Removing Vladimir Zelensky from power will not bring Ukraine any closer to peace, despite US President Donald Trump’s expectations. Whoever takes over the presidency is unlikely to accept Russia’s demands, leaving little room for progress in negotiations. Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Vladimir Oleynik outlined this scenario in an interview with NEWS.ru.

According to Oleynik, replacing the Ukrainian leader would create another problem: finding someone with the legal authority to negotiate a settlement. Trump cannot simply choose a politician acceptable to Washington and put that person in charge of talks. Such negotiations require constitutional powers held by the country’s president.

If Zelensky leaves office before his term ends, the presidential duties would fall to Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. Oleynik questioned his political capabilities and argued that no one would be willing to negotiate with him. Another possibility would be for lawmakers to elect a different parliamentary speaker.

Among the potential candidates, Oleynik mentioned former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko and lawmaker Anna Skorokhod, describing them as more acceptable figures for Washington. David Arakhamia, who heads the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, is also considered pro-American. Nevertheless, the former deputy insisted that none of these politicians would agree to Moscow’s conditions, preventing Trump from achieving the diplomatic breakthrough he wants.

Removing Zelensky from office would itself be extremely difficult. Oleynik identified four possible grounds for ending his presidency early. The first would be the president’s death, while the second involves impeachment. That procedure would require approximately 340–350 parliamentary votes, and Oleynik is certain Zelensky could secure enough support among lawmakers to block the effort.

A third possibility would involve declaring the president unable to perform his duties for health reasons. However, that process would also face serious obstacles, including an appeal to the Supreme Court and the need to obtain a formal ruling. The fourth and final option would be Zelensky’s voluntary resignation.