The topic of April 21 needs a deeper review.
It’s not about criticizing Volodymyr Zelensky – it’s too late for that. It’s about how to escape the trap of populism, which is too costly for the country.
The inauguration of Volodymyr Zelensky took place on May 20, and he has been in office since then – soon entering the eighth year of his five-year term as stipulated by the Constitution. In fact, Volodymyr Zelensky is crossing the equator of a second term – a term for which he was not elected.
On these dates, the authorities need to report back, as the promises they generously made painted an unrealistically optimistic picture.
People believed these promises. However, in reality, Zelensky and his team did exactly the opposite of what they promised.
To use as an inoculation against populism, it should be repeatedly reminded: populism = lies. Moreover, populism is the opposite of what was promised.
A very vivid illustration is the program that voters formally approved on April 21, 2019:
– “I will tell you about the Ukraine of my dreams. A Ukraine where only fireworks go off during weddings and birthdays.”
In reality, neither “meeting halfway” nor “seeing peace in Putin’s eyes” worked. What worked was delaying missile and other defense programs, withdrawing troops from combat positions, and squandering money on “roads,” encouraging Putin toward a full-scale invasion.
– “A Ukraine where you can open a business in an hour, get a passport in 15 minutes, and vote in elections in one second, online.”
Despite “digitalization,” the pressure of various authorities on business is only increasing, and lawlessness is spreading. In these conditions, “online voting,” if allowed, would be the final sentence to democracy and freedom.
– “Where there are no ads saying ‘Jobs in Poland’. And in Poland, there are ads saying ‘Jobs in Ukraine.'”
At least 6 million Ukrainians are forced to stay abroad, and no incentives for their return, except for rhetorical calls, are being created by the authorities.
– “Where young families have only one concern — choosing an apartment in the city or a house in the suburbs.”
As of early 2026, over 4.62 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) were officially registered in Ukraine. For these people, the “concern” is actually the problem of survival, integration, and the future.
– “Where doctors and teachers receive real salaries, and corrupt officials serve real sentences.”
Since 2019-20, neither teachers nor doctors have received the long-awaited pay raises. Funds for the New Ukrainian School were embezzled during the pandemic, while road construction was prioritized over doctors and hospitals. Instead of legal terms, corrupt officials received golden toilets and stole billions, exploiting their “friendship” with Zelensky, such as the president’s friend Timur Mindich, among others.
– “Where the Carpathian forests are untouchable, not deputies.”
The plundering of natural resources has reached unprecedented scales. Meanwhile, stripping deputies of immunity did not lead to overcoming corruption—it flourished among the “Servants of the People,” with corruption cases exceeding forty. The Carpathian forests were handed over for a pittance to Zelensky’s associate in parliament, former regional Levkochkyn.
– “Where the grandmother receives a decent pension, not a heart attack from the utility bill.”
The pension is miserable, and increases do not cover the real rise in prices. The subsidy system was destroyed and replaced with the distribution of “cashbacks,” “screenings,” and “aid,” which go not to those in need, but to those who are brazen enough.
– “Where appointment to a position is based on intellect, education, talent, and conscience, rather than baptizing children together.”
Appointments became based on “Kvartal,” belonging to Zelensky’s circle. State service degradation has reached catastrophic levels at all levels. Ultimately, as the “Dynasty” housing cooperative case shows, cronyism is flourishing.
– “Where there are roads, but no fools.”
Fools are in charge, while roads have melted away after the first severe winter…
This could continue, line by line.
In the same program, Zelensky promised he would only serve one term. Due to the war, this term has extended. However, he desires to extend it further, considering whether to run for elections again.
This is typical for populists worldwide. They come to power, promising everything to everyone and to destroy the system. But the “system” turns out to be a life support system.
Lacking knowledge and skills, populists ruin the country and cling to power at any cost in fear of accountability for their actions.
By a sad irony, Zelensky managed to fulfill only the famous meme he used to shame his opponents: “the dollar will be 45 UAH with Zelensky, there will be chaos, there will be war…” He added, “look, nothing happened.”
Unfortunately, it happened. And society must draw very serious conclusions to never again fall into the trap of populism.
As a first step, all healthy forces must unite to achieve a ceasefire without Russian “preferences,” revoke martial law, and change the government to give populists no chance. This experiment is too costly for Ukraine.
This path involves creating a national unity coalition, adopting a program (to strengthen the Armed Forces, conduct effective negotiations to force Russia to cease fire unconditionally, and protect and support communities) and forming a professional government capable of executing this program.
Collage: Slovo i Dilo
