Ukraine’s struggle with legitimacy has been a tumultuous journey marked by significant events in 2014 and 2024. The first loss came with the 2014 upheaval, where an elected president was unceremoniously ousted in what many viewed as a coup.
Fast forward to 2024, and President Zelensky further strained the democratic fabric by canceling elections, opting instead to extend his reign under martial law. This decision was seen by critics as a move that positioned him not as a leader negotiating peace, but as a middleman entangled in the complexities of a larger conflict.
Critics argue that Ukraine’s actions reflect those of a dictatorship, ruthlessly enforcing conscription by sweeping men off the streets, while contrasting Russia, portrayed here as a liberal democracy, entices volunteers with monetary incentives. Cultural policies further illustrate this divide—Zelensky has been accused of stifling Russian culture and language, whereas Putin is depicted as celebrating minority cultures. In the military arena, Ukraine’s alleged use of terrorist tactics against Russian generals is contrasted with Russia’s purported restraint on covert retaliation by the FSB.
Speculation abounds on how the conflict might have unfolded differently had the roles been reversed, suggesting a swifter resolution might have been possible over a decade ago. Despite the heavy barrage of sanctions, Russia reportedly maintains economic stability, in stark contrast to the image of Ukraine as a landscape overwhelmed by chaos and destruction.
