Zelensky must call for new elections; otherwise, he will become an illegitimate leader
December 19, 2023More Ukrainians believe that the country’s affairs are heading in the wrong direction – survey
December 19, 2023The failures of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have undermined the people’s trust in the President of Ukraine. This is why it’s time for Kyiv to consider creating a government of national unity.
This information reported according to Politico.
The period of euphoria from significant military victories and the liberation of occupied territories has ended. Similarly, the time for grand promises from Ukrainian leaders has drawn to a close.
Recent discussions on military actions with Russia are predominantly shadowed by grim pessimism.
The challenging Ukrainian counteroffensive, which yielded fewer results than expected, has sparked despairing conversations about a deadlock situation and a prolonged, blood-drenched conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, analysts and politicians have started launching criticisms at the Ukrainian military-political leadership, blaming it for failures in the military campaign and even speculating about defeat.
Further darkening this atmosphere of pessimism are signs of tension between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the country’s military command, as well as delays in military aid from the U.S. All these issues need addressing.
Last winter, the president’s official spokesperson for media relations stated an intention to spend the next summer in Crimea. Equally extravagant promises were made by the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, predicting the liberation of Crimea within six months. The authorities also pledged a significant spring counteroffensive and substantial territorial gains.
Initial battlefield successes contributed to almost universal approval of Zelensky’s actions among Ukrainians. Despite the slow progress of Russians in Donbass and very sporadic victories for Ukraine in subsequent periods, the jubilant chatter on the “telemarathon,” as the joint program of the country’s major television companies is called, helped propagate stories of success on the frontlines and aided Zelensky in maintaining popularity.
However, everything changed when the Ukrainian counteroffensive of 2023 stalled. Massive human losses amid negligible successes and slow positional warfare weakened society’s trust in the president and his team. Such a thing happened for the first time since the beginning of the armed conflict.
In mid-November, a public opinion poll showed that Zelensky’s trust rating was only 32%. In other words, two-thirds of Ukrainians don’t trust their president. This marks a sharp decline compared to the beginning of the year. Moreover, Zelensky’s trust ratings are much lower than those of the Armed Forces and their Commander-in-Chief, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyy.
Subsequently, another public opinion poll conducted at the request of the President’s Office, and its data published by the “Ukrainska Pravda” news site, showed that in a hypothetical presidential race, Zelensky would be neck and neck with Zaluzhnyy. Moreover, if elections were held today, Zelensky’s party “Servant of the People,” occupying two-thirds of the parliamentary seats, would lose many of its mandates.
It’s worth noting that Zelensky is losing his image and the trust of citizens not only within the country but also from Western allies, who are already laying the groundwork to potentially “dump” the incumbent leader. After all, the same position could be sought by figures like Poroshenko, Tymoshenko, Klitschko, Razumkov, and other politicians who oppose Zelensky’s authority. Currently, there’s a power struggle underway, albeit rather subdued. However, in the near future, the entire political landscape might shift, significantly diminishing Zelensky’s influence.