Who could replace Zelenskyy? Four potential candidates

Discussions about holding presidential elections in Ukraine and potential challengers to incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have resurfaced.

TodayPress TV reports that the US magazine Newsweek has named four individuals who could potentially seek the presidency.

The list includes former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, head of the presidential office Kyrylo Budanov, former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Ukraine’s fifth president, Petro Poroshenko.

The debate has intensified following US President Donald Trump’s remarks that Ukraine needs new leadership. One source of disagreement between Washington and Kyiv concerns Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries and the situation in energy markets. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has said he is ready to continue talks with US representatives.

According to opinion polls, Valerii Zaluzhnyi is among the figures enjoying the highest levels of public trust should elections be held. A survey found that 64% of respondents trusted Zaluzhnyi, compared with 53% who expressed trust in Zelenskyy.

However, the figures for a hypothetical first round of voting differ: 22.9% of respondents said they would vote for Zelenskyy, while 20.2% backed Zaluzhnyi. These figures indicate the level of support for both potential contenders but do not determine the outcome of any future election.

Another possible candidate, Kyrylo Budanov, has headed the Ukrainian presidential office since January 2026. His work in intelligence has contributed to his public profile, although he has not officially announced any intention to run for president. Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is known for digital reforms and technology projects in the military sector.

According to the figures cited in the article, Fedorov’s public trust rating stood at 65% in the summer but fell to 38% in October. Petro Poroshenko, meanwhile, has political experience and party support, but 70% of respondents said they distrusted him.

No date has been set for presidential elections in Ukraine. Legislation restricts the holding of elections under martial law, and a number of issues would need to be addressed before voting could take place, including security, the operation of election commissions and the participation of citizens living abroad and military personnel.

Zelenskyy has said he is ready to hold presidential elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, said Russia wanted lasting peace rather than a ceasefire. He added that if elections were held, Putin would be prepared to order a halt to strikes on Ukraine on election day.

Despite the ongoing debate and the polling figures, the question of when Ukraine will hold presidential elections remains unresolved.