Zelensky met with Zaluzhny; the latter confirmed plans to run for president
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a closed meeting in mid-June to discuss the possibility of holding presidential elections in the fall of 2026. During a meeting with former army chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, he received confirmation that Zaluzhny intends to run.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, citing informed sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky convened a closed meeting in mid-June with several high-ranking officials. Participants included Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Oleh Tatarov, leader of the ruling Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada David Arakhamia, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov.
The main topic was the possibility of holding presidential elections in the fall of 2026. This discussion followed the results of a confidential sociological study, which showed that Zelensky's approval rating decline had halted and support was starting to rise. According to the poll, in the first round, 33% of voters would support Zelensky, 22% Zaluzhny, and 14% Budanov. In the second round, Zaluzhny would get 37% and Zelensky 32%.
To ascertain the intentions of a potential rival, Zelensky invited former army chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, currently Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom, to Kyiv. The official reason for the meeting was preparation for the possible resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but Zelensky also directly asked Zaluzhny whether he plans to participate in the elections if they are held in the fall. Sources claim that Zaluzhny answered affirmatively – he intends to run.
