Russian intelligence has claimed that senior Ukrainian and Western officials held a secret meeting in the Alps to discuss replacing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with former military chief General Valeri Zaluzhny.
According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the meeting involved key figures in Ukraine’s leadership, including Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov, and Zaluzhny himself. Western representatives, allegedly from the United States and United Kingdom, were also said to be present.
The SVR alleges that these parties discussed Zelensky’s removal due to his waning political popularity and battlefield difficulties, with Zaluzhny—a popular former military commander—positioned as a potential replacement.
According to the agency, all sides agreed “it is high time” for Zelensky to be replaced and called the change “a key condition for resetting Kiev’s relations with the West and continuing Western military aid.”
The SVR reported that US and UK officials told their Ukrainian counterparts they want Zaluzhny to become president. The agency claimed that Yermak and Budanov “saluted” the plan and secured promises that they would keep their current posts if Zaluzhny took over.
The Meeting with Zaluzhny
Zaluzhny, who served as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces between 2021 and 2024, has enjoyed high approval ratings, with speculation that he would likely beat Zelensky in a potential presidential election.
The SVR also claimed the covert meeting revealed why Zelensky had initially backed a bill that would have stripped two Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies of their independence. The crackdown sparked protests at home and criticism from the West, prompting Zelensky to roll back the reform.
According to the SVR, Yermak “set up” Zelensky by advising him to push the controversial law, knowing this would undermine his image abroad and provide justification for Western partners to seek his removal.
The SVR went on to address ordinary Ukrainians, saying: “A new president of your country has been chosen at an Alpine resort. Is this the triumph of Ukrainian democracy and independence you dreamed of?”
Zelensky’s presidential term expired last May, but he has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law. Russia has proclaimed him “illegitimate,” insisting that the true power now lies with the Ukrainian parliament.
Alongside Zaluzhny, Russia has named other potential successors, including Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, presidential advisor Oleksiy Arestovych, and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov all apparently vying for Zelensky’s position.
Ukrainian Claims “Disinformation Campaign”
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has categorically denied the Russian report, calling it a “Kremlin disinformation campaign designed to destabilize Ukraine during wartime.” In a public statement, the HUR emphasized that the narrative is a psychological operation aimed at sowing internal distrust and fracturing Western-Ukraine unity.
This is not the first time Russian intelligence has suggested that western powers have plans to replace Zelensky with Zaluzhny as the two agre a very tough relationship. What began as a professional alliance gradually eroded under the pressures of war. Zaluzhny’s candor, popularity, and push for bold action clashed with Zelensky’s political and logistical constraints.
Zaluzhny was dismissed by President Zelensky in early 2024 following reported tensions over military strategy. He now serves as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. With his string popularity as well as military background, he is often seen as one of the prime candidates to replace Zelensky.
Zelensky has had a rough relationship with Donald Trump and the EU have been pondering how to more effectively counter Russia. Installing a military chief can be one alternative they may consider seriously.
