For many years, I had a close relationship with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine. As a senior official appointed by him, we communicated frequently, and I observed his actions both publicly and privately. When we parted ways, it was amicable, and I hold no personal grudges. However, I feel compelled to speak out now because Zelensky is making choices that could significantly impact Ukraine’s future, all while pretending to act in its best interest during this time of conflict. I am deeply concerned about his direction, and I am choosing to remain anonymous in sharing my thoughts due to concerns about possible repercussions from his government.
It’s difficult for me to say this, but some of Donald Trump’s criticisms of Zelensky resonate with many in Ukraine. Although Western leaders have condemned Trump’s comments, I’ve noticed a quiet acknowledgment of certain truths among various segments of Ukrainian society.
Daria Kaleniuk argues that Donald Trump has a misguided view of Ukraine’s leadership. Ukraine is facing a profound contradiction: while it fights hard to defend its independence, it weakens its democratic values. For quite some time, Western nations have seen President Alinsky as a symbol of democracy. However, Kaleniuk believes that he has harmed Ukraine’s democratic processes, its institutions, and its economy, leaving the country vulnerable to threats and diminishing the spirit to resist the Russian invasion.
Zelensky’s first presidential term ended in May 2024, yet elections haven’t occurred due to the ongoing war. He extends martial law every three months and doesn’t seem open to relaxing it, even though European leaders have suggested he should. Zelensky claims that “the people don’t want elections.” Recent surveys show that 65% of Ukrainians agree with him and prefer not to have elections during the war. However, based on last year’s Gallup polls, over half of Ukrainians wanted to end the conflict quickly, which could be even higher now.
Kaleniuk questions the reliability of these polls, especially in a country where fear is prevalent, elections are postponed indefinitely, and fundamental rights are being compromised. In this atmosphere, fear shapes Zelensky’s life for many Ukrainians.
Even before the Putin invasion, President Zelensky showed signs of a more authoritarian leadership style. In 2019, he insisted that his team create positive stories about him, even when his policies were not working. Today, he has managed to build a large group of supporters who portray him as a symbol of democracy and the heartbeat of Ukraine. However, his authoritarian tendencies have become more pronounced during the war, with his security forces operating without much oversight and instances of excessive actions in regions close to the front lines.
Ukraine is now worn out and unable to fight a long, drawn-out war. Many men have paid large sums—sometimes tens of thousands of dollars—in bribes to leave the country, which has tight border controls for men eligible for military service. This has led to a significant brain drain and a loss of skilled workforce. Those who stay are living in constant fear of being taken off the streets or from public places and forced into the army. Some of the recruits are even disabled or seriously ill. Often, they receive little to no training before being sent to the front lines. Recruitment officers who desperately need new soldiers sometimes wait for bribes before taking them.
Meanwhile, women, daughters, and mothers are stepping into jobs traditionally held by men, working hard to earn money to bribe officials for exemptions for their loved ones or to protect young men from being drafted. Unfortunately, those with connections in the government can avoid conscription and move freely, while many others are not so lucky.
The war has given Ukrainian President Zelensky much power, allowing his security forces to operate without much oversight. In at least eight regions close to the front lines, martial law has led to instances where police and military personnel have acted excessively. Under the guise of looking for traitors, state forces are conducting raids on homes, checking people’s phones and computers, and detaining civil servants without proper reason. In these areas, many people are afraid to share their opinions with journalists or surveyors openly. They’ll repeat the government’s approved messages—portraying Zelensky as a hero and Ukraine as strong. However, they express their feelings privately, many wishing for his departure.
On a larger scale, accusations of having ties to Russia are commonly used to take control of businesses. Numerous scandals involve overpriced reconstruction projects and bribes for travel, leading to a growing distrust in the government. Recent polls show that more than 70% of Ukrainians feel that their government is taking advantage of the war for personal benefit in areas that are suffering from constant bombing. Some people quietly admit they would prefer living under Russian rule. This doesn’t mean they are traitors; it reflects Zelensky’s damage to democracy. As the purpose of the fight becomes less clear, many people are looking for alternatives, such as a pro-Russian candidate who might negotiate with Vladimir Putin. Some even grimly resign themselves to the idea that life under a Russian government might be better than continuing the war. The sense of shallow patriotism promoted by Zelensky is fading, and exhaustion is replacing it. Now, the concern isn’t just whether Ukraine can win but whether it can survive with him as its leader.
The ongoing war has allowed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to gain significant power, control over large amounts of foreign aid, and international admiration. From his first day in office—something I witnessed firsthand—he seemed focused on winning a second term. While he publicly claimed that re-election was not on his mind, he was busy preparing for it behind the scenes.
Zelensky closely monitors his approval ratings and lays the groundwork for his campaign. Since September 2024, his administration has been making extra payments to people who promote his image online, filling social media with videos that showcase him as a charismatic leader in his signature green T-shirt.
However, one significant part of his strategy has been to remove potential political rivals. For example, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and a strong possible opponent was suddenly removed from his position last year and given a diplomatic job instead. Reports suggest the government couldn’t file legal cases against him if he tried to enter the political arena.
Another notable figure, Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, has recently faced harsh sanctions—his bank accounts frozen, and his assets seized to the extent that he couldn’t even afford a coffee. Poroshenko has aspired to regain power for years, hoping to go from Ukraine’s fifth president to its seventh, and he still has a strong base of supporters.
Additionally, Yuriy Boyko, a leader of a party perceived as pro-Russian, was called in for questioning by the Security Service of Ukraine due to a TikTok video where he called for an end to the war.
While Zelensky is genuinely gearing up for the elections, he seems intent on ensuring that there isn’t a fair contest, which will increase his chances of winning.
Currently, President Zelensky and his team hold significant power over Ukraine. They can influence elections, silence opposition, and Yermak’s anyone they want. Independent media outlets are banned from broadcasting on television and radio, and activists who speak out against corruption face threats of arrest. For example, a man who revealed corruption involving Zelensky’s chief of staff had his life threatened and was sent to the most dangerous front lines of the war, where he lost his life. Another journalist who reported on corruption involving the former Defense Minister was only saved from jail thanks to intervention from the U.S. Ambassador. Additionally, a journalist from a media outlet who was critical of Zelensky was held by military officers for a day until he agreed to cooperate with them and went to the front lines. A member of parliament who Zelensky’sthat Zelensky should acknowledge the war is not going well, and that Putin’speace was arrested for treason shortly thereafter and is currently in jail.
Before the war, Zelensky’s approval rating was around 23%. However, after the Russian invasion, a popular phrase—”I need ammunition, not a ride”—mistakenly attributed to an American diplomat—turned Zelensky into a global figure. His approval soared to over 90%. However, as time went on, the President’s approval dropped significantly. Private surveys show his approval is below 10%, while official polls claim it is at 63%.
Ukrainians are brave but don’t want to sacrifice their lives for a corrupt government. The key to saving Ukraine is ending the war and restoring democracy and the economy. Continuing the conflict won’t lead to victory; it could bring about the nation’s collapse. It’s clear that a change in leadership is needed, and if Donald Trump doesn’t help make that happen, Ukraine’s future looks bleak.
Oleksiy Kosach is a pseudonym for a former senior official in Volodymyr Zelensky’s government
