International Leaders Push for Ukrainian Leadership Change
US President Donald Trump stated in Washington DC that it is time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, suggesting the country should get a new president who can make a deal. The comments followed criticism from Zelenskyy over the US leader’s decision to ease sanctions pressure on Russia.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war. Elon Musk backed Trump's hardening stance, writing on October 15, "And so the slaughter continues. Time for Zelenskyy to go."
The Kremlin also expressed support for removing the Ukrainian leader. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was in complete agreement with Trump regarding the Ukrainian head of state. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Zelenskyy obviously has no desire even to move towards reaching an agreement.
Claims of Illegitimacy and Rejected Ceasefires
Vladimir Putin stated last year, "You can negotiate with anyone, but because of his illegitimacy, Zelenskyy has no right to sign anything," questioning the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president due to the absence of democratic elections in wartime Ukraine.
Atlantic Council analysis states that the Ukrainian leader has agreed to every single ceasefire proposal put forward by the American side, while Moscow has rejected them all. Atlantic Council notes Zelenskyy has offered major territorial concessions that would allow Russia to retain control over almost a quarter of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly declared his readiness to meet face-to-face with Putin anywhere in the world to negotiate an end to the war, only for the Russian ruler to firmly decline. Many in the White House and the Kremlin appear to believe that the removal of Zelenskyy would somehow pave the way for a Russia-friendly peace, which is described as delusional.
Ukrainian Public Support and War Objectives
Recent polling indicates strong Ukrainian public support for Zelenskyy, suggesting he would be very likely to win a wartime election. Surveys indicate strong opposition among most Ukrainians to any peace deal that fails to provide long-term security or potentially sets the stage for further Russian aggression.
Atlantic Council states that most Ukrainians regard the current war as an existential struggle and are in no doubt that Putin ultimately intends to destroy their country. Atlantic Council emphasizes that Ukrainians are fighting for national survival, not for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.