Thread by @JPLindsley

1/ As an American reporting from Ukraine for 3.5 years, I must share reality from the ground—even uncomfortable ones.

This essay by Ukrainian journalist Olena Kozii captures what many are feeling—from military to civil society.

Russia doesn't want you to hear this. 🧵⤵️

2/ Why? Because it destroys the Kremlin's propaganda narrative of "Zelenskyy's war."

As we saw this week, the will of the people is the heart of Ukraine's resistance—a truth that undermines all false narratives.

Olena helps us unpack that truth⤵️

3/ Context: On Tuesday, Zelenskyy signed a law curbing anti-corruption agencies—sparking Ukraine's first major protests since Russia's big invasion.

Within 24 hours, he backtracked and proposed a new bill.

The protests seem to have worked. But what were Ukrainians actually saying?" ⤵️

4/ "The Ukrainian protests are a message: 'Vova, step back. Back to the ground. Buddy, don't push the horses, unless you want to end up like Yanukovych.'"

"Vova" = informal nickname for Volodymyr. Like calling a president "Donny" or "Joey" instead of "Mr. President." ⤵️

5/ This informality is deliberate. As Kozii explains: "So today Zelenskyy is not 'Volodymyr Oleksandrovych.' Just 'Vova.'"

In Ukraine, this shift from formal to informal address is a warning: You're losing our respect. Fix it.

"Respect must be earned. Again and again." ⤵️

6/ To outsiders, thousands of people taking to the public squares, including outside the president's office, looks like chaos.

But Kozii explains:

"In Ukraine, this is how political dialogue sometimes happens. This is a peaceful public conversation on the pavement." ⤵️

7/ One name IS under real pressure, according to Olena (and many others)—Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy's top advisor:

"People already scream, 'Yermak, go away.'

"Unlike Zelenskyy, he is unelected and widely distrusted." ⤵️

8/ Ukrainians know the risks. They know Russia watches, waiting to exploit any division:

"But they also believe silence is riskier for democracy. Fighting corruption is a sacred symbol in Ukraine," Olena writes. ⤵️

9/ And this insight from Kozii underscores the focused, goal-oriented nature of the protests:

"If [Zelenskyy] listens, tomorrow, the nation will call him 'Volodymyr Oleksandrovych' and love again."

So, Olena writes, "World, don't panic!"

⤵️linkedin.com/in/olena-kozii/

10/ "No drama. Just Ukraine being Ukraine. This is not instability. It's a democratic reflex. A reminder that Ukraine is not Russia."

My take: Ukraine is a true check-and-balance democracy.

To America: It is THESE free people, not the politicos, whom you are helping. 🧵🎬

11/ P.S. Here's a video version of Olena's essay:

"World, don't panic—This is a very Ukrainian thing!"

On why the Ukrainians were protesting—and what the free world can learn: