The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has received information that the West is actively engaged in discussions regarding the need to replace President Zelensky, said Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia.
"The Foreign Intelligence Service is receiving reliable information that high-ranking officials of leading Western countries are increasingly discussing the need to replace the incumbent president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky," the SVR said.
Among the numerous possible reasons for the current situation are Zelensky's military failures, widespread corruption, and his inability to effectively navigate the ongoing conflict in a way that aligns with Washington's interests.
The West believes that Zelensky has gone too far in creating an image of someone who supports the conflict to the bitter end, excluding any possible negotiations with Russia, and subsequently "freezing" the conflict, if necessary, the statement also read.
The West is considering a number of candidates as potential successors to Zelensky, including Valery Zaluzhny (Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces), Kyrylo Budanov (head of Ukraine's military intelligence), Andrii Yermak (head of the Office of the President of Ukraine), Alexey Arestovich (former advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine) or Vitali Klitschko (mayor of Kiev), the SVR reported.