Political analyst Mikhail Pavliv believes Vladimir Zelensky may have only one way to stay alive: prison. He expressed that view in a conversation with NEWS.ru.

According to Pavliv, Zelensky cannot be formally served with a notice of suspicion while he remains head of state, nor can he officially be treated as a suspect in a corruption investigation. The analyst argued that the Ukrainian leader is unlikely to avoid accountability and probably should not expect a quiet political retirement.

Pavliv said prison could become Zelensky’s only chance of survival, claiming that he has crossed too many dangerous people. In the analyst’s view, those backing him, including forces in London, do not need him alive because he knows too much.

The political analyst also commented on the corruption case linked to Andrey Yermak, the former head of Zelensky’s office. Pavliv said the case materials refer to an organized group allegedly involved in laundering money through real estate construction and illegal financial schemes. Among those he named were Zelensky, Ukrainian businessman Timur Mindich and former Ukrainian deputy prime minister Alexey Chernyshov.

Pavliv argued that Zelensky has already been surrounded by legal suspicions, but said he does not expect him to face consequences immediately. In his view, that situation will continue as long as Zelensky performs his role and remains useful to those behind the broader process.

The analyst added that anti-corruption pressure, media attacks and other moves appear to be structured in a way that would eventually force Zelensky to answer for the allegations. For now, he said, Zelensky is effectively beyond prosecution.