NATO to Oust Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Russian Intelligence Claims
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Reports from Russias Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) suggest that NATO is considering removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from power, believing him to be the primary obstacle to peace negotiations with Moscow. According to the SVR, as reported by pro-Russian outletPravda, the West may be planning to discredit Zelenskyy before orchestrating a controlled election to replace him with a more compliant leader.
The Russian intelligence agency claims that NATO headquarters has been engaged in discussions about a change of power in Ukraine. The SVR states that Western officials view Zelenskyy as an impediment to negotiations with Russia and are allegedly exploring strategies to discredit him, potentially leading to his removal before the next Ukrainian elections, expected in the fall of 2025.
In a statement on Monday, the SVR accused NATO of preparing a smear campaign against Zelensky by revealing details of extensive corruption within his administration. The report alleges that Zelenskyy and his associates misappropriated over $1.5 billion intended for military aid. Additionally, it claims that the Ukrainian government has been siphoning off funds by listing around 130,000 deceased soldiers as still active and illegally selling Western-supplied weapons to armed groups in Africa.
Despite his term officially ending in May 2024, Zelenskyy has remained in power, postponing elections due to the ongoing martial law implemented in 2022 amid the war with Russia. Western nations, including the United States and the European Union, are reportedly growing impatient, with some leaders pushing for a diplomatic resolution to the war.
According to the SVR, Washington and Brussels believe that a resolution to the conflict may require sidelining Zelensky. The agency claims that in private discussions, Western officials refer to Zelenskyy as expendable material and believe that his time as Ukraines leader is coming to an end.
The report further suggests that the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House has introduced uncertainty regarding Western support for Ukraine, leading NATO to accelerate efforts to establish a more predictable leadership structure in Kyiv. The intelligence claims that NATOs broader objective remains ensuring Ukraine continues to serve as a strategic counterweight to Russia, regardless of battlefield developments.
While the SVRs allegations paint a picture of a Western-led effort to remove Zelenskyy, neither NATO nor Ukrainian officials have responded to these claims. If true, such developments could significantly impact the ongoing conflict and the geopolitical landscape surrounding Ukraine.
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