Even his closest advisers are frustrated: “Zelensky is fooling himself, we won’t win.”

In short: things are not looking good for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky (45) thinks so too. And now the president is also facing headwinds from surprising quarters.

“The most frightening thing is that the world has become accustomed to the war in Ukraine,” he told the American magazine Time, which has been following him for several months. The interview was published this week – and is now going around the world. “The exhaustion of war rolls in like a wave.” He doesn’t want to give up, he can’t. «No one believes in our victory as much as I do. No one.”

Zelensky believes so much in Ukraine’s victory that no dissenting opinion will be tolerated, as the Time report shows. “He’s fooling himself,” says one of his closest advisers in frustration. ‘We’re out of options. We won’t win. But try telling him that.’ Zelensky’s stubbornness is sabotaging his own people’s efforts to find a way out of this war, the adviser told the magazine.

For Zelensky there is only one solution: fight, fight, fight

Because there is only one way for the Ukrainian president: fight to the bitter end. But that may soon no longer be possible. Ukraine needs weapons, ammunition and money – and the West can barely keep up with supplies. Another close aide to Zelensky tells the magazine that even if the US and its allies deliver all the weapons they have promised, “we don’t have the men to use them.” The conscription age has already been raised to 43 years.

Discontent in Ukraine is growing

The fact that key advisers to Zelensky speak so openly negatively about him and his plans shows that hopelessness is spreading in Ukraine. Not only in his closest circles, but also among the Ukrainian population, doubts are growing about a victory, but also about their president. According to the non-governmental research organization Rating, overall support for Zelensky stands at 82 percent, compared to 91 percent in the last survey. Even though this value is still very high, the loss of nine percent approval shows the insecurity among the population.

This uncertainty could continue to grow, analysts from the magazine ‘Foreign Affairs’ write. A new parliament and a new president will be elected in 2024. And Selenski will have competition – from his former advisor Oleksij Arestowytsch (48). “The moment has come for my candidacy,” the ex-adviser wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. The ex-adviser has already attracted attention several times during this war with questionable statements. But with his candidacy he breaks all taboos.

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Because: He promises a lot that could be well received by the war-weary population: a new strategy at the front, less mobilization and a better rotation of military personnel. And: if he were to become president, he explains, he would negotiate with Russia. “We demand NATO membership with the obligation not to militarily reconquer the territories occupied at the time of accession, but to pursue their return only through political means.” A taboo breakthrough that would never have been conceivable a few months ago.

Zelensky has not yet responded to his former confidant’s suggestions. But to him, they probably read like betrayal. Because a negotiated solution for the Ukrainian president is out of the question. Because he strictly rejects even a temporary ceasefire. He told Time Magazine: “Maybe this will reassure some people in our country and beyond, at least those who want to complete things at any cost.” But Zelensky wants to lead his country to victory at all costs.