March 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky, in military attire, looks straight into the camera. His voice is firm: "We will not yield anything." Behind him, the smoking ruins of Kiev tell the intensity of the fight. That day, the former comedian becomes a world-renowned war hero, a symbol of unwavering resistance against Russian aggression.
Two years later, the story seems to waver. The war continues, but a new battle looms: peace negotiations, conducted under the pressure of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, could well shake the legend of the Ukrainian president. Only one question remains: Will Zelensky manage to save his image… and his country?
War Hero: Zelensky’s Meteoric Rise
When Russia invades Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky surprises the entire world. In a few days, he establishes himself as an indispensable figure. His short and impactful speeches, his visits to the field, and his moving appeals to major Western capitals touch the heart.
The former comedian becomes the wartime leader no one expected. At 41, this man from a non-practicing Jewish and Russian-speaking family represents everything modern Ukraine aspires to be: free, dynamic, courageous. His popularity skyrockets. In the streets of Kiev, posters with his image show him as a hero. For Ukrainians, he is the one who resists against all odds.
But in every epic story, there is a turning point.
The First Cracks in the Legend
With the announcement of peace negotiations, rumors begin to circulate: territorial concessions might be considered. Such an outcome would divide the country. Some would see it as an act of pragmatism, others as a betrayal of the values for which so many Ukrainians have fought.
For Zelensky, the dilemma is cruel. Peace could save lives, but at what cost? The loss of territories, even partial, risks costing him his heroic capital. Every decision becomes a trial. Collective memories do not forgive the flaws of heroes.
Trump: Mediator or Predator?
In this negotiation, Donald Trump sees himself as the architect of a historic peace. His political ego cannot let such an opportunity pass. In rivalry with Joe Biden, he wants to prove that he can achieve what the previous American administration could not: a resounding "deal", capable of making a lasting impression.
But Trump does nothing without counterparts. Economic reconstruction, privileged access to Ukrainian natural resources… The American support could quickly become a poisoned gift.
Facing Trump, Zelensky must demonstrate a sharp political sense. Every word counts. A misstep, and the balance could tip.
Putin, the Patient Adversary
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin continues to play his own game. For him, this conflict goes beyond a mere military question. It is a historical mission, an imperial crusade to restore Russian greatness.
The Russian president knows that time is on his side. International fatigue, Ukrainian economic difficulties, and pressure on Zelensky’s allies are all assets for Moscow.
If a concession on Donbass or Crimea were agreed upon, Putin would claim victory. He would present it as proof that his strategy was the right one. The battle for Ukrainian public opinion is therefore crucial. If the compromises are poorly perceived, Zelensky could lose everything.
The Moment of Truth
External alliances will be decisive. Europe, Japan, and South Korea must uphold their promises of reconstruction and financial aid. Without this, economic fragility could cause national unity to collapse.
In this context, every negotiation is risky. Strategic stakes — like the future of NATO or the control of natural resources — complicate every decision. Zelensky walks a tightrope. A precarious balance, where every move could make him fall.
Hero or Victim of Compromise?
The day will come when the weapons fall silent. But for Volodymyr Zelensky, the real battle will then begin. Rebuilding a ravaged country, reintegrating fighters into civilian life, reassuring the families of the missing, and above all, maintaining unity. Every weakness will be scrutinized, every misstep amplified.
The heroic figures of history often have two destinies: consecrated heroes or victims of their own compromises. Zelensky is playing big. If he succeeds, he will remain in the books as the wartime leader turned peacemaker. But if he fails, the fall will be brutal.
The future will tell. For now, Volodymyr Zelensky moves forward in uncertainty, under the watchful eyes of Trump and Putin, two men with goals far removed from those of Ukraine. The final act has not yet been written. But one thing is certain: every decision will mark history.
