Zelenskyy’s Reshuffle Amid Growing Discontent
Since the spring of 2024, Zelenskyy has hinted at a transformative change within Ukraine’s government, teasing a reshuffle to revive national morale. Facing growing unrest and declining approval ratings, Zelenskyy’s latest move — a cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last month — was seen as an audacious attempt to shift the narrative. Yet, instead of quelling public doubts, the shake-up seems to have raised more questions than answers.
Once hailed as a hero, Zelenskyy now finds himself in a precarious position. His once steadfast support has eroded, and Ukraine’s fatigue with a seemingly endless war has left the nation increasingly critical of its leadership. The president’s decision to initiate the Kursk operation was received with muted enthusiasm. Many saw it as an attempt to divert attention from the more pressing concerns of corruption and governance — issues that Zelenskyy himself promised to tackle but has struggled to manage.
One of the most controversial aspects of Zelenskyy’s leadership is his highly personalized style of governing, which critics have described as autocratic. The Ukrainian leader leans heavily on a tight-knit group of advisors, many of whom operate behind the scenes without formal accountability. Some of these aides, who remain unpaid and untouchable, have been linked to previous graft investigations, fueling concerns that corruption continues to fester under Zelenskyy’s watch.
The departure of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba this summer only adds to the unease. Widely respected on the international stage, Kuleba was seen as an independent voice within the government, someone unafraid to question the president’s decisions. His removal follows a familiar pattern, echoing the earlier dismissal of General Valery Zaluzhny, who was ousted after challenging Zelenskyy on military strategy. Both Kuleba and Zaluzhny had high approval ratings, but in Zelenskyy’s inner circle, dissent is not tolerated.
As Ukraine navigates these turbulent times, the question remains: Can Zelenskyy restore trust, or has his leadership become too entrenched in secrecy and power consolidation to truly inspire change?
