Trump allies suggest Zelensky should go: Who could replace Ukraine leader?

Several high-profile Ukrainian politicians would be well-positioned to replace Zelensky if he stepped down as Republicans have suggested.

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Some allies of President Donald Trump's have suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should resign after Friday's explosive clash with Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House in order to ensure Ukraine and Russia achieve a peace deal amid their ongoing war, but it remains unclear who would lead Ukraine in his place.

Newsweek reached out by email to the U.S. State Department for comment by email on Sunday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Tensions between Trump and Zelensky hit a boiling point last week after Trump made disparaging remarks about the Ukrainian leader, such as calling Zelensky a dictator over the fact that Kyiv hasn't held and doesn't plan to hold elections during the war. The administration also insisted that Ukraine should prepare to receive few concessions during peace talks, which the U.S. and Russia held without Ukrainian representation.

Trump's tenor softened, however, after meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and walked back his comments. He even suggested the U.S. would try to get back "as much as possible" for Ukraine.

However, Zelensky, Trump and Vance argued openly in front of reporters, with Trump yelling at his counterpart and telling him to be more "thankful" for U.S. assistance. Zelensky left the White House earlier than planned and did not sign a much-touted rare earth mineral deal that the U.S. and Ukraine had agreed on as a major step towards securing a peace deal.

What Trump Allies Have Said

Following the exchange, Trump said it would prove difficult to move forward with the current dynamic, and GOP Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina suggested that if Zelensky could not fix things with Trump, Ukraine would "need to get somebody new."

"This was a missed opportunity, and the question for me for the Ukrainian people: I don't know if Zelensky can ever get you to where you want to go with the United States," Graham said during an appearance on Fox News. "Either he dramatically changes, or you need to get somebody new."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, on Sunday during an appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press told host Kristen Welker that "something has to change" in order for peace to occur.

"Either he [Zelensky] needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country to do that," Johnson said, while adding that the administration and Republicans understand the danger Russian President Vladimir Putin poses.

Meanwhile, national security adviser Mike Waltz told CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday that Ukraine needs "a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war."

"If it becomes apparent that President Zelensky's either personal motivations or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting in this country, then I think we have a real issue," he said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a plenary meeting at Lancaster House during the European leaders' summit on March 2 in London. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a plenary meeting at Lancaster House during the European leaders' summit on March 2 in London. Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty ImagesWho Could Replace Zelensky?

Zelensky last month indicated he would be willing to step down from his role if it would ensure either a peace deal or a guarantee for Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), but his tone changed after the clash with Trump.

Zelensky has strong support within Ukraine, still. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, passed a resolution entitled "Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Support for Democracy in Ukraine in Conditions of Russian Aggression" on February 25 that affirms Zelensky's presidency and mandates that elections cannot be held during periods of martial law.

The parliament passed the resolution following Trump's insistence that the country should hold elections due to his belief that Zelensky had a "4 percent" approval rating.

However, within the country, there has already been some discussion about possible candidates.

General Valery Zaluzhny, Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, addresses delegates on September 22, 2024, in Liverpool, England. General Valery Zaluzhny, Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, addresses delegates on September 22, 2024, in Liverpool, England. Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesUkrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valery Zaluzhny

One name at the top of Ukraine's list is its current ambassador to the U.K., Valery Zaluzhny. Prior to his diplomatic role, Zaluzhny served as the commander-in-chief of the Ukraine's armed forces from 2021 to 2024, meaning he has overseen the bulk of Kyiv's defense against Russia's most recent invasion.

Ukrainian outlet Dzerkalo Tyzhniain in November 2024 touted Zaluzhny as the leader "in several possible variations" to replace Zelensky, even outranking the Ukrainian president in polling with 27 percent support compared to Zelensky's 16 percent, which placed him second in the polling.

Zelensky dismissed Zaluzhny from his military post in 2024 and reassigned him in a move that proved highly controversial. Some saw this as the culmination of long-simmering tensions due to a difference of opinion over war strategy and the challenge of mass mobilization.

Internal polling obtained by The Economist indicates that while Zelensky remains Ukraine's most popular politician, he would lose a future election to Zaluzhny by 30 to 65 percent.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko speaks to media during the evacuation of a childrens' hospital in Kyiv on April 26, 2024. Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko speaks to media during the evacuation of a childrens' hospital in Kyiv on April 26, 2024. Sergei Chuzavkova/AFP via Getty ImagesKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko

Another high-profile candidate would be Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko who has also defied Zelensky on a few occasions throughout the war. Klitschko, a former professional boxer, assumed office in 2014 following two terms as deputy of the Kyiv city council.

In 2023, Klitschko made headlines when he accused Zelensky of not being honest about the state of the war, which he said was not the "stalemate" described in the press. He accused Zelensky of "euphorically" lying while praising Zaluzhny for telling the "truth."

"Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth...Of course, we can euphorically lie to our people and our partners. But you can't do that forever. Some of our politicians have criticized Zaluzhnyi for the clear words—wrongly. I stand behind him," he said at the time.

Klitschko added: "The president has an important function today and we have to support him until the end of the war. But at the end of this war, every politician will pay for his successes or failures."

President of Ukraine's Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk gives a speech at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 11, 2025. President of Ukraine's Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk gives a speech at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on February 11, 2025. Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty ImagesUkraine Parliament Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk

Another prominent figure floated as a potential replacement is Verkhovna Rada chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk who has been a key Zelensky ally throughout the conflict.

However, Stefanchuk was touted early on in the war as the politician best positioned to replace Zelensky if the president was taken out by assassination. Elected as chairman in 2021, he has a background as a legal scholar and member of the National Academy of Legal Sciences in Ukraine, according to British outlet i News.

Stefanchuk most recently came out strongly in opposition to Trump's suggestion that Ukraine hold war time elections, saying that his country needs "bullets, not ballots."

"If there is anyone who needs to be forced into real, free and fair elections, it is [Putin]," he wrote in a Facebook post.

He also addressed the European Parliament last month, during which he called for the European Union (EU) to not only continue but increase support for Ukraine, particularly with defensive systems and fighter planes. He warned: "The danger is much closer than you think."

What People Are Saying

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last month said: "I am ready to step down for peace. If no peace, I am happy to step down in exchange for NATO for Ukraine. I am focused on security for Ukraine here and today and not staying in power for decades."

Senator James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, during an appearance on Meet the Press on Sunday said: "I'm not interested in calling on the resignation of other world leaders. I didn't like it when [Senator] Chuck Schumer asked for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to be removed. I don't like it when other members of the Senate ask for Zelensky to be removed either."

Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party, said on Meet the Press on Sunday: "I think that is a horrific suggestion. Zelensky is leading a country, trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, [Vladimir] Putin."

Ukrainian Parliamentary Member Kira Rudik during an appearance on CNN last week said: "With all due respect, we elect our own presidents. It's not up to Russian presidents, American presidents, or Americans officials to tell the Ukrainian people who should be our president."

What Happens Next?

Ukraine may face pressure to hold elections as a condition for receiving military aid from Washington. However, Zelensky has indicated he will not consider stepping down at this time.

During an interview with Fox News just hours after his clash with Trump, Zelensky said: "No. This decision can only be done by the people of Ukraine. Americans vote for their presidents... and only Ukrainians vote for Ukrainians."

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