Putin Issues Warning on Zelensky's Future: 'No Chance'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning regarding Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky's future, saying that he has "absolutely no chance" of reelection, according to the Russian news outlet RT International.

Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Putin's remarks bear strong similarities to Trump's from last week, particularly those regarding Zelensky's approval ratings.

An expert, Olga Onuch, previously told Newsweek that any suggestion that Zelensky would not be reelected due to low approval ratings is an "an attempt to manipulate facts on the ground." Potential Russian interference in Ukrainian politics could jeopardize Kyiv retaining territory and independence.

What To Know

In an interview with Russian propagandist and journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin spoke about Zelensky's future in Ukrainian politics. He said that he has "no chance" of winning a fair election due to low approval ratings and the political circumstances within Ukraine.

Putin said that Zelensky's chances of reelection are "equal to zero, unless, of course, something is grossly rigged, but this is also bad for him; it will be very noticeable."

The Russian president added: "The fact is that the current head of the Kyiv regime is becoming a toxic figure for the Ukrainian armed forces because he gives absurd orders dictated not by military considerations, but by political ones, and it is unclear what they are based on."

Putin said: "Therefore, [Zelensky] is a factor in the disintegration of the army, society, and the state. President Trump certainly understands this and is pushing him toward elections."

Since the U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace without Ukraine last week, President Donald Trump has been pushing Ukraine to hold elections as part of a three-stage deal to achieve peace.

Trump falsely claimed that Zelensky was down to a "4 percent approval rating" and when the Ukrainian president said that he is living in a "disinformation space," as Ukraine cannot hold elections while upholding martial law, Trump called him a "dictator without elections."

While Zelensky's approval rating has dropped from its previous high of 90 percent, it remains in the mid-50s range and has risen following his verbal altercation with the American president.

The Ukrainian president has since offered to step down to achieve peace and have Kyiv gain entry into NATO.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jason Emert, a lawyer and Air National Guard officer, wrote: "Ukraine's constitution prevents elections during war. Yet Putin has not held a free and fair election once in 25 years. He's had his opponents murdered or imprisoned throughout his reign of terror. If we're going to call for elections, let's demand Russia hold a free election."

Illia Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian journalist, wrote on X: "Putin: 'Zelensky has zero chances of winning the election; they are absolutely nil unless the results are grossly rigged.' Quite predictably, Putin wants everybody to believe he is to decide who's got a chance at Ukrainian elections and who doesn't and whether elections are 'grossly rigged.' And, of course, if Ukrainians elect a candidate Putin disapproves of, it's an 'illegitimate' president-elect, and Russian tanks go on the offensive again."

Curtis Scoon, a film producer, wrote on X: "For all the people making excuses for Zelensky not allowing elections due to the war just keep in mind Russia had an election last March. Putin is supposed to be the dictator but he had an election. Zelensky is supposed to be the face of democracy in Ukraine but he won't."

What Happens Next

Trump announced that the U.S. and Ukraine could sign a minerals deal as soon as this week, as peace negotiations proceed.