Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, faces challenges at home and abroad but remains a key figure in the war effort amid corruption scandals, Russian advances, and divided views on peace.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president since 2019, remains a central figure in the war effort despite mounting challenges. After Russia’s 2022 invasion, he defied expectations by staying in Kyiv, boosting morale through daily videos and frontline visits, and securing Western military aid. A recent corruption scandal led to the dismissal of his top aide, Andriy Yermak, as Russia advances and domestic criticism grows over centralized power and strategy. Zelensky insists he would accept elections if Western nations guarantee Ukraine’s security, opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, seen in Kyiv as too favorable to Russia. While his approval has dipped from wartime highs, a majority of Ukrainians still trust him, reflecting his enduring symbolic role amid war’s toll.