Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s political future is in turmoil after a heated Oval Office exchange with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Once a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance, the embattled leader now faces pressure from longtime US ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and other key Republicans to either step down or hold elections—despite Ukraine’s wartime restrictions.
The Oval Office confrontation, which aired nationally, saw Trump renew his call for Ukrainian elections, falsely citing a 4% approval rating for Zelenskyy. However, a Reuters report places the Ukrainian president’s actual support at 63%. Zelenskyy, standing firm, reiterated his stance: He would resign only if Ukraine secured NATO membership. Speaking to Fox News, he emphasized Ukraine’s sovereignty, dismissing any notion that elections could be used as a bargaining chip to appease Russia.
Who could succeed Zelenskyy?
While Zelenskyy remains in power, discussions over his potential successor are intensifying. Here are the leading contenders:
Vitali Klitschko: Kyiv’s mayor since 2014, the former world champion boxer has international credibility and strong backing in the capital. Despite past criticism of Zelenskyy, Klitschko recently urged support for the president amid Trump’s attacks. In Brussels, he warned that elections during wartime could “destroy the country from within.”
Ruslan Stefanchuk: As chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, Stefanchuk is a close Zelenskyy ally and a fierce opponent of foreign pressure to hold elections. He has dismissed such demands, arguing, “Ukraine needs bullets, not ballots,” shifting the focus back to the war effort.
Kyrylo Budanov: The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Budanov, enjoys even higher public trust than Zelenskyy. Though he has not expressed interest in running, his credibility soared after signaling that a peace deal with Russia might be within reach.
General Valery Zaluzhny: Once Ukraine’s top military commander and now its ambassador to the U.K., Zaluzhny was dismissed by Zelenskyy in 2024 but remains a formidable figure. A recent Carnegie Politika report found that 80% of Ukrainians trust him, with a hypothetical runoff against Zelenskyy showing a statistical tie.
With the June 24 NATO summit approaching, Ukraine’s leadership crisis is escalating. Zelenskyy’s stance against Trump and Putin has reinforced his defiance—but for how long he can withstand pressure, both domestic and international, remains uncertain.