Is Zelensky finished? A tectonic political shock is coming

Fedorov was one of Volodymyr Zelensky’s closest allies, and this will undoubtedly hit the Ukrainian president, but the chances of Fedorov’s wish becoming reality are currently rather slim, former Croatian ambassador to Moscow Božo Kovačević explains to Jutarnji list.

Nevertheless, one thing could prove to be a potential turning point: a meeting between Fedorov and Donald Trump.

“If that happens, regardless of what the two of them might discuss, it would be an enormous and, above all, serious blow to Zelensky,” he said, adding:

“We know that Trump and Zelensky are not on good terms, and we know that Fedorov has repeated a claim Trump made a long time ago: that President Zelensky is illegitimate and that his term in office has expired.”

The Kyiv Independent has already reported that Fedorov is considering traveling to the United States, which could happen as early as next week.

The former ambassador to Russia also points out that Ukraine’s parliament would have to amend the Constitution and the law to allow elections to be held under extraordinary circumstances.

However, since President Zelensky’s party holds a majority in parliament and remains loyal to him, Kovačević concluded that, ultimately, calling elections once again depends on Zelensky.

“Clearly, we are witnessing a political crisis in Ukraine initiated by certain circles in the West that are dissatisfied with Zelensky and want to see changes in Ukraine,” Kovačević continued.

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vačević.

According to him, the constant emergence of corruption scandals is not accidental and is very likely not simply the result of actions by Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies.

“The Verkhovna Rada, at the initiative of the president, attempted to reduce the powers of or abolish independent anti-corruption agencies, which led Zelensky to face strong opposition from the West. All of this points to a crisis of government in Ukraine, but also to the fact that democratic awareness has taken firmer root among the Ukrainian public,” Kovačević said.

Asked which Western circles may have initiated the political crisis, the ambassador pointed to one possible candidate: Poland.

Zelensky has fallen out with Poland’s ruling circles over his promotion of Nazi movements that fought against the Soviet Union during World War II while collaborating with the Germans in the extermination of Jews and Poles.

He also explained that some political circles within the EU may be unhappy with the fact that decision-making in Brussels is, to a significant extent, dependent on Ukraine.

“President Zelensky, through some of his actions and ill-judged statements—and in this context, his attempt to abolish the anti-corruption agencies is particularly significant—has caused discontent even among political circles in countries that otherwise unequivocally support Ukraine,” Kovačević explained.

He also noted that Ukraine has seen a wave of discontent over Fedorov’s dismissal.

Fedorov’s remarks about elections and Ukraine’s political situation, which he says could remain unchanged for years, reflect the mood of a growing number of Ukrainian citizens who clearly want change, Kovačević stressed.

“In wartime, citizens tend to rally around the government, and President Zelensky still enjoys the trust of a large part of the population. However, if an election campaign were to begin, it is possible that some of his potential challengers—particularly General Zaluzhnyi, and perhaps now Fedorov as well—could achieve a similar level of popularity,” Kovačević said.

In addition to General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the presidential office, also enjoys very high levels of public trust.