International-News

Trump plans Zelensky replacement: talks with Ukrainian opposition

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan to remove Volodymyr Zelensky from Ukraine’s leadership. Secret talks with Ukrainian opposition figures, such as Yulia Tymoshenko and members of Petro Poroshenko’s party, have already taken place

According to Politico reports, the Trump administration is working on a plan to replace Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine’s leader. Representatives close to Trump have held secret talks with Ukrainian opposition figures, including former premier Yulia Tymoshenko and members of Petro Poroshenko’s party, European Solidarity. The discussions focused on the possibility of holding early presidential elections immediately after a possible ceasefire, but before the conclusion of peace negotiations.

Trump’s strategy for early elections after a ceasefire

Trump’s strategy seems to focus on early elections, convinced that Zelensky, despite his recent popular support, may be defeated due to the growing weariness of the population with the war. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik has denied any political interference by the US administration, despite Trump’s words and actions indicating otherwise.

Internal opposition to Zelensky: divisions in Ukraine between those who want to negotiate and those who want to continue the war

Meanwhile, a poll conducted by Britain’s Survation shows that 44% of Ukrainians would support Zelensky for a new term, while former chief of staff Valery Zaluzhny, currently the Ukrainian ambassador to London, is more than 20 percentage points behind. Petro Poroshenko and Yulia Tymoshenko have less of a grip on the electorate, with 10% and 5.7% of the vote respectively.

Although Tymoshenko and Poroshenko have publicly stated that they do not want elections before a stop to the fighting, Trump’s entourage seems to perceive in them interlocutors willing to negotiate. Internal political instability and pressure to end the conflict continue to divide Ukraine: 66% of the population want negotiations to end the war, but a significant minority, including many military personnel and their families, insist on continuing the conflict.

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