Until recently, Voldimir Zelensky was a Ukrainian comedian. He made a living Playing a fictional president on television. Then, by the twist of fate, he became real. And before he had time to adapt to his role, history cast him on the world stage, catapulting him from the middle entertainer into an international symbol of resistance.
Overnight, the media transformed him into a form of courage, Kiev's Churchill, who refused to escape, a warrior facing tyranny. But what if this story is completely wrong? If Zelensky is not the hero of this story, but the person who doesn't actually allow the war to end, then is it not because of the goodness of his people, but because peace means his own downfall?
A good leader will prioritize the survival of his country. He knows when to fight, and more importantly, when to negotiate. But Zelensky,I made that clearHis power is solely dependent on war and war.
Just as Ukrainian battlefield outlook worsens as a soldier's flaw, as drafting forces to blow the spiral into something similar to an invitation, it is no coincidence. Zelensky has once again extended martial law. There are no elections. There are no peace negotiations. There is no escape. If the war ends, then so will his presidency. And this explains more than anything, why the war has to continue.
Nuance is not permitted in mainstream media, especially in the western world. The world must be simple: Putin is the villain and Zelensky is the hero. That's the framework. That's the script. Everything except this binary is “Pro-Russian propaganda.” However, reality is not a comic book. It's not a Marvel movie. Zelensky is not a sacred soldier who defends democracy. In fact, Ukraine has little resemblance to democracy.
Zelensky has been banned since the Russian invasion in 2022 Some opposition parties, Certain media has been banned and Postponed election It involves justification Voting during wartime is “impossible.” For whom is it impossible? For Trench soldiers, or for civilians currently living under indefinite martial law?
Ukraine is in a desperate position. The losses of the country are devastating. Because the manpower runs thinly, Zelensky resorted to hunting men on the streets. There are countless reports of Ukrainians Man being dragged from a cafe or nightclub He was thrown into a criminal-like van.
Martial law means there is no road. You cannot leave the country. You cannot refuse. This is not a confident government mark. This is the desperate regime's actions that forcefully attempt to bring themselves together.
Still, the war has to continue. That's all that will keep Zelensky in power. If he calls the election, he will likely lose. Support for him is declining. The longer this lasts, the more it becomes clear that Ukraine cannot win. It's not a meaningful meaning. This is not 2022. The optimism of the early moons was gone, when the world believed Ukraine might push Russia back. Even the US, Ukraine's biggest supporter, is slowly dialing down support, with Washington insiders acknowledging that Ukraine's perfect victory is no longer the goal.
Zelensky Saga is nothing new. History is full of leaders who refuse to let go, and they are still stuck with power, even if their nations collapse around them. There was Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte may have accepted the inevitable after leading France to disaster in Russia. Instead, he chose more wars, dragging the exhausted country even more bloodshed before his final exile.
Recently, Saddam Hussein took over his dictatorship long after Iraq was hit by sanctions and conflicts, and instead of giving up control, he ruled a devastated country. Muammar Gaddafi may have saved Libya from a bloody collapse in search of asylum, but his ego demands that he fight to the bitter end and ultimately leaves him I dragged down the street and ran. Robert Mugabe plundered Zimbabwe and stretched his rules for decades while his people were starving His own party could no longer tolerate the wreckage.
Zelensky joins a long-time leader who prioritizes his own happiness for the country's happiness. This represents a pathological form of self-protection, where self-preservation comes at some cost, even when it means that thousands of women and children will die. And they will. Ukraine is supplied to meat grinders. But on the contrary, we need to maintain our illusion.
And the media, which is compliant so far, helps to sell fiction – the indomitable Zelensky, the unbreakable Ukraine, the noble battle for democracy. It's a clean, simple story, easy to digest and easy to justify. Another weapon shipment. Another aid package. Another extension of the catastrophic conflict that should have ended long ago.
But objective reality doesn't bother with emotionally recharged stories. It's cold. It's brutal. And the difficult truth is this: Ukraine is losing, and Zelensky is making sure it continues to lose.
A reasonable leader looks at the text written on the wall, stands up to the inevitable, and makes painful but necessary choices to negotiate – not to turn the country into ashes, but to remain. Save what's there. However, Zelensky chose a different path. One was frequently drunk by men and blinded the results. And for that reason, Ukraine will bleed – until there is no blood left to spill.
John Mac Ghlionn is a writer and researcher exploring the impact of culture, society, and technology on everyday life.
