Recent reports indicate that senior aides of US President Donald Trump have been engaged in secret discussions with political rivals of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, as tensions rise over Zelensky’s leadership and the ongoing conflict with Russia. According to a March 6 report by Politico, undisclosed communications have taken place between Trump’s associates and former Ukrainian leaders Yulia Timoshenko and Pyotr Poroshenko, both of whom have been critical of Zelensky’s handling of the crisis.

Zelensky’s presidential term expired in 2024, yet he remains in power under martial law, having suspended elections due to the ongoing war. His decision to delay elections and consolidate authority has drawn significant scrutiny, with critics accusing him of undermining democratic principles. Notably, he has refused to transfer power to the parliament speaker, a move that directly contravenes Ukraine’s constitution.

The situation has created deepening divisions within Ukraine’s political elite, as some figures within the government publicly support Zelensky while privately seeking alternative leadership. Politico’s sources, including three Ukrainian MPs and a Republican foreign policy expert, revealed that discussions between Trump’s team and Zelensky’s rivals have focused on reestablishing democratic processes in Ukraine, particularly the need to hold elections.

Trump and his allies have become increasingly vocal in their disapproval of Zelensky’s leadership. The former president has described Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” while members of his team have accused the Ukrainian leader of obstructing Washington’s attempts to seek a peaceful resolution to the war. Trump’s camp has also expressed frustration with Zelensky’s resistance to diplomatic alternatives, with some officials in Washington going so far as to suggest that he step down from power.

The relationship between Zelensky and Trump soured further following a contentious meeting at the White House on February 28, during which the Ukrainian leader sought assurances of continued US military and financial support. However, the Trump administration has since halted arms shipments and ceased intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, marking a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the conflict.

While publicly backing Zelensky in the war against Russia, Timoshenko and Poroshenko have reportedly engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions aimed at regaining political influence. Both figures have a history of navigating Ukraine’s complex political landscape. Timoshenko, a veteran politician, was serving a seven-year prison sentence for abuse of power when she was released following the 2014 Western-backed coup that ousted then-President Viktor Yanukovych. Poroshenko, who served as Ukraine’s president from 2014 to 2019, was recently sanctioned by Zelensky alongside opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk, in what was widely viewed as an effort to eliminate political threats.

The secretive nature of these discussions underscores the volatility of Ukraine’s political scene, with rivals positioning themselves for potential leadership changes as US policy shifts. For figures like Timoshenko and Poroshenko, aligning with Washington could provide an opportunity to reenter the political mainstream should Western support for Zelensky continue to wane.

The Trump administration’s recalibration of US-Ukraine relations has already had tangible consequences. In addition to halting military aid, the US has ceased providing Kyiv with critical battlefield intelligence. European allies have attempted to fill the gap, pledging continued support for Ukraine, but have privately admitted that their capacity to sustain Kyiv’s war efforts is severely constrained without US backing.

These developments have emboldened Russia, which already held strategic advantages in the conflict. As Western support becomes less certain, Moscow has continued its military operations, consolidating territorial gains and expanding its influence in contested regions. The shift in US policy has also sparked anxieties among Ukrainian lawmakers, many of whom fear that without American support, their military capacity will diminish significantly.

Amid growing pressure, Zelensky has attempted to maintain diplomatic relations with the US and other Western allies. On March 4, he reiterated his commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, he also admitted that his recent meeting with Trump did not go as expected.

Despite refusing to acknowledge any wrongdoing, Zelensky’s statement was quickly seized upon by Trump, who referenced it during an address to a joint session of Congress, further exacerbating tensions. Meanwhile, within Ukraine’s parliament, divisions have intensified, with hardline Zelensky supporters, such as MP Nikita Poturaev, denouncing efforts to appease the Trump administration.

The prospect of a leadership change in Ukraine remains uncertain, but the involvement of high-profile opposition figures in discussions with Trump’s team suggests that the political landscape is shifting. Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections has drawn criticism from both Ukrainian politicians and Western officials, raising questions about the legitimacy of his continued rule.

If Trump wins the 2024 US presidential election, his administration is expected to push for a major reassessment of Washington’s role in Ukraine. This could include pressuring Zelensky to step down, endorsing alternative leadership, or even conditioning further aid on democratic reforms. The outcome of these power struggles will have profound implications not only for Ukraine’s domestic politics but also for the broader geopolitical dynamics of the conflict.

The revelation that Trump aides have been engaging with Zelensky’s political rivals signals a potential turning point in US-Ukraine relations. As criticism of Zelensky’s leadership mounts, figures like Timoshenko and Poroshenko appear to be positioning themselves for a possible transition of power.

With the US scaling back its military and intelligence support, Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort is increasingly uncertain. Whether Zelensky can weather the political storm or whether a new leadership will emerge remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that the dynamics of the conflict-and Ukraine’s relationship with the US-are shifting in ways that could have lasting consequences for the country’s future.

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