Critical Discourse Analysis on Leader Statements in the Russia-Ukraine War

The main purpose of this study is to examine the statements of the leaders of Russia and Ukraine about the war through critical discourse analysis. The research data were obtained from Anadolu Agency between February 24, 2022, and August 10, 2022. Data from secondary sources; thematic analysis, situation analysis, sentence structures, word choices, and persuasion strategies. Research findings show that Putin preferred to use authoritarian language emphasizing \"power\" as they would determine the course of the war, while Zelensky preferred a discourse emphasizing that the war is continuing on his soil; therefore, Ukraine is \"right\" in any case.