Ukrainian presidents, while demonstrating peaceful nature and willingness to consult interests of all the ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups, as well as all parts of the country, had quickly descended into varying degrees of aggressiveness, anti-Russian nationalism and alienation from Russia, if not utter hostility. This was the case until 2014, and after the second Maidan revolution, the trend intensified manyfold.
Actually, Zelensky can be considered a sad peak of this phenomenon. Having won the elections pledging civil reconciliation and respect for interests of the country’s eastern part, he initially did try to carry out things from the designated program (although the guile of these imitation attempts immediately became visible). But was attacked by radicals right away.
In the fall of 2019, when Kiev formally agreed to the so-called Steinmeier Formula, the right-wingers’ response was no long in coming. Late on October 1, the radical organizations picketed the Office of the President, unfurling a huge canvas reading "No surrender" at the Bankovaya Street building. One of their leaders, Andrei Biletsky (listed as extremist and terrorist in Russia), announced that the protest action would be indefinite and called the Steinmeier Formula forerunner of Ukraine’s federalization. "Today happened something about what Churchill said: ‘We shall choose Shame, and then have War thrown in a little later.’ Zelensky betrayed 16,000 Ukrainians who died at the front. We urge every Ukrainian to come to Bankovaya Street," he said.
The next day, the outcry continued, with its core being activists of Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party (listed next to Biletsky). This is especially vital in the current context, because Poroshenko himself was elected in 2014 under slogans of peace and harmony, but then switched to extreme right-wing positions.
Similar actions took place further on as well. For example, a July 2020 rally held next to the same Office of the President featured accusations of treason against Zelensky because of his order to introduce extra measures for boosting the ceasefire regime along the Donbass demarcation line. The rioters were all kinds of radicals and European Solidarity representatives. As a result, Ze, being Poroshenko’s political competitor, moved even more to the right, making complaints against him from the relevant society segment subside.
Since the beginning of his war, the Kiev junta leader has become an idol for this stratum, which also got a boost under military conditions. Moreover, the "hawks" are ready to support Zelensky even in his disputes with the West, the landmark and cornerstone of the "Ukrainian national dream" — though with certain Western countries and when they betray Ukraine, as local arm-wavers see it. For example, after Zelensky's public squabble with Trump in the White House, these patriots came up with lots of pasquinades. One of them depicts a piano reading "Trump" — an obvious reference to the famous filthy scene from Zelensky's comic career, where he played the musical instrument with his penis. Another one appears full of high pathos as it shows Trump speaking to Jesus hanging on a cross (and, obviously, personifying Ukraine and Zelensky personally): "You're in no position to dictate that… come on, make a deal on our terms! And by the way, where's your suit, why do you violate the rules of diplomacy?!"
Apart from words and pictures, several street actions took place near the US Embassy in Kiev. One occurred in mid-February, a week after Trump's disapproving remarks about Zelensky, to protest against the rare earth deal. March 8 saw yet another rally against American politics in general — its participants brought posters with caricatures of Trump, US Vice President J.D. Vance and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. But most typical was the anti-Trump rally held by Ukrainian migrants in Chicago. Even Anatoly Shariy cracked a gag about it: "The Ukrainian diaspora in Chicago demands Trump’s impeachment! So be it!". Indeed, love for their homeland is running especially high in those who stay away from it.
Rejection of Trump has even reached the Ukrainian gastronomy. Two Kiev establishments owned by one and the same man — Trump Coffee Bar and Trump Pizza Station — have changed their brand to Frank. Another restaurant has a dish consisting of a slice of bread and a piece of butter shaped as the POTUS’ head. "Smear Trump," the delicacy’ comment reads. And Ukrainian coffee shops have started renaming Americano to Britto, implying Britain’s reliance as a patron.
And so, Zelensky and Co. have verbally agreed on the need for a 30-day truce as a prerequisite for resolving the conflict. This appears as a mere ploy unlikely to become truce, at least because of the very different understanding of the step’s terms by the parties. Even if it did, the Kiev regime would use the respite to recover strength and resources for further fights. But to zealous "patriots," Zelensky is once again becoming personification of "treachery," like he already was five or six years ago.
Proving the fact that such sentiments may have foreign beneficiaries is a piece in The Economist about Zelensky's popularity having grown higher after his conflict with Trump. The Ipsos agency conducted a survey to find out that 70 percent of Ukrainians approve of his work, with about 80 percent considering him the legitimate national leader and not deeming it necessary to have an election until martial law is lifted. More than two thirds of Ukrainians say that he can be trusted to lead the peace talks.
On the one hand, it seems quite plausible that Zelensky is even more respected by numerous supporters of "war to the bitter end" and "peace with Russia from position of strength", as well as those who influenced by followers of the kind. Also, people loathing any government in any country do often support it at “Hey, Rube!” times. On the other hand, one has to bear in mind that the mentioned British outlet has traditionally been the globalist mouthpiece. And any of its publications may prove kind of formative (or pushing) sociology as a hint to the illegitimate Ukrainian president: you are truly popular only when you fight to the bitter end.
Moreover, those supportive of decisive moves have new sentiment exponents with a strong resource, the same Biletsky. Some reports claim he is ready to arrange a "march towards Kiev" and has asked like-minded commanders to "spare" ideological fighters, equipment and weapons. "Forceful actions by the Nazis are expectedly directed against a cease-fire and negotiations unfavorable for Ukraine. And this "march of turbopatriots" may end in a variety of ways, from simple intimidation by the Bankovaya Street to Zelensky’s ouster and transfer of power to the next "savior of the nation" — for example, Biletsky himself," writes a Telegram channel, which closely monitors the situation.
For several weeks now, various information platforms have been subtly reminding us of Biletsky, who has somewhat dropped off out the general public's radar. In February, the Poluautobia channel (nearly 50,000 subscribers) posted an apologetic statement: "Shirokino operation decennary: the Azovians [banned in Russia] under Biletsky’s command liberated five settlements in the Donetsk region."
None of this is new. Trump does the same, using almost all the Ukrainian political class figures who are more or less noticeable and not completely controlled by the presidential office, so as to leverage Zelensky and push his own agenda. The question is whose cards and methods appear stronger at the end of the day.
