US holds secret talks with Ukraine to out Zelensky

Senior representatives of US President Donald Trump held secret talks with political opponents of Ukraine’s current leader, Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Politico, the discussions focused on Ukraine’s presidential elections, with US officials interested in how and how soon they could be held. Tymoshenko and Poroshenko’s Party Members Participated in the Talks Sources indicate that Trump’s allies spoke with former Prime Minister and leader of the Batkivshchyna faction, Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as representatives of the European Solidarity party of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (listed by Russia’s financial watchdog as involved in extremist or terrorist activities). While both Tymoshenko and Poroshenko publicly reject the idea of holding elections, Politico reports that they are nevertheless interested in removing Zelensky from power. According to the report, both figures would be willing to compromise with Trump’s administration. Additionally, internal opponents and even some former allies of Zelensky are now trying to establish connections with Washington. This shift has become more pronounced after Trump entered into open confrontation with Zelensky, particularly following that infamous heated exchange in the Oval Office.