As the war in Ukraine approaches its fifth year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has begun a series of strategic meetings with high-profile figures seen as his most likely political challengers. This outreach comes amid a significant government reshuffle, a major corruption investigation, and increasing international pressure to prepare for a post-ceasefire electoral process.
The Outreach: Meetings with Rivals
Zelenskyy’s recent meetings suggest a dual strategy of mending fractured relationships and gauging the intentions of potential opponents:
- Valerii Zaluzhnyi: On January 15, 2026, Zelenskyy met one-on-one with the former Army Chief and current Ambassador to the UK.1 Tensions between the two have been high since Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal in 2024, but Zelenskyy publicly thanked him for his work on “Team Ukraine.”2
- Civil Society Leaders: The President also met with Serhiy Prytula (charity founder and former TV host) and Serhiy Sternenko (activist). While Prytula claimed the talks focused on legal issues for volunteers, analysts view these as “pre-election” consultations.
- Former Allies: Zelenskyy met with Oleksandr Kubrakov, the former Deputy PM who was sidelined during the tenure of the former Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak.
Government Reshuffle: The Fall of Yermak
The catalyst for this shift was the resignation of Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s long-time gatekeeper and Chief of Staff, in late November 2025.3
| Detail | Context |
| Reason for Exit | A $100 million corruption probe into energy infrastructure protection funds. |
| Replacement | Kyrylo Budanov, the popular Military Intelligence (HUR) chief, was appointed Head of the Presidential Office on January 2, 2026. |
| Strategic Goal | To restore public trust and signal a shift toward a more security-centric, transparent administration. |
The “90% Peace Plan” & Election Pressure
Zelenskyy announced on January 16 that a US-brokered peace proposal is “90 percent” ready.4 A Ukrainian delegation is currently in the US (as of January 17) to finalize details, with a potential signing at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.5
- The Election Clause: US President Donald Trump and other allies have reportedly pushed for a 20-point plan that mandates presidential elections within 60 to 90 days of a ceasefire.6
- Public Sentiment: A January 2026 KIIS poll shows only 10% of Ukrainians want elections during the war, but 23% support them immediately following a truce.7
- The Challenger Threat: Polling from late 2025 suggests that in a hypothetical runoff, Valerii Zaluzhnyi could defeat Zelenskyy by a landslide (64% to 36%).8
Engaging Headlines & Tags
Headlines
- The “Peace Plan” Pivot: Zelenskyy Meets Rivals as US-Led Peace Deal Nears Final Signature in Davos
- The Budanov Shift: From Spy Chief to Chief of Staff: How Kyrylo Budanov is Reshaping Ukraine’s Post-Yermak Politics
- The Electoral Countdown: “90% Ready”: Zelenskyy Prepares for Post-War Election as Trump Pushes for Ceasefire Deal