Test of war. How and why Volodymyr Zelenskyy changed in 2022

From the beginning of a full -scale invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned not just into a person who at one moment stopped criticizing in Ukraine, but into a world -class policy, a president of a state fighting for freedom and democracy. As in March, American comedian Bill Mar said in his show: "Finally there is a president in America, whom everyone loves and who has an over -supported support. It is the President of Ukraine.

" On the eve of the invasion, in which, as we remember, the President's office did not believe, Bankov was most excited about ratings - after a number of stories, including detention at the fifth President Petro Poroshenko airport and several scandals related to the deputies, the servant party the people, the support of the pro -presidential party and the president himself began to fall.

But on the day when Russian rockets flew to Ukrainian cities and the Russian tanks crossed the border, the situation changed unknown - the history of "great structure", conflicts with the oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and the thoughts about political rivals, have receded.

And soon Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the level of support, which he did not dream of the day before: if in December 2021 he was trusted by about 27% of Ukrainians, then at the beginning of June 2022 the level of trust in the president increased to 85%.

Already in the first month of the war, Zelensky not only changed from the outside - old and tired - there was an internal transformation - he began to act unconditionally and uncompromisingly in favor of Ukraine and the people, challenging the challenges of the world, which has been tolerant of Putin's dictatorship for decades. "We have seen one politician and statesman in early 2022, and from February 24.

, not only for his determination, the world wants to note the efforts of the whole Ukrainian people, his fight against the dictatorship, which was headed by the current president, - says focus in political scientist Petro Oleshchuk. Ukraine in the world, using its ability to be a media figure, communicate with the audience.

" As a result, after the start of the war, Vladimir Zelensky appeared almost absolute power, full popular support, control over the information space and respect for the entire civilized world. "When Vladimir Zelensky was elected, polls showed that there was a fairly large percentage of Ukrainians who were ready to put up with Russia, people believed that Putin could coexist.

And because most people wanted peace, Zelensky and won in 2019, in particular won Petro Poroshenko's "President of the War. And so to the latter did not believe in the possible invasion of the Russian Federation, though everyone was warned, - says Focus political technologist Viktor Bobirenko.

- But when on February 24, Zelensky saw what the invasion was like, how the people began to resist what his position was, first of all in Kiev, in Kiev, first of all How many people wanted to fight, Zelensky played, taking into account the wishes of the people. At first, perhaps as an actor in the rank . He's He was not a comedic role, but a tragic. And this tragic role he plays no worse than comic. And every new title of "man of the year" is therefore confirmation.

- says political scientist Vladimir Fesenko. - I think he understood that the decisive moment of his entire life came, the fate of the country and what president he would go down in history. At that time, the sense of responsibility "as philosophers would say, there was an existential situation when you understand the main meanings and have to make the most important decision in your life. I think Zelensky realized that his place here and now. I would have stopped respecting himself - ".

Fesenko says many in Ukraine, even those who were considered a supporter of Vladimir Zelensky, perceived him stereotypically - they say, an artist, a faith, a comedian, a comedian, few people believed that he would remain.

"A few hours before the start of a full -scale invasion, I spoke with one political scientist who convinced me that Zelensky would run away from Kiev as soon He was perceived a lot as a person from the past life, and few wanted to notice that, having become president, she began to change that this person from the screen, from the stage, actually had leadership potential - she was more responsible for her team, for her decisions, and Now for the country. He began to take the "war of war".

He found himself on the front line - not on the front, but at the place where important decisions are made. " At the same time, it is important that Zelensky gave the initiative at the military, he did not paint the arrows on the map - who was coming, who is where he retreats. There was a clear division: the army is at war on the front, Zelensky has a political influence to the West for support - financial and military.

"Zelensky's transformation took place in several stages," Viktor Bobirenko is convinced. "The first, when he did not leave the country and took responsibility. The second - when he refused to cooperate with the oligarchs, including Igor Kolomoisky. , Zelensky will keep the distance, but will not break at all, because there is the story of the 95th quarter, the transfer of millions to offshore accounts. But in the end, Kolomoisky lost its influence on the political situation in Ukraine.

" And not just him. The war was destroyed by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov's business, depriving him of billions. He lost two giants in Mariupol-the Illich and Azovstal Plant (the damage caused is estimated at $ 17-20 billion-it was for that amount that Akhmetov decided to file a lawsuit against Russia). And the enterprise "Ukrnafta", mentioned by Kolomoisky, was nationalized. In addition, after the entry into force of the Akhmetov Oligarch Law, he was forced to close his media holding.

In the queue, according to the expert, the third stage. "I would like Zelensky to break with that conditional wing of the President's office, which, if not working straight to Russia, is engaged in corruption, decides his affairs and looking for his own place in politics. that will be unambiguous after the war. The danger is that among such people are very close to the president, who often decide a lot. Because of them, everyone except the military passes in the office.

The very access to Zelensky, as well as Ermak. ”How to proceed, Zelensky will focus on public opinion. Experts remind: all politicians are sensitive to public opinion, and Zelensky is no exception. " But his example is a textbook. The President's Office at least once a month, as before the invasion and after, conducts public opinion surveys, orders it from several agencies, in particular, "rating" and KIIS, " - says Bobirenko. " Public opinion orientation is a strength President.

He does not try to change public opinion, transform, but rather seek to use and lead it. Now the public consensus requires the complete liberation of the Ukrainian territories. Obviously, Zelensky will insist on this, ”Oleshchuk adds. At the international level, Zelensky is a symbol of resistance of the whole people. Apparently, at the beginning of a full -scale war, they decided to use this fact and to work with international public opinion.

That is why Zelensky, especially at the beginning of the invasion, all at the beginning of Time appealed to the leaders of the countries, spoke at international forums and even film festivals. And it worked: Zelensky really began to dictate his agenda. He did not depend on the opinion of international partners, he learned to take into account their interests. For example, two American parties always argued between It was very difficult for them to find a common opinion.

And such a touch was the support of Ukraine. "Also in European countries. There, public opinion stands on the side of Ukraine. Therefore, leaders are forced to consider it and respond. Zelensky only uses such support, "says Konstantin Batozian political scientist, director of the Azov Development Agency.

Before it became known about the massacres of civilians in Bucha, Zelensky and his team tried to resolve the situation, finish the war For Ukraine - they offered to move to the conditional boundaries on February 23. But after the news about hundreds of shot citizens, the rhetoric of the head of state became more sharp and clear.

He stated: peace on the conditions of Russia is impossible, victory should be complete, all territories of Ukraine should be released, and the conversation should With the master of the Kremlin is possible only after the withdrawal of troops of the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine. And even if in the spring and early summer some European leaders still tried to write plans for peaceful settlement for Ukraine, then they soon refused this trick. At least publicly.

Most Western partners of Ukraine said: nothing No one will discuss behind Ukraine's back. Ten months are Zelensky trying to put an event The Allies before specific elections: good and evil, acts often non -diggmatically, accusing and reproaching them. "Let's say, not the best strategy for the domestic political market," Oleshchuk states. "But effective. Zelensky has long felt and uses it very effectively.

It is such a strategy as the most aggressive diplomacy, which is probably the most effective and most useful in the current situation. " "The Jews have such a word of Hutspa (a character of character determined by the words" boldness "or" arrogance ", both in a positive and in a negative sense - ed. ) in politics, - continues Bobirenko.

- And this is part of a thoughtful game - remember his question: "Biden is not in NATO?" , "Germany, what is there?" Inquires of Ukraine's support, are forced to count with it. So it is cheek to Ukraine is more than profitable. But it is necessary to act very carefully not to overdo it. And always remember that Zelensky does not imagine himself as a politician or artist, followed by the Ukrainian people, which Supports the entire civilized world.

” During the ten months of the war, a situation was formed when neither Ukraine, nor the Ukrainian authorities, nor Zelensky himself had heard criticism. Moreover, both national and internationally. Even at the beginning of the war, representatives of various political forces declared consensus and imposed some, albeit unspoken, moratorium on criticism of power. "In the first weeks and months may have been such a moratorium.

At first, even the opposition realized that now is not the time when I need to start internal strife and disassembling. This is the way to defeat. Unfortunately, our historical experience knows many such negative examples. All Our loses, the losses were related to the internal strife, - reminds the political scientist Fesenko.

- Now he worked common sense when Petro Poroshenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, and other opposition leaders, realized that now the time when everyone needs to be united : There is a common enemy, and there is a struggle for the lives of not only politicians, but the whole country and its future. " Some politicians were indeed temporarily silent, but not because of the moratorium, but rather because they understand that at this stage it is publicly against Zelensky - to harm themselves.

For example, as soon as the Poroshenko team violates the moratorium on criticism, this critic immediately plays against it - they say, raises accounts during the war. Therefore, he still chooses volunteering and assistance to the army. At the same time, experts point out that every month it becomes more difficult to remain silent. One of the politicians believes that he tactically indirectly, not personally with the help of his adherents to attack power. And perhaps not personally Zelensky.

"It is profitable for someone to nod towards the head of the office of President Andrew Ermak. He was still the object of a sharp criticism, and now a convenient goal. Where they do not want to criticize Zelensky, criticize Yermak. This is such a tactical technique for many oppositionists," Fesenko says . The only one who can criticize the president today and this critic will be adequately perceived is civil society.