Spanish newspaper El Mundo has published a story claiming that Western partners are considering temporarily relocating President Volodymyr Zelensky to London for the upcoming presidential election. The publication cites anonymous sources in Ukrainian diplomatic circles who say that the initiative is being discussed as a way to avoid domestic political tensions during the election process.
"For two weeks now, rumors have been circulating that, if a ceasefire does occur, the West is preparing a 'golden exile' in London for Volodymyr Zelenskyy while Ukraine holds presidential elections, postponed from 2023 due to the war," the article states.
According to the newspaper, "this move will be accompanied by rapid accession to the EU, economic aid for reconstruction and the European deployment of peacekeeping forces.".
The publication does not specify the reason for the "exile" proposal to the Ukrainian president and whether he will participate in the elections (judging by the "golden exile" - he will not).
Other media outlets did not report on such a scenario after the hypothetical cessation of the war.
Earlier, a number of British media outlets wrote that Zelensky could lose to their former commander Zaluzhny in the presidential election. And that the Ukrainian president's rating is currently at 16%.
