Two or Three’ Attempts Later, Nothing Changes

Source: Author’s Facebook page

What is the biggest problem with Zelenskyy “counting on two to three years of war” in his head — and even sharing these thoughts with his allies? In my view, there are several. Together, they paint a rather grim picture. On the operational front, nothing has changed for them.

1. “One word for the kitchens, another for the streets.”

The top brass is not going to speak frankly with Ukrainians. Bad news may be reported by others — anyone but the President or Prime Minister. Meanwhile, our stability depends heavily on a shared sense of unity, which rests on the principle that “we are not cattle, we are not goats.”

The stark contrast between public statements and private conversations severely undermines trust. We are already seeing this in the problems with mobilization, the spread of depressive moods, and the flourishing of Russian IPSOs.

Perhaps it is time to stop preoccupying ourselves with “shashlyks” (BBQ) and start recognizing Ukrainians as full citizens of the republic?

Our survival is a shared responsibility. And if the operational leadership thinks they have a golden (or crypto) parachute, history offers many examples of how such hopes have proven futile.

2. The top brass remains in the same “fog” that then-Prime Minister Honcharuk observed during the green “turbo regime” (remember that one?).

You cannot share regrets or complaints with allies. They expect strategic vision, a plan, and concrete proposals. In fact, what Tusk was able to communicate about that conversation to the world amounted, in effect, to a cry: “Hey, you have a problem!”

If the government fails to outline its vision for further actions and instead casually tosses out deadlines under the pretense of “one year here, one year there,” the problem is serious.

What is a year at the front? Those who have been there have at least a rough understanding. I would never allow myself such pretense, because before my eyes are the faces of those I knew before, and I long to see them alive and well after.

Having failed even to resolve issues of service terms — or at least rotation — and then tossing out the contemptuous phrase “there will be no demobilization until victory” from the Verkhovna Rada podium is reckless. Strategic planning is not a place for frivolity.

The government has no right to settle for a “C” during a war for survival.

3. They understood nothing; they learned nothing.

Foreign policy is a high art. Every word spoken carries weight — not as a “nice guy,” but as an official. Words have consequences. They come with a price. To fail to understand this in the seventh year of office is not merely unprofessional; it is dangerously negligent.

All of this adds up to a terrifying picture.

Moreover, there are corruption scandals, delayed and ineffective decisions, and mediocre-quality implementation. The enemy sees all of this — and for him, it is reason enough to continue the war.

I have been saying this for a long time: only our efficiency as a state, the full mobilization of all resources and capabilities, can bring about the miracle everyone has been longing for since 2022. Everyone must do what they can. This is the essence of a unity government — or, more accurately, of salvation.

If the operational leadership is even interested in saving it.

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