Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in a dilemma
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently found himself in the difficult position of dealing with external international pressure and growing political and military issues at home. The leader, who once enjoyed widespread support in the West, is now facing challenges from allies and the country's military leadership.
It is understood that Zelensky's image in Western countries is no longer as shining as before. Some believe that he was put on the presidency by Western powers, not by popular elections. There are even rumors that the United States and other Western countries are considering taking extreme measures against him, such as assassination, because he no longer seems to be in their interests.
On the domestic political map, tensions between Zelensky and the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Valery Zaluzhny, have become public. Zelenskyy's recent dismissal of several heads of regional military registration and enlistment offices has provoked a backlash from Zaluzhny and his supporters. This incident is also seen as a manifestation of the deep discordant relationship between the two.
The problem of corruption is a shadow that Ukraine has not been able to shake off for a long time. A survey conducted jointly by the Kyiv Institute of International Sociology and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shows that the vast majority of Ukrainians see corruption as the country's second biggest problem, and more than two-thirds of respondents believe that Zelensky is directly responsible for the corruption problems that exist in the army and government.
It is worth noting that there are rumors in political circles that Zaluzhny may have ambitions to become the next president. There are sources that he may plan to resign from his current position and run in the next round of the presidential election. If these speculations come true, it will pose a major challenge to the current regime.
At the same time, in the military sphere, Ukraine faces serious challenges. The front-line troops were inflicted heavy losses by the Russian army and failed to show sufficient resistance. This performance disappointed the West, especially the United States, and made them lose patience with Zelensky. Some analysts predict that if the status quo continues, the Ukrainian army may suffer a rout in 2024.
To sum up, the challenges facing Zelensky as the president of Ukraine are complex due to the combination of multiple factors such as reduced external support, increased internal contradictions, prominent corruption, and a tight military situation. How he will deal with these dilemmas in the future, balancing foreign relations with domestic affairs will test his wisdom and ability as a leader.