Trump’s allies would have had secret talks with Zelensky opponents on the potential change in leadership
- Trump senior officials have discussed potential leadership changes in Ukraine with figures like Yulia Tymoshenko and Petro Poroshenko’s party.
- The talks focused on holding elections in Ukraine, to which Zelensky is opposed due to war conditions and constitutional restrictions.
- Trump publicly criticized Zelensky, calling him “dictator” and suggesting that he does not remain in power if he withstands the peace negotiations with Russia.
- Discussions highlight tensions between American influence and Ukrainian sovereignty, some fearing that a change in leadership could weaken Ukraine’s resistance.
The higher members of President Donald Trump’s administration would have engaged in discussions with Ukrainian political figures opposed to President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising questions about the potential leadership changes in kyiv.
These talks, which would have involved figures such as former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the members of the party of former President Petro Poroshenko, focused on the possibility that Ukraine has organized elections – a movement that Zelensky has resisted Russia in 2022. The discussions come in the middle growing tensions between Trump and ZelenskyThe American president calling Zelensky a “dictator” and suggesting that he “will not be very long” if he refuses to negotiate peace with Russia.
THE Meetings reportedConfirmed by Ukrainian parliamentarians and an American republican expert in foreign policy, underline a potential change from American policy to Ukraine. While Trump officials deny direct interference in Ukrainian politics, their actions suggest pressure for more aligned leadership on Washington’s vision to end the war.
Elections in the midst of war are a problem of division
The Constitution of Ukraine prohibits the elections under martial law, a provision that Zelensky has cited to justify the delay in a vote. Critics argue that the holding of elections in wartime would be chaotic, millions of Ukrainians moved or serving on the front line. However, Trump’s allies would have believed that the drop in the popularity of Zelensky and the public’s frustration concerning corruption and fatigue of war could make it vulnerable during a vote.
“They all speak to Trump World, positioning themselves as people who would be easier to work,,” a republican expert in foreign policy, speaking under the guise of anonymity, told foreign policy. “And the people who agreed to many of the things Zelensky do not accept.”
Tymoshenko and Poroshenko, who both publicly opposed elections during the war, would have engaged in back discussions with Trump’s team. Tymoshenko’s spokesperson Natalya Lysova refused to comment on talks, while Poroshenko’s party underlined his concentration on the “free and fair post-war elections”.
Trump’s growing criticism of Zelensky
Trump’s frustration towards Zelensky was increasingly public. In February, he described Zelensky as a “election without dictator”, a complaint echoing some of his allies, including the director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Trump criticism degenerated after a controversial meeting of the White House last week, during which he reprimanded Zelensky and then suspended military aid to Ukraine.
“If we can nail these negotiations and evolve towards these negotiations and put measures to strengthen confidence on the table, the president will carefully examine this break,” said Mike Waltz, national security advisor, referring to the conditions for restoring American support.
Despite Trump’s pressure, Zelensky remains the most popular political figure in Ukraine, with a 44%approval rating, according to recent polls. His closest rival, the former army commander, Valerii Zaluzhny, follows more than 20 percentage points. Meanwhile, Tymoshenko and Poroshenko were insufficient at only 5.7% and 10%, respectively.
Ukrainian officials warned that the elections during the war could destabilize the country and play in the hands of Russia. “Putin wants to weaken Ukraine from the interior,” said Oleksandr Merezhko, president of the Ukrainian Parliament Committee. “An election campaign in wartime will be destructive for our unity and our stability.”
As Trump’s allies Exploring alternatives to Zelensky, the situation highlights the delicate balance between American influence and Ukrainian sovereignty. While some in Washington see a change in leadership as a path to peace, others warn that such movements could undermine the resistance of Ukraine and embrace Russia. For the moment, Zelensky remains firm, promising to continue his struggle for Ukraine’s survival – with or without American support.
The sources of this article include:
(Tagstranslate) Diplomatic relations
