Kyiv, Ukraine – In a significant political development reflecting the depth of Ukraine’s internal crisis, press reports indicate that former Ukrainian military commander-in-chief and current ambassador to London, Valeriy Zaluzhyny, has formally informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his intention to run for president should elections be held this fall. This move puts the widely popular Zaluzhyny in direct confrontation with Zelenskyy and comes amid escalating tensions over the future of power in Kyiv.
Political pressures and escalating competition
According to the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, citing informed sources, the authorities in Kyiv made strenuous efforts to dissuade Zelensky from making this decision. The sources also revealed that Zelensky was recently summoned back to Kyiv from London amidst intense political activity within the presidential office. These developments come as Zelensky’s constitutional term was set to expire on May 20, 2024. Elections were postponed under the pretext of martial law and general mobilization, a decision Zelensky described as “inappropriate” for the current circumstances.
The crisis of popularity and alternative paths
In contrast, polls conducted by international and national organizations such as Ipsos and the International Institute of Sociology in Kyiv indicate a significant decline in Zelensky’s popularity. The percentage of Ukrainians demanding the president’s replacement has jumped from 23% to 67% in the last three years. Meanwhile, confidence polls show Zelensky and other figures like Kirill Budanov, the head of military intelligence, gaining ground. Additionally, there is boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.
In this context, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko revealed what he described as “bizarre” ideas circulating within Zelensky’s office, including transferring the power to elect the president to parliament for Zelensky’s own re-election. The MP deemed this constitutionally impossible under martial law. Honcharenko added that Zelensky held tense consultations with Zaluzhnye and Budanov, emerging with the impression that there were “potential problems” with the two men, as Zelensky seeks to retain the presidency while offering other positions to his rivals.
International pressure and Trump’s stance
These developments coincide with increasing international pressure, most notably US President Donald Trump’s call in December 2025 for elections in Ukraine, criticizing the suspension of the democratic process. With growing speculation about the possibility of elections this fall, the Ukrainian political landscape appears headed for a period of uncertainty. Observers believe the conflict is no longer confined to the military front but has permeated the political power structure within Kyiv.
