Ukraine proposes replacing Lenin statue with Cossack leader Ivan Mazepa

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested erecting a statue of Ivan Mazepa, a Cossack leader from the 17th century, on the plinth in central Kyiv that once held a Lenin statue, which was dismantled during the Maidan revolution of 2013-14. This proposal aligns with efforts to restore Ukrainian identity in the wake of Russia's invasion in 2022. Since the Lenin statue was taken down, the plinth has been adorned with graffiti and a Ukrainian trident. Zelenskyy revealed this initiative in June at the Pechersk Lavra monastery, recently targeted by Russian missiles. Nataliia Kryvda is in favor of the Mazepa statue, while writer Alim Aliev highlighted the importance of reclaiming identity. Meanwhile, a statue of Mikhail Bulgakov was removed, with its museum director expressing support but questioning the suitability of the plinth for Mazepa.