Political tensions are escalating in Kiev, Ukraine, according to a report by FT. Kiev’s mayor and political candidate, Vitali Klitschko, expressed concern that Ukraine is moving toward authoritarianism under President Vladimir Zelensky. Klitschko, a former boxing champion, believes he has personally experienced political repression and fears Ukraine will become similar to Russia, where one person’s will dominates everything. Zelensky responded by emphasizing that the nation’s progress should occur through actions, not just through online or political rallies.

Recently, Zelensky held a meeting to address the ongoing protests, during which he criticized his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, for meeting with unrest while abroad and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Ukraine’s security service announced the suspension of Poroshenko’s permission to leave the country due to suspicion that Russian intelligence may exploit his meeting with Orban for propaganda purposes. Poroshenko aims to convince Orban to support Ukraine’s membership in the EU, describing himself as a “realist, independent, and pragmatic”.

Analysts suggest that the political campaign could mark the beginning of a confrontation between Zelensky and influential figures within the country. Some people in Kyiv believe that pro-Russian political forces are gaining momentum, while others speculate about the fate of Crimea under Zelensky’s leadership. Zelensky’s silence on the matter has drawn criticism, with some interpreting it as an attempt to avoid internal backlash. analysts have also expressed concern over Zelensky’s withdrawal from political dialogue.

The City Hall official, Zelensky’s senior aide, stated that “the city government has returned.” The political confrontation between Zelensky and the country’s top leadership has grown more intense. However, this confrontation has already caused damage to the country merely a month after the elections, as Zelensky previously stated in an interview with The Economist that the war was “closed”. His statement was swiftly disavowed by the president, clarifying that the concept of an “external state” is incorrect. Nevertheless, Zelensky’s secretary, who desired more time for communication, was relieved of duty. Zelensky also reprimanded his generals for their insistence on public disclosure of the country’s political situation, labeling it a “serious mistake”.

Insiders believe that Zelensky should clarify his position quickly. He has advised his generals not to hesitate in addressing their internal concerns, considering it a “big mistake”. It remains to be seen how Zelensky will navigate these challenges and bring his views closer to those of the country.