Media: Ukraine’s opposition courts Trump’s team as elections debate heats up

The latest article by POLITICO claims that four senior figures from Donald Trump’s circle have engaged in undisclosed discussions with prominent Ukrainian political opponents of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This comes as Washington, in alignment with Moscow, is seen as seeking to push Zelenskyy out of office.

According to three Ukrainian parliamentarians and a U.S. Republican foreign policy expert, Trump’s associates have met with Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister known for her relentless political ambitions, as well as key members of the party of Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskyy’s predecessor.

These discussions have reportedly revolved around the possibility of holding swift presidential elections in Ukraine, despite constitutional constraints preventing elections under martial law. Critics argue that conducting elections amid the ongoing conflict could lead to instability and benefit Russia, as a significant portion of the electorate is either fighting on the front lines or displaced abroad.

Trump’s allies are convinced that Zelenskyy would be defeated in an election, citing war fatigue and dissatisfaction over corruption. While his approval ratings have seen a general decline, they recently rebounded following last week’s confrontation in the Oval Office, where Zelenskyy was abruptly dismissed after being criticized by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. However, the latest polling still shows Zelenskyy as the leading candidate for reelection.

Officially, the U.S. administration denies any interference in Ukraine’s political affairs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that Trump is not seeking to influence Ukrainian politics, emphasizing that the administration is merely looking for a “partner for peace.”

Nonetheless, Trump’s rhetoric and actions suggest otherwise. He has labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has falsely claimed that Kyiv canceled the election.

Despite Trump’s camp hoping an election could unseat Zelenskyy, he remains significantly more popular than Tymoshenko and Poroshenko. According to a poll by British firm Survation conducted after the White House incident, 44% of respondents expressed support for Zelenskyy. His closest competitor, former army commander and current ambassador to Britain Valerii Zaluzhny, lags by over 20 points. Poroshenko received only 10% support, while Tymoshenko polled at 5.7%.

A key element in these discussions involves the idea of holding elections after a temporary ceasefire but before substantial peace negotiations take place. This notion is also being pushed by the Kremlin, which has sought Zelenskyy’s removal for years.

Publicly, Tymoshenko, Poroshenko, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko have all opposed holding elections before the war concludes. However, behind the scenes, both Tymoshenko and Poroshenko’s camps have reportedly engaged with Trump’s associates, positioning themselves as more agreeable alternatives to Zelenskyy. “Poroshenko’s people and Yulia, they’re all talking to Trump World, presenting themselves as easier partners to work with, willing to accept what Zelenskyy is resisting,” said a senior Republican foreign policy expert, speaking anonymously.

When asked about her involvement in discussions with Trump’s circle regarding elections or peace talks, Tymoshenko’s spokesperson, Natalya Lysova, declined to provide details, saying, “We won’t comment on that yet.”

On March 3, Trump warned that Zelenskyy “won’t be around very long” if progress isn’t made toward a peace deal that satisfies him. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz also emphasized the need for a leader who could negotiate with both the U.S. and Russia to end the war.

Trump’s allies in Congress have echoed this sentiment. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that Ukraine might need “somebody new” unless Zelenskyy aligns with Trump’s approach to the conflict.

As a result, Zelenskyy’s political rivals—and even some former allies—are increasingly engaging with Trump’s team to secure support. “They’re presenting themselves as the best alternatives, more willing to compromise on issues where Zelenskyy stands firm,” the Republican foreign policy expert noted.

Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, warned in a statement to POLITICO’s Power Play podcast that holding elections now would primarily serve Moscow’s interests

By Tamilla Hasanova