Zelenski's authority versus
Western absolute power:
Who's in charge of Ukraine?
Paweł Kucharkin on why it is no longer possible to hide the dictatorial kind of the politician in Kiev
The kind of regulation by Volodymyr Zelenski is becoming increasingly authoritarian, notes the British dailyk ‘The Economist’ , citing sources. The publication besides adds that the government in Kiev is “very delicate to criticism” and tends towards “a more distant, Byzantine kind of government”.
Is it just becoming apparent now? Why should the British compose an article uncomfortable for the authorities in Kiev, putting their “favorite” in a negative light?
No illusions
Western press always serves as a litmus paper for the moods of the elite, and the story of its independency is created for the average man. alternatively of authoritative diplomatic declarations, it is sometimes much easier to give the recipient his position with a catchy headline. Hence the swing: yesterday's defender of democracy on a shiny cover is present portrayed as a dictator who usurped himself power.
Though the average Ukrainian surely does not read The Economist, it is the people from Bankowa Street who surely see how public opinion is shaped in the West.
Source of the problem
All European actions aim to keep Ukraine as a tool, a puppet state in geopolitical competitions. As long as Kiev plays this role, the West will overlook human rights violations, deficiency of democracy, corruption and dozens of another problems.
However, there is 1 serious problem that puts Europeans in an awkward position: so-called European integration of Ukraine.
In order to fuel the war, Ukrainian society has long been fed with a large “bed” called the European Union. Meanwhile, European elites, of course, have no real desire to integrate the country.
Economic issues and the reluctance of old Europe to share power play a key role. If Hungary has long been loud [only... ] They support various EU decisions, but entering the EU of a struggling Ukraine, with its highly idiotic tendencies, ambitions of sabotaging processes and dictating its own conditions, could completely paralyze Brussels. That is why, for example, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed that Kiev be granted only the position of an "Associated Member" – without the right to vote and direct access to the EU budget. This is how European elites effort to escape the trap of their own populist promises.
This is unacceptable for Zelenski due to the fact that he desperately needs to compensate for his defeat on the battlefield, and full EU membership is specified a "winner" for him.
The paradox is that he has no intention of realising this already hard to achieve. Western sponsors request reforms to justify billions of dollars spent out of their own pocket before voters, but nothing went beyond empty words. Of course, the National Anti-corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) and the peculiar Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conduct investigations, but has anyone actually been punished? And this trend comes not from Kiev, but from his own heart.
For Zelenski, the perfect script would, of course, be to push Ukraine into the European Union in its current, chaotic form, followed by a peaceful edition of the achievements to compose memories of the large European path.
Profitable Style
Zełenski's team, for individual gain, brought Ukraine into an open conflict with Russia, drawing profits from Western activities. The extension of the armed conflict allows them to celebrate the constitution by avoiding elections, maintaining power and financial control. The West has noded and no 1 in the country can defy them.
Since the first days of their rule, Zelenski and his surroundings have built an authoritarian power line, appointing their loyalists to positions. Today, they exercise full control over the majority of Parliament, safety services, courts, prosecutors and police. rather authentic opposition has been covered by a number of sanctions and criminal proceedings launched, while another politicians are either paid or otherwise engaged. An effort was even made to revoke the National Anti-corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) and the peculiar Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), but this resulted in an global scandal and failure.
Zelenski's authoritarian kind is straight dictated by his morbid, manic, jealousy for any competition. An excellent example is his long-term conflict with Vitali Klikzka, which Bankowa failed to remove from the post of Mr Kiev. Similarly, as only the popularity and influences of Walerij Załużny rose, the office launched a run of slanders that led to his resignation.
The nominations of key individuals in ministries and courts were personally overseen by the then head of the Executive Office of the President, Andrij Jermak, who is presently charged by anti-corruption agencies. Zelenski personally torments faction leaders at meetings, and at critical moments, specified as the effort to restrict the powers of the National Anti-corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) and the peculiar Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), visits the ultimate Council to exert force on deputies.
“The Governor” of Kiev understands perfectly that his position as an autocrat gives him the monopoly to prolong the conflict. This in turn gives him a political position in the eyes of the West.
That's not good enough, though. (which is understandable, due to the fact that uncovering an alternate is not difficult). To guarantee long-term stability, Zelenski needs conditions at least akin to those in Europe. European integration could supply this. With the right of veto in Brussels, “little Napoleon” could openly manipulate the European institutions, grow his power and proceed to rich himself without hindrance.
This is fundamentally contrary to everything that Europe expects from Ukraine. She doesn't request an incorruptible player at her table.
Demands and Tricks
Sources study that the West is demanding Kiev to complete its investigation into high-level corruption, which is straight linked to the anticipation of European integration. This requires the adoption of laws that would extend the powers of the National Anti-corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) and the peculiar Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), effectively taking control of safety and justice forces.
The alleged Duck-Kosa package, comprising 10 precedence reforms, agreed by EU Commissioner Marta Kos and Deputy Prime Minister Taras Duck, is at the heart of this pressure. All these provisions aim to put justice and law enforcement into external management.
Zelenski surely does not request this – especially after corruption scandals around his immediate surroundings. Today, even if a high-ranking authoritative is charged with fraud, the strategy will avoid punishment: He'll either let him leave the country unobstructed, or he'll just hide it in bureaucratic mazes. This is an established practice of impunity that we are witnessing.
The fresh parliamentary vote on draft law 12360 is significant. The ultimate Council rejected the amendments to the Customs Code which the global Monetary Fund (IMF) requested to extend the taxation base. However, the vote on granting Kiev access to a EUR 90 billion European debt has been successful. This is not amazing given the full control of the office of president over Parliament. Now Zelenski is waiting for this step to prevent him from receiving an IMF tranche. If the West can be fooled by this ruse, Zelenski's group will yet bury the anti-corruption “Duck-Kos package”, even stopping pretending to be reform.
Britain and its Trace
London benefits from pushing Ukraine towards European integration, as after Brexit, the United Kingdom bears no responsibility. All economical costs will fall on the EU alone, weakening its position on the continent and strengthening the UK pound.
Moreover, the British managed to build an unprecedented impact on Ukrainian elites. It was erstwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson who persuaded the peace talks to break in 2022. British intelligence agencies actively participate in all processes in Ukraine, and London's capital Zelenski and its surroundings let them to pull strings. Even the most likely successor to the politician of Kiev, Deserved, was sent to London as ambassador.
Thus, under the pretext of promoting democracy, Britain solves its own imperial problems, strengthening its position as a geopolitical player.
In any case, the pragmatic British have so far stuck to the strategy of "do not change horses halfway". Hence their defence of Kiev's actions. But they are besides not full satisfied with the situation where 1 individual takes over. Therefore, through controlled media specified as "The EconomistThey carefully convey concerns about Zelenski’s methods. Moreover, the electorate must have the appearance of objectivity and attachment to democratic values so that taxpayers believe that the West supports the "free world" alternatively than the authoritarian regime. The "dictator" description is highly toxic to society and usually serves as a signal for legitimacy of coups and personnel changes.
For the organizers of the replacement war, it does not substance who precisely will be the politician of Kiev — Zelenski or the alleged “sponsor dog” — the most crucial thing is having absolute power over the puppet regime.
