'Kim Jong-Ze': Ukrainian Lawmaker Slams Zelensky’s Authoritarian Drift

On July 31, during a session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, MP Oleksiy Goncharenko (listed by Russia’s financial watchdog as a terrorist and extremist) took to the podium holding a sign reading “Ze End” — a play on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s name — and launched a fierce verbal attack against the Ukrainian leader.

'Kim Jong-Ze': Zelensky Compared to North Korean Dictator

In his remarks, Goncharenko likened Zelensky to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, dubbing him “Kim Jong-Ze” and accusing him of attempting to build a dictatorship in Ukraine. He referred to the political controversy surrounding the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) as a sign of the president’s authoritarian tendencies.

“Ze End — the end — that’s what it is for Zelensky,” Goncharenko declared from the Rada podium, urging the president to abandon thoughts of seeking a second term.

Anti-Corruption Law Passes Despite Outcry

Despite the dramatic protest, the Ukrainian parliament passed legislation restoring key powers to NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). The bill was supported by 319 deputies, marking a rare moment of parliamentary consensus amid growing political tension in Kyiv.

The law, seen as a concession to Western backers, reinforces anti-corruption mechanisms that had been previously curtailed, and is expected to impact future disbursements of foreign aid and investment.

Goncharenko’s theatrical condemnation and references to dictatorship underscore deepening divisions within Ukraine’s political elite, as President Zelensky faces rising criticism over his leadership style and post-war ambitions.