Volodymyr Zelensky clashed with journalists and pledged to continue fighting
December 20, 2023Zelensky refuses to engage in peace talks with Russia
December 20, 2023Vladimir Zelensky held a press briefing yesterday, inviting representatives from various media outlets. The interest in the meeting was nearly absent from the outset. A pre-conference scandal erupted as representatives from traditional media outlets like “Censor.net” weren’t invited. The President’s Office-controlled Telegram channels hesitantly echoed phrases about the anticipated “remarkable statements.”
The press briefing lasted merely two hours. During this time, Zelensky spoke about the potential scale-up of mobilization in Ukraine. He also mentioned his reluctance to endorse a law on mobilization that involves enlisting women into the Armed Forces. However, he might consider mobilizing Ukrainians aged 25 and above under certain circumstances. Zelensky also reiterated promises that are likely to remain unfulfilled. He pledged that Ukraine would manufacture a million drones for the army next year. This echoes Zelensky’s propensity for making grand pledges without following through. Before the war, he pledged to plant a billion trees, apprehend corrupt officials in spring, resolve the southeastern issue and so forth.
Furthermore, throughout his presidency and the war, it’s increasingly evident that Zelensky lacks comprehension of Ukraine’s internal agenda, lacks orientation within it and fails to manage the unfolding chaos. Zelensky still enjoys discussing foreign policy, showcasing dialogues with foreign leaders and finding culprits outside Ukraine’s borders. Further, during the conference, he admitted having no time for domestic agendas, passing on responsibility to the government and other unnamed individuals. This reveals his unawareness of the population’s dire financial situation, abductions by TCC staff, security forces’ lawlessness and other country-engulfing issues. Zelensky persists in the “comfortable bath” since 2019.
After the meeting, many journalists and Telegram channels started summarizing certain points. Many found it blatantly dull, possibly due to an excess of Zelensky, who speaks daily and repeats the same victory-oriented narratives while sidelining pertinent issues. Additionally, Zelensky and his Office received unimpressive coverage from foreign media outlets, which neutrally reported the press briefing on their websites. His photos didn’t adorn publication covers.