Zelenskyy Reaches Out to Potential Rivals As Election Talk Intensifies In Ukraine

Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 17:43 IST

These outreach efforts come as Ukraine works with the United States on a proposed peace plan that could be presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (AFP file photo)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has begun holding meetings with prominent public figures who are seen as possible political challengers, as discussion around a future election gains momentum following a major corruption scandal.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy spoke with former army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and widely viewed as the president’s strongest potential rival.

Ties between the two deteriorated in 2024 after Ukraine’s counteroffensive failed and Zaluzhnyi was removed from his post.

In recent days, the president has also met other well-known figures who are believed to have political ambitions.

They include Serhiy Prytula, a former television presenter who runs a charity supporting the armed forces, and nationalist activist Serhiy Sternenko.

Political analysts say the meetings point to Zelenskyy preparing for a post-war political landscape. All those he has spoken to have strong public profiles and could challenge him if an election is held.

“There is no doubt that this is happening in the context of potential presidential elections," Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Research Institute in Kyiv, told Bloomberg in a phone interview.

According to Fesenko, Zelenskyy may be trying to strengthen his standing by being seen alongside popular figures. He could also be aiming to repair relations with possible opponents or draw them closer as political allies.

These outreach efforts come as Ukraine works with the United States on a proposed peace plan that could be presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The 20-point proposal requires Ukraine to hold presidential elections as soon as a ceasefire is reached — a position also backed by US President Donald Trump. Russia has so far shown no sign of ending the war, which is nearing its fifth year.

Ukraine cannot conduct elections while martial law is in place. Still, as voting continues to be raised in peace talks, Zelenskyy has asked lawmakers to begin drafting legislation that would allow elections after a ceasefire.

The timing is sensitive for the president. While Zelenskyy continues to enjoy broad public support, his image has recently been affected by the largest corruption scandal of his presidency.

Late last year, anti-corruption investigators revealed a probe into the misuse of funds meant to protect energy infrastructure. The investigation involved several people close to Zelenskyy and led to the resignation of his powerful chief aide, Andriy Yermak.

Zelenskyy later made a surprise move by appointing military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as the new head of the presidential office. Budanov is one of Ukraine’s most popular wartime figures and is known for planning daring strikes inside Russian territory.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Yermak’s exit made the recent series of meetings possible. The source said Zelenskyy preferred direct conversations to better understand different viewpoints. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Among those Zelenskyy has met is Oleksandr Kubrakov, a former deputy prime minister who oversaw infrastructure and was dismissed in 2024 after reportedly clashing with Yermak. Their meeting took place on Friday evening, the source said, adding that more talks are planned.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Prytula said politics was not discussed during his meeting with the president. He said their focus was on legal challenges faced by army volunteers.

At the same time, Zelenskyy has taken steps to assert his authority at home. After recent Russian air strikes left parts of Kyiv without electricity and heating during freezing weather, the president stepped in publicly to manage the response.

He criticised Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, a long-time rival, for failing to prepare properly and said curfew rules would be eased to help residents cope with the cold.

Opinion polls suggest Zelenskyy remains ahead but faces real competition. A survey by polling firm Socis late last year showed Zaluzhnyi with nearly 21% support, Budanov with under 6% and Prytula at around 1.5%. Zelenskyy was still leading, slightly ahead of Zaluzhnyi.

Another poll by the Kyiv International Institute for Sociology in December found that trust in Zelenskyy dropped by 10 percentage points following the energy sector corruption scandal. However, the survey noted that pressure on the battlefield and in diplomacy has often caused Ukrainians to “rally around the flag", boosting the president’s popularity.

As a result, trust in Zelenskyy remains “highly dynamic" and closely tied to unfolding political and military developments, the institute said.

Neither Zelenskyy nor Zaluzhnyi has announced plans to run for president. Still, analysts believe the recent meetings show the president is preparing for that possibility.

“He’s testing the waters and thinking about the future," Fesenko said.

News world Zelenskyy Reaches Out to Potential Rivals As Election Talk Intensifies In Ukraine

Read More