🚨 SCOOP‼️: Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny, is quietly preparing a run for president – in direct opposition to Zelensky.
A source close to the budding campaign tells me his HQ is already active in London, and recruitment is underway. This isn’t just speculation.
🧵Here's what we know: 1/
A source close to the budding campaign tells me his HQ is already active in London, and recruitment is underway. This isn’t just speculation.
🧵Here's what we know: 1/
2/ Zaluzhny – Ukraine’s former top general, now ambassador to the UK – has “effectively begun” his campaign, the source says.
The timing is no accident: Trump’s peace summits are speeding up the negotiation process, with Zelensky confirming that elections may be coming soon.
His silence is strategic, but the message is clear.
The timing is no accident: Trump’s peace summits are speeding up the negotiation process, with Zelensky confirming that elections may be coming soon.
His silence is strategic, but the message is clear.
3/ Lt. Gen. Serhiy Nayev has been tapped as Zaluzhny’s new campaign chief – and may already be a source of internal tension.
He’s reportedly suspected of being involved with the 2022 demining orders that left Ukrainian defenses dangerously exposed. If confirmed, it could trigger another shake-up before the campaign even goes public.
He’s reportedly suspected of being involved with the 2022 demining orders that left Ukrainian defenses dangerously exposed. If confirmed, it could trigger another shake-up before the campaign even goes public.
4/ None of the generals involved so far has ever run a political campaign before.
The real organizing power is MP Viktoria Syumar – a sitting lawmaker with the European Solidarity party.
She’s been handling the nuts and bolts behind the scenes as deputy head of the campaign.
The real organizing power is MP Viktoria Syumar – a sitting lawmaker with the European Solidarity party.
She’s been handling the nuts and bolts behind the scenes as deputy head of the campaign.
5/ Zaluzhny’s media operation is led by former BBC Ukraine journalist Oksana Torop, who has covered him closely in the past.
Now she’s shaping the message from the inside – and it’s already casting him as calm, capable, and destined to lead.
Now she’s shaping the message from the inside – and it’s already casting him as calm, capable, and destined to lead.
6/ International outreach is led by Polina Lysenko – ex-head of Ukraine’s disinfo center, now deputy director at NABU.
That’s the same anti-corruption bureau Zelensky’s party tried to gut… before mass protests forced a reversal.
Lysenko hasn’t officially taken leave yet.
That’s the same anti-corruption bureau Zelensky’s party tried to gut… before mass protests forced a reversal.
Lysenko hasn’t officially taken leave yet.
7/ For now, Zaluzhny’s campaign is staying technically unofficial. No launch video. No rallies. Just “PR by other means.”
That includes a veterans’ forum in London next month, backed by the powerful Serhiy Pashynskyi.
That includes a veterans’ forum in London next month, backed by the powerful Serhiy Pashynskyi.
8/ Despite past denials, Zaluzhny now appears prepared for a serious presidential run – and polling shows he’s the clear frontrunner to challenge Zelensky.
The timing may shift depending on how negotiations unfold. But the wheels are already turning.
More soon.
The timing may shift depending on how negotiations unfold. But the wheels are already turning.
More soon.
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