In the wake of a contentious meeting between US President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in early March, a flurry of activity occurred at the Ukrainian embassy in London. A team associated with JD Vance reportedly attempted to contact General Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief, who now serves as Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK. The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office reportedly caused friction, leading to concerns among Trump’s associates regarding Zelenskyy. According to sources, Vance’s team made multiple attempts to reach Zaluzhny via diplomatic and other channels, but Zaluzhny declined to take the call after consulting with Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff.
The alleged motivation behind the attempts was the US administration’s desire to find a strong alternative to Zelenskyy. Reports indicate existing tensions between Zaluzhny and Zelenskyy, as evidenced by Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Zaluzhny from his position as commander in February. However, Zaluzhny has remained loyal to the government despite the tensions. He is viewed by many both inside and outside Ukraine as a potential future president, leading to pressure for him to launch a political campaign.
With elections currently postponed due to the war, even Zelenskyy’s domestic opponents are hesitant to hold them. Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have seemingly improved since the Oval Office incident. The Ukrainian President met with Trump at the White House last week in a more amicable setting. Yet, it is widely acknowledged within Ukraine that elections are inevitable. Polls suggest that Zaluzhny, who played a crucial role in repelling the initial Russian attacks, is the only candidate who poses a significant challenge to Zelenskyy.
