Rajevs: Zaluzhnyi Could Become Zelensky's Main Rival in an Election
Latvian parliament member Igors Rajevs believes Valerii Zaluzhnyi would be Volodymyr Zelensky's strongest challenger in a free Ukrainian presidential election, giving him a 70% chance. He also assessed the prospects of other possible candidates.
If Ukraine were able to hold a free presidential election, the strongest challenger to the current head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, could be Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's current ambassador to the United Kingdom and former commander-in-chief of its armed forces. That was the forecast given by Igors Rajevs, a member of the Latvian parliament (Saeima) and a reserve colonel of the Latvian National Armed Forces, on the TV24 programme "About the War in Ukraine", where he reviewed possible candidates and their chances. It is his personal prediction, not an opinion poll.
70% for Zaluzhnyi
Rajevs rated Zaluzhnyi's chances highest, at 70%. In his view, Zaluzhnyi's support is growing. He noted that Zaluzhnyi was once backed only by the United Kingdom, but now the United States supports him too. If an election takes place, Rajevs said, it is Zaluzhnyi who would contend with Zelensky.
Other possible candidates
Rajevs described Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, as a serious and convincing player who has proven his stance in both military service and politics. He gave Budanov a 25% chance, citing his strongly pro-Ukrainian position and readiness to fight Russia to the end.
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov was given 4%. Rajevs noted that Fedorov brought new energy and business thinking to the military sphere and helped advance technology, but said he "got carried away too far".
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko was assigned just 1%.
Whether an election can be held in Ukraine at all remains an open question.
