Sharing some thoughts/a-hypothesis. Let us look at things with harsh practicality and bring emotions only as a tool used for practical purposes (for more on the practical side of emotions check
this post).
Is it possible that Zelensky is working in the interests of the US/West than his own country, or is he a hero. Let us look further into this issue.
Reasons to see Zelensky as a hero:
Yes, some of it could be seen to be based on Western propaganda, but let us look at it at face value for now.
- Ukraine has had historical divisions. Voting patterns coupled with linguistic distribution further corroborate to the divide still being a part of society. In this crisis, Zelensky has managed to quite unite them; probably more than what a lot of people might have expected.
. - If the Russians had a Plan-A of awing the Ukrainians into submission, Zelensky was a big factor in foiling it.
. - When faced with the might of the Russians, most countries would find it difficult to put up a fight. The Ukrainians are putting up one. Zelensky sure seems to be a factor in this.
. - Complain about his tactics - as it would be possible to do for most leaders in such a situation - he has managed to keep the fight going against what appears to be an insurmountable adversary. This, despite no official feet on the ground from the West, and only limited other obvious support.
. - In a tough situation - one in which one has a high probability of getting killed - a lot of leaders would simply run for their lives. He did not. Viktor Yanukovych, the then president of Ukraine did so in 2014.
. - He has used the western media and sentiment rather effectively to gain support.
Whether or not what they claim is true, it is at least helping people fleeing from Ukraine get good support in neighbouring countries. Including Poland, with which Ukraine has a troubled past. There are complaints about Ukrainian refugees getting treated much better than refugees from other countries (sure there are more factors to this than just Zelensky).
. - He has managed to come out as the undisputed leader of the country.
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Reasons to see Zelensky as working for the interests of the US - Backround:
For this, let us delve into some surrounding stuff. Let us look at things beyond what western media tells us. We will consider some reasonable possibilities, also keeping in mind that what is reasonable too is subjective.
Europe
For the average European, a sentiment against Putin has suddenly become very strong and has taken centre-stage. Many see him as a monster. As some megalomaniac out to expand Russia to some erstwhile Soviet glory who is beginning to lose his mind - never-mind the lack of viability of such a move. (why do movies about power-hungry Russian madmen come to mind?!) In a European democracy, it becomes extremely difficult for a country now to align with Russia. One would likely lose precious vote share. If one analyses elections, in many segments/constituencies the difference between the top two is only a few percent. With several seats swinging due to a few percent vote shift, the national outcome changes. While the vote share percentage might only be small, the implication of it in seats can be huge; consequently change national outcomes.
We now also hear of European countries trying to reduce and in a few years remove dependency on Russia for it's energy and other resource needs. IMO, if such so happens, it would make things ripe for a big European war; possibly a huge one, which might extend to further geographies. Current events might be setting the stage for a bigger war to come in a decade or two (International politics often looks at longer timelines than what the average person does). It is said that the US gained a lot from the previous such war - WW2 - enough to become the leading power of the world.
Another obvious fallout would be that the exchange between Russia and Europe on defence equipment and parts remains unviable/very-difficult for a very long time to come.
Also bear in mind that if Europe becomes independent of the US control-like influence, to an extent it is a competitor of the US. Cutting down Europe to appropriate size (not finish it) is in the US interest.
USA
From what is described above about Europe, the obvious gainer is USA. They remove a competitor from the arms market for the whole of Europe. Gets them dependent on itself further and for longer. Russia too can't see Europe as a supplier for long, and gets hurt in process.
With the threat of Putin and Russia being seen as a bigger one, it would make it more viable for democratically elected leaders in Europe to spend more on defence, as it becomes an easy thing to sell to the masses - orders for the US, in effect. (*who said social media was free?)
With sanctions on Russia, one competitor in the market is reduced. While the Russian economy might not be big, it being financially hit has at least two effects: (a) less funds mean increased difficulty to spend on defence (b) less funds in the hands of people, which helps prepare the ground for a 'revolution' in Russia in the times to come. Such a 'revolution' in Russia (and also eventually in China) would help the US interests.
In the name of spreading democracy, what one gets is leaders which are more compliant to western views. Ones who aren't can be built influence against (media and narratives playing a big role - partly touched upon in
this post). As before, it could take only a few percentage vote share swing to effect leadership change. My guess is countries which have the ability and enough interest weight in the cost-benifit of influencing other countries, and do so so in whatever way possible.
Russia being drawn into a war also means it is losing resources for it. Way way more than the US would. A competitive advantage. This is increased by a longer more resource draining war.
My impression also is that significant interests in the US also gain from conflicts in the world. I imagine ones far away to be more useful to them, with ones which are far and do not directly involve the US even more so (lesser 'baggage' of internal politics).
Russia/Putin
A prolonged war hurts Russia/Putin - resources/money, sanctions, image, hurts leader. Could elaborate this, but is hardly needed.
Zelensky - in the Interests of the USA?
Yes, much of it is only a hypothesis and can't be proved, but let us look at it.
Considering a prolonged war is in the US interest and against Russia, how to prolong this war while reducing own (USA) costs and increasing benefit is to be considered.
Now, how to prolong it?
- The obvious thing is to make people who have to fight believe that they can win.
- To do that, one has to believe that they are doing well, which in turn in based on making Russia doing poorly.
- Reports are rife with how Russia is not going as per plan.
I said so in my first post on this thread, that this has little basis as of now. We don't have benchmarks for it. Palki Sharma (Wion) too said so in the video posted earlier today - we do not know Russia's battle plans. Heck, we aren't even sure what they want as an end result of this conflict! - Further to make believe with multiple repeated media reports that it was like Russia would steamroll in a few days and anything less than that is indicated as Russia doing poorly, and Ukraine doing well.
- Provide the Ukrainian side with all kinds of unofficial support - from intel to 'volunteers'. I suppose that is being done.
- Further smaller things like building a social media narrative of things going well, yet managing to gain sympathy - much of western and social media seems to be in line with this. Since the internet in most parts of Ukraine is working, what people hear from other countries too helps keep morale high. Gaining sympathy from people across borders and reinforcing that Russia is doing poorly helps.
. - Another important factor not talked about enough: Zelensky is being talked to as the undisputed leader of Ukraine. Had it not been in the US interest, it is not something the US would do or encourage the others in it's sphere of (typically immense) influence do. Zelensky is seen addressing the parliament of UK too. What this does is helps him remove local challenges to his leadership and avoids splintering of groups (not all countries can manage that if the media and the powers behind it don't wish so - can we?)
Besides prolonging it, the country is also being unified for another try at NATO after several years, when the time is ripe (perhaps when Putin leaves the chair).
Also bear in mind that all this is happening without boot on the ground support to Ukraine. No NATO boots, no international body's boots, no US boots; at least officially.
Without Zelensky (and the 'Western support') all this would be highly improbable to achieve. Interestingly, he popped up into the scene quite suddenly based on a TV series portraying him as a teacher who turns heroic.
Is the US using Zelensky to fight it's battle to wear down and hurt it's adversary (Russia) with minimal damage to itself, regardless of the plight of Ukrainians? (What if he has been assured death if he tries to 'escape'?)
We can decide for ourselves based on our exposure to material, mental conditioning and biases, and illusions of objectivity. Within my limitations, I have, but only with reasonable certainty.