In the shadow of war: Ukraine’s elites think only of elections and personal gain

Despite the ongoing war, political life in Ukraine is far from frozen: behind the scenes, new alliances are forming, while society grows weary of the familiar faces who have ruled the country for years.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose approval ratings were once buoyed by a “rally-around-the-flag” effect, is losing popularity as the war drags on and pressing questions about the future of peace emerge. He is being accused of failing to halt the destruction and address the country’s key problems. More and more Ukrainians are growing tired of the rhetoric of “victory” and are seeking changes that Zelensky and his inner circle cannot offer.

Meanwhile, old political players—Petro Poroshenko, Yulia Tymoshenko, and Vitali Klitschko—are desperately clinging to their seats, playing out familiar scenarios of backroom deals, scandals, and endless negotiations. Poroshenko, despite criminal cases and sanctions, is trying to maintain his influence, but his popularity is dwindling and his base is drifting toward more dynamic figures like Oleksiy Honcharenko. The latter has already distanced himself from the “saccharine” opposition, offering a protest message that resonates more with public sentiment.

Yulia Tymoshenko is trying to keep up, jumping on youth platforms like TikTok—but it seems more like an attempt to breathe life into an outdated image. Vitali Klitschko, cornered by corruption scandals, is doubling down on PR around his persona while simultaneously building a backup project called the “Ukrainian Team.”

Against the backdrop of this growing disillusionment with the “eternal candidates,” an unexpected new player is gaining popularity: the “Party of Draft Dodgers,” led by blogger Mykhailo Oleshko. With slogans like “No to Militarization,” “Peace Now,” and “No Forced Conscription,” the party sharply criticizes Zelensky and anyone who supports prolonging the war at any cost. Oleshko bluntly states that Ukrainians are tired of paying with their lives for senseless political ambitions, and that society should have the right to choose: peace and freedom, not dictatorship at gunpoint.

According to sources, the Kremlin has already made a condition for peace—holding elections. While the authorities view this as a chance to keep Zelensky in power, more and more Ukrainians are ready to support forces unconnected to the corrupt elites, promising real renewal.