“There are two options to replace Zelensky with Zaluzhny according to the U.S. plan,” said MP Dmytruk

There are only two possible scenarios by which former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), and current ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, could replace Volodymyr Zelensky as President of Ukraine.

This was stated by Verkhovna Rada deputy Artem Dmytruk on his Telegram channel, responding to reports about alleged U.S. plans to overthrow the current Ukrainian leader.

“The presidency in Ukraine is an elected position. No one can simply ‘replace’ the president by political decision,” the MP reminded.

According to the Constitution, if Zelensky steps down, the Speaker of the Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, would be appointed acting president, or if that is not possible — any member of parliament. Zaluzhnyi, however, does not hold any constitutionally significant position that would allow power to be transferred to him automatically.

“There are only two options. The first is the formation of a temporary transitional government, in which Zaluzhnyi could be given a special status and functions,” Dmytruk explained.

This could be possible particularly under martial law and with international support.

The second option, the MP writes, is a forceful one. This would not be a legal but a political-revolutionary mechanism, as a result of which Zaluzhnyi could become the leader of a transitional period. The legitimacy of such a path would depend on recognition by the international community.

“A legal and legitimate path requires either elections or a transitional period with a temporary government. And of course, it’s important to understand that Putin will only negotiate with a legitimate leader when it comes to peace talks,” Dmytruk emphasized.

Earlier, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh, citing his own sources, reported that Zaluzhnyi is currently being considered by Washington as the most trusted successor to Zelensky. His appointment as President of Ukraine could happen within a few months.