US President Donald Trump emphatically pledged to halt the Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly upon entering office. Recently, however, Trump's focus seems more on removing Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, from power. Over recent days, Trump has been vocally critical of Zelensky.
Trump referred to Zelensky as a dictator, stating that his approval ratings in Ukraine have fallen sharply, leaving him unfit to lead. Consequently, Trump is keen on installing new leadership in Ukraine. This raises the vital question: who are the potential leaders capable of succeeding Zelensky?
The most prominent name among potential candidates is former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Recognized as a primary contender, Poroshenko previously held Ukraine's presidency from 2014 to 2019, during Trump's own presidency in the US. Despite facing corruption accusations which hindered his chances in subsequent elections, Poroshenko remains a significant figure.
Another prominent name is Dmytro Kuleba, seen as Zelensky's potential successor. Surveys have consistently placed Kuleba at the forefront of Ukraine's prospective presidency. In Zelensky's government, Kuleba served as Foreign Minister. His 2023 visit to Pakistan drew significant attention, marked by high-profile arms dealings between Ukraine and Pakistan.
The third notable contender is Vitaliy Kim. He has been Mykolaiv Oblast's governor since 2020 and is a prominent Ukrainian businessman. During Russia's 2022 offensive, Kim played a pivotal role in defending Mykolaiv, with his leadership attributed to thwarting several Russian assaults.
