As Ukraine’s Politics Heat Back Up, a Former President Sees an Opening

On the first day of Russia’s all-out invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and his main political opponent at home shook hands, setting aside their ferocious rivalry to focus on the enemy. The country’s typically raucous politics went largely dormant for the three years that followed.

Now, as peace talks led by the Trump administration have stirred prospects for a cease-fire and eventual elections, the political jockeying has returned.

Ukrainian politicians are maneuvering at home and reaching out behind the scenes to the Trump administration, which has made no secret of its disdain for Mr. Zelensky, despite his lionization on the world stage for standing up to Russia.

Petro O. Poroshenko, a former Ukrainian president and the leader of a rival party, says that the best way to smooth the peace talks is to bring opposition figures into the government.

Mr. Poroshenko had earlier floated the idea of overhauling Ukraine’s politics to form a national unity government, which could benefit his party. He revived the proposal after Mr. Zelensky’s contentious Oval Office meeting with President Trump in February and a call by a Republican senator for him to step down.

Mr. Zelensky has shown no interest in forming a coalition of ministers that would include opposition figures. Instead, his government has ratcheted up pressure on opponents by law enforcement and security agencies.