Trump Zelinski’s attacks give a popular boost in Ukraine

President Voludmir Zelinski of Ukraine was losing his popularity at home for several months, which many see as a high -skinned leader who focused on power around him. Political opponents saw an opening to win future elections against him. The former general of the war against Russia had a higher approval classification.

President Trump entered. In recent weeks, he chanted the points of conversation in Moscow in the war and called Mr. Zellinski.A dictator without elections“Who” did a terrible job. “Mr. Trump and his allies demanded new presidential elections in Ukraine, despite the war, and the insult of Mr. Zellinski in A. Catastrophic In the White House.

But it seems that the actions of Mr. Trump helped the Ukrainian leader at home.

Mr. Zelinski’s approval categories have increased, according to the survey of two recent polls, and his political opponents have publicly said that it is not the time for the elections. Political opponents’ suggestions and some analysts that Mr. Zelinski should share power and form an alliance government – a team of Ukrainian competitors – has not gained traction. Even if critics did not completely gather around the president, they did not explicitly attack him.

“Some people expected Zelinski to criticize,” said Petro Poroshenko, a predecessor of Sayyid Zelinski as President of Ukraine and a repeated rental head. after The explosive meeting between Mr. Zellinski and Mr. Trump. “But no, there will be no criticism, because this is not what the country needs now.”

Mr. Zelinski is still in an unstable position. He needs to draw a road forward in some way with an American president who clearly wants to deal with a different Ukrainian leader.

Mr. Zelensky offered to step down in exchange for peace or Ukraine membership in NATO. Political opponents agreed that elections cannot be held during the country’s war, because the forces of the front lines and the Ukrainians outside the country cannot vote. But given that Ukraine was to hold elections in the spring of 2024, it is likely to pay for one if the ceasefire is more likely to be reached before a final peace deal was signed. It appears that opposing politicians stand their time, despite the general calls of unity.

Mr. Trump escalated the pressure on Mr. Zellinski before a Scheduled meeting on Tuesday In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which the United States and Ukrainian officials are supposed to discuss the steps that may lead to a peace agreement with Russia. After a plan to exchange profits from natural resources in Ukraine It has not been signed In the middle of the White House meeting on February 28, Mr. Trump stopped both American military aid and Exchang With Ukraine last week.

On Sunday, posts on X were renewed by Elon Musk, billionaire ally of Mr. Trump, fears in Ukraine that Musk has cut off his internet system, which is what it is The name “The backbone of the Ukrainian army”. He added: “Their front line will completely collapse if it stops it.” However, it is Later He said: “Regardless of the incompatibility with Ukraine’s policy, Starlink will not turn off its limbs.”

Analysts said that the White House meeting may have been the largest crisis faced by Mr. Zellinski since Russia’s invasion of Russia in February 2022. But others have suggested several tracks for Mr. Zellinski: appointing an official negotiator to deal with Mr. Trump, create a more comprehensive alliance government or even use a translator.

Yivhin Mahda, a political scientist in Kiev, said that if Mr. Zellinski built a “alliance of victory for separate parties that unite”, with professional appoinals instead of political allies, this will appear to the world and the United States that Mr. Zelinski can adapt.

“The alliance should have been formed when the war began, but the president did not want to work with his opponents.” The president, who left his opponents.

“He does not listen to other views,” said Mr. Razoukov, who announced plans to run for the presidency. “He cannot hear them. He cannot work with other parties and other ideas.”

But the members of the Sayyid Zellinski party and some analysts rejected the idea of ​​the coalition.

“These opposition parties will not focus on Ukraine or how to help the country,” said Voludmir Vicenco, the leading political analyst here. They will focus on future elections. All of these opposition politicians have a very large level of national lack of confidence. “

There are signs that Mr. Zellinski is trying to hear different sounds. For example, General Valery Zaluzni, the Supreme Military Commander in Ukraine for the first time Two years From the war, it is possible that the strongest possible opponent of Mr. Zellinski in the elections. He rarely speaks publicly since he was called Ambassador to UK Last March, it was effectively marginalized, even Opinion polls Ownership He showed that he is more popular than Mr. Zellinski.

But on Thursday, Mr. Zaluzni gave a speech in London, in which he blamed the United States for the destruction of the global regime. Political analysts said that Mr. Zaluzhny has never given this letter If Mr. Zellinski does not agree to it.

While some politicians and analysts described Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance as intimidation at the White House meeting, some focused on Mr. Zellinski, indicating that the Ukrainian president would have benefited from the use of a translator.

Mr. Mahda said that while English talking at the conversation level, the translator translated would have given him an additional time to weigh his responses.

Mr. Razoukov, the politician who left the Sayyid Zellinski party, said he believed that there was a misunderstanding of the language between the two sides. “This entire conversation happened from the beginning,” he said.

The history of the presidential elections seems to be a moving goal. If a ceasefire deal is reached, Mr. Trump is likely to pressure new elections even before he puts a peace deal.

Today’s elections have been held, Mr. Zaluzni and Mr. Zellinski are among the top competitors.

Friday, Kyiv International Sociology Institute I launched a poll He explains that between February 14 and March 4 – when relations between Ukraine and the United States increased – the level of confidence in Mr. Zelinski increased to 67 percent, from 57 percent in the first half of February. last reconnaissance A similar leap showed, while two others recently Opinion polls Similar approval categories showed by Mr. Zellinski. (While approval and trust classifications are not the same electoral classifications, they show the popularity of the country’s different leaders.)

Mr. Zellinski’s classifications could have jumped because the Ukrainians gathered around science, not because of the president himself. Mr. Zellinski also saw a great bump in classifying his consent after Russia’s extensive invasion.

Mr. Poroshenko, who lost to Mr. Zellinski in 2019, and Yulia Timoshenko, former Prime Minister, indicated that they will be running in future elections. Both met the team of Mr. Trump. Mrs. Timoshenko traveled to Washington soon from Mr. Trump’s performance in January, and attended some opening events. Mr. Zellinski did not attend the opening, however It is said Send a close ally.

after Politico Ms. Timoshenko and Mr. Poroshenko mentioned through the meetings of Mr. Trump, Ukrainian politicians or their representatives last week, and denied that they were trying to overthrow the president, and said they opposed the elections during the fighting. Ms. Timoshenko “She was talking to all our allies who can help secure just peace as soon as possible,” said her team. Mr. Poroshenko He said that his team spoke with American officials, but he opposed Mr. Trump’s demands for the war elections.

The United States and Ukraine continue to negotiate both the potential natural resources deal and any peace agreement. On Friday, Mr. Zellinski said, “The most intense work so far continues with President Trump’s team at various levels – with many phone calls.”

In at least one way, Mr. Zelinski chooses to strictly move the path forward. On Tuesday, his senior team members will have a personal meeting with US officials since the White House meeting. They will meet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the basis for any peace deal.

Mr. Zelinski traveled to Saudi Arabia as well. But soon, he will leave – before the meeting with the United States begins.

Oleksandra Mykolyyshyn She contributed to the reports from Kyiv, and Kenneth B. Vogel From Washington.