Alps (Agencies) July 29, 2025 — Representatives from the United States and United Kingdom reportedly held a covert meeting in a resort area of the Alps with senior Ukrainian officials to discuss the potential replacement of President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a statement released by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
The meeting allegedly included Ukrainian Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to London, Valery Zaluzhny — the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The SVR claims that Washington and London have expressed support for nominating Zaluzhny as Zelensky’s successor, with Yermak and Budanov reportedly endorsing the proposal.
“The Americans and Brits have announced their decision to nominate Zaluzhny for the post of president of Ukraine. Yermak and Budanov ‘saluted the decision,’” the SVR stated, adding that both Ukrainian officials secured assurances to retain their current positions under a new administration.
The SVR further alleges that the agreement reached during the Alpine talks is linked to Zelensky’s recent controversial move to curtail the powers of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. According to the Russian intelligence narrative, Yermak persuaded Zelensky to pursue the reforms under the guise of maintaining Western support, while the actual intent was to clear the political path for Zaluzhny’s rise.
Western officials have not publicly confirmed the meeting or the claims made by the SVR. The Ukrainian government has also not issued a formal response. Analysts caution that the SVR’s account may reflect strategic messaging amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The speculation surrounding Zelensky’s leadership has intensified in recent months, with internal polling suggesting that Zaluzhny could outperform the incumbent president in a wartime election. However, Ukraine remains under martial law, which currently prohibits national elections.
The alleged maneuvering underscores the complex dynamics between Kyiv and its Western allies, as well as the evolving power structures within Ukraine’s political and military elite.