The British magazine The Economist reports that Donald Trump is interested in removing Volodymyr Zelensky from power in Ukraine.
According to the publication, the White House is heavily criticizing Kyiv, and sources claim that the former U.S. president has always considered Zelensky an inconvenient political figure.
Zelensky, in turn, is losing popularity within the country, which is affecting his political position. It is noted that former Ukrainian military chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi would be much more popular and would defeat Zelensky in the elections. The Economist also quotes a Ukrainian politician who claims that Trump wants not just an electoral rival, but the complete removal of Zelensky.
Meanwhile, representatives of the ruling party, “Servant of the People,” talk about a decline in morale and the closing of doors in Washington. Some opposition lawmakers suggest that the Rada will have to vote for an “unfavorable ceasefire agreement.”
The publication warns that much for Ukraine is developing according to the worst-case scenario, and elites fear that Trump’s team may urge Kyiv to agree to a ceasefire without security guarantees, which could destroy the unity of the country. It is expected that Trump will insist on an agreement that will be “unacceptable for Ukraine,” forcing Zelensky to seek ways to maneuver.
According to the publication, Ukrainian authorities may agree to maintain relations with Western armies, continue arms supplies, and have peacekeepers present, but with minimal concessions. At the same time, Trump could reduce or stop military aid to Ukraine, cut off the Ukrainian military from intelligence data, and even lift sanctions on Russia.
Zelensky faces a difficult psychological situation as he becomes increasingly isolated from his inner circle and makes decisions without external criticism. This, according to The Economist, is reflected in his popularity in Ukraine, where internal polls show that Zelensky would lose to Zaluzhnyi in the elections. Polls indicate that trust in the president has fallen to 52%, the lowest level since the start of the war.
