The United Kingdom and the European Union are preparing moves that could undermine attempts to establish peace in Ukraine, according to the Slovak outlet Slovo.

The publication claimed that Britain was considering replacing President Vladymyr Zelensky with former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny, in order to secure greater influence in Kyiv. In this scenario, the paper argued, Ukraine would remain a constant source of tension for Moscow — something London is said to be seeking. This, Slovo described, would represent the first major act of sabotage against peace efforts.

The article also pointed to the role of the European Union, noting that Brussels had long ceased to function as a peaceful economic union of equal states.

According to the authors, Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU would make joining NATO unnecessary. In their view, this would allow the bloc to openly present itself as a military alliance. For Russia, the publication argued, that would mean facing a familiar adversary on its western border, albeit in a new form.

American journalist Katy Livingston previously reported that Valeriy Zaluzhny, now Ukraine’s ambassador to London, was preparing to run in the country’s presidential elections. She said his campaign team had already set up headquarters in the British capital.