There are many in the West who did know Putin, but they were largely ignored in favour of the almighty dollar. Everyone assumed Russia was a spent force and they swallowed Putin's lies about embracing capaitalism. John McCain for one, warned against underestimating Putin and rightly saw what he was about. But no one paid him any mind!

Xi is different matter and I would think there are very few who know him well enough to know what comes next.

And Zelenskyy I think didn't so much read the room...I don't think he was sitting there thinking this is my chnace to be a hero; I think it was more he did what came naturally, and that was to fight for his country, his people and his life!

As for American heroes...they are buried in political divisiveness...a hero to one is another's anti-hero. Ask 50% of Americans and they'd say Trump, which is sad indictment of where America is right now.