On Ukraine's 35th Independence anniversary, President Zelenskyy struck a defiant tone.

Does this position risk creating divisions within Ukrainian society as the war with Russia drags on, and is Zelenskyy's government still stable amid signs of war fatigue?

DW put these and other questions to Mikhail Alexseev, a professor of political science at San Diego State University.

His research focuses on democracy in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.