Volodymyr Zelenskyy's victory in the presidential election on April 21, 2019, with 73.23% of the vote, marked a significant shift in Ukraine's political landscape. His inauguration on May 20 led to the dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada and the announcement of early elections. These elections on July 21 enabled Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party to secure an absolute majority, a first in Ukraine's history, allowing for the formation of a government led by Prime Minister Oleksii Honcharuk without the need for coalitions. However, in March 2020, Honcharuk's government was dismissed due to economic downturns, and Denys Shmyhal took over as Prime Minister.

Significant events during this period include a reciprocal release operation on September 7, 2019, that saw the return of 22 Ukrainian sailors, 2 security officers, and 11 political prisoners from Russia. The downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on January 8, 2020, resulted in 176 fatalities, escalating international tensions.

The Lublin Triangle initiative, launched with Poland and Lithuania on July 28, 2020, aimed at strengthening cooperation and supporting Ukraine's aspirations for EU and NATO membership. In 2021, Zelenskyy's administration took decisive actions against pro-Russian media entities by banning broadcasts of channels such as 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK, citing national security concerns. Sanctions were also imposed on individuals and entities associated with pro-Russian activities, including politician Viktor Medvedchuk.

Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration was further underscored at the June 2021 Brussels Summit, where NATO leaders affirmed the country's future membership and the right to determine its own foreign policy. The formation of the Association Trio in May 2021, alongside Georgia and Moldova, highlighted a tripartite commitment to closer EU ties and potential membership. Ukraine's application to join the EU in February 2022 marked a pivotal step towards European integration, reflecting its strategic orientation towards the West amid ongoing challenges.