Moscow, August 13, 2024, The Europe Today: Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has alleged that the United States is preparing a campaign to undermine Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in order to replace him with a more controllable figure. According to the SVR, former Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov is being considered as a potential successor.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SVR asserted that the U.S. political elite is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Zelensky, as concerns mount among American lawmakers regarding the accountability of the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Kyiv. The agency suggested that U.S. officials are questioning Zelensky’s actions, which they claim are dangerously escalating tensions beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The SVR further alleged that Zelensky’s struggle to maintain power, especially after his presidential term officially ended in May, has led to a frantic push by Kyiv to retain control. In response, the U.S. is reportedly exploring options for installing a leader who would be more cooperative and perceived as less corrupt by Western powers.
Arsen Avakov, who served as Ukraine’s interior minister following the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kyiv until his resignation in 2021, is considered by the SVR to be a leading candidate for the role. The intelligence agency claimed that Avakov’s close connections with Ukrainian far-right groups and his established relationships with European Union leaders make him a favorable choice in the eyes of U.S. officials.
The SVR also noted that discussions regarding Avakov’s potential leadership are reportedly taking place with key Ukrainian opposition figures, including former President Pyotr Poroshenko, ex-Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, and influential members of Zelensky’s own party. The agency suggested that U.S. officials believe a leadership change could better position the West for possible negotiations with Russia to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Avakov’s tenure as interior minister was marked by his involvement in controversial events, including the suppression of protests against the 2014 coup and the tragic fire at Odessa’s Trade Union House, where 42 people perished after being pursued by a far-right mob. His role in these incidents, as well as his support for the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, has drawn significant criticism, including from the United Nations.
These claims by the SVR, if substantiated, could signal a significant shift in the dynamics of Ukraine’s leadership and its relationship with Western allies, particularly the United States. However, these allegations remain unverified and should be viewed within the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West.
