The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom has rejected suggestions that he is secretly preparing to run for the presidency from his base in London in the event of a potential peace deal with Russia that could lead to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s replacement.
Responding to recent claims, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s team clarified on Wednesday that there is no discussion or establishment of a campaign headquarters as alleged.
The rebuttal follows reports from a journalist stating that preparations for a campaign were underway in London under Zaluzhnyi’s leadership, as hinted by President Zelensky’s mention to US President Donald Trump about potential upcoming elections.
Zaluzhnyi, known as the Iron General, enjoys significant popularity among Ukrainians due to his notable defense of Kyiv during the 2022 hostilities, making him a strong contender for the presidency if he were to run, as indicated by The Express.
After stepping down as Commander-in-Chief in 2022, Zaluzhnyi assumed the role of Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK in July last year, succeeding Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Journalist Katie Livingstone reported that opposition MP Viktoria Siumar would lead Zaluzhnyi’s campaign, with former BBC Ukraine correspondent Oksana Torop managing his media affairs, according to sources.
Kyiv Post Correspondent Jason Jay Smart corroborated the claims, stating that Zaluzhnyi authorized his team to commence campaign planning over a month ago.
Despite widespread speculation, Torop refuted the rumors, asserting in an interview with the New Voice of Ukraine that there are no discussions regarding a campaign headquarters, emphasizing the need to focus on preserving the country during ongoing conflicts rather than on elections.
Recent polling data shows that Zaluzhnyi holds the highest level of public trust in Ukraine, with a 73 percent approval rating, surpassing Zelensky’s 67 percent.
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