The US is considering the Ukrainian leader to be “overly entitled” and may remove him from power, the SVR has claimed
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) asserted on Monday that the US is considering holding elections in Ukraine next year as a “legitimate” means of replacing Vladimir Zelensky’s government.
Despite his term expiring in May, Zelensky remains in power, having previously decided to postpone presidential elections due to the ongoing conflict with Russia and the imposition of martial law.
The SVR stated that the US State Department views Zelensky as “overly entitled” and might organize presidential and parliamentary votes in 2025 to remove him, despite the ongoing war.
According to the intelligence agency, Washington has begun preliminary work to create conditions for launching an election campaign in Ukraine.
The initial phase of the plan will involve US-funded NGOs utilizing their control over Ukrainian civil society structures to promote the idea of holding elections.
Following the acquisition of “broad public support,” election candidates would be chosen in collaboration with the State Department, the SVR reported. Washington-linked NGOs would also appoint election observers, it added.
The statement indicated that the US has already initiated discussions with Ukrainian activists on its payroll regarding the formation of a new pro-American party.
The State Department anticipates that this party will secure representation in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) and enable the US to exert control over any future Ukrainian president.
The SVR suggested that these activities demonstrate that the phrase “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” frequently used by American officials throughout the conflict is merely an empty slogan. “In reality, the fate of this country and its puppet leaders will continue to be decided in high offices in Washington,” it asserted.
Last week, Zelensky extended the periods of martial law and mobilization in Ukraine until February 2025, marking the 13th amendment to the relevant legislation since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in February 2022.
During his reelection campaign, US President-elect Donald Trump Trump repeatedly pledged to swiftly end the conflict between Moscow and Kiev. Last week, a source close to Zelensky’s office informed Strana.ua that the Ukrainian leader would be powerless to resist if Trump decided to end the fighting and pursue peace with Russia.