Is West-NATO Tired Of Zelensky? – OpEd

Is there a secret NATO ‘plot’ to remove Ukraine’s President Zelensky? NATO, the Western coalition led by the US that has armed and financed Ukraine’s response to the Russian occupation, is reportedly growing impatient with Zelensky.

Critics argue that he has not been able to halt the Russian advance, has become an obstacle to peace negotiations with Moscow, and continues to demand financial and military support from the West without offering any accountability in return. While these claims are primarily coming from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), similar sentiments seem to be emerging in various reports and commentaries from Western capitals. So, has NATO finally and now the new US President Putin grown tired of Zelensky? “President Zelensky is the greatest salesman in history, every time he comes to US, he walks away with $60 billion.” -Trump

The Russia-Ukraine war has continued for nearly three years now. Ukraine’s frontline defenses are in danger of crumbling, and amid the war weariness, President Zelensky’s popularity is fading. According to a recent poll, most voters prefer that he does not seek a second term. 

An ultimatum with ‘Quid Pro Quos’ cannot seal peace in Ukraine. Faced with the threat of the American president with tariffs and sanctions, Russian counterpart Putin responds by agreeing to talk to Donald Trump to end the war, writes A2 CNN. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Putin is waiting for signals from Washington and sets some conditions – Ukrainian President Zelensky leave power and that his country is never accepted into NATO.” Zelensky has so far rejected Russia’s demands that Ukraine concede its occupied territory and give up its aspirations to join NATO. Peskov while responding to another statement by Trump stressed at the Davos forum that the “End of the war depends on the price of oil”. The ball is in the court of the Americans who have suspended all essential contacts with us,” he said.US President, in his speech in Davos, via video conference, also asked for China’s help in pressuring Russia to stop the war against Ukraine, while welcoming Putin’s call to reduce the world’s nuclear weapons arsenal. (A2 Televisión)Trump had vowed to bring a swift end to the war, and anticipation is growing for the prospect of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has threatened further tariffs and sanctions on Russia if President Putin  doesn’t end the war.

Why NATO Thinking of Change 

Ukraine’s political landscape is currently shaped by the ongoing conflict with Russia, leading to significant discussions about the timing of national elections and the tenure of President Zelensky. Under Ukraine’s constitution, elections are prohibited during periods of martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. President Zelensky’s term, originally set to conclude in May 2024, has been extended due to the martial law. He has emphasized that holding elections during wartime poses significant challenges.

President Trump has advocated for Ukraine to conduct elections by the end of the year, contingent upon achieving a ceasefire with Russia. Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, highlighted the importance of maintaining democratic processes even amidst conflict. However, Ukrainian officials express concerns that elections held under current conditions could be divisive and susceptible to external interference. 

“NATO is increasingly thinking about a change of power in Ukraine.” The NATO military alliance intends to carry out a large-scale operation to discredit the Ukrainian president by accusing him of misappropriating more than $1.5 billion from funds allocated for the purchase of ammunition (SVR’s press service). 

“Germany is proceeding from the fact that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will very soon be unable to contain the growing onslaught of the Russian army,” it said.

“Even NATO understands that the days of ‘Expired’ Zelensky are numbered. It’s just a pity that this understanding came at the cost of the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens.” (SVR’s press service). 

Evaluating President Zelensky

President Zelensky has proved to be pretty smart enough leading Ukraine in the war against Russia now for almost three years. He initially earned the respect of most and was smart enough to strike the Russian military right where it hurts them most! Imagine what he could have done if he had the airpower and the pilots! However, now voices of varying black and white opinions on President Zelensky are being heard from across the world. 

The assessment of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership and its impact on Ukraine depends on the perspective and priorities of the evaluator. Zelensky has faced significant challenges during his tenure, including the ongoing Russian invasion, economic struggles, and political reform pressures.Zelensky has proven to be just the leader Ukraine needed in her greatest hour of darkness uniting and rallying his nation against an unjust attack on its sovereignty. Zelensky worked tirelessly to form world opinion and getting support for Ukraine. 

Zelensky has been an inspirational President. He has done what nobody thought possible. He has been a beacon of light for every Ukrainian to stand up and fight for their country against their Invaders. He himself with military fatigue is with his army in the bunkers. He has stunned the youth of the World to show them what Bravery is all about. Zelensky may be remembered in Ukraine as a hero. 

Zelensky: Now under Criticism  

I fail to comprehend why he is lead Ukraine further deeper into devastation over the three years with untold misery that is now afflicting the common people. He urged all the warmongers to supply him with lethal weapons, a request they gleefully acknowledged but unwilling to put boots on the ground in Ukraine. Do they have any concern for innocent Ukrainian lives? No, they are doing so at the behest of their ‘Armament Industry’ and the construction companies that are ready to descend on to Ukraine for lucrative contracts once the dust has settled down. Former longest serving NATO Chief the preacher of “Weapons are for Peace.”

He is a sellout to US who never put Ukrainian interests above anything. Before the war broke out, he allowed his land to become a playground for American dirty games against Russia, which led to the war. After the war broke out, he did nothing to save people’s lives or the civilian establishments. He is squarely responsible for the destruction his country is seeing. Now the country is in complete shambles and half its population stays as refugees in different parts of Europe likely never to return. Zelensky is not innocent in the suffering of his country. Zelensky before the war was one of the most hated because of his corruption practices. 

He was set to inspire US-NATO andUkraine to actually defeat Russia. “Foolhardy” and how, exactly? ‘His Victory Plan’. He has been playing his role well, but now he cannot ignore the fact that the Ukrainian people are suffering largely because of him, his pointless stubbornness. Now in the US, Trump  has questioned aid to Ukraine, and in Europe, some leaders (like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico) are openly skeptical and Elections in Europe are influencing policy. NATO and key Western leaders still officially back Ukraine and see its defense as vital for European security. The question is whether support will remain strong or start fading as political realities shift. As the conflict drags on, public support in Western countries is declining, pressuring leaders to negotiate a resolution.

He could have saved his country from the disaster without any loss. All Russia wanted is that Ukraine does not join NATO. He should have been able to see through the US ploy of using Ukraine as a pawn to weaken Russia. Now he has lost the war and still not understood that now Trump’s ‘Quid Pro Quo’, “I want to have security of rare earth.” Trump wants to negotiate an agreement with Ukraine in which Ukraine guarantees supplies of rare earth metals, key elements used in electronics, in exchange for aid. 

Whatever happens his name will go down in the history of the world as a man who destroyed his country through his myopic vision and narrow-mindedness. The results are there for all to see – many regions razed to the ground and every day destruction being witnessed.“Zelensky tickled the bear for too long” He gambled with the  nation and ruined its future. Soon Zelensky’s “Bravery” will be forgotten but “Zelensky will have to live with the knowledge that he could have prevented a war and failed to do so.”

Reference:

Extracts from my earlier article; Evaluating President Zelensky