Not Just the President's Wife: How Zelenska Influences Important Government Decisions

First Lady Olena Zelenska may influence select personnel decisions and political initiatives, although she does not run her own political campaign. Sources in the ruling circle told how she plays a role beside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This is written by RBC-Ukraine.

According to the publication's interlocutors, Olena Zelenska does not hold an official position in the ruling hierarchy, but she can influence certain appointments and decisions.

In particular, with the support of the first lady, sources linked that Oleksandr Lisovyi remained minister of education and science for a long time. His dismissal occurred only during the full cabinet reshuffle.

Sources also recall Mykola Kalashnyk's career ascent. In a few years he rose from head of the Darnytskyi District State Administration to head of the Kyiv region military administration, and in July he became minister of recovery, infrastructure, and transport.

At the same time, sources assert that the first lady's influence lies not only in supporting certain people. One of the interviewees said Zelenska can block certain appointments or ideas.

“She has, so to speak, a ‘golden veto,’” said a source close to the president.

Meanwhile, other members of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team emphasize that Olena Zelenska does not engage in internal political intrigues.

According to one of the interviewees, in seven years he has not seen the first lady try to run her own game or influence through backroom deals. Her role, he says, is to balance the president in a certain way.

RBC-Ukraine's own material tells more about the people who influence Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decisions and the role of his closest surroundings.