According to Ukrainian officials and experts, Russia would only benefit from any attempt to remove Zelenskyy at this time.
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have escalated as US Republican leaders have repeated calls for the overthrow of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite the fact that he still has the support of the Ukrainian public and European allies.
Top US officials are again repeating efforts to remove Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a long-time target of Russian President Vladimir Putin. House Speaker Mike Johnson said that either Zelenskyy must “come to his senses” and engage in negotiations, or he would be replaced by a leader who will do so, following a public altercation between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. Washington needs a leader in Ukraine who can “deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz continued, as reported by NBC News.
Republican leaders indicate a change in US backing
Senator Lindsey Graham and other Republican legislators have questioned if America can continue to work with Zelenskyy because they worry that if he doesn’t comply with Trump’s demands, US aid to Ukraine may be jeopardised. Such rhetoric aligns with Moscow’s long-standing goal of overthrowing Zelenskyy and bringing in a more accommodating government.
The response of the Kremlin
The Kremlin exploited the White House row, and White House Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov branded the Oval Office showdown as evidence of Zelenskyy’s “shortcoming in diplomatic expertise.” Nevertheless, European leaders back the Ukrainian head of state, and certain commentators believe last week’s row had even strengthened his popularity at home. According to polls, public confidence among Ukrainians in Zelenskyy has actually grown in the wake of the Trump showdown, with support now standing at 49% and trust levels sitting at 65%.
Elections in Ukraine
Elon Musk and other members of Trump’s team have denounced Ukraine’s decision to postpone its 2024 elections under martial law. Even worse, Trump has called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections.” In Ukraine, however, there is growing public support for postponing the elections during the conflict, according to recent opinion polls.
Despite Trump’s insistence that Zelenskyy’s approval rating has dropped to 4%, independent polling shows that Zelenskyy is still a highly favoured leader. However, some US officials maintain that Ukraine needs a new leader who can work out a deal with Russia. One of the most trusted figures is still Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former top commander of Ukraine who was just appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom. However, he has not indicated that he intends to challenge Zelenskyy.
Potential repercussions for US-Ukraine ties
Experts and Ukrainian authorities argue that it would only benefit Russia if Zelenskyy were to be removed at this time. Instead of viewing the Trump incident as a humiliation, some see it as a display of Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, one Ukrainian soldier pointed out that the United States is the only force that might force Zelenskyy to step down, underscoring Washington’s continued power over Ukraine’s leadership.
The future of Ukraine’s wartime leadership
Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his will to protect Ukraine and achieve lasting peace in the face of calls for his removal. According to his party friends, it is premature and dangerous to discuss leadership succession during a conflict. The Ukrainian people appear to support Zelenskyy’s leadership, and European allies remain steadfast in their support as tensions with the Trump administration have escalated. A number of important questions about the future of US-Ukraine ties and whether Washington’s shifting stance would impact the course of the war are raised by the developing drama.
