The United States is reportedly preparing a campaign to discredit Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky, aiming to replace him with a more compliant figure, according to claims made by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). The agency suggests that former Interior Minister Arsen Avakov is a potential candidate for this role.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SVR alleged that the “American elite” is increasingly dissatisfied with Zelensky as concerns grow among lawmakers on both sides about the allocation of billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv. The agency asserted that doubts are mounting over Zelensky’s leadership as his actions threaten to escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Officials from the SVR described Zelensky’s recent decisions as erratic, noting that Kyiv has entered a “feverish” state of activity as the Ukrainian leader struggles to maintain control following the official end of his presidential term in May. The US, according to the SVR, is exploring options to replace Zelensky with a leader who would be more agreeable and less corrupt, thus garnering broader support from Western nations.
Avakov, who served as Ukraine’s interior minister from 2014 to 2021 following the Western-backed coup in Kyiv, is seen by the SVR as a strong contender for the role. The agency claimed that the US views Avakov favorably due to his close connections with Ukrainian far-right groups and his ties with European Union leaders. Such a change in leadership, the SVR suggested, could better position the West for potential negotiations with Russia to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The possibility of Avakov assuming power is reportedly being discussed with various Ukrainian opposition figures, including former President Pyotr Poroshenko, ex-Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, and influential members of Zelensky’s own party.
During his tenure as interior minister, Avakov was known for his crackdown on forces opposing the Western-backed coup in Kyiv. He was also in office during the tragic 2014 fire at the Trade Union House in Odessa, where 42 people died after being trapped inside by a far-right mob. The lack of a comprehensive trial in the decade since the incident has drawn criticism from the United Nations.
Additionally, Avakov has been a vocal supporter of the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion. Allegations have surfaced that he provided political backing to the group and played a role in securing the release of its leader, Andrey Biletsky, who is widely recognized as a white supremacist.
