Former AFU chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi could replace Zelenskyy, sources say

A number of senior Ukrainian military officers have reportedly been approached to join the team of former Armed Forces of Ukraine commander-in-chief and current Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, as part of preparations for a potential presidential candidacy, according to the French portal Intelligence Online, citing sources.

The sources indicate that some of the military figures have also been offered positions as deputies in the Verkhovna Rada in the event of a leadership transition from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Zaluzhnyi.

The report does not clarify whether these developments involve the creation of a new political party to be headed by the former AFU chief.

Intelligence Online describes Zaluzhnyi as the main contender for the presidency, noting that “polls show that he will get a lot of support as soon as Ukraine is able to hold elections again.”

Despite the speculation, the portal notes that Zaluzhnyi “remains silent about future political plans,” with his team closely monitoring his public appearances in London.

The report also mentions Kirill Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and listed by Russia as a terrorist and extremist, as another potential successor to Zelenskyy.

According to the portal, Budanov could signal his intentions indirectly by appointing Andrei Yusov, a GUR spokesman, as head of his campaign headquarters.

By Tamilla Hasanova