Kremlin Doubles Down on Demand to Replace Zelensky, Risking Trump's Ire - The Moscow Times

The Kremlin is increasingly set on subjugating Ukraine by forcing a change in the country's leadership as Moscow's military efforts falter, five sources familiar with its thinking as well as independent experts told The Moscow Times.

But the longer it drags out peace talks on Ukraine, the more Russia risks losing U.S. President Donald Trump's favor and missing a key window of opportunity to strike a bigger deal with Washington, sources said.

On Sunday, Trump told NBC News he was "very angry" and "pissed off" with President Vladimir Putin for attacking Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's credibility and calling for new leadership in Kyiv.

All of The Moscow Times' sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Despite U.S.-Russia talks on a negotiated peace in Ukraine and preparations for a Putin-Trump summit, the Kremlin continues to pursue its maximalist goals in the war.

Officially, the Kremlin envisions two possible scenarios for achieving its goals.

The first is Kyiv's capitulation, leading to regime change and the restructuring of the Ukrainian state under Russian influence, effectively turning the country into a Belarus-like satellite.

The second, more modest, option would see Russia solidify its control over the four occupied Ukrainian regions while restricting Ukraine's political and military independence.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/30/kremlin-doubles-down-on-demand-to-rep lace-zelensky-risking-trumps-ire-a88527

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* Origin: Ukraine News from various sources (2:263/1)