Klitschko: Selenskyj risks political suicide
Ukraine is in a dilemma: War or Compromise? Kiev's Mayor Klitschko sees President Zelenskyy in a difficult situation. For peace, Zelenskyy might have to go back on a referendum.
In the quest for a solution to the Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Kiev's Mayor Vitali Klitschko, might have to go back on a referendum. "I don't believe that he can make such painful and important agreements without the people's legitimation," Klitschko said in an interview with the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera."
The debates about possible scenarios for a peace deal with Russia present President Zelenskyy with great challenges, according to Klitschko's assessment. The coming months will be difficult for Zelenskyy, he added. "Will he continue the war with new deaths and destruction or consider a territorial compromise with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin?", Klitschko pondered.
"Whichever way he decides, our President is risking political suicide." Both scenarios could put him in an explanatory predicament. In particular, potential territorial concessions that call for a territorial withdrawal from Ukraine to end the war could be hard for the Ukrainians to swallow. "How can he explain to the country and the people that it's necessary to give up parts of our territory that have cost thousands of our brave fighters their lives?", Klitschko continued.
"I've always had good relationships with him"
The formation of a coalition of national unity, as happened in Israel after the Hamas massacre on October 7, could be an option for Ukraine to ensure stability and greater restraint, Klitschko added. However, he was unsure if President Zelenskyy was willing to give up the centralized power in his hands, which has granted him the war powers since the first day of the Russian invasion.
Klitschko and Zelenskyy are known as political rivals, with rumors of Klitschko's ambitions for the presidency. Asked about their relationship, Klitschko replied: "To be clear, I've always had good relationships with him, it's him who's been bad to me." Klitschko also emphasized that he considers the ongoing elections at this point in Zelenskyy's term in office to be premature.
Despite the strains in their political relationship, Klitschko acknowledged having good past interactions with Zelenskyy. The looming elections, as per Klitschko, might not be the ideal time for holding them during Zelenskyy's presidency. Zelenskyy, in his tough position, might face tough criticism if he chooses to compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially involving territorial concessions that could lead to the withdrawal of Ukrainian territories. The discourse surrounding peace talks with Russia poses significant challenges for Zelenskyy, who has been granted war powers since the Russian invasion's first day.
