VOLODYMYR Zelensky’s potential successors could be preparing their campaigns to be the leader of Ukraine.
After Donald Trump slammed him as a “dictator”, the brave president said on Sunday he would step down if Ukraine could join Nato – thereby securing its defence.
That’s left ambitious Ukrainians rubbing their hands at the thought of being taking the top job – but who could fill the very large shoes left by Zelensky?
Vitali Klitschko – Heavyweight champion
Former heavyweight boxing world champion Vitali Klitschko is the current mayor of Kyiv.
The 6ft 7in giant has led the capital through constant Russian bombing, was a key figure in the Euromaidan protests, and has been in office since all the way back since 2008.
With a 47-2 boxing record, he is 8-2 on elections he has fought.
Klitschko has also shown ambition to lead the country and was set to run for President in 2014 before he dropped out and endorsed Petro Poroshenko.
The boxer has led the city through daily bombardments by Russian drones and has become a powerful symbol of the city’s defence joining the territorial defence forces.
Like Zelensky, Klitschko would be a strong pro-European leader that Vladimir Putin would hate.
Valery Zaluzhny – The Iron General
Zaluzhny led the defence of Kyiv at the start of the war when Russia sent its special forces to their death at Hostomel Airport.
Russia then tried to take Kyiv from the north by sending an Army from Belarus.
But the Iron General Zeluzhny – who is known for thinking outside of the box – was able to beat Putin’s best troops by outfoxing them.
Doing so, he built a cult status in Ukraine and is currently the country’s ambassador to London.
Viktor Medvedchuk – Putin’s Man
Not all those running for President could be pro-European.
Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk is the godfather to Putin’s youngest daughter.
He was an important interlocutor between Moscow and Kyiv and backs a pro-Russian political party with several television stations he owns.
In 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of supporting Russian separatists – with the oligarch denying any wrongdoing.
The move is said to have infuriated Putin and was seen as one of the possible reasons he launched his invasion.
He was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship and traded to Russia, but Putin could insist he is allowed to contest the election as part of a peace deal.
Moscow could then back Medvedchuk with unlimited money and get its propaganda troll farms in behind the oligarch.
Kyrylo Budanov – Ukraine’s top spy
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief has been instrumental in keeping Kyiv one step ahead of Moscow.
Kyrylo Budanov has been able to get Ukrainian agents inside Russia who have then been able to sabotage key oil pipelines and train routes.
Just 39 years old, the spy boss has also been ruthless in fooling Russians to carry out attacks on their own country.
Budanov has also run his own information trickery – which could make him the perfect politician.
In 2023, he speculated that Putin could even be dead after photos showed the tyrant with a different-looking chin.
Petro Poroshenko – Former President
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and billionaire chocolatier led the country between 2014 and 2019
He came to power following the Euromaidan protests and ran the country following Putin’s first invasion in 2014.
Last year, he said he would run for president again, but only after there was peace in the country.
Poroshenko has remained in the public eye visiting troops on the front line, organising donations, and doing press interviews as the war has gone on.
