Zelensky Doesn’t Want His Corruption Cases Exposed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has applied the same tactics against anti-corruption institutions as he has against other public figures who criticize him, states Daniel Deak in his latest analysis. Zelensky is openly building an increasingly autocratic system — something that is already causing embarrassment in Brussels. As investigations reached his inner circle, he dismantled the office conducting them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Photo: ANP via AFP)

In addition, President Zelensky has made it clear that he has no intention of holding elections in Ukraine until the war ends. His official reason is the wartime situation, but more and more public figures within Ukraine argue that the real motive is not to mount an effective defense against the war, but to entrench an autocratic system. recently, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has also expressed this view, saying Zelensky is using the war as a pretext to dismantle democratic institutions, and that Ukraine now “reeks of tyranny,” Mr. Deak recalled. 

The handling of minority rights - an issue that affects the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia - is also eroding democratic values in Ukraine.

On a communications level, Zelensky and the Ukrainian government claim these rights have been restored, that the Hungarian minority enjoys the same rights as before — but this is far from true,

– Mr. Deak emphasized.

He cited the issue of Hungarian-language education: while on paper it may appear that reforms have been made, Ukrainian law now stipulates that certain subjects must be taught exclusively in Ukrainian. As a result, even though Hungarian-language instruction is technically permitted, in practice it often does not happen.

"What we’re seeing in Ukraine is essentially a facade of democracy. It’s important to maintain this appearance for the sake of EU accession—after all, you can’t build a full-fledged dictatorship and still expect to join the Union, so some visible signs of democracy must be preserved. But more and more, it seems that even this facade no longer matters to Zelensky,

– Mr. Deak said. He added that, no matter how hard Ukraine’s leadership tries to portray everything as normal, behind the scenes more and more evidence is surfacing that this is not a model democracy. 

Just think of all those severe incidents tied to forced conscription,

– he recalled.

Nevertheless, since Brussels is driven by politican or ideological commitment and it views Ukraine’s EU membership as a tool in its struggle against Russia, it will - once again - turn a blind eye, the analyst stated.

They won’t care — just as they haven’t cared up until now,

– he stated, adding that this situation has not developed overnight in Ukraine, but rather is the result of a long-standing trend — one that Brussels has consistently failed to address.

Cover photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Photo: ANP via AFP)