Voldy Mirzelensky's future as Ukrainian president has been questioned by longtime supporters Lindsay Graham, R-SC and others after he entered the nationally aired Spat with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday.
Graham's call wasn't the first time Republicans have suggested that Zelensky might have to resign, or at least support re-election. Trump pushed the idea earlier this month following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump first said that under the Ukrainian constitution, elections cannot be held during wartime when martial law is in effect, but that the election should be held after falsely claiming that Ukraine only enjoys a 4% recognition rating.
President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky at the White House's oval office on Friday, February 28th, 2025. (AP Photo/MystySlav Chernov)
World leader Buck Zelensky following Trump, Vance oval office spat
Zelensky, whose approval rate is close to 63%, once again reiterated Friday that he would resign if Kyiv is granted a NATO membership.
In an interview with Fox News' Brett Byer, he emphasized that the same sovereignty will take place in Ukraine, just like in the United States, “Americans vote for the President,” as in “each European nation will vote for the President.”
But who is running?
Vitali Klitschko
Mayor Kiev Vitali Klitschko is located on the missile site in Kiev, Ukraine on June 24, 2023. (Oleksandr gusev/Global Images ukraine via Getty Images)
With strong support among people living in the capital, the former boxer-turned-boxer politician who has been Kiev mayor since 2014 has also proven himself on the international stage.
On a trip to Brussels earlier this month, Klitschko launched an oral attack from Putin's regime, while underscoring the need to stand behind Zelensky while trying to counter Putin's war.
The voices of support for Ukrainian leaders were particularly pronounced given previous criticisms of Zelensky.
During last week's trip, Klitschko reportedly stressed that the election could “destroy the country from the country” while the election was facing existential threats from the north.
Zelenskyy will speak out after the release with Trump, Vance is “bad for both parties,” says Dustup.
Ruslan Stefanchuk
The chairman of Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk (L) shakes hands with the head of security services in Ukraine during Ukraine. 2025 'February 23, 2025, forum in Kiev, Ukraine. Forum 'Ukraine. 2025 is dedicated to the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Russia's Ukraine. It discusses the most important issues of the country's development. (Photo: Ivan Antypenko/Suspilne Ukraine/JSc UA: PBC/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Stefanchuk, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, is reportedly floating as a potential future candidate for a top role in Ukraine.
Stefanchuk is said to be a top ally of Zelenskyy, but he enthusiastically rejected the recent international proposal that Ukraine is holding elections.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, he said, “If there's someone who needs to be forced into a real, free and fair election, that's it. [Putin]. ”
He said Ukraine needs a “bullet, not a vote,” according to a Newsweek report.
Kirilo Budanov
Ukraine's defense information manager Kirilo Budanov will be interviewing him in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine by Getty Images)
Budanov, head of Ukraine's GUR Military Intelligence Reporting Agency, could be a candidate for Kiev's top job.
According to a Newsweek report, Budanov, who has not expressed his desire to seek a high office, has an even higher trust rating among Ukrainians than Zelensky.
The Military Intelligence Agency earlier this month appears to have clearly expressed his confidence that Ukraine may finally reach a peace deal after three years of war.
“I think that's going to happen. There's almost all the components that make it happen,” Budanov said in an interview with YouTube. “How long and how effective is it? [is] Another question. ”
General Valerie Zalzney
Valerie Zarginy, armed officer for the former commander. (@cinc_afu)
Zarj, former commander of the Ukrainian army, and now his country's British ambassador, is considered Zelenki's popular and reliable successor if the president comes aside.
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Zaluzhny and Zelenskyy made a difference, and in 2024 the general was rejected from his military post. The Carnegie Politika blog recently reported that he was very popular. The publication also noted that the hypothetical second round of spills between the two led to statistical tie.
Zaluzhny did not say whether he was interested in trying Zelenskyy or running for president.
