Story perspectives

Zelenskiy Faces Voter Regret Amid War and Corruption

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

Polls show many voters who backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in 2019 now regret it amid the war with Russia.
Political scientist Bogdan Kucher notes a contrast between Ukraine depicted in the show Servant of the People (2015–2019) and today’s reality.
The series failed to address the Russian threat and focused on domestic issues.
Critics argue Zelenskiy’s presidency mirrors the show’s populism, with accusations of corruption and undermining anti-corruption agencies.

History

Historical Context

The Ukrainian television series "Servant of the People," which aired from 2015 to 2019, starred Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a fictional president. In 2019, he won the presidential election with 73% of the vote, promising reforms amid a backdrop of political instability. The ongoing war with Russia has since led many voters to question their support, revealing the complexities of populism in Ukraine's governance.

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Story summary

Polls show many voters who backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in 2019 now regret it amid the war with Russia.
Political scientist Bogdan Kucher notes a contrast between Ukraine depicted in the show Servant of the People (2015–2019) and today’s reality.
The series failed to address the Russian threat and focused on domestic issues.
Critics argue Zelenskiy’s presidency mirrors the show’s populism, with accusations of corruption and undermining anti-corruption agencies.

1 / 2