Is Zelenskyy a โWalking Deadโ President?
March 11, 2025โข455 words
"I used to think that the causes of war were predominantly economic. I came to think that they were more psychological. I am now coming to think that they are decisively "personal," arising from the defects and ambitions of those who have the power to influence the currents of nations." ~ B. H. Liddell Hart
"The failure to dissect the cause of war leaves us open for the next installment." ~ Chris Hedges
"The best defence of peace is not power, but the removal of the causes of war, and international agreements which will put peace on a stronger foundation, than the terror of destruction." ~ Lester B. Pearson
Historically, wartime presidents have one of three destinies: they win and turn into strongmen, lose and are overthrown (or worse), or are made irrelevant as war fatigue sets in. Using this lens on Zelenskyy, his plight is precarious.
Politically tainted or at risk of being removed, there are signs of mounting difficulties for Zelenskyy. The protracted war with Russia, war economy, and political tension have taken their toll on some of his initial popularity.
Zelenskyy has managed to dodge plots on his life up until now.
Leaders who win and consolidate power such as Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and David Ben-Gurion, does Zelenskyy's fit into this category of leaders?
If Ukraine can survive as a free country with American, UK, and EU support, Zelenskyy could be a national hero. Even then, war recovery is barbaric, Churchill was removed from office even though he had won.
The most brutal aspect of Zelenskyy's leadership will be under scrutiny, the number of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel who were killed, rough estimates are close to 600,000.
As a nation's president, he is caught in the collective trauma as a leader of a nation-state and there will be numerous people both at home and abroad who will point fingers to lay blame on Zelenskyy.
Leaders Who Lose and Are Overthrown
Napoleon, Wilhelm II, Hitler, and Saddam, will Zelenskyy meet the same destiny?
If Ukraine loses more sovereignty to Russia, and it does seem like Russia is taking over, he could be removed, exiled, or worse. Putin has made Zelenskyy a target and internal opposition is growing, as he is considered a NATO or American installed puppet.
The majority of Ukrainians are questioning him currently, especially following the American president scolding him on International media and inquiring from Zelenskyy where is all the hundreds of billions of dollars?
With the war and it's third full year, with no Ukrainian victory, domestic and international fatigue has set in, corruption scandals and economic blunders are coming and these will erode confidence, and Zelenskyy will become a scapegoat.