Recently, officials from the President’s Office refused to publish a petition regarding holding a press conference of Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, obviously, sociology shows the popularity of this idea amid rising tensions, so they decided to release some steam. And on the eve of State Flag Day and Independence Day, a meeting of Volodymyr Zelensky with a number of journalists was held.
This is not a press conference. Answers to increasingly sharp questions – none. Judging by the participants’ reviews, generally nothing new was said: everything in the spirit of the usual evening videos. Except he boasted that there are no claims from the anti-corruption bodies against him…
However, one thought did stand out with freshness. Zelensky mentioned the opposition:
“We are supposed to have 30 billion euros of European money that we are expecting. They are tied to the adoption of relevant legislation. And here it is very important for the parliament to work – the whole parliament, including the opposition. Because these 30 billion are needed by neither the authorities nor the opposition, but are needed for the defense of the entire country”.
Well, “European Solidarity” is working without calls and is ready to help. But it’s strange to hear calls for work and at the same time see that obstacles have not disappeared.
Firstly. It is not entirely clear where the figure of 30 billion euros comes from, for which some laws are needed. Ideally, funds for military needs are provided unconditionally.
However, recently there was a problem, for example, with funding drones. Partners demanded to provide a clear mechanism that could be controlled.
“The two-shot to Moscow” did their part, ruining trust.
But this can be fixed by finally adopting projects from the “Duck Law-Kos” package: to re-launch the SBI, strengthen NABU and SAP’s powers, and enhance the independence of the courts. In other words, to do exactly what breaks the influence of power on the law enforcement and judicial system.
The desire to maintain such influence, not the opposition, hinders the adoption of these laws.
Secondly, “European Solidarity” constantly demands to put on the agenda and vote on the bills needed for European integration.
But recently, several such projects were… removed from consideration by a committee controlled by the “servants”. So Volodymyr Zelensky clearly directs his complaints to the wrong address.
Thirdly. In order to demand opposition votes, projects must be of appropriate quality. And for this, you need to listen to advice and comments, work together on the projects.
Because it has become a bad habit of the authorities to wrap in a European wrapper the strengthening of corruption, increasing chaos and conflict between norms, and expanding the arbitrariness of officials.
Such we do not support.
To avoid this, it has long been proposed to create a working group to work on laws. Not to trample proposals in committees due to a nominal majority, but to work substantively.
Fourthly. An essential component of increasing partners’ support is parliamentary diplomacy. There, long-standing barriers must be removed – from eliminating the idiotic and illegal travel ban to creating a platform for coordination with diplomats, so everyone does their part for a joint result.
Finally, fifthly. Why point to the opposition if formally you have 228, or however many, “servants”? You have a “monomajority”, right? 😉 Ah, they don’t vote, have fled, hiding, afraid of NABU?
Well, it’s long past time to stop playing “we can do everything ourselves and don’t need you”. Admit the obvious. Work in a coalition format of unity (or at least in the working format of March 2022, when political flags didn’t hinder substantive work). Then the previous four points will be resolved very easily.
If you redirect the arrows to the opposition – remove the barriers.
And it’s worth remembering: the absence of claims from anti-corruption bodies is closely linked to official immunity. And it is not eternal. So it’s time to make decisions about true unity in actions, not hypocritically calling for “work” while simultaneously hindering it.
In the header: a semi-closed meeting of Zelensky with media representatives selected by the OPU, 22.08.2026. Photo: social networks
