7 years ago today, Zelensky took office. His legacy is now tied to war

The Kyiv Independent ^ | May 20, 2026 | Kateryna Denisova

[MinorityRepublican]

Riding a wave of political momentum in 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky, a showman turned wartime leader, could have hardly imagined the path his presidency would take.

Some argue that Zelensky's 2019 election was less of an endorsement of his political platform, a populist one, rather a rejection of the old entrenched elite seen as ineffective and corrupt.

Years later, Zelensky still faces the domestic challenges that confronted his predecessors — issues he once promised to resolve. On the international stage, however, he has amassed significant support for Ukraine, actively working to maintain global backing as his country defends itself against a full-scale Russian onslaught.

While his foreign policy is widely seen as competent and adaptive, experts view his domestic governance as a weaker spot.

"Volodymyr Zelensky is a very controversial figure who can't be judged in black-and-white terms. He reflects the contradictions within Ukrainian society and the Ukrainian political process," political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told the Kyiv Independent.

"Zelensky continues to embody the conflicting moods of Ukrainian society, both on corruption and on the war."

[mass55th]

Only 5 more years to tie with Hitler.

[Bob Wills is still the king]

It would probably be easier for Zelensky to “solve” the problems of Ukraine if Russia hadn’t illegally invaded and raped the country.

Let’s help Z kill a lot more Russians and then send them back across the border, as happened in Afghanistan.

[bobbo666]

kiss, kiss, kiss — Zwelynskyy’s fans.

[adorno]

Only 5 more years to tie with Hitler.

Not true. Hitler did not serve as many years as Putin.

[reasonisfaith]

But everything Zelensky does is in service to the global crime syndicate who command him.

What kind of person are you that you support the most evil, vile group ever to walk this earth?

Why do you advocate for killing innocent Russian citizens?

[Tench_Coxe]

Well, get on a plane and go. No one is stopping you.

[adorno]

It would probably be easier for Zelensky to “solve” the problems of Ukraine if Russia hadn’t illegally invaded and raped the country.

Exactly!

If not for the invasion, he would've had a domestic issues record from which the Ukrainian voters could judge him.

As it is, Zelensky has done an amazing job at running the war and getting the assistance to battle Russia to what looks like a victory in the near future.

Russia invaded and now, they have just another run-of-the-mill military (except for the nukes), and an economy which is in collapse mode. On the other hand, Ukraine is now recognized as the strongest military force in ALL of Europe, which is the opposite of what's happened to Russia's military.

[kawhill]

“Zelensky continues to embody the conflicting moods of Ukrainian society, both on corruption and on the war.” He’s good at that.

[reasonisfaith]

American patriots want an end to this war.

American patriots, with President Trump, want neither Russians nor Ukrainians to die.

Do you prefer to pick up your IQ score in person, or that it be mailed to you?

[delta7]

“a showman turned wartime leader, ..”

A depraved, corrupted individual who played the piano with his penis on national TV,...says alot about his supporters.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

His legacy is not tied to war. His legacy is tied to corruption, funneling massive amounts of foreign funds into his and his cronies’ bank accounts and suspension of elections.

[mass55th]

Peanut gallery interference.

[PAR35]

And his term in office has long since expired. Like all true dictators, he refused to step down at the end of his term.

His friends have profited from the war, and he has blocked any negotiated settlement.

[Dat]

Trump?

[T.B. Yoits]

And his term in office has long since expired.

Zelensky canceled elections, making him dictator, and is likely to end up as president of Ukraine for a longer period unelected than elected.

[adorno]

Peanut gallery interference.

No need for self-accusation. We already know about you.

[mass55th]

If you know about me, why do you always have to reply to me, when I never write a comment to you? You must be lonely.

[Fledermaus]

Oh geez. A comedy gag.

Not real.

[TexasGator]

“A depraved, corrupted individual who played the piano with his penis on national TV,...says alot about his supporters.”

That repeated lie says a lot about the Putin Admirers.