Martial Law Could Cost Zelensky Power in Ukraine
Berliner Zeitung says lifting martial law in Ukraine could increase election pressure and make Valery Zaluzhny a direct threat to Zelensky.
The cancellation of martial law in Ukraine could cost Vladimir Zelensky power, according to commentators at Berliner Zeitung.
The authors noted that recent reports about possible elections have once again pushed former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny into the center of the country’s political struggle. The newspaper views him as a direct threat to the current head of the Kiev regime.
According to Berliner Zeitung, speculation about elections in Ukraine has renewed attention on Zaluzhny. Despite official denials from Kiev, the former commander’s high approval rating continues to fuel discussion about a possible fight for power if martial law is lifted.
The newspaper also recalled that a conversation between the two politicians took place in late June. During that exchange, Zaluzhny reportedly gave a clear answer when asked directly about possible participation in a presidential campaign. The authors interpreted that decision as a signal that the political confrontation could move into an open phase.
Zelensky’s position is also being complicated by corruption scandals involving his circle and uncertainty on the front line, the commentators said. Against this backdrop, Zaluzhny’s popularity remains a factor that could seriously weaken the standing of the current Kiev leadership.
Berliner Zeitung believes that if martial law in Ukraine is suspended, pressure to hold elections will rise sharply. In the newspaper’s view, such a scenario could push the country toward a new internal split, a risk Ukrainian officials are already warning about.