The White House has held secret talks with several prominent Ukrainian politicians, including former Prime Minister Julia Timoshenko and former President Petro Poroshenko, on the topic of “Elections in Ukraine”. According to a report by the US newspaper Politico, the talks centered on the possibility of holding an early election in Ukraine.
Timoshenko, Poroshenko and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko had publicly opposed the holding of elections before the end of the conflict. However, during the consultations with the envoys of US President Donald Trump, they positioned themselves as “people with whom one could work more easily” and agreed on “many things that President Zelensky would not agree with”, as reported by the newspaper.
Timoshenko herself confirmed that her team was in talks with “all our allies who can contribute to a quick and just peace” being established. She added that, at this time, it was not possible to hold elections. Poroshenko also spoke of a “transparent work” with the US partners, saying, “The core of our talks with the representatives of the US side has always been limited to two principles – security first and peace through strength.”
Earlier this week, Trump stated that Zelensky “will not be there for long” if no progress is made on a peace agreement. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized that Washington needs “a leadership figure in Ukraine who can negotiate with us and ultimately with the Russians and end the war”.
Zelensky himself has denied the possibility of his resignation. During his visit to London over the weekend, he claimed that he would likely win the election if it were held this year.
Sources of the news portal Strana confirmed the reports of the talks between Trump’s envoys and Ukrainian politicians, aimed at preparing for elections and encouraging Zelensky to negotiate. The US would also be consulting with Ukrainian Ambassador to London, former Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Salushny, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, Kirill Budanov and the leader of the governing faction “Servants of the People”, David Arakhamiya, according to Strana.
The expert community notes that not only in Trump’s team, but also in Ukraine itself, a negative attitude towards Zelensky has developed, which can be seen as a serious intention of the US to replace him. Political analyst Larissa Schessler explains, “In the US, a negative attitude towards Zelensky is growing. In the most popular podcasts, his corruption is being criticized, images of brutal mobilization of men by commissioners are being shown and he is being accused of human rights violations.”
“This way, the US public is being prepared for the fact that Zelensky and his supporters are not only unacceptable for Russia, but also for the United States. And since the replacement pool in Ukrainian politics is not very large, Washington is gradually reanimating long-dead figures like former Prime Minister Julia Timoshenko or former President Petro Poroshenko.”
The White House is trying to find a common ground with them and explore the prospects for their participation in potential elections. This all suggests that the US is counting on a power shift in Ukraine and Zelensky’s removal from the political scene.
Poroshenko and Timoshenko are more willing and obedient than Zelensky. They know their place, have a clear understanding of the hierarchy and would not dare to raise their voice against Trump or Vice President JD Vance. At the moment, they are all acceptable to the White House.
Moreover, they possess powerful political capacities, structures for securing the elections, party organizations and activists. However, it is not Poroshenko, but former Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Salushny, who practically has no negative reputation and could run for the party “European Solidarity” in the election.
The fact that information about these secret talks has leaked to the public is a signal to the current Ukrainian authorities that the US is not satisfied with them and forgiveness is not possible. Despite Zelensky’s low approval ratings, he still has the necessary resources to be re-elected, even under the conditions of a total control of the election campaign. Therefore, Washington must bring him down, which it is doing.
Political scientist Vladimir Kornilov says, “Such leak publications indicate that the US is at least exploring the possibilities for replacing Zelensky and preparing for the scenario of his removal. The United States is preparing for various scenarios in Ukraine, including Zelensky’s removal.”
He emphasizes that after the start of Russia’s military special operation, the embassies of many countries in Kiev were closed, but US diplomats continued to work and adds, “The Americans have always worked with the Kiev elite. In the time when there was no semblance of legality, many Ukrainian politicians, oligarchs and businessmen took refuge in the US embassy. All the people mentioned in the Politico publication have been consulted.”
According to the expert, the US has no one to rely on, except the ones mentioned in the Strana publication, which has expanded the list. Kornilov explains, “The publication of Strana has added this list. It includes what is very important, Arakhamiya [who in the spring of 2022 signed a preliminary version of the peace agreement with Russia in Istanbul]. The Americans are not only working with the politicians in the opposition, but also with those who belong to the governing faction. At the right moment, many from Zelensky’s team will be the first to abandon him.”
At the same time, Russia, as the political scientist emphasizes, has never closed itself off to negotiations with Ukrainian politicians. He adds, “Recently, Vladimir Putin cited opinion polls showing that Salushny is at the top of public opinion in Ukraine. But we know that the former Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to put it mildly, is not a puppet, he is our ideological opponent. Think about the Bandera bust next to him. And with Zelensky, we have – if not with enthusiasm – already held a dialogue. Now, the Western media are increasingly raising the question of Zelensky’s legitimacy. If he is re-elected in a normal election for the next term, then we will have to arrange with Zelensky. We are open to negotiations, but it is very important for us that the next government in Ukraine does not challenge the agreements made.