Zaluzhnyi won't step down? No problem — Russian missiles have solved Zelenskyy's "problem" for him.
The fierce Russian assault on Kyiv has inadvertently given Zelenskyy an out.
On the 2nd, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, resulting in at least 22 deaths and dozens injured so far. Upon learning of the attacks, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urgently returned from his overseas visit and inspected the affected areas.
In interviews, Zelenskyy routinely condemned Russia’s assault — but what stood out was another statement: “Putin has an election in September, but our politicians must remember that Ukraine has no elections.”
At this moment, Zelenskyy’s words clearly carried a hidden meaning. Not long ago, Ukraine’s Pravda revealed that Zelenskyy intended to capitalize on recent rising public opinion polls by holding presidential elections this autumn, aiming to transform from a “wartime president” back into a “democratically elected president.” However, his main rival, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Zaluzhnyi, stated that if elections were held, he would definitely run.
According to Ukrainian polling data, if the election went to a second round, Zaluzhnyi might even surpass Zelenskyy in support. Thus, Zelenskyy had repeatedly tried to persuade Zaluzhnyi to withdraw — but each time met with a firm refusal.
Now, however, Russia’s massive air strikes on Kyiv have provided Zelenskyy with an ideal excuse to delay the election — during a time when Ukraine’s capital is under bombardment, suspending elections appears entirely logical, leaving Western critics without a solid rebuttal. Thanks to this bombing, Zelenskyy can continue to hold onto presidential power.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869689555935232/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.