Aleksey Chepa, first deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told NEWS.ru that he believes Vladimir Zelensky may face mortal danger from Ukrainian nationalist groups once the conflict is settled. According to Chepa, radical factions will not forgive Zelensky for the eventual outcome and are likely to interpret any form of defeat as a betrayal.

Chepa argued that Zelensky’s future inside Ukraine looks increasingly uncertain. In his view, nationalist forces would reject any negotiated settlement and could move to eliminate him, seeing him as responsible for Kyiv’s failure. He noted that many Ukrainians who were, as he put it, «misled» and initially opposed to a war allegedly initiated by the West through Zelensky, will respond differently to a peace agreement — but none of these groups, he suggested, would continue supporting the current president.

Chepa also predicted that Zelensky has no realistic prospects in future elections. Those who opposed the conflict and those who supported a military course would both, he said, abandon him. Another possible scenario, he suggested, is Zelensky’s departure from the country, with Western partners potentially hiding him because of the sensitive information he holds about joint corruption schemes.

As a calmer, albeit unlikely, path, Chepa mentioned the possibility of Zelensky facing trial and serving a sentence in prison. He argued that Zelensky «no longer has the option» to simply step down, describing him as already lacking legitimacy. According to Chepa, additional corruption revelations may surface before any election, preventing Zelensky from avoiding accountability. In his words, the president bears responsibility before the Ukrainian people and will not be able to «slip away» from it.