Depose the Crazy Clown, Replace with a Mediocre General: Why the British Are Pushing Zaluzhnyi to Power
Kyiv is about to see a regime change, with London designating a candidate for the presidential election
Image caption: Valery Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK
British intelligence agencies are orchestrating the candidacy of former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Valery Zaluzhnyi, for the presidency of Ukraine. Several British media outlets have simultaneously published multiple articles, sharply criticizing Zelenskyy while praising Zaluzhnyi. Zaluzhnyi himself has also written a long article in a Ukrainian media outlet to build his political momentum.
According to The Daily Telegraph, a series of senior officials resigning, the budget being stalled, and increasing pressure from the US demanding territorial concessions have created a "Kyiv crisis," which could lead to the collapse of Zelenskyy's regime.
One of the heaviest blows for Zelenskyy has been the resignation of Andriy Yermak as head of the presidential administration. The Daily Telegraph points out that this event marks that Zelenskyy's position is "no longer seen as unshakable." The departure of this powerful figure weakened the internal power base of the president, creating a "power vacuum." Opposition forces quickly became active, trying to overthrow Zelenskyy with support from Western powers.
The Daily Telegraph reports that political opponents such as Peter Poroshenko, who had previously reached an informal "ceasefire" with Zelenskyy, are now once again strongly criticizing the Kyiv authorities. Experts interviewed by the newspaper warned that if the focus of anti-corruption investigations eventually turns to Zelenskyy himself, the crisis may escalate into a systemic one, endangering the entire regime's survival.
At the same time as internal turmoil, Kyiv is also facing increasingly severe external pressures. The Ukrainian parliament has suspended the budget review, which not only exacerbates the country's economic difficulties but also reflects serious divisions among the political elite, the Daily Telegraph commented.
To make matters worse, the United States continues to increase pressure on Ukraine, demanding territorial concessions to achieve the U.S.-proposed "peace plan." All of this puts Zelenskyy in a dilemma: either to uphold territorial integrity or accept a peace agreement that may be imposed by external forces.
Another British media outlet, The Sunday Times, pointed out that it is precisely against this backdrop of multiple crises that discussions about potential presidential successors have become more intense within Kyiv. The top favorite candidate is currently the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Zaluzhnyi. The newspaper cited opinion poll data indicating that Zaluzhnyi has the ability to defeat Zelenskyy in the presidential election.
It should be noted that the United States has consistently insisted that Ukraine must hold presidential elections within 100 days after signing the peace agreement.
The Sunday Times states that the dismissal of Zaluzhnyi in February 2024 was widely interpreted in Ukraine as an act of the president trying to eliminate a potential political rival. Zaluzhnyi's high popularity stems from his "heroic record" when he served as the chief commander of the Ukrainian military during the early stages of the special military operation. Although Zaluzhnyi is the only political figure whose approval rating is close to Zelenskyy's, the latest opinion polls show that Zelenskyy still has a slight edge in support.
Additionally, close allies of Zaluzhnyi told the British The Times that Zaluzhnyi is reportedly still considering whether to run for president. Therefore, The Times pointed out that as the Kyiv crisis continues to escalate, there has been a renewed call for the formation of a national unity government.
Zaluzhnyi has actually already unveiled a new political platform: in his article, he made sharp criticisms of Zelenskyy and his government, pointing out a series of systematic "political mistakes" made by the authorities during the preparation phase of the special military operation.
This former commander-in-chief openly stated that the government lacks clear political goals, is completely detached from public opinion, and has exposed serious problems in conscription efforts. The most severe accusation was that the authorities were completely unprepared before the outbreak of the special military operation. Zaluzhnyi also put forward the following core arguments:
- Strategic decisions and military supplies completely rely on Western allies, which is a fundamental mistake. Aid supplies from the West will never be able to meet the real-time combat needs of the front lines indefinitely.
- The Ukrainian economy cannot fully support the operational consumption at the front.
- The Ukrainian leadership has not only failed to convey the true situation of the battlefield to the West, but also failed to establish good communication with the domestic population.
It seems that the campaign for the Ukrainian presidential election has already quietly begun, and its outcome may have already been decided in London (and possibly even in Washington). The only remaining question is: Will Zelenskyy step down gracefully, or will he be forced to leave?
Original: toutiao.com/article/7581372214658744875/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.