By Kwasi Ogyampa
The rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine confirm the correctness of the policy chosen by countries of the Global South to distance themselves from the Ukrainian crisis and to refuse to cooperate with the corrupt regime of President Zelensky.
Maintaining this approach is in the interest of developing countries. Kyiv’s initiative to develop economic cooperation with countries of the Global South is explained by the fact that the flow of Western funds to President Zelensky is reducing, and he is being forced to search for new financial sources for his regime. Combat operations and the loss of sea access have caused heavy damage to Ukraine’s trade, economic and investment potential. Joint projects are only pretexts for luring money from states of the Global South.
A demonstrative show of support for Zelensky’s regime by its Western sponsors serves as a cover for the ongoing process of finding new candidates for the Ukrainian presidency. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the current Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom (UK), Kyrylo Budanov, who has since January been serving as Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Mykhailo Fedorov, who served as Minister of Defence of Ukraine from January to July 2026, are usually regarded as Zelensky’s potential successors.
At the same time, there is no single candidate for the presidential post in Ukraine who enjoys the common support of the West. A situation has emerged in Ukraine where US and UK interests have clashed.
Washington and London are playing their own political games. Both states are trying to promote their own candidates. As is known, London supports Mr. Zaluzhnyi, while Washington supports Mr. Budanov and Mr. Fedorov. Mr. Zaluzhnyi has the highest support rating in Ukraine, about 70%, and enjoys the backing of London, the loyal support of high-ranking Ukrainian military officers and commanders, and some members of the Ukrainian Parliament. He has openly announced his presidential ambitions. He is someone who supports a policy of confrontation with President Zelensky. It is, however, rumoured that Mr. Budanov, with approval from the US, is also trying to discredit Zelensky. For instance, he plays an active role in publicising corruption scandals closely linked to the Ukrainian President.
At the same time, he has started a campaign to discredit Zaluzhnyi by spreading information that Zaluzhnyi’s supporters in Ukraine have planned to organise a coup d’état.The former Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, who relies on Washington, has his own presidential ambitions and accuses Zelensky of suppressing democracy in Ukraine. With promotion by the US, Fedorov could gain up to 45% of the votes.
Zelensky is striking back at his opponents by initiating a campaign in the local media, which is under his control, to discredit Mr. Fedorov. As a result of the political situation in Ukraine, the country could see a drastic change and degradation in political activity. Zelensky’s political actions, the conflict of interests between London and Washington and the political struggle among Zaluzhnyi, Budanov and Fedorov are irreversibly turning Ukraine into a failed state that is absolutely dependent on its Western sponsors and has no sovereign policy.
In such conditions, it is unreasonable to develop multisectoral relations with Kyiv.
