This article analyzes the phenomenon of Volodymyr Zelensky's political 'rebirth,' comparing it to the skills of an actor and the specifics of the theatrical profession. The author emphasizes that an impressive final 'scene' can overshadow all previous missteps, which is observed in the case of Ukraine's president. A myth is forming in society that Zelensky's political career began only on the night of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, and his previous history was seemingly erased by the effect of a powerful last scene.
The author also focuses on the issue of responsibility in politics, noting that shifting blame to subordinates, associates, or external factors is a sign of weak leadership and an inability to accept responsibility, both for a state leader and as an individual. Examples are given of former officials or ex-associates who become critics of the system after losing their positions, often revealing problems that were previously ignored.
The article mentions a post by former presidential spokesperson Yulia Mendel, who accused Zelensky of leveraging the war to maintain power and secure advantages. The author criticizes situations where constructive opinions are voiced by those who were part of the system but remained silent for a long time.
Overall, the analysis leads to the conclusion that Ukrainian political culture is characterized by a form of immaturity, where authority depends mainly on holding a position, and a lack of courage and personal responsibility results in a deficit of genuine leadership during the country's challenging times.
