Will Ukraine have new leadership soon?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership in Ukraine is facing growing scrutiny, especially from prominent Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who recently raised doubts about the future of the Ukrainian president. The controversy erupted following a heated public exchange between Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday.
This exchange wasn’t the first time Republicans have questioned whether Zelenskyy should step down or call for new elections. Earlier this month, President Trump suggested that Ukraine should hold elections, following a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, though, mistakenly claimed Ukraine had a mere 4% approval rating for Zelenskyy, despite reports showing his approval rating to be closer to 63%. Trump’s push for elections faced significant hurdles, as Ukraine’s constitution forbids holding elections during martial law, which is in place due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy has stated multiple times that he would resign if Ukraine were to receive NATO membership. However, he also made it clear in a Fox News interview with Bret Baier that Ukraine, like the U.S., has the right to choose its president without external interference. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is a matter of Ukrainian sovereignty, rejecting any notion that he could be used as a bargaining chip in diplomatic negotiations with Russia.
Should Zelenskyy step down, several figures have emerged as potential contenders for the presidency of Ukraine. Vitali Klitschko, the current mayor of Kyiv and former heavyweight boxing champion, has long been a major political figure. Known for his international presence, Klitschko recently voiced strong support for Zelenskyy during a visit to Brussels, despite previous criticism of the Ukrainian president. He warned that holding elections could be disastrous for the country in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
Other names in the mix include Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, who has strongly opposed the idea of elections during the war. Stefanchuk, a close ally of Zelenskyy, argues that Russia, not Ukraine, should be the focus of international pressure to hold fair elections.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, has also gained significant attention. Budanov enjoys a higher trust rating than Zelenskyy among Ukrainians, although he has not expressed a desire to run for president. His recent statements about the potential for peace talks with Russia have only added to his profile.
General Valery Zaluzhny, the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces and currently the country’s ambassador to the U.K., is another strong potential successor. Despite differences with Zelenskyy that led to his dismissal in 2024, Zaluzhny remains immensely popular in Ukraine, with an approval rating of 80%. Polls suggest that a hypothetical contest between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny would result in a close race.
As Ukraine continues to face intense challenges on the battlefield, the question of leadership looms large. Whether Zelenskyy stays in power or steps aside, the future of Ukraine’s presidency remains uncertain, with several high-profile figures positioning themselves for what could be a highly competitive race.