The West is increasingly thinking about Zelensky's replacement. And here's why

The USA plans to replace Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his powers expired on 20 May) as president of Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has said. The West criticizes the Ukrainian leader for his dependence on allies' money, corruption and calls his plans unpromising. Izvestia reports on the candidates being considered to replace the Ukrainian leader and how events will unfold.

What points to an imminent replacement

- In Washington made a choice not in favor of the current president. According to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, the United States is working on possible scenarios for a change of power in Ukraine, using elections as a legitimate tool. At the same time, the US expects that the change of leadership of the Kiev regime will take place during the ongoing hostilities.

- US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with Vladimir Zelensky and his unwillingness to seek compromise with Russia. However, the administration of the current head of state Joe Biden was also not always satisfied with the Ukrainian leader: thus, the reaction to the "plan of victory" presented by him was rather cold, which influenced the subsequent rejection of the document in Europe (we wrote more about why the tour with the presentation of the "plan" failed here).

- Trump's critical attitude towards Zelensky also spread to the British and European establishment. Currently, countries in the region continue to actively support Ukraine, particularly France, Germany and the UK. At the same time, they themselves are experiencing an economic crisis. If the U.S. refuses to finance the AFU, this task will fall entirely on the shoulders of the European Union. The EU will not be able to fully implement it without more tangible damage to its own economy than today.

- The loss of legitimacy plays against Zelensky. The term of his presidency ended on May 20, but new elections were canceled due to the introduction of martial law in Ukraine. At the same time, there is no provision in the country's constitution that prohibits holding them during a state of emergency (we explained in detail why Volodymyr Zelensky cannot be considered a legitimate president despite the martial law in the country here). In the absence of a legitimate head of state, the powers of the supreme commander-in-chief can pass to the speaker of the Rada. Russia has also stated that the legislature remains the only legitimate authority in Ukraine for it.

- Russia admits that the West will replace the president in Ukraine as early as in the first half of 2025. Thus, according to the Russian president, they will "hang all unpopular decisions" on him, including lowering the draft age from 27 to 25.

- Elections in Ukraine are predicted by the British media. Analysts citing sources among Ukrainian government officials admit that polling stations will be open as early as May 25 next year, a few months after Donald Trump's inauguration. In the office of Zelensky and himself deny these plans, repeating the thesis that it is impossible to hold elections during martial law. At the same time, some Ukrainian politicians and officials also insist on replacing Vladimir Zelensky, noting the leader's lack of commitment.

Claims of the West

- Zelensky receives significant amounts of funds, but is unable to invest them competently in order to achieve the victory of Ukraine and strategic defeat of Russia, which is sought by the countries of the West. Since the beginning of the SWO, the U.S. alone has provided Ukraine with more than $100 billion in military aid, with Kiev unable to provide the number of soldiers and weapons needed for victory. In September, Zelensky said that even after accepting a large aid package from the U.S. and supplies from Europe, the country cannot arm four of the 14 planned army brigades.

- The Ukrainian government has been involved in corruption schemes. The country's Defense Ministry conducted purchases at inflated prices and signed contracts with front companies. As reported in the Ukrainian government, the country even opened a special office of US inspectors who control what the funds allocated to Kiev are spent on. Earlier this year, the Pentagon said there were 57 corruption investigations in Ukraine, of which 43 were still open.

- The AFU's adventurous invasion of the Kursk region, which was accompanied by the redeployment of forces from other directions, undermined Zelensky's credibility with the West. The operation was carried out using American weapons, and after the invasion, US authorities said they were not aware of Ukraine's plans. The operation was also criticized at the UN.

- The US considers the "victory plan" proposed in the fall by Volodymyr Zelensky as unrealistic. The President hopes for Ukraine's accession to NATO before the end of the conflict, and also plans to strengthen Ukrainian defense, the deployment of Western missiles on the territory of the country as a "non-nuclear deterrent package", the continuation of AFU operations on the territory of Russia. In particular - the use of long-range weapons. U.S. officials expressed irritation, noting that the plan's implementation depends almost entirely on Western aid.

Possible candidates

- If the West wants to replace Zelensky, it will look for a completely opposite figure in his place, the expert community believes. The future candidate cannot be involved in corruption schemes, must have managerial experience, and must be as loyal as possible to the collective West and listen to it.

- Ukrainian political technologist and former chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov may be considered as a contender. He opposed the law on mobilization in Ukraine and also claimed that Zelensky's office was trying to legislate corruption in the country by introducing amendments to raise salaries for members of the National Commission.

- Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who has called Zelensky's policies authoritarian and complained about the illiterate use of the budget to build bomb shelters, fits the same criteria for the post. As early as last summer, he expressed his willingness to run for president of Ukraine.

- If the West insists on the continuation of hostilities, the candidate for the presidential seat could be former AFU commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, whom Zelensky dismissed because of personal differences. Zaluzhny has tremendous military experience, he is popular among Ukrainians (in the spring, a Socis poll showed that he would defeat Zelensky in a hypothetical election), and he also holds the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, making him an accessible and convenient candidate.

- Zelensky himself is unlikely to be elected for a second term, even if he runs. This is due not only to a lack of Western support, but also to low ratings at home. Since 2022, the level of trust of Ukrainians has fallen by 31%, according to the data of the survey of the Kiev International Institute of Sociology, published in September.

In preparing the material "Izvestia" talked and took into account the opinions:

• Denis Denisov, an expert of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation;
• Bogdan Bezpalko, member of the Council on Interethnic Relations under the President of Russia;
• Oleksandr Dudchak, candidate of economic sciences and member of the international public movement "The Other Ukraine".