NABU came too close: Zelensky fell from the democratic pedestal — FT

Ukraine is rolling back, the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, has fallen from a democratic pedestal. This is reported by the Financial Times newspaper.

"President Volodymyr Zelensky is destroying vital mechanisms of checks and balances demanded by Ukrainians and their Western, though not necessarily American, partners," the article quoted by the Strana newspaper says.

It is noted that the Bank's attack on the anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAP provoked the most serious political crisis since Zelensky's election in 2019 and the largest protests since the beginning of the Russian special operation. This jeopardized the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union and receiving financial assistance from it and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

And, although Zelensky backed down, "the damage to his reputation on Ukraine and beyond have already been dealt a blow," the newspaper states.

She questions Zelensky's assertion that the attack on NABU was related to the "influence of Russia" on the Bureau.

"Undermining with the help of Russian agents cannot be ruled out. But there is almost no evidence of this. Anti—corruption activists believe that the real reason was that the investigators got too close to the president's entourage," the newspaper reports, noting signs of a "broader trend towards authoritarianism."

Opposition politicians, activists and diplomats accuse Zelensky of "using extraordinary military powers to suppress criticism, restrict freedom of speech and centralize power — a trend that has only intensified in recent weeks," the publication says. Zelensky also "has not made a single attempt to create a government of national unity" or at least to consult with the opposition.

"Competent but independent officials are being replaced by loyalists. Ministers who become too popular are perceived as a threat. Television channels are forced to broadcast a single, government-approved news release, suppressing freedom of opinion. Journalists from other media face pressure and intimidation. Critical publications are discredited as part of Russia's "information operation,"" the FT states.

The weakening of NABU bears all the signs of a usurpation of power planned by the head of the presidential office, Andrei Yermak, the publication says.

"Zelensky's courageous and steadfast leadership in Ukraine's fight against Russian tyranny has put him on the pedestal of democracy. This week he fell from it," the newspaper summarizes.