The government has completely exhausted itself

I read our plans, whether for victory or peace, and none of them seem executable because they are aimed outward – toward our partners – rather than inward, toward Ukraine.

I listen to our Supreme Commander-in-Chief boldly sending the enemy to hell during press conferences, instead of quietly preparing and delivering a significant blow.

And then there’s the de facto ultimatum to our partners: “We won’t accept any security guarantees except NATO membership!” As if someone were actually offering us that membership.

This all stems from impotence and a lack of forward-thinking ideas. It’s the reaction of a person who is cornered and utterly exhausted. The rotation in the Armed Forces’ command is superficial rather than substantive. I’m not sure that Mykhailo Drapatyi will be able to quickly implement changes that significantly improve combat operations, even if he has such plans.

The situation is further complicated by the apparent unwillingness of Donald Trump’s circle to engage informally with Andriy Yermak, as evidenced by the canceled U.S. visit. Yet President Volodymyr Zelensky stubbornly positions Yermak as his most trusted person for all matters.

This is what’s called a crisis of genre in showbiz terms. Our government has lost the situational awareness it displayed at the start of the full-scale invasion, when parliaments worldwide applauded our president. Almost everything has changed since then, except the Ukrainian government’s approach, where PR takes precedence over efficiency, and demands on partners outweigh responsibility.

However, this government won’t change – it’s physically impossible, just as it’s impossible to bring back the past. On the other hand, the country’s leaders are entirely unwilling to undertake serious renewal because they genuinely see themselves as the best in the world. Additionally, some officials fear that any new administration would have serious claims against them.

Thus, there will be no elections or replacement of top government officials as a result of recognizing the catastrophic situation. Such changes are only possible under external pressure. In fact, external influence is the only viable scenario, although it would be the final nail in the coffin of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The trouble is that Western appointees risk being as inadequate and small-minded as their predecessors.

So, if we are to become obedient executors, it’s better to do so consciously and openly, without pretending to have democratic processes. Instead, we should simply invite the Varangians to Kyiv for rulership – this is logical and entirely in line with national tradition, as the Institute of National Memory will confirm.

Alexandr Kochetkov