Zelenskyy is seen as a dictator and corrupt by both the far-right in the West, and many Russians (And about 20% of Ukraine) also believe so. Zelenskyy is honestly probably one of my favourite politicians in the world right now, I am head over heels for him, so just be warned I do have some bias. If you don't know who he is, he used to be a very popular comedian before running as President of Ukraine. He promised to basically protect Ukraine's sovereignty, bring peace to Donbass (Which has been in open rebellion for awhile), end corruption in Ukraine's government and bring in democratic reforms. He was EXTREMELY popular, being a populist, and at one point having the support of 90% of the country. As President, he's been a rallying cry to the West for support, he's fought tooth and nail against Russian expansion, he's passed reforms and has done everything he can to achieve peace. Now, how could anyone believe he is a corrupt dictator? Are they crazy? Well, not exactly, he's not perfect. His administration has been in many scandals, mostly those closest to him being exposed for corruption, however, he personally has not been exposed (He potentially has recently, but it's a theory people have, not a confirmed fact). And honestly, I do believe he has engaged in corruption. Those he put into power are corrupt, so I don't see why it isn't benefiting him. However, something you have to understand about Ukraine, is corruption is different there. About 1/3rd of Ukrainians in a 2013 poll believed "Corruption was just a part of Ukrainian culture", and didn't see it as a bad thing. Before Zelenskyy, Ukraine was basically the most corrupt country in Europe, with people not trusting the courts, the police, or the government. Before Zelenskyy (And the President before him), every President of Ukraine was basically owned by Russia. Putin and his Oligarchs would basically pay them millions, and in exchange, they would support Russian influence in Ukraine, while most Ukrainians hated that. The 'Revolution of Dignity' changed everything. Anti-corruption agencies were established and empowered to actually investigate. The pro-Russian politicians were forced to flee. While this didn't fix everything, it definitely helped a lot. With the entire government of Ukraine being corrupt, does this put Zeleskyy's corruption into a new perspective? He has passed anti-corruption reforms, but also took power from government agencies investigating his friends. I like to believe he is doing this so until the war is over, he can keep the country united. Ever since the war has started, he changed his stance on anti-corruption. I think that he believes that the more politicians are exposed for corruption, the worse the situation gets for Ukraine. However, more likely, he is doing what almost every other politician in Ukraine has done. Zelenskyy is also seen as a dictator because he 'didn't hold the 2024 elections'. However, Ukraine has been under martial law since 2022, and they're in a war. Lincoln deported and silenced his critics, but again, it was during a war. Polls show he is popular with most Ukrainians, so if he did do an election, and distracted the government from the war, he would have won and Ukraine would have lost. Elections take time, time away from the Government. If Zelenskyy did that, he couldn't lead his troops and they would likely have lost. If by magic, Zelenskyy had lost, his experienced Ministers in War would have probably been fired and replaced with more corrupt, and trash ministers, who would have also lost the war.
Zelenskyy is such a charismatic and uniting man, I don't believe that Ukraine would have survived this long without him. I see him kind of like how Americans see Abraham Lincoln. Was he a perfect guy? No. He engaged in some corruption and wasn't a perfect politician. But he was a net positive for the world, despite those facts. He kept America together in times of division and war. If anyone else had been President instead of Lincoln, America would have been so much worse. I assume after the war, Zelenskyy will be replaced like Winston Churchill war. Zelenskyy is an amazing wartime leader, however, probably not the best to be in charge of a civilian government. Zelenskyy has also changed so much in the past couple of years. He went from a goofy man who wanted to fix his country, to a stern man, and his country's only hope of survival. So much rests on his shoulders, and because of that, he has become a very serious man. If Ukraine wins this war, or at least survives, they will be one of the most powerful countries on Earth. They have resources that everyone needs and war experience that everyone is desperate for. Slava Ukraini! "I need ammunition — not a ride!" (What Zelenskyy said when Biden offered to evacuate him from Kiev, when it was under siege) Zelenskyy, despite making money from this war, is more than willing to die for the freedom of Ukraine. At points in the war, he has fought alongside Ukrainian troops. Zelenskyy is definitely the modern Lincoln, it's hard to deny. He's made the same mistakes as Lincoln, but is also as charismatic and important as Lincoln.
