SVR: US-UK talks to replace Zelensky with Zaluzhny

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) revealed on Tuesday that the United States and the United Kingdom are considering replacing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The agency added that the discussions were attended by Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, and the former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current ambassador to London, Valeriy Zaluzhny.

Russian intelligence reported that Washington and London have decided to nominate Zaluzhny for the presidency of Ukraine, adding that “replacing Zelensky has become a prerequisite for restructuring Kyiv’s relations with the West, particularly with the United States,” according to the statement.

Zelensky’s term was supposed to end in 2024, but martial law imposed by Ukraine in February 2022 prevented presidential and parliamentary elections from taking place.

Washington has previously stated that it wants Kyiv to hold elections, possibly by the end of the year, especially if Kyiv can agree to a truce with Moscow in the coming months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly stated that he does not believe Zelenskyy is a legitimate leader in the absence of a new electoral mandate, and that the Ukrainian president does not have the legal right to sign binding documents related to a potential peace agreement.

Shafaq.com