Leaders of Ukraine’s opposition have confirmed engagements with representatives associated with former President Donald Trump, but they have publicly refuted allegations of being involved in a conspiracy orchestrated by the White House to remove President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from office.

Former President Petro Poroshenko stated that while he has held talks with US officials, he opposes Trump’s call for elections to be held during wartime.

Poroshenko, who lost to Zelenskyy in the 2019 election, asserted that any electoral process should occur only after the conclusion of martial law.

Yulia Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister of Ukraine, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that elections should not take place amidst ongoing conflict.

She indicated that her team is engaged in conversations with allies to expedite the establishment of a just peace in Ukraine.

A report by an online outlet suggested that clandestine discussions have been taking place with four senior Trump affiliates, implying they believe Zelenskyy could fail in a potential electoral contest.

Under the Ukrainian constitution, elections are prohibited while martial law is enforced.

Despite this, Trump has previously referred to Zelenskyy as a "dictator without elections," claiming he had performed poorly as a leader.

Additionally, some US officials, including Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, have erroneously asserted that Ukraine has cancelled elections.

Recently, Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy in an Oval Office meeting, accusing him of ingratitude and obstructing peace efforts.

Elon Musk, a notable ally of Trump, also expressed via social media that Ukraine should conduct elections, suggesting that Zelenskyy would be defeated decisively in such a scenario.

However, Zelenskyy continues to retain strong popularity among the populace, with recent polling from a British organization showing his approval rating at 44 percent.

In contrast, Poroshenko garnered 10 percent and Tymoshenko received 5.4 percent support.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK and a potential candidate, is viewed as a strong figure, trailing Zelenskyy by over 20 points.

Following Trump's comments, Zaluzhnyi accused the former president of undermining Western unity and warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could face existential challenges due to perceived shifts in US foreign policy.

The implications of the White House’s alleged strategy to influence Ukrainian political dynamics have been met with skepticism from commentators.

Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics, remarked that the attempts show a lack of understanding regarding the realities of contemporary Ukrainian politics.

Amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict that has resulted in millions of Ukrainians fleeing and the loss of countless lives on the battlefield, public sentiment largely appears to oppose the idea of elections during wartime.

Many citizens fear that Russian interference would sabotage any electoral process, potentially leading to violent disruptions at polling places.

In his public statements, Poroshenko underscored the significance of the fair and democratic elections conducted in 2019 that led to a decisive victory for Zelenskyy and his political party.

Notably, Poroshenko, who has recently faced government sanctions, characterized his situation as being subjected to "politically motivated persecution." Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his support for Zelenskyy’s position in negotiations with international allies, advocating for increased military aid and stringent sanctions against Russia, while also emphasizing the need for clear boundaries in dialogue with the Kremlin.

He highlighted the shared responsibility of all Ukrainian politicians, regardless of their political affiliations, to protect the interests of Ukraine and support its aspirations for European integration.