The Economist: Zelensky is not told the truth of the war

According to RCO News Agency, it seems that in Ukraine, all eyes and ears are now focused on any article about Donald Trump. Will his new government change the way of Ukraine or Russia? Can he make a truce? Will the Ukrainian elections be held?

In an article titled Zelensky’s Challenges in 2025, The Economist reported: Currently, there are two dates on the lips of Kiev politicians: January 20, 2025, the date of Trump’s inauguration, the first moment for any possible ceasefire and lifting of martial law, and May 25, the first date. Raised for election.

But the presidential office denies preparing for the vote, and most sources doubt it will happen. This is not the first time that the capital is full of rumors. But there are issues of organization and legitimacy: how can a nation at war hold elections? This country has not yet endured the harsh winter.

“It would be suicide to get involved in election campaigns right now,” says Yaroslav Zhelezniak, one of the opposition representatives.

However, some preparations seem to have begun. The regional election headquarters are being mobilized and the work on the lists of candidates has begun. Representatives of one of Volodymyr Zelensky’s possible rivals say that Ukraine needs elections. But they are worried about making a public comment on this matter because they fear a strong reaction from the presidential office.

If the elections were held tomorrow, Zelenskiy would need a serious and tough effort to repeat the decisive victory he achieved in 2019. Nearly three years into the war, he is no longer seen as the undisputed leader he once was. An internal poll seen by The Economist suggests he will fare poorly in the runoff against another wartime hero, Valery Zalogeny. The former commander-in-chief, who was sent to Britain as ambassador last year after falling out with the president, has yet to make clear his political ambitions, although many want him to run.

But the president is faring better than other opposition figures, though a former aide says the president’s best course of action may be to step down regardless and keep his original promise to serve only one term. “Zelensky has only one way to get out with a good name,” the source said. Holding elections without him and remaining in history as the man who united the nation in the war. Any other alternative would risk being associated with the collapse of the regime or an incomplete peace.

Father Dimitri Povorotny, a military chaplain, says: “The situation is getting worse on the front lines.” Unmotivated soldiers who fight because it’s the only way to survive. The army censors negative news to prevent the escalation of unrest. A senior military official confirms this and says: Even Zelensky is not told the truth.

As Trump’s presidency approaches, Ukraine is preparing for change. They are heartened by Trump’s appointment of two warmongers to key foreign policy roles — Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Mike Waltz as national security adviser. But they were upset when it was announced that there was no place for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

For all the talk in Kiev and other capitals about the end of the war, most of those who spend time on the front lines know that there is still much fighting to be done. Vladimir Putin holds the initiative and is unlikely to offer a cease-fire until several battles are resolved.

At Korakhov, Russian forces outnumbered Ukrainian forces by at least six to one, and an imminent Ukrainian retreat seemed inevitable. Ukraine is behind in the Kursk region, which it in turn occupies, where Russia is trying to drive out Ukrainian troops with the help of thousands of North Korean troops. Also, battles have started in Zaporizhia province. “You have to work in reality,” says Father Poorotny. You can’t tell the war to stop and wait!”

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