Why Did Zelenskyy Refuse to Leave Kiev?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Joe Biden he needed ammunition, not a ride. Biden was the first leader to offer to evacuate Zelenskyy and his family after Kiev was surrounded.

Day after day, Zelenskyy said, they pushed back harder. Russian forces cut off food, cut off water, and cut everything off completely. Their mission was to make people run, and to make Zelenskyy run. People came to him and said Kiev was cut off and surrounded, and the Russians were suggesting he hand over his powers so Kiev would surrender. He sent them out of his office. Leaders called with offers to evacuate him before the roads out of Kiev were blocked. Steven Bartlett asked who called and whether they offered to evacuate him themselves. Zelenskyy said Biden was the first. Biden said he was ready to help evacuate Zelenskyy and his family because the invasion had left Kiev surrounded. Many Europeans offered the same later, and people from Zelenskyy's political circle suggested leaving too. When Steven Bartlett asked what he had said to Biden, Zelenskyy answered that he needed ammunition, not a ride.