Major Controversies Surrounding Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Volodymyr Zelenskyy—discover key moments of controversy.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the current president of Ukraine, serving since 2019. Before entering politics, he was a successful entertainer. His presidency has been largely defined by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, particularly the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. He has been a key figure in leading Ukraine's response to the invasion and garnering international support.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 2014: Spoke out against Banning Russian Artists

In August 2014, Zelenskyy spoke out against the intention of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture to ban Russian artists from Ukraine.

2015: Ukraine Banned Some Russian Media

Since 2015, Ukraine has banned some Russian artists and Russian media and art from entering Ukraine.

2018: Refusal of Alleged Bribery Attempt

In 2018, Zelenskyy said that then-President Yanukovych had offered him US$100 million for political control of Kvartal 95's programmes after he became general producer of Inter, but Zelenskyy refused.

2018: "Love in the Big City 2" Banned in Ukraine

In 2018, the romantic comedy "Love in the Big City 2", starring Zelenskyy, was banned in Ukraine due to a blacklisted Russian actor.

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April 2019: Views on language and artists

In April 2019, Zelenskyy stated his opposition to targeting the Russian language in Ukraine and banning artists for their political opinions. He was not against Ukrainian language quotas but noted they could be tweaked. He also said that Russian artists "who have turned into (anti-Ukrainian) politicians" should remain banned from entering Ukraine.

April 2019: Ukrainian News Outlets Called on Zelenskyy

On 16 April 2019, a few days before the election, 20 Ukrainian news outlets called on Zelenskyy to "stop avoiding journalists".

September 2019: Report of Trump Blocking Military Aid to Ukraine

In September 2019, reports surfaced alleging that U.S. President Donald Trump had blocked a $400-million military aid package to Ukraine to pressure President Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who held a board seat at Burisma Holdings. This event sparked the Trump-Ukraine scandal and subsequent impeachment inquiry. Zelenskyy denied being pressured and stated he didn't want to interfere in a foreign election in September 2019.

October 2019: Preliminary Deal with Separatists

In October 2019, Zelenskyy announced a preliminary deal struck with separatists, under which the Ukrainian government would respect elections in the region in exchange for Russian troop withdrawal. The deal was met with heavy criticism and protests.

2019: Transfer of Shares and Election Campaign

Around the time of his election in 2019, Zelenskyy handed his shares in a key offshore company over to Serhiy Shefir, but arrangements were made for Zelenskyy's family to continue receiving money from these companies. His 2019 election campaign had centered on pledges to clean up the government of Ukraine.

2019: Concerns over Zelenskyy's links to Kolomoyskyi

During the 2019 campaign, concerns were raised over Zelenskyy's links to the oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskyi.

January 2020: Controversial Trip to Oman

In January 2020, Zelenskyy took a trip to Oman that was not initially disclosed, leading to criticism for a lack of transparency and comparisons to his predecessor's undisclosed vacation in the Maldives.

January 2020: Lack of Answers Regarding Oman Visit

On 17 January 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prystaiko was unable to give answers in parliament about the visit's official agenda, the invitation from Oman, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were preparing the visit, as well as how the president actually crossed the border while visiting Oman.

2020: Media Law Reforms Proposed

In 2020, Zelenskyy's party proposed reforms to Ukraine's media laws to increase competition and reduce the dominance of Ukrainian oligarchs, but critics argued it risked increasing media censorship through its clause on criminal responsibility for the distribution of disinformation.

October 2021: Pandora Papers Leak

In October 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that Zelenskyy, his chief aide, and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine operated a network of offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize, some of which owned expensive London property.

November 2021: Accusations of Coup Plot

On 26 November 2021, Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia and Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov of backing a plan to overthrow his government.

December 2022: Bill to ban religious organizations affiliated with Russia

On 2 December 2022, Zelenskyy announced his administration would introduce a bill in the Verkhovna Rada to ban "religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation" from operating in Ukraine, referring to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC-MP).

August 2024: Bill to ban religious organizations affiliated with Russia signed

In August 2024, a bill that would ban "religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation" from operating in Ukraine, was passed by parliament and signed by Zelenskyy, after opposition parties protested the bill's delay. The law treats each parish individually and gives it nine months to cut ties with the UOC-MP, following which a special commission will inspect individual parishes and file lawsuits against non-compliant ones; the court can then decide on a ban in each case.