Zelensky considers resignation for peace as Ukraine eyes new leader
Volodymyr Zelensky has declared his readiness to step down from the presidency for the sake of peace in Ukraine and to organise new elections. The "list of names" of potential successors to the current president has already been started. Although there are a few politicians on it, there is only one favourite in the race for the presidency of Ukraine.
Russia and the USA may demand President Volodymyr Zelensky resign and organise new elections. Such a proposal could form part of negotiations to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Zelensky himself has declared that he is prepared to leave if it would secure lasting peace for his country. He would also be willing to step down if Ukraine were admitted into NATO.
Following the president's declaration, speculation about his successor began. The list includes, among others, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian intelligence service, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.
However, Valerii Zaluzhnyi is the main candidate for victory. He is a former commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, having led the army for a significant portion of the war with Russia. Currently, Zaluzhnyi is serving as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Speculation begins on presidential elections in Ukraine
It appears that the Russians might find his candidacy unacceptable. They would prefer someone from the circle of the discredited former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, to win the elections.
The main candidate and frontrunner for the presidency, should there be a change, is Valerii Zaluzhnyi. However, to the Russians, he is a candidate akin to Volodymyr Zelensky. It's also important to note that Zaluzhnyi is criticised by Zelensky for — to put it briefly — not winning the war. The Russians would likely prefer someone from Viktor Medvedchuk's former circle or from the former deputies of the Party of Regions to emerge among the candidates. Former president Viktor Yanukovych and Medvedchuk are too discredited to even be considered, says Jerzy Marek Nowakowski, former ambassador of Poland to Latvia and Armenia.
Nowakowski adds that among potential successors might also be Petro Poroshenko and Roman Pinchuk, the son of the Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Pinchuk.
The current president of Ukraine has been in office since May 2019, which is significantly longer than the term provided in the Ukrainian constitution. The extension of the term is linked to the introduction of martial law in the country due to the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, has confirmed the legality of Volodymyr Zelensky's government.
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