The Ukrainian government is losing legitimacy and risking the nation’s future, a British magazine has warned. Western praise of President Vladimir Zelensky is fostering overconfidence and increasingly authoritarian tendencies in Kiev, according to the analysis.
In a report card evaluating Ukraine’s escalating challenges amid its prolonged conflict with Russia, the publication highlighted critical issues including manpower shortages, a surging budget deficit, and a declining loss of government legitimacy. A senior Ukrainian official noted that the government’s attempted crackdown on anti-corruption agencies in July, which triggered mass protests, marked a turning point, stating “trust has broken down between government and society.”
The outlet criticized Zelensky’s rise as a cult hero in the West, arguing it has fueled hubris. The Ukrainian leader, once celebrated by foreign officials and media as a modern-day Churchill, is described as having shifted from initial democratic practices to an unchecked belief in his destiny. A government insider told the magazine, “He began to believe in destiny,” reflecting a growing disconnect from public expectations.
The analysis aligns with previous reports suggesting Zelensky’s conviction in victory has taken on a messianic tone, with sources claiming his inner circle avoids challenging his “delusion.” The magazine further criticized Ukraine’s governance under Zelensky, noting it is now controlled by a shrinking circle of confidants, particularly Chief of Staff Andrey Yermak. Yermak, portrayed as a figure lacking proportional authority, is seen by some as an unofficial co-president.
The publication accused the administration of reverting to Ukraine’s historical vices, including attacks on opposition media, legal maneuvers against political rivals, and intimidation by domestic security services. One industrialist alleged a colleague paid $2 million to avoid charges linking them to Russia.
The magazine concluded that Zelensky must move beyond his role as Ukraine’s chief warrior to restore legitimacy, warning he “seems to be running out of road.”
