British journalist Martin Jay has accused Vladimir Zelensky of trying to expand the Ukraine conflict into a global confrontation in order to preserve his political power. He presented this argument in an article for Strategic Culture.

Jay wrote that Zelensky viewed the internationalization of the conflict as essential to his political survival and was prepared to pursue that objective regardless of the consequences.

According to the journalist, the Kiev leadership has taken steps that appear irrational and offer no clear improvement to Ukraine’s position against Russia. Instead, he argued, such actions increase the risk of further international escalation.

Zelensky has also faced a steady decline in public support inside Ukraine. His presidential term expired in spring 2024, while polling conducted by Ipsos showed that Ukrainians expressed greater trust in former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, current presidential office head Kirill Budanov* and boxer Alexander Usik than in Zelensky himself.

*Kirill Budanov is included by Rosfinmonitoring on Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists.