If Zelenskyy resigns, who could lead Ukraine?

R-SC Senator Lindsey Graham raised the question of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s resignation, and he may need to step down after a quarrel between him and Donald Trump broke out during the live broadcast.
But this is not the first time the Republican Party has made such a move, which began earlier this month after Trump raised the idea in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump first said that Ukraine should hold elections after mistakenly claiming that it only enjoys a 4% approval rate, although under Ukraine’s constitution, the country cannot hold elections when it comes into force during wartime.
Right President Donald Trump meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Friday, February 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mystyslav Chernov)
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Zelenskyy’s approval rate is close to 63%, and he reiterated on Friday that he would resign if Kiev is granted a NATO membership.
Finally, he stressed in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier that, like in the United States where “Americans vote for the President”, the same sovereignty was held in Ukraine with the same sovereignty, which means it was not a negotiation strategy, and he would allow Trump to allow Trump to have called on Prinz once.
But should Zelenskyy decide that the person who stepped down might be running?
Vitali Klitschko

The mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko hit the site of a high-rise residential building in Kiev, Ukraine on June 24, 2023. (Oleksandr Gusev/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
The former boxer turned politician, who has been mayor of Kiev since 2014, has received strong support among those living in the capital and proved himself on the international stage.
During a trip to Brussels earlier this month, Klitzko stressed the need for a verbal attack by the Trump administration behind Zelenskyy, while also trying to fight back against Putin’s war.
The support for Ukrainian leaders is particularly striking in light of his previous criticism of Zelenskyy.
Klitschko reportedly stressed during a trip last week that the election could be “destroyed from within” and that it faces threats on the north and east sides.
Zelenskyy said it after spitting with Trump, Vance said Dustup is “not good for both sides”
Ruslan Stefanchuk

During Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk (L) shook hands with the head of the security department of Ukraine Vasyl Malyuk (R). 2025′ Forum was held on February 23, 2025 in Kiev, Ukraine. Forum of Ukraine. 2025′ is committed to the third anniversary of Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine. It discusses the most important issues in the country’s development. (Photo taken by Ivan Antypenko/Sayed Ukraine (JSC UA)
According to reports, Ukrainian Parliament Chairman Stefanchuk is also considered a future contender for Ukraine’s highest role.
Although Stefanchuk is said to be a top ally of Zelenskyy, he is keen to reject the recent international proposal to hold elections in Ukraine.
Earlier this month [Putin]. ”
He pointed out that Ukraine needs “bullets, not votes.”
Kyrylo Budanov

The Defense Intelligence Director of Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine, was interviewed in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photography by Vitalii Nosach/Global Images by Getty Images)
Budanov, head of the GUR Military Intelligence Agency in Ukraine, may be another contender who may be the highest job in Kiev.
According to a report from Newsweek, Budanov has not expressed his desire to seek senior positions and his trust rating is higher than that of the Ukrainians.
Earlier this month, the head of military intelligence apparently expressed his confidence in the eventual peace agreement after the three-year war in Ukraine.
“I think this will happen. Most components can be achieved,” Budanov reportedly said in a YouTube interview. “How long will it take, effective effect- [is] Another question. ”
Valery Zaluzhny

Valery Zaluzhny, former commander-in-chief – Uklin. (@cinc_afu)
Former commander-in-chief, the Ukrainian armed forces, Zaluzhny, and his current country’s ambassador to the UK, are seen as popular and credible successors to Zelenskyy if the president is to resign.
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Zaluzhny and Zelenskyy had differences, resulting in the general being fired in 2024. Carnegie Politika Blog recently reported that he was very popular, with 80% of Ukrainians saying they trust him. The publication also notes that a hypothetical second runoff between the two leads to the statistical field.
Zaluzhny hasn’t said whether he will challenge Zelenskyy or whether he is interested in running for president.