Ukraine: Zelensky's mandate tested by a third year of war
When he began his presidency in 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky probably did not imagine spending most of it in wartime.
After two years of Russian aggression against Ukraine, even if some disappointments have tainted his popularity, he remains the most reliable political figure for Ukrainians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video, April 8, 2022. AP
By: Emmanuelle Chaze
Advertisement
Read more
With our correspondent in Ukraine,
At the start of Russia
's invasion of Ukraine
, more than 90% of Ukrainians said they trusted their president.
It is partly due to the fact that the Ukrainian president remained in kyiv and achieved great successes, such as the liberation of Kharkiv and Kherson, that Zelensky remained very popular in the eyes of the Ukrainian people.
But in recent months, this popularity has been somewhat damaged, notably following rumors of disagreement with the extremely popular former commander-in-chief of the armies Valery Zalouzhny.
Despite this decline, he nevertheless maintains the trust of 70% of Ukrainians and therefore remains the most reliable political figure in the country.
As the war in
Ukraine
enters its third year, many urgent files remain on the Ukrainian president's desk.
On the international level, it must continue to obtain international aid, whether financial, military or humanitarian.
On this issue, he must deal with a big unknown: the participation of the
United States
.
Also read: Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin and Paris to sign security pacts
Indeed, a possible political change after the American elections would greatly complicate the situation on the front line if it results in a reduction in international aid.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian president must also answer the question of mobilization and the economic question, that is to say, of continuing the transformation of the Ukrainian economy towards a war economy.
Election
2024 was also supposed to be a presidential election year in Ukraine because the Ukrainian president's term ends in May 2024. But will it really be able to be held?
Since February 2022, Ukraine has lived under martial law and according to the Constitution, this makes it impossible to hold an election.
Between the millions of Ukrainians displaced within the country, those who are refugees in other countries, the millions of people inaccessible because they live under Russian occupation and hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the electorate is difficult to mobilize.
This is also the case for candidates.
Added to all these obstacles is the risk of cyberattacks in the event of electronic voting.
Therefore, unless martial law is suspended for the duration of an electoral campaign, i.e. several months, these elections cannot be organized.
For his part, Zelensky said in 2019 that he would only run for one term.
Read alsoIn Ukraine, the unbearable wait of prisoners' families
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky
Russia