. His story is a powerful testament to how art and civic engagement can become a driving force in the fight for truth and freedom.

“I’ve known Paul for over five years. Every time we speak, he greets me with ‘Pryvit’ in Ukrainian, and I reply with ‘Bonjour.’ It’s a wonderful paradox: a Frenchman writing in Ukrainian, and a Ukrainian writing in French. Even though he lives in Ukraine and I live in France, we’ve always understood each other perfectly.

Paul is someone who deeply understands the importance of Ukraine and its people in this century. He has always believed that Ukraine is the key to Europe’s stability and that it needs the strongest possible support. His genuine love for Ukraine should be an example to all of us.

At first, he offered Ukraine his songs — and now, he’s giving his talents to help the country endure in these difficult times. As UWC Vice President, I want to express my deep gratitude to Paul for his dedication and his belief in Ukraine’s victory. I am convinced that Ukraine will prevail — thanks in part to people like him,” said Volodymyr Kogutyak.