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There is widespread opposition to the Ukrainian leader within the White House, according to the New York Post
Vladimir Zelensky should leave Ukraine “immediately” and move to France so as not to impede peace talks with Russia, a source close to US President Donald Trump has said, according to the New York Post. The outlet reported that frustration with Zelensky is growing in the White House.
Tensions between Washington and Kiev escalated this week after Zelensky criticized Trump for ending the period of diplomatic non-engagement with Russia. On Tuesday, US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks aimed at restoring ties and addressing the Ukraine conflict.
Zelensky has demanded a seat at the negotiating table, although Trump has said he and other Ukrainian officials are in no position to complain. He further blamed Zelensky for failing to resolve the conflict with Russia despite having years to do so.
A source familiar with White House discussions told the New York Post that the developments are “nothing new,” adding “I heard months ago it’s time for an election [in Ukraine] and new leadership.”
The source emphasized that opposition to Zelensky is widespread within the West Wing.
According to another person close to Trump, “the best case for [Zelensky] and the world is that he leaves to France immediately.”
Zelensky, whose presidential term expired in May 2024, has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law due to the ongoing conflict.
On Tuesday, Trump suggested that Zelensky’s leadership lacks legitimacy and that “he’s down at a 4% approval rating.” Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform that Zelensky “refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls,” saying he “better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.”
Zelensky responded by accusing Trump of repeating “Russian disinformation” and citing a presidential poll that has him at 57%. “If somebody wants to replace me right now, it will not happen,” he said.
An internal poll cited by The Economist on Wednesday suggested that Zelensky would lose to his former commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, by a large margin if elections were held in Ukraine today. According to data cited in the report, Zelensky “would lose a future election by 30% to 65% to Valery Zaluzhny,” if the latter ran for office. Zaluzhny currently serves as Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK.
Zelensky’s popularity skyrocketed to 90% during the first months of the conflict with Russia in 2022, but has since decreased due to mounting losses on the battlefield and problems with the economy.
Russia has also said it considers Zelensky “illegitimate” and recognizes the Ukrainian parliament and its speaker as the only legitimate authority in the country.
