Ukraine's former leader may replace Volodymyr Zelenskyy after war

Moscow (Russia): Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia in 2014, is being prepared by the Kremlin for a special occasion, The Kyiv Independent tweeted, citing a report by the Ukrayinska Pravda, an online newspaper.

The report, citing Ukrainian intelligence, said that according to one scenario, Russia will try to declare him as the "President of Ukraine".

The Kremlin may be preparing an informational operation or action for Yanukovych's return to Ukraine, it said.

⚡️Media: Putin wants to reinstate Yanukovych as president of Ukraine.



Viktor Yanukovych is allegedly in Minsk, and the Kremlin is preparing an operation to replace Zelensky with the ex-president ousted by the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2014, according to Ukrainska Pravda’s sources

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 2, 2022

WHO IS VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH?

Viktor Yanukovych was elected as the fourth president of Ukraine in 2010 and he remained in office until the Maidan Revolution. A string of violent clashes involving protesters, riot police, and shooters in Kyiv resulted in the overthrow of the Ukrainian government in February 2014 and Yanukovych's ouster from office. The protests, which began in November 2013, were a response to Yanukovych's refusal to sign a political and trade agreement with the European Union (EU).

Yanukovych then made his way to Russia, where he continues to live in exile under the protection of the Kremlin.

Yanukovych left the country as Oleksandr Turchynov came to power followed by Petro Poroshenko.

Zelensky was a popular TV star and comedian then who stormed to power after winning the presidential elections in 2019. And, it is well known that his anti-Russia stance did not go down well with Putin as he began pushing for NATO membership.

YANUKOVYCH - PUTIN RELATIONS

Yanukovych’s proximity to the Kremlin, coupled with his previous tenure as a democratically elected President of Ukraine, makes him a viable candidate for Putin - who Western officials believe wants to overthrow the elected government in Kyiv and install a puppet government in its place. This is being viewed in the context of Russia's efforts to redraw the map of Europe and revive Moscow's Cold War-era influence.