The capital city’s mayor of Ukraine is in a quarrel with the nation’s president. Amid a bitter struggle over control of weapon acquisitions, the defense minister is under investigation. Recruitment officials are having difficulty assembling an adequate number of men for the frontlines. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are pushing back against proposals to lower the draft age.
Just last week, Russian forces took over two more towns. These losses were more symbolic than strategic, however, they illustrate the ongoing struggle. Ukraine is fighting a crucial defensive war, attempting to fend off Russia’s near three-year full-scale invasion. Despite being exhausted and battle-worn, the population is largely continuing to rally behind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership.
Yet, divisions are beginning to emerge within the country’s leadership and political elite. The extent and depth of these divisions remain uncertain but are becoming evident at a most inconvenient time. This comes as Kyiv is building momentum for a ceasefire with Moscow and as the United States, Ukraine’s principal weapons supplier, is keen to end the war. All these events are unfolding as diplomatic discussions intensify ahead of the Munich Security Conference this weekend.
While the conflict continues, the political process in Ukraine remains active, providing hope for a potential ceasefire and a return to political competition and normal life.
On the battleground, Ukrainian forces have been at a disadvantage for months, dating back to February 2024. In an attempt to change the narrative, Ukraine launched a daring cross-border attack on Russia’s Kursk region last August. This was the largest invasion of Russia by foreign troops since World War II. However, despite their efforts, Ukrainian forces were forced to retreat in various locations across the autumn and winter.
Adding to the difficulties, the mayor of Kyiv, former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, publicly criticized President Zelenskyy’s choice of a new military administrator for the city, citing political motives. In addition, the Defense Ministry is entangled in an intense bureaucratic battle over the procurement of weaponry for the armed forces.
On the recruitment front, Ukraine’s inability to send enough men to fortify tired and depleted units is a significant problem. Despite legislative reforms to improve the system, officials still struggle to recruit and train sufficient personnel.
As all these issues play out, the prospect of peace talks looms large. The Trump administration has signaled its intent to use a combination of pressure and incentives to get Kyiv and Moscow to negotiate. Among the topics up for discussion is whether Ukraine should suspend martial law to allow for new presidential elections.
In the midst of all this, a recent poll showed that former commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhniy is the most trusted public figure in Ukraine. Since his appointment as ambassador to Britain, Zaluzhniy has largely stayed out of politics but could be a strong contender in a potential election.
This report was contributed to by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service.
