Speculations about U.S. President Donald Trump attempting to topple Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have surfaced after a report by Politico. The report claims that Trump’s top aides secretly held meetings with Zelenskyy’s main political rivals. These talks, kept under wraps, have stirred political circles, especially as both the U.S. and Russia are reportedly working to remove Zelenskyy from power.

Secret Meetings with Opposition Leaders

According to media reports, Trump’s close associates met with prominent opposition leaders in Ukraine, including Yulia Tymoshenko and senior members of the party of former President Petro Poroshenko. These discussions focused on the possibility of holding early presidential elections, which are currently postponed due to martial law in Ukraine. Critics argue that elections in the war-torn country could lead to chaos and play into Russia’s hands, as millions of potential voters are either at the frontlines or living as refugees abroad.

Trump’s Strategy: Will It Work?

Trump’s allies believe that Zelensky’s potential loss in any election is inevitable, given the war fatigue and public dissatisfaction with corruption in Ukraine. However, following a recent controversy at the White House, Zelensky’s popularity has surged. According to recent surveys, 44% of Ukrainians still support Zelensky, while his closest rival, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is trailing by 20 percentage points.

The Trump administration has denied any interference in Ukraine’s internal politics. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick claimed that Trump merely seeks a “partner for peace.” However, the ground situation tells a different story. Read More: Trump’s Tariff U-Turn: Mexico and Canada Get a Break

Trump’s Criticism of Zelensky

Trump has already referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” and U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has accused the Ukrainian government of falsely canceling elections. However, opposition leaders like Tymoshenko and Poroshenko are also not in favor of holding elections until the war ends.

Russia’s Role in the Secret Meetings?

Sources suggest that the main focus of these secret talks was to hold the presidential elections after a temporary ceasefire and before full peace talks begin. This strategy has long been supported by Russia. While Tymoshenko and Poroshenko have publicly opposed the idea of holding elections, insiders claim that both leaders are in secret contact with Trump’s camp and are positioning themselves as a “better option” for the U.S.

When Politico approached Tymoshenko’s spokesperson, Natalia Lisova, for a comment, she refused to confirm or deny any contact with Trump’s administration, stating, “We will not comment on this at the moment.”

Power Struggles Between U.S., Russia, and Ukraine

This development signals a growing power struggle among the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether Zelensky will be able to confront this challenge or if Washington and Moscow’s political maneuvers will succeed in ousting him from power.

Pressure for Zelensky to Resign

Trump’s Cabinet officials have been hinting over the past few days that if Zelensky does not fully support the U.S. plan for ending the war, he should step down. The plan is based on negotiating a swift end to the war with major compromises for Ukraine.

Following a heated clash at the White House last Friday, Trump’s administration has taken a harder stance. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s political opponents in Ukraine are beginning to signal publicly that Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. is critical and must be restored. In Kyiv, this has been seen as indirect criticism of Zelensky. Zelensky himself has expressed regret over last week’s heated debate and said he is open to peace talks with Trump.

Shifting Allegiances in the Ukrainian Parliament

The impact of the White House clash is also being felt in the Ukrainian parliament. According to Politico, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko is now reaching out to members of other parties, urging them to join her party. Sources claim that Tymoshenko believes Zelensky will have no option but to hold elections soon, providing an opportunity to reshape the parliamentary majority.

Changing Public Opinion in Ukraine

Despite growing political tension, Zelensky has dismissed the possibility of stepping down. In an interaction with journalists in London, he jokingly said, “Even if elections are held this year, I can still win.” He also hinted that he might consider resigning if Ukraine joins NATO.

A significant portion of the public in Ukraine is now prioritizing peace talks. About 25% of the population, mainly military families, still want the war to continue until Russia is driven out of every Ukrainian territory. However, two-thirds of the population now favors peace talks. Half of them are willing to make significant compromises, while the other half seeks an immediate ceasefire. Read More: Pakistan Created Its Own Nightmare: TTP is Now a Constant Threat, Ranked #2 in Global Terrorism Index 2025