Four senior members of Donald Trump's inner circle have held secret discussions with some of Volodymyr Zelensky's main political opponents. Diplomatic sources told the prestigious magazine, Politico, that senior allies of Donald Trump held talks with Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, an ambitious former prime minister, and senior members of the party of Petro Poroshenko, Zelensky's predecessor as president, writes A2 CNN.
Sources tell Politico that the discussions focused on whether Ukraine could hold snap presidential elections. These are being delayed in accordance with the country's constitution because Ukraine remains under martial law. Critics of holding the elections say they could be chaotic and play a role for Russia. Especially since many potential voters are serving on the front lines or living abroad as refugees.
Trump aides are convinced that Zelenskyy would lose every vote due to war fatigue and public disillusionment with rampant corruption. Indeed, his poll ratings have been declining for years, though they have risen since last week’s Oval Office debates, when the Ukrainian leader was shown the door after being reprimanded by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The latest poll shows Zelenskyy still comfortably ahead in the presidential race.
Zelensky's closest rival, trailing him by more than 20 percentage points, is Valery Zaluzhny, a former army commander who is now Ukraine's ambassador to Britain. Just 10 percent supported Poroshenko, known as the Chocolate King because of his confectionery empire. Tymoshenko received just 5.7 percent support.
Both Tymoshenko and Poroshenko have publicly opposed holding elections before the fighting ends, as has Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko. (A2 Televizion)
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