Volodymyr Zelensky has led Ukraine during wartime for over 1000 days, receiving acclaim as a hero in Europe. Critics, however, label him a “dictator,” citing claims of imprisoning opponents and banning parties, particularly echoed by figures like François Asselineau and Tulsi Gabbard. While some political parties were suspended due to Russian ties, significant opposition remains active in Ukraine’s parliament. Concerns about the international visibility of dissenting voices persist, highlighting the complexities of Ukraine’s political landscape during the ongoing conflict.
For over 1000 days, Volodymyr Zelensky has been at the helm during a time of war, earning recognition as a hero across Europe. However, some Russophiles argue that he should be labeled a ‘dictator.’ This sentiment was recently echoed by François Asselineau, the president and founder of the UPR, who on November 17 claimed that Zelensky has ‘imprisoned his opponents’ and ‘banned political parties.’ Such narratives have been widely circulated by various accounts identified as conduits of Russian propaganda within France.
The primary piece of evidence referenced by these users is a video featuring Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. House of Representatives member and once appointed by Donald Trump as director of national intelligence. This unaltered video can be found on her official YouTube channel. Although it dates back to January 2023, prior to the recent U.S. presidential election, it originates from the American program ‘The Rubin Report.’
During her interview with conservative host Dave Rubin, Gabbard accused the United States and NATO of instigating the war in Ukraine and vowed to reveal ‘the truth about President Zelensky.’ She stated, ‘Let’s look at the type of democracy that Zelensky is leading in Ukraine.’ She further claimed, ‘Not only has he imprisoned his political opponents early on, but he has also banned all their political parties (…) There is no freedom of expression and no room for political opposition.’ She concluded by criticizing the perception of Zelensky as the symbol of democracy. This portrayal has been positively highlighted by Russian media. But what do these criticisms truly reflect?
Political Parties and Their Alleged Russian Ties
The claim that Volodymyr Zelensky has outlawed ‘all political parties’ in Ukraine is not new, but it is misleading. As outlined in previous analyses, during a national security and defense council meeting in March 2022, a decision was made to ‘suspend’ eleven political parties deemed to have ties with Russia. Officially, these parties were banned in June 2022 following a ruling by the Ukrainian administrative court. The court noted, ‘The representatives of these political forces echoed Russia’s official stance on our country, supported anti-Ukrainian policies, and posed a threat to Ukraine’s national security.’
One notable example is the ‘Opposition Platform-For Life,’ which was the leading opposition party, holding 44 out of 450 seats in the Rada, Ukraine’s Parliament, and was openly backed by Moscow. Its co-founder, Viktor Medvedchouk, who is currently in Moscow, has personal ties to Vladimir Putin. Following accusations of involvement in the invasion, he was arrested and sentenced at the war’s onset. However, aside from a series of arrests during a January 2023 anti-corruption campaign, there have been few high-profile prosecutions against political adversaries. For instance, Igor Kolomoisky, a former governor and oligarch, was arrested on fraud and money laundering allegations earlier this September. The other suspended parties were relatively minor and lacked representation in the Rada.
This indicates that the entire opposition has not been silenced. Although the ‘Opposition Platform-For Life’ was banned, other parties that ranked third and fourth in the last elections, such as the ‘Pan-Ukrainian Union’ and ‘European Solidarity,’ remain operational.
The Diminished Voice of the Opposition on the Global Stage
Among the eleven suspended parties, three had substantial public support, collectively receiving 18% of the votes in the 2019 legislative elections. So, what is their current situation? Domestically, they are far from being silenced. Debates in the chamber remain active, with recent discussions surrounding proposed reforms to mobilization laws igniting nationwide interest. Efforts by the government and military to adjust recruitment criteria for up to 500,000 new soldiers faced opposition that led to revisions in their proposals. A recent bill supported by the Holos party sought to defer military service for individuals whose relatives are missing or have died in combat. Outside the parliamentary chamber, major opposition parties frequently critique government policies through press releases and social media platforms.
Nevertheless, many voices express concern over the lack of international exposure for these dissenting opinions. Former president Petro Poroshenko, who has had a contentious relationship with Zelensky since the 2019 election, penned a letter last February highlighting his inability to obtain travel permissions from Ukraine. This letter, addressed to European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, described the ‘abusive use of martial law and war’ as a means to ‘purge the political landscape of opposition and isolate it from the global stage.’ Similarly, the Holos party has voiced frustrations regarding blocks on international travel for legislators, which they argue hampers ‘parliamentary diplomacy.’
In conclusion, it is inaccurate to assert that Volodymyr Zelensky suppresses the opposition. However, a significant concern has emerged regarding the international visibility of dissenting voices in Ukraine. Amid a conflict that has persisted for over 1000 days, the Ukrainian presidency aims to maintain a united front against external threats.
If you have questions or information that you find questionable, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Follow our updates on Twitter: our team is available at @verif_TF1LCI.